The Daily Compass

The Daily Compass September 12-17, 2011

2011-09-12T10:18:00.000-05:00

Monday
Reverence
Read Proverbs 22:4; 15:32, Isaiah 11:2-3

Seed Thought: The Bible tells us that the fear of the Lord brings honor. One of the Spiritual attributes of Jesus was the fear of the Lord. This is not being afraid of God but a living in awe of whom and what He is. If we don’t’ have a reverence for something we cannot honor it in our life. A Reverence of God should mark our life. If we don’t have reverence for God and His law then it is useless to us. We cannot benefit from it and they do not have a positive effect in our lives. If we don’t honor the awesomeness of God then everything becomes common and valueless to us. We need to honor God by being in awe of whom and what He is in our world and our life. It is the foundation of our walk with Him and the cornerstone of a society. We have lost our foundation in this nation. We need to come back to an awe of the creator of the universe. The Creator of the Universe is Almighty and awesome. Scripture says that Our Lord's blessings, goodness and even forgiveness are also reasons to "fear" Him! God's wonderful love and goodness should inspire awe and worship in our hearts. Such reverence does not conflict with an intimate communion with God, but it does conflict with flippancy, which is disrespectful. God is exalted above creation, yet "in Him we live and move and have our being". He knows us completely, loves us infinitely and is with us always. God's Majesty does not keep us from Him because He willingly humbles Himself to fellowship with us. His holiness does not bar us from His Presence because we have become the righteousness of God in Jesus. His attributes such as Power, Majesty, Justice, and Holiness should inspire awe and reverence in His creatures.

Action Plan: Ask yourself what type of fear do you have when you view God, is reverential fear, which acknowledges all of the awesome attributes of God or is it a fear of a frightful mean God, which is not Gods nature? If it is the latter ask the Holy Spirit to open the eyes of your heart to the loving, gentle, merciful God that He is. Spend time today in worship.

Declaration: My God is a loving and gentle God, He wants the best for me.

Tuesday
Righteousness
Read Proverbs 21:21; Romans 12:9-10

Righteous is what God is, and all of His acts are righteous because they have their source in His continuous righteous character. That God is immutably holy is what assures us that His actions are always absolutely correct and upright. If God acts in a certain way, then we can know with certainty that this particular action is a righteous one simply because it is what God did, for any thought or action that come from our God comes from the one-and-only morally perfect being, which exists Himself as the perfect standard of righteousness. Honor comes when we have and live up to the standards of God in our life. If we have no code of honor then we can’t measure honor. We are considered honorable when we have a God standard and we walk in such a way so others recognize that standard in our life. Right living brings honor to God, honor to the church and honor to us.

Action Plan: Do you live by a code of honor? List the ways or things you do that exemplify honor and righteousness that is considered God Standard.

Declaration: With Jesus as my example I will live an honorable life that is pleasing to my Heavenly Father.

Wednesday
Respect
Read 1 Peter 2:17

Respect denotes both a positive feeling of esteem for a person or other entity (such as a nation or a religion), and also specific actions and conduct representative of that esteem. Respect can be a specific feeling of regard for the actual qualities of the one respected.

One of the foundational things missing in our society is respect. People don’t give it, receive it or value it but it is the one of the things we need most in our homes, churches, schools and government. If we don’t have respect for people or boundaries then we live in the mist of chaos. It used to be that respect is one of the things we believed in and taught but it has gone by the wayside of individual rights but without respect we lose our rights. Without respect we have no honor and without honor we can have no self-respect and without self-respect we have no honor or respect for others.

Action Plan: What does respect mean to you? How do you show respect to others? Remind someone that you esteem and respect today what they have meant to you.

Declaration: I will treat everyone I meet with dignity and respect, I will love my spiritual family, revere God, and pray for my country.

Thursday
Responsibility
Read 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Without being and expecting responsibility we have no measuring line for honor. When we take responsibility for our relationship with God and what is required of us in life we have no honor. We are called to give honor by being and taking responsibility. If you want to be honored then take responsibility. Responsibility starts with being responsible for us. Many times we want to do what we do with no concern for others or the effect that it has on our family, our friends, neighbors, even in our government our leaders are concerned for themselves. It is time that we realize that if we want things to change, the change begins with us! It begins with a heart change; it begins with our accepting responsibility for who we are and what we have done. We cannot expect others to be responsible when we are being irresponsible. Our country is plagued with children and teens that have no reverence, no respect, no righteousness, few healthy relationships and no responsibility, but the problem is not with them, but with adults. How do they know what each of these are if they are taught? In many, many regards the adults around children and teens show no reverence, no respect, no righteousness, no healthy relationships and no responsibilities. As parents, teachers, leaders, government leaders it is our responsibility to teach our children and teen’s responsibility. When we are responsible our children learn to be responsible.

Action Plan: Do you take responsibility for your actions? Are there some things you have hidden or even covered up that you need to take responsibility for? Ask God to show and to show you how to resolve the issue.

Declaration: Through God I have strength to be responsible for my actions and live an honorable life.

Friday
Relationship
Read 1 Corinthians 16:15-18; 1Timothy 5:17-19; John 5:41-44

We honor God with our living, giving and serving. We honor God by honoring those who serve God and by giving them proper recognition. One of the key ways God has shown me to look for those who are to be our leaders is by judging people in the light of (1 Corinthians 16:15-18) Paul says men like this deserve honor and to be recognized as our leaders. One of the things I see in the lives of people in the church when it comes to honoring Godly leaders is that they judge them by their own standards, knowledge, and expectations for those leaders. What happens is you are judging them from your test paper, but, it is not your test they are taking it is God’s. They have not been called to do what you want but what He wants. We have to realize we don’t know everything, it is not our requirements they are trying to meet and that they are not called to live up to our expectations but to His. We need to give honor to the men and women of God who serve God and us. If we do not honor them we can’t benefit from them. Some of the greatest men and women of God I have known have been misunderstood by those they have tried to serve. They did not receive honor from many that they served but they sought the honor of the one who really counts. Remember this when you are serving people and they don’t appreciate it. It’s God’s honor and the relationship that they have with Him that counts.

Action Plan: Are you living, giving and serving in the Kingdom? List some the ways that you are doing this. What are other ways that you can do this? Do you honor the men and women who serve God?

Declaration: I will honor the men and women of God and God will honor me!

The Weekender
Looking Back

Today is the day that we take time to look back on what we have learned this past week. To reflect on what the Holy Spirit has highlighted in our lives and how we can implement the changes needed in our lives to be fully all we can be.

Father, we ask that you bring back remembrance of changes and what we need to do to change in our life to be fully who and what you have purposed us to be in your kingdom, Father thank you for being at work in our lives, in Jesus’ name, Amen

Take a few moments and Journal what the Father is speaking to you:

The Daily Compass August 29- September 3, 2011

2011-09-12T10:16:00.000-05:00

Monday
What Is Honor?
Read Isaiah 3:5; Romans 13:7; Philippians 2:3

Seed Thought: According to the thesaurus, honor has these synonyms: "esteem, respect, pay homage to, assigning value to." The Greek word translated "honor" in our English Bibles, timao, means "to prize, i.e. fix a valuation upon; by implication, to revere" (Strong's Concordance). Showing honor means treating another respectfully because we value them highly.

We live in a culture and age of dishonor. This is a time when political cartoons and editorials routinely lampoon our leaders. Turn on the radio, T.V., Internet—or maybe we should not!—and we find them filled with talk shows from all political stripes. Their theme seems to be discussing whose reputation they wish to destroy today. Their cruelty and bitterness soon infects even our attitude. Even conservative talk-show hosts are not God's messengers, but reflect the thinking of a segment of this world. Even children's cartoons often reflect Satan's anger, his fighting, and his insulting of any and all around. If we are not careful, we can begin to think and talk the same dishonoring way. Nobody is safe from attack or being dishonored. Not the presidency, not members of congress, not school teachers or law enforcement officers. This is an irreverent and disrespectful age. It is time to see what God says about honoring others—something very different from what the world teaches us.

So is honor due anyone? Should we put value on any man or woman, or should we honor God alone? What does the Bible say? A study with a concordance reveals just how much God has to say about honoring others. He does not limit it to honoring our parents. There are scriptures after scriptures that speak of honoring each other. To honor others we must have an attitude of meekness. Truthfully without it we will never sincerely, respect, prize, value and honor anyone until we do.

Action Plan: Define the word meekness, think about it and then ask yourself this, Does your attitude reflect meekness? If your attitude doesn’t; then ask the Holy Spirit to show you, how to change that aspect about yourself.

Tuesday
Honoring God
Read Luke 6:45, 46; Matthew 15:7-9

Seed Thought: God desires far more than lip service. He wants a relationship with us that stems from the heart. Jesus tells us, "A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil, For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks"[Luke 6:45]. In the end, it is not enough just to avoid misusing God's name. God wants us to love and respect Him. Honoring Him begins in our thoughts. We must know who and what He is. We must know what He requires of us and why. We should admire His wisdom, love, fairness and justice. We need to stand in awe of His power and recognize that our existence depends on His goodness. Then we should talk to Him in prayer- every day. He wants to hear from us. We should follow the admonitions in the Psalms to give Him thanks and praise Him. Openly expressing our appreciation for all that He gives us. We should acknowledge His greatness. We should ask Him to create in us His way of thinking and character. We should request the power of His Spirit to enable us to wholeheartedly obey and serve Him. We honor God most of all by loving Him so much that we desire above all things to be like Him and to accurately represent Him to everyone who sees or knows us.

Action Plan: What flows from your heart? Listen to the words that flow from inside you if they are not wholesome and uplifting ask God to give you the mind of Christ.

Wednesday
How Do We Honor God?
Read each scripture with each step for honoring God

Seed Thought:
1. Honor God in church.
We value honoring God even above our relationships.
2. Honor God in the Family. Ephesians 5:25-26.
3. Honor God in work. Colossians 3:23.
4. Honor God in our finances/wealth. Proverbs 3:9.
We honor God with our wealth through giving and in stewardship. Proverbs 13:22.
5. Honor God by honoring our parents. Exodus 20:12.

WE HONOR GOD IN EVERYTHING WE DO.
We are all called by God to honor him. He is pleased when our only desire is to honor Him.

Action Plan: You just finished reading ways that we honor God “Were there some ways mentioned that you do not honor God? List other ways besides the list above that you can honor God!

Thursday
Do You Make God Smile?
Read Matthew 22:37-40; Psalm 145:3; Psalm 99:5; Matthew 15:8; Malachi 2:2

Seed Thought: Values dictate our behavior. Every family has a set of values they live by. Every church has their own set of values. Where do we get these values? Why do we honor God? We honor God because He is worthy! What does it mean to honor God? God first loved us, we should practice love and tolerance to one another, when we do this it reflects God’s love for us. To honor God is more than just a lip service; it is more than just coming to church and doing religious routines. Honoring God is a heart issue in other words it is out of a deep reverence and love for God. It is when you serve with a sincere heart, that it honors God. When we honor God it makes Him smile. Why do you want to make God smile? It’s the same way you want to make your Dad smile. You want to make him smile because he loves you and cares for you, so you want to reciprocate that love in some way. When that reciprocation is successfully carried out, a smile is usually the easiest, most recognizable way to know that it is a success. To make God smile, it is the same. We want to honor God because God loves us, and we want to reciprocate that love in a way that we are good at, and in a way that will make God smile.

Action Plan: As you go about your day today, stop and think. Did what I say to my classmate/friend/neighbor just now please God, or not? Did it put a smile on His face? What can I do today to make God smile?

Friday
Honoring Our Brothers And Sisters
Read Malachi 1:6; Mark 6:4-6; Matthew 15:4-9; 1Timothy 5:17-18; Ephesians 6:3

Seed Thought: There may be as many reasons to honor special people, as there are people to honor. Yet, have you ever wondered why we honor people in the first place? Why do we pause every so often to acknowledge and honor special efforts by special people with an appreciation award or milestones in people's lives? After all, life would go on without special occasions. We'd still get up in the morning, go to work, care for our kids; they’d go to school, grow up, get their own jobs and maybe have a family of their own. Life does its thing. Perhaps we honor people with recognition programs because, sooner or later, we realize that we don't know how much time we've got here and every day becomes a little more precious. So too, the people we admire become a more appreciated. We honor those we respect, those that have been a huge presence in our lives. We honor those that have spoken words of encouragement, instruction and correction. We honor an individual for sacrificing the time and personal glory for the good of others. Romans 12:10 (The Message) says “Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle”. Here is a competition where we can rightly fight for first place in line: in honoring one another. Not just tolerating one another, but honoring one another.

Action Plan: Spend time today reflecting on your life and those who have made a difference in your life, if you can make an effort to call or see them to tell them how they impacted your life and honor them.

The Weekender
Looking Back

Today is the day that we take time to look back on what we have learned this past week. To reflect on what the Holy Spirit has highlighted in our lives and how we can implement the changes needed in our lives to be fully all we can be.

Father, we ask that you bring back remembrance of changes and what we need to do to change in our life to be fully who and what you have purposed us to be in your kingdom, Father thank you for being at work in our lives, in Jesus’ name, Amen

Take a few moments and Journal what the Father is speaking to you:

The Daily Compass August 22-27, 2011

2011-08-20T15:52:00.000-05:00

Monday
Belonging
Read 2 Corinthians 5:20; Mark 10:41-45

Seed Thought: If I belong to something not only do I belong to it but it belongs to me. If something belongs to me then I value it, care for it, and I do everything I can to make it work properly. God did not say we are like a body. God says we are the Body of Christ. We are not made up of one member but many. As in the physical body it takes parts and counterparts to make the body function. We are like that from the minute we are born, and when we are born again connections are made that make us who we are.

If I belong to something then what ever happens to it affects me. When I belong, I no longer long for something else, but, I now belong and my need for belonging is satisfied. Do I have a vested interest in Open Door church and if I do what am I doing to be a part of it’s success? Do I pray for it? Do I Labor in it? Do I Speak for it? People say I belong to Christ and I don’t’ need to be a part of the Body. Without a body a head has no way to function. We are the Body are the Body of Christ. What are we doing with our part of the Body?

The definition of the word church in the Greek is to be a citizen who is called out and called together to do the work of government. We are called out of the world into the church to do the business of the Kingdom of God. The church is to be God’s governing body in the world to bring about the Kingdom of God. God’s governmental representatives are not like this world’s,
but they are called to serve mankind demonstrating God’s love, care and provision of its King.

Action Plan: Reflect on belonging today, Ask yourself, where does my piece in this puzzle fit? If you are not sure as The Helper, He will show you.

Tuesday
Connecting With God And His People
Read Psalms 19:7-11

Seed Thought: We are all on a journey and each of us are at different places in our relationship with God. Some are just exploring who God is and how He can fit into their lives. Some have just begun a relationship with God, while others have been walking with God for a long time. Wherever you are on your journey, God is close by. He longs to have a relationship with you, but won't force you to spend time with Him. As Christians we are connected with God. The greater the connection the stronger the bond is with Him. There are times in our life that we feel distant, lost and lonely, this is not because he has left us, but, many times it because we are busy and we become influenced by the culture we live in. We need direction we need relationship

Connecting with God is not about religion, empty ritual, or mindless ceremony. Connecting with God is all about a relationship -- walking and talking with the God who created you! Spend time in worship and adoration of Him. We connect with God through fellowship with other believers. Fellowship with God and other believers is vital to our existence. We need each other in times of testing and trials; we need each other times of happiness and rejoicing. Connecting with God and other believers is as easy as saying good morning!

Action Plan: Think about this question – When do you feel closest to God? After you have done this list ways that you feel closer to God.

Wednesday
We Are Connected
Read Mark 10:42-45; Ephesians 4:12; 1 Peter 4:8-11

The Body of Christ is exactly like the human body. And as members of that Body, we are all joined together in God-ordained relationships. There are no unnecessary parts. The Bible says the Lord has set every member in the Body as it has pleased Him. We are connected to each other through service Every Christian is called to serve. We are called to work together and people who work together build strong bonds with one another. We don't choose which parts of the Body we have direct relationships with and which ones we have only indirect relationships with. God has made those decisions. But when the Body is working properly, all parts work together, help each other and minister to each other so there is an increase or a building up of the whole Body. We are all servants of God using our gifts to build up the rest of His Body to do the work of the Kingdom. The most important thing in your life is your relationship with God. After that is your relationship with people—your family, your friends and loved ones—and beyond them, your relationships with other members of the Body of Christ.
We must understand the proper ordering and working of our relationships within the Body of Christ because of the effect relationship has on our prosperity. That's right. Relationship is inseparable from prosperity. Remember, the Bible says that proper functioning in each individual part "causes the growth (or increase) of the body for the building up of itself in love" (Eph. 4:16).

Action Plan: Are you connected? What ways are you connected? What are ways that you can get connected? Make a list and get connected.

Thursday
Staying Connected
Read John 15:1-17

Seed Thought: In our world, “staying connected” has perhaps never been easier. TV, Internet, Cell Phones, iPods, Laptops, Blackberrys, Webcams…and the list goes on. Amazingly, though, amidst all of this “connection” we continue to see more and more loneliness and isolation. The question is, “Who and what are we connected to?” Jesus’ words are clear – if we’re not connected to Him, the branch withers and dies. Christ is the connection we all desperately need. Christ’s death and resurrection connects us to God and it connects us to each other. We are friends of God. We make friends in the Body as we relate and give our self to each other. Friends are our equals that encourage us, challenge us and comfort us.

The cross has long been used as a symbol of that connection – the vertical beam of the cross representing our restored connection to the Father through Jesus’ death and the horizontal beam representing our restored connection to each other. The cross keeps you connected to the vine, Jesus Christ. And in Him, you bear fruit and await His coming with confidence, living in faith to God and love toward your neighbors.

Action Plan: Are you connected to the vine? If not ask the Jesus to make the connection. If you are connected ask God to strengthen the connection. Ask God to what do I need to do to stay connected.

Friday
Am I Connected?
Read John 1:35-44

Take today and reflected on the word connection and how it relates to you, God and the body of Christ. Ask yourself Do I belong to something? Am I satisfied? Do I truly belong to the local body and do I have an impact on or within my local church? Do I have a vested interest in Open Door church and if I do what am I doing to be a part of it’s success? Do I pray for it? Do I Labor in it? Do I Speak for it? Am I doing my part?

There are ways you can connect with others. Make a list of those you feel God has been calling you to become connected with. Pray for them. Visit them. Invite them. Help them connect. Partner with them to do the work of the Kingdom. Let’s search for those he is looking for. His Heart Is Our Mission!

The Weekender
Looking Back

Today is the day that we take time to look back on what we have learned this past week. To reflect on what the Holy Spirit has highlighted in our lives and how we can implement the changes needed in our lives to be fully all we can be.

Father, we ask that you bring back remembrance of changes and what we need to do to change in our life to be fully who and what you have purposed us to be in your kingdom, Father thank you for being at work in our lives, in Jesus’ name, Amen

Take a few moments and Journal what the Father is speaking to you:

The Daily Compass August 15-20, 2011

2011-08-20T15:51:00.000-05:00

Monday
Called To The Fields
Read John 4:29-37

Seed Thought: The field is the people and the work that God has called us to serve in. God has created us with gifts, talents, abilities and resources. God has given us a place, but many times we choose to wander and be away from His presence. We can be much like Cain, we allow jealousy to consume us because see what others may or may not be doing. Jealousy blinds us therefore we do not realize our unique place with God. Cain lost his unique place because of his jealousy. Where Cain murdered his brother physically, we often murder our brother with our words. We must purposely move toward and into the presence of God. We have work to do, important work. We have been called by God to serve in the fields for the harvest.

In the world we might ask a person what is the field of work they are in. What we are asking is what line of work they are in. We must remember that our line of work is the Kingdom of God. It does not matter what job we have we are working for the king. We are laboring in the field of the service which He has called and placed us in. He has called us to fulfill His will. When God calls us and saves us, He gives us His Glory, His Presence, He gives us a place in His Presence so we can manifest His Glory. We are given purpose and called to work with God in a a field of labor. Where is your field or your place? Many do not realize that we have been sent here with a purpose and a call, a call to be world changers.

Declaration: I am world changer; God has called me to the harvest.

Action Plan: Look around where you are and ask “Father where are you working today?” “How can I be of service to your Kingdom today?”

Tuesday
The Field
Read Matthew 13:33; Acts 13:1-3; Acts 17:26-28; Matthew 13:31-32

Seed Thought: Fields are a place of Planting, laboring and harvest. They are a place of production. They are the places the Lord of the Harvest has sent us to work. Jesus said he was going to prepare a place for us. We all have a place. We must look up from where we stand and see the fields that are white for harvest. The field we are called to is the place of our influence, the place of our labor and the place of our harvest. We are standing in the field of our labor. Who and what is before us that God has called us to serve. God sets us apart and calls us to a field of service. The field of our service is the place we have influence. The field is a place we are called too. The field is the place that God has set us in that we find our being in. Who and what we have been created to be. The fields are a people we have been called to serve. Our field is the place where we are fruitful. The field is the place where we sow the seed of the Word that God has given us. The field is where we get our inheritance. We work in the field because we are married to the one who owns the field. The field is where we are assigned by the Lord of the Harvest. We have to know and stay in our field. Jesus sent to the lost sheep of Israel, Paul to the gentiles and Peter to the Jews. We need to be focused on our assignment. Our field of work is one that is given by the Holy Spirit and sanctioned by the church.

Declaration: I have influence where ever I go; the Holy Spirit empowers me to be a positive witness.

Action Plan: Do you have a powerful influence with those you come in contact with? Are your words effective? Do you boldly witness or do you shy away? If you need more power in your life, spend time in prayer, seek Gods face, He is willing.

Wednesday
Planting In The Fields
Read 1 Corinthians 3:5-9

Seed Thought: Fields are a place of planting; fields are a place of production. Planting a seed is not the only job of a farmer. He also tends to the field (watering, fertilizing, etc). Paul told the gospel to the Corinthians (he planted), and then Apollos labored for their spiritual maturity - he watered. Paul brought them into the flock of the Lord Jesus, and Apollos fed them. If a man plants a tree and that tree is not watered, it will die. If another waters some dirt but there was no seed ever planted there, what good is that?

There aren’t many people actively involved in ministry. God’s field is a BIG field and there is a major lack of people laboring for Jesus. Churches are like a football games - the stands are filled with thousands of people doing nothing but watching two dozen people on the field doing all of the work! Those ones in the field sweat, get beat, practice hours on end, fight hard and prepare. They care about their job on the field, and they work at it. But the ones in the stands are only there for entertainment. They don’t care about anybody else because they just want to relax and be comfortable. If you attend a church, chances are that you will find most of the people in that church sitting in the stands. Don’t let yourself be one of those lazy ones in the stands. Get out there and labor in God’s field. It doesn’t matter whether your ministry is one of planting or one of watering, to those in the church, or to those in the world, whether it is evangelism or building people up in the image of Christ.

Declaration: God’s field is a Big field and I will do my part.

Action Plan: Examine yourself with the Holy Spirit leading; are you like those fans in the stand? Ask yourself and the Holy Spirit what you can do participate and not be a spectator?

Thursday
The Field Needs Laborers
Read Romans 10:13-15; 1 Peter 3:15

Seed Thought: Just as the people of Samaria needed a willing teacher, people today need willing teachers as well. After telling the Romans that “whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13), Paul went on to discuss the importance of those who preach the gospel. The lost need to be taught; it is important to have men who have dedicated their lives to this work to do it. Many people feel that this is a job just for the preacher and that is not the case. It is not only the responsibility of the preacher to teach others. All Christians must be ready to teach when opportunities arise. And just as God shows no partiality we must not either. We should be willing to teach others regardless of their race, gender, class, background, or any other factor. Not only is it important to have willing teachers, but those teachers must have the right message. Just as Jesus did, we must simply preach the gospel. This is the message that people need to hear. We have the message that the world needs to hear and that is the Good News. Laborers it is time to get busy and share the Good News”

Declaration: I will use my voice to spread the Good News

Action Plan: will you say yes to Him and allow Him to use you to spread the Good News, to give others the same opportunity afforded you, the Good News of eternal life. Will you stand up and be a witness? Labors are needed in the fields.

Friday
You Ask Why I Follow This Jesus

You ask why I follow this Jesus. Why I love Him the way I do? When the world’s turned away from his teachings and the people who serve Him are few. It’s not the rewards I’m after or gifts that I hope to receive. It’s the presence that calls for commitment. It’s the Spirit I trust and believe. The Lord doesn’t shelter His faithful or spare them all suffering and pain. Like everyone else I have burdens, and walk through my share of rain. Yet He gives me a plan and a purpose and that joy only Christians have known. I never know what comes tomorrow, but I do know I’m never alone. It’s the love always there when you need it; It’s the words that redeem and inspire. It’s the longing to ever be with Him that burns in my heart like a fire. So you ask why I love my Lord Jesus? Well, friend, that’s so easy to see. But the one thing that fills me with wonder is why Jesus loves someone like me.

Author Unknown.

Write down three things you find as the most valuable to you
and put them in order; one being the most important of the
three.
1.
2.
3.
Write down

The Daily Compass August 8-13,2011

2011-08-10T14:04:00.001-05:00

Monday
Who Is Called By God?
Read Exodus 3:1-15

Seed Thought: From the very beginning of mankind God placed purpose in us and then called us to that purpose. Adam came into the world with a call from God on his life a call to fulfill the purpose of God around him. Even when man had sinned in Genesis 3 God was still calling for Adam. Who is called by God? Mankind is called by God. All humanity has a call from God to fulfill His Purpose. God was still looking for a man to fulfill His purpose even after man sinned because even in sin man still had his purpose. The people around us in the world still have the purpose of God in them. God spoke to Adam in his sin and said that one day there would come a man from his linage that would bring mankind into the purpose of God again and that new man is Christ Jesus and those that are called to be in Him. We have been created to fulfill the purpose of God in the earth. We are his ambassadors to the earth.

Our call is by Him and to Him and for Him. Moses in the Old Testament is the picture of God’s calling. He created Moses with a purpose to deliver His people from bondage and then called Moses to the thing he had been created to do. Moses heard the call of God at the burning bush but had to move toward the one calling to get to a place to hear his call. Our call is to be his representative on the earth. We are His ambassadors for the Kingdom of God. He is calling are we listening? When we hear the call it means He has chosen us.

Declaration: I am an ambassador for the Kingdom of God.

Action Plan: Confused or don’t know what your calling is take deep look at your life, what makes you happy, what is your passion? Don’t know how that fits in to God’s plan for you spend time in prayer with God and let Him put the puzzle pieces together. He just waiting for you to let Him.

Tuesday
Called Because Of His Love
Read exodus 3:7; Jeremiah 3:15; Ephesians 2:4-6

Seed Thought: It's a wonder God didn't lose his temper and do away with the whole lot of us. Instead, immense in mercy and with an incredible love, he embraced us. He took our sin-dead lives and made us alive in Christ. He did all this on his own, with no help from us! Then he picked us up and set us down in highest heaven in company with Jesus, our Messiah.(The Message)

We are called because God is concerned with the earth and its’ people. God’s call is always a call of love to a labor of love. God is love and everything He does is out of love. God raises up men who have His heart to do who His Work. When you came to Christ; God called to your heart because it is the place of the image of God in you. We are called by his immense mercy and incredible love for us. We are called because we are like Him we are made in that image of love.

Declaration: God picked me up and set me in the company of The Messiah. I have been called to a labor of love because He loves me so incredibly.

Action Plan: Loving others is not always easy, loving yourself is not easy, but before you can you must understand His love for you. Ask Him to show you. Spend time in worship today basking in His love for you. Then ask Him to show you how to love yourself and others.

Wednesday
Availability Not Ability
Read 1 Corinthians 1:24-31; 3:5-9; Romans 8:30

Seed Thought: We are not called and chosen because of ability but availability. God looked to see if Moses would respond to His call. Many are called but few are chosen. God says. Well who are the chosen? They are the ones who respond to God’s call. God’s not calling us according to our great ability but our availability. God equips the called. God chooses the weak and makes them strong. Some people do not consider themselves worthy to do God’s work because they made bad decisions in the past. But God calls all sorts of people, even from the most unlikely backgrounds. Moses was a murderer and had a stutter. Paul, a tentmaker, went around persecuting Christians zealously before his conversion. Mary was not even married. Jonah had no desire to preach the word of God and ran away. For many, the call of God brings also a great reluctance. The attempt to run away from God’s call does not find us peace; but the search and discovery of God’s will for you is a deep and fascinating endeavor. Every job, every path to which Christ calls us, ultimately leads to fulfillment and happiness, because it leads to God, to sharing in God’s own life. Be available there will be no regrets.

Declaration: I once was weak, but through Christ Jesus I am STRONG!

Action Plan: Do you see yourself unworthy of His call. Through Christ Jesus He makes us worthy, He gives us ability. It is through our inability to do, that His ability and strength shine through. Reflect on the ways that He has shown you that you can trust Him. Make a list, then thank Him.

Thursday
Called By Name
Read Ephesians 5:28-29

Seed Thought: Do you know my name?" There are plenty of people, some of whom may be reading this today, who have never heard God call their name. You may doubt whether or not God even knows your name. God sees no crowds and knows no strangers. To God every face is a special with a special name. The creator of the universe, the sustainer of life, the architect of history has your name inscribed in the heavens? "I have inscribed your name on the palms of my hands." (Isaiah 49:16). It's an amazing thought, when you get up close. The God of heaven and earth has inscribed your name on his hands. You may have seen your name inscribed on a trophy, a diploma, or a certificate. You may have heard your name spoken by a spouse, a child, a teacher, or a friend. It feels good to be chosen. I know, as one who was usually chosen last, how good it sounds to finally hear your name. But being found worthy by your peers does not compare to being tapped by God to play on God's team. God calls us by name. Everyone God called He calls by name. Since the beginning of time, God has been calling. Adam, where are you? Moses, who are you? Saul, why are you? Listen to the questions of your life. You are not just another birth in the ever flowing stream of time; you are a child of God with a special story and a special calling and a special name. You matter to God. God knows who you are, where you've been, and where you're going.

Declaration: I have been called by God; He knows MY name!

Action Plan: Spend time with God today. Ask Him to tell you what He thinks of you, how He sees you, and what He desires for you. Take time and write down what He shows you.

Friday
Fulfilling God’s Call
Read Matthew 22:1-14; Revelation 19:9

Seed Thought: We are called because God purposed for a man to fulfill His will on the earth. God is always looking for a man. That should be what we are looking for, men to fulfill the purpose of God.

Our call is to God
Our call is from God
Our call is for God

How many calls or invitations do we have to have to join Him? Are we joining in? Are we hearing or ignoring the call? Are we beating or killing the messenger? How do we respond to the invitation that God has given us? Fulfilling God’s call starts with one simple word: YES

Declaration: Yes Lord!!!

Action Plan: Yes Lord here I am.

The Weekender
Looking Back

Today is the day that we take time to look back on what we have learned this past week. To reflect on what the Holy Spirit has highlighted in our lives and how we can implement the changes needed in our lives to be fully all we can be.

Father, we ask that you bring back remembrance of changes and what we need to do to change in our life to be fully who and what you have purposed us to be in your kingdom, Father thank you for being at work in our lives, in Jesus’ name, Amen

Take a few moments and Journal what the Father is speaking to you:

The Daily Compass August 1-6, 2011(Purpose)

2011-08-06T14:29:00.000-05:00

Monday
What Is Our Purpose?
Read Hebrews 10:5-10; 2 Timothy 4:7-8; Acts 11:23; Luke 14:33

Seed Thought: Our purpose is to glorify God. You are here to make a mark on the world that glorifies God. Our purpose is to fulfill God’s purpose. We are called to do his will His will is His Purpose. Jesus said here I am I have come to do your will oh God. Paul's purpose and mission in life was to live according to the will of God. Everything in Paul's life was surrounded around achieving his goal (purpose). Later Paul says: "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. As Christians, we must be aware that we are created for purpose. We all have purpose – We are created for purpose, many times in our journey we are going after our own purpose and goals but find God’s. Woven into the fiber of every man’s being is the purpose of God. It is the will of God to fulfill the higher goal of God. It is the very heart of who we are because it was created in us to fulfill the purpose of God.

In Acts 11 we read that Barnabas encouraged Christians in Antioch "that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord." If we desire to continue with the Lord, we must make this our goal in life. Everything else must come second to our relationship with the Lord. Jesus teaches this lesson saying: “Simply put, if you're not willing to take what is dearest to you, whether plans or people, and kiss it good-bye, you can't be my disciple." Our purpose is far bigger than our needs and our desires.

Declaration: I will glorify God in everything that I do!

Action Plan: What is your purpose in life? What have you set forth to accomplish above all else in life? If your purpose in life is to serve God, stop and think about the types of decisions you will make in life. Now think about this: Do my decisions demonstrate that my purpose in life is to serve God?

Tuesday
God Is Hiring
Read Matthew 20:1-16

Seed Thought: Is the church of this day like people waiting on their plane to leave at the airport or are we labors in God’s field to be world changers. Are we saved to sit or called to walk with God. Our purpose is bigger than sitting in a pew waiting to check out and go to heaven. Our purpose is to bring heaven to earth. Jesus came preaching the Kingdom of God. Is the present rule and reign of God our message? The world is looking for something to belong too. We should showing and sharing the Kingdom of God with the world. We should be inviting them to become a part of the business of God. God is hiring labors so let’s invite people to take their place in the work of the Kingdom of God. There was a time in my life that I thought that I had wasted so much of my life and that it was too late for me to be effective in the Kingdom of God, but I have found my purpose and I have a lot to do and so do you. God’s hiring no matter what time of your life you are called to come in – God’s looking for labors.

Declaration: I am a world changer, God is hiring, so I am advertising!

Action Plan: What is the field God has given you? Moses was also a man looking for his purpose in his own way. He wanted to deliver one man and God wanted him to deliver a whole nation. God’s plan is bigger than ours. If you know what field your piece of the puzzle fits in take this time to ask the Helper, He is waiting to show you.

Wednesday
Finding Your Purpose
Read Habakkuk 2:1-3

Seed Thought: To ask any man or woman, including your parents, to tell you what your God-given purpose is, is like asking the Ford Motor Company, "What is the purpose and capabilities of a B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber?" The folks at Ford have some sharp minds, but they cannot answer that question for one reason. They did not design or manufacture that aircraft. If you want to know your God-given purpose, you must go to your manufacturer, When the God created us; He gave each of us an operator's manual. It is called the Bible - the Written Word of God. Our operator's manual tells us which counselor to inquire of concerning this critical issue. Our counselor is none other than the Holy Spirit! He is the only one who can reveal to us our God-given purpose. When you seek His counsel, there is no possibility of you failing in life because His counsel is excellent in working, the prophet Habakkuk sought out the Wonderful Counselor, became a man of understanding and got clear on his God-given vision.

Finding your purpose takes action on your part, it is not going to come to you, you have to get up and do something. Following Habakkuk’s example is a good place to start.

Declaration: I will seek the counsel of the Helper and I will find my purpose and I will work within my Purpose to bring Glory to God.

Action Plan: Following Habakkuk’s example engage in earnest prayer, get quiet before the Lord, He will speak to you, When He speaks, write the vision down, Be ready to convey your God-given vision to others, and rejoice, because God's vision for your life is coming to pass. Earnestly pray, "Lord, what is my purpose and what did you put in me?" When you ask the Lord those questions, He will always answer you.

Thursday
Your Gifts, Talents and Abilities Defines Your Purpose
Read Romans 11:29

Seed Thought: Prior to your birth, God installed in you all of the necessary gifts, talents and abilities you would need to fulfill his purpose for your life. Those gifts, talents and abilities help define your purpose. The wings of the eagle reveal that the eagle was made to fly. The eyes of the owl reveal that it is more suited to hunt at night. The anatomy of the fish - the scales, slime coat, gills, ventral, pectoral and dorsal fins, and fact that they have no arms, legs or wings, reveals that they were designed for the water. What do you like to do? Solve mathematical problems? Play chess? Sing? Create music? Write? Build things? Invent things? Do you like to paint? Design things? Are you artistically inclined? Do you have a love for biology, nature or medicine? Do you have an analytical mind? Are you mechanically inclined?

You can be so busy fulfilling your vision for your life and not your God-given purpose! The Lord put within each of us the gifts, talents and abilities to hone, find and fulfill their God-given purpose. Once we learn our God-given purpose, our life will completely change. It will become fulfilling and satisfying! There is no greater joy than being able to help God's people walk in the Truth and fulfill His purpose for their lives!

Declaration: I will fulfill His purpose for my life.

Action Plan: Take an inventory of your giftings, talents and abilities, are you using them for God’s purpose? If not ask God to show you how.

Friday
Purpose Found
Read Acts 9:1-19

Seed Thought: Paul's conversion to Christ is one of the greatest transformational encounters in all of Scripture. Do you remember the story? Paul was traveling down the Damascus road, when he was suddenly knocked to the ground and blinded by a brilliant light. Paul immediately knew this was a supernatural encounter. And he asked, "Who are you, Lord?" The Lord replied, "I am Jesus whom you persecute." Now, Paul had just met Christ Jesus, the one whom he had been persecuting. No doubt overcome by the powerful encounter, Paul asked another question. He asked, "Lord, what will you have me to do?" When you really meet Jesus, you will find the purpose of your life! Paul discovered his mission in that moment and he never turned back. If you have met the Lord, then you have a mission, too.

Whether you're a butcher, a baker, a preacher or a plumber, God has a plan for you to glorify him and to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ with all your being. And he wants you to take this calling seriously. You cannot negotiate with God about your mission. And never compromise with the world. Give God your best each day. Embrace your assignment. Fight the good fight and fulfill your purpose in Christ Jesus. When you do this your purpose is found.

The Weekender
Looking Back

Today is the day that we take time to look back on what we have learned this past week. To reflect on what the Holy Spirit has highlighted in our lives and how we can implement the changes needed in our lives to be fully all we can be.

Father, we ask that you bring back remembrance of changes and what we need to do to change in our life to be fully who and what you have purposed us to be in your kingdom, Father thank you for being at work in our lives, in Jesus’ name, Amen

Take a few moments and Journal what the Father is speaking to you:

The Daily Compass July 25-30, 2011

2011-07-23T19:21:00.001-05:00

Monday
Where The Helper Leads I Must Follow
Read 1 Corinthians 3:8-9; John 4:29-37; 16:12-16

Seed Thought: Everyone has a deep hunger they just don’t know what they are hungry for. We hunger to know our purpose call, and our field. The message that will bring harvest in this hour is not to tell people what they lack but what they have been created to be. Like the woman at the well who was called to be an evangelist. She had a hunger to draw men into relationship but when she met the man Christ Jesus. She was given a hunger to introduce all men to her savior. Peter had a hunger to fish but his real call was to be a fisherman for God so he could catch men. Where is the need? Where is the hunger? How are we fulfilling the hunger? Are we giving people the person who will really satisfy? Answering the deep questions: What is your purpose? What is your Call? And what is the field God has given you?

Action Step: Ask the Lord to confirm your call to you, clarify your purpose in the Kingdom of God and to show you your field of ministry. Look and listen for His answer.

Declaration: I am called of God with a purpose to fulfill and a field to work in.

Tuesday
The Helper; Helps Me Find Purpose
Read Jeremiah 29:11; Romans 12:2 Psalms 119:105; John 16:3

Seed Thought: What is God's will for your life? Many Christian’s desire to do God's will, but struggle because they don't know what God's will is. God's Word will help you to discern what God's will is for you. God does have great plans for your life! We were created by God, in His image, for a purpose. Just as God set apart from birth Isaiah, Jeremiah and Paul for a specific purpose, he also has a specific plan for your life. “‘I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. (Jeremiah 29:11 The Message). We have been given the Helper to lead and guide us. The Helper teaches us and leads us into understanding our purpose in this life. The Father's will, first and foremost, is that we have a relationship with Him through His Son, Jesus Christ. In addition to the Helper, the Bible will help us to know the Father's will. God promises to give us wisdom if we just ask Him in prayer, believing that He will give it. Sometimes we need to just ask the Father to give us wisdom to discern His will. God has given each of us gifts and abilities to use in His service. The Helper reveals to us what our gifts and abilities are. God always equips us to do what He calls us to do, and we must trust God that He will accomplish His will in our lives.

Action Plan: Do you know God’s plan for your life? Reflect on your life what are things that you are good at (or gifted in), If you are not sure ask the Helper to show you, Journal what he shares with you.

Declaration: The Father has a plan for my life, He will reveal His plan through the Helper and I will be ALL He has planned for me.

Wednesday
The Helper; Calls Me
Read Acts 20:22-24

Seed Thought: What we do matters. We can ask ourselves what we would do with our time if we had no particular constraints. The pursuit of pleasures in a self-indulgent lifestyle would soon leave us empty and dissatisfied. We would start looking for a productive way to be of service to others, to society. We would seek a way of serving that corresponds to our own unique talents and propensities, a way that engages the whole of ourselves, a way that calls to us.

So what is your mission in life? Just like Paul, we have the same connection inside of us “The Holy Spirit”. Paul did not know every detail of his journey, but he did have some insight! He followed the leading of the Holy Spirit. Just as Paul knew his obedience to the Helper’s leading would enable him to finish his course with joy, we to can do just that! We can tap into the resources of the Helper. Wanna know what your calling is? Wanna what race you should be running? ASK, ask the Helper He is waiting for you to just that! He is waiting to shed light on our gifts and talents.

Action Plan: Your action plan is simple ASK! Spend sometime today asking the Father, Am I running the race you have planned for me? Am I doing what you want me to do? If the answer is no then ask the Helper to show you the path you should be on.

Declaration: I will follow The Helper’s leading! He is here on by behalf; He will guide me to peace, comfort, He is my advocate and will lead me into all truth.

Thursday
The Helper Helps Us Serve
Read Romans 12:3-16; Ephesians 2:10; 1 Peter 4:10

Seed Thought: Having made a personal commitment to follow Christ, each believer is prepared for His purposes with spiritual gifts that equip them to serve Christ. Exercising those gifts benefits the entire family of God and brings personal blessing. Are you aware of the many existing opportunities to exercise your unique combination of spiritual gifts, natural abilities, and learned skills in His service. We have all been given gifts; we have all been called to serve in a particular field. The Helper has been given to each of us to guide us in learning to use our individual Gifts. There are two different uses for the word gift one is used as to show that a gift has been presented to one another, to the poor, freely given. The other is a supernatural ability given by God’s grace to each believer to employ in building up the body of Jesus Christ to the glory of God. Believers are exhorted not to neglect their spiritual gift and to rekindle afresh their spiritual gift by taking advantage of opportunities available to serve the body of Christ. Use your spiritual gift to serve one another!

Action Plan: Reflect on your day to day actions do you recognize and use your gifts? If you don’t know what your gifts or particular field you have been called to serve ask the Helper.

Declaration: The Helper lives in me and He teaches me to use my gifts as I allow. I surrender to the Helper full use of my gifts and talents.

Friday
Hunger And Thirst For More
Read Luke 11:13

The greatest gift we could have is the Gift of the Spirit. We are to seek this gift and not half heartedly. Without the Spirit we don’t have an awareness of God’s presence, His love, the fruits of the Spirit, a message to others, real joy, words of wisdom at the right time, guidance from God, the mind and thoughts of God, healing, help in our weaknesses, the ability to set our mind on the things of God, freedom from slavery physical, emotional and spiritual, the pledge of eternal life. Without these how can we live the God life that He wants us to? Jesus gives the living water to the thirsty. He gives to those who are seeking with their whole heart. His promise. (1 John 5:14-15)

Action Plan: Are you living the Life He wants you to live? What are things you can do to live the life he wants you to live? Do you have obstacles that need moving?

Declaration: Take from me my lukewarmness, and give me Your on Holy Passion.

The Weekender
Looking Back

Today is the day that we take time to look back on what we have learned this past week. To reflect on what the Holy Spirit has highlighted in our lives and how we can implement the changes needed in our lives to be fully all we can be.

Father, we ask that you bring back remembrance of changes and what we need to do to change in our life to be fully who and what you have purposed us to be in your kingdom, Father thank you for being at work in our lives, in Jesus’ name, Amen

Take a few moments and Journal what the Father is speaking to you:

The Daily Compass July 18-23, 2011

2011-07-16T16:50:00.000-05:00

Monday
Are We Aware Of His Presence?
Read Acts 17:28

Seed Thought: Jesus said the world would not see Him but that we would see Him. We would experience Him in the person of the Holy Spirit He was with them but would soon be in them and then they would know God would never leave them alone. God is active in our lives and every detail of our lives. The Old saying is not true “the devil is in the details” it is not the devil but God that is in every detail of our lives. He even cares when people run out of wine at a wedding. (John 3) As Peter reminds us we can cast all our cares on Him because He cares for us. (1 Peter 5:7)

Paul reminds people in Athens that what we seek we actually live and move in and have our being from. Like Jacob many people in the family of God do not realize how close God is and how much he loves and cares about each one of us. Have you ever had those nagging thoughts: Is God here? Will He hear me? Does He care? The Holy Spirit is around us, with us, and can be in us. Let’s not be like the world and not see Him but let’s believe God and look and see Him in every detail of our lives. We don’t have to be alone any more. Are you aware of His presence in you and around you?

Action Step: Look around you today and look for areas that God is working. It may be a small thing. God usually starts with the little and creates the full. Somebody needs to touch the Holy Spirit today. You be willing to be the contact.

Declaration: I know that God is working in the world around me because His Spirit is working in me.

Tuesday
He Saves Me Time
Read Acts 10:17-24

Seed Thought: Have you ever been doing something or visiting someone that you felt you needed to change directions or do something different or even speak to some when it is totally out of character for you. Have you ever taken the stance no I can’t do that or surely that is not meant for me. All of us experience hearing God speak through the inner voice, but sometimes we don’t recognize what it is or we are in such a rush with the everyday things of life that we brush it off. Don’t you think it would be much easier for all of us if God just spoke to us through our natural hearing all of the time? God is after intimacy with His people. Lovers share their most endearing moments together in whispers. When we first start our life with the Lord, He usually makes sure the inner voice is fairly firm and insistent. He wants to help us gradually become confident in recognizing His voice. But the closer we get in our relationship with Him, the more likely it will be that He will speak in a whisper.
So the next time you feel should change direction or have the urge to do something out of the norm remember God will never ask you to do anything that is against His nature, He will only ask those things that are pure, holy, honest and loving.

Action Plan: When you sense a need to change in direction or to do something that changes the everydayness of life. Get still focus on God, ask Him and listen. He wants to answer you.

Declaration: I will trust in God, I know he will make a way in every situation and circumstance. He cares about my everyday needs.

Wednesday
He Guides My Actions
Read Acts 13:2-4; Acts 8:26-40

Seed Thought: The Holy Spirit guides us. The emphasis is on the word guide. Jesus doesn't promise that the Holy Spirit will control us. He says He will guide us. Granted, there are times when I wish the Holy Spirit would control me, for instance, when I am tempted. Or when I become so task oriented that I become insensitive. But He is our guide, not our controller. We never lose our ability to choose to follow Him. Consequently, we are always responsible for our words and actions. The Holy Spirit is a trustworthy guide. The Holy Spirit is called the Spirit of truth. He guides believers into truth and according to what is true. That makes Him a trustworthy guide. The Holy Spirit helps believers discern between what is true and what is not; what is wise and what is foolish; what is best and what is simply OK. Each day is full of decisions. Most of our decisions concern issues not clearly spelled out in the Bible, for example: where to attend school, whether to hire a particular applicant, how much to budget for vacation – on and on it goes. As you are bombarded with the details of everyday life, the Holy Spirit guides you. He gives you that extra on-the-spot sense of discernment you need to make both big and small decisions. As you develop a greater sensitivity to His guidance, you will worry much less about the decisions you make. Why? The Holy Spirit is a trustworthy guide.

Action Plan: Got big decisions you need to make? Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you in the decisions of your life.

Declaration: The Holy Spirit is a trustworthy guide and I choose to trust him.

Thursday
He Protects Me
Read Proverbs 1:33; Psalms 23; Psalms 68: 20

Seed Thought: Can you imagine a life free from harm and or fear? Many people live most of their life out of fear. Where is the life in that? Living in fear is not a life that God has in mind for us. He wants us to enjoy life. We have a safeguard the Holy Spirit, He is here to help us. All we have to do is listen to His voice. If we would listen to His voice many of the difficulties and circumstances we end up in would be thwarted. In the light of the recent devastating tornado many have asked this question “How could a loving God allow such death and destruction to happen? If you look at this question from another angle yes there was loss of life and destruction, but when you look at the number of homes in the areas that were affected you know that God protected many more people from death. When people in the affected area begins to think about where they were during this time they will realize that it was that they had experienced the voice of the Holy Spirit keeping them where they were or directing them in a different direction for no apparent reason at the time. Many will testify that were in the path of destruction and that the very hand of God kept them safe and saw them through the storm. At the moment of being born again each of us is given the ears in our spirit to enable us to hear His voice. We need to practice listening and obeying God’s Spirit when He speaks to us.

Action Plan: Reflect on the circumstances that have occurred in your life and see where God was in them. Did you listen to His voice or did you do your own thing? How did the outcome compare.

Declaration: I will trust in the Lord, He helps and delivers me in my time of need.

Friday
The Helper Is With Me In Everyday Situations
Read Romans 8:26; Matthew 10:29-31

Seed Thought: Jesus’ succinct statement of our human plight tells us clearly why we need the Helper in everyday life: Apart from Me; you can do nothing. We often feel that we can handle life on our own, but when we get to this point it is most likely that this is when we need Jesus the most. We need the help of the Holy Spirit not just in the spiritual realm, but we need Him in the physical realm as well. Have you ever been trying to complete a task and no matter how hard you try you can’t seem to get it all to come together. For me I usually end up frustrated so I have to leave it alone and when I am not thinking about it all of a sudden I have an idea to pop in my head that I had not thought of or would not have thought of. In the book “How To Hear God’s Voice” the writer tells us that these illumined thoughts and ideas come from the Holy Spirit. The Helper is with us in ALL situations, but we do not always acknowledge Him. He wants to be a part of our everyday life, a life we often call mundane, but if we allow Him to participate in every aspect of our life, we might find that life it’s self could be our most thrilling experience.

Action Plan: Invite the helper into your everyday life. When you are struggling with everyday situations turn to Him and allow Him to guide the way.

Declaration: I accept Your word that the fabric of daily life is woven in such detail that how I handle them is important to you. I will call on you for help in every situation in my life.

The Weekender
Looking Back

Today is the day that we take time to look back on what we have learned this past week. To reflect on what the Holy Spirit has highlighted in our lives and how we can implement the changes needed in our lives to be fully all we can be.

Father, we ask that you bring back remembrance of changes and what we need to do to change in our life to be fully who and what you have purposed us to be in your kingdom, Father thank you for being at work in our lives, in Jesus’ name, Amen

Take a few moments and Journal what the Father is speaking to you:

The Daily Compass July 11-16, 2011

2011-07-09T19:48:00.000-05:00

Monday
The Holy Spirit Helps Us To Learn And Remember
Read John 14:25-26; Hebrews 8:10-12

Seed Thought: We need reminders in our life to help us bring things to our memory that we do not want to forget. One of the most important things not to forget is our relationship with God. When we go to the store and forget something we went after it is an inconvenience but not a tragedy but when we forget God and the things of God it is life threatening. The children of Israel where given feasts, Sabbaths and a Tabernacle to help them remember and worship God but Jesus said he would give us the Holy Spirit to remind us of what he has said and taught us. Do you ever take time to remember where God has brought you from and where you are today? Do you remember the things He has taught you in your relationship with Him? It’s time to allow the Holy Spirit to bring those things to your remembrance. Lessons we learn have to be brought to our memory to help us hold them fresh in our minds. The more we rehearse the less chance there is that we will forget them. Let’s remember the Lord and keep Him fresh in our hearts and minds. Remembering brings us memories and memories are to be shared with others so they can join in our relationship with God. (1 John 1:1-3)

God wants to teach us so we can teach and remind others. The Holy Spirit’s teaching and reminding are parts of the same work in our life of renewing our minds and lives. If you learn something but forget it then it does you no good. The Holy Spirit wants to teach us and then refresh our memory.

Declaration: I have the mind of Christ so I can learn and remember all the things the Holy Spirit is teaching me. I have a great mind because I have His Mind.

Action Step: Are you putting into practice the things you have learned from the Holy Spirit. Ask Him to remind you this week of things He has taught you and ask Him to do them again in your life.

Tuesday
He Shows Us Our Sin
Read John 16:7-9

Seed Thought: One of the ministries of the Holy Spirit is to convict us of sin; we need to see our bankrupt condition. However, why does God want to redeem us? What is God’s incentive? God is defined by His nature, which includes mercy, love and justice. God’s love, mercy and justice is the reason for our redemption. Our helpless condition caused God to extend His mercy and love. God reached down into humanity and became our intercessor, because no man could ever accomplish what God required. God love for man is so great; He was willing to take upon Himself the sins, of all humanity. He was willing to be humiliated and abused by His own creation, taking the taunts and insults because He loved humanity who was created in His image. How great is the love God has? When we least deserved His mercy we received it. Imagine a parent willing to sacrifice a child. Allowing the child to suffer and be humiliated, so those committing the act could be saved. Jesus came into the world, not only to die for our sins, but to also set a model for us how we are to act in a fallen world. From womb to death the Holy Spirit was involved in the life of Christ, on the earth. The Spirit formed the body of Jesus in the womb (Matthew 1:20, Luke 1:35). Jesus through the Spirit offered Himself as our sacrifice.

Declaration: I am dead to sin, I am alive in Christ.

Action Plan: Reflect on the cost of your redemption and journal your thoughts. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you any uncovered sin you maybe harboring, ask God for forgiveness.

Wednesday
The Holy Spirit Values My Individuality
Read 2 Corinthians 3:17

Seed Thought: Satan hates our individuality and tries in every way possible to suck all freedom of will from us. Satan wants us as his slaves. Several weeks back in one of our lessons there was a statement that Jesus did not want us to be an employee but He wanted a relationship with us. The Helper in the same regards wants us to have freedom. He does not want us in any type of bondage. God made us in His own image. Jesus suffered the greatest humility when He took on our sin and stepped into the lowest places. God give us freedom of choice, Jesus suffered humility for our freedom, but He, the Helper nor is the Father going to push themselves on us. The Helper insists on being a welcome guest, He will never trespass. He is waiting on our decision.

Declaration: I invite you Holy Spirit to dwell in my heart.

Action Plan: Ask yourself, how much do I want Him? How much of Him am I willing to receive? What limitations am I putting on Him?

Thursday
The Helper Teaches Me
Read John 14:26, 15:26

Seed Thought: The Holy Spirit is a wonderful person, friend, guide, counselor and teacher. He was with God the Father and Jesus at Creation, and it was through His power that the commands of God the Father was manifested. God said let there be light and the Holy Spirit brought the light and all the creation into being. The Holy Spirit was with Jesus in full measure while He was on this earth. He guided Jesus under God the Fathers direction in His everyday life. It was through the power of the Holy Spirit and the strong desire and determination and love of Jesus that He did not sin while on earth. Jesus hated sin! We, as Christians need to learn about the Holy Spirit and let him move with power in our lives. He will bring us joy as we never knew it before. The Holy Spirit lives in us and when we come to him and ask him he will teach us about God and Jesus and himself. The Holy Spirit has a personality and will not force anything on us, but as we open ourselves up to him he will teach us so we can get to know God and what his will for us is. We learn the will of God by reading his word, the Bible and through the guidance of the Helper.

Declaration: I will have a teachable and willing spirit.

Action Plan: I will open myself up to learn more about Jesus and the model He was. I will make spending time with the Helper and reading The Word a priority in my life. Father help me to put aside those distractions that prevent me from learning more about you.

Friday
The Helper Helps Us Learn Who Jesus Is
Read Ephesians 3:17-19

Seed Thought: It is through the Holy Spirit that we are taught about Jesus -- as God, the Son of God, the Son of Man, of His personality, ministry and love. It is through the Holy Spirit that we develop our relationship with Jesus to the fullest. He teaches us that Jesus is our Savior, our King of Kings, The One who has redeemed our lives from the curse, the One who freely gives us salvation. Jesus himself said before he ascended to heaven that the Father would send another comforter to teach us so we would not be left alone and He would remind us of what Jesus taught. The Holy Spirit does not replace Jesus but gives us a hunger for us to want Jesus as the center of our lives. The Holy Spirit glorifies Jesus. The Holy Spirit is the reason we can rejoice in all that Jesus has done for us, so we want to continually give Jesus praise and honor. The Holy Spirit teaches us as we begin to learn just how much we are loved of Jesus, to know His love which surpasses all knowledge, so that we may be filled with the fullness of God.

Declaration: I will rejoice in all that Jesus has done for me.

Action Plan: Take time an reflect on what you have learned about Jesus, journal one thing that stands out the most to you.

The Weekender
Looking Back

Today is the day that we take time to look back on what we have learned this past week. To reflect on what the Holy Spirit has highlighted in our lives and how we can implement the changes needed in our lives to be fully all we can be.

Father, we ask that you bring back remembrance of changes and what we need to do to change in our life to be fully who and what you have purposed us to be in your kingdom, Father thank you for being at work in our lives, in Jesus’ name, Amen

Take a few moments and Journal what the Father is speaking to you:

The Daily Compass June 20-25, 2011

2011-06-21T13:29:00.000-05:00

Monday
Finding God’s Presence
Read John 14:15-30

Have you ever had people tell you that they loved you but you where not sure because they didn’t even know you? Has someone said they loved you but never asked what they could do for you or demonstrated that love? These people had no part in your heart, hurts, dreams, desires or life. They said it but they did not demonstrate it with their lives. Jesus said that there would be many who would call Him Lord, Lord but they did not know Him. Why because they did not know Him in an intimate way. They were trying to work for Him without working with Him. God does not want employees but intimate partners. Jesus tells his disciples in these verses that those who really love Him would obey him. He talks about love that is demonstrated through three ways of obedience. Obeying His command, has His commands, and His teachings.

His command is to love and believe in Him. His commands are the obedience to the daily promptings of the Holy Spirit. His teachings are the things he taught and are brought to our remembrance by the Holy Spirit. Jesus closes by saying that the world must learn that I love the Father and obey what He commands. If you love him show it. We can only know His Presence and see him working when we obey what He says to us.

Scripture For Thought: For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. (NLT)

Action Plan: When you are alone, in the car, in your room or where ever you are; be quiet and listen to what God is saying to you and then obey.

Declaration: The Helper helps me obey what God commands.

Tuesday
Jesus The Baptizer
Read John 7:34-39

Seed Thought: Being born again is the first step to committing to Jesus. This must be done before we can completely receive His Spirit fully. Scripture makes it clear that Jesus Himself is the only one who can baptize us in the Spirit. We cannot receive the Spirit in any other way, except by Jesus the Baptizer….

Scripture For Thought: Even I didn’t recognize him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘The one on whom you see the Spirit coming down and resting is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit. John 1:33. (Common English Bible)

Action Plan: Spend time reflecting on your life. Do you have a personal relationship with Jesus? Do you believe what you say you do? Ask God to show you anything in your life that may keep you from fully receiving His Spirit and Life. Ask God to cleanse your heart and prepare it to be a dwelling place for Him.

Declaration: With joyous anticipation I receive all that God has for my life.

Wednesday
Reaching For The Towel And Basin Of Water
Read John 13:3-17

Seed Thought: People line up to do the tasks that are considered important, glamorous, or respected. But Jesus showed humility by doing the task that no one wanted to do. He washed the disciples' feet -- a dirty job usually performed by the lowest ranking person in the room. Was Jesus the lowest ranking person? No. He was Lord and Teacher. He knew he would soon be at the Father's side in heaven. Did he think it was too lowly a task for him to do? No. Are there tasks that we won't do because they are lowly? Because they are dirty? Because they are unpleasant or hard? But aren't those the jobs that most need to be done? And won't God reward those who do His work? We need to be willing to do whatever is needed. Jesus was not only willing, he prepared himself to do this service. Have we made plans to serve others?

“The Holy Spirit will not come to us in His fullness until we see and agree to His priority……His passion for ministry. He will accept no excuses about our inadequacy in anyway. Giving adequacy is His business.”(The Helper)

Scripture For Thought: Isaiah 35:3-4 Strengthen the weak hands, and support the unsteady knees. Say to those who are panicking: “Be strong! Don’t fear! Here’s your God, coming with vengeance; with divine retribution God will come to save you.” (Common English Bible)

Action Plan: As He plunges us in over our heads ask: Are we ready to give ourselves to others? What can I do to prepare to serve others? What talents, resources, and services can I provide? What role does love play in my service to others?

Declaration: Holy Spirit plunge me over my head, I know you will give me more than enough!

Thursday
Rising To New Life
Read Acts 8:25-40

Seed Thought: Everywhere you look these days someone is writing and publishing a self help book “How to Beat Anger” “Kick Your Smoking Habit” “Lose Ten Pounds In 10 Days” the list just goes on. Many of us have even been so arrogant to think that we can work ourselves out the sin we have in our lives, many times we have bargained, set up impossible standards for ourselves, It is useless for us to try and rid ourselves of our bad habits.

We must come to the realization that we must embrace the Cross. With the Cross, God wiped out the old creation that was flawed in Eden. The Good News is that not only Jesus died on that Cross, but we and our imperfect despicable nature also died with Him.

Scripture For Thought: With the arrival of Jesus, the Messiah, that fateful dilemma is resolved. Those who enter into Christ's being-here-for-us no longer have to live under a continuous, low-lying black cloud. A new power is in operation. The Spirit of life in Christ, like a strong wind, has magnificently cleared the air, freeing you from a fated lifetime of brutal tyranny at the hands of sin and death. Romans 8:1(The Message)

Action Plan: The Helper has revealed what it means to baptized into Jesus’ death. Now it is time to let go of our old tired efforts at self improvement. It is now time to experience leaving old self and bask in the joy of rising to a new life in the Spirit.

Declaration: Today I claim a new life in You Lord!

Friday
Accept God’s Grace
Read John 3:1-21

Seed Thought: Ask and receive by accepting the grace of God, we accept God's plan for us in our lives. We now can wake up every morning in gracious uncertainty knowing that we are in God's plan and looking forward to His plan unfolding in our lives each day. 1 John 3:2 advises us on how we are sons of God living in God's grace. Our acceptance of God's grace is not a one-time event for us. God's plan for His grace and our acceptance of His grace is for us to dwell in love continually.

Scripture For Thought: “Which father among you would give a snake to your child if the child asked for a fish? If you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?” Luke 11: 11,13(Common English Bible)

Action Plan: Have you accepted God’s great promise? Have you allowed God to do His work through you? Ask Father God what changes you need to make to be His vessel.

Declaration: Lord I accept your Grace, I welcome the Helper fully and completely in my life. I am at Your service.

The Weekender
Looking Back

Today is the day that we take time to look back on what we have learned this past week. To reflect on what the Holy Spirit has highlighted in our lives and how we can implement the changes needed in our lives to be fully all we can be.

Father, we ask that you bring back remembrance of changes and what we need to do to change in our life to be fully who and what you have purposed us to be in your kingdom, Father thank you for being at work in our lives, in Jesus’ name, Amen

Take a few moments and Journal what the Father is speaking to you:

The Daily Compass June 13-18, 2011

2011-06-13T08:06:00.000-05:00

Monday
The Helper Goes For The Heart
Read Ezekiel 36:26-27

Ezekiel and Philip remind us that the Helper comes to do a work in our heart. Much of our church work today deals with people’s minds but intellect will not change you but only a renewed heart can. I wonder how many people have tried to have a change in their thinking without having a change in their heart. The Helper wants to not only convert our thinking but convert our heart. True heart repentance does not just come by thinking different but the Helper turning our heart to God so we can think different. The new birth is not just knowing about God but knowing Him.

Wayne Cordeiro, in his book – The Irresistible Church says; “Change must be empowered by the Holy Spirit, because true transformation is not manmade. It’s Spirit-led and Spirit-empowered. Yet we also must commit ourselves in such a way that the Holy Spirit is delighted to work through us. We must lean in the direction we’re praying toward.”

Only when we are lead by a new heart do we have the passion it takes to desire a new life. The Holy Spirit comes to give us a new love for God, His Word, and His life. The Holy Spirit draws our heart to God. Jesus said you can’t come to me unless the father draws you. The Holy Spirit awakens our dead heart to new life. He comes to bring the resurrection power of Jesus into our inner being. The Holy Spirit comes to empower our heart. Jesus ministry was and is moved by compassion. When I received the Baptism of the Spirit the first signs were a new love for Jesus, the reality of His Presence, a new love for His Word and a greater love for His people. The Helper comes to help our hearts to love again.

Scripture Thought: Acts 8:37 Then Philip said, "If you believe with all your heart, you may." And he answered and said, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God." (NKJV)

Declaration: The Helper gives me a new heart that loves and pursues God.

Action Plan: Ask yourself if you are trying to have an intellectual knowledge without a heart conversion? Have you allowed the Helper to Change your heart? Ask the Helper to let people see God’s heart in you today!

Tuesday
In His Presence
Read John 16:7

How many times have we wished we could have been there when Jesus walked the earth and we could see the miracles but Jesus said he would always be with us. He told his disciples that there is something better than His physical presence. Jesus physical presence had limitations but His Spirit has no limitations. Till the day of Pentecost only a few individuals experienced the Holy Spirit but on the day of Pentecost the Spirit was poured out on all flesh. (Acts 2:17-18 no limitations) God would no longer be just with us but in us. His seed is in us (1 John 3:9) and his law is written in us (Jeremiah 31:33). We can do nothing without his presence. (John 15:1-8)

Scripture Thought: Acts 2:17 In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young will see visions. Your elders will dream dreams. Even upon my servants, men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. (CEB)

Declaration: There are no limits to what God can do in my life if I just allow Him.

Action Plan: Ask yourself are you limiting what God is doing in your life? If so ask yourself why and in what areas.

Wednesday
Explosion of Power
Read Acts 1:1-5

Jesus made it plain that his disciples would need his power to make it in the world. The first outpouring on the day of Pentecost was to be followed by many other outpourings. For example 12th century St. Francis of Assisi for forty years burned in Italy; Martin Luther; John and Charles Wesley; Pentecostal revival in Topeka, Kansas; Azusa Street in Los Angeles California, Evan Roberts in Wales. The things these explosions of power had in common: Nearly all have originated with the common people, at a grass root level, outside the established organized church, a call to repentance, hostility from the established church, simplifying the gospel and a return to Jesus Christ. . Because of this there was a great outpouring of Love and joy, an outpouring of music and new songs, result in moral and ethical reforms that effected the life and history of the nation in which they arose. How do we become part of this power?

Scripture Thought: Ezekiel 36:24-28 "'For here's what I'm going to do: I'm going to take you out of these countries, gather you from all over, and bring you back to your own land. I'll pour pure water over you and scrub you clean. I'll give you a new heart, put a new spirit in you. I'll remove the stone heart from your body and replace it with a heart that's God-willed, not self-willed. I'll put my Spirit in you and make it possible for you to do what I tell you and live by my commands. You'll once again live in the land I gave your ancestors. You'll be my people! I'll be your God! (Message)
Action Plan: There are two steps to renewing power: 1) Readying and cleansing which brings repentance. 2) God putting His Spirit in us. We must be willing to allow these things to take place to experience the explosion of power.

Declaration: I will not rest until I experience my own personal Pentecost.

Thursday
Hunger And Thirst For More
Read Luke 11:13

The greatest gift we could have is the Gift of the Spirit. We are to seek this gift and not half heartedly. Without the Spirit we don’t have an awareness of God’s presence, His love, the fruits of the Spirit, a message to others, real joy, words of wisdom at the right time, guidance from God, the mind and thoughts of God, healing, help in our weaknesses, the ability to set our mind on the things of God, freedom from slavery physical, emotional and spiritual, the pledge of eternal life. Without these how can we live the God life that He wants us to? Jesus gives the living water to the thirsty. He gives to those who are seeking with their whole heart. His promise. (1 John 5:14-15)

Scripture Thought: 1 John 5:14-15 this is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.

Action Plan: Are you living the Life He wants you to live? What are things you can do to live the life he wants you to live? Do you have obstacles that need moving?

Declaration: Take from me my lukewarmness, an give me Your on Holy Passion.

Friday
Accept Jesus As The Christ
Read Ephesians 4:8

Each one of us; just as Peter must settle the question of who is Jesus? We cannot come to God accept through Jesus Christ. There is no other way. He is “King of Kings and Lord of Lords”. Everything is under His authority. On the day of Pentecost all the power became available to us to reign as Kings with Him. Jesus Christ showed us God as our Father. In the story of the Father (Luke 15:11-31) what delighted the Father about his returning son was his complete surrender, out His delight the returning son found total acceptance, complete forgiveness and rejoicing that the son was now ready to receive the Father’s bounty. Jesus showed us that we are related to the living God and God gives to his sons everything they need.

Scripture Thought: John 14:6, Jesus said, "I am the Road, also the Truth, also the Life. No one gets to the Father apart from me. (Message)

Action Plan: Have you completely surrendered your life to the Father? Reflect on your life, is there anything that is hindering that complete surrender? If so ask Daddy what do you need to do to remove the obstacles from your life?

Declaration: Father I run to you in complete surrender, you have my complete heart.

The Weekender
Looking Back

Today is the day that we take time to look back on what we have learned this past week. To reflect on what the Holy Spirit has highlighted in our lives and how we can implement the changes needed in our lives to be fully all we can be.

Father, we ask that you bring back remembrance of changes and what we need to do to change in our life to be fully who and what you have purposed us to be in your kingdom, Father thank you for being at work in our lives, in Jesus’ name, Amen

Take a few moments and Journal what the Father is speaking to you:

The Daily Compass June 6-11, 2011

2011-06-04T20:20:00.001-05:00

Monday
Everyone Needs “The Helper”
Read John 15:5

When Peter got out of the boat to do the impossible and started sinking he cried out for something we all need to cry out Lord Save Me – He found out he needed help because like us he was over his head. The truth is Jesus told us in (John 15:5) that we can do nothing without Him. We need His help and without Him we are helpless. That is why Jesus called the Holy Spirit the helper.

Scripture to Ponder: John 15:5 (The Message) states, I am the Vine, you are the branches. When you're joined with me and I with you, the relation intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant. Separated, you can't produce a thing.

Seed Thought: The Holy Spirit was God’s helper at creation and has been sent as our helper in the New Creation. At the Word of God He forms the Christ in us. The Godhead was at work at the creation. The parts could not be separated but are one in being and purpose. We have been made one with them to carry on the work of God on earth. We are here to do His will.

Declaration: But if you make yourselves at home with me and my words are at home in you, you can be sure that whatever you ask will be listened to and acted upon.

Action Plan: If you do have a relationship that is intimate and organic with the Holy Spirit , then what are you waiting for He has so much more for you than you can ever imagine! Take action be like Peter, step out of the boat. He is waiting.

Tuesday
Who Is “The Helper”?
Read John 14:7-31

Scripture to Ponder: John 14:15-17 (The Message) states, "If you love me, show it by doing what I've told you. I will talk to the Father, and he'll provide you another Friend so that you will always have someone with you. This Friend is the Spirit of Truth. The godless world can't take him in because it doesn't have eyes to see him, doesn't know what to look for. But you know him already because he has been staying with you, and will even be in you!

Seed Thought: The Holy Spirit is not an influence or ghostly presences He is a person. He posses the attributes of personality, He has a mind. He has knowledge. He has a will and many other aspects of what a personality is made up of He Speaks, He Prays, He teaches, He works, He can be resisted, He commands and He forbids. He is here to administrate Christ’s Church on earth He gives individual believers His Presence to make Jesus real in their lives.

Declaration: He lives with me constantly and He is in me. I will not live separate from Him.

Action Plan: How do you see the Holy Spirit? Think about how He can become more real to you! What are things that you can do to have a deeper relationship with Him? ______________
______________________________________________________________________________

Wednesday
Why Do We Need “The Helper”?
Read Acts 1:1-14

Scripture to Ponder: Isaiah 43:19 (The Message) states, Be alert, be present. I'm about to do something brand-new. It's bursting out! Don't you see it? There it is! I'm making a road through the desert, rivers in the badlands.

Seed Thought: The Holy Spirit gives us the power to witness. Jesus did not enter into His ministry of power until after the coming of the Holy Spirit at His baptism. We can’t do the work of God in human effort. We must have the Holy Spirit. The Old Testament is full of human striving and the New Testament is full of resting in the power of God.

Declaration: I will be alert watching and waiting where He leads me! Ready to go!

Action Plan: Are you tired of getting nowhere on your own? Surrender yourself to the power of the Holy Spirit.

Thursday
Have I Already Received Him?
Read Acts 19:1-6

Scripture to Ponder: Acts 19:3-4 (Amplified) states, And he asked, Into what [baptism] then were you baptized? They said, Into John's baptism. 4And Paul said, John baptized with the baptism of repentance, continually telling the people that they should believe in the One Who was to come after him, that is, in Jesus [having a conviction full of joyful trust that He is Christ, the Messiah, and being obedient to Him].

Seed Thought: To be a Christian you must have received the Holy Spirit. In these verses we see that Christ is in you. When you are born-again the Spirit of Christ comes and lives in you. You receive a drink of Salvation. God tells us there is more and on the Feast of Tabernacles Jesus talked about the Holy Spirit coming out of the believer not going in. We need the power of God to do the work of God. God wants to come out of us to empower us to do the work of God.

Declaration: For the Lord is our Judge, the Lord is our Lawgiver, the Lord is our King; He will save us. Isaiah 33:22 (Amplified)

Action Plan: Have I ever asked God for the gift of the Holy Spirit? Do I have any evidence of the Holy Spirit working in my life? Am I hearing the voice of the Spirit in my inner man?

Friday
No Need To Be An Orphan
Read John 14:15-24

Scripture to Ponder: I will not leave you orphaned. I'm coming back. In just a little while the world will no longer see me, but you're going to see me because I am alive and you're about to come alive. At that moment you will know absolutely that I'm in my Father, and you're in me, and I'm in you. John 14:18-20(The Message)

Seed Thought: An orphan is one who has no parental love, support, relationship, care, provision or training. Sociologists tell us that every person has four basic needs Love, Security, Value, and Purpose. The Orphan is one that has to make it on his own because he has no parents to provide for them. We are not left to make it on our on but we have a heavenly Father who gives us the Holy Spirit to care for and teach and guide us.

Declaration: If you go the wrong way—to the right or to the left—you will hear a voice behind you saying, "This is the right way. You should go this way."(NCV)

Action Plan: Do you feel orphaned? Ask The Holy Spirit to feel you with His presence!

The Weekender
Looking Back

Let’s look back on what we have learned this week and review. In reflecting it is our desire that if something that you have learned really stands out that you look at ways in which you can implement them into your situation and life that will make a difference in your life.

Who is the Helper to You?

Why Do You Need The Helper?

Have I already received the Helper?

Do I have any evidence of the Holy Spirit working in my life?

Am I hearing the voice of the Spirit in my inner man?

The Daily Compass April 25-30, 2011

2011-04-26T13:13:00.000-05:00

Monday
Having An Overcoming Testimony
Read Revelation 12:10-11, Hebrews 11, James 5:10-11

When we read Hebrews 11 or anywhere in the Word of God where we are reminded of what others have gone through and how they exercised their faith, we should be very encouraged and emboldened to live for God. We are told to consider the sufferings of Job and the prophets in James 5:10-11. The Word of God feeds our soul and strengthens us. Our history is our testimony of those who stood for God’s Word and “loved not their lives unto the death.” I believe our history is sadly underestimated. We are saved by the precious blood of Jesus Christ and His Word guides and uphold us.

A believer knows he is saved, sins forgiven, through faith in the blood of Jesus Christ. Period. No sin, no iniquity, no depravity, no transgression is greater than that shed blood of Jesus Christ. Having an overcoming testimony is the call of faith set to work. It is the call every genuine Christian aspires to and strives for. Yet, many times, Christians, in their weakness, yield to the world, the flesh and satan the devil. How can Christians who have lost their spiritual state of conversion and first love, regain their morality? How can gossips put a bridle on their tongues and find a pure language? How can backslidden thieves and liars and adulterers regain the purity of life ordered by Holy Scripture? It all begins with the words we speak.

Yes, it is by "the word of their testimony." the testimony of our heritage helps us overcome satan and his lies. Every time we share our testimony we are reminding ourselves of the work God has done in our lives.

Tuesday
The Secret Of Overcoming
Read 1Peter5:8-9, Ephesians 6:13-18

These days that we are living in are both great and horrible at the same time. Never in history have we had such a great explosion of wisdom and understanding. On the other hand, never in history have we had the enemy of hell trying his hardest to persuade God's people with his temptations and diverse tricks to keep our eyes off the Lord. We know that the devil is always hard at work and constantly trying to lure us away from a closer and more intimate relationship with the Lord.

To be an overcomer we have to keep our focus on God and His Word, when we study His Word we can we can experience God, not just obtain information. We must apply what we have learned through the study of his word and the experiences that we have with Him to our lives. We cannot just do whatever we want when difficult decisions or circumstances arise in our lives, we must remain strong in faith and seek His guidance and ask Jesus what he would have us do. As long as we keep our focus on God, satan cannot get to us. Remember when Peter walked on water as long as he kept his eyes on Jesus he walked, the moment his focus changed he begin to sink. The secret Is keeping your eyes on Jesus.

Wednesday
The Truth Of Heaven
Read Ephesians 2:4-7; Revelation 4&5

What images come to mind when you think of Heaven? Do you think of a mode of life that is exciting and fulfilling? Or do the words of the epitaph of one dear soul come nearer to hitting the mark? Does Heaven awaken for you a sense of anticipation, or does it evoke visions of monotonous and boring inactivity? What is Heaven really like? Is Heaven even something we should spend much time thinking about? Or should we relegate thoughts of Heaven to the dusty corners of our mind, lest we render ourselves of little earthly good?

We know first of all that Heaven is the spiritual realm in which the glory of God's presence is manifest, and in which dwell the angels of God, and all believers who have departed this world. The few glimpses of Heaven given in Scripture reveal a pervading sense of the holiness of God. We are also informed that it is a place which human words are inadequate to fully describe. Many times people want to tell us that heaven is a place we will obtain when we die, but the fact of the matter is salvation, power, the Kingdom of God, and the authority of Christ are a present reality. Salvation is now, faith is now, God is the “I Am” not the I was. Our problem is we are so busy looking back at our past or looking for what will happen , but the fact is God is now. Heaven is here now.

Thursday
Overcoming The Enemy
Read Genesis 4:6-7; John 1:29; 19:30; Romans 10:10

The Bible says that satan is the accuser of the brethren. The word accuser is defined in the dictionary like this, "To make a charge of wrongdoing against another." The devil is constantly trying to put a wedge between us and God the Father, but verse 11 says, they overcame him (The devil) by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony. We have power because of the blood that Jesus shed on the cross, and the testimony that we have as believers is another strength against the enemy of what God has brought us through.

Even though the enemy may stand before God and accuse us of our past sins; we have an advocate with God the Father and our advocate is Jesus Christ. He bore our sins, sicknesses and infirmities and through His death, burial and resurrection, we have a hope that is everlasting and no devil in hell can ever steal that from those who have made Jesus the Lord of their life.
Remember that there is power in the name of Jesus and the blood that He shed for All mankind. Just as the death spirit skipped over every house that was covered by the blood of a lamb in the Old Testament story of Moses, so it is with those who have been cleansed and
redeemed by the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. The next time the enemy comes to you accusing you of your sins, you need to open your mouth and say "The blood of Jesus has cleansed me from all unrighteousness and in Jesus name I rebuke you satan and bind every evil influence that you try to bring into my life." Testify what God has done for you!

Friday
Giving Your Life For Him
Read Matthew 16:24-25; 22:37-40

His ministry was public, in your face and bold, he calls his disciples to follow this example. No wonder Peter was taken back at the idea of Jesus being crucified! The cross was public and humiliating, not the place for a king or a ruler, a place for a criminal, a thief - or the son of God, doing what was needed to set us free. Disciples are called to follow, not a one off prayer but a life of following, taking up the cross and relying on Christ - live dangerously, walk on the edge where Jesus calls you to be. Jesus was visible, vulnerable and effective - he calls us to be the same. Now something even more radical in our world of self centeredness, striving to win ...

Imaging throwing a race or competition - madness most would think. Jesus tells us to throw the race of life to gain life eternal. He canceled the debt we owe to God and made a public train wreck of the devil and all of his works. He gave up his life to win life for us, follow me he says, let go of your security in the world, live your life dangerously for me. Jesus calls us to daily die, over and again that we might win - sounds crazy, weird and impossible and yet ... its the truth, no longer held by those things that chain us we can soar on wings like eagles for him.

We may not be brave, he can strengthen us;
We may not be gifted in our eyes, he can gift us;
We may feel powerless, he can empower us.

All it takes it to desire to live dangerously for Christ.

Weekender
Looking Back

Let’s look back on what we have learned this week and review. In reflecting it is our desire that if something that you have learned really stands out that you look at ways in which you can implement them into your situation and life that will make a difference in your life.

Why do you think sharing your faith activates faith?
Why do you think that keeping your eyes focused on Jesus helps you overcome?
When you read the word do you experience God or do you just obtain information? Explain: How do you see Heaven?
How Do you handle the accuser when he comes against you?
Do you have what it takes to live dangerously for Christ? Why or why not:
What changes can you make or need to make to live dangerously for Him?

The Daily Compass April 25-30, 2011

2011-04-18T11:12:00.001-05:00

Monday
Carry His-Story
Read Exodus 31-35; 25:16

The ark is possibly the greatest of all the types of Christ; for it is the one type which never failed. God gives the pattern in the Old Testament of who and what He is. A testimony is any spoken or written record of what God has done. They reveal God’s nature and His ways. They create an expectation in our hearts for God's ways to be manifested in our lives. The Hebrew root word for "testimony" means to “do it again." Every record of what God has done in past genera¬tions is a promise of what He will do again in our lives, because He is the same yesterday, today and for¬ever.

Scriptures speak of the ark in a number of ways: sometimes it is described simply as the ark; but at other times qualifying words are added. Thus we read of the ark of the testimony, the Ark of the Covenant, the ark of the covenant of Jehovah, the ark of Jehovah and the ark of God. The ark of the testimony is the first qualifying phrase that the Spirit of God uses in regard to the ark. It is referred to in such a way for the first time in Ex. 25: 22 and for the last time in Jos. 4: 16 at the crossing of the Jordan. It is apparent, therefore that the description of the ark as the ark of the testimony belongs to the wilderness and to the wilderness alone. It is never referred to as the ark of the testimony when in the land. Now throughout the wilderness journey, the ark had to be carried, and in being carried it was a testimony to other nations. The people of God carried the ark of testimony with them wherever they went as a reminder of the Presence, Power and work of God.

When we declare what God has done, power is released to make that testimony happen again in the lives of those who hear it. The testimonies of God are what connect each succeeding generation of believers to His covenant promises. This is why God instruc¬ted Israel in the Law of Moses to remember the testimony on a regular basis and teach it to their children. Their entire social structure of Israel was to be built on the repetition of the testimony. When we set our hope in God we strengthen our expectation of God’s power working in the midst of our situation. When this happens our faith level rises, which actually releases the power of God to work in our situation. When we stop keeping the testimony, our faith in the miraculous power of God to work in our lives diminishes. It is vital just as the Israelites did we must carry His-Story with us.

Tuesday
Declaring What God Has Done
Read Luke 8:26-39

Say the word “evangelism” and Christians get a little uptight. It sounds intimidating and we feel unprepared. “I don’t know what to say”, “What if I am rejected?”, “What if I mess up?”. These questions reflect our uneasiness with sharing our faith. So we read another book, take another evangelism course, memorize another “canned” presentation and then fall back into to inertia.
But maybe it’s not that hard. What if? Now think about this, it is easier than you think, well it is.

Our Story, Our Testimony, what God has done in our lives in our circumstances, we can evangelize to the nations declaring the Kingdom just by sharing our story. As we look at what the scripture tells us in Luke 8:26-39, Jesus heals a man who was tormented by demons for years. Unsurprisingly, the man then wanted to go with Jesus to be with him. But Jesus had another mission for him. In the most succinct statement of what evangelism is, Jesus said to the man: “Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.” That just about sums it up. Our testimony is nothing more than declaring how much God has done for us. Keep it personal. Keep it real. What has Jesus done for you? What does the cross mean to you? What difference does Jesus make in your life? Not somebody else – you. So, go experience Jesus, and then declare how much God has done for you!

Wednesday
Testimonies of God
Read Daniel 6:21-23; Luke 1:26-35; Genesis 9:9-17

God wants us to experience Him! Every time you see the seasons of God change and every time you see a rainbow, you are seeing testimonies of God. When we have an encounter and experience Him He wants us to share our experiences with the world. Do you know someone who has been healed of cancer or some other type of disease or do you know someone who came back to life after they died? One of the most memorable experiences for me was the births of my three children, to have God use me as a part of the miracle of birth, to see the face of the newborn creation of God, to hold the newborn creation of God and that excitement of knowing that God use me as part of this miracle. There is no way that you can keep from sharing your excitement. That fact is that we should want to share our excitement of what god has done in our lives.

There are many heroes in the bible who were testimonies of God. They proved that nothing was too hard or too difficult for God through their testimonies. When you experience God’s love and you carry that love to the world, you become a testimony of God. We are His testimonies as we share the words and the works of Jesus to a hungry world that desperately needs Him. Like the heroes we read about in the Bible, You are a walking talking testimony!

Thursday
What’s In The Box
Read Exodus 31:18; Genesis 16:14-16; Numbers 17:8; Mark 28:18-20

The Ark of testimony was the box in Moses Tabernacle. Inside this box were the Ten Commandments written on two tablets of stone, the Pot of manna and Aaron’s budding rod. The Commandments were God’s law. The manna represented God’s provision to His children of Israel. Aaron’s budding rod represented God’s power and authority. The box and Tabernacle went with the Israelites everywhere they went.

Today we carry the box inside of us everywhere we go. We are the Tabernacle of God and we carry our experiences with God which is our testimonies no matter where we are. God’s Word and His principles are written on our hearts instead of stone tablets, and we are to share them with others. His Word living in us is fresh manna that satisfies or desires and we should share it with lost and hurting people. God has anointed us to go about our everyday lives in His authority and power. Your “box” has all you need to help you be a power house for God!

Jesus said all power and authority was given to Him and He has given it to us. We are to walk and talk in His power and authority every day.

Friday
What Is The Box
Read Proverbs 3:3; 7:23; Hebrews 8:10; Revelation 21:3

Take a plain ordinary box, that is me, nothing seemingly special, a sinner, struggling with the mundane of everyday life, seeming to go nowhere special, doing nothing remotely remarkable.

Take an extraordinary God, He picks up this plain ordinary box, ordinary has a face to face meeting with extraordinary, with one touch the ordinary becomes precious and valuable, ordinary accepts Jesus Christ as Savior, grace enters in, ordinary is transformed to a beautiful and valuable box covered over with gold, which is God’s nature, life becomes worth living, there is no limit to hopes and dreams, the impossible becomes possible, desires fulfilled and satisfied, just by the touch of our loving Father.

This box now holds the valuable things of God, the things He had shared with the Israelites; He now shares with us, His Holy Spirit, His Spirit teaches us God’s nature for our everyday walk with Him and the world around us. God’s nature changes the very core of who we are. We cannot contain the change in us and we want to share this God, who has taken ordinary and made it extraordinary with everyone we encounter. We want the world to experience EXTRAORDINARY! The box is you! Only through God does ordinary become EXTRAORDINARY!

The Weekender
Looking Back

Let’s look back on what we have learned this week and review. In reflecting it is our desire that if something that you have learned really stands out that you look at ways in which you can implement them into your situation and life that will make a difference in your life.

Declare what God has done for you:
Reflect on your testimony today, what is one thing that God is highlighting about testimony is God telling you to share with others?

What does the cross mean to you?
What difference does Jesus make in your life?

Reflect on and write down one experience with God that has been most meaningful to you:

Share how God’s power and authority has helped you in telling someone about him:

How has a face to face encounter with God transformed your life?

The Daily Compass April 11-16, 2011

2011-04-11T13:15:00.001-05:00

Monday
Commissioned By Jesus
Read Matthew 28:16-20

The call to go into the world! Spread The Good News! Commissioned by Jesus! Some version of the great commission appears in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and in the Book of Acts, which is the second part of Luke-Acts. In Matthew, Jesus directs the disciples to baptize people of all nations in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. In Luke, Jesus tells the disciples to preach repentance and forgiveness. In John, Jesus says the disciples will have the Holy Spirit. In Acts, Jesus promises the disciples that the Holy Spirit will inspire them. The most familiar version of the Great Commission is found in Matthew 28:18-20, "God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I'll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age."

It is such a great honor for you and me to be witnesses of Christ in our generation. The word witness is used in the courts of law to refer to a testimony of what you exactly saw or experienced. The Apostles were faithful witnesses who greatly impacted their dispensation without the privileges, opportunities and, technologies of our time. Therefore you and I neither have cause nor reason to fail to be effective witness of Christ and impact our generation. (Romans 8:19) declares that all creation is waiting to see the manifestation of the sons of God. We are to manifest Christ in our generation, set the captives free through the message of the cross and minister to the physical needs of our community through our outreach programs.

We may not touch the whole world but we can make a difference one person at a time. Christ began with 12 disciples and his message continues to inspire and transform millions and millions of people across the globe. God richly blesses you when we join with Him and other members of the body to share the love of Christ to the hurting, sick, dying and captive! You Have Been Commissioned!

Tuesday
What Is A Disciple
Read Acts 6:1,2,7; 14:20, 22, 28; 9:10,36; 16:1

Jesus commanded His servants to "make disciples of all the nations" (Matthew 28:19). But what is a "disciple"? Have you ever asked yourself what it really means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ? What exactly would that involve? Typically, when people hear the word “disciple” they conjure up one of two images: (1) The image of a contemplative, almost philosophical-looking person, usually dressed in a flowing robe, walking around with his hand rubbing his chin contemplating the meaning of some “deep aspect of life”; or (2) what some would call a “religious freak,” willing to do anything, even kill for his or her master. But what does it really mean to be a disciple of Jesus Christ?

The word disciple means one who follows a teaching-a learner. Jesus said that we must abide in His Word; I believe that this not only means to study the Word but we must be imitators and live in the Word. We cannot pass on what we do not know and live. Every believer is to be a disciple and as a disciple we will always be learning. As a believer we are to make disciples, it is not just up to the Pastor or the leaders of the local body, it is commanded of every believer in Christ Jesus. The church cannot grow and do what God has called her to do without disciples. To be a true believer in Jesus Christ you have to be a disciple.

Wednesday
There Is A Cost
Read Matthew 8:18-22; Luke 14:26-36

Is there a cost to follow Jesus? Oh yes indeed, there is. Jesus intentionally put the rich young ruler in a position in which answering the call of God would have made it would be impossible to go back to the ruler’s old life. He was asking him to sever all ties with his past and make an irrevocable decision to follow Christ. The rich young ruler, like many today, seemed to want to try out the call and see if the conditions suited his needs, then decide later whether or not to stay with Jesus. No. There is no real cost to a decision such as that. You risk nothing. Truly following Jesus means risking everything you have and everything that you are.

The cost that Jesus would have us pay to follow Him is to abandon our focus on ourselves and on earthly things. “Go, sell what you have,” He tells the young ruler, “give it to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.” The cost of following Him and becoming like Him is to fix our gaze on heavenly things. That cost is achieved by allowing God to take away the heart we have and replace it with a new heart. A heart that beats for Him! A heart that yearns not for the things of this world, but that yearns for the same things that the Lord yearns for! It means giving up who we are in our sinfulness, and becoming new creatures that exist to serve His purposes, not our own selfish ambitions and desires.

Thursday
Being Jesus’ Disciple
Read Luke 14:25-35

Just because a person was traveling with Jesus, doesn’t mean he wanted to become one of Jesus disciples. And today, just because people attend church doesn’t mean they are following Jesus. Being a disciple assumes that a relationship with Christ exists. Luke 14 teaches us that the essence of being Christ’s disciple is a willingness to give up everything for Him. A disciple claims no rights, and makes no demand. A disciple is totally willing, totally available, totally confident and totally obedient. Jesus wants us to place him above our closest relationships. Can anything be more emotionally difficult to accept than the notion of risking the approval of your family? Even Jesus understood the opposition that can come from family members. Jesus ask; Will you let Me lead your life? Luke 14:27 - Anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. The two key words are “cross” and "Me". The cross represents death. Following “ME” refers to who will be determining the direction of your life.

Being a disciple means following Jesus wholeheartedly, Serving God and others companionship and fellowship with God and each other and realizing it is not about us it is about Him and His Kingdom. We’re simply talking about dying to your own plans and giving Jesus credit for knowing how best to use you. One thing true of a person hanging on a cross -- he has made no further plans.

Friday
Always Learning, Always Developing
Read Matthew 5-7

Recently, as many of you know I recently attended a youth leader’s conference and one of the things that is burning in my heart right now is discipleship for our youth and impacting their lives so I have been thinking a lot about being a disciple and what it really means to follow Christ. For me being a disciple of Christ is to try and follow His teachings and try as best I can to live the way He lived. A true disciple follows Christ's teachings and is always learning and developing. We can never come to a place where we say that we have learned all that we can learn; we have all of the knowledge we need. I think that kind of attitude is backwards, maybe it is just me but I have not arrived yet and I know I have a lot more to learn. God is continually working in my life and through that continual working I am learning daily. I learn by what I hear God speaking to me when I read His Word, I learn through my everyday relationship and fellowship with Him. You know if we will just listen He speaks deep inside our hearts. I believe if we want to truly learn about Christ and want to follow Him closely a great place to start is by reading His Word. If you are looking for a place to start, start with the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew chapters 5-7. These chapters outline the attitudes and values we should have as Christians and it also talks about how we should relate to God and each other. These chapters have a lot of headings and a short paragraph under each section. You might like to read one section and ask God to help you put that into practice each day.

The Weekender

A true disciple is willing to follow the call, we as believers have been called. Have you answered the call? __________ If not what’s holding you back? __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

There are questions every believer must ask themselves:

Where is your loyalty? ___________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________

Do you allow Jesus to lead your life? ______________________________________________

Do you understand the cost? ______________________________________________________

Are you willing to pay the cost? ____________________________________________________

When God calls, will you cast down your nets – as some of the disciples did – and follow Him, or will you walk away downhearted as the rich young ruler, unwilling to give all of your heart to Him so that he can give you a new one? ____________________

Who are you influencing? Give examples of being an influence for Jesus: ____________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________

Are you taking every effort to learn more about God? ________________________________

The challenge read Matthew chapters 5-7. Choose one section and ask God to help you put that into practice each day.

The Daily Compass April 04-09, 2011

2011-04-02T21:22:00.000-05:00

Monday
The Legacy Of Testimony
Read 1 John 1:1-4; Acts 1:6-8; Revelation 12:11

"And they overcame him [the devil] by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death." (Revelation 12:11).

Your testimony is about what you have experienced - what you have seen and heard. A real Christian can talk about their experiences with God through Jesus Christ. We as Christians are called to a relationship of real communication with the Son of God. God comes to live inside us. Things change. God deals with every person in a different way. The more Christians that come forward and talk about how God has intervened in their life, the more people will begin to realize that God is for real, miracles do happen, and prayer works. This will inspire others to seek God and turn from their sins so that they too can know the peace and satisfaction that comes to a person who truly gives their life over to God.

Acts 1:8 says, "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." To be a witness to Jesus is to speak and communicate the things that you have seen and heard in your life, that happened because of Jesus. Its the Holy Spirit who makes Jesus real to us, and makes Jesus real through us.

God's plan is for people to hear the good news that Jesus Christ paid for their sins, and conquered death for us through rising from the dead. After believing, people should go on to receive the power of the Holy Spirit, and then testify to others what God has done for them.

Tuesday
The Power Of Testimony
Read Acts 1:8; Hebrews 10:5-7; Psalms 110:111

In court, eyewitness testimony usually seals the deal in the conviction of an accused criminal. When a traffic accident occurs, an investigating officer obtains testimony from those involved – and eyewitnesses when available – in order to reconstruct the events which led to the accident. Testimony literally means the “story, or report, of one,” or one’s own story. Testimony is powerful because it is immediate, direct and personal. It isn’t a story about something or a report about what somebody else said or did. It is a personal description of one’s direct experience. This is the key to testimony’s power. It is about a reality that is experienced. It’s not a story about something told in the third person, nor is it a theory or hypothesis.

The Christian faith, nearly 2,000 years old owes its very existence to the power of testimony. The movement started, of course, with Jesus Christ, who identified himself as the long-awaited Messiah, God’s Anointed One, sent to save mankind from its sins. In the gospels, Jesus left no doubt as to his identity as Son of God and Son of Man, co-existing for all time with the Father and Holy Spirit, yet born in flesh as one of us for a specific purpose. Jesus taught in public for three years before his death, and here’s the key to everything he said: His testimony was from the Father. Jesus said he related only that which was given him by the Father and that those who knew him knew the Father. In other words, Jesus was one with God, giving personal testimony that was literally divine. One may argue that there are all types of evidence that support the claims of the Christian faith, that the life of Jesus was a unique instance of divine intervention in human affairs. Many brilliant theologians have come along during the ensuing centuries both to defend and to define the faith. Many inspirational and anointed preachers have come along to lead others to Christ. But the greatest force in the history of Christianity is still testimony.

Wednesday
Three Sources Of Godly Testimony
Read Hebrews 10:7; 1 John 5:11; John 5: 33-36; Luke 2:19

Testimony of scripture: Jesus’ attitude toward the scriptures is manifested in many ways. The scriptures affected every aspect of Jesus. His co-existence with the Father, the testimony of the prophets foretelling His coming, His birth, His life and ministry, trial, death, burial, resurrection and ascension. No person ever had so much written about Him and required of Him as Jesus. And in minute detail, He filled full every demand and expectation required of Him by the Scriptures. He did not meet the expectations some assumed of Him, but He met every requirement demanded of Him in Scripture.

Testimony of men: All through His life, Jesus heard his mother’s testimony about Him. She had kept many things concerning Jesus in her heart. We have the testimony of John and the testimonies of those who received miracles from Jesus.

Testimony of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit always testifies about Jesus. He doesn’t speak His words, but He says what He hears God say. He is truth, so you can be sure He will always tell the truth. He was with Jesus when He hung on the cross. He was there when Jesus died. When a soldier stuck a spear in Jesus side, water and blood together spilled onto the ground. So now the Holy Spirit, the water and the blood all testify and agree about the sacrifice Jesus made at Calvary. The Holy Spirit testifies that His power brought Jesus back to life again!

Thursday
How To Write Your Testimony
Read Revelation 12:11; Acts 26

Skeptics may debate the validity of Scripture or argue the existence of God, but no one can deny your personal experiences with him. When you tell your story of how God has worked a miracle in your life, or how he has blessed you, transformed you, lifted and encouraged you, perhaps even broken and healed you, no one can argue or debate it. You go beyond the realm of knowledge into the realm of relationship with God.

These steps are designed to help you write your Christian testimony. They apply for both long and short, written and spoken testimonies. Whether you are planning to write down your full, detailed testimony or preparing a quick 2-minute version of your testimony to share on a short-term mission trip, these tips and steps will help you tell others with sincerity, impact and clarity what God has done in your life.

First and foremost - remember - there is power in your testimony! Revelation 12:11 says we overcome our enemy be the blood of the Lamb and by the word of our testimony. Read Acts 26. Here the Apostle Paul gives his testimony. There are a few things to consider before you start writing your testimony. Think about your life before you met the Lord. What was going on in your life leading up to your conversion? What problems or needs were you facing at the time? How did your life change after that?

Friday
Let’s look back on what we have learned this week and review. In reflecting it is our desire that if something that you have learned really stands out that you look at ways in which you can implement them into your situation and life that will make a difference in your life.

Have you shared you testimony? _____________ God deals with us in different ways, and when we come forward and tell our story people realize that God is for real. Do you see the importance of testimony? __________ Have you shared your testimony with someone? ______
In what ways and what places can you share your testimony? _________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
Do you believe testimony is powerful? ____________List how testimony is powerful:
______________________________________________________________________________
What are three sources of Godly testimony and how can they help us in sharing our testimony?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
When sharing your testimony what are three important things to share when sharing your testimony? ____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The Weekender
My Story
Write your testimony and share it with someone.

The Daily Compass March 28-April 2, 2011

2011-03-28T12:21:00.003-05:00

Monday
Who Or What Possesses You?
Read Philippians 3:12-14

This week’s “Daily Compass” has been a little difficult to write, based on my perception of the words possessed, possess, and possession, typically when we use these words it brings up negative connotations, that is usually associated with evil. There have been countless movies and music that have been produced that use these words in this manner. So wrapping my head around the fact that I am possessed by God took a minute and then I remembered that satan does not have a single original thought, he is the master manipulator and the word possessed is just another example of how he can twist and turn words and situations for his advantage. As I begin to ponder being possessed by God that is really a different way of saying I am filled by the Holy Spirit. Part of the definition of possession is stated in this manner; possession may be voluntary or involuntary and may be considered to have beneficial or detrimental effects. Over the past months we have been hearing the words that we speak shapes our lives. So I think the same rule applies here, what we allow to possess us, shapes us.

Jesus took possession because He was possessed, He was possessed by God the Father, He stated that I and the Father are one, I am in the Father and the Father is in me. In order to be possessed by someone or something you have to give yourself to it, when you have done this you will manifest what has control of your life. If you are possessed by the Holy Spirit then it should be clear whom you are following, there should be no doubt when you look at yourself and when others see you as to who you are filled with.

Jesus’ possession was apparent; He exhibited all of the attributes of the Father. Jesus walked in the Father’s love, extending mercy and grace wherever He went. Jesus did not look at the giants, even though in His day too many the Pharisees could be seen as giants, as a roadblock, Jesus did not let them stop Him from demonstrating the Kingdom and its benefits. That’s what we need to do, we need to allow God to fully possess us, and we need to take hold of His possession and walk in Kingdom power and move on to greater stuff.

Tuesday
Bondage Or Freedom; I Choose!
Read Romans 6:15-18

So, since we're out from under the old tyranny, does that mean we can live any old way we want? Since we're free in the freedom of God, can we do anything that comes to mind? Hardly, You know well enough from your own experience that there are some acts of so-called freedom that destroy freedom. Offer yourselves to sin, for instance, and it's your last free act. But offer yourselves to the ways of God and the freedom never quits. All your lives you've let sin tell you what to do. But thank God you've started listening to a new master, one whose commands set you free to live openly in his freedom! (The Message, Romans 6:15-18)

We have the opportunity to choose freedom over bondage every day; our choice begins with what we allow in our life or what we give ourselves to. If we speak gloom and doom into our lives we are going to receive gloom and doom, however if we seek gladness and joy then our lives will be full of gladness and joy. We need to evaluate our thoughts and actions. The same is true with sickness or health, poverty or wealth. In hearing this message I had to step back and take a look at myself, the words I speak, my actions, what do people see when they see me. Do my actions match what I am speaking? Do I really do what I say, do I really want what I say I want. Who or what possesses me. Am I free or in bondage?

Wednesday
Possession; Begins With Seeking
Matthew 6:33

The Jews were greatly mistaken in respect to the nature of that kingdom which their Messiah was to set up. They expected a kingdom like the kingdoms of this world, invested with earthly splendor; they expected to increase wealth and power to their nation, and minister to their national pride. Christ sought to free them from the illusion that they had of this kingdom they were seeking. He told them that his kingdom did not come with outward show--that it must be within men, and that it was not of this world. He would have them understand that it was spiritual, and not temporary; demanding the place of the heart, and not the pomp and pageantry, so commonly rendered to royalty. The simple idea of this kingdom is that Christ himself reigns in the hearts of his people, securing the perfect submission of the will, and the consecration of every power to himself. Thus his kingdom is within; it is invisible. It puts on no outward glare. In the hearts of men he writes his laws by his Spirit, and thus rules over them to deliver them from satan and sin, and translate them into his own kingdom of peace and love.

This is the kingdom we are required to seek. To seek it, implies that we seek to belong to it--seek to know Christ's will and to do it--seek to be recognized by Christ as one of his subjects, and seek to promote the interests of this kingdom, as all true subjects of any kingdom do, and should do if the government deserves their support. He, who truly seeks first the kingdom of God, seeks to be as really and perfectly governed by Christ now, as the holy in Heaven are. He would have Christ living and reigning within him so that every thought shall be brought into obedience. This is one of the first steps to growing up into Him to possess what God has for us.

Thursday
Move To Possess
Exodus 14:15-16

One of the most common ways for the Lord to speak, both in the Bible and today, is through dreams and visions. He may use dreams because when we are asleep our rational mind cannot interfere with our listening or seeing. They have great emotional power. Dreams and visions keep us moving to possess. Dreams and visions inspire us to reach a goal and as we are working to achieve the goal set before us we need to keep that dream and vision in front of us. Many times with our dreams or visions we want to wait until the time seems right or until things get better or until we are better people, if we wait for those things then we will never get started. I believe that when we begin moving that is when our breakthrough comes. So you may ask yourself where do I start, start right where you are! With any dream or vision there are usually many questions, but we do not seek the right source for the answers. Seek The Source! God is that source. To possess we have to know that we have a promise, we have to see our promise, and we have to have faith that we can have our promise, we have to prepare to move into our promise, we have to move into our promise and we have to fight for the promise.

Steve Backland, author of “Victorious Mindsets” says in his book “you take the kingdom ‘little by little” but you must move forward to take it. Don’t wait seek and move to take possession.”

Friday
You Become What You Crave
Read 1st Peter 1:8-10

What gives joy its quality? I don't mean merely its intensity, but its moral character? What makes joy ugly or beautiful? Depraved or noble? Dirty or clean? The answer is that the thing enjoyed gives joy its character. If you enjoy dirty jokes and bathroom language and lewd pictures, then your heart is dirty and your joy is dirty. If you enjoy cruelty and arrogance and revenge, then your heart and your joy have that character. Or the more you get your joy simply from material things, the more your heart and your joy shrivel up like a mere material thing. You become like what you crave.

Peter says that Christian joy is inexpressible and glorified. So how does it become that like that? It becomes like that because Christian joy is the joy of craving the preciousness of Jesus and the reliability of Jesus. You become like what you crave. Christians crave Christ. Therefore they become like Christ. Christ's preciousness and reliability are inexpressibly great, and so our joy is inexpressible in him. And Christ has in him all the glory of the universe and of God, and so our joy in him is a glorified joy—that is, a joy being changed from one degree to another by his glory as we are attracted by its preciousness and as we are confident in its reliability. We become what we crave and what Christians crave above all else is the glory of Christ. So our joy is "inexpressible and glorified" because it is joy in loving Christ and trusting Christ who is inexpressibly glorious.

You never saw him, yet you love him. You still don't see him, yet you trust him—with laughter and singing. Because you kept on believing, you'll get what you're looking forward to: total salvation. 1 Peter 1:8-10(The Message).

The Weekender

Let’s look back on what we have learned this week and review. In reflecting it is our desire that if something that you have learned really stands out that you look at ways in which you can implement them into your situation and life that will make a difference in your life.

Who or what possesses you?___________________________________________________________

Do you express attributes of God living in you?______________________________________

You have a choice, freedom or bondage, which do you live in?_________________________

Does your life reflect one living in freedom or one living in bondage?______________

If living in bondage what are ways that you can move forward to freedom?_____________
_____________________________________________________________________________________

Christ tells us to seek first the Kingdom, are you seeking the Kingdom? ____________

In what ways are you seeking the Kingdom?____________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________

What is your dream or your vision? __________________________________________________

Are you moving forward or are you at a standstill? __________________________________

What is holding you back?____________________________________________________________

What can you do to move forward?_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________

What do you crave?___________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________

Do you have inexpressible joy? _________________________If not; why? ________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________

The Daily Compass March 20-26, 2011

2011-03-21T12:42:00.000-05:00

Monday
Possessing Joy
Read Psalms 16:11

If I grant you one wish, asking you, "Do you want money or joy?" which one would you choose? Yes, you can only pick one. Now, carefully think it over. I know what's going through your mind; you're thinking, "If I pick money, I'll be able to have joy, too." Certainly, money can buy you almost everything, but can it bring you true joy?

While money may bring us delights for our eyes, it cannot buy us lasting joy for our spirits. If fire meets money, everything that money could bring will shrivel into flames. On the other hand, if you possess joy, no fire can ever burn it. And since you will not be dependent on material riches with true joy, you will be able to be content in whatever circumstances you're in. The apostle Paul said, "I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content in it. I know how to be humbled, and I know also how to abound. In everything and in all things I have learned the secret both to be filled and to be hungry, both to abound and to be in need." (Philippians 4:11-12)

God is our secret to true joy, as the Bible says, "Happy is the people whose God is Jehovah." My relationship with God brings me the greatest joy and contentment. When I know and have God, I have everything else. God is not just my life--He is more than life. After all, Jehovah is the Creator of life, so the Creator is always larger than the creation, regardless how grand the creation may be. God is love. When God is the very representation of love (I John 4.8), we can be certain that we can entirely trust Him. When we can completely trust someone with our very lives, it not only brings security but the greatest joy. God provides direction. On our own, we are like travellers’ trying to find our way in a foreign country without a map and a compass. God delivers us from troubles. And last but not least God gives us an eternal hope. When we abide in God, we receive the greatest opportunity to live forever in fellowship with our Heavenly Father. The relationship that we have truly can define the level of joy that we possess in our lives.

Tuesday
The Secret Of Joy
Read The Book of Philippians

At this very moment people all over the world are experiencing things that are threatening to break into their lives, steal their joy, and leave them miserable. Right now there are people in the city where you live that are experiencing things that are jeopardizing their joy. But you don’t have to travel around the world—or even around town—to witness what I’m talking about. All you have to do is live. Because, every day negative things happen in our lives that threaten to send us spinning in a downward spiral. The good news, though, is that we don’t have to go down with our circumstances. As a Christians, we have the power to rise above our circumstances.

Paul did. He was in prison when he wrote the letter to the church in Philippi. The prospect of death hovered over his head daily. To make matters worse, Paul’s friend—got very sick and almost died while visiting him during his imprisonment. And as if that weren’t more than enough for one person to handle, Paul had enemies within the church that sought to make his life as miserable as possible. Considering the circumstances in Paul’s life when he wrote this letter, one might suppose to read in Philippians the words of a grumpy old man who is mad at the world and at God. After all, less than half of what Paul experienced would be more than enough to make most of us depressed or cynical. However, in spite of his circumstances, Paul writes from prison the most beautiful "joy- letter" ever written. The Romans had hand-cuffs, but they didn’t have heart-cuffs. Therefore, Paul was free to possess joy in jail. He was free to turn a cell into a celebration. Sixteen times in the four chapters of Philippians we read the words joy or rejoice in some form. Paul rejoiced in prayer, in the preaching of Christ, in the unity of the church, in the thought of the second coming, in the thought of death, in the Philippians themselves, and in their care for him. What was the secret to Paul’s joy? Where—if not in his circumstances—did he find his joy? What was the secret to Paul’s joy? Jesus. Where—if not in his circumstances—did he find his joy? Let us never forget that—like Paul—even when we can’t rejoice in our circumstances, we can rejoice in Christ. Remember, the God that you serve wants to bless you with joy in any and every circumstance.

Wednesday
Removing The Spirit of Heaviness
Read Isaiah 61:3

Are you sick and tired of being sick and tired? You have been sick for so long that you don't remember what it's like to be healthy. At one time, you battled this sickness, but the sickness seems to be winning. So you think, what’s the use, I might as well accept this sickness and learn to live with it. I'm never going to get well. Perhaps you are tired of fighting for your marriage. You are fed up with your spouse. You think that he doesn't love you anymore, so why fight for his love. You are ready to throw in the towel. Possibly you once waged war against your financial debts. But things haven't changed much, and you're beginning to get discouraged. You think that you are never going to get out from under all your bills. Perhaps you are tired of fighting for your marriage. You are fed up with your spouse. You think that he doesn't love you anymore, so why fight for his love. You might be having trouble with your children. You wonder if they are ever going to straighten up. You are exhausted from their rebellion. Is God ever going to change them? You wonder.

One of the most popular passages in the Bible is Nehemiah 8:10: "Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength." Why is joy important? Because the "joy of the Lord is your strength!" Joy produces strength. And strength is needed to fight. You are called to "fight the good fight of faith" (1 Timothy 6:12). Isaiah 61:3 tells us that when we feel we are backed in to a corner and there is no hope, we are to put on a garment of praise (my interpretation). I have found that when I do just that PRAISE, my spirit lightens and is lifted up to new heights, the despair, hopelessness and depression leaves. Get rid of that heaviness; Praise the one whom our strength comes from.

Thursday
Serving with Gladness
Read Psalms 100:1-2

There are moments in our lives when we can serve the Lord with gladness, and it appears such a natural thing for us to do. Yet there are other moments when things happen in our lives that we don’t understand, and in those moments sometimes we find it hard to serve our Lord with gladness. It’s not that we don’t want to serve him continually with gladness. It is the sadness often of our circumstance that takes our Joy and we allow those circumstances to steal our opportunity of that moment in serving our God with gladness. In those moments, it is so very important that no matter the circumstances we learn to trust God even more and Praise Him through every circumstance. Our God never changes and He is the same in the good and bad times.

Our God is an awesome, loving, caring God, before our time, while in the womb of our Mother, he knew what our lives would be, and to this day already knows what lies ahead in our future. It is so important that we realize just what we mean to Him, and in doing so we will learn what He means to us. Peace, Contentment, Joy, Happiness, Blessings, God’s Love, Understanding and so much more the list is endless. It is time we realize that we can serve the Lord with gladness. Give to Him our all and allow Him to work through us every day in everything we do as we serve the Lord with gladness and rest in knowing it is He that hath made us and not we ourselves and it is He that will lead, guide, and direct our lives to work for our good if we only summit our whole being unto Him.

Friday
Strength In Joy
Read Nehemiah 8:10

Nehemiah 8:10 says, “The joy of the Lord is your strength.” It’s been said that true joy always involves three things. First we have to make conscious decision to focus each day on God and His goodness. Second we must reach out and bless others every chance you get. This is a proven fact. Not long ago my family and I were going through a very rough patch and someone who was praying for us sent us an e-mail and told us that while she was praying that God reminded her of something and she wanted to pass it on. The advice was that each day for one week we were to bless someone less fortunate than us and through our blessing others that God would move on our behalf, well let me tell you that on the second day of doing this, we received a phone call that the need that we had was taken care of……two days!!! So my family and I have made it a point in some way we are going to do our best each day to bless someone. Third we must understand that joy produces strength, which we also need to realize that this makes our joy satan’s target. When we lose our joy we lose our strength and when we lose our joy, satan wins.

There are basically three kinds of people: there are those whose joy is impaired this is the one who believes that we’re not supposed to be happy. The joy killer….this is the one who’s been hurt by life and they don’t want others to be joyful either. Then, there is the joy carrier...these are the ones who when you’re around them, they exhilarate you, and what they are experiencing is often contagious. Many times joy was the word of the day so to speak with Jesus, wherever Jesus was there was joy. With Jesus living inside us and having a right relationship with Him, Real joy...wonderful joy is a result of our relationship with Jesus Christ...then we can say, “The joy of the Lord is my strength.”

The Weekender
Take Your Joy Back

Like last week let’s take today and look back at what you have learned this week and reflect. In reflecting it is our desire that if something that you have learned really stands out that you look at ways in which you can implement them into your situation and life that will make a difference in your life.

In taking possession of joy, does the relationship that you have with God bring you joy and contentment?

Do you allow circumstances to interfere with your joy? If so take a look at Paul’s life and how he dealt with the circumstances he faced and try some of the methods he used to retain his joy. Make a list of ways that Paul possessed joy:

Why is joy important in our lives? Are you sick and tired of being sick and tired? What are ways that we can overcome the feelings of wanting to give up and draw on the strength that God has for us?

Would you like to experience immeasurable, eternal joy? Do you possess eternal hope? If you answer no to any of the above questions take a moment and reflect on your relationship with the Father, do you see something in your relationship that is preventing you from possessing the joy that God has for you?

Steps you can take to possess joy in your life: Make a conscious decision to focus each day on God and His goodness. Reach out and bless others every chance you get. We must understand that joy produces strength, which we also need to realize that this makes our joy satan’s target. Serve the Lord in gladness. Praise Him and most of all when you welcome Jesus into your heart, for nothing and no one else can ever promise you the kind of joy only God can bring you!

The Daily Compass March 14-19, 2011

2011-03-12T20:35:00.002-06:00

Monday
The Basis of What We Believe
Read Matthew 11:1-6

Do we arrive at our beliefs in a systematic manner or through an intuitive process? Are we predisposed towards some beliefs while being skeptical about others? Do life experiences play a strong role in what we believe? Does scientific training enable us to develop a method for deciding what to believe? Or is it that rationalists are born, not made? Is there a commonly accepted set of methods for deciding the truth value of claims?

Webster’s dictionary gives the following definitions for “belief”: “(1): a state or habit of mind in which trust or confidence is placed in some person or thing (2): something believed; especially: a tenet or body of tenets held by a group (3): conviction of the truth of some statement or the reality of some being or phenomenon especially when based on examination of evidence.” These definitions raise further questions such as “How does one arrive at this state of belief? Upon what does belief stand?

Everyone believes something. Belief is the heart of life itself. Belief makes up the convictions we hold, the principles we live by, the ideas we have about the world around us, the confidence we have in someone or something, and even the “faith” we have in God. But what is “belief”?
The picture we hold of God is the basis for what we believe. When a person has the wrong view of God it will affect what they believe, receive and how they live. John the Baptist sent his disciples to get an answer that he already knew. The circumstances he was in at the time seemed to contradict what he believed. John knew that Jesus was the Lamb of God and that He had come to set the captives free, but found himself in bondage.

Often we find ourselves in that very bondage by the words that we speak or allow others to speak over us. Scripture tells us that all we have to do is have the faith the size of a mustard seed and the problem or mountain sized problem we face can be spoken to and removed from our lives, but, when we live in the midst of contradiction and do not take God at his word we move into unbelief and doubt we do not see the things that want to take place happen and we begin to search for our own solutions and answers, which never work. Put you faith to work, trust God and sit back and watch what happens.

Tuesday
Waiting On God’s Will
Read Habakkuk 2:1, 3:16-19

I will stand at my watch and station myself on the ramparts; I will look to see what he will say to me, and what answer I am to give to this complaint.(Habakkuk 2:1 niv) Unlike Habakkuk often we are not willing to wait on God to see what He is going to do. We live in such rush, rush, society to get things done, we want to see results immediately we often settle for second best instead of waiting on the very goodness that God has for us. There are advantages and rewards for waiting on God.

In several place throughout the book of Isaiah we find that God acts on our behalf as we wait for Him. “Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him”. As you are waiting for God, He strengthens you. “But those who wait on the Lord will find new strength. They will fly high on wings as eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint” When waiting for God, He blesses you. “Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him”

What does it mean to be blessed by God while we wait on Him? As we wait on God and His timing, He can accomplish so much in our hearts. Often we find new purpose in life, receive answers to prayer, see God work, increase our faith, and most often we see God’s perfect plan fulfilled in our situation. Remember, waiting is not wasted time!

Wednesday
Finding God’s Goodness In The Hard Times
Psalms 23

Everyone needs a bit of encouragement from time to time. Thankfully we have the Bible as our ultimate source of encouraging words! Even in the midst of the “financial crisis” or in the middle of a health crisis, we can remain hopeful and encouraged if we keep trusting in God. I have found that the key is to finding specific Bible verses and meditating on them. According to the Word, this is how faith comes. The more we soak up the truth of God’s Word, the more assured we become that He really is going to take care of us!

I know some people whose lives have been dramatically affected by this and I am one of those who have been affected, and I think as it progresses we will all know people who will go through struggles as a result. The important thing to remember in the midst of the chaos is that God is in control. He is not surprised by the events and He is not unsure how He is going to take care of his children. We are just as safe putting our trust in Him when things are going great as when it looks like everything is falling around us. And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”(Philippians 4:19) Notice the verse says “ALL.” It doesn’t say “some” or “most,” but it says that He will meet all of our needs. It doesn’t say how He will meet our needs and I have found from experience the way He does it is often not what I expected. But the bottom line is that God is faithful and He does what He promises. In Psalms 23 David found rest and peace in the midst of his enemies and hard times. When facing the difficult times all we have to do is look to God and to His word to find his goodness.

Thursday
His Suffering Is Redemptive
Read Isaiah 53

The story of a Job is not about the sufferings of Job, but is a revelation about God and His mercy, love and His redemption of those who wait in faith on Him. Religion has it so messed up and religion teaches that the devil is the source of our pleasure and that God is the source of our pain. Scripture tells us that God only wants what is pleasurable and good for us. At the cross Jesus took on all of our pain and suffering, therefore our suffering is fruitless as there is no redemption in our suffering. Redemption is found in Jesus’ suffering.

God does not will our suffering. God desires fullness of life for all. Not the physical pain, but the love underlying the suffering. Love redeems, not pain. Love redeems, not shame. The unjust execution of an innocent man, Jesus, the Son of God, is the work of human sin, a travesty in the eyes of God, the rejection of the Father’s supreme gift to humanity. But the love of Jesus underlying his suffering and his fidelity to his Father and his mission despite the consequent persecution is redemptive. Ultimately, the depth and purity of love, not the extent and intensity of physical pain, is what is redemptive. Forced suffering is evil, but suffering freely embraced out of love heals and liberates. Suffering is redemptive because Jesus redeemed us from sin through His suffering. We must remember that Jesus took all of our burdens, if we trust Him, and the sufferings of the present is nothing compared to the glory that awaits those who trust Him.

Friday
In The Know
Read John 9, Revelation 12:5

As we see the wonders of the universe all around us; the complexity, beauty and design everywhere we look, we are confronted with what should be undeniable evidence that there is an infinitely wise and powerful Creator behind it all. In spite of this evidence in nature, one can observe throughout history that many people choose not to respond to this light they are given. They get preoccupied with the pleasures and possessions of this life and never search for the truth about the One Who created us and the universe in which we live. Instead, they choose to believe what they want to believe - sometimes creating their own religions or choosing not to acknowledge God's existence at all. Jobs friends and the Pharisee’s tried to come up with a pointing finger theology for every circumstance. They determine their own beliefs and close their eyes and ears to everything else, including the truth.

There are individuals, however, scattered over the face of the earth, who respond to the evidence God has given them about Himself and seek to learn more about Who He is and how they can know Him. God promises to reveal the truth to those who seek Him, and has given us everything we need to know about life, death, and eternity in the Bible; a Book which He has miraculously preserved for us down through the ages. Most importantly, He tells us in the Bible how we can be forgiven of our sins and have the assurance of a home in Heaven. We have not arrived yet we just need to know that it will end in the glory of God. We need to live up to what we already know and seek to know God more. When we seek Him out for solutions to the problems we face He knows the answer and is willing to give us the solution.

The Weekender
Implementing What You Have Learned

The things we have learned will gather dust unless it is actionable, unless we do something with it. We should not just assume because we have learned something or we have read something that it will make an immediate change in our life without taking some sort of action. If you do not take what you have learned and put it into some type of action plan then nothing is going to happen. Often as God speaks to us through our Pastors, a prophet, His word or through our friends and the solution we are facing is right there we miss an opportunity by not doing something with what we have learned. Beginning today we want to give you an opportunity to look back at that you have learned this week and reflect. In reflecting it is our desire that if something that you have learned really stands out that you look at ways in which you can implement them into your situation and life that will make a difference in your life.

Do you really believe what you say or are you just fooling yourself?_________ Are the words you are speaking bringing you freedom or keeping you in bondage? _________ List ways that you can see what you believe begin working in your life: _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

When looking for God to work in your life do you get impatient and try to fix things on your own, waiting on God is not wasting time. What are some things you can do while waiting on God? _______________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________

When facing hard times look for ways to keep in mind that God is in control. What are ways that we can be encouraged and reminded that God in is control? _____________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________

It is the suffering of Jesus that redeems us, God desires fullness of life for us. What are some ways that we can show God that we are thankful for what He has done for us? _____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________

God has given us instructions and solutions for our circumstances, what do we do, do we continue to live with a problem or do we listen to what God’s instructions and do something about it? List problems you are facing and search God’s Word, pray, wait for the answer and when you have it do something: __________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________

The Daily Compass March 7-12, 2010

2011-03-07T11:04:00.000-06:00

Monday
Believe: The Report
Isaiah 53:1; 1 Corinthians 1:18; Galatians 3:5

Believing God…it’s what takes us into our personal Promised Land. In the Old Testament, God brought the Israelites out of the bondage of Egyptian slavery. Moses led the people under the blood-stained doorframes of the Passover, across the dry land of the Red Sea, and into the land flowing with milk and honey. The travelers witnessed God part the sea, rain down quail from heaven, scatter manna on the ground, and pour water from a rock. He guided them by a fire at night and a cloud by day. And yet, when it came time to march into the Promised Land, the land that was theirs for the taking, they faced a crisis of belief. “Send some men to explore the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the Israelites,” God instructed Moses. So Moses sent twelve spies to scout out the land. When they returned, ten gave the following report: 8 told We can’t attack those people; they are stronger than we are…The land we explored devours those living in it. All the people we saw there are of great size…We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them. But two of the spies, Caleb and Joshua, believed God. “We should go up and take possession of the land,”

Isaiah speaking of the work of the Messiah says who has believed the report. He says that those that believe will see the power of God. Who are we believing? Do we believe what God has done for us and what He has said about us? If we believe what the Gospel God has promised we would experience the power of God. Paul reminds us it is the power of God for those who are being saved. (1 Corinthians 1:18) It is the Spirit that gives us faith not keeping the rules of religion but the life of the power of the life of God working in us. (Galatians 3:5) God calls us to be believers. We are called believers and believers are what we are to be. God tells us that signs and wonders will follow those who believe. (Mark 16:17-18) Believers are the only ones that can change the things in their lives and in the world. Unbelievers are never motivated to change things.

So here’s my question to you. Whose report are you going to believe? Are you going to believe God’s Word is true, or the enemy who tries to stop you from entering your own Promised Land because of fear?
Satan says, “You can’t do it.” God says, “I already have.”
I don’t want to be like those Israelites who didn’t believe God. Do you? Are you going to move into the land flowing with milk and honey – take God’s promises and make them yours? Or, are you going to believe the evil report and continue wandering around in the desert – free from slavery, but missing the Promised Land? Whose report are you going to believe?

Tuesday
Believe: The Plan of God
Jeremiah 29:11

Do you believe that God has a plan for your life? The truth is that God has plan for each of us. Yes, there are days that circumstances may look bleak and grim, we may not be spared pains, suffering and hardships, but God knows the future and His plan for us is good for us and full of hope. God has made each of us unique and we each have a specific purpose, if you ever doubt this is true think on this, He made us because He wanted to not because He had too. As long as God, knows the future, and provides us with directions for the path we are to take, and goes with us there is not any goal or obstacle we cannot conquer.

Did you know that you life will move in the direction of your most dominant thoughts? If you're constantly down on yourself thinking you'll never get ahead, then you won't. But if you'll choose to believe, you have victory up ahead, that God has good things in store for your future; then that's what you'll end up with. That's why it's so important to make sure our thoughts are the same as God's thoughts. Just like a computer, whatever you allow into your mind is what will come out in your attitude and actions. The more you meditate on God's Word, the more you will transform your thinking to be like God's thinking.

Choose today to focus on the Word of God and allow your mind to be renewed. As you focus on God's thoughts, you will see your actions become more like Him and you will see His hand of blessing in every area of your life. You will see His plan in action for your life.

Wednesday
Believe: The Message of God
Matthew 10:7

The real message of God is that salvation is by grace through faith, not faith and something you do like baptism or faith and speaking in tongues, or faith and going to a particular church, etc. True salvation is freedom from the requirement of keeping any part of the Law to get or maintain salvation. True salvation is receiving Christ, being in the body of Christ, and being redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. It means that we are not obligated to keep a moral code such as women should not wear pants, shorts, makeup, or jewelry. It does not mean that we are in danger of losing our salvation if we go to movies, own TV's, swim in public, or wear facial hair as some would have us believe. We have been set free from the Law. Of course, this does not mean that we are free to sin. Not at all, for how shall we who have died to sin still live in it?

Friends, let me go over the Message with you one final time— this Message that I proclaimed and that you made your own; this Message on which you took your stand and by which your life has been saved. (I'm assuming, now, that your belief was the real thing and not a passing fancy, that you're in this for good and holding fast.)
3-9The first thing I did was place before you what was placed so emphatically before me: that the Messiah died for our sins, exactly as Scripture tells it; that he was buried; that he was raised from death on the third day, again exactly as Scripture says. (The Message, 1 Cor. 15:1-4).

Do you believe what scripture tells us the Message of God is or do you believe what someone else is saying? The Message of God is for you!

Thursday
Believe: The Power of the Gospel Preached
Acts 2:44; Mark 16:16-18

Have you ever thought about how amazing it is that the Gospel message has spread from twelve apostles to encompass the whole world! We are not talking about God using twelve Bible scholars, theologians, and Jewish leaders. Instead, he used a rag tag group that included, among others, fishermen, a tax collector, a zealot, and a doubter. Two thousand years later, the word of God continues to grow and spread as Christians across the globe proclaim the Gospel message with clarity and bear witness to the power and love of God in their lives. In many cases, this message is proclaimed by ordinary people like you and me. That is why God wants to use you to spread his Gospel and his love to others. God promises that when His words are proclaimed they will never return void or empty, but will accomplish all it is set out to do (Isaiah 55:10-11). You can be sure that every opportunity you take to share the Gospel message and your faith in Jesus Christ with others, they will be blessed in some way. It will not be through your persuasive words of wisdom but through the power of the God’s message. You may or may not see a person come to instant conversion. You may simply be watering a seed that someone else has planted. Or you may be planting a brand new seed yourself. Whatever the result, know that God sees every good thing you do, and He rewards it. Remember: He is even more eager than you to see people embrace the Gospel and come to a saving faith in Jesus Christ.

Friday
Believe: Change Your Lifestyle
Acts 18:12, 13, 36; 13: 39; 15:7

The Bible is clear about the answer to changing your life. It tells us that believing in God changes everything about our lives. Accepting God’s existence is a life-altering belief, not only in the hope that it gives us for the future, but in the way God’s presence can change our lives now. You probably think at times, I am just one person, how can I really make things different? One is left wondering, what is the appropriate response? What could I possibly give God in return for everything He has done for me? How does He want me to live and serve Him? It is therefore a great blessing for us that our God wants us to know Him and has given us a book that answers these questions of how best to please Him. The Bible makes it plain what it is God is asking us to do. Putting God first in our lives should be our first change and the second change is to love others as God loves us. Therefore, how do we serve God? We must set our hearts to believe in God completely and we must earnestly seek Him out. God calls us to leave behind every other desire or distraction in this world and put our faith in Him first. We must be like His son, Jesus Christ, who sacrificed his will to live a life of service to his Father. In striving to know our God better we must seek him out by reading His Word and find out more about him.

The Weekender
Believe: Just Do It
2 Timothy 1:12

“Unless you stand for something, you’ll fall for anything.” “Sin boldly.” “Be certain, because God is.” You might have heard these or other similar sayings. They’re all telling us the same thing: don’t doubt, but be sure. Each day, every day, we make decisions in our lives that call for our being certain. We are certain that a particular vehicle is far enough away that we can safely turn. We are certain that a friend will keep the luncheon appointment and we will go out of our way to be there on time. We are certain that the “laws of nature” will hold true for another day. If we doubt, we can become paralyzed, or at least severely slowed down. Doubt is not helpful.

The great saints were not immune to the same doubting that you and I experience. “Doubting Thomas” as he is often dubbed, is a common example. “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it.” (John 20:25) And this man lived with Jesus for three years! And He still experienced doubt! Think of the father whose child was demon-possessed: “I do believe; help my unbelief.” (Mark 9:24) The disciples on the road to Emmaus were so disappointed, having doubted the resurrection of Jesus. They said, “we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel” but were so dispirited when He died. (Luke 24;21)

But of Jesus’ work on our behalf, we can be certain and sure and positive and confident and definite. The Holy Spirit has given us faith, faith that carries us through in times of trials and doubts. When something awful happens to a dear friend, we can rely on the promise of “Lo, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20) There is a book called “Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People”, reflects human thinking. This human thinking is the product of the devil at work. We might better ask, “Why do good things happen to any people?” After all, we are born sinful, sin daily, violate God’s holy will and desire on a regular basis; yet He gives us all we need and even more. He gives us forgiveness for all our sins, peace in the midst of turmoil, and clarity of mind when we most need it.

Look to the mountains around you and ask the question, “who but a loving God would put these beautiful edifices there for you?” No one but a God who cares enough to send His Son to take away your guilt and give you eternal life, so you could live with Him forever and ever in the mansions He has prepared for you.
When doubts come, stop for a moment, open God’s Word, say a prayer, and reflect on the mercies and miracles you see around you and ask whether the wonders you see are just coincidences or serendipitous acts. No, they are neither. God gives you all you have because He wants the best for you. Sometimes struggles are good for you, believe it or not! “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)

When doubts come, stop and send them away to fly back to the devil’s lair where they belong and then raise a prayer for life and salvation you have in Jesus Christ. Bottom line Just Believe God!!!

The Daily Compass February 28-March 5, 2011

2011-02-28T07:53:00.000-06:00

Monday
Building The Father’s House
Read Luke 15:11-32

Then he said, "There was once a man who had two sons. The younger said to his father, 'Father, I want right now what's coming to me.' "So the father divided the property between them. It wasn't long before the younger son packed his bags and left for a distant country. There, undisciplined and dissipated, he wasted everything he had. After he had gone through all his money, there was a bad famine all through that country and he began to hurt. He signed on with a citizen there who assigned him to his fields to slop the pigs. He was so hungry he would have eaten the corncobs in the pig slop, but no one would give him any. "That brought him to his senses. He said, 'All those farmhands working for my father sit down to three meals a day, and here I am starving to death. I'm going back to my father. I'll say to him, Father, I've sinned against God, I've sinned before you; I don't deserve to be called your son. Take me on as a hired hand.' He got right up and went home to his father. "When he was still a long way off, his father saw him. His heart pounding, he ran out, embraced him, and kissed him. The son started his speech: 'Father, I've sinned against God, I've sinned before you; I don't deserve to be called your son ever again.' "But the father wasn't listening. He was calling to the servants, 'Quick. Bring a clean set of clothes and dress him. Put the family ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Then get a grain-fed heifer and roast it. We're going to feast! We're going to have a wonderful time! My son is here—given up for dead and now alive! Given up for lost and now found!' And they began to have a wonderful time. "All this time his older son was out in the field. When the day's work was done he came in. As he approached the house, he heard the music and dancing. Calling over one of the houseboys, he asked what was going on. He told him, 'Your brother came home. Your father has ordered a feast—barbecued beef!—because he has him home safe and sound.' "The older brother stalked off in an angry sulk and refused to join in. His father came out and tried to talk to him, but he wouldn't listen. The son said, 'Look how many years I've stayed here serving you, never giving you one moment of grief, but have you ever thrown a party for me and my friends? Then this son of yours who has thrown away your money on whores shows up and you go all out with a feast!' "His father said, 'Son, you don't understand. You're with me all the time, and everything that is mine is yours—but this is a wonderful time, and we had to celebrate. This brother of yours was dead, and he's alive! He was lost, and he's found!'"(The Message)

What will this year look like at Open Door Church? It is back to the vision and back to the basics we started on. I believe that God is taking us back to the future. I believe that there are things in our past experience that we have forgotten or let them go into disrepair. God is calling us to remember and renew them and take them farther in our day. Like the movie “Back To The Future” we need to go back and reorder the life that God is giving us so we have the future God wants us to have.

Tuesday
Embrace The Uncomfortable
Read John 3:16, Acts

We are called to embrace the world. Jesus died for the world not just a few good people. Jesus did not die just for Americans but all men. (John 3:16) God has called us to love all people despite their differences. So many times we allow race, social status and friends to influence us concerning people. Jesus even said to love our enemies. If all we do is to love those that agree with us then how are we different from the world? In the story of “The Father’s House” (Luke 15) The Older son lived in the house with the father but did not have the father’s heart. He was religious: He demanded performance instead of love and demanded law instead of giving grace. I believe that everyone has had glimpses of God, but do they recognize it and if they do what do they do with what they see. I know there have been times that I have caught a glimpse of where God is working or was working and I looked at the circumstances and said I did not want a part of that because it made me uncomfortable and we as sons and daughters cannot do that. The Father’s House has to embrace that which is uncomfortable. Change is uncomfortable but change is part of life. The thing is that when Jesus was preparing to leave the earth He told us that He was going to send us a helper, a comforter if you will. You need comfort because you are being made uncomfortable. No one moves without being uncomfortable. We are here to afflict the comfortable and comfort the afflicted. We have to embrace those we have thought unclean – the prodigal came from a pig pen – unclean by the cultures standards – (Acts 10-11) Peter took the religious with him because of what the others would say about him embracing that which was unclean. Are you ready and willing to embrace and kiss a pig? God is calling us to some uncomfortable places, with people that will make us uncomfortable, and with ideas that are foreign to us. Are we willing to love the people God will bring across our path? Are we willing to listen to them with the ears of the Holy Spirit to give them the wisdom of God? God says he will give what we need when we need it. Let’s go to the world with God and look for a Kingdom adventure.

Wednesday
Identity Empowerment
Read John 1:12; Acts 1:8

Many people are going through an identity crisis in their lives. They need to know the love that heals, transforms, and brings us into our God created destinies when we realize who we are. When we do not know who we are or what our purpose in life is it is like a person who has amnesia. We are wandering around searching for fulfillment in any place or with any person that we think can fill the bill. The thing is that, that is exactly what the enemy wants is for us to remain nameless.

Jesus gave us back our identity and empowered us and we are to empower people by giving them identity. That is what the father did when the son returned home. He showed him his identity as a son. We are to empower people to live the God life. People are empowered by the Spirit of God making them alive. (John 1:12; Acts 1:8) The seed of God is in you and the seed of God is released through you. We are called to release the power of God in the earth. That is what Jesus did on the Mount of Transfiguration – you would see the Kingdom come in power. We must release the power that is in us but first we must know who we are in Christ Jesus. We must learn to not move out of emotion or intellect but out of the Spirit. There is God power inside you and we must learn how to release the power in us to manifest his Kingdom to a world that needs to see the God way.

Thursday
Equipped For The Kingdom
Read Ephesians 4:11-13; 1 John 1:1-3

True five-fold ministry prepares the people to serve in the Kingdom. We are not to prepare people to die but to prepare them to live the God life. We are not equipping people to win people to Jesus or to be good, but to live the power of the God life. Jesus wants us to live in the Kingdom. He has given us gifts and callings. We must receive them and learn to grow in them to benefit ourselves and others. We are teaching people to know, to be known and to make known. We are not gathers but senders and to send we must equip. We must give you an opportunity to know and grow in the things of the Kingdom. (Ephesians 4:11-13) Apostles, is a military term – to take the territory and to teach people the ways of the new kingdom. God said he would make us His witnesses. A witness is just giving testimony to what he has seen, heard and experienced. (1 John 1:1-3) We have to teach people to live out of the equipment of the Kingdom that we use in everyday life.

God tells Moses to stretch out his hand over the sea so that the waters will come back upon the Egyptians. Now, I know that God wanted to do that, and He could have just made it happen, but God chooses to use people in partnership with Him to accomplish His work. Here is a saying to drive home my point: "God alone can save the world, but God can't save the world alone." God has chosen to use us! Won't you jump in and be a part of what He wants to do in and through you?

Friday
Exaltation Brings Intimacy
Read Acts 15:16-18

Worship means “to give honor, homage, reverence, respect, adoration, praise, or glory to a superior being.” God demands worship because He and He alone is worthy of it. He is the only being that truly deserves worship. He requests that we acknowledge His greatness, His power and His glory. We are to worship God and He is looking for worshipers. Praise and worship will take us from the place of power to the place of living the life of God. Worship and exaltation takes us from the earth to the realm of heaven. It takes us from our focus on earth to heaven. Many times we get so caught up in our circumstances that we can see no peace and have no rest. When we get into a place of worship and exaltation of God we forget about our circumstances, changing our circumstances does not give us peace or rest, it is peace and rest that changes our circumstances. The work of God takes place in an atmosphere of worship and praise. We are to establish a house of praise that brings us into intimate relationship with God. We become like what we worship, when you examine your life or you look in the mirror what do you look like?

The Weekender
God Experience
Read John 14:15-20; Read John 17:3

We owe people an experience with God. True life is found in the presence of God. We have no life without him. He wants us to be with Him where He is at. You were created to be with God. Jesus said that He was going to prepare a place for us so we could be with Him where He is at. God wants us to know Him. I believe all of us have had glimpses of God throughout our life time and did not realize it. (John Wimber, Billy Graham, Pharaoh, Nebuchadnezzar, God is calling kings to dream again to seek out God men to interpret the dreams. God does not want us to give people just head knowledge about God, but an experience with God that will give a heart revelation to bring transformation. Life is found in His Presence. Eternal life is all about being in the presence of God. We have seen in small ways the presence of God (John Wimber, Billy Graham, Denzel Washington, Pastor Fox) God will not leave himself without a witness. We are called to give the world knowledge of this God that they perceive. (Acts 17:23) Paul said I am going to proclaim this God you have named unknown. We are here to make him known.

Ask leaders and people how they see the Kingdom? Let’s dream together and then put it into vision and live it out in reality.

The Daily Compass February 21-26, 2011

2011-02-20T22:23:00.000-06:00

Monday
Believe In The Goodness of God
Read Exodus 33:14-23

We must be convinced of His goodness before we can have a faith relationship with God. The goodness of God is the life of the believer's trust. But how are we convinced? We do not have to go far to learn of, hear of and see His goodness. 1st we must look around us even in the midst of all that seems bad in this world, there is good there is much good. 2nd we have to go no further than His word, His word tells what and how He feels about us and His promises to us are found in His Word. He has big plans for us and when we grasp hold of and trust Him. His plans will be fulfilled in our lives as we daily make a fresh commitment to, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." Some may ask, how can I see "all things" work for my good? Or, how can my path be made straight so that I’m not constantly going down dead end roads with jobs, relationships, investments and more. The answer is found in the same verses that give these great promises. We are to:

• Love God
• Walk, talk, and think in the calling of His purpose (what God’s Word says)
• Lean not on our own understanding
• In all our ways acknowledge Him

By doing these four things you will find the power of God released into your life. You will also find that no matter what may be happening in the world God’s love for you is strong enough to make "all things" work out for the good." As you love God with all your heart, soul and strength you will find that His favor and grace are manifested in your life. You will find that you are, by His grace, always in the right place at the right time. You will find that He will move on people’s hearts to do things for you that you never expected. In the midst of circumstances that are going on in the world and in your personal life, you will be able to say, "I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living." (Psalm 27:13) Notice, the words, "I will see." He knew that it would happen, there was no doubt in the goodness of God. He knew that "all things" were going to be worked out for his good… "in the land of the living."
It is this Excellency in God which most appeals to our hearts. Because His goodness endures forever, we ought never to be discouraged: 'The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble, and He knows them that trust in Him' (Nahum 1:7).

Tuesday
Doubt: The Faith Killer
Read Galatians 3:1-5

I think my doubting the goodness of God reveals my own sinfulness more than anything else.

At some level, my sub-conscious definition of good is to be stable, have everything I think I need: good health, friends around me, food on the table always, extra money in the bank, etc… basically have nothing bad happen: no leaving friends, no pain in life, perfect health… Of course these things are good!

But to doubt God’s goodness when I don’t have these things… Is my definition of goodness so limited? What makes me so special that I should think I am somehow entitled to exemption from the effects of sin in the world and in my own life? Is God so small that he is not able to take what is definitely not good and bring out of it something even better? God is able to make all things work together for good for those who love him. It’s the cherished promise from Rom 8:28 for almost every believer. I’ve seen it at work in my own life. Every day I see more and more clearly how from the mistakes, pains, and sorrows of the previous year’s God is bringing good. Why do I still doubt?

George Mueller once said that if God were to take something good from him, it would only be to give him something better. The difficulty in believing in a sovereign almighty God is you have to believe he can allow these bad things to happen and even worse! But it’s equally true that he can use these awful things to bring goodness beyond anything imaginable! Yet somehow, it’s easier to believe and be afraid of the former than have faith and find joy in the latter.

Oh how small is my faith!! Doubt is a faith killer we must become like father of the sick girl and when times seem bleak and there seems to be no way out we must cry out “Lord, help my unbelief!”

Wednesday
Look For God’s Goodness
Read Psalms 27:13-14; 33:5, 149:5

Truly, 'The earth is full of the goodness of the LORD' (Psa 33:5). The goodness of God can be seen in the variety of natural pleasures, which he has provided for his creatures. God might have been content to satisfy your hunger without the food being very tasty. Can you imagine life without chocolate, peanut butter, fruits, vegetables, and tacos? He didn’t just give us senses, but he gave us things that gratify them; and this also reveals his goodness. The earth might have been as fertile as it is without its surface being so delightfully variegated. Our physical lives could have been sustained without beautiful flowers to regale our eyes with their colors, and our nostrils with their sweet perfumes. We might have walked the fields without our ears being saluted by the music the birds. Whence, then, this loveliness, this charm, so freely diffused over the face of nature? Why isn’t it? Where do all the extras come from? “The tender mercies of the Lord are all over his works.”

Have you taken the time to look for God’s goodness? It is all around take the time to enjoy His goodness.

Thursday
God’s Goodness Met Justice
Read Exodus 34:5-7

God’s goodness met justice when Adam and Eve sinned, and every human being for that matter thereafter sinned, God didn’t place a judgment of wrath on us right away. He could have destroyed all mankind, but he didn’t he chose to save us from ourselves. Although we disappointed Him and still do every day He continues to love us and He continues to want the very best for us. If He did not why then did He offer up His Son as a sacrifice for us? I think John 3:16 pretty much sums it all up for us: This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn't go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted! (The Message)

Goodness of God is definition as a perfection of his character which he exercises towards his creatures according to their various circumstances and relations. Viewed generally, it is benevolence; as exercised with respect to the miseries of his creatures it is mercy, pity, compassion, and in the case of impenitent sinners, long-suffering patience; as exercised in communicating favor on the unworthy it is grace. "Goodness and justice are the several aspects of one unchangeable, infinitely wise, and sovereign moral perfection. God is not sometimes merciful and sometimes just, but he is eternally infinitely just and merciful." God is infinitely and unchangeably good (Zeph. 3:17), and his goodness is incomprehensible by the finite mind (Rom. 11: 35, 36). "God's goodness appears in two things, giving and forgiving."

Friday
Rejoice In His Goodness
Read 2 Chronicles 6:41; Psalms 107:8; Romans 8:28

'Oh that men would praise the LORD for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!' (Psalms 107:8). Gratitude is the return justly required from the objects of His beneficence, yet is it often withheld from our great Benefactor simply because His goodness is so constant and so abundant. You are more than a conqueror! You are part of Christ's Body. God is for you, who can be against you! God’s heart is full of good for you, right now, in the land of the living! Let this verse from God's Word drown out all the voices of the world... "all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." God’s desire is for you is always good. He responds to your love by pouring out His goodness into your life.

So rejoice! Rejoice that you have a heavenly Father that loves you so much that He has made such great promises to take care of you. Rejoice that God’s love and goodness is for you! Rejoice that "all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Rejoice that "He is making your paths straight." Rejoice that you will, "See the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living."

God loves you and He is for you!

Saturday
Reflecting God’s Goodness
Exodus 34:29-32; Matthew 5:14-16

When you wake up each morning to the sweet melodies of birds, how do you feel? When you admire the spectacular spectrum of sunsets, are you awed? When sunlight warms your skin and gentle summer breezes softly kiss you, are you not delighted? Do you not enjoy the fragrance of wildflowers, the sound of ocean waves splashing, the chirps of crickets at night, and the claps of thunders during a heavy storm? How do all the elements of life reflect the Creator of life? Think about it carefully: "there is no good tree that brings forth rotten fruit; nor again a rotten tree that brings forth good fruit. For each tree is known by its own fruit. For people don't gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush. The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings out that which is good, and the evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings out that which is evil"

Everything in life is made to be enjoyed by all of our senses, do you not agree? Creations are not only enjoyable, but they also provide for our physical nourishment as well. The Earth produces all kinds of fruits, vegetables, and grains to keep us well-fed and satisfied. So what does this tell us about the Creator of life? Can we not rightfully conclude that our Creator is purely good? Being made in the image of our Creator, we have the capacity to reflect the goodness of our Heavenly Father, just as we have the ability to be happy and sad, disappointed and content, angry and pleased, as He.

How do you personally reflect the goodness of God? Do you lend a helping hand whenever you can? Do you treat everyone with equality? Are you happy when you hear of people doing good, and upset when you hear of injustice?

Do you want to be like your Heavenly Father and reflect His pure goodness, then you must be grafted onto Jesus.

The Daily Compass February 14-19, 2011

2011-02-13T07:25:00.000-06:00

Monday
Where Do We Look For The Kingdom?
Read Hebrews 11:8-10; John 8:55-56;

Do you watch any of the TV soap operas? If you do, have you ever tried to forecast what’s going to happen in the episode you’re about to sit down and watch? After all, if you watch it regularly and know all the characters and the sorts of lives they lead, and know perhaps that there hasn’t been a death or marital break-up for some weeks - don’t you start looking for those little hints in the script that tell you that very soon something major is going to blow up. And then it happens and you laugh and say ‘There you are, told you so!’ The fun is in looking for the clues that the scriptwriters have to put in to make the outcome seem plausible. If we haven’t taken in the clues, then sometimes the crisis catches us by surprise.

‘Where do we look for the Kingdom?’

It sounds like the Pharisees were searching for clues as well, but for something a little more important than who’s falling out with whom in Neighbors, or who’s the new character in Friends. What prompted the Pharisees to ask Jesus this question? Did they respect His opinion as a teacher? Were they just trying to catch Jesus out, and hoping that He’d say something outrageous that they could use against Him? Or did they detect something in the life and ministry of Jesus which made them curious? And where were they looking? Probably to the skies, for some cosmic sign of supernatural activity. Chariots of fire! Star wars! Earthquakes! Trumpet blasts! After all, this was their mighty God establishing His Kingdom. He wouldn’t choose to make himself known by any less extravagant manner, now would he?

So how did Jesus react to this question ? Have you noticed that wonderful quality that he had, of meeting people where they are, not trying to be smug and point out the obvious - but being sensitive to the moment. Well here He is again, happy to speak of the Kingdom of God and use the language of scripture as used in the synagogues, because from the moment he opened the scroll at the start of his ministry, and read those wonderful words from the prophet Isaiah
‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He has anointed me to preach good news to the poor...’ and ended by saying ‘Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing!’ that is exactly what He hoped people would see - that here was indeed the fulfillment of scripture in their presence, and the establishment of His kingdom.

Jesus used scripture to talk to them, hoping that it would open their eyes to what God wanted to reveal to them about the blessings of the Kingdom. Today God continues to speak to us through scripture, just as Jesus told His disciples “the knowledge of the secrets of the Kingdom of God has been given” we must seek the His word and as we strive to live up to God’s expectations for our lives, as we put our faith into action- The Kingdom is revealed.

Tuesday
How Do We Look For The Kingdom?
Read Luke 11:9-10 Luke 18:1-8

A lot of Jews were greatly mistaken in respect to the nature of God’s kingdom. Christ sought to undeceive them. He told them that his kingdom did not come with outward show but it must be within men, and that it was not of this world. Jesus wanted them to realize it was spiritual, and not temporal; it is based on the heart and not on pomp and pageantry, so commonly rendered to royalty. The simple idea of this kingdom is that Christ himself reigns in the hearts of his people, securing the perfect submission of the will, and the consecration of every power to himself. Thus his kingdom is within; it is invisible. It puts on no outward glare. In the heart’s of men he writes his laws by his Spirit, and thus rules over them to deliver them from Satan and sin, and translate them into his own kingdom of peace and love. This is the kingdom we are to seek earnestly, with perseverance and faith.

Wednesday
Why Do We Look?
Read Hebrews 10:35-36; Hebrews 12:1-2; Matthew 25:21

So often when we pray, we seek things. Bound by necessities like money, food, jobs, and other means necessary to survive, we can get caught up in the quest for financial security at the expense of our relationship with God. Wealth is a gift to us from God who is our source. He does not want us living in lack. We are look to the kingdom for what we have been promised. Just like Jabez from the Old Testament, who asked God for increase, we are to seek the kingdom for larger or new territory to take dominion as we have been instructed to do. God has placed dreams in our hearts and souls and we should seek the kingdom for them to be fulfilled. We are to seek the kingdom for the advancement of future generations. We are to pass on what has been revealed to us. I want my children their children and so forth to come into the knowledge that God will supply everything that is needed and all we have to do is reach out and take hold of it.

Many times we get caught up in the quest for things, but the quest for things must be balanced with a higher purpose and emblazoned with the will to act in accordance with the good of all. Is what we want in accordance with the ultimate in spiritual goals? Or do we want what we want because we are entitled to it? Do we want what we want on demand like a spoiled child? Or do we seek God first without constantly asking for a handout? It's our choice. The more spiritual person first seeks a relationship with the Father. "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and all these things will be added to you."

Do you have a daily prayer time? Do you read the Bible daily and seek his will and purpose for your life? Draw close to God and He will draw close to you.

Thursday
A Kingdom Of Power
Read Luke 11:11,20,26; 2 Timothy 3:5; Acts 1:4-8

We have all had this happen at some point in our life, we are watching a sports team about to score and... Or you may be right in the middle of cooking, just about done and... On a hot summer day, the air conditioner blowing that cool air and... A power surge! I don't like power surges, we have two flashlights and usually the batteries are dead from my kids playing with them or I can’t even find them which usually makes me become angry. We depend on power to make our lives easier. Do you ever think about depending on God’s power and have you ever asked yourself, “How long has my power been out with my relationship with Him?” Am I plugged into His source? His source never wavers, flickers, or leaves us in the dark. We must put our trust in God and learn from the Holy Spirit so that we can understand and declare the kingdom of God over our lives and over the lives of the people around us. The time is now to step up to the plate. I remember watching “Spiderman” a couple of weeks ago and his uncle gave him a piece of advice that really touched my heart. He said, “With great power, comes great responsibility.” It is our responsibility to speak the power of God over our lives, finances and family and to not turn our backs on the promises God has given us.

Friday
Why Do We Resist?
2 Corinthians 3:4-6; Mark 12:24. Matthew 17:20

We have all had this happen at some point in our life, we are watching a sports team about to score and... Or you may be right in the middle of cooking, just about done and... On a hot summer day, the air conditioner blowing that cool air and... A power surge! I don't like power surges, we have two flashlights and usually the batteries are dead from my kids playing with them or I can’t even find them which usually makes me become angry. We depend on power to make our lives easier. Do you ever think about depending on God’s power and have you ever asked yourself, “How long has my power been out with my relationship with Him?” Am I plugged into His source? His source never wavers, flickers, or leaves us in the dark. We must put our trust in God and learn from the Holy Spirit so that we can understand and declare the kingdom of God over our lives and over the lives of the people around us. The time is now to step up to the plate. I remember watching “Spiderman” a couple of weeks ago and his uncle gave him a piece of advice that really touched my heart. He said, “With great power, comes great responsibility.” It is our responsibility to speak the power of God over our lives, finances and family and to not turn our backs on the promises God has given us.

The Weekender
Find The Power Of God
Read Exodus 8:19; 31:18 Matthew 4:17; 1 John 5:7-12

There is an old hymn "At the Cross." The words I most like are found in the chorus:

"At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light, and the burden of my heart rolled away, it was there by faith I received my sight, and now I am happy all the day!"

Even at my young age, this song had a profound impact on my life. I knew very little about big theological phrases and the ultimate understanding of God, but for some reason this song made it as plain as could be. I believe it was the understanding and realization that Jesus loved me so much that He was willing to give His life for me and through His sacrifice on the cross and resurrection my life could be anew.

Wow! For many this sounds crazy for one person's sacrifice to make such a difference in the world but it is truly real. God saving power is found at the cross there are many ways that we can experience God’s power and one way God’s power can be found in our testimony. Sharing our testimony can lend example of God awesome power.

Have you shared your testimony lately? I challenge you to revisit your testimony and share the power of God through what he has done for you.

The Daily Compass February 7-12, 2011

2011-02-08T12:26:00.000-06:00

Monday
The Way, The Truth, The Life
Read John 14:6

“As long as you believe in God and try to be a good person, it doesn’t matter what religion you belong to.” “There are different paths up the mountain, but they all lead to the summit.” How many times have you heard people say such things? It’s Politically Correct! Tolerant! and Reasonable! We live in a society that preaches this, but Jesus says it’s wrong! “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father but by me.” Over the past few weeks we have been going through the “How To Hear God’s Voice” study. We must realize that man was the one who set up the roadblock with God by sinning. This has hampered our ability to Hear God when he speaks, He, however made a provision to tear down this roadblock and that provision was Jesus.

Jesus is the way. Indeed he is a two way street. In him, God comes to meet us, holding back, offering everything of who he is and what he has. Through Him and Him alone, we have access to God to such a degree that we can now call him Abba, Father.

Jesus is the truth. Not just some truth but the entire truth. He is God’s definitive and perfect Word expressing who God is, what He’s like, who we are, and what we need to do to be saved from misery and futility.

And Jesus is the life. He gives us not only commandments and noble ideals, but also the power to live them out, the power to become new people. That Power is the Lord and Giver of Life Himself, the Holy Spirit, who Jesus pours out on those who accept Him.

So there is only one Way, one Truth, one Life, and one Priest who offers a perfect sacrifice for sins. God, Our Father longs to share Himself with us in every possible way. Jesus wants to be our Way, Truth and our Life. He wants to show us the way to walk, He wants to be the vessel in which we hear and communicate with Our Heavenly Father.

Tuesday
Light My Path
Read Psalms 119:105

The fellowship of the Holy Spirit represents a potent partnership. Partnerships are formed in the business world to enhance growth, productivity and profit. Partners strategize together and share in all successes and failures. When we consider the fellowship of the Holy Spirit He will always be the Senior Partner and we the junior partners because He brings so much more to the table than us. His resources are infinite, His knowledge Divine, His strategies perfect, His methods above reproach. He outranks everyone but always secures a place at the table for us! We will do well to allow Him to strategize, plan and plot directions and determine destinies. We should follow and listen and be prudent to execute His plans with precision and passion. The Holy Spirit wants to illuminate our path as we continue on this journey of life. As partners we will share in all His victories. He never fails. We will see our lives grow into all the Father intended. The Holy Spirit specializes to transform the written instructions of the word of God into practical applications and demonstrations of success. Partner with Him on every level. Get His input, advice and suggestions before making decisions. Remember the door to His “office” is always open to you. Not only do we share in the victories and successes the Holy Spirit generates in us as a result of our obedience to His instructions, He also shares in our failures and challenges we face in real life situations. (Romans 8:26 “So too the Holy Spirit comes to our aid and bears us up in our weakness”) He is our Comforter. He brings joy in the place of sorrow and gives beauty for ashes. In this amazing fellowship with Him all things work together for good for those who love God.

Wednesday
Fellowship With The Spirit
Read John 14:10, 16

The fellowship of the Holy Spirit is not one-way traffic. It is a sharing of wills, feelings, and knowledge. You share what you have and know with Him and He shares what He has and knows with you! Remember what Jesus said about the Holy Spirit? “He will tell you whatever He hears from the Father; He will give the message that has been given to Him, and He will announce and declare to you the things that are to come. He will honor and glorify Me because He will take of what is Mine and will reveal it to you.

Compared to our knowledge His is infinitely greater! He knows the secrets of Heaven. He has access to the heart of the Father. Whatever the Father speaks, He hears and will communicate it to you! That means that you can be up to date with whatever is current in the throne room of heaven. The Holy Spirit prepares your heart for what is to come. You’ll be able to anticipate and prepare your heart for future events. He is heaven’s Distributor! Through Him you are well equipped to face any challenge. You are resourced for whatever life throws at you! Not only that, but within the fellowship of the Holy Spirit you can communicate your needs, desires and heart with the Lord. His fellowship is not a dictatorship. It is not a monologue. We should welcome the Holy Spirit into our lives. We should appreciate Him, adore Him and recognize Him.

Thursday
Destructive Speech
Read James 3:6, Acts 6:11

What is the most destructive force on the face of the earth? I cannot answer that question for sure but it seems to me that a force more destructive than famine, fire, drought or bombs is the evil force of the tongue. Bombs destroy and maim the physical body, but criticism, gossip and backbiting destroy or maim a person’s reputation, which affects body, soul, spirit, heart and mind. Millions of people are spiritually killed yearly by a vicious tongue.

The Bible has more to say about the tongue than about many of the major doctrines of the Christian Faith. There are Christians who would give up their lives in martyrdom for the basics of the Christian Faith, but they would never think of giving their tongues over to God. Often Christians do not have their tongues under control and this affects their Christian walk. If we ARE hearing God’s voice then we should be learning to bring our tongues under control. I do not want to be guilty of speaking what satan is currently speaking. I want to be speaking what Father God is speaking. We can only do that when we focus on His words, we can only dothat through our fellowship of the Holy Spirit.

Take a moment and reflect! Whose words are you speaking?

Friday
Whose Thoughts Are They?
Read 2 Corinthians 10:4,

This scripture is awesome. Within, I gather our weapons of battle are eternal in God and with them we can take captive even our thoughts that are not in line with Christ's will. There are lying and deceiving spirits out there. I don't believe even the most righteous have been immune to a wicked thought popping into their mind. I really think it's a matter of what we do with the thought that determines if it becomes our sin or not.

You might have heard it said, "if you tell it to yourself something enough, eventually you are going to believe it." I think there is a lot of truth to this. When a sinful thought comes to mind do you entertain it? Do you bat the thought around in your mind or do you bring it into captivity by rejecting it and moving your thinking to something more wholesome? I believe continuing to entertain sinful thoughts, will bring you down and weaken your faith.
The Bible tells us to be sober-minded; awake and alert in our minds. I found the more I have taken bad thoughts captive, the easier it has become to do so. If you're struggling with unwholesome thoughts, you might want to use those opportunities for seeking God in prayer. The act of prayer alone should help you become refocused and in a healthier frame of mind. God wants your mind and heart filled with Him and His word, not corruption and sin which will eventually destroy you.

The Weekender
Christ Living In Us!
Read Galatians 2:20

We were made to be like Jesus—but how is that different than trying to be like Buddha or Confucius? How is Christianity different from other religions that tell people to imitate a highly respected role model? It is different in several ways. First, most religions teach some form of works as the path of salvation—saying the right prayers, doing the right things, hoping it will be enough. They imply that people can be good enough if they try hard enough.

But Christianity teaches that we all need grace because we cannot be good enough no matter how hard we try. The point of grace, and of Jesus’ sacrifice, is that no amount of good works or religious deeds can ever save anyone. If such a path could have been designed, then God would have done it. The Christian gospel teaches that no one can earn salvation, and yet it is available to all, because Jesus gives it to us. Second, most religions tell us to change our behavior, and they expect us to supply all the effort. Christianity says that God himself will supply the power we need to change our lives. We humans have gotten ourselves into this mess, and we can’t rescue ourselves. The power of salvation must come from God.

We are not trying to transform ourselves into the image of Christ—we want to let God do it in us. The Bible describes this as the Holy Spirit living in us, God living in us, or Jesus Christ living in us. The power to change our behavior comes from him, not from within ourselves. It is his work, not anything we can take credit for. Third, most religions motivate people through threats and desire for reward. Christianity motivates us through grace and love. We obey God not out of fear, but out of love and thankfulness for what he has done. And we are confident that he has given us the best instructions possible on how to live.

Christianity says that we were created for a purpose, and that purpose is eternal happiness living with a supremely loving God. Jesus is not just an example of how we ought to live—he is also an example of what salvation means. He lives in eternal glory, and says that we can join him in that glory, if we trust him.

The Daily Compass January 31- February 5, 2011

2011-02-08T12:25:00.000-06:00

Monday
It Is Not About Your Condition
Read 1 Corinthians 1:26-31

When you read the Word, God spends little time talking about where we have been or where we are. His focus seems to always be on where He is taking us in spite of where we have never been. That is why you cannot claim the Word as you quit and remain where you are for it is impossible not to grow. It is impossible not to move forward and walk with the Lord and stay where you are or give up because God’s promises to us is directed toward the future, not the past—never digressing, but always progressing. When God makes a promise, your conditions are against you. God never makes a promise that agrees with your present conditions. When God makes a promise, it is against the backdrop of impossibility. When God makes a promise, your condition says, “You are not supposed to have what God is promising you.” When God makes a promise your condition says your promises, are not supposed to be able to go where God is leading you.

One reason I believe that God does that is to test the maturity of your faith, because it does not take a lot of faith when you are receiving what your condition says you are supposed to have. It does not take much faith when you can see it right before your eyes and just walk into it. It does not take faith to pay a bill when the money is already in the bank. It does not take faith to claim He is a Healer when you are well. It takes faith when your condition says, “No, but I will move forward anyhow.” It takes faith to move forward when your checkbook and your ATM machine hold a conference call. It takes a maturing faith to keep moving anyhow. You can move anyhow when anyhow and somehow work together.

It takes faith to shout when your month is longer than your money. It takes faith to shout about your healing while you are still taking medicine. God declares in His Word that He is looking for some people who will move forward when they cannot see it. When we read the story of the thief that was crucified with Jesus we can see his condition but, it did not matter where the thief had been or where he was, the thief did something that even Jesus’ disciples did not do at His time of need. He acknowledged Him as the King Messiah and defended Him against the accusation of another. Peter failed but the thief did not. Because of this the man’s best day of life was the day of his death. The thief found that the Kingdom was today. He did not enter the Kingdom when he died, he entered when he repented and believed. In the end his current condition did not matter . . . . it was his change in position.

Tuesday
Remember The Covenant
Read Deuteronomy 9:27; Judges 16:18

A covenant is a binding agreement, or a contractual relationship. It must of necessity be between at least two or more parties. In purchasing a house the buyer and seller come to an agreement. This agreement may also depend on the approval of a bank or some other lending institution. A covenant can be among two equal parties or a superior and inferior party. For instance, in purchasing a car the buyer and seller are two equal parties. They can haggle over the price and terms of the sell. An example of superior and inferior parties could be parents telling their children they promise to take them to grandma’s house if they clean up their room. The children are in no position to debate or bargain and say they will clean up part of the room. In a marriage covenant, the man and woman entering the relationship are equals, but God is superior to both parties. It is God and not the man or woman that sets the conditions of marriage. As we read throughout the bible God made covenant with man. God made man with the intention of relationship, but man destroyed that with sin.

The New Covenant and the Holy Spirit: inaugurated by Jesus Christ, defined and determined by His sacrifice. The Spirit is the key player here, as prophesied in the Old Testament and fulfilled at Pentecost. The Holy Spirit unites those who believe, to Christ. Life in the New Covenant is lived out by the power of the Holy Spirit; this doesn’t mean that believers can now live perfect lives, because the struggle with sin is still ever-present. However, Christ is both our perfect sacrifice, and our High Priest who intercedes on our behalf in the midst of our sin. Therefore, when we sin, “we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins. The New Covenant is our bond to God, through the Spirit.

Wednesday
Our Message Is The Kingdom

The central message of Jesus Christ was the message of "the Kingdom of God" or "the Kingdom of Heaven". This message, when understood, is the most relevant message for the needs of humanity. It is a highly attractive message, and will produce the greatest results of any message one could give. When the message of the Kingdom of God is given correctly, the results will be dramatic, just as they were for our Lord and for the apostles of our Lord. For with the proclamation of the Kingdom comes the power of the Kingdom. Paul declared in 1 Corinthians 4:20 "for the Kingdom of God is not in word but in power". Anyone who dares to produce theological tomes on the subject of the Kingdom of God without demonstrating something of the reality the power of the Kingdom has missed the mark and does not know as they ought to know. The Kingdom of God is not in word but in power.

When Jesus spoke of entering the Kingdom he was not merely saying "going to heaven when you die". He was talking about entering into the Kingdom life here and now. This includes heaven later on, and whatever plans God may have for us on the new earth, but it is far more than that. The Kingdom of Heaven is not about "pie in the sky when you die". The Kingdom of God is the place where Jesus is King. It is a spiritual, invisible kingdom which has made its presence felt to a degree in the affairs of this earth, but only to a limited extent. It is not confined to a particular geographical location, nor to a particular religious organization. The Kingdom is truly present in a place to the extent that Christ is honored as Lord and his will done there. Jesus preached the Kingdom message when he was here on earth and he commissioned us to do so. We are not only to tell the world of the God’s Kingdom but we are to demonstrate the Kingdom here on earth.

Thursday
Never Too Late
Read Luke 23:38-43

Well it is a new year and most people take time to self exam and reflect on our choices in life. So you’re looking at your life. I don’t know what you see but I do know what the people in Ezekiel’s time saw. They saw dry bones, desiccated and disconnected remnants of a once mighty and prosperous people. They saw lifelessness and hopelessness. They saw a bleak future in which they were cut off from everything that had been meaningful. Inside there was emptiness, a void, a null space that said, “You are a zero. Your hopes are nothing. Your future is nil.” Not a pretty sight, is it? A once fertile valley is now an abandoned and lifeless desert. But they’re not the only ones who have ever felt this way, are they? Too many of us have looked inside only to find the same dryness and emptiness, a similar hopelessness and despair. But then, there is a stirring. A voice calls out in that quiet, dead place. Bones which had been torn apart begin to come together. Flesh that had wasted away is rejuvenated. The parts are beginning to come together but the most essential factor is still missing. The structure of a life can be rebuilt, but until God breathes spirit into the structure, it is still inanimate, lifeless. Just as God breathes life into the first human being, we must be re-animated and re-connected if we are to truly come alive. God promises resurrection for the living dead. Even when we are old and dried up, God offers to do CPR for our souls, breathing fresh life and spirit into us and giving us a new purpose and promise. It’s never too late for God. We cannot be buried so deep that God will not be able to reach us and bring us forth from the pit. Just take a look at the thief that hung on the cross with Jesus. He recognized even at death’s door that it was never too late to ask for Jesus to come into your heart and transform you. Leave behind your dead and dried up expectations and embrace the unexpected. Let Christ unbind you from your grave clothes so that you can be set free for life. Allow the wind of God’s spirit to wash over you, blowing away the stench of past failures and leaving you fresh for new beginnings. Live. Live again. Live for God.

Friday
Repentance And Faith
Read Mark 1:14-15

Repentance is not always easy. We are very apt to confuse two things—sorrow for the consequences of sin and sorrow for sin. We are at times desperately sorry because of the mess that sin has got us into, but we very well know that, if we could be reasonably sure that we could escape the consequences, we would do the same thing again. It is not the sin that we hate; it is its consequences. Real repentance means that a man has come, not only to be sorry for the consequences of his sin, but to hate sin itself. Repentance means that the man who was in love with sin comes to hate sin because of its exceeding sinfulness. Then take the word faith. We must have faith in Jesus and in the good news. This simply means to take Jesus at his word, to believe that God is the kind of God that Jesus has told us about, to believe that God so loves the world that he will make any sacrifice to bring us back to himself. We must have faith that what sounds too good to be true is really true. Jesus FIRST task was to preach the good news. What’s the good news? That the kingdom of God is near, and that people can enter into it by trusting that this is so, and repenting for their sins. Faith is a spiritual substance. When you have this spiritual substance in you, it communicates to you a certain inner knowing that the thing you are hoping for is certainly established, even before you see any material evidence that it has happened. In summary, faith is something that God requires of us. It is the beginning step in a meaningful relationship with Him. By having faith in God, it helps our love for Him to grow. As our love for God grows, so does our commitment to Him. Faith in God and love of God go hand-in-hand. Our faith can be measured by the amount of courage that we have, and the depth of our commitment to God.

The Weekender
Always Seek The Kingdom
Read Luke 12:32; 23:38-43

God wants us to know there is a way of living that we should enjoy as citizens of heaven. Matthew 6:33 in¬structs us to seek out, learn, understand, and take time to know the kingdom of God. We are to seek out God’s kingdom and His righteousness above anything else. This means seeking out His ways of doing, being, and operating. How does God’s kingdom work? Jesus describes this for us in Matthew 6:10 when He says, “Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” God desires you and me to experience His will here on earth, exactly as it is done in heaven. Whatever is God’s will in heaven, it is supposed to work that way on earth too. That means it’s vital for us to know how God operates, and for us to operate as He does. In Matthew 6:33, Jesus makes it clear that the things we need and desire to live well on earth will be added to us when we oper¬ate according to God’s kingdom principles. We are to adopt God’s way of being and doing. Then the things we all seek—homes, debts paid, good jobs, cars, peaceful relationships with family and friends, and every other good thing in life—will be added to us. A key is a tool that empowers us to open and shut doors, or bind and loose chains. The kingdom of heaven is God’s royal power, His dominion, the right and authority to rule. Jesus gave us the tools to exercise His right and authority to rule on earth, as it is exer¬cised in heaven. Since there’s no fear in heaven, then God doesn’t want you to be afraid here on earth. You don’t have to live with fear. No! You can resist the devil, according to James 4:7, and say, “I refuse to accept your work, Sa¬tan. Stop it! That’s enough! According to God’s Word, you have to flee from me!” You can also use the authority Jesus has given you to open up the doors to heavenly blessings. Jesus said, “Ask and you shall receive” (Matthew 7:8). It is time for us to ask for the things of the kingdom—heavenly blessings such as health, provision, peace, joy, and love. God wants us to operate according to His kingdom principles and bring forth a good harvest for Him. And as we do, He’ll add to us all kinds of good things and meet our every need!

The Daily Compass January 24-29, 2011

2011-01-24T07:12:00.000-06:00

Monday
Where Is The Kingdom?
Read Luke 17:20-21; Revelation 11:2-4

Where is God’s Kingdom? Do you know? Is it up, up and away into the wild blue yonder? Oh, I know where it is; it’s high above the world so high like a diamond in the sky. No, that’s not it. Hey, I’ve got it! It’s to infinity and beyond!! This how I believe a lot of people see it. They see the kingdom as a far off place.

Some Pharisees asked Jesus when the kingdom would come (Luke 17:20). You can’t see it, replied Jesus. But Jesus also said, "The kingdom of God is within [NIV footnote: among] you" (verse 21). Jesus was the King, and because he was teaching and performing miracles among them, the kingdom was among the Pharisees. Jesus Christ is in us today, too, and just as the kingdom was present in the ministry of Jesus, it is present in the ministry of his church. The King is among us; his spiritual power is in us, even though the kingdom is not yet operating in its full power.

We have already been brought into God’s kingdom (Colossians 1:13). We are already receiving a kingdom, and our proper response is reverence and awe (Hebrews 12:28). Christ "has made us [past tense] to be a kingdom" (Revelation 1:6). We are a holy nation (1 Peter 2:9)—already and currently a holy kingdom—but it does not yet appear what we shall be. God has rescued us from the dominion of sin and transferred us into his kingdom, under his ruling authority.
The kingdom of God is here, Jesus said. His audience did not need to wait for a conquering Messiah—God is already ruling, and we should be living his way now. We don’t yet possess a territory, but we do come under the reign of God.

Tuesday
Have You Entered The Kingdom?
Read John 3:3, 5

Entrance: The word simply means coming into full possession or enjoyment. Just think of the blessings of the Kingdom. The Kingdom is a place of abundance, wealth, health, peace and joy. God’s manifested presence with us without ceasing; God’s blessed rule and dominion over us established, so that His heavenly will is done in us and by us; God’s mighty power descending upon us, so that through us Christ can do His word of saving souls. Into a life in which these blessings are your daily experience, you can enter even now. That life has been prepared for you, and is promised; it is waiting for you. You can enter even now by faith. As an army conquers and enters a city, so many a one struggles and fights and seeks to take the Kingdom by violence. And he fails. We can only enter by faith. As Joshua brought Israel into the land of promise, and Jericho fell without a blow being struck, our Lord Jesus waits to bring us into the good land. It was He who from heaven gave the disciples their abundant entrance into the Kingdom; it is He who still by His Holy Spirit will lead each one of us in. We cannot begin to come into possession until we understand what God was saying in John 3:3, 5. We must believe and accept Jesus for who He is and we must be born again. The church has been focused on getting people born-again so they can see the Kingdom but have not taught them how to enter the Kingdom that has been prepared for them. (John 3:3 Born- 5 enter) the entrance has been prepared. Have you entered in?

Wednesday
Revelation Light
Read Matthew 16:17-19; 1 Corinthians 2:10-13; Hosea 4:6

Revelation light comes from God’s Spirit. God has given us His spirit to reveal to us the truths of heaven. In Matthew 16: Jesus says, “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

A key is a tool that empowers us to open and shut doors, or bind and loose chains. The kingdom of heaven is God’s royal power, His dominion, the right and authority to rule. Jesus gave us the tools to exercise His right and authority to rule on earth, as it is exer¬cised in heaven. What are we to rule? We’re to rule over the circum¬stances of our lives. And how are we to rule? We’re to use the keys Jesus gave us. We’re too loose what should be loosed in our lives and bind what doesn’t belong.

We can identify what is to be bound and what is to be loosed by looking to heaven as our example. Re¬member, we are to have things on earth as it is in heav¬en—the same structure and system on earth that exists in heaven. Heaven is a place where the walls are made out of jasper, the gates are made out of pearl, and the streets are made out of gold. It’s a place where only good exists. There is no sickness, no sorrow, no fear, and no lack in heaven.

Thursday
Declare The Kingdom
Read Luke 4:18-19; Matthew 10:26-27

We have heard time and time again that what you say with your mouth is very powerful. For much too long a time we have said things with our mouth that should never have been said. Christians need to be aware of their thoughts and what their mouth is saying. A few days ago I saw documentary on the Czars of Russia and one of the czars was known as Ivan the Terrible, the thing about Ivan was that even before he was born he was cursed by the church, all of his childhood he was cursed and told how horrible he was. When we were in Russia this year we got to hear firsthand about the atrocities that Ivan committed…….he truly lived up to the words that were spoken over him.

Our words should be words of encouragement radiating love and compassion, just as Jesus’ words. We should declare what the word says about us and about others. Declare the things Jesus said and You will be declaring the Kingdom. Be conscious of the words you are speaking. Talk and think positively. If negative words brought forth one such as Ivan, imagine what the right, positive words of God will bring forth.

Friday
God Is A Giver
Read Genesis 49:19-20

God is good and He is a giver of good things. People have been taught wrong things about God. Instead of learning about a God who wants only good things for His children, they have been taught about an angry God who takes things away from His children. He is not an angry God. He is love, laughter, fun and giving. If there was something you really wanted but didn’t get, talk to God about it. He understands and he will have something even better for you. If you lost something and couldn’t find it, pray about it. God hears and has something better for you. His thoughts and ways are better than ours. He knows what is best for us. Be thankful for all He has given you.

Father God is very rich. Everything belongs to Him but He doesn’t want to just give us things for our pleasure. His best gifts are the ones that draw us to Him Some of His gifts are healing, salvation, deliverance, wisdom, wealth and many more. His greatest gifts were Jesus and the Holy Spirit. His very best gifts are eternal things. By Barbara Goddard

The Weekender
Living In The Kingdom
Read Mark 4:30-32; Matthew 6:33

God wants us to know there is a way of living that we should enjoy as citizens of heaven. Matthew 6:33 in¬structs us to seek out, learn, understand, and take time to know the kingdom of God. We are to seek out God’s kingdom and His righteousness above anything else. This means seeking out His ways of doing, being, and operating.

How does God’s kingdom work? Jesus describes this for us in Matthew, “Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven”. God desires you and me to experience His will here on earth, exactly as it is done in heaven. Whatever is God’s will in heaven, it is supposed to work that way on earth too.

That means it’s vital for us to know how God operates, and for us to operate as He does. Again in Matthew, Jesus makes it clear that the things we need and desire to live well on earth will be added to us when we oper¬ate according to God’s kingdom principles. We are to adopt God’s way of being and doing. Then the things we all seek—homes, debts paid, good jobs, cars, peaceful relationships with family and friends, and every other good thing in life—will be added to us.

Jesus taught us how to live in the Kingdom here on earth while He was here with us. He came declaring the Kingdom, preaching and teaching the Kingdom and he demonstrated the Kingdom through the miracles he preformed while He was here. He said that we were to do the same thing. He sent the helper here to enable us to do all things.

The Daily Compass January 17-22, 2011

2011-01-15T21:08:00.001-06:00

Monday
Declare The Word
Read Mark 11:22-23; 1 John 5:14-15

Jesus was matter-of-fact: "Embrace this God-life. Really embrace it, and nothing will be too much for you. This mountain, for instance: Just say, 'Go jump in the lake'—no shuffling or shilly-shallying—and it's as good as done. That's why I urge you to pray for absolutely everything, ranging from small to large. Include everything as you embrace this God-life, and you'll get God's everything. Mark 11:22-23(The Message)

Believing God is wonderful. But Jesus urged us to do one more thing — to speak the word of faith, to verbalize what we are seeking from God. Such a believer, who understands the power of the spoken word of faith, "will have what he ask for”.

In Mark we see three foundation stones of faith that gets results. (1) Have faith in God — faith in His Word, in His promises, in His Son Jesus. It’s not “faith in faith” or in memorized formulas that gets results, but faith in God. (2) Believe in your heart, without doubting. (3) And say with your mouth what you believe. Believe in your heart and say with your mouth. Believing God and His Word is of great importance. But Jesus encourages us further to state, to Declare, what we believe God for. There is great power in the declared word of faith. 1 John 5:14-15 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us — whatever we ask — we know that we have what we asked of him. We cannot just speak or ask for anything that comes to our mind we must use wisdom. How do we know what God’s will for our lives is? God’s will for us is found in His Word. When we believe and know what His Word says concerning our lives then we can say, with faith, “Lord, I believe that you are Jehovah-Rapha, the Healer of my sickness”, because we find in the bible God’s promises of divine healing. We can declare with faith, “Lord, through you I can defeat the devil, not be defeated by him”, because we find New Testament scriptures declaring Jesus’ defeat of the devil on our behalf. Having determined from God’s Word that which is in accordance with His will, we can confidently believe God for these things — and declare these things with our hearts full of faith and see those things as though they have already happened.

Tuesday
It Starts With Declaration
Read Genesis 3:3; Luke 4:18

The very existence of the world started with a declaration in Genesis chapter one God spoke and there was light and over the course of six days He spoke everything into place with dramatic results. The words of God have unlimited power. What more proof do we need than just looking around this universe and marveling at what spoke into existence, but just in case you need more, for our benefit He has summarized for us a revelation of Himself in 66 books, the Bible. Inside his written word we find that there is immense power in those words in the Bible. We are encouraged to read His word to get to know Him further and through spending time in His written word we build a relationship with Him. When learn His words we become confident about what He says about us and when we believe His word and then we declare them. Then we see results.

Results begin with an action on our part, we must declare God’s words over our situations, and we will see that immense power working in our situations. Do you have a need in your life, do you need a life change? Look in the written word and begin to declare God’s promises for you and just relax and watch Him work!

Wednesday
What Do We Declare?
Read James 1:21; Joshua 1:8-9

Jesus said “The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.” Proverbs tells us that the tongue has the power of life and death. So why is it important to declare anything? It is so that we can see our circumstances change and we see God’s hand moving in our lives. So what do we declare? We declare God’s word, we are to speak what He says about us and our circumstances. We need to be like Jesus, when he began to preach, teach and speak aloud the things of God. As Jesus begin to speak forth and speak confidently His words of faith there were healings, miracles and other supernatural signs that began to manifest. Jesus was a faith filled speaker.

You have been given authority as a son of God, you have been given the tools to see your circumstances change. What are you waiting for? The Lord’s words in your mouth are still His words. Therefore, they are still “spirit and life”! His Words, His promises spoken by your mouth have the “power of life and death”. Speak life!

Thursday
How Do We Declare It?
Read Romans 10:8, Psalms 149

Matthew 12:34 says, Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. In other words the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. This scripture should cause us to ask ourselves some important questions: What are we saying? What are we prophesying over our own lives?
We can’t say things like, “I’m a loser,” or “I knew this wouldn’t work,” or “I always catch a cold this time of year,” and expect good things to happen! The words we say out of our mouths have such creative power. Mark 11:23 says we will have whatever we say.

Over the course of my life I have had the privilege to meet some very special people who understood this principle. In the twenty years I spent working in nursing homes, I met several people who lived to be upwards of 95 and even one person that lived to be 112 years old and the advice they shared on living a long, healthy and prosperous life came down to basically the same thing, trust, faith in God and speaking positively in all aspects of their lives. They believed in declaring over their lives positive words such as “In Jesus’ Name, I’m getting better and better every day in every way, in Jesus’ Name.” Start it in Jesus’ Name and finish it in Jesus’ Name.

What are you declaring over your health today? Over your children, your marriage, or your finances? God said His word would never pass away or return void (Luke 21:33, Isaiah 55:11). When we declare the Word of God, believe it and act on it, we can have its blessings working in our lives!

Friday
What Does A Declaration Do?
Read Mark 4:14

Making declarations builds your faith. It also plants seeds in other people. When they see it working in your life, they want what you have.
• Declarations change the hearer. When you hear the word preached or taught it can be a life changing message for you and you become a different person. If a person who has no confidence in himself, begins to speak positively over his life and he hears what God says about him that this will change his life.
• When a man or woman of God speaks positively in your life and shares a word from God to you this is life changing.
• Declarations changes the atmosphere, you can be in a dark place and time in your life but positive words changes the darkness to light.
• Declarations activate Heaven; it starts a war in the Heavens and creates changes on the earth. Satan has already been defeated; he just needs reminding where he stands in our lives. Satan will come towards us with the negative, he will come at us with guilt and shame, and he will attack us with fear and doubt. When he does this we need to remind him of where his place is and we do that by declaring God’s Word.

What are areas in your life that you need to be declaring God’s Word over?

What are some areas in our nation and world that we need to be declaring God’s Word over?

The Weekender
I Declare!!!
Read Romans 15:10-11; Hebrews 2:12

Your words create power, whenever you speak something out either good or bad you speak life into what you are saying. Your declaration should be that your greatest victories are in your future; your greatest accomplishments are still in front of you. You are the righteous so you know your path is getting brighter and brighter. God’s favor is not for a season. He promises a lifetime so expect something good. Get in agreement with God because he has an awesome plan for your life. The victories God has for your future are going to make the ones you’ve seen in the past pale in comparison. The key is the words you tell yourself. God has called everyone to do something great; he has given you gifts, dreams, goals. He put desires on the inside of you. Don’t curse your future; bless your future with positive thoughts and actions. Thank God today is a new day, if you will change your words you will change your world. God will open doors that no one can slam shut and He has the power to turn negative situations around. You will accomplish your goals and dreams and you will become everything God created you to be and you will have everything God created you to have.

Begin making these ‘Faith Declarations” over your life (we will add a new one each week)
January 2
1. My prayers are powerful and effective. James 5:16(b).
January 9
2. God richly supplies all my financial needs. Philippians 4:19
January 16
3. I am dead to sin and alive to obeying God. Roman 6:11

The Daily Compass January 10-15, 2011

2011-01-10T08:44:00.000-06:00

Monday
The Place Of No Risk
Read John 16:33; Matthew 7:24-27

One of the things that is important to most of us in the West is security – We all worry we want to know where we will live, we want to know where we are going, we want to make sure our family will support us, we want to make sure that we can support them, we want to make sure that we’ve got enough cash in the bank to cope with anything that the world throws at us, we want to be in control of our lives. In the West we call these things wise, we call it prudent, we expect people to make sure that they do these things. We base our society on being secure. Here’s the news for you: Jesus doesn’t. Jesus expects you to take risks. He expects you to risk your reputation. He expects you to risk your security. He expects you to take the risk of trusting Him to know what He is doing. He expects you to follow the Holy Spirit wherever He takes you – the Bible says that you can’t tell where the wind is going or what it will do next, and it is the same with people who follow the Spirit – you never know where He will take you next. If you are following Jesus then your friends should be writing your addresses in pencil, because they never know where you are going to be next. Now the good news: Wherever Jesus asks you to follow, He will look after you. Whenever He leads you through a difficult place, if you look back, all you will see is His goodness. You will find that however rough it gets, He was carrying you all along. Because what the world calls ‘security’, what the world calls ‘safe’, isn’t safe.

Jesus said: Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Every thing you see around you, all of the things that we put our trust in here in the West are fragile. They can be taken away from you in an instant. Our society is so fragile. Everything around us is fragile, and we don’t like to think about that. We put our trust in America to keep the world peace, just as people trusted the Roman Empire in Jesus’ day, but where is the Roman Empire now? The anthropologists tell us that you can tell an Empire is dying, that a society is sick, by three signs: The young are violent. The adults are confused. There are no elders. Read the papers and you see these things – we are living in the last decades of the American Empire. Everything you see around you will one day be swept away in fire, it will fall to dust and blow away, because this world is as temporary as a tent in a hurricane and it is passing away. The only things that will be left, the only strong things, are the things that Jesus gives – these are the only things that will last. This world has nothing for you – it might seem to have everything that you want, but it has nothing that you really need. When his other followers were leaving him saying “This teaching is too hard”, Jesus asked his disciples “Do you want to leave me too?” but Peter asks Him “Lord, where on earth could we possibly go? Only you have the words of eternal life, only you have the things that will last”. Following Jesus is the only security.
Tuesday
It Is Safer In The Boat or Is It
Read 1 Peter5:8

Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping. Keep your guard up. You're not the only ones plunged into these hard times. It's the same with Christians all over the world. So keep a firm grip on the faith. The suffering won't last forever. It won't be long before this generous God who has great plans for us in Christ—eternal and glorious plans they are!—will have you put together and on your feet for good. He gets the last word; yes, he does. (The Message, 1 Peter 5:8)

Water walkers are people who get out of their safety zone and dare to do something they’ve never dared to do before. It may feel safer in the boat, the place of comfort, but it doesn’t stop problems from coming to you. Sooner or later you will have to face your problems. You will have to get out of your comfortable place and do something to rid yourself of the problem. A person can accept their circumstance such as sickness or they can start speaking to the problem (the sickness) and command it to go in Jesus’ name. A person may be comfortable sitting in a church pew week and week doing nothing or they can get out of that pew and pray for someone or give a word of the Lord to someone to encourage them. If you always want to sit in the comfortable boat, you may see some miracles happen, but you may never take part in causing one to happen. It pleases God when we get out of our comfortable boat!

Would you rather just see miracles happen or would you rather have a part in bringing them about? It’s up to you. Are you willing to get out of your comfortable boat?

Wednesday
Look For Jesus In The Storm
Read Genesis 1:2; Mark 6:48

Storms in your life and around you grab your attention. In order to overcome those storms you must make a decision to not give up. Giving up is a choice not a circumstance. You must first choose to not throw in the towel and just give up. Secondly, you must look for Jesus in the midst of the storm. The book of Mark gives the account of the same storm in Matthew’s gospel but adds the fact that Jesus saw the disciple’s struggles. Many times we question whether or not God sees our struggles and efforts. The fact is He not only sees but He is praying for you! Imagine that. Jesus is praying for you! The question, however, is not does God see my struggles, it is do you see Him in the midst of your struggles and storms? You see in Jesus intended to go past the disciples. Did you catch that? Jesus’ intention was to walk by them. It was up to them to look for Him in the midst of their storm. He was not just going to jump into their boat. He came just close enough to be found, if they were looking for Him. Your focus must not be on the storm but on Him that strolls through them. Throughout Scripture, Jesus came just close enough to those in need that if they were searching for Him, He could be found. Whatever you are looking for is what you will find. If your focus is the size of the waves and the strength of the storm, you will find just that. However, if you look for evidence that Jesus is in the storm you will find Him there. Focus on His promise, not the problem.

Thursday
Keep Your Eyes On Him
Read Hebrews 12:2; 1 Corinthians 10:13

Why did Peter sink? He saw Jesus walk on the water and as long as Peter kept his eyes on the LORD, Peter stayed afloat. It was when Peter got his eyes off of the LORD and on to the waves beneath him that he sank. The lesson for the believer here is that our faith must be rooted in Christ and we must not allow ourselves to be distracted by life's circumstances. Doubt is not the absence of faith it is a test of faith. Peter had faith to step out but he did not count the cost and he "looked down." It was only then that Peter began to falter and sink. Yet, the hand of grace pulled Peter to safety.

There is a great lesson of faith in this passage of Scripture where Jesus walks on the water. First, it is that Jesus has control over the situation. The wind and turmoil of the waves obeyed Him. As born again believers, if we keep our eyes on the LORD rather than the situation that threatens to engulf us, we too can walk through the waves with confidence in Christ's ability to bring us peace in the middle of whatever storm is raging over our lives. There is nothing that we can face as born again believers that is outside of God's control (1 Corinthians 10:13).

Another great lesson here is that Christ's hand is always extended to the lost. When by faith one reaches out to the LORD for salvation, grace lifts that one out of the sinking waves of sin. Jesus walks on water is a principle that the invisible realities of faith in Christ are victorious over the visible threats of this world, regardless of the form they may take.

Friday
There Is Help!
Read Hebrews 13:6

Has your heart and spirit ever just went thud. Have you ever felt as though your life is falling apart and the harder you try to overcome the circumstances swirling around in your life the deeper the pit seems to get. You have finally sunk to the lowest place in the pit and you feel so alone, isolated. I found myself in this at the end of this year, that same familiar place. What will I do? I felt like just giving up, but there in my lowest place I felt a presence, it was Jesus……He was there with me. He was whispering in my ear………. “I will never leave you or forsake you”, “As your days, so shall your strength be”, “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory forever and forever”, “Fear not, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).

He kept whispering these and many other promises in my ear. God is good. He does not abandon us. He is always there. He cares more about us than we think. He is always there for us in our time of need. He is always offering us His hand. When we think we are alone and we have no place to turn and the world seems as though it is against us, Don’t fret, listen to Him whisper promises in your ear. God is there. He will take care of you. Just give Him the opportunity. There is Help!

The Weekender
Water Walkers
Matthew 14:14-36; Mark 11:22-27; James 5:17

When a person reads Matthew, Mark, Luke or John - the one thing we clearly see about Jesus was He constantly had His disciples to keep stretching their faith. He had them exercising great faith, in fact. Jesus knew how delighted His heavenly Father was when they believed Him to accomplish seemingly impossible feats, and He also knew the opposition they would face after Jesus resurrected and went back to heaven to be with the Father. Take the account of Peter walking on water. The waves were wild and the wind howled, but here is Jesus, walking on the water, just as cool as could be. Next thing you know, out of the boat jumps Peter and he starts walking on the water as well. Peter let fear then doubt get to him and he began to sink. I believe Jesus was teaching us how quickly fear and doubt will strangle our faith if we’re not careful. Jesus was absolutely tickled that one of his disciples would be so brave as to try to walk on water as well! Have you ever put yourself in Peter’s shoes? Maybe he was thinking “Wow! What a thrill it was for a short while, that I actually was able to walk on water just as Jesus was doing. While I kept my eyes focused on Him, I knew there was absolutely nothing I couldn’t do if the Holy Spirit was leading me in doing so”! Peter didn’t just jump out of the boat without being certain God was okay with it. Peter was wise enough to know that assumption and presumption are two powerful weapons Satan always tries to use to frustrate us in our faith in God. That’s why the Holy Spirit tells us that Peter first asked God if it was okay for him to try to walk on water. Had Jesus clearly said to Peter: “No!” Peter would have sunk the first step he took out of the boat. But because Peter first sought to know God’s will in the matter, and heard Jesus clearly say, “Come!” The Holy Spirit activated faith in Peter to trust God to be able to start walking on water. Okay, now you may be asking yourself, if that was the case, why didn’t the Holy Spirit continue to increase Peter’s faith in God, so he didn’t end up sinking? I believe it was to demonstrate how quickly fear can shut down our faith in God and rob us of having a testimony to share with others that will ultimately glorify Jesus Christ. Fear and doubt are the most potent weapons the devil has to rob us of our faith in God.

No – you may never be led by the Holy Spirit to literally walk on water, but God wants to exhort each of us to do something far more brave: be able to walk on top of spiritual water, by being courageous enough to walk up to complete strangers and ask them if they have ever had a salvation experience with Jesus Christ, and if not, would they like to have one? Would they like to have intimate friendship - intimate relationship with God? Now that is being brave and courageous.

The Daily Compass January 3-8, 2011

2011-01-03T12:24:00.000-06:00

Monday
What Faith Is
Hebrews 11:1; Mark 11:23,24; 1 John 5:14,15

In the general sense of the word, to have faith is to believe in something or someone, to fully trust, to be so confident that you base your actions on what you believe. To have faith is to be fully convinced of the truthfulness and reliability of that in which you believe. Faith in God then, is having the kind of trust and confidence in God and in Christ that leads you to commit your whole soul to Him as Savior (Justifier, Cleanser, Healer, Deliverer) and Lord (Master, King).

Faith is a spiritual substance. When you have this spiritual substance in you, it communicates to you a certain inner knowing that the thing you are hoping for is certainly established, even before you see any material evidence that it has happened. Faith is a spiritual force. Faith in God is a response to God's Word which moves God to act. Jesus said in Mark 11:23, "For assuredly I say to you, whoever SAYS to this mountain, 'Be removed and cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but BELIEVES that those things he SAYS will be done, he will HAVE whatever he SAYS." Words mixed with the real, pure faith can and will move mountains or any other problem that we face.

Faith in God must be from the heart. It is not merely intellectual. It is spiritual. "For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." (Romans 10:10) Faith causes you to know in your heart before you see with your eyes. "For we walk by faith, not by sight." (2Cor 5.7)

Tuesday
What Faith Is Not
James 2:14; 19

Faith is not religion. Many times people say "We have our faith". What they mean is this: "We have our religious ideas and doctrines, our traditions, our ways of doing things passed down through the generations. Don't you try to change them." This is not the Biblical idea of faith.
Faith is not mental assent. It is not agreeing with your mind, "Yes, that is true." Many professing Christians believe mentally that the Bible is the Word of God, but this faith does not change the way they live. It is not a faith that can save. (James 2:14)

Even demons have that kind of faith. They know and believe that God exists (James 2:19) - and tremble. They have no loving confidence in God. Faith is not a way to manipulate God. It is not a power by which we make God do what WE want when otherwise He would be unwilling to do that thing. It is not a kind of magic through which we make God into our servant!
Faith is not hope, nor positive desire. Hope is good, and relates to the future. Faith, however, takes the promise as done NOW. Many people have hope and are anxiously looking for results, but they lack the settled confidence and present assurance which faith has.

Do you see your promise Done?

Wednesday
Why We Must Believe God
Hebrews 11:6; Romans 1:17; Romans 14:23

Why must we believe God? Hebrews 11:6 says, "But without faith it is impossible to please God, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." "Whatever is not of faith is sin" (Romans 14:23) and God hates sin. When we don't believe God, we treat Him like He is a liar. Remember that He is everywhere and sees all things. He is hurt when we act like He doesn't exist, or that He will not do what He promised to do. Only when we have confidence in God and His Word can we please Him.

Lack of faith leads to lack of obedience. God's commands can only really be fulfilled through faith. Without confidence in God's promises a man will never really do what God says. Lack of obedience in God's eyes is rebellion. Such lack of obedience dishonors God and surely deserves to be punished. "The just shall live by faith" (Romans 1:17). We must live by faith in order to be considered by God "right" and "correct". Otherwise we stand condemned.

Those who don't believe God inevitably believe in something else. God is therefore righteous in expecting us to believe in Him and what He says.

Who is better qualified to tell us the truth and help us to find answers for life and eternity?

Thursday
Keys to Developing Faith
Romans 10:17

We see how important faith is. Yet some people despair here, thinking that they don't have faith. Yet faith comes (Romans 10:17), it can grow and develop. If you are not full of faith today, that doesn't mean you will be that way all your life. You can choose to be a person of faith!
Here are some keys to developing faith. 1. Listen to the Word of God as much as possible. "Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God" (Romans 10:17). Constant attention to the Word of God produces faith, especially if we attend to it with an open heart and mind.
2. Realize that every believer has been given a measure of faith by God. (Romans 12:3). We just have to use and develop what God has given. We must put it into action. 3. Obey God and the conviction of the Holy Spirit. It is as you walk that you gain strength. 4. Give thanks. Give thanks for the results before you see. Don't complain - that shows you doubt God's love and God's answer to your situation 5. Develop a life of praise and worship. Praise drives the powers of darkness away and brings the throne of God into your circumstances. 7. Speak the WORD. By saying with your mouth you exercise your faith, you hear the Word and you build it into your life. God's Word is anointed and has power. 8. Seek holiness, purity of heart. 9. Remember that faith works by love (Galatians 5:6). The centurion (Matthew 8:5-13) and the woman of Canaan (Matthew 15:21-28) were both motivated by their love for another in coming to Jesus. God will release a multiplied harvest in return if we endure and do not faint (Hebrews 10:36).

Friday
Confession and the Power of Words
Romans 10:10; Proverbs 18:21

With the mouth confession is made unto salvation" (Romans 10:10). Confessing Christ as your Living Lord and Saviour with your mouth releases God's salvation into your life. Since salvation includes many benefits and blessings our right mouth confession is a major key to receiving what God has provided for us by his grace.

We should realise that "Death and life is in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit." (Proverbs 18:21). The power of the tongue is in the power of the words we speak. All our words have an effect on the spiritual atmosphere around us, either for good or bad. It is through words that covenants and promises are established. It is through words that our faith or our fears are expressed. Bad words open the door for bad spirits to work. Good words open the door for God and His angels to work.

Angels heed the VOICE of God's Word (Psalms 103:20). Words are spiritual seeds. Words of life produce life. Words of faith produce faith. Words of love produce love. Words of hope produce hope, and so on. Words of death attract spirits of death, words of doubt attract doubt, words of fear attract spirits of fear, and so on. Therefore we must guard carefully what we SAY.

Saturday
Acting In Faith
Hebrews 11:4-37

Real faith has corresponding actions. Looking at Hebrews 11:4-37 we see that all those who are commended for their faith did something as well. It is possible to have actions, even religious actions, without real faith - but these actions are dead works. Without faith you can't please God. (Hebrews 11:6).

Sometimes confusion arises in this matter of faith and works. There is a radical difference between works or actions that spring from real faith, and works which spring from SELF in an effort to earn God's approval. The former cannot be separated from real faith. The latter are as filthy rags to God (Isaiah 64:6), and are wrong because the man occupied with them cannot understand or accept God's free grace - that it is by GRACE, by CHRIST that we are saved, and not by our own works.
Faith hears the word of God, the voice of God and acts in obedience with a trusting heart. God often speaks to us through our consciences by His Spirit, pressing us towards a particular kind of action which is based on God's Word. Real faith yields to God's suggestion and does it.

Jesus told the blind man to go to the pool to wash. The blind man, by acting in obedience to Jesus' words BEFORE he received healing, demonstrated the kind of faith which God required of him in that situation, and he was healed. (John 9:7). If he had not obeyed, he would not have been healed. God told Abraham to offer his son Isaac up as a sacrifice. Abraham's obedience in this matter demonstrated the reality of his faith. (James 2:20-24). Even justifying faith is not passive. It does not rest in sin. Justifying faith works with repentance to open the door for the receiving of God's great salvation.

December 20 - 25, 2010

2010-12-20T21:21:00.005-06:00

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

We would like to thank Pastor Rick for authoring The Daily Compass this week.

Monday December 20, 2010
Remember The Food
Read John 4; Isaiah 55:1-2; Matthew 5:6

We hope you enjoyed the Christmas play Sunday. We wanted to make it fun for the family but like Uncle Rick I hope you thought about the things that make Christmas special to you. I think it was perfect that the play took place at a diner having a Christmas meal. When I think about Christmas one of the things I think about is food, of course I think about food on any occasion. Jesus was into food too. We have recorded in the bible the wedding feast in Canaan of Galilee, the feeding of the 4,000, the 5,000, eating at Zacchaeus’ house, the banquet at Matthew’s house, Jesus eating at the Pharisees house, and of course the Lord’s Supper. I think it is interesting that Jesus was born in Bethlehem which means the house of bread. He said He was the bread that came down from heaven. We have all been created to hunger after certain things but God wants to satisfy that hunger with something more than food. God wants to fill that emptiness in us with His Word, His Spirit and His purpose for our lives. He wants us to be satisfied with more than good food but a satisfied soul. I pray that this Christmas God would give you a hunger for God and the good things He gives to satisfy your hunger. May you enjoy the things that really satisfy. Like the woman at the well ask Jesus to give you that gift that will satisfy what you hunger and thirst for. We serve the Word of God every Sunday. Come and join us this next year and find satisfaction for your hungry soul.

Tuesday December 21, 2010
Remember the Gifts
Read Luke 11:11-13; James 1:17; Romans 8:32

Like Uncle Rick we are reminded about giving and receiving gifts. All of us like Uncle Rick can remember that special gift that we wanted. God has created inside of each of us a desire to receive reward, to receive gifts. We have a God given desire for things in our lives but most of the time we desire gifts that only give us temporary pleasure. God has given us a gift that will keep on giving every day of our lives. This gift has the ability to give us every other good gift we could ever really want. This gift is his Spirit, the presence of God who is the great giver. Like we love to see our children get those special gifts that give them pleasure, God wants to give us gifts that please us. He knows exactly what we are searching for and what it takes to satisfy us. We not only have a need to receive gifts but a desire to please others by giving. There is nothing that satisfies our heart like giving a child that special gift they are longing for. This Christmas remember to receive God’s gift and be a cheerful giver to others. Enjoy the gifts.

Wednesday December 22, 2010
Remember Christmas is about Family
Read Luke 15:11-32; Hebrews 10:22-25

Uncle Rick said the most important thing to him was love, family and being together on Christmas. All of us have a desire to be with others because our creator made us that way. Christmas is a time when family and friends gather to gather to share and celebrate. Christmas is about families and family gatherings. God’s purpose for creating us was to make us a part of His Family. It’s so sad to see people who spend Christmas alone. God wants His family to come together often to celebrate and enjoy the pleasure of being home with their father and His children. Christmas is a time to remember to gather with your family and to come and be a part of the gathering of the family of God. Is there someone in your family that needs to be restored invite them back to be a part of the family again? Do you know someone that will spend Christmas alone? Invite them to spend Christmas with you. We invite you to be a part of our church family. We gather and celebrate every week. Come join us. It will not be Christmas without you.

Thursday December 23, 2010
Remember Christmas is about the birth of a Child
Read Luke 2:1-20; John 3:1-18

Uncle Rick remembered the re-enactment of the nativity scene. Christmas is really about children. It is the story of the birth of a child. Jesus said you have to become as a little child to enter the Kingdom of God. A child is helpless, trusting, loving and exploring and discovering life. They are in wonder over the world around them. They are having fun and enjoying life and trusting those around them to take care of them and provide for them. We need to become childlike again and trust God to provide and take care of us as we enjoy life. Christmas is about the birth of the Christ Child. God came as a child to people just like us. We need to become like a child and have faith in God to bring a new birth in us that will give us the joy and wonder of Christmas in our hearts. Invite this child into your heart this Christmas. Enjoy this Christmas with a child.

Friday December 24, 2010
Remember Christmas is about Singing
Read Luke 1:46-55; Luke 1:67-69; Luke 2:13-14; Luke 2:29-31

Uncle Rick wanted to hear caroling. Christmas is all about sights and sounds. There is something about a song that opens up our heart and changes our mood. We are created with the ability to hear and verbalize our feelings. The Song carries the message we are hearing to our hearts. Maybe that’s why we have Songs in the Christmas story. God wants the joy of his message to get to our heart so we can celebrate it with Him and it becomes a part of us. Luke records four Christmas songs in the first 2 chapters of his book. Read them and as you do let the message God was saying get in your heart. Luke 1:46-55 – Mary’s Song; Luke 1:67-69 -- Zechariah’s song; Luke 2:13-14 – The Angel’s song; Luke 2:29-31 – Simeon’s song. Let’s take time to sing this Christmas.

Weekender December 25, 2010
Remember Christmas is about Joy
Read Luke 1:14, 44, And 58, 2:10: John 15:9-13

Like Uncle Rick, we get so busy at Christmas we forget to enjoy it. The one who started Christmas wants us to take time and enjoy it. Don’t be so busy preparing the food that you forget to enjoy it. Don’t get so carried away with the gifts that you forget to enjoy the giver. Don’t worry over the details of Christmas so much that you forget to laugh, have fun and enjoy Christmas like a child again. Don’t get gloomy but be joyful and help other’s enjoy this season that is all about joy. Nehemiah’s words to God’s people are still true for us at Christmas today.

Nehemiah 8:10
And Nehemiah continued, "Go and celebrate with a feast of rich foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don't be dejected and sad, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.

December 13 - 18, 2010

2010-12-13T21:26:00.002-06:00

Monday December 13, 2010
From The Beginning
Read John 1:1-5

John does not start "the story of Jesus" in the usual way. He says nothing about the way Jesus was born. Rather, he takes us back in time to "the beginning." In the beginning, he says, was "the Word." Modern readers may not know at first what this "Word" is, but it becomes clear in verse 14: "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us." The Word became a human being, a Jewish man named Jesus. When John talks about "the Word," he is talking about a Person who existed in the beginning with God, and he was God. He was not a created being; rather, it is through him that all created things were made. The question that I’d like to comment on now is, Why does John tell us this? Why do we need to know that Jesus was originally a Person who was not only with God, but he was also God?

By using the word Word, John was using a term that had rich meaning to Greek and Jewish philosophers. They also believed that God had created everything through his word, or his wisdom. Since God was a rational being, he always had a word with him. The "word" was his power to think—his rationality, his creativity. John takes this idea and gives it a radical twist: The Word became flesh. Something in the realm of the perfect and the eternal became part of the imperfect and decaying world. That was a ridiculous idea, people might have said. That did not fit their idea of what God was. John may have agreed with them: This was quite unexpected. God did not act the way we thought he would. Indeed, as we read John’s Gospel we will find that Jesus frequently did the unexpected. He was not acting the way that people expected a man of God to act—and that is part of the reason that he came, and part of the reason that John tells the story. We had wrong ideas about God, and Jesus came to set us straight. Jesus did not just bring a message about God—he himself was the message. He showed us in the flesh what God is like. Shortly before Jesus was killed, Philip asked him, "Lord, show us the Father" (14:8). And Jesus answered: "Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you for such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father"

If you want to know what God is like, then study Jesus. Jesus shows us the love that God has for us; he freely gave his life to save others. When the Word humbled himself to become a flesh-and-blood human, it was a change—something God had never done before—but it was not a change in God’s nature. Rather, it was a demonstration of his unchanging nature—his unchanging faithfulness to us. It showed us the love that God has for us all the time.

Tuesday December 14, 2010
The Word Brings Relationship
Read Mark 4: 1-20

The Word has relationship with God because the Word is God. Nothing was made without the Word being spoken. The Word gives life and the Word gives light. The Word revealed gives life. Jesus was the Word of God made flesh that which was written and spoken now comes to life as a person. God is calling us to release the Word and that will change the world we live in. Jesus said what I have said to you in secret proclaim from the rooftops. You have to hear it before you can proclaim it and you have to proclaim it before it can be manifested. The book of John is the book of the Spirit. In John the Spirit and the Word are connected. You can’t have the Word without the Spirit and the Word can’t be manifested without the Spirit. The Word and the Spirit are in relationship together. We are talking about the Spirit and Word having relationship to produce. Relationships take time to produce.

Relationships like everything in the Kingdom take time to cultivate. We are an instant society and want everything yesterday if not sooner but with God there is seedtime and harvest and seasons in our life. In the 4th chapter of Mark, Jesus gives parables about the production of the Word of God in our lives. You have to sow the word – get it in your heart, You have to have the right soil, You can’t hide the word forever one day it will be seen in your life. Whatever measure of the word you put in your heart is the measure you get out.

Wednesday December 15, 2010
Spending Time In The Word
Read John 5:46; Matthew 4; Acts 6:2; Romans 3:2

Many Christians rightly believe that they need to read the Bible. Such Christians have reading plans and study the Bible themselves. Many other Christians though, tend to focus on reading the Word of God without application. Finally, many Christians read the Bible more like it’s a book of stories than the inspired Word of God. Understanding how to hear the Word of God, read the Word of God and study the Word of God is vital. One Tuesday night at prayer as Ms. Cecilia was sharing the word we noticed that she had marked in and written throughout her Bible, what this represented was the relationship that she has with God, what she had marked represented how God has spoken to her, words that changed her life and it also represents how she honors and reveres the words that God has spoken to her.

If you don’t know the recorded word of God then you will walk away from the living Word of God – That’s what Eve did. In the Old Testament Every time the Word of God was found and honored in the nation there was revival. Jesus did not defeat the devil by using his relationship with God, ritual, or tradition but the scriptures to overcome the temptations of the devil. The Apostles put the ministry of the Word and Prayer above the ministry of the daily needs of people. The most important ministry of leadership is the Word of God. Paul reminds us that Israel has a very special place because they were entrusted with the very words of God. You must realize you have a special place with God because He is revealing His Word in your life. To be a voice for God we have to spend time in the written Word of God.

Thursday December 16, 2010
Jesus: The Living Word
Read John 17:6-9; John 16:12-15; 1 Corinthians 2:9-15

The Word is with God and is God. Jesus the living Word spent time with the Father listening to his words. If we don’t spend time in relationship with the living Word we will not experience the revelation of the Written Word. Revelation is never just to give us knowledge but to lead us into an experience with God. Revelation without experience just makes us religious.

Jesus said The Father who sent me has instructed me as to what I should tell you. I know that his words lead to everlasting life; so whatever he tells me to say, I say. These words that I speak are not my own, but come from the Father who has sent me. They that hear the words that I speak, and believe in Him, who has sent me, will have everlasting life. They will not be condemned but will pass from death to life. God reveals His secrets to us as we spend time with Him building our relationship with Him. You don’t tell your secrets to strangers but to intimate friends. It’s called Revelation of the Spirit. You must spend time with God to have the same spirit. You can’t have what you don’t know and you can’t have what you don’t know without spending time with the one who knows.

Are you spending time with the one who knows?

Friday December 17, 2010
Speak THE WORD!
Read John 15:3-4; Ephesians 5:26; Matthew 17:20; Isa 6:5-7

Father God spoke the earth and all its contents into being, not by his hands, nor by a magic wand, but by speaking them into existence. Speech looses angels to work or binds angels from working. What we say is, in fact, what we get, blessings or curses, our choice. Constantly repeating or retelling, injuries or injustices of the past only strengthen the harm. Critical and/or victimization evil spirits and their relatives need that divisive venom for food; they get fat and powerful on our unauthorized speech. Remember, the Holy Spirit says and does what He sees and hears The Father saying or doing. A child of God needs to filter, like water, everything entering his mind and leaving his mouth. Otherwise, we are polluting not only the atmosphere, but also our lives with bad breath! Spirits ride on our breath and speech. Let us be in praise and worship. Let us repeat what God says in scripture. If we are repeating what the enemy or bad circumstances are presenting to us, then they can reproduce, thanks to our unchecked words. Instead, copy Jesus' example.

The Spoken word cleanses us. The Spoken words bath us. The Spoken Word moves the Mountains in our Lives. God wants to touch our lips so we can speak what He is speaking. When we say what God is saying we see results. Your mouth is taking you were you are going. We must keep speaking what God is saying till we see it come to pass.

The Weekender December 18, 2010
Doers Of The Word
Read Matthew 7:27-29; John 2:5; Hebrews 5:11-14

When Jesus was on the earth as the Son of man, He was a doer of the Word. He always listened to the Father and obeyed what the Father told Him. Jesus always wanted to do what was pleasing to the Father. He never reasoned, he never made excuses, because He wanted to do the Father’s will not his, so He did it. Jesus knew the danger of just being a hearer. 23For if anyone only listens to the Word without obeying it and being a doer of it, he is like a man who looks carefully at his [own] natural face in a mirror; 24For he thoughtfully observes himself, and then goes off and promptly forgets what he was like.

Jesus knew who he was, he did not have to keep trying to know who He was, He was confident in being a doer of the Word. He also new what manner of man He was. The disciples asked this question. Mark 4:41 And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him? They did not have a clue, but Jesus knew.

The Word says that Signs and wonders follow those who believed. Jesus believed and signs and wonders followed him. Jesus went about everywhere doing the Word. He cast out demons, He healed the sick, and He raised people from the dead. He gave sight to the blind, and healed the broken hearted. He took 2 fish and couple of loaves of bread and multiplied them to feed 5,000 men. He spoke to the storm and told the wind to be still and guess what? It stood still. Jesus also turned water into wine. Those are just a few things that He did. Wouldn’t you say He was doing the Word? He was not sitting back hearing the word about casting out demons and saying to himself, “ I do not know if I can do that, I sure hope I can do that someday. Jesus just did it.

Practice makes perfect. With anything in life wither natural or spiritual you have to do it for it to work. We can’t just be talkers we have to be doers. The advice of Mary is still good for us today. “Just do what He says”(John 2:5). We are trained by practice in the use of the word.
You believe what you practice (do) and you practice (do) what you believe. Revelation without practice only makes you religious and religion only makes you angry and mean. Revelation with practice gives you experience and experience causes love and joy. Jesus didn’t teach the word like the scribes and Pharisees, but with the authority of the Spirit that changed the lives of the hearers. Let us be leaders of the Word and Spirit.

December 06 - 11, 2010

2010-12-06T10:14:00.002-06:00

Monday December 06, 2010
The Image of God is Corporate
Read Acts 2: 1-21; Genesis 5:1-2; Galatians 3;26-29; 1 Corinthians 11:11

What is the image we are made in look like? It is corporate. It does not say look at me but look it says at we. It takes all of us to make up the image of god. The language of creation gives us the picture of what that image is like. God said “let us” and then “let them”. We together make up the image of God. In all our diversity there is found the strength and beauty of God. God sees unity in diversity. We see division but God sees completion. We need each other for completion. None of us is as good as all of us. When we are along something is missing but when we are unified by the same Spirit there is completeness. The completing factor is the Spirit of God that makes all of us one.

One of the most frustrating parts of decorating the Christmas Tree is trying to put the lights on finding that one of the bulbs is missing, therefore preventing the lights from shining. Like the bulbs of the Christmas lights we can’t shine if one of the bulbs is missing. We are not really together til we are all together. Now if God gets frustrated I can imagine that this would be one thing that would frustrate Him, He has repeatedly given us the keys to a better life and existence and we continually try to do it alone.

Cain where is your brother. Cain did not see that he needed his brother. Do we see we need our brothers and sisters? We shine our brightest when we shine together. (Matthew 5:14-16) It takes all of us to make up the image of God. The hand can’t say I have no need of you. (1 Corinthians 12:21) Like putting a puzzle together we can’t know our place till we put others in their place.

How do you see others in the Body of Christ? Hindrances, Nuisances or Necessities.

Tuesday December 07, 2010
The Image of God Is Male and Female
Read Galatians 3:26-29; Genesis 1:26-27

Everyone agrees: whatever being created in the image of God means, it is very, very significant! Clearly, in Genesis chapter one, the progression of creation builds throughout the six days, culminating in the final creative act, in the second part of the sixth day, to create man as male and female in the image of God. Some key internal indicators signal the special significance of man's creation: are as follows, as just noted, man is the pinnacle of God's creative work, only after which God then says of all he has made that it is "very good". The creation of man is introduced differently than all others, with the personal and deliberative expression, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness." The one God who creates man as male and female deliberately uses plural references of himself (e.g., "Let Us," "Our image," "Our likeness") as the creator of singular "man" who is plural "male and female." The "image of God" is stated three times in 1:26-27 in relation to man as male and female but never in relation to any other part of creation. The special term for God's unique creative action, is used three times in 1:27 for the creation of man in his image as male and female. Man is given a place of rulership over all other created beings on the earth, thus indicating the higher authority and priority of man in God's created design.

God is gender friendly. We struggle with the role of men and women because we don’t see them as God sees them, He sees them as one (Galatians 3:26-29). Where would we be without the woman and where would women be without the man. We see in God’s original design male and female ruling and reigning together, they are not competing but completing. Jesus prays for our oneness. Father, I pray that they may be one as we are one. I in you and you in me – (John 17:22-23) marriage is the perfect picture of this. I know at least in my marriage and I would guess in most that where we are deficient in an area our mate makes up for it, this is a prime example of how we need each other to be complete. Just as Jesus prayed for oneness let us seek oneness.

Wednesday December 08, 2010
We Not Me
Acts 2:1-4; Matthew 18:20

There is a popular video gaming system called a wii. It has been all the craze for the past couple of years. In order to play the game it is necessary to create a character or avatar called a mii (pronounced me). We see in today’s society that we can be self-centered and driven by a me mentality. In the game of Wii it is our Mii’s goal to succeed and win the game, to face an unknown opponent with no prior knowledge of who you are facing. That can be a daunting challenge, the same can be said for life we face multiple challenges and often we do not know much about our opponents or how to win. The thing is we were created to have individual personalities and gifts and yes God created us as unique individuals, but he also created us to compliment and complete each other.

Ezekiel 37 tells us we are dried up without being brought together and being filled with the Spirit. That was the power of Pentecost they were together in one place and the Spirit came. It took together, in one place and the Spirit to manifest God’s power (Acts 2:1-4) Where two or three are gathered their am I (Matthew 18:20). When we come together there is a corporate manifestation of the power and presence of God. The truth is we are better together. Any job becomes easier and more enjoyable when we have more people do it. We need to lose the me mentality and gain the we mentality. God does nothing alone why would we?

Thursday December 09, 2010
In Our Weakness He Is Strong
Read 2 Corinthians 12:8-10; Romans 15;1-4

We all have weaknesses in certain areas and we need each other so one can be strong where another is weak. We need each other to make up the differences or deficiencies that we have. God wants us to make up for the weaknesses of others. The enemy attacks through our weaknesses but God works in our weaknesses to show His Strength (2 Corinthians 12:8-10). If we let Him God will be strong for us when we are weak. God makes up for our weaknesses. We all have weaknesses in some area and that is why When we look at the weaknesses of the parts of the Body of Christ we miss the opportunity to see the power of God’s grace to overcome weaknesses of their leaders or members of the body of Christ but just because we have weaknesses does not mean we can’t be used to manifest God’s strengths and Glory.
There is no shame in being weak; because the power of God’s grace overcomes our weakness and allows us to show off His strength in us. This lets others see how God’s image in us overcomes any weakness in us. The bible tells us that in our weakness He is strong!

Friday December 10, 2010
Strength & Beauty
Read John 1:18; 1 Peter 4:10

When God made Adam male and female he joined Strength and beauty together to manifest the image of God. When we see them we see the power of God and the love of God manifested in covenant relationship and it gives us the picture of God. It takes opposites to produce. The man was to reveal the woman and the woman was to be his helper making him known. It is called intimate relationship and when that happens it reveals the one you are connected too. (John 1:18) Only the one that is at your side can make you known. The man knows the woman and the woman makes known the man. The truth is that it takes male and female in the ministry of God to administer the grace of God in all its various forms. (1 Peter 4:10) God loves to show Himself off in diversity working in unity.

The Weekender December 11, 2010
We, We, We All the Way Home
Read Ecclesiastes 4:9-12; 1 Corinthians 11:29; Matthew

It's better to have a partner than go it alone. Share the work, share the wealth. And if one falls down, the other helps, But if there's no one to help, tough! Two in a bed warm each other.
Alone, you shiver all night. By yourself you're unprotected. With a friend you can face the worst. Can you round up a third? A three-stranded rope isn't easily snapped. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12(The Message)

The image of God is found in being a part of one another. When we don’t give recognition to the parts of the Body of Christ we lose the blessing and we fall under the curse. (1 Corinthians 11:29) When we don’t recognize and give proper honor to the other parts of the body we lose the benefits of that part of the Body. If we don’t recognize the gifts around us we lose their benefit to us. We can only receive from what we recognize. (Matthew 10:41) For example if we don’t receive a medical doctor in the name of a medical doctor we lose the advantage of his contribution to our health. We need each other and it is vital that we receive the other parts of the Body of Christ for who and what they are. The reality is that we can do life best when we do it with others.

As I was talking to Pastor this week prior to sitting down and writing the Daily Compass, we were sharing with each other our take on the notes he had given me on this week’s message, my thoughts jumped to the video game “Wii” as I mentioned in one of the topics earlier this week, but Pastor’s thoughts were with a nursery rhyme and game that is often played with babies which most of us or familiar with “This Little Piggy”. In the last scenario the last little piggy cried wee, wee, wee all the way home. Whether it is Wii or Wee, Wee, Wee, WE all need each other and we all need each other all the way home!

November 29 - December 04, 2010

2010-11-29T11:29:00.003-06:00

Monday November 29, 2010
Do Not Deny His Image
Read Galatians 4:1; Genesis 1:26-28; I Corinthians 15:49

A man or a woman will never rise above their self-image. The image that you have of yourself will cause you to succeed or fail in life. The image you have of yourself will carry you to the height of success or plunge you into the depths of defeat. It’s not who you are, it’s who you believe you are.

As Christians, it is vital that we see ourselves as God sees us. Some believers struggle with their own image, and fail, for they do not see themselves as God sees them. The Bible says that even though a man is an heir, he is no different than a servant as long as he remains a child and doesn’t recognize who he is. We must grow up spiritually and recognize who we are, and who is our Father. Many believers have a wrong image of themselves. They are living in the past, bound by some negative things others have said about them. Perhaps there have been difficulties in their life that have scarred them emotionally. Because of this, they have not realized who they are in God.

In Genesis 1: 26-28, we read how God created man in His own image and likeness. The word “likeness” refers to God’s nature - in essence, all that He is. When Adam sinned, spiritual death crushed the glory God had originally deposited. For years it lay dormant until Jesus came to provide the way for spiritual rebirth so that the image of God could once again be revealed. Your restoration into God’s image begins at salvation- that’s where the process starts. The Bible declares in I CORINTHIANS 15: 49 - “And as we have born the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.”

The image of Adam was in you because of sin. But after salvation, God began to restore His image and likeness in you. And all you must do is cooperate with God and believe what His Word says about you.

Tuesday November 30, 2010
No Denying
Read Ephesians 1:11-14

We can’t be what we deny. God says that we were saved to be conformed to the image of His Son. God wants us to have our image back and that image is found in a person. If God says we are the image of his Son Jesus and we are being conformed to that likeness then why does the religious world teach us that no one can every be like Him? When we were born again God placed the seal of the Holy Spirit on us to approve of what was and is being done in us. If God says we are conformed to that image let’s believe what He has said.

Chris Vallotton in his book “The Supernatural Ways of Royalty” said in his book when people complement you on your Godliness. They are like someone who compliments a great painting they are complementing the artist and the model. We look at Jesus and we see the perfect image of who we are. If people complement us they are complementing the artist and the model. When people complement us they are giving glory to God and the model Jesus Christ. They are saying you look like Him. God intended us to look like Him. When will we believe that what He says He will do?

The Holy Spirit causes us to look like Him. The Spirit cries out daddy in us. He tells us who we are and who we belong too. He causes us to see the likeness of who we are. We are the Sons of God. The Holy Spirit restores our identity (image).

Wednesday December 01, 2010
Seeing Who You Are
Read Romans 8:14-17; 2 Corinthians 3:18

When we walk like Adam as He did in the garden with God we take on his image. His image in us reflects His likeness to the world around us. We look more like Him as we continue to walk with Him. The Holy Spirit seals the Spirit of the Son in us. When Paul found believers in the city of Ephesus and they did not look like Jesus, His first question was have you received the Holy Spirit sense you believed. If people can’t see His Spirit in you maybe we need to ask for that Spirit. We have been given His Spirit so we can see His likeness. The Holy Spirit reveals Him to us and then reveals Him through us.

The Holy Spirit reveals who you are through the Word of God: In Old Testament times, God commanded that a basin called a “Laver” be placed outside the door to the Tabernacle. The laver was made of reflective material so that each time someone washed in it they saw themselves. The laver is symbolic of the Word of God. As we look into God’s Word and let it cleanse us, we are changed so that the image of God can be reflected through our lives. 2 Corinthians 3: 18 - “But we all with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

Each time you read the Bible, it becomes a spiritual looking glass where God reveals Himself to you as well as revealing your own spiritual condition. As you act upon the Word, you are progressively changing into that same image.

Thursday December 02, 2010
Who Do You Look Like?
Read John 1:10-13

Baptism is the picture and sign of who God says you are and what He has created you to look like. It speaks to the church and the world of a new image in Christ.

The gospel writers tell us that identity was confirmed from heaven when Jesus was baptized. The only other time that we hear the words “behold my son” is in. This is when the disciples wanted to put Holy men in the same category as the Son of God. We are not to look to men for our image but to Jesus. No matter who the men are they are not the perfect image of God. We are not to be made in the image of men but the image of God. When we set men as those we identify with we deny His image in us. We are created to be like Him and no one else.

Baptism is our identification with Him not to a church, denomination, man or movement. We
are to get our image from Him. God pre-determined before time – begin that we would take on
His Image. As He is in this world so are we.

Friday December 03, 2010
Our Reflection Revealed
Read Colossians 3:10; 2 Peter 1:3

We are revealed by the knowledge of God: Colossians 3: 10 tells us that we are renewed in knowledge after God. Your spirit man is continually renewed as you gain more knowledge about God. In 2 Peter 1: 3 “As His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue.” Here we learn that everything you need in this life comes through knowing God. He is the source. He is the focus. As you come to know Him, you will realize that His image and likeness dwell within you - the essence of His divine nature.

We are revealed by confessing the Word of God: Confession works only if the Word of God is bubbling out of your soul. Many people have a problem with confession because they are trying to confess from the outside in But even when spiritual babies have God’s Word bubbling in them, that Word halts the enemy in his track: PSALM 8: 1 -2 declares: “O LORD our Lord, haw excellent is Your Name in all the earth! Who has set Your glory above the heavens.

The Weekender December 04, 2010
A Message from Father God

“When I was hungry you gave me meat, when you did my image reflected in you. When I was thirsty you gave me a drink. My image reflected in you. When I was a stranger, you took me in. My image reflected in you. When I was naked, you clothed me. My image reflected in you. When I was sick, you visited me, encouraged me, prayed for my healing and gave me hope. My image reflected in you. When I was in prison you came to me sharing God’s love with me. My image was reflected in you. When I fell by the wayside and didn’t want to live, you told me of God’s great love for me and about His forgiveness and I forgave myself. God’s image reflected in you. Many times I came to you in different colors and sizes. When you walked in love toward the least of these you walked in love toward me. My image reflected in you. When my children are fearful, share faith with them. Shed my light and love on them. Give a smile, give a hug, and give a loving word of encouragement. When discouragement has overcome one of my children, give him the light of hope and the promise of my love and a better tomorrow, for my image reflects in you.

Take care of my little ones as I care for you. See them through my eyes as my image reflects in you. Love doesn’t even know when it has been done wrong when my image reflects in you. Give a cup of cold water in my name, as my image reflects in you. Speak peace to storms and chaos as it reflects in you. Be of good cheer and pass it on. Let the world see my reflection in you. Don’t be weary in doing well for the joy of the Lord is your strength. Be courageous and bold in overcoming for I have overcome the world. Rejoice in the Lord and greet each new day letting my image reflect in you. Do everything as unto the Lord and keep a grateful heart. My image will continually radiate from you.”

November 22 - 27, 2010

2010-11-23T13:25:00.003-06:00

Monday November 22, 2010
Identity Theft
Read Mark 4:15

We hear a lot today about identity theft. Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personally identifying information, like your name, Social Security number, or credit card number, without your permission, to commit fraud or other crimes. The FTC estimates that as many as 9 million Americans have their identities stolen each year. In fact, you or someone you know may have experienced some form of identity theft. The crime takes many forms. Identity thieves may rent an apartment, obtain a credit card, or establish a telephone account in your name. You may not find out about the theft until you review your credit report or a credit card statement and notice charges you didn’t make—or until you’re contacted by a debt collector. Identity theft is serious. While some identity theft victims can resolve their problems quickly, others spend hundreds of dollars and many days repairing damage to their good name and credit record. Some consumers victimized by identity theft may lose out on job opportunities, or be denied loans for education, housing or cars because of negative information on their credit reports. In rare cases, they may even be arrested for crimes they did not commit. We are asked to be careful and we are asked to by plans that will protect our identity. Why? Because our identity is who we are and it is all that we have.

We find that it is the same in Spirit, as soon as God plants His word in us of who He is and who we are in Him, that the devil comes to steal our identity. Without your identity you are unable to function in the world. Without you knowing your true identity you are lost. One of the ways that the devil steals from us is through tempting us. By tempting and trying to confuse us about our identity he would have us to think that it is God is trying to cause us to fall; but in James 1:14-15 he tells us who the real culprit is (I like Peterson’s translation), Don't let anyone under pressure to give in to evil say, "God is trying to trip me up." God is impervious to evil, and puts evil in no one's way. The temptation to give in to evil comes from us and only us. We have no one to blame but the leering, seducing flare-up of our own lust. Lust gets pregnant, and has a baby: sin! Sin grows up to adulthood, and becomes a real killer (The Message). The devil will make us question God and who and what He is, His Word and who we are in Him. That is why it is imperative that we learn to hear God and recognize His voice when He is calling or speaking to us. When we open ourselves up to relationship with the Father and pursue a relationship with Him that we actually have true protection against IDENTITY THEFT.

Tuesday November 23, 2010
Are You Really Who You Say You Are?
Read John 5:19, 30; 15:5

Eve Just like Jesus was tempted in the area of her identity. The devil’s strategy has never changed. He tempted Jesus with the same thing. The two greatest challenges the devil has ever had are recorded in Genesis 3 and Matthew 4. They involved the temptation of Adam and Eve and of Jesus, the sinless Son of God. In both cases, the rewards of success would be great for the devil, having far reaching consequences. Hence, Satan employed every possible means available in both cases. He appealed to the woman alone; he often seeks to isolate us. He persuaded Eve to sin through the lust of the flesh, eyes, and pride of life. The consequences of Eve's sin were great and gained a definite victory for Satan. The devil also approached Jesus by means of the same three avenues of temptation. However, in Jesus' case, the devil failed. As a result of the devil's failure, there are many advantageous spiritual consequences that potentially and in reality affect all men.

The thing is we must be like Jesus when the devil comes with his temptation, we must know who we are in Christ and we must know The Word. Jesus knew the Word, because He is the Word and when the devil tempted He spoke the Word. He let the devil know where his place was and He let the devil know Who He Was.

Wednesday November 24, 2010
Prove It!
Read Philippians 4:13

The devil says, who is God and did he really say you are the Son of God. The devil tempted Jesus to fulfill a desire by exercising His own personal authority and power independently of God. As we, when we become believers the devil attacks us in very much the same way, the tries to get us to things apart from God. He tells us that we do not need God that we can do things on our own. He is tempting us to be God.

Jesus our example responded in this way when the devil tempted Him; Jesus knew what God was saying to Him in the scriptures and what He has said to me. Jesus used the Word of God to defeat the devil not His own personal authority but they authority of what God has said and is saying. Jesus tells us that He did nothing apart from God and we cannot either.

Thursday November 25, 2010
A Question Of Our Identity
Read 1 John 2:15-17

Satan tried to get Jesus to question God about who He had told Him he was. Satan wants to take our identity. He will try to make us doubt God’s love for us, His Word and who God says we are. The nature of temptation is always the same. The enemy always uses our natural cravings to take our focus away from God and put our focus on ourselves. He always wants us to question our identity. Our Image.

Friday November 26, 2010
What Were You Thinking Eve?

Have you ever thought that Eve being tempted was how she envisioned herself? This all started over an identity “image” crisis. Eve looked at herself and took her focus off the image God gave her. Could Eve have seen herself as second to Adam in God’s eye or that she was somehow inferior because of the position that God had given her? Or did she start seeing herself as second best, different and inferior than Adam? Inferiority destroys us by giving us a false reality of who we really are and how others see us. The reality is that God does not make inferior stuff. Because of feelings of inferiority and low self worth, Eve looked for position and supremacy so she could boast of who she was and what she had. She wanted to feel better about herself and feel accepted. She wanted her own place, not just being a part of a relationship. This is the nature of temptation. Any time we want to separate ourselves from God and each other we get separated from our true identity. Our true identity is found in Christ and in the Body of Christ. Your identity can only be found in him and in those that are connected to Him. God made man in His image and placed him in a place He prepared for him to grow, serve and find significance.

The Weekender November 27, 2010
The Security Of Our Identity

Read Galatians 5:26; Philippians 2:1-4: Luke 14:10-11
Have you ever been insecure? At first I wanted to resist the idea that I was feeling insecure because I knew a lot about my identity in Christ. I knew that I was a child of God, a friend of God and He had placed an awesome responsibility on my life. With that kind of identity, how could I possibly feel insecure? But I did. The truth was, I had hit a humdrum point in my faith walk with God and it triggered insecurity. The longer I sat in front of my computer considering my identity in Christ, the more I began to wonder where my security in Christ fit in, and if there was a difference.
I looked up both words in the dictionary and had to face that my answer was staring back at me. Identity refers to “The condition of being the same as a person or thing described” while security refers to, “The state of being or feeling free from fear, anxiety or doubt.” Well the light bulb came on - that was it. While I understood my identity in Christ, I needed to understand my security in Christ in order to be free from fear and doubt and move to the next level in my faith walk with God. I said a quick prayer asking God to give me something that would help me grow in my security. No sooner had I finished the prayer then a thought popped into my head “Being secure is knowing in my heart and soul who God is, who Jesus is, who I am and being able to put this knowledge to work in His Kingdom and using it to set me free. This thought lead me to discover that I believed in false securities and I had never recognized these as lies from the devil which pulled me away from God.
You know that as we discover, through a deeper revelation of God’s character and unconditional love, that being secure in heart is our rightful position as believers. The key however, is being willing to engage in the battle necessary to maintain our security. Security in heart is our most precious gift from God. But this gift must be battled for and protected because the enemy wants to take it from us. Having a deeper revelation of who God is, and also understanding who we are in God, equips us for the battle. And when we apply the truth of God’s Word daily, we are truly able to fight, win and stand strong in our security.
In a world that often will work to undercut your sense of worth, claim your identity and your destiny from Jesus: you are God’s Beloved.

November 15 - 20, 2010

2010-11-15T07:37:00.002-06:00

Monday November 15, 2010
The Perfect Image Of God
Read Colossians 3:9-10

When we look at Jesus, we see the absolute, beneficial, and relational aspects of the image of God in humanity. First, the absolute aspect is revealed through the way Jesus reflects God’s attributes. He shows us the love of the Father. He shows us God’s mercy. He shows us God’s wrath. He shows us God’s holy anger at injustice. He shows us God’s grace to the sinner. He shows us God’s hatred of hypocrisy. He shows us God’s goodness and His care. Jesus reflected these attributes perfectly. Jesus is the true mirror image of God, since He is both God and man. But even in our fallen state, we can see reflections of God’s character and attributes.

Secondly, the beneficial aspect of the image of God in humanity is seen through Jesus’ actions. Jesus reflects God, not only by who He is, but by what He does. When He calmed the storm, He showed His power over nature and His dominion over the earth (which, was part of the mandate given to Adam). Jesus sought out the lost. He freed those who were held captive to demon possession. He suffered in the place of sinners. He fed thousands on the mountaintop, revealing God’s provision. Jesus perfectly reflected God’s image by what He did. Fallen humanity also reflects God’s image functionally, even though differently than Jesus. Whenever we create something, whether a piece of art or music or a sculpture, we are mirroring the God who created the world out of nothing. When we rule wisely over creation, using its resources with care and avoiding waste, our rule of the earth mirrors the God who is Lord of the universe. When we choose to suffer that others may have comfort, we are imaging the Savior who died, that others may live.

Thirdly, Jesus reflects God relationally. In His relationship to the Father, He is showing us what God is like. In His relationship with the disciples, He is mirroring the patience, love that God has for His children. The way Jesus relates to the Father, to the disciples, and to others shows us a perfect picture of God. We reflect God when we worship Him as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We reflect God when we love the people He made in His image. God wants us to know about the image He placed in us. Jesus the perfect image of God came to reveal God so that we could see our image.

Tuesday November 16, 2010
Re-Imaged By Jesus
Read Colossians 1:15

The Bible teaches no one has seen God. It also teaches Jesus is the image of Him who is invisible. Why, even Jesus Himself said to His disciples “If you’ve seen me, you’ve seen the Father”. God Almighty is too magnificent for mere humans to see and comprehend. So when Jesus Christ was here on earth in human form, he was the representation of God Himself, in a physical way we humans would be able to understand. Jesus was a picture of God’s character. His life was a model for us to follow. Jesus is the perfect image of the father and when we identify with the Lord we take on His image.

Likewise, we Christians are to be representatives of God to the unbelieving world. By choosing to live God’s way instead of our way, we let God’s glory shine out from within. We are not our own, we were purchased by the precious blood of Christ. Now, let our bodies become tools of righteousness used by God for His glory.

When people see you what do they see a representation of God?

Wednesday November 17, 2010
Re-Imaged By The Word
Read Hebrews 10:7; John 1:1-4

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. (John 1:1-4)

Everything begins with the word. The Word is the God and the Word brings God’s presence. His presence is in His Word or His Word is in His presence. The Word and God are one. All things are created through the Word. Nothing is made without it. The Word creates faith and faith causes us to proclaim it. We are created in the image of the Word. We are changed into His image as we behold that word and have faith. In the volume of the book it is written of me (Hebrews 10:7) Jesus saw Himself in the scriptures. We can’t know who we are without reading about who Jesus is and what He has said.

The Word of God builds the image of God because it builds faith in us. We should be reading the Word to see what God is saying and doing and what ever God is saying and doing is what we are to say and do. The Word mixed with faith creates in us the image of who God is and who He says we are.

Thursday November 18, 2010
The Holy Spirit Re-Images Us
Read John 6:44; Matthew 16:17; 1 Corinthians 2:10

The Holy Spirit is at work, showing us what Christ has done, and how that makes a difference in what's going on around us. The Spirit's witness to Christ doesn't function like a hypertext link. One doesn't click one's mouse on the Spirit's doings and get taken to the front page of Jesus' Cyber-salvation Web Site. First of all, your mouse-clicking takes more initiative than you can take in restoring your relationship with God (or, in church-talk, it's God's grace in Christ's work on the cross that saves you, not anything you do). Second, the Spirit leads us into Christ's presence and Christ's character, two things that don't pop up on a screen and say 'I'm here'. Then, the Spirit works to get our own Web Site to take on the character that others would recognize as Christ's, for instance, by removing the annoying banner ads for the causes and ideas we're stuck on, or the irritating pop-up windows with our excuses, or the sneaky spy cookies that gather the information we might want to use against others. The Spirit is trying to push this Body of the Scared past their fears into full contact with the rest of reality, especially with other people who are not aware of Christ, or who hear the Name and yawn.

The Holy Spirit works in us to make clear to us what purpose God has in mind for us. The Spirit guides us: through Scripture, through circumstances, through other believers, and through prayer. The Holy Spirit reveals who we really are; He draws us to God, as we come into His presence the Spirit in us draws from the image of God inside us. When this happens our true image can be restored or I should say re-imaged!

Friday November 19, 2010
Re-Imaged By A Covenant Connection
Read Ephesians 4:15-16

We are Re-imaged as we have Covenant Connection with Him and His Body. We can’t grown up into Him without being connected. The same Spirit that draws us to God draws us to each other. God connects us like a magnet connects everything that is magnetized to itself. Plastic Christians will not stick because they are not in covenant with God and want stay with God’s people. We need each other to grow into the image of God. Who are you drawn to and who is drawn to you. We need each other. We can’t have the image and life of God without God flowing through us. The enemy can’t hold on to us just as it could not hold on to Jesus because Jesus had none of the image of the devil in Him. Don’t be a plastic Christian but a magnetic Christian that draws all men to Him.

Are we bringing out the best in those who are around us? Are they bringing out the best in us? We grow as we supply what is needed. How do we make them better by our words, our sacrifice, our gifts and callings our love and acceptance and our covenant connection.

The Weekender November 20, 2010
Re-imaged – Our Identity Found
Read 2 Corinthians 3:18

If you were asked to identify yourself you would probably get out some form of ID. There is bound to be something you carry that describes you –your physical description and probably your relationship to other people or an organization. You might have a driver's license; an employee badge; a debit or credit card; a library card; a union card; military dog tags or a law enforcement officer's badge. Those are but a few of the many types of IDs we take with us almost everywhere we go. My main two are a driver's license and a badge to get into and around the buildings where I work.

One of the greatest fears we people have is that of losing our identity. Identity theft is a common topic in the news these days. It even shows up as an attention getting headline on credit card advertisements. When someone uses our name, account numbers and passwords, they can take everything we own and make life miserable. I don't know how many times I've gone looking for a misplaced purse or billfold after leaving them behind at a restaurant or store. The whole time my stomach was filled with anxiety about what could happen if it was picked up by the "wrong person." On TV and in print, there are advertisements about safeguarding against this kind of theft. Those ads are for services to monitor credit reports –to detect fraud– and for insurance plans –to pay for credit card misuse.

We are Re-imaged as we Do the Work the Father has created us to do. Our identify is found in our work – the world identifies us by our occupation – God reveals his image to us and then reveals it through us by the work He has given us to do. We come into the knowledge of His image as we come into the knowledge of the work; He has given us to do. To come into His image we must have: information, revelation, response (did our hearts not burn within us as He spoke) and transformation. God is looking for His Image. Are you being Re-imaged so God is able to see His image in you? The real you is made in His image.

November 08 - 13, 2010

2010-11-08T13:07:00.003-06:00

Monday November 08, 2010
Searching For The Image Of God
Read 2 Corinthians 4:3-6

If our Message is obscure to anyone, it's not because we're holding back in any way. No, it's because these other people are looking or going the wrong way and refuse to give it serious attention. All they have eyes for is the fashionable god of darkness. They think he can give them what they want, and that they won't have to bother believing a Truth they can't see. They're stone-blind to the dayspring brightness of the Message that shines with Christ, who gives us the best picture of God we'll ever get. Remember, our Message is not about ourselves; we're proclaiming Jesus Christ, the Master. All we are is messengers, errand runners from Jesus for you. It started when God said, "Light up the darkness!" and our lives filled up with light as we saw and understood God in the face of Christ, all bright and beautiful. (The Message)

The disciples of Jesus saw His glory. They gazed into His character, which is the character of God. “The Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). When we see Jesus we see the Father. Jesus possessed the fullness of God’s attributes and character in the inward sense. Moreover, He also possessed the fullness of God’s outward, visible glory. When the disciples looked into the face of Jesus they saw the heavenly Father. In His Incarnation Jesus laid the manifestation of His deity aside; for, if He had not, the disciples would not have been able to approach Him. However, Jesus did retain the fullness of God’s glory in the inward sense and disclosed it to His disciples.

Have you looked into the face of Jesus and seen the face of God? It is there we see the glory of God. Are you going through a fiery ordeal? It is here you find your strength not only to endure, but also to triumph to the praise of His glory. Jesus also prayed that we too, would share in Christ’s glory that the Father will be glorified. To some extent we already share in it as we embody the likeness of Jesus Christ. When we embody His character and fruit of the Spirit we possess His glory. Jesus is glorified through us. There is only one way to accomplish that and God gets all the glory. God alone is responsible for the results. As we gaze into the face of Jesus by faith we are being gradually transformed into the likeness of Jesus Christ. Today, we glorify Jesus Christ as we show forth His character in our daily lives.

Tuesday November 09, 2010
Distorting The Image Of God
Read Genesis 1:26-27; Revelation 13:14, 15

Imagine you are asked to do something for someone you did not know well. What if a stranger asked you for a ride into town?, or to take a package on a plane? What if you knew the person intimately for many years? You knew their character, their morals, and their motivations? What if the person was your father, mother, wife or husband? We need to trust someone before we can carry out their request. We will only submit when we trust. We only can only trust someone who has our best interest at heart. But many of us have a distorted view of God. The muddy view comes from the same lies as in the Garden of Eden where Satan inferred God had ulterior motives to keep knowledge from man. Satan does not want us to understand how much God loves us. He distorts our view with shame whispering to us the “I am not ___ ” lies–fill in the blank. Adam and Eve believed these lies the Glory of God was removed and they saw their nakedness then ran into the bushes and hid in guilt and shame and rejected God.
When satan whispers the “I am not” lies we should remind him that God is the opposite of “I am not” He is the “I Am.” God loves us so much He made arrangements with His Son and Spirit to provide the way for us. He loves us while we are sinners!

Because of the lies that satan has told us we are searching for an image, unfortunately we are searching for the wrong image. It is time to stop searching for the wrong image. God’s word tells us that if we seek we will find. When Jesus went to the cross the work he completed restored our image, we just have to see ourselves for who we are, sons and daughters created in the image of God.

Wednesday November 10, 2010
Focus On Your True Image
Read Luke 11:9; Revelation 3:21

Stop looking for the wrong image. Our focus is to be on the image of God. Whatever you are looking for you will see. Whatever you are searching for you will find. Whatever you keep going to will open to you. Let’s start searching and looking for the image of God. Seek and you will find, knock and it will be opened, ask and you will receive. (Luke 11:9; Revelation 3:2) What and whoever we seek we will find. Whatever door we are knocking on it will be opened to us and who ever we call out to and ask for we will receive from? (Romans 10:12, 14: Acts 9:21).

Whoever’s name you call will come. (Stop calling Jezebel’s name) We respond to our names when we hear them. The devil will respond if you keep mentioning his name. Let’s call on the name of the Lord. Let’s look for Him. Let’s talk about Him and He will show up. Let’s not be on a sin hunt but a God hunt. I’m looking for God in everyone and everything and everywhere. We should be on the offense not defense. (We have the ball let’s move).

Are you on the offense or the defense?

Thursday November 11, 2010
The Right Image…….Jesus!
Read Colossians 1:15-20

We look at this Son and see the God who cannot be seen. We look at this Son and see God's original purpose in everything created. For everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible, rank after rank after rank of angels—everything got started in him and finds its purpose in him. He was there before any of it came into existence and holds it all together right up to this moment. And when it comes to the church, he organizes and holds it together, like a head does a body. He was supreme in the beginning and—leading the resurrection parade—he is supreme in the end. From beginning to end he's there, towering far above everything, everyone. So spacious is he, so roomy, that everything of God finds its proper place in him without crowding. Not only that, but all the broken and dislocated pieces of the universe—people and things, animals and atoms—get properly fixed and fit together in vibrant harmonies, all because of his death, his blood that poured down from the cross. (The Message)

Are you looking at the Son to see The Father?

Friday November 12, 2010
Are You Blinded?
Read 2 Corinthians 4:4-5

We can’t know who we are and what we have been called to do till we get the right image. We can’t be what we can’t see. We are here to help with the work of the Holy Spirit to let people see what their true image is. (The Father shows his son what his real image is – Luke 15) we are here to show people that their true image has been restored through the person and the work of Jesus Christ. We are here as a restoration team to help people see that their image has already been restored by the one and only Son of God who is the spitting image of the Father. We are like Him. It is time to show people the proper image. Let’s keep looking into the right image.

Are you blinded? Can you see Jesus?

The Weekender November 13, 2010
Look For Him
Read John 14:8-11

Whatever you are searching for you will find. Let’s look for what God is looking for. He has not changed the search He is looking for His image, Adam where are you? Son I’m looking for my image. Jesus is the perfect image of God. This is my son in whom I am well pleased. Image is everything. People are trying to improve their image. Why? Because they will not be satisfied till they see the image of God. Don’t bow down to a false image. Even if you make it after the pattern in your own mind (like Nebuchadnezzar, Daniel 2:3) it will be a false image. Abraham was willing to give up, his God dream for the one he worshiped. Remember what we worship we become like. When God looks at you does He see a reflection of Himself or does He see the world?

We are not looking for flesh but the Christ the new creation. We usually find what we are looking for. What are you looking for the flesh or the Christ?

November 01 - 06, 2010

2010-11-01T16:37:00.002-05:00

Monday November 01, 2010
Look for the plank
Read Matthew 7:2-5

“First cast out the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to cast out the splinter from your brother’s eye.” In the end, we are supposed to help our brother remove the splinter from his eye. In fact, that is the purpose of removing the plank from our own eye. There are three parts to this illustration of judging. First, the Lord calls us to notice when we are looking at a splinter in our brother’s eye despite the plank in our own eye. Second, He tells us to cast that plank out of our own eye. And third, He encourages us to use our new clear sight to cast the splinter out of our brother’s eye.

We all have a tendency to focus on the faults of others. And sometimes we see the most faults in the people closest to us – we see the splinters in our brother’s eye. If we know someone very well, we come to see their shortcomings; and because we see these so closely and so often, we can make them out to be larger than they are. We pay inordinate attention to the minor faults – the splinters – in the way our friends and our neighbors see the world, the way they act. Maybe they have a tendency to gossip. Maybe they complain too much about other people. Maybe they don’t seem to take religion seriously.

When we are looking at others from a judgmental place, we are looking at a minor fault from a “huge evil of falsity” in ourselves. There are many kinds of evil intentions and false thoughts that go along with the attitude of judging another person. If we look at another person with contempt, we are in evil from falsity. We are in evil – in contempt, or hatred, or derision, or self-righteousness – from falsity. This is the kind of judging we are forbidden to do. While we can judge a person’s actions to be good or bad, we can’t judge someone else’s motivations – we can’t judge what he is like in his hearts.

We are not supposed to judge – therefore, we shouldn’t acknowledge that anyone else has a splinter in his or her eye. But that’s not what the Lord says. The Lord says, “First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the splinter from your brother’s eye.” We are told that we should try to remove the splinter from our brother’s eye – but first we have to remove the plank from our own. Remove the plank from your own eye. How do you do this? It’s easier said than done, and it can’t be done in an instant. It is a lifelong process. The Lord is talking about the process of self-examination and repentance. If you want to help others remove splinters from their eyes, you have to dig those planks out of your own eye.

Only then can we remove the splinter from our brother’s eye. And we should seek to remove that splinter. Remember, the Lord said, “Judge righteous judgment.” We need to acknowledge that certain things really are harmful – both to society and to the person himself who is doing those harmful things. This is why we lock up criminals: not because we want revenge on them or believe that they are going to hell, but to keep them from harming society, and so they do not hurt their spiritual lives by continuing to act in evil. And if your brother has a splinter in his eye, that splinter is hurting him. If you have shunned the evil of arrogance and contempt, you can see clearly to help him remove that splinter.

Tuesday November 02, 2010
Hurt No One
Read John 12:47-50

If anyone hears what I am saying and doesn't take it seriously, I don't reject him. I didn't come to reject the world; I came to save the world. But you need to know that whoever puts me off, refusing to take in what I'm saying is willfully choosing rejection. The Word, the Word-made-flesh that I have spoken and that I am, that Word and no other is the last word. I'm not making any of this up on my own. The Father who sent me gave me orders, told me what to say and how to say it. And I know exactly what his command produces: real and eternal life. That's all I have to say. What the Father told me, I tell you." John 12:47-50 (The Message)

The purpose of Jesus’ first mission on earth was not to judge people, but to show them the way to salvation and eternal life. Scripture tells us it is not our place to judge others, but to show them the way. Often we are so quick to jump at the opportunity to judge, the opportunity that we should take is the one that shows our brothers and sisters The Light!

Wednesday November 03, 2010
Overwhelm With Love
Read Philippians 2:1-14

If you've gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care— then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don't push your way to the front; don't sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don't be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.

Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. He had equal status with God but didn't think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn't claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death—and the worst kind of death at that—a crucifixion.
Because of that obedience, God lifted him high and honored him far beyond anyone or anything, ever, so that all created beings in heaven and on earth—even those long ago dead and buried—will bow in worship before this Jesus Christ, and call out in praise that he is the Master of all, to the glorious honor of God the Father.

What I'm getting at, friends, is that you should simply keep on doing what you've done from the beginning. When I was living among you, you lived in responsive obedience. Now that I'm separated from you, keep it up. Better yet, redouble your efforts. Be energetic in your life of salvation, reverent and sensitive before God. That energy is God's energy, an energy deep within you, God himself willing and working at what will give him the most pleasure.
Do everything readily and cheerfully—no bickering. (Philippians 2:1-14, The Message)

Thursday November 04, 2010
Focus On The Positive (pt 1)
Philippians 4:1-9

Beliefs are causes. Stop believing what causes worry. Instead, believe that everything contributes to your success and use every experience as a learning experience. Affirm daily that you are a positive and worthwhile person. What you focus on you get. Create your own positive affirmation and use it throughout the day. An example of a positive affirmation is:"I am one with God.

"Take steps to make sure positive changes happen. Select a goal and "act as if it was so". Read your Bible more and strive to develop your relationship with the Holy Spirit. Focus on the positive aspects of your daily life. At the end of each hour or day, review all the things that happened and be thankful for them. Thank God for your blessings. Be happy and supportive for those people you are around. Give honest compliments. Be happy for another's success. Listen to a friend who needs to talk without judging the friend.

Friday November 05, 2010
Focus On The Positive (pt 2)
Read Colossians 3:12-17

Do not use destructive criticism on anybody, including yourself. Focus on solutions, not problems. Remember that everybody wants to be successful. If they knew another way to act, they would do it. Show them, rather than tell them, a better way to do things. Believe that you truly have the power to change for the better; the Holy Spirit lives in you. Change is an ongoing process.

Your day (your life) will be built on your ability to like yourself and to like others. Help yourself by helping others. Remind yourself who you are in Christ. Do something nice for another person without expecting to receive anything in return. Show your love for others just as Jesus did. Follow your heart. Trust the Holy Spirit. He will guide you towards your heart's desire. When in doubt pray for guidance. Be grateful for your success. Keep a journal so in times of doubt you can look back and see the successes and how God has moved in your life on you

The Weekender November 06, 2010
Living Harmoniously
Read Galatians 2:16, 19-21

Paul was a Jewish theologian. Naturally, he thought about Jesus and his life from that background. And, as you might expect, his ways of looking at things is not always obvious to us. The term justify that he uses in writing to the Galatians may leave us scratching our heads.
A good way to understand the word justify is to see it as harmonize. Our faith in Jesus brings us into harmony with God. Accepting Jesus’ vision of life, what it can be and how we should live it, aligns our will with God’s will. As a result of this harmony we work for the same goal that God works for. The insight of justifying or harmonizing is that having faith is not primarily a state of being. It’s a way of acting. When you first become a Christian is like being chosen for a team or landing a new job that we really want. It’s a neat thing and we can revel in it for a bit. Then we have to focus on the task. We weren’t chosen to boost our egos or to move us into a higher tax bracket. We were chosen because there’s work to be done and we can help accomplish it. What’s the work, we might ask. What God is doing, is the answer. Jesus taught that God is saving the world. And that’s what we’re given faith for: to save the world: to help pull it out of its very real pain and loneliness.

If that sounds both overwhelming and presumptuous, it will help to remember that each of us is just one cog in a very large, divine wheel. But that’s why we’ve been given faith and that’s the task to which we’ve been asked to contribute. What a great idea: let’s live harmoniously!

October 25-30, 2010

2010-10-25T22:12:00.002-05:00

Monday October 25, 2010
“Overcoming a Critical Spirit”
Read James 4:1-12

Grandma used to say, “If you can’t say something good about somebody, don’t say anything at all.” How many have heard that saying? Yet, why do we find it so hard to live up to that old saying? James had his own ideas on the cause of a critical spirit. When he talked to a group of believers who were bickering, fighting and quarreling among themselves and being critical with one another, he said that it was a philosophy of life that is characteristic of the unregenerate mind and that it is a major ingredient of worldliness. Instead of a climate of peace necessary for the production of righteousness, James’ readers were living in an atmosphere that was anything but peaceful. And he boldly comes out and tells them, “I want you to stop it.” He was trying to jar them loose from their selfish way of life that was causing them to find something wrong with everybody and everything.

1. The Problem of a Critical Spirit: Most of the time we don’t even see the seriousness of a critical spirit until it has taken a toll on our spiritual lives and robbed us of our peace. We begin to realize that something is completely out of whack in our lives, but we can’t always put a finger on what it is. Different things may lead to a critical spirit. It may be caused by external things around us or it may come from internal thoughts and motives. James’ readers had fallen into the habit of criticizing one another and in verse 11 James says, “Stop speaking against one another.” He crushes any right his readers may have claimed to sit in judgment over others. He rules out the harsh, unkind critical spirit that continually finds fault with others.

A bishop was invited to dinner. During the meal he was astonished to hear the younger daughter state that a person must be very brave to go to church these days. “Why do you say that?” asked the bishop.
“Because,” she answered, “I heard Dad tell Mom last Sunday that there was a big shot in the pulpit, the canon was in the vestry, the choir murdered the anthem, and the organist drowned everybody!”

Not only does James speak of the destructiveness of a critical spirit but in Matthew 7:1-5 Jesus said to avoid it. Luke 6:37 says, “do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. verse 38 says for “with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

Tuesday October 26, 2010
Why We Criticize
Read Rom. 2:1; Heb. 12:15; Rom. 12:2

Negativeness - A bad attitude and a negative view of life. A person may have unconfessed sin in their life or may harbor unforgiveness or bitterness toward someone who may have offended them.
Insecurity - Criticism is often a subconscious means to “elevate one’s own self image.” By putting others down, they are inwardly trying to feel more important or that “they know more.” Jealousy toward the spiritual victories of others is often the cause of criticism and belittling comments. Popular ministers of the Gospel are often the target of such tactics.
The Devil - As we may realize, the Devil specializes in influencing obsessive behavior. He may use any or all of the above channels, or other techniques, to influence a complaining or critical attitude to stir up turmoil and strife within the body of Christ . We must be on guard that none of us would be used as a tool of the Devil to bring harassment or discouragement upon our brothers or sisters through continual criticism, as the Bible warns us not to “give place” to the Devil. Remember that Satan is specifically called “the accuser of the brethren”. Are you an accuser of the brethren?

The Bible says that the reason that we are to come together as a church is, not to criticize, but to “exhort” (encourage) one another. “Cursing the darkness” won’t change anything, but we must light a candle and “expose the light” of God’s Word. By sharing the truth of God’s Word, and encouraging people to live in its truth, people will change. Love and encouragement is a “motivational force.”

Wednesday October 27, 2010
Judge Not……..
Read Matthew 7:1,2; James 2:13; John 8:7

Finding fault and being critical are some of the easiest things to do. They seem to come naturally to us. But Jesus told us not to judge "lest you be judged" (Matt. 7:1, NASB). We should obey His command.

Jesus then explained why a judgmental attitude is so dangerous: "God will be as hard on you as you are on others! He will treat you exactly as you treat them" (v.2).
When we judge, we invite judgment upon ourselves. The Bible says that "judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy" (James 2:13).

By judging others, we hide our own hypocrisy. For example, when the religious leaders brought a woman to Jesus who had been caught in sexual sin, they wanted to kill her. But Jesus responded, "If any of you have never sinned, then go ahead and throw the first stone at her". Nobody threw one.
God alone reserves the right to judge each person. As the Apostle Paul said, "Dear friends, don't try to get even. Let God take revenge. In the Scriptures the Lord says, `I am the one to take revenge and pay them back'".

Thursday October 28, 2010
Give Grace
Read Acts 3:19; Romans 10:9,10; Matthew 10:8

Have you learned to receive God's grace and mercy? This is the first step to overcoming a critical spirit. If you have never thanked Jesus for paying the penalty you deserve, do so now. Simply repent of your sins and turn your life over to Him. If you know Jesus as your Savior, thank Him for His grace and mercy. Thank Him for forgiving you of your sins. Thank Him for giving you a second chance at life. Now, offer grace and mercy to others, Jesus said, "Freely you received, freely give" . Instead of judgment, extend God's love to those around you, beginning with your family, your friends and your co-workers. Often those closest to us feel the harshest effects of our judgmental attitudes.

From now on when you feel the temptation to become critical, follow Jesus' clear instruction to take a close look at your own life first. Ask God to forgive you for your sins. You may even discover why you are so critical of others. Remember, it's easy to be critical. The faults of others are often very obvious to us. During these times we need to make sure we give grace instead. Thank God for those people and ask the Lord to bless them and reveal His will to them. It's really quite simple: God has granted you mercy. He has paid the debt for your sins. Now, the only debt you owe is to offer His love and mercy to others, for "mercy triumphs over judgment". Finally, be sure to spend time with God in prayer and study the Bible. As you read the Scriptures, ask God to help you to be patient with those around you. In time, you will change from a fault-finder to a grace-giver as you learn to live like Jesus lived.

Friday October 29, 2010
Overcoming A Critical Spirit (Part 1)
Read Proverbs 3:34

A husband and wife were leaving the office of a marriage counselor. The husband turned to his wife as they walked to the car: “Well, did what the counselor say about being considerate and not criticizing me finally get through your thick skull?” I don’t think that it did!!!

Overcoming a Critical Spirit: James gives us a way out when we find that a critical sprit has crept into our lives. It is not so important to analyze the cause but to come up with the solution. James is a book that is very practical. He says first of all that a critical spirit originates out of our own selfishness--wanting to have our own way so much that we will fight to get it. He tells his readers, “This is the way the world thinks--not the way God thinks.” His first point in overcoming a critical spirit is: Submitting to what God’s will was for them was the first step toward resolving the problem. It was the first step toward receiving the grace they needed to overcome the problem. Through saying “OK, God, I will go your way, it brought about the grace or unmerited favor of God that they could quit insisting on their own way and begin to see things in an entirely different light. The Message Bible says, “So let God work His will in you.” By submitting to God--saying OK to what He wants for you, you will be able to see an atmosphere of peace being restored through His grace operating in your life. Proverbs 3:34 says, “he gives grace to the humble”--the quality that helps to overcome the things that pull us down. Submission to God’s will leads to OBEDIENCE. It is not obedience but LEADS TO IT.

Submission to God is what the devil tries to hinder. He would prefer that we justify our critical actions and statements toward others by saying, “I had A RIGHT to say that.” Matthew Henry says, “Resolution shuts and bolts the door against temptation to be critical.” I RESOLVE to resist the devil and his suggestions. How do you do this? The Message Bible clarifies this by saying, “Yell a loud NO to the devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet YES to God and he’ll be there in no time.”

The Weekender October 30, 2010
Overcoming A Critical Spirit (Part 2)
Read Luke 15:20; Psalms 24:4;

The third way out of a critical spirit was another invitation to draw near to God. It was a response to what God had already done for them. The first step in man’s salvation was taken by God. To DRAW NEAR to God is itself a response to that prior call. Setting their hearts on having their own way, James’ readers have drifted away from God. Have you drifted away little by little this summer making other priorities more important? Come near to God and He will come near to you. In Luke 15:20 the prodigal son “got up and went to his father.” Just the same, God is waiting on our response. The heart that was distant must now become re-acquainted with Him.

Wash your hands you sinners. Purify your hearts....These two are a call for repentance--a change of direction. He calls them SINNERS because of the extent of their involvement in worldly attitudes and actions. They were making SIN A HABIT rather than it being an exception to the rule. Washing your hands symbolizes the OUTWARD actions. He is saying, “Clean up your act.” The Message Bible says, “Quit Dabbling in Sin.” If you are still doing these things, then quit. Change directions. Clean up your conduct. Along with that he is saying and clean up your INNER thoughts and motives toward others. Purify your hearts as well.

The next four are an emphasis on the SERIOUSNESS OF INTENT: Grieve: repent in misery--be truly sorry for your sins. Mourn: is a passionate grief that cannot be hidden. People will know that you really mean business. Wail: change the laughter into a wail. Gloom: joy to gloom. These all indicate the stages of all -out-repentance.

The Message Bible clarifies this a little more by saying, Hit bottom and cry your eyes out The fun and games are over Get serious, really serious Get down on your knees before the Master. It is the only way you’ll get on your feet.

James’ instructions brings with it a promise of successfully overcoming a critical spirit. Humble yourself before the Lord and he will lift you up. This process will get you back on your feet again. It will restore peace to your life once again. Getting over a habit of being critical is not an overnight happening. It is usually a process that takes time and a serious change of attitude.

Do you build people up or tear people down? When you are ready to criticize someone remember God’s law of love and say something good instead.

October 18-23, 2010

2010-10-18T17:09:00.002-05:00

Monday October 18, 2010
Do You Still Retain Integrity?
Read Job 2:9;

“Do you still retain your integrity?” This is what Job’s wife said to him. In this process it is very important to note what she was saying to her husband. The term used by her was “tummah.” It comes from the word tom, meaning completion or perfection. She was saying that his completion was God and his faith was in God. She was challenging him to curse or forsake his faith in God and therefore die. He even in the hard places retained his identity with his Heavenly Father.

A statement that I give to people is: “If you lose integrity to your process you will destroy value to your product!” Only God can lead you through this process. This path is called the “Way of Peace.” However you must understand that God has gifts within the Body of Christ and that many times especially in the places where we are so messed up emotionally we need to hear from and through other people.

If we understood that God desires so much to lead us to the path that is the right way for us. Too many of us are in the spot where we are thinking that He doesn’t desire to help us in any way. However we must realize that He has an unending passion to be in our lives and this is proven by the death on the cross by His son Jesus.

Tuesday October 19, 2010
Remain In The Spirit Of Faith
Read 1 Corinthians 12:25

There are two relevant truths to this statement. Number 1 is that it is impossible to get up from your circumstances in life without God. The number two aspect is that it is impossible to please God without Faith. The evidence of faith occurs in two ways. First is what we are doing and second in what we are saying. James says show me your faith without your works.

You have to grow this faith you do this by “Hearing the Word of the Lord.” Jesus said, “Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.” He was quoting scripture when he said this, Deuteronomy 6:4. This was the time of His testing in the wilderness. Jesus was ministered to and cared for by the Angels at his testing and trying. We are members of the Body of Christ and by God’s design should be cared for by others within the Body.

Wednesday October 20, 2010
God’s Sovereignty
Read Psalms 48:1; 95:3,6;

The sovereignty of God may be defined as the exercise of His supremacy, His infinite rule, His authority and power. Being infinitely elevated above the highest creature in authority, nature, and being, He is the Most High Lord of heaven and earth and all creation whether angels or the heavenly hosts.

Basically, God’s sovereignty means that He is the Supreme Ruler who immanently and personally rules over all the affairs of the universe—and this includes our personal lives both as individuals and as a local body of believers. God’s sovereignty is a place of rest for the child of God, as well as a cause of worship
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One particular place of rest and application in relation to God’s sovereignty and rule is His guidance and work to accomplish His purposes for our lives individually and corporately. Paul has this in mind, at least in part, in Philippians 1:6 when he says: “I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.”

Realizing and acknowledging God is sovereign keeps on the path to peace.

Thursday October 21, 2010
Forgiveness…..Is A Choice!
Read Colossians 3:13

It is not uncommon for Christians to have questions about forgiveness. Forgiveness does not come easy for most of us. Our natural instinct is to recoil in self-protection when we've been injured. We don't naturally overflow with mercy, grace and forgiveness when we've been wronged. Is forgiveness a conscious choice, a physical act involving the will, or is it a feeling, an emotional state of being?

I believe forgiveness is a choice we make through a decision of our will, motivated by obedience to God and his command to forgive. The Bible instructs us to forgive as the Lord forgave us.
How do we forgive when we don't feel like it? How do we translate the decision to forgive into a change of heart? We forgive by faith, out of obedience. Since forgiveness goes against our nature, we must forgive by faith, whether we feel like it or not. We must trust God to do the work in us that needs to be done so that the forgiveness will be complete. I believe God honors our commitment to obey Him and our desire to please him when we choose to forgive. He completes the work in his time. As we walk in obedience to God, we walk on the pathway to peace.

Friday October 22, 2010
Walking In The Atmosphere God Is Releasing
Read James 4:8; 2 Chronicles 15:2; Genesis 32:24,25; Psalm 51:17

We are in a season when God is releasing more and more revelation, and He is opening up the heavens over us. We are discovering that nothing is impossible with God! He is releasing great favor and great blessing on us as we learn to live out of a place of rest. It’s easier for Holy Spirit to come when we are resting and at peace. His goodness and glory will come and our hearts of thanksgiving will change spiritual atmospheres. Do you change atmospheres? The presence of God extinguishes the darkness, if we carry Him into the situations we go into. Praise Him in all circumstances and God will bring breakthrough and blessing!

SPEAKING LIFE! “Eat from the tree of life and speak positively! Show mercy, show love, show kindness. Make sure the words you speak have life in them!” Sue prayed for several people to be healed at the end of the session and Rob came up to give testimony that instead of talking about having high blood pressure God had told him to talk about having blood peace – speaking life starts with the word we speak over ourselves!

The Weekender October 23, 2010
What Path Are You On?
Read 1 Kings 8:56

"Blessed be God, who has given peace to his people Israel just as he said he'd do. Not one of all those good and wonderful words that he spoke through Moses has misfired. May God, our very own God, continue to be with us just as he was with our ancestors—may he never give up and walk out on us. May he keep us centered and devoted to him, following the life path he has cleared, watching the signposts, walking at the pace and rhythms he laid down for our ancestors. 1 Kings 8:56.

Take today and reflect on the path you are on and then asked God to speak to you and show you if you are on the right path. Journal in the space below.

October 11- 16, 2010

2010-10-10T09:26:00.002-05:00

Monday October 11, 2010
Mirror, Mirror
Read Romans 8:9-11

Who would not like to be called the fairest or the bravest or the strongest or the kindest or the wisest of them all? Who would not like to wake up every morning and have the mirror give compliments? Too bad that only happens in fairy tales.

In real life mirrors do not praise us; they reveal the truth about us. They do not flatter us, they unveil us. There’s nothing like looking into the mirror to shock us back to reality. In fact have you ever really looked at yourself in the mirror? Several years ago God ask me to look in the mirror. Then He asked “what do you see?” I said okay God. Well I guess I see and okay guy! Then God said to me” pull off the mask you are wearing!” This startled me for a moment and I was frozen standing there at the mirror. Then He spoke again and told me to “pull off the mask you are wearing!”

Imagine what life would be like if we could stop stepping on stage all the time. Imagine if we could simply be real with God, honest with others and up front about the things that are really important to us. What if we could just be ourselves? Simply me! Simply you! Honest about our shortcomings. Genuine with our love. Transparent about our motives. What if we could remove all masks and just be who we are?

Tuesday October 12, 2010
Examine Your Motives
Matthew 7:1-5

Why do we criticize? There is usually some type of insecurity or character flaw in us that we are trying to keep from coming to the surface. There are two types of criticism, there is good and bad. Good (criticism which we rarely use) is insightful and is meant to bring well being. Bad criticism targets a person in the spirit of anger, frustration, impatience and irritation. Why do we criticize negatively? Bad criticism never is to change another. When we criticize we often find that the root is rage and anger and we use it to conceal a flaw or wrong in ourselves.

Criticism causes the person being criticized to feel resentment. When you criticize another's actions or behaviors, especially in a negative way, it arouses feelings of anger and resentment in most people. Criticism causes the person being criticized to justify his or her actions. It is a natural response for one to become defensive when being criticized. The most common form of defense is justification. When one justifies one's actions, they are convincing themselves even more that they are right. This brings the parties further from resolution.

There will be times when you feel that criticisms and complaints are necessary. Ask yourself first, what do I plan on accomplishing by criticizing? Very often the real answer will be "so I can feel better", in which case, the criticism or complaint is not necessary. If you wish to bring about a change in another's behavior, then you must practice the art of changing people without giving offense or arousing resentment. Criticisms and complaints lead to resentment and ill feelings that rarely bring about positive, lasting changes. Learn to control your emotions by practicing understanding and having empathy. By avoiding criticizing and complaining, you will be better respected in both your personal and professional relationships.

Wednesday October 13, 2010
Jealousy Is Not Reasonable
Read John 3:26-30

Though it is often said that jealousy or envy is the greatest form of flattery, when we are jealous/envious, interaction becomes quite tense. Someone who is truly experiencing these emotions is not thinking clearly. They are distracted by these negative feelings and are unable to openly communicate. Suddenly being jealous or envious of someone becomes an obstacle.

People who are jealous are not being reasonable. Whether you are the jealous one or the object of the jealousy, it's an unpleasant emotion that we perpetuate ourselves. It usually stems from a sense of low self-esteem and the misguided notion that we won't be able to achieve all the things we want. Feeling jealous or envious only makes us feel worse than we already do. When we move through the emotions of jealousy or envy we can become angry and rage can be projected towards the person we are envious of. Make an effort to shift your perspective away from what someone else has done and more towards God and what He has planned for your life.

Thursday October 14, 2010
Watch Your Words
Read Philippians 2:14; Proverbs 4:23; 18:21

Complaining is dangerous business. It can damage or even destroy your relationship with God, your relationships with other people, and even with your relationship with yourself.
It’s easy to complain. We likely don’t realize how much we do it. I believe it’s one of the most challenging things to overcome. Philippians 2:14 says, “Do all things without grumbling and faultfinding and complaining…” (The Amplified Bible). That’s a pretty clear command. And not something anyone can do in their own strength.

Are you speaking life or death? Remember that every word you speak has some kind of effect. Proverbs 18:21 says that our words have the power of life or death in them – the way we speak really does matter. So it makes sense that we should avoid complaining at all cost.
I think of complaining as the enemy’s language. When we do it, we open the door for him to come into a situation and cause trouble. On the other hand, praise and thanksgiving is God’s language. Through thanksgiving and praise we can find freedom.

It’s a difficult process getting to the point of having real freedom. But it’s worth it! We just need to accept that gaining spiritual maturity is going to hurt. Growing up in God is not comfortable. There are times of sacrifice involved. And there will be times when God will ask you to do things and you’ll feel that you can’t stand it – but He’ll give you the grace to do it. Something else that helps me is meditating on scriptures about watching the words of my mouth. Make it your goal to have a constant attitude of gratitude. Resist the temptation to complain and instead praise and thank God for who He is and all He’s done for you. By God’s grace and through His strength, you can overcome complaining and live each day with a thankful heart!

Friday October 15, 2010
Does Gossip Hurt Anyone?
Read Ephesians 4:29, 31-32

Joan the perfect little churchgoer wouldn't be caught dead with the National Enquirer on her coffee table. She doesn't need it. She has her own sources for the "inside scoop" about more local celebrities -- the pastor’s obnoxious wife, the five foot five wavy-haired newcomer whom Juanita brought to church last week, and the latest failing of the pastor she doesn't like.

What's wrong with that? We all talk about what's going on. After all, it's only harmless gossip.

Gossip seldom slows down, it suffers distortion as it passes from mouth to ear. We've all played the party game where the piece of news is whispered at the front of the line bears hardly no resemblance to the initial story by the time it is over with. Further, gossip is nearly always one-sided. It tries a case on the basis of the prosecution's evidence alone. And then, rumors get out of control and the damage cannot be undone. Even though we bear no grudge, we must be on the lookout lest we be sucked into passing the gossip along. Instant recognition of gossip is vital. We should stop the tale-bearer in mid-sentence, if necessary. We ought to challenge our Christian brothers, "Have you confronted the person with this?" To give ear to a nasty tale will not only injure our spirit but encourage gossipers to continue their destruction. We will either be part of the problem or part of the solution.

The Weekender October 16, 2010
God Is Always With You
Judges 6 and 7

Low self esteem comes from a poor self image and means you have no confidence in yourself. Yourself image is based on how you see yourself. Do you think you are a good, reliable, hardworking, honest or friendly person? Do you like what you see when you look in the mirror or do you believe others look better and dress better than you? Low self esteem feeds your negative thinking and causes you to believe the criticism others make of you. Do you take what others say and not speak up? This can cause you to lose confidence so it is vital to end negative thoughts if you want to build your self esteem. We mistakenly compare how we feel with how others behave. Inevitably, most others will behave more happily than we feel. So we conclude that no one else could feel as bad as we do. This creates a vicious circle and our self esteem drops further. Dwelling on the negative is like cancer. It grows and gets worse. It's pretty hard to force yourself just to think differently when you feel so negative.
In Judges 6 & 7, we learn how Gideon was found, cowering in fear and self doubt. He’s hardly a picture of confidence! Gideon, like most who lack confidence withdraws from the world, hiding away from the world. He is a picture of hopelessness in today’s terms; he’s a loser with seriously low self-esteem. An Angel of the Lord finds Gideon hiding like a chicken and calls him a mighty man of valor! The Angel tells Gideon to save Israel,” to go in the strength you have! “I could just imagine what Gideon was thinking. Go in the strength I have, can’t you see I am hiding. God tells Gideon He will always be with him and they would when the battle together.
The great lesson we learn from Gideon is that low self esteem is a hindrance and with God’s help and his belief in all of us we can step up to the plate and accept God-esteem. God’s grace allows you to do the impossible, when it is in his will! If you have a big challenge you need God confidence not self confidence. Most self-confidence evaporates like mist under testing and pressure. But you only need God to believe in you!

October 04 - 09, 2010

2010-10-03T06:30:00.002-05:00

Monday October 04, 2010
The Danger Of Complaining
Read 1 Corinthians 10:1-11

Paul writes In 1 Corinthians 10:1-11, that the children of Israel are our example and they died in the desert because of their idolatry, immorality and complaining. We don’t see complaining as a sin but Paul tells us that it was a sin that cost them their lives. What we say brings life or death. (Proverbs 18:21) We do not realize how offensive complaining is to God. These people who died in the desert were God’s people. They had been saved by the blood, baptized, and were delivered by the power of God and yet they died in the desert because of grumbling and complaining. This was not just a onetime grumbling session but a constant thing as we read the history of their journey in the books of Exodus and Numbers. They left the bondage of Egypt headed to the promise land but like little children on a vacation trip they were complaining about the driver, the food, being thirsty, and will we ever get there. It sounds a lot like us. We have been saved and should be forever grateful but we constantly complain about the smallest inconveniences. They should have been grateful for their salvation but instead they complained constantly about everything. Complaining is habit forming. Are you addicted to complaining? Let’s ask God to help us break the addiction. Make a commitment to make this month a no complaint month. Lord forgive me and deliver me from every complaining!

Tuesday Monday October 05, 2010
YOU’RE NOT CALLED TO BE A CRITIC.
Read James 4:11-12

Complaining is a form of Criticism and we are not called to be critics but servants. We have not been called to judge others but to help others. We have not been called to chart the course of life but to journey with God to the destination. Criticism does not help people it only puts them down and discourages them.
I believe these are some the reasons that cause us to complain and criticize:
Unhappy People complain. If you are an unhappy person nothing makes you happy. (Job 10:1)
You criticize and complain about others because you feel judged and putting them down seems to elevate your standing.
Most People complain because they don’t know all the facts.
Some People complain because they don’t understand the intent of the heart.
Many people complain because they think they know better and can do better.
People complain because they don’t realize that what’s happening is not the destination but only a temporary inconvenience on the road to the promise land.

Why do you complain?

Wednesday Monday October 06, 2010
TURNING FROM COMPLAINTS TO COMPLEMENTS
Read Ephesians 4:29-32

I have a replacement theology. I believe that the only way I can change something wrong in my life is to replace it with something good. Jesus went everywhere doing good. When you spend all your time doing the right thing you don’t have time to do the wrong thing. Webster dictionary defines complaint as: “expression of grief, pain, or dissatisfaction – a formal accusation against a person.” Webster on the other hand defines Complement as: “something that fills up or completes” Complaints bring us down but complements lift us up and fills us up. Let’s lift others and ourselves up through complements. Let’s try complementing people today! Let’s go on a complement search. Look for things that you appreciate in others today and tell them. Look for things you are thankful about and thank God for them. (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

Thursday Monday October 07, 2010
WHAT CAN I DO TO STOP COMPLAINING?
Read Matthew 12:34-37

Since complaining is so evil and destructive what are some practical steps that I can take to overcome this destructive habit? The rest of the week I will be giving 12 practical suggestions on how to overcome the complaint habit.
Suggestions:
1. Ask the Holy Spirit right now to help you? (Romans 8:26) You don’t have to do it alone. God will help.
2. Think before you speak. Ask if this is a complaint or a mplement? (James 1:19)
3. Change your attitude to gratitude. (Ephesians 4:23-24)
4. Mind your’ on business. Don’t listen to complaints and take up other people’s offences. (Matthew 15:12-14)
Try these and look for a change in your attitude this week.

Matt 12:34-37
34 “You nest of poisonous snakes! How can you who are evil say anything good? Your mouths say everything that is in your hearts. 35 A good man says good things. These come from the good that is put away inside him. An evil man says evil things. These come from the evil that is put away inside him. 36 But here is what I tell you. On judgment day, people will have to account for every careless word they have spoken. 37 By your words you will be found guilty or not guilty.” NIrV

Friday Monday October 08, 2010
GIVE SOME GRACE
Read Colossians 4:5-6

It is so easy to see what’s wrong and point it out but God has told us to see things different than the world sees them. God looks through grace filled eyes. Let’s put on His glasses and see the way He does. If anyone had a right to point out fault He did but He didn’t point out our faults but covered the fault with His Grace.
Today’s Suggestions:
1. Look at it from God’s point of view. (2 Corinthians 5:16-18)
2. When people mess up or things are not just right give a little grace and forgive and forget. (Ephesians 4:32)
3. Don’t look from the viewpoint of lack but look for opportunities and possibilities. (Ephesians 3:20-21)
4. Take every opportunity to tell people how much you appreciate them and what they do. Praise people publicly. Do they know how you feel? Tell them. (3 John 12)

Col 4:5-6
5 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders. Make the most of every opportunity. 6 Let the words you speak always be full of grace. Season them with salt. Then you will know how to answer everyone. NirV

SATURDAY Monday October 09, 2010
Eph 1:11 We STOP COMPLAINING AND GET A PLAN
Read Ephesians 1:11

We were also chosen to belong to him. God decided to choose us long ago in keeping with his plan. He works out everything to fit his plan and purpose. NirV
God doesn’t complain but plans and then he works his plan. Complaints don’t change things but doing something about them does. In light of that thought let’s consider the last four suggestions for changing from complaining to complementing:
9. Go directly to the source and ask questions. Get the facts before you make a decision. Don’t comment on what you don’t know to be fact. (1 Corinthians 4:6, The Message Bible)
10. Get a plan and do something to solve the problem. Action always gets things done but complaining does nothing but waste time. (1 Peter 1:13)
11. Take satisfaction in who you are, what you are and where you are. (Psalms 17:15; 1 Corinthians 15:10)
12. Look for the good in everything and everyone.
"Your eyes are windows into your body. If you open your eyes wide in wonder and belief, your body fills up with light. 23 If you live squinty-eyed in greed and distrust, your body is a dank cellar. If you pull the blinds on your windows, what a dark life you will have!
(Matthew 6:22-23 The Message Bible)
Well, we made it to the end of the week. How are you doing? Do you see the change from complaint to complement happening. Remember nothing of lasting significance happens over night but true change takes time. Don’t quit but make a commitment to true change and trust God’s Grace to help you. I believe this will be a life changing month as we seek to do away with complaining in our lives and learn to praise God in all things.

(1 Cor 4:6 All I'm doing right now, friends, is showing how these things pertain to Apollos and me so that you will learn restraint and not rush into making judgments without knowing all the facts. It's important to look at things from God's point of view. I would rather not see you inflating or deflating reputations based on mere hearsay.)

September 27- October 2, 2010

2010-09-27T08:29:00.002-05:00

Monday Sept 27, 2010
Written Conversation With God
Read 1st Corinthians 10:11; Ephesians 3:3

There is something about intimate written conversations that are life changing. One of the things that I have all couples I council before marriage do is write a love to each other that they keep in a marriage workbook that they use for counseling and when they need reminders of why they got married or when they are going through dry times in their marriage it helps them remember their love.

We live in a day where people share their most intimate thoughts for all to read on a service called “facebook”. It is amazing what people will share about themselves in written form. Written communication builds intimacy and everyone needs intimacy. Instead of sharing our written desires, dreams and needs with strangers why not share them with God our creator. He wants you to tell Him your hopes, desires and needs.

Journaling Assignment: Write a love letter to God.

Tuesday Sept 28, 2010
Focused On Him
John 14:26

Journaling is an intimate reminder of our relationship to God. It reminds us of who He is and who we are. It is the Words of God to us that keep our hearts warm and minds focused on Him. We sometimes need to be reminded of what our eternal lover says.

Journaling Assignment: God who am I too you?

Wednesday Sept 29, 2010
Record Your Spiritual Journey
Read 1 Corinthians 10:11

Journaling reminds us of where we have come from and keeps us focused on where we are going. As the writer of Luke tells us it gives us an orderly account of the words and events of the life of Christ. It helps us see the whole picture and how it all fits together. Journaling with God will allow us to look back and see how He has been working in our lives.

Journaling Assignment: Am I moving in the direction you want me to move in?

Thursday Sept 30, 2010
Understanding and Revelation Of The Plan
Read 1st Corinthians 10:16; 1st Corinthians 14:5; 31
Journaling helps us understand God, ourselves and others. God knows us better than we know ourselves. Why not get our information straight from the source? Journaling helps us remember the dreams and visions that God has given us. Through doing this He can reveal His plans to us concerning our future.

Journaling Assignment: Ask God what His plans are for your future.

Friday Oct 01, 2010
Journaling Builds Faith
Read John 14:28-29; Isaiah 46:9-11

Journaling builds our faith in God and what He is saying to us. We write down what God says to us and it happens it builds our faith and lets us know that we in fact are hearing from God.. It gives us confidence to step out and do what God is telling us to do.

Journaling Assignment: Father what faith building rhema do you have for me at this moment?

The Weekender Oct 02, 2010
Written Record
Romans 15:4; Psalms 102:18

Journaling can be a written witness to others of our faith and relationship with God. it is hard for us to share in person our inner most feelings, especially our faith. It is much easier to write it down. Sharing these may just help someone or completely change their lives.

Journaling Assignment: Take a moment and journal your thankfulness for His love for you.

September 20-25, 2010

2010-09-27T08:22:00.002-05:00

Monday Sept 20, 2010
Hearing To Speak
Read John 14:10, 24, 26

The most vital issue in the life of a Christian is to hear from God. Why is it so vital to hear God? It is vital because God created us as His vessels to speak His Word into His creation. It is vital for you hear from God that is how you get wisdom. God created Adam with the ability to hear God’s voice and he gave him the ability to speak it. Adam was God’s representative in the earth to speak His Word to His creation and to bring it into order. Because Adam ate from the tree of knowledge man began to speak independently from the voice of God, which was not in His plan.

We need to have a hearing heart because unless we hear from God we will be stuck where we are the rest of our lives. Success comes by hearing God's voice on an everyday continuing basis. We have to be spending time with someone in order to recognize and hear their voice, it is the same with God. Our pastor tells us that one of our fellow members (Ray Wilson) reminded him that God gave Adam the command to keep the garden, yet he gave him no tools. I asked Ray and he said he believed that he would keep the garden by speaking the words of God to it. He pruned it by the words of God. How do we do this? By spending time in reading the Bible and in prayer and you will be able to hear him. Once you hear him, take that word and speak it into your life. We must speak the words of God to the lifeless and unproductive things around us. We must speak life and death to what God speaks too. When we speak God's own words over our circumstances and over our lives we are diligently depositing in our hearts building materials to construct our lives. The Word itself contains the power to produce what it says. Just as when God said, “Let there be light” and there was light, healing Scriptures contain within them the capacity to produce healing.

The word of God is alive and powerful. God created the world and the universe by SPEAKING. Be consistent and God will make a way for his own words to be carried out in your life. Just remember to stay in the Bible and really get to know God and hear his voice and his words he speaks to you. We should deposit these things and sow these things into our lives by our "Eye gate", "Ear gate", and by our "Mouth gate". What we sow is made of material we can't naturally see, it is invisible. God uses the invisible things to build the visible things into our lives.

Tuesday Sept 21, 2010
Speaking From Experience
Read John 3:11-14

Jesus said, "You're a respected teacher of Israel and you don't know these basics? Listen carefully. I'm speaking sober truth to you. I speak only of what I know by experience; I give witness only to what I have seen with my own eyes. There is nothing secondhand here, no hearsay. Yet instead of facing the evidence and accepting it, you procrastinate with questions. If I tell you things that are plain as the hand before your face and you don't believe me, what use is there in telling you of things you can't see, the things of God? "No one has ever gone up into the presence of God except the One who came down from that Presence, the Son of Man. (The Message)

Jesus our example spoke the word of God into the earth He is the word made flesh. Jesus spoke and did what he heard and saw in the heavens. We much like Nicodemus focus on what is happening here, but Jesus focused on what was happening in the heavens. Jesus spoke of what He knew and what He had seen. We cannot speak until we hear and see it. This is why it is so important that we learn how to hear God’s voice. If we are not focused on Him and quieting ourselves to hear from Him, then we cannot be effective as representatives of Him. We cannot represent or speak of things that we have not experienced.

Are you speaking from experience?

Wednesday Sept 22, 2010
When The Tongue Speaks
Read Proverbs 18:21;

The tongue is a very useful tool in our bodies which was designed to aid us in many ways, such as in eating, fighting sickness, and speaking. However, in the spiritual sense, the tongue can be a blessing or a very dangerous weapon. According to the bible, the tongue can build-up and bring healing or tear-down and bring destruction. It can cause strife and pain and it can bless or curse. It is the key to open the heavens in praise, worship and prayer or the key to open the gates of hell and build strongholds, put out curses, and brings oppression, sickness and disease of the mind, body, and spirit. It can be the most powerful weapon used, especially among Christians, to separate and divide God's children within the Kingdom of God.

The Lord blesses us with many gifts. Some individuals are blessed with the gift of speech and prophesy and when led by the Holy Spirit, will use their gift to edify the body of Christ. Yet others, who are ruled by their sinful flesh (envy, jealousy, anger, pride, idolatry, etc.) and fail to walk in the light, will use it to tear down and hurt their fellow brothers and sisters in Christ and will open doors and allow access to religious spirits to work in them. The influence of this spirit will exploit that person's weakness to lash out at others while covering-up their ill-intent with scriptures. This behavior is not of God! No matter how one coats their words or message with biblical scriptures, their hurtful words go against all of God's teachings and commandments. We are to encourage others and we are to walk in love of others. We are to activate others by what we say not deactivate them. We need to speak to peoples divine purpose, we need to speak God’s word to them, when we do this we activate them.

Thursday Sept 23, 2010
Speak The Word
Read Romans 8:22-27
It's vital to speak God's Word. Find yourHis voice! Every day wake up and speak God's word - not your own words- to the circumstances of your life. One vital key to speaking God’s word is hearing His voice; if you are not hearing His voice then you cannot speak life changing words over yourself. If you are not hearing His voice there could be several reasons as to why. Things that block hearing from God are unbelief and an undeveloped spirit. To believe you simply make a choice and a decision that you will stand firm on and believe it no matter what. To develop your spirit you need to read and meditate daily on the word of God, the Bible. You need to obey the word and pray and listen for God's voice in your life. To Hear we need to expect to hear and we need to balance and confirm what we hear with the teachings of the word of God. Unbelief is sin. If God said it, we should believe it. He says that the Spirit of Truth will guide us and tell us things so we must believe that. He says he will teach me and profit me and I believe it. One word from God can change our circumstances in life; he has a million ways of how to work things out that we cannot even see.

Sometimes when we speak the word of God over our lives we are speaking what is not as though it were already. This is done in faith. We know God's word to be true and instead of saying "I am sick today." we can say "I know God said to ask him and it will be given so I asked for healing and have it coming to me as I speak this now." Learn to hear God’s voice so you can speak His word.

Friday Sept 24, 2010
Nothing To Speak
Read John 15: 5

I am the Vine, you are the branches. When you're joined with me and I with you, the relation intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant. Separated, you can't produce a thing. Anyone who separates from me is deadwood, gathered up and thrown on the bonfire. But if you make yourselves at home with me and my words are at home in you, you can be sure that whatever you ask will be listened to and acted upon. This is how my Father shows who he is—when you produce grapes, when you mature as my disciples. John 15:5 (The Message)

Pastor said he woke up one morning hearing the words you can do nothing without me. Without Him we have nothing to say that is any benefit to the world around us. We often forget that this thing is bigger than us. When we are asked to speak about the things of God and we speak out from our own mind, we have nothing to speak about. When we forget to invite the Holy Spirit to speak through us then we you will speak about nothing. Without the Holy Spirit our words can’t help anyone because they are our words and not God’s It’s never to be about us or what we think but it’s always about Jesus and what He is saying. His words are powerful and meaningful. Our words are empty without the Holy Spirit.

Are you speaking empty words or are you speaking the words of He who is the “I AM”?

The Weekender Sept 25 - 26, 2010
Speak To The Impossibilities
Read Matthew 17:20; 21:21

What is a mountain in a believer's life? The mountain is the problem in your life. A mountain is anything that is a barrier to you completing God's Will. A mountain is anything that is slowing down or impeding your progress in the Kingdom of God. Many believers spend time praying to God about their mountain. They describe the mountain in full detail to God. They inform God of the exact dimensions of the mountain. They cry and moan to God about what a hindrance or impossibility the mountain is in their life. Some people even use the "mountain" as an excuse for nonperformance in their Christian life. Some people make up doctrines and traditions about God, to justify why the mountain is still in their life. Many believers will pray to God for Him to speak to their mountain. God will never do what he has commanded you to do. You pray to God to receive what Jesus has made available to you. It is your responsibility to speak to the mountain in your life.

Praying and fasting will not move a mountain. Prayer and fasting deals with unbelief and/or lack of confidence in God's Word. Many people get into natural unbelief by what they see, hear, touch, smell, taste or even feel. You must not allow natural unbelief to be a counter weight to faith. Your spirit man must not be dominated by your un-regenerated fallen flesh. You must sow to the Spirit and reap life. Prayer is about your relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Prayer will increase your confidence about your relationship with God. Prayer is how you receive from God. Prayer and fasting will move you into a more confident [faithful] position to speak to the mountain. Jesus didn't tell us to pray to God about our mountain. He said for us to speak to the mountain; speak to the mountain in His Name. Jesus didn't tell us to ignore or deny the mountain or problem. We are not to say, "I don't have a mountain" or "what problem?" We are not to practice positive thinking and say over and over; "I can climb over that mountain, I will go around that mountain, it want stop me". A positive attitude is always good. But a positive attitude is not what Jesus said to do with mountains. Jesus said to speak to the mountain or problem and tell it to be moved. Jesus said that any believer can tell a mountain, "You be lifted up and thrown into the sea", or "Go, throw yourself into the sea", or "Go jump in the lake -no shuffling or shilly-shallying-and it's as good as done". Jesus says, "if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, move from here to there, and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you". A believer [not a doubter], can say to the mountain [problem] be moved to some other dimension that I don't inhabit. Speak to the impossibilities

September 13-19, 2010

2010-09-17T23:03:00.003-05:00

Monday September 13, 2010
The Way, The Truth, The Life
Read John 14:6

“As long as you believe in God and try to be a good person, it doesn’t matter what religion you belong to.” “There are different paths up the mountain, but they all lead to the summit.” How many times have you heard people say such things? It’s Politically Correct! Tolerant! and Reasonable! We live in a society that preaches this, but Jesus says it’s wrong! “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father but by me.” Over the past few weeks we have been going through the “How To Hear God’s Voice” study. We must realize that man was the one who set up the roadblock with God by sinning. This has hampered our ability to Hear God when he speaks, He, however made a provision to tear down this roadblock and that provision was Jesus.

Jesus is the way. Indeed he is a two way street. In him, God comes to meet us, holding back, offering everything of who he is and what he has. Through Him and Him alone, we have access to God to such a degree that we can now call him Abba, Father.

Jesus is the truth. Not just some truth but the entire truth. He is God’s definitive and perfect Word expressing who God is, what He’s like, who we are, and what we need to do to be saved from misery and futility.

And Jesus is the life. He gives us not only commandments and noble ideals, but also the power to live them out, the power to become new people. That Power is the Lord and Giver of Life Himself, the Holy Spirit, who Jesus pours out on those who accept Him.

So there is only one Way, one Truth, one Life, and one Priest who offers a perfect sacrifice for sins. God, Our Father longs to share Himself with us in every possible way. Jesus wants to be our Way, Truth and our Life. He wants to show us the way to walk, He wants to be the vessel in which we hear and communicate with Our Heavenly Father.

Tuesday September 14, 2010
Light My Path
Read Psalms 119:105

The fellowship of the Holy Spirit represents a potent partnership. Partnerships are formed in the business world to enhance growth, productivity and profit. Partners strategize together and share in all successes and failures. When we consider the fellowship of the Holy Spirit He will always be the Senior Partner and we the junior partners because He brings so much more to the table than us. His resources are infinite, His knowledge Divine, His strategies perfect, His methods above reproach. He outranks everyone but always secures a place at the table for us! We will do well to allow Him to strategize, plan and plot directions and determine destinies. We should follow and listen and be prudent to execute His plans with precision and passion. The Holy Spirit wants to illuminate our path as we continue on this journey of life. As partners we will share in all His victories. He never fails. We will see our lives grow into all the Father intended. The Holy Spirit specializes to transform the written instructions of the word of God into practical applications and demonstrations of success. Partner with Him on every level. Get His input, advice and suggestions before making decisions. Remember the door to His “office” is always open to you. Not only do we share in the victories and successes the Holy Spirit generates in us as a result of our obedience to His instructions, He also shares in our failures and challenges we face in real life situations. (Romans 8:26 “So too the Holy Spirit comes to our aid and bears us up in our weakness”) He is our Comforter. He brings joy in the place of sorrow and gives beauty for ashes. In this amazing fellowship with Him all things work together for good for those who love God.

Wednesday September 15, 2010
Fellowship With The Spirit
Read John 14:10, 16

The fellowship of the Holy Spirit is not one-way traffic. It is a sharing of wills, feelings, and knowledge. You share what you have and know with Him and He shares what He has and knows with you! Remember what Jesus said about the Holy Spirit? “He will tell you whatever He hears from the Father; He will give the message that has been given to Him, and He will announce and declare to you the things that are to come. He will honor and glorify Me because He will take of what is Mine and will reveal it to you.

Compared to our knowledge His is infinitely greater! He knows the secrets of Heaven. He has access to the heart of the Father. Whatever the Father speaks, He hears and will communicate it to you! That means that you can be up to date with whatever is current in the throne room of heaven. The Holy Spirit prepares your heart for what is to come. You’ll be able to anticipate and prepare your heart for future events. He is heaven’s Distributor! Through Him you are well equipped to face any challenge. You are resourced for whatever life throws at you! Not only that, but within the fellowship of the Holy Spirit you can communicate your needs, desires and heart with the Lord. His fellowship is not a dictatorship. It is not a monologue. We should welcome the Holy Spirit into our lives. We should appreciate Him, adore Him and recognize Him.

Thursday September 16, 2010
Destructive Speech
Read James 3:6, Acts 6:11

What is the most destructive force on the face of the earth? I cannot answer that question for sure but it seems to me that a force more destructive than famine, fire, drought or bombs is the evil force of the tongue. Bombs destroy and maim the physical body, but criticism, gossip and backbiting destroy or maim a person’s reputation, which affects body, soul, spirit, heart and mind. Millions of people are spiritually killed yearly by a vicious tongue.

The Bible has more to say about the tongue than about many of the major doctrines of the Christian Faith. There are Christians who would give up their lives in martyrdom for the basics of the Christian Faith, but they would never think of giving their tongues over to God. Often Christians do not have their tongues under control and this affects their Christian walk. If we ARE hearing God’s voice then we should be learning to bring our tongues under control. I do not want to be guilty of speaking what satan is currently speaking. I want to be speaking what Father God is speaking. We can only do that when we focus on His words, we can only dothat through our fellowship of the Holy Spirit.

Take a moment and reflect! Whose words are you speaking?

Friday September 17, 2010
Whose Thoughts Are They?
Read 2 Corinthians 10:4,

This scripture is awesome. Within, I gather our weapons of battle are eternal in God and with them we can take captive even our thoughts that are not in line with Christ's will. There are lying and deceiving spirits out there. I don't believe even the most righteous have been immune to a wicked thought popping into their mind. I really think it's a matter of what we do with the thought that determines if it becomes our sin or not.

You might have heard it said, "if you tell it to yourself something enough, eventually you are going to believe it." I think there is a lot of truth to this. When a sinful thought comes to mind do you entertain it? Do you bat the thought around in your mind or do you bring it into captivity by rejecting it and moving your thinking to something more wholesome? I believe continuing to entertain sinful thoughts, will bring you down and weaken your faith.
The Bible tells us to be sober-minded; awake and alert in our minds. I found the more I have taken bad thoughts captive, the easier it has become to do so. If you're struggling with unwholesome thoughts, you might want to use those opportunities for seeking God in prayer. The act of prayer alone should help you become refocused and in a healthier frame of mind. God wants your mind and heart filled with Him and His word, not corruption and sin which will eventually destroy you.

The Weekender September 18-19, 2010
Christ Living In Us!
Read Galatians 2:20

We were made to be like Jesus—but how is that different than trying to be like Buddha or Confucius? How is Christianity different from other religions that tell people to imitate a highly respected role model? It is different in several ways. First, most religions teach some form of works as the path of salvation—saying the right prayers, doing the right things, hoping it will be enough. They imply that people can be good enough if they try hard enough.

But Christianity teaches that we all need grace because we cannot be good enough no matter how hard we try. The point of grace, and of Jesus’ sacrifice, is that no amount of good works or religious deeds can ever save anyone. If such a path could have been designed, then God would have done it. The Christian gospel teaches that no one can earn salvation, and yet it is available to all, because Jesus gives it to us. Second, most religions tell us to change our behavior, and they expect us to supply all the effort. Christianity says that God himself will supply the power we need to change our lives. We humans have gotten ourselves into this mess, and we can’t rescue ourselves. The power of salvation must come from God.

We are not trying to transform ourselves into the image of Christ—we want to let God do it in us. The Bible describes this as the Holy Spirit living in us, God living in us, or Jesus Christ living in us. The power to change our behavior comes from him, not from within ourselves. It is his work, not anything we can take credit for. Third, most religions motivate people through threats and desire for reward. Christianity motivates us through grace and love. We obey God not out of fear, but out of love and thankfulness for what he has done. And we are confident that he has given us the best instructions possible on how to live.

Christianity says that we were created for a purpose, and that purpose is eternal happiness living with a supremely loving God. Jesus is not just an example of how we ought to live—he is also an example of what salvation means. He lives in eternal glory, and says that we can join him in that glory, if we trust him.

September 06-11, 2010

2010-09-10T20:13:00.004-05:00

Monday September 06, 2010
Recognizing the Voice of God
Read John 15: John 10:27

This question has been asked by countless people throughout the ages. Samuel heard the voice of God, but did not recognize it until he was instructed by Eli. Gideon had a physical revelation from God, and he still doubted what he had heard to the point of asking for a sign, not once, but three times. When we are listening for God's voice, how can we know that He is the one speaking? First of all, we have something that Gideon and Samuel did not. We have the complete Bible, the inspired Word of God, to read, study, and meditate on. “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work”. When we have a question about a certain topic or decision in our lives, we should see what the Bible has to say about it. God will never lead us or direct us contrary to what He has taught or promised in His Word.

Second, to hear God's voice we must recognize it. Jesus said, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me”. Those who hear God’s voice are those who belong to Him—those who have been saved by His grace through faith in the Lord Jesus. These are the sheep who hear and recognize His voice, because they know Him as their Shepherd and they know His voice. If we are to recognize God's voice, we must belong to Him.

Third, we hear His voice when we spend time in prayer, Bible study, and quiet contemplation of His Word. The more time we spend intimately with God and His Word, the easier it is to recognize His voice and His leading in our lives. Employees at a bank are trained to recognize counterfeits by studying genuine money so closely that it is easy to spot a fake. We should be so familiar with God’s Word that when God does speak to us or lead us, it is clear that it is God. God speaks to us so that we may understand truth. By applying what we hear to the truth of Scripture, we can learn to recognize His voice.

Tuesday September 07, 2010
Keeping Your Heart Pure
Read Hebrews 10:23-25

God the Father is not the only one who seeks to place his spontaneous thoughts into our minds. Just as the Holy Spirit speaks to us words of comfort and words that will encourage and build us up, the accuser, satan wants to project negative thoughts, feelings and discouragement on us as well. He will accuse you and tell you how unworthy you are to come into the presence of a Holy God. He will remind you of your weaknesses and of sins already confessed and he will try to tell you that there is no forgiveness for you and that the blood Jesus shed is not sufficient to cover your sins.

Does any of this sound familiar? Have any of these thoughts appeared uninvited into your mind? You do not have to put up with these thoughts! By the authority of Jesus Christ, we can reject the words of the enemy and replace them with the peace of the Holy Spirit. We must keep a watch over our hearts, protecting it from the lies of the enemy. We also must keep watch so that no other person’s negative, destructive spirit can become an influence on our lives. It is very easy to be drawn into bitterness, anger and despair and be drawn into the conversation of those around us. If at all possible, try to avoid people who consistently wallow in sin, hopelessness or criticism. It is important to come together with other believers who encourage love and doing good for others. There are four things that help us in keeping our heart pure: A sincere heart, fullness of faith, a heart sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and a body washed by water. These are the final elements needed for us to see that we need to have day to day, moment by moment, intimate fellowship with God. When we have a one on one intimate relationship with the Father, this keeps our heart pure and that leaves no room for the accuser to intrude.

Wednesday September 08, 2010
The Purifying Fire
Read Matthew 3:11

The first true appearance of God, to Moses, revealed Him as fire. God had made Himself known to Abraham and his family, as the Most High God, as an Unseen Voice directing them. God showed Moses He was fire, as in the burning bush. When Moses recounted Israel’s wanderings, he referred to “the goodwill of him who dwelt in the bush”, Deut 33:16.

He came to deliver Israel but the bush meant no goodwill for Egypt! With an outstretched hand and mighty arm He brought Pharaoh to his doom. Inevitably there are two aspects to deliverance. To deliver anyone FROM something He must deal with what holds them. If it is human, too bad for them, but the basic intention of God is compassion not destruction.

The fire of God led Israel through the trackless wilderness, lit their altars and sheltered them like a mother with her children but the same holy fire destroyed usurping priests, yet rested on the 120 disciples on the day of Pentecost. The fire of God is always the same. God is a burning furnace of dancing flames with multi-effects, dividing, searching, testing, aggressive, enlightening, warming, exhilarating, guiding, and life-changing. Through spending time with God he refines and purifies us, it His Holy Spirit that changes our lives forever. It does not matter who you are, but where stand with God whether He is a consuming fire or your protective shield. It is the test of our experience – does the fire burn us, or burn with joy in our souls?

Thursday September 09, 2010
Testing Revelation
Read Mark 7:16

There are many factors other than the Holy Spirit that can influence our spirit and cause impurities in how we hear God. In order to not be misled by other influences, we must test any kind of revelation for evidence of other influences. Vision and revelation from God, satan or ourselves, will each have very distinctive characteristics. Thoughts from our own spirit are born in meditation and this brings a progressive building of ideas based on what we have learned. If we have been feeding on what is worldly or evil that will be what comes out of our heart. If we are guarding our spirit, only what is good and pure is what our spirit will reflect.

Satan flashes ideas or images into our mind and they are destructive and evil. Many times they bring us into fear and/or bondage and often times we feel pressured and compelled to obey their prompting. Their thoughts are contrary to both the nature and spirit of God.

Revelation from the Holy Spirit is encouraging and comforting. It has not fear of testing and even encourages it. It is completely in harmony with the nature and word of God. Rhema quickens our faith and brings peace to our inner man. It encourages the development of the fruit of the Spirit in my life. Every revelation should also be compared to the written word of God. The word of God is our absolute standard of truth and any revelation from God will be in perfect agreement with the letter and spirit of the word.

Friday September 10, 2010
Praying Until You Praise
Read Philippians 4:6-7

Don’t fret or worry! Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It is wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life. Philippians 4:6-7 (The Message)

A need has not really been prayed for until it has been overcome by the power and promises of God, and until you have entered into peace. We are to begin our prayer by presenting our request to God and then we move into supplication which is a more intense form of prayer. But how do we move from asking to thanking? How do we move from begging to receiving? This comes by taking the time to feel the movement of God. He may show us or tell us that the request has been granted. Sometimes there may be a lifting of the burden or simply a sense of peace. We relax in the knowledge that He is in control. We must let the peace of God rule in our hearts determining when the matter is settled and praise can break forth.

The Weekender September 11 & 12, 2010
The Movement of God in Prayer
Read Romans 8:26

There is an inclination to think of prayer as an activity of the believer. We decide to pray for, how to pray, and what answer we want. We come to God and present our request but this view only represents a part of the true picture of prayer. Romans 8; 26 says “The moment we get tired in the waiting, God’s Spirit is along side of us helping us along.” If we don’t know how or what to pray it does not matter. He does our praying in and for us making prayer out of our wordless sighs and our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition and keeps us present before God.

Because we don’t know how to pray as we should, the Holy Spirit works through us in our weakness. There is no need to hide our weakness or struggle in our weakness. We must learn to rest in the dependence upon the Lord to work through our frailty. His strength is perfected in our weakness. God himself will be the initiator of our prayers when a need is presented to us. If we will wait quietly before Him, the Holy Spirit will form the proper words for us. If we will still our hearts before Him in worship and contact the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, He will reveal to us the way we should pray. When the Holy Spirit has taken hold of us, giving us wisdom an how to pray, we can then speak what the Lord has revealed.