Exodus 17:11-12 (New International Version, ©2010)
11 As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. 12 When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset.
Have you ever been in a position where you were overwhelmed in your responsibility or grew tired holding it together? We’ve all had jobs whether at home, work or church where we had our hands full and we needed an extra hand to help us out. There used to be an old colloquial saying, “Can you lend me a hand?” meaning you wanted someone to assist you because the task you were attempting required more hands than just yours.
It’s been said that when we get to heaven our elbows will not bend. We will not be able to feed ourselves. If you don’t believe me try putting your hand to your mouth without bending your elbow. In order to eat in heaven we will have to feed each other. If it’s like that in Heaven we better start down here on earth. (This is not in the bible just allegory) J
The only hand we are accustomed to giving today is the applause from a crowd of spectators commending our accomplishments without any assistance. If we are going to win against the enemy and build the Kingdom of God we are going to need some more hands.
When the Children of Israel escaped Egypt it was not long before they were attacked by an enemy called the Amalekites. These ex-slaves were not use to fighting so they needed supernatural assistance from God. Moses lifted his rod and his hands toward heaven; because that was the only help he knew to ask for. After all God just parted the Red Sea by lifting his hands so why not go for a repeat? When we lift our hands in praise and worship we are telling God you are the only help I know of that can get me out of this. I need a hand! As long as Moses held up his hands with the staff the Israelites were winning but when he got tired and let them down the Amalekites would win. Moses needed a hand because his arms were getting tired. Even that which looks easy can become a burden if you do it for a long time. Aaron and Hur came and held Moses hands up until the battle was won.
As mature Christians, we have to stop being spectators and sitting back applauding leaders whose arms are growing tired. Your leaders need your help to hold up their arms by lending them a hand. Praying for them, assisting them administratively, volunteering your service, and being obedient to what they ask you to do. When was the last time you offered your assistance to your pastor, coach, President or boss?
Another time Moses was wearing himself out sitting alone all day judging the cases of all the people from sun up to sundown. His father-in-law Jethro said, “You are going to wear yourself out working by yourself. This ain't good! The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone. Exodus 18:18
Jethro gave Moses a suggestion. You need some more Hands!
Exodus 18:21-22 (New International Version, ©2010)
21 But select capable men from all the people—men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. 22 Have them serve as judges for the people at all times, but have them bring every difficult case to you; the simple cases they can decide themselves. That will make your load lighter, because they will share it with you.
We need a hand! It’s time to come off the sideline and be active in your church, school, or community and tell your leader I’m here to lend a hand so you will not wear out.
Dear God,
Help me to lend a helping hand today. Give me a sensitivity to know when my leaders arms are growing tired and show me how to assist them so the battle can be fought and the victory be won. Use my gifts and abilities to bless the Kingdom by lending a hand today.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Stand Still!
Exodus 14:14
The Lord will fight for you; you need only to stand still.
When I was younger and was assigned by my mother to go find something for her, I oftentimes became confused and bewildered in the maze of her closet. I would be unsuccessful especially when it was looking for something in that ‘no man’s land of a closet.” I would wander aimlessly through the house looking for what she told me to find. She would get exasperated and tell me, “just be still! Running around here like a chicken with your head cut off.” You can only appreciate this analogy of confusion if at any time you have witnessed your grandmother grabbing a chicken by its head and twirling it around in the air until its head came off. The chicken would then run around the yard with no head until it died! Then we had chicken for dinner that night.
When we find ourselves in unchartered territory and the enemy is on our trail, sometimes it's tempting to lose our heads and just start running around frantic. A wise person keeps their heads in a crisis while everyone else is losing theirs. Isaiah 26:3 says, “God will keep you in perfect peace when your mind is stayed on him.”
Moses and the children of Israel were fresh out of bondage when they found themselves at a dead end. God led them there to get some Glory out of the situation. The people were running around like chickens with their heads cut off because Pharaoh’s army was hotly pursuing them and the Red Sea was in front of them.
The people started to panic and told Moses, “Why didn’t you just let us stay slaves in Egypt? Why did you bring us out here to die?” Sometimes when we are fresh out of bondage and we struggle for the first time, what we left looks better than where we are. What’s amazing is that we forget how miserable we were in Egypt because it looks so bad where we are presently. All we have to do is to listen to Moses. Moses tells the children of Israel:
1. Do not be afraid. Fear is False Evidence Appearing Real. There is something God is trying to accomplish in this situation and the people are in danger of missing it because the threat looks more dangerous than it really is.
2. Stand firm. Have some confidence and some courage that God didn’t ‘bring you this far to leave you.
3. The Lord will fight for you. Yolanda Adams said it best, “this battle is not yours, it’s the Lords.”
4. Be Still. Quit running around like a chicken with your head cut off. What you are looking for is right there in front of you. God is a present help in the time of trouble.
Moses said, “The enemies you see today you will never see again!” Today you will see a great deliverance from the lord if you only keep still! That’s good news. God is going to deliver you today in the presence of your enemies if you just keep still. Be still and know that the Lord he is God!
Dear God,
Thank you for bringing me out of bondage. Now help me as I transition from what I’m used to, to where I’m destined to be. God make a way out of no way today. Thank you for fighting my battles when it seems I’m out numbered. I’m expecting a miracle today to get me over to where you want me to be.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
The Lord will fight for you; you need only to stand still.
When I was younger and was assigned by my mother to go find something for her, I oftentimes became confused and bewildered in the maze of her closet. I would be unsuccessful especially when it was looking for something in that ‘no man’s land of a closet.” I would wander aimlessly through the house looking for what she told me to find. She would get exasperated and tell me, “just be still! Running around here like a chicken with your head cut off.” You can only appreciate this analogy of confusion if at any time you have witnessed your grandmother grabbing a chicken by its head and twirling it around in the air until its head came off. The chicken would then run around the yard with no head until it died! Then we had chicken for dinner that night.
When we find ourselves in unchartered territory and the enemy is on our trail, sometimes it's tempting to lose our heads and just start running around frantic. A wise person keeps their heads in a crisis while everyone else is losing theirs. Isaiah 26:3 says, “God will keep you in perfect peace when your mind is stayed on him.”
Moses and the children of Israel were fresh out of bondage when they found themselves at a dead end. God led them there to get some Glory out of the situation. The people were running around like chickens with their heads cut off because Pharaoh’s army was hotly pursuing them and the Red Sea was in front of them.
The people started to panic and told Moses, “Why didn’t you just let us stay slaves in Egypt? Why did you bring us out here to die?” Sometimes when we are fresh out of bondage and we struggle for the first time, what we left looks better than where we are. What’s amazing is that we forget how miserable we were in Egypt because it looks so bad where we are presently. All we have to do is to listen to Moses. Moses tells the children of Israel:
1. Do not be afraid. Fear is False Evidence Appearing Real. There is something God is trying to accomplish in this situation and the people are in danger of missing it because the threat looks more dangerous than it really is.
2. Stand firm. Have some confidence and some courage that God didn’t ‘bring you this far to leave you.
3. The Lord will fight for you. Yolanda Adams said it best, “this battle is not yours, it’s the Lords.”
4. Be Still. Quit running around like a chicken with your head cut off. What you are looking for is right there in front of you. God is a present help in the time of trouble.
Moses said, “The enemies you see today you will never see again!” Today you will see a great deliverance from the lord if you only keep still! That’s good news. God is going to deliver you today in the presence of your enemies if you just keep still. Be still and know that the Lord he is God!
Dear God,
Thank you for bringing me out of bondage. Now help me as I transition from what I’m used to, to where I’m destined to be. God make a way out of no way today. Thank you for fighting my battles when it seems I’m out numbered. I’m expecting a miracle today to get me over to where you want me to be.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Shortest, Fastest or Longest?
Exodus 13:17
When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, “If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.”
There is a way that seems right to a man but in the end leads to destruction. Whenever I use my Navigational system, I enter my destination and it always asks me to choose my preference for my route; shortest, fastest or other. Most of the time I push shortest because I like to get there quickly but there are other times when I want to avoid traffic lights and residential obstacles and I opt for fastest.
Then sometimes "other" is a mixture of the two. When God give us our destination he has the same options. The only thing is that he adds a fourth one and it’s his choice to choose it based upon where you are spiritually. He has shortest, fastest, shorter and longest.
Shortest is when you are ready, you’ve matured in Christ and God can promote you.
Fastest is when God takes you from the back of the line to the front of the line because you have been obedient.
Other is when God takes you an unexpected route because you ran into the unexpected but you still end up in the place he said he was going to take you.
Longest is when God is trying to work some things out before your arrival.
The children of Israel had been slaves in Egypt for 430 years. Pharaoh finally relented and let them go with Moses. God was going to take them to the Promised Land; it should have taken them 4 days, instead it took them 40 years! The bible says they could have gone through Philistine country because that was shorter but instead they took the desert road because that was longer. Why did he take them the longer route? Because if they would have went to war right after slavery they might have gone back to Egypt. They were armed for war but not prepared for war. God had equipped them but not empowered them. God is not going to set you up for failure. He’s got to prepare you first.
Enroute he provided Navigational assistance. It was the first Onstar. His star was on, his presence was On. God’s presence was a cloud by day and fire by night. His presence never left them.
Then he gave them the “other” route. When they were at the Red Sea at a seemingly dead end God made a highway through the waterway. He dried up the Red Sea so the people could walk through on dry ground. Sometimes, God’s got to take you the long way and then if you get stuck he will take you the other way.
Today, don’t despair if it seems like God is taking you the long way because there is something that he is preparing you for that you can’t handle right now. Let God guide you in a New Direction!
Dear God,
Lead me; guide me, along the way for if you lead me I will not stray. Thank you for getting me where you want me to be when you wanted me to be there. I will follow you wherever you lead me, however long it takes me.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, “If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.”
There is a way that seems right to a man but in the end leads to destruction. Whenever I use my Navigational system, I enter my destination and it always asks me to choose my preference for my route; shortest, fastest or other. Most of the time I push shortest because I like to get there quickly but there are other times when I want to avoid traffic lights and residential obstacles and I opt for fastest.
Then sometimes "other" is a mixture of the two. When God give us our destination he has the same options. The only thing is that he adds a fourth one and it’s his choice to choose it based upon where you are spiritually. He has shortest, fastest, shorter and longest.
Shortest is when you are ready, you’ve matured in Christ and God can promote you.
Fastest is when God takes you from the back of the line to the front of the line because you have been obedient.
Other is when God takes you an unexpected route because you ran into the unexpected but you still end up in the place he said he was going to take you.
Longest is when God is trying to work some things out before your arrival.
The children of Israel had been slaves in Egypt for 430 years. Pharaoh finally relented and let them go with Moses. God was going to take them to the Promised Land; it should have taken them 4 days, instead it took them 40 years! The bible says they could have gone through Philistine country because that was shorter but instead they took the desert road because that was longer. Why did he take them the longer route? Because if they would have went to war right after slavery they might have gone back to Egypt. They were armed for war but not prepared for war. God had equipped them but not empowered them. God is not going to set you up for failure. He’s got to prepare you first.
Enroute he provided Navigational assistance. It was the first Onstar. His star was on, his presence was On. God’s presence was a cloud by day and fire by night. His presence never left them.
Then he gave them the “other” route. When they were at the Red Sea at a seemingly dead end God made a highway through the waterway. He dried up the Red Sea so the people could walk through on dry ground. Sometimes, God’s got to take you the long way and then if you get stuck he will take you the other way.
Today, don’t despair if it seems like God is taking you the long way because there is something that he is preparing you for that you can’t handle right now. Let God guide you in a New Direction!
Dear God,
Lead me; guide me, along the way for if you lead me I will not stray. Thank you for getting me where you want me to be when you wanted me to be there. I will follow you wherever you lead me, however long it takes me.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Monday, January 24, 2011
Why So Serious?
Luke 24:38
Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds?
It’s easy to allow your mind to become frazzled after you’ve experienced trauma. It’s a wonder that many of us haven’t lost our minds after all that we have been through. Many times people will see great consternation upon your face and not realize the hell you’ve experienced. They want to know why you are so serious. It’s not that you want to walk around with a mind clouded with troubling thoughts and doubts swirling around like turbulent waters it’s just that you’ve been through so much lately. That’s why I appear to be so serious.
What was it that kept our ancestors through slavery, Jim Crow, and integration? What was it that kept the Jewish people through slavery, wandering through the wilderness, and surviving Babylon? What was it that kept the Native Americans through war, the trail of tears, and the colonization through reservations? I have to believe it was the presence of the Almighty God. It is the Spirit of God that can give us peace which surpasses all human understanding. The things you went through this past year would have taken the average person out but because God put some “Super” on your “Natural” you made it this far by faith.
Oftentimes, we allow our minds to be filled with doubts and to be troubled because we fail to recognize His presence. When Jesus reappeared to his disciples he didn’t look the same. Remember he had been beaten and crucified. He told them to look at his hands and feet. He was showing them the evidence of his crucifixion. It was the evidence of his crucifixion and now his resurrection that put their minds at ease. The thing that is going to put our minds at ease is the evidence. Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. We walk by faith and not by sight. In order to overcome our troubling thoughts we have to get in the presence of Jesus.
This morning if you believe that Jesus is alive in your situation you shouldn’t let your minds be troubled. Jesus said, “Let not your hearts be troubled. If you believe in God also believe in me. Whenever doubts begin to rise get yourself into the presence of God through:
1. Worship. That is why regular worship attendance is so crucial during hard times. Where 2 or 3 are gathered in his name there Jesus will be also. He will show up and say, “Peace be unto You!”
2. Singing praise songs. Africans in America, Jews in Babylon, and Native Americans on reservations have all had songs that reminded them of who God is. I sing because I’m happy I sing because I’m free, his eye is on the sparrow and I know he watches over me!
3. Prayer. God is just a prayer away. Prayer is the key and faith unlocks the door.
4. Meditating on the Word of God. Psalm 1 says that we will be like a tree planted by the streams of water when we meditate on the Word of God.
Dear God,
I thank you for putting my mind at ease. I will not allow doubts to swirl around in my mind; instead I will exchange the garment of despair for the oil of gladness. I feel you in my heart right now and I know there is no problem so hard that you cannot solve. Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world. Today, I will have Joy!
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds?
It’s easy to allow your mind to become frazzled after you’ve experienced trauma. It’s a wonder that many of us haven’t lost our minds after all that we have been through. Many times people will see great consternation upon your face and not realize the hell you’ve experienced. They want to know why you are so serious. It’s not that you want to walk around with a mind clouded with troubling thoughts and doubts swirling around like turbulent waters it’s just that you’ve been through so much lately. That’s why I appear to be so serious.
What was it that kept our ancestors through slavery, Jim Crow, and integration? What was it that kept the Jewish people through slavery, wandering through the wilderness, and surviving Babylon? What was it that kept the Native Americans through war, the trail of tears, and the colonization through reservations? I have to believe it was the presence of the Almighty God. It is the Spirit of God that can give us peace which surpasses all human understanding. The things you went through this past year would have taken the average person out but because God put some “Super” on your “Natural” you made it this far by faith.
Oftentimes, we allow our minds to be filled with doubts and to be troubled because we fail to recognize His presence. When Jesus reappeared to his disciples he didn’t look the same. Remember he had been beaten and crucified. He told them to look at his hands and feet. He was showing them the evidence of his crucifixion. It was the evidence of his crucifixion and now his resurrection that put their minds at ease. The thing that is going to put our minds at ease is the evidence. Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. We walk by faith and not by sight. In order to overcome our troubling thoughts we have to get in the presence of Jesus.
This morning if you believe that Jesus is alive in your situation you shouldn’t let your minds be troubled. Jesus said, “Let not your hearts be troubled. If you believe in God also believe in me. Whenever doubts begin to rise get yourself into the presence of God through:
1. Worship. That is why regular worship attendance is so crucial during hard times. Where 2 or 3 are gathered in his name there Jesus will be also. He will show up and say, “Peace be unto You!”
2. Singing praise songs. Africans in America, Jews in Babylon, and Native Americans on reservations have all had songs that reminded them of who God is. I sing because I’m happy I sing because I’m free, his eye is on the sparrow and I know he watches over me!
3. Prayer. God is just a prayer away. Prayer is the key and faith unlocks the door.
4. Meditating on the Word of God. Psalm 1 says that we will be like a tree planted by the streams of water when we meditate on the Word of God.
Dear God,
I thank you for putting my mind at ease. I will not allow doubts to swirl around in my mind; instead I will exchange the garment of despair for the oil of gladness. I feel you in my heart right now and I know there is no problem so hard that you cannot solve. Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world. Today, I will have Joy!
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Beware of Double Dealing!
Luke 20:20
Keeping a close watch on him, they sent spies, who pretended to be honest…he saw through their duplicity.
One of the best spy movies I’ve seen in a while is Salt. Angelina Jolie plays a CIA agent who turns out to be a Russian Spy, raised from birth to be a double agent. It seems that her mission is to work for the protection of the President and the United States of America’s best interest but really her mission as a Russian Spy is to get close enough to the President to kill him. It is only through the Love of her husband that she is able to stop her duplicitous mission and shift towards redemption.
We all have the potential to be double agents, torn between our allegiance to God and pulled by the temptations of satan. We are after all trained at birth. We are born into sin and shapen in iniquity. If we are not careful, even our best intentions can lead to betrayal because of our duplicitous nature. Paul said, “When I would do good, evil is right there. That which I am supposed to do I don’t and that I don’t want to do that I keep on doing. What a wretched spy I am! Who can save me from this condition?” It is only the love of a man named Jesus that can intercept our duplicity and shift us to being redeemed.
Jesus ran into some spies pretending to be honest. There are people assigned to you to try and bring you down pretending to be honest. They appear to be friendly but are trying to ensnare you. You can always tell by the questions they ask you. The spies asked Jesus if they should pay taxes to Caesar or to God? Jesus saw past their duplicity and answered, “Whose inscription or image is on the coin? Caesar’s. then render unto Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.” Always answer a question in a way that will not incriminate you if repeated. God will give you wisdom that cannot be easily refuted when you are in the Spirit.
When you are in your flesh you are more susceptible to double dealing. You remember Delilah, a double agent, questioned Samson until she got his secret to his strength. Then she betrayed him for some money. Double Agents are always searching for secrets that might lead to your vulnerability. Samson could not see her double dealings because of his lust for Delilah. It is only when you are in the Spirit that you can clearly see through duplicity or double dealing.
The bible says, “Jesus saw through their duplicity. Jesus saw their agenda behind their smiles. Jesus saw their traps and side stepped them. This morning ask God to show you the double agents and to give you words that cannot be twisted or refuted by evil men/women. Open your eyes so you can see through their duplicity.
Dear God,
Thank you for freeing me to be single minded. I work solely for you and your Kingdom. Give me discernment to recognize double agents and to see past their double dealings. Give me words that cannot be refuted. Make my discernment keen so that I can see and avoid the enemy’s snares.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Keeping a close watch on him, they sent spies, who pretended to be honest…he saw through their duplicity.
One of the best spy movies I’ve seen in a while is Salt. Angelina Jolie plays a CIA agent who turns out to be a Russian Spy, raised from birth to be a double agent. It seems that her mission is to work for the protection of the President and the United States of America’s best interest but really her mission as a Russian Spy is to get close enough to the President to kill him. It is only through the Love of her husband that she is able to stop her duplicitous mission and shift towards redemption.
We all have the potential to be double agents, torn between our allegiance to God and pulled by the temptations of satan. We are after all trained at birth. We are born into sin and shapen in iniquity. If we are not careful, even our best intentions can lead to betrayal because of our duplicitous nature. Paul said, “When I would do good, evil is right there. That which I am supposed to do I don’t and that I don’t want to do that I keep on doing. What a wretched spy I am! Who can save me from this condition?” It is only the love of a man named Jesus that can intercept our duplicity and shift us to being redeemed.
Jesus ran into some spies pretending to be honest. There are people assigned to you to try and bring you down pretending to be honest. They appear to be friendly but are trying to ensnare you. You can always tell by the questions they ask you. The spies asked Jesus if they should pay taxes to Caesar or to God? Jesus saw past their duplicity and answered, “Whose inscription or image is on the coin? Caesar’s. then render unto Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.” Always answer a question in a way that will not incriminate you if repeated. God will give you wisdom that cannot be easily refuted when you are in the Spirit.
When you are in your flesh you are more susceptible to double dealing. You remember Delilah, a double agent, questioned Samson until she got his secret to his strength. Then she betrayed him for some money. Double Agents are always searching for secrets that might lead to your vulnerability. Samson could not see her double dealings because of his lust for Delilah. It is only when you are in the Spirit that you can clearly see through duplicity or double dealing.
The bible says, “Jesus saw through their duplicity. Jesus saw their agenda behind their smiles. Jesus saw their traps and side stepped them. This morning ask God to show you the double agents and to give you words that cannot be twisted or refuted by evil men/women. Open your eyes so you can see through their duplicity.
Dear God,
Thank you for freeing me to be single minded. I work solely for you and your Kingdom. Give me discernment to recognize double agents and to see past their double dealings. Give me words that cannot be refuted. Make my discernment keen so that I can see and avoid the enemy’s snares.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Are You Interested in God or Just Paying Interest?
Luke 19:23
Why then didn’t you put my money on deposit, so that when I come back I could have collected it with interest?
Interest: 1. the state of wanting to know or learn about something or someone. 2. Money paid regularly at a particular rate for the case of money lent, or delaying the repayment of a debt.
We usually spend our time on what interests us. We get more back from an experience when it interests us. We pay better attention when something interests us. It pays off in the long run when you pursue a career that interests you and not just a job that pays you. Isn’t that interesting?
Interest is either working for you or against you. When you borrow money interest is working against you. The longer you borrow the more interest you are paying. Every time I look at the finance charge for what I’m paying my lenders monthly it makes me want to wipe out my debt that much faster and not borrow again because the borrower is servant to the lender. I refuse to be a slave!
The opposite is also true, interest can work for you when you save or invest. Wouldn’t you rather be earning interest than paying interest? Why then didn’t you put your money on deposit so that you would gain interest? Dave Ramsey’s book, “the Total money makeover” teaches people how to live like nobody else so you can live like nobody else. He teaches that we need to begin to attack our debt so we can put that money in savings and investments to earn interest.
It’s interesting that in this parable the king gives each servant three months wages to keep until he gets back. Two of the three invest and get interest back while the other one hides the money and gives the same amount back to the king. The king chastises the idle servant for not growing the money that he gave him.
One of the things Dave Ramsey suggests as the first thing to do before investing is to build an emergency savings account for three months of your salary. This is the starting place for debt freedom. The next step is to invest so the interest works for you and not against you.If you are interested in being debt free go to www.totalmoneymakeover.com/mytmmo
Dear God,
I’m interested in being the lender and not the borrower. Give me the discipline to see it through. Help me to be a better steward and to use wisely the money you give me. Thank you for your interest in me and for the deposit of the Holy Ghost which is my treasure in this jar of clay. I pray I have more to give back before you get back.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Why then didn’t you put my money on deposit, so that when I come back I could have collected it with interest?
Interest: 1. the state of wanting to know or learn about something or someone. 2. Money paid regularly at a particular rate for the case of money lent, or delaying the repayment of a debt.
We usually spend our time on what interests us. We get more back from an experience when it interests us. We pay better attention when something interests us. It pays off in the long run when you pursue a career that interests you and not just a job that pays you. Isn’t that interesting?
Interest is either working for you or against you. When you borrow money interest is working against you. The longer you borrow the more interest you are paying. Every time I look at the finance charge for what I’m paying my lenders monthly it makes me want to wipe out my debt that much faster and not borrow again because the borrower is servant to the lender. I refuse to be a slave!
The opposite is also true, interest can work for you when you save or invest. Wouldn’t you rather be earning interest than paying interest? Why then didn’t you put your money on deposit so that you would gain interest? Dave Ramsey’s book, “the Total money makeover” teaches people how to live like nobody else so you can live like nobody else. He teaches that we need to begin to attack our debt so we can put that money in savings and investments to earn interest.
It’s interesting that in this parable the king gives each servant three months wages to keep until he gets back. Two of the three invest and get interest back while the other one hides the money and gives the same amount back to the king. The king chastises the idle servant for not growing the money that he gave him.
One of the things Dave Ramsey suggests as the first thing to do before investing is to build an emergency savings account for three months of your salary. This is the starting place for debt freedom. The next step is to invest so the interest works for you and not against you.If you are interested in being debt free go to www.totalmoneymakeover.com/mytmmo
Dear God,
I’m interested in being the lender and not the borrower. Give me the discipline to see it through. Help me to be a better steward and to use wisely the money you give me. Thank you for your interest in me and for the deposit of the Holy Ghost which is my treasure in this jar of clay. I pray I have more to give back before you get back.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Sacrificial Praise
Genesis 44:33
Now then, please let your servant remain here as my Lord’s slave in place of the boy, and let the boy return with his brothers.
“When praises go up blessings come down.” We’ve heard that so many times in church along with the scripture, “God inhabits the praises of his people.” Both are true. God is pleased with genuine appreciation from his children but there is something even greater than praise that gets God’s attention. It’s when praise becomes sacrificial.
Praising God is foundational to worship. It is preliminary. “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise.” “I will bless the Lord at all times and his Praise shall continuously be in my mouth.” We are supposed to give God Praise, but in order to turn the corner on our breakthrough, praise has to grow up and surrender to servitude.
When Jacob’s sons were in a dilemma in Egypt it was Judah whose name means Praise that got them out. Judah or praise stepped up to the plate to rescue Benjamin. Their baby brother Benjamin was about to become a slave for allegedly stealing a cup belonging to the Egyptian Governor, Joseph. The brothers hadn’t recognized their own brother Joseph because he looked and sounded like an Egyptian. He had been separated from thirteen years since they sold him into slavery. Joseph planted the cup in his baby brother Benjamin’s sack to keep him there with himself out of love not hate. Joseph was not going to reveal himself to his brothers until Judah (Praise) did something.
1. Praise Pleaded for Mercy. Sometimes God doesn’t give us what we deserve because we have sense enough to open up our mouths to ask for mercy.
2. Praise told the story of how heartbroken their father was. We overcome by the words of our testimony. That’s why in worship you ought to praise him with the fruit of your lips because can’t nobody tell it like you can tell it.
3. Praise surrendered to servitude as a sacrifice. Judah offered to take his brothers place as a slave because it would send his father to the grave in sorrow.
Joseph broke! He couldn’t contain himself any longer and revealed himself to his brothers. He blessed them with provision, gave them the best of the land, and gave them new homes to stay in until the famine passed. He didn’t have to do this, especially after they had done him wrong. Why did this move Joseph? Because he had been a slave sold by his brothers, he had suffered for 13 years and now Judah had done for his baby brother what Joseph wished they had done for him. Then he realized what they did for my evil worked out for my good.
Whatever you are going through right now give him praise. If you really want to see breakthrough then let your praise lead to service.
Dear God,
Thank you for growing my praise up! It’s not enough for me to make some noise but I got to do something for you. I live my life as a living sacrifice. I give my life as a consistent example of godly living so other people can get their breakthrough through my sacrificial praise. I lift my voice in total praise to you.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Now then, please let your servant remain here as my Lord’s slave in place of the boy, and let the boy return with his brothers.
“When praises go up blessings come down.” We’ve heard that so many times in church along with the scripture, “God inhabits the praises of his people.” Both are true. God is pleased with genuine appreciation from his children but there is something even greater than praise that gets God’s attention. It’s when praise becomes sacrificial.
Praising God is foundational to worship. It is preliminary. “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise.” “I will bless the Lord at all times and his Praise shall continuously be in my mouth.” We are supposed to give God Praise, but in order to turn the corner on our breakthrough, praise has to grow up and surrender to servitude.
When Jacob’s sons were in a dilemma in Egypt it was Judah whose name means Praise that got them out. Judah or praise stepped up to the plate to rescue Benjamin. Their baby brother Benjamin was about to become a slave for allegedly stealing a cup belonging to the Egyptian Governor, Joseph. The brothers hadn’t recognized their own brother Joseph because he looked and sounded like an Egyptian. He had been separated from thirteen years since they sold him into slavery. Joseph planted the cup in his baby brother Benjamin’s sack to keep him there with himself out of love not hate. Joseph was not going to reveal himself to his brothers until Judah (Praise) did something.
1. Praise Pleaded for Mercy. Sometimes God doesn’t give us what we deserve because we have sense enough to open up our mouths to ask for mercy.
2. Praise told the story of how heartbroken their father was. We overcome by the words of our testimony. That’s why in worship you ought to praise him with the fruit of your lips because can’t nobody tell it like you can tell it.
3. Praise surrendered to servitude as a sacrifice. Judah offered to take his brothers place as a slave because it would send his father to the grave in sorrow.
Joseph broke! He couldn’t contain himself any longer and revealed himself to his brothers. He blessed them with provision, gave them the best of the land, and gave them new homes to stay in until the famine passed. He didn’t have to do this, especially after they had done him wrong. Why did this move Joseph? Because he had been a slave sold by his brothers, he had suffered for 13 years and now Judah had done for his baby brother what Joseph wished they had done for him. Then he realized what they did for my evil worked out for my good.
Whatever you are going through right now give him praise. If you really want to see breakthrough then let your praise lead to service.
Dear God,
Thank you for growing my praise up! It’s not enough for me to make some noise but I got to do something for you. I live my life as a living sacrifice. I give my life as a consistent example of godly living so other people can get their breakthrough through my sacrificial praise. I lift my voice in total praise to you.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Monday, January 17, 2011
Don't Cut Against the Grain!
Genesis 42:1-2
When Jacob learned that there was grain in Egypt, he said, to his sons, “Why do you just keep looking at each other?” Go down there and buy some for us so that we may live and not die.”
My father taught me a shaving tip that has stuck with me for years. As an African-American man I have to shave my face differently than other men because of the curly texture of my hair. My father taught me to shave with the grain as opposed to cutting against the grain. I have to cut in the direction that the hair is naturally growing. If you cut against the grain the hair would grow back curled up under the skin causing unsightly razor bumps. As men we need to cut in the direction that the grain is growing to avoid the bumps. To cut against the grain always causes problems, especially for men of color.
There is a natural order to life where God gives us opportunities for sustaining life but we must avail ourselves to what God provides. There are no shortcuts. Shortcuts either lead to loss of blood or bumps in the road. God provides natural opportunities like education, honest work, responsibilities to raise our children but many times we cut against the grain by not taking our education serious, trying to make fast money through unscrupulous shortcuts and not raising our children as a result we have a lot of bumps in our lives.
It’s not until we know better that we do better. Jacob “learned” that there was grain in Egypt during a famine in Bethel. During this recession we have got to learn where the new jobs are and go with the grain. The problem is that the Father had the information that the sons were not acting on. The sons were idle in a famine when there was grain in Egypt.
Why were they sitting around looking at each other when there was grain in Egypt?
1. Maybe they were waiting for the food to run out. When times are hard we don’t sit around until all the money is gone before we decide to find provision.
2. Maybe they didn’t know because the Father hadn’t instructed them. As Leaders of our families, we must teach what we expect to see.
3. Maybe they thought the trip was too long to Egypt. There is an African proverb that says, “a journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.” Begin today.
4. Maybe they thought Egypt was cutting against the grain since it was a different culture. We have to diversify our outlook for new opportunities. You might have to find work around people totally different from you.
5. Maybe they were waiting on the father to do for them what they needed to do for themselves. When we reach the age of maturity we can no longer sit back and expect our parents to keep doing for us.
The father told them to go get the grain so that they would live and not die. Today, go with the grain:
1. Begin to research recession proof jobs.
2. Think about mobile businesses to cut down on the overhead of buildings and staffing.
3. Go where the opportunities are even if it's outside of your cultural comfort zone.
4. Go with your brothers/sisters, get an investment group. There is power in numbers.
5. Realize that it might take you a while to get there but take your time.
Dear God,
Thank you for showing me where the grain is. I’m ready for this wonderful opportunity you’ve give me to provide for my family. Give me the wisdom to know which direction to go. Give me the strength to make the journey to where the grain is. Give me the skill to negotiate a new deal to bring back grain to my family so that we may live and not die. Thank you Lord for New Grain.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
When Jacob learned that there was grain in Egypt, he said, to his sons, “Why do you just keep looking at each other?” Go down there and buy some for us so that we may live and not die.”
My father taught me a shaving tip that has stuck with me for years. As an African-American man I have to shave my face differently than other men because of the curly texture of my hair. My father taught me to shave with the grain as opposed to cutting against the grain. I have to cut in the direction that the hair is naturally growing. If you cut against the grain the hair would grow back curled up under the skin causing unsightly razor bumps. As men we need to cut in the direction that the grain is growing to avoid the bumps. To cut against the grain always causes problems, especially for men of color.
There is a natural order to life where God gives us opportunities for sustaining life but we must avail ourselves to what God provides. There are no shortcuts. Shortcuts either lead to loss of blood or bumps in the road. God provides natural opportunities like education, honest work, responsibilities to raise our children but many times we cut against the grain by not taking our education serious, trying to make fast money through unscrupulous shortcuts and not raising our children as a result we have a lot of bumps in our lives.
It’s not until we know better that we do better. Jacob “learned” that there was grain in Egypt during a famine in Bethel. During this recession we have got to learn where the new jobs are and go with the grain. The problem is that the Father had the information that the sons were not acting on. The sons were idle in a famine when there was grain in Egypt.
Why were they sitting around looking at each other when there was grain in Egypt?
1. Maybe they were waiting for the food to run out. When times are hard we don’t sit around until all the money is gone before we decide to find provision.
2. Maybe they didn’t know because the Father hadn’t instructed them. As Leaders of our families, we must teach what we expect to see.
3. Maybe they thought the trip was too long to Egypt. There is an African proverb that says, “a journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.” Begin today.
4. Maybe they thought Egypt was cutting against the grain since it was a different culture. We have to diversify our outlook for new opportunities. You might have to find work around people totally different from you.
5. Maybe they were waiting on the father to do for them what they needed to do for themselves. When we reach the age of maturity we can no longer sit back and expect our parents to keep doing for us.
The father told them to go get the grain so that they would live and not die. Today, go with the grain:
1. Begin to research recession proof jobs.
2. Think about mobile businesses to cut down on the overhead of buildings and staffing.
3. Go where the opportunities are even if it's outside of your cultural comfort zone.
4. Go with your brothers/sisters, get an investment group. There is power in numbers.
5. Realize that it might take you a while to get there but take your time.
Dear God,
Thank you for showing me where the grain is. I’m ready for this wonderful opportunity you’ve give me to provide for my family. Give me the wisdom to know which direction to go. Give me the strength to make the journey to where the grain is. Give me the skill to negotiate a new deal to bring back grain to my family so that we may live and not die. Thank you Lord for New Grain.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Time To Do The Dishes
Luke 11:39
Then the lord said to him, “now then, you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness
One of the least favorite jobs of any household is doing the dishes. If you don’t believe me go look in your sink right now or maybe that’s just my sink. Smile. When I make myself do the dishes I use the dishwasher. It cuts the time in half and cleans a whole load without me sticking my hands in that gross dish water, but easier is not always better because when I pull out the dishes some of the more stubborn stains have not come out. The dishes are clean on the outside but dirty on the inside.
When we come to church collectively it’s like being loaded into a large dishwasher. Everyone is under the same shower of praise and worship, everyone gets saturated with the word. It looks like everyone is getting clean but upon further inspection there are some stubborn stains on the inside that haven't come out.
It is only through individualized inspection and introspection that we take notice of our inner dirt. The problem with many of us is that like our dishes we take out of the dishwasher, we reshelve ourselves without even looking on the inside to see that hardened mess that didn’t come out in corporate worship. A corporate cleansing is a start but it’s time for us to do the dishes old school style from the inside out.
One of the Pharisees criticized Jesus for not washing his hands before he ate dinner. The Pharisees were very religious and ritualistic when it came to being “clean”, but their hearts were still dirty. Jesus said, “ya’ll do a good job of cleaning the outside but inside you are full of greed and wickedness.
It’s time to do the dishes!
Fasting is a way for us to give individualized attention to what is inside of us. These kind only come out through fasting and prayer.
1. Fasting removes the toxins from your body. There is a lot of stuff that we have been eating that is just sitting in our bowels and hiding out in our liver that must come out. The vegetables and water that we will be consuming over the next 21 days will aid in that.
2. Fasting helps you to get out stubborn stains. In this same chapter Jesus talks about the power of prayer and how the “strong man” demonic strongholds cannot be broken until the strong man is bound up. Fasting helps to destroy the bondage that has been holding us hostage on the inside. By cutting off the food supply and pleasure supply to the strong man, your habits, hang-ups, and heartaches, have to eventually surrender to your Spirit man.
3. Fasting causes you to shift what you were wasting to people and places of greater benefit. Jesus tells the Pharisees in verse 41 to give what was inside the dish to the poor and then they will be clean. He doesn’t want them to give away dirt but to give away what they were hoarding. He wanted them to give away material resources, spiritual resources, and the substance of things hoped for.
As we fast for the next 21 days (see the website for more info www.n2newdirection.org) stop spending money on anything that is not a necessity and the money you would have spent put it toward your debt and give it to the poor then you will be clean from the inside out.
Dear God,
Thank you for cleaning me out from the inside out. For the next 21 days I’m cleaning out my temple through the corporate cleansing of regular worship and the individualized cleansing through fasting and prayer. I’m shifting my priorities so that I may be clean, pure and Holy, tried and true, Lord a living sanctuary for you.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Then the lord said to him, “now then, you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness
One of the least favorite jobs of any household is doing the dishes. If you don’t believe me go look in your sink right now or maybe that’s just my sink. Smile. When I make myself do the dishes I use the dishwasher. It cuts the time in half and cleans a whole load without me sticking my hands in that gross dish water, but easier is not always better because when I pull out the dishes some of the more stubborn stains have not come out. The dishes are clean on the outside but dirty on the inside.
When we come to church collectively it’s like being loaded into a large dishwasher. Everyone is under the same shower of praise and worship, everyone gets saturated with the word. It looks like everyone is getting clean but upon further inspection there are some stubborn stains on the inside that haven't come out.
It is only through individualized inspection and introspection that we take notice of our inner dirt. The problem with many of us is that like our dishes we take out of the dishwasher, we reshelve ourselves without even looking on the inside to see that hardened mess that didn’t come out in corporate worship. A corporate cleansing is a start but it’s time for us to do the dishes old school style from the inside out.
One of the Pharisees criticized Jesus for not washing his hands before he ate dinner. The Pharisees were very religious and ritualistic when it came to being “clean”, but their hearts were still dirty. Jesus said, “ya’ll do a good job of cleaning the outside but inside you are full of greed and wickedness.
It’s time to do the dishes!
Fasting is a way for us to give individualized attention to what is inside of us. These kind only come out through fasting and prayer.
1. Fasting removes the toxins from your body. There is a lot of stuff that we have been eating that is just sitting in our bowels and hiding out in our liver that must come out. The vegetables and water that we will be consuming over the next 21 days will aid in that.
2. Fasting helps you to get out stubborn stains. In this same chapter Jesus talks about the power of prayer and how the “strong man” demonic strongholds cannot be broken until the strong man is bound up. Fasting helps to destroy the bondage that has been holding us hostage on the inside. By cutting off the food supply and pleasure supply to the strong man, your habits, hang-ups, and heartaches, have to eventually surrender to your Spirit man.
3. Fasting causes you to shift what you were wasting to people and places of greater benefit. Jesus tells the Pharisees in verse 41 to give what was inside the dish to the poor and then they will be clean. He doesn’t want them to give away dirt but to give away what they were hoarding. He wanted them to give away material resources, spiritual resources, and the substance of things hoped for.
As we fast for the next 21 days (see the website for more info www.n2newdirection.org) stop spending money on anything that is not a necessity and the money you would have spent put it toward your debt and give it to the poor then you will be clean from the inside out.
Dear God,
Thank you for cleaning me out from the inside out. For the next 21 days I’m cleaning out my temple through the corporate cleansing of regular worship and the individualized cleansing through fasting and prayer. I’m shifting my priorities so that I may be clean, pure and Holy, tried and true, Lord a living sanctuary for you.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Monday, January 10, 2011
You Get What You Eat!
Genesis 25:34
Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and some lentil stew. He ate and drank, and then got up and left. So Esau despised his birthright.
We’ve all heard it said, “you are what you eat,” meaning that our health condition is a direct reflection on what we put in our bodies, more calories taken in than calories burned up in exercise leads to fat. Too much salt can lead to High Blood pressure, etc. Paul was right when he said, “food is for the stomach, stomach for the food…but I will not be mastered by anything.” I Cor. 6:13. Jentzen Franklin in his book ‘fasting for breakthrough’ says that at least once a year we need to tell our bodies whose boss by dethroning “King Stomach.” Our stomach has gotten us in a lot of trouble with its appetite. The stomach wants what it wants when it wants it.
It’s amazing how closely related food and sexual immorality are related. Some experts will argue that food is in fact an aphrodisiac. When Paul talks about the stomach being for food the next sentence in verse thirteen of I Corinthians Chapter Six says, “The body is not meant for sexual immorality.” It is our lust for food and sex that get us caught up if we don’t learn how to master “King Stomach.”
Not only are we what we eat but if we are not careful we will get what we eat. Cravings for food and for sex can be so strong that they override our sensibilities and can lead us to a life of regret.
No one knows this better than Esau. Esau was a wild man, undisciplined and adventurous. He was a great hunter. He loved the pursuit of wild game. He was always in search of something new. His adrenaline got up from chasing something new. His pursuit of wild game left him famished one day. He came in from the field starving and his brother was cooking some lentil stew. (How convenient) He asked his brother Jacob, whose name meant deceiver, for some stew. The deceiver told him he would satisfy his cravings in exchange for his birthright. Here’s the offer broken down so you can clearly understand: “I will temporarily satisfy your cravings in exchange for something that would have blessed you for life.”
In his right mind Esau should have said, “Man are you crazy? No way!” but because he had not mastered “King Stomach” he said, “what good is a birthright when I’m starving to death? You got a deal!” How do you trade in your birthright, your inheritance which is double because you are the oldest son, for a bowl of soup? Before we get mad at Esau, we have to realize we do the same thing. How?!
1. We do it by exchanging the profound for the profane. We each have a gift that we jeopardize when we give into lusts and cravings that eat away at our anointing.
2. We do it when we don’t practice delayed gratification. If Esau would have waited a little longer he could have gotten something to eat at home.
3. We do it by giving into cravings without holding onto convictions. You have to look at the bigger picture before you get stuck on a bowl of soup.
We will be fasting for the next 21 days starting tomorrow.
check www.n2newdirection.org for details) this fast is for the purpose of detoxing, getting healthier diets, and dethroning King Stomach by learning not to give into cravings. After 21 days you should be in position to receive your spiritual birthright and take back from the deceiver what he thought he was going to trick you out of. Over the next 21 days of fasting you will get what you eat. Breakthrough!
Dear God,
I refuse to give into cravings that get in the way of my birthright. You’ve invested too much in me and set aside so much for me to ruin it by exchanging my destiny for a moment of lust. I’m ready to take control of my body instead of my body taking control of me. Set me free from the chains that have been holding me in the physical so that I may soar in the spiritual. During this 21 day fast give me strength, give me revelation, and give me power as I give you me. My food for the next 21 days is to do the will of you who sent me to be about my Father’s business. I’m ready for breakthrough!
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and some lentil stew. He ate and drank, and then got up and left. So Esau despised his birthright.
We’ve all heard it said, “you are what you eat,” meaning that our health condition is a direct reflection on what we put in our bodies, more calories taken in than calories burned up in exercise leads to fat. Too much salt can lead to High Blood pressure, etc. Paul was right when he said, “food is for the stomach, stomach for the food…but I will not be mastered by anything.” I Cor. 6:13. Jentzen Franklin in his book ‘fasting for breakthrough’ says that at least once a year we need to tell our bodies whose boss by dethroning “King Stomach.” Our stomach has gotten us in a lot of trouble with its appetite. The stomach wants what it wants when it wants it.
It’s amazing how closely related food and sexual immorality are related. Some experts will argue that food is in fact an aphrodisiac. When Paul talks about the stomach being for food the next sentence in verse thirteen of I Corinthians Chapter Six says, “The body is not meant for sexual immorality.” It is our lust for food and sex that get us caught up if we don’t learn how to master “King Stomach.”
Not only are we what we eat but if we are not careful we will get what we eat. Cravings for food and for sex can be so strong that they override our sensibilities and can lead us to a life of regret.
No one knows this better than Esau. Esau was a wild man, undisciplined and adventurous. He was a great hunter. He loved the pursuit of wild game. He was always in search of something new. His adrenaline got up from chasing something new. His pursuit of wild game left him famished one day. He came in from the field starving and his brother was cooking some lentil stew. (How convenient) He asked his brother Jacob, whose name meant deceiver, for some stew. The deceiver told him he would satisfy his cravings in exchange for his birthright. Here’s the offer broken down so you can clearly understand: “I will temporarily satisfy your cravings in exchange for something that would have blessed you for life.”
In his right mind Esau should have said, “Man are you crazy? No way!” but because he had not mastered “King Stomach” he said, “what good is a birthright when I’m starving to death? You got a deal!” How do you trade in your birthright, your inheritance which is double because you are the oldest son, for a bowl of soup? Before we get mad at Esau, we have to realize we do the same thing. How?!
1. We do it by exchanging the profound for the profane. We each have a gift that we jeopardize when we give into lusts and cravings that eat away at our anointing.
2. We do it when we don’t practice delayed gratification. If Esau would have waited a little longer he could have gotten something to eat at home.
3. We do it by giving into cravings without holding onto convictions. You have to look at the bigger picture before you get stuck on a bowl of soup.
We will be fasting for the next 21 days starting tomorrow.
check www.n2newdirection.org for details) this fast is for the purpose of detoxing, getting healthier diets, and dethroning King Stomach by learning not to give into cravings. After 21 days you should be in position to receive your spiritual birthright and take back from the deceiver what he thought he was going to trick you out of. Over the next 21 days of fasting you will get what you eat. Breakthrough!
Dear God,
I refuse to give into cravings that get in the way of my birthright. You’ve invested too much in me and set aside so much for me to ruin it by exchanging my destiny for a moment of lust. I’m ready to take control of my body instead of my body taking control of me. Set me free from the chains that have been holding me in the physical so that I may soar in the spiritual. During this 21 day fast give me strength, give me revelation, and give me power as I give you me. My food for the next 21 days is to do the will of you who sent me to be about my Father’s business. I’m ready for breakthrough!
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
This is Tearing Us Apart!
Luke 5:36
No one tears a patch from a new garment and sews it on an old one. If he does he will have torn the new garment, and the patch from the new will not match the old.
It’s very important in this New Year that you pair up with people who are headed in the same direction as you are. If you have resolved to live for God and to live a righteous life, then you need to make sure that you pair up with people who are trying to do the same. If there is a constant pulling on your heart and against your psyche it could lead to a tear in the fabric of your faith. Mark 10:9 (Amplified Bible) 9What therefore God has united (joined together), let not man separate or divide.Our problem comes when we put relationships together and ask God to bless it after the fact.
In this text the new cloth represents those who belong to Jesus. The old cloth represents those who are religious but don’t have relationship with Jesus Christ. Notice that it is the new cloth that is torn away from its fabric to try and patch up something old. A good indication that you are headed into a wrong relationship this year is when you have to tear yourself away from your supportive network to join yourself to something less vital to cover up for what’s missing in somebody else. Before you leave you must inspect what you cleave to. If you make a thorough inspection before you leave you very well may not cleave because of the material.
Secondarily, the old patch will begin to pull on you. There is no “give” in it. When there is no give and take in a relationship it can pull you away from what’s vital and mess up your newness.
The third sign you may be heading into an unbalanced relationship is that your value systems don’t match. It’s fun at first to find somebody different but similar to you, but when your value system is different there is a pull that will tear you apart.
This year before you get into any new relationships you need to:
1. Measure twice and cut once. Fabric is expensive so you need to make sure you measure what you are getting ready to cut. You don’t want to cut too much and waste material on something that doesn’t work. Measuring twice may mean you date two years instead of one so that you can thoroughly inspect the person you are getting ready to marry.
2. Thoroughly vet potential running mates. When you are on a mission you don’t want your partner’s personality flaws to stop you short of your campaign because of some character flaw. The people you are in relationship with are an extension of you.
3. Be prayerful about partnerships. Jesus prayed all night before he chose his apostles.
4. Don’t cut yourself off from positive praying people for negative people.
5. If you’re in a bad relationship go to counseling to see if the tear can be repaired. You can’t change the other person you can only change yourself. There must be “give” on both sides for there not to be a tear.
Dear God, match us up to the right people this year. I cannot tear myself away from this valuable network of a purpose-filled life for people who just pull on me but don’t pour into me. This year I will not be torn in my allegiance to you. I’m choosing the right people with the right material.
In Jesus Name,
Amen.
No one tears a patch from a new garment and sews it on an old one. If he does he will have torn the new garment, and the patch from the new will not match the old.
It’s very important in this New Year that you pair up with people who are headed in the same direction as you are. If you have resolved to live for God and to live a righteous life, then you need to make sure that you pair up with people who are trying to do the same. If there is a constant pulling on your heart and against your psyche it could lead to a tear in the fabric of your faith. Mark 10:9 (Amplified Bible) 9What therefore God has united (joined together), let not man separate or divide.Our problem comes when we put relationships together and ask God to bless it after the fact.
In this text the new cloth represents those who belong to Jesus. The old cloth represents those who are religious but don’t have relationship with Jesus Christ. Notice that it is the new cloth that is torn away from its fabric to try and patch up something old. A good indication that you are headed into a wrong relationship this year is when you have to tear yourself away from your supportive network to join yourself to something less vital to cover up for what’s missing in somebody else. Before you leave you must inspect what you cleave to. If you make a thorough inspection before you leave you very well may not cleave because of the material.
Secondarily, the old patch will begin to pull on you. There is no “give” in it. When there is no give and take in a relationship it can pull you away from what’s vital and mess up your newness.
The third sign you may be heading into an unbalanced relationship is that your value systems don’t match. It’s fun at first to find somebody different but similar to you, but when your value system is different there is a pull that will tear you apart.
This year before you get into any new relationships you need to:
1. Measure twice and cut once. Fabric is expensive so you need to make sure you measure what you are getting ready to cut. You don’t want to cut too much and waste material on something that doesn’t work. Measuring twice may mean you date two years instead of one so that you can thoroughly inspect the person you are getting ready to marry.
2. Thoroughly vet potential running mates. When you are on a mission you don’t want your partner’s personality flaws to stop you short of your campaign because of some character flaw. The people you are in relationship with are an extension of you.
3. Be prayerful about partnerships. Jesus prayed all night before he chose his apostles.
4. Don’t cut yourself off from positive praying people for negative people.
5. If you’re in a bad relationship go to counseling to see if the tear can be repaired. You can’t change the other person you can only change yourself. There must be “give” on both sides for there not to be a tear.
Dear God, match us up to the right people this year. I cannot tear myself away from this valuable network of a purpose-filled life for people who just pull on me but don’t pour into me. This year I will not be torn in my allegiance to you. I’m choosing the right people with the right material.
In Jesus Name,
Amen.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Do You Have An Excuse?
Luke 14:18
But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, “I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.”
Excuses are monuments of nothingness. They build bridges to nowhere. Those who use these tools of incompetence seldom become anything but nothing at all.
When you miss school the administration usually wants you to bring an excuse back. There is an excused absence such as going to the doctor due to sickness or death in your family. Then there are unexcused absences like skipping school to go to the mall or to hang out to play with your friends. Many times an excuse becomes a lie to avoid responsibility for your actions. Many of us cannot advance to the next level of higher learning because we have too many excuses. Do you have an excuse? What’s stopping you from advancing this year?
It’s a New Year and an invitation has been sent out for you to come to God’s house for a banquet. Every week God sets a spread, prepares a feast in your honor at his house just for you but there are a lot of people making excuses as to why they can’t show up.
1. Work. Verse I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Sometimes our drive for success and our climb up the corporate ladder made us miss our appointment with God. As we are climbing the ladder of success we better make sure it’s propped up against the right building.
2. Worldly pleasures. Verse 19 “another said, ‘I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I’m on my way to try them out. Please excuse me. “Sometimes, it seems the more we acquire the further away we get from God. Sometimes, people admit that when they had less, they loved God more. Don’t let your material possessions make you forget where all your blessings come from.
3. Relationships. Verse 20 “still another said, “I just got married, so I can’t come.’ Maybe this is why Paul said, “it’s better to be single because a single person’s mind is focused on how to please the Lord while married people are concerned about making their spouses happy which sometimes caused them to miss out on God’s invitation. When we put our significant others in God’s place it’s a recipe for a disaster because God is a jealous God and he will not share his glory with another. Our priorities ought to be a. God b. family c. work/ministry
God has invited us to be in relationship with him. He has invited us to another level of living. Many are called but few are chosen because they are full of excuses.
What’s your excuse this year for not coming to church? What’s your excuse for not getting in shape? What’s your excuse for not getting in a ministry? You don’t have an excuse for not obeying God they are all unexcused absences
Romans 1:20 for since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made so that men are without excuse.
God has shown you who He is so many times therefore you ought not have any excuses this year for missing His invitation.
Dear God,
I hear you and will be there. I will not make any excuse this year. I will be where you want me to be, nothing and nobody will get in my way. An excuse is a lie to avoid responsibility. I refuse to live a lie.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, “I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.”
Excuses are monuments of nothingness. They build bridges to nowhere. Those who use these tools of incompetence seldom become anything but nothing at all.
When you miss school the administration usually wants you to bring an excuse back. There is an excused absence such as going to the doctor due to sickness or death in your family. Then there are unexcused absences like skipping school to go to the mall or to hang out to play with your friends. Many times an excuse becomes a lie to avoid responsibility for your actions. Many of us cannot advance to the next level of higher learning because we have too many excuses. Do you have an excuse? What’s stopping you from advancing this year?
It’s a New Year and an invitation has been sent out for you to come to God’s house for a banquet. Every week God sets a spread, prepares a feast in your honor at his house just for you but there are a lot of people making excuses as to why they can’t show up.
1. Work. Verse I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Sometimes our drive for success and our climb up the corporate ladder made us miss our appointment with God. As we are climbing the ladder of success we better make sure it’s propped up against the right building.
2. Worldly pleasures. Verse 19 “another said, ‘I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I’m on my way to try them out. Please excuse me. “Sometimes, it seems the more we acquire the further away we get from God. Sometimes, people admit that when they had less, they loved God more. Don’t let your material possessions make you forget where all your blessings come from.
3. Relationships. Verse 20 “still another said, “I just got married, so I can’t come.’ Maybe this is why Paul said, “it’s better to be single because a single person’s mind is focused on how to please the Lord while married people are concerned about making their spouses happy which sometimes caused them to miss out on God’s invitation. When we put our significant others in God’s place it’s a recipe for a disaster because God is a jealous God and he will not share his glory with another. Our priorities ought to be a. God b. family c. work/ministry
God has invited us to be in relationship with him. He has invited us to another level of living. Many are called but few are chosen because they are full of excuses.
What’s your excuse this year for not coming to church? What’s your excuse for not getting in shape? What’s your excuse for not getting in a ministry? You don’t have an excuse for not obeying God they are all unexcused absences
Romans 1:20 for since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made so that men are without excuse.
God has shown you who He is so many times therefore you ought not have any excuses this year for missing His invitation.
Dear God,
I hear you and will be there. I will not make any excuse this year. I will be where you want me to be, nothing and nobody will get in my way. An excuse is a lie to avoid responsibility. I refuse to live a lie.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
This is Your Year to Produce!
Luke 3:9
The Ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.
Many of us are standing on the edge of our breakthrough. New possibilities are budding like leaves on tree tops after God flooded the earth ready for the new day of his redemption. We are budding but we must make sure we blossom into a fruitful tree. In 2011, God wants to open up the flood gates of heaven but when he does it’s up to you to be fruitful with what he pours out on you.
At the beginning of the year everyone is ready to repent. That is, we remember or look back on how far we’ve gotten off track with our lives and we resolve or make resolution to get back to where we should be. Repenting is not enough! We must produce fruit in keeping with repentance (v.8). There must be proof that we are making a change in 2011 before we are cut off. This year don’t tell people your resolutions show them the results. It’s time to produce!
John the Baptist said, “The ax is already at the root.” It’s crucial for many of us this year either we are going to produce or we’re going to be cut off. With this recession everybody’s making cuts. There are no more free rides, no room for mediocrity, or the same old same old. Either you are producing or you are getting cut. It’s imperative for the Body of Christ to produce fruits in keeping with repentance.
Ephesians 4:25-32 is a good recipe for producing fruit in keeping with repentance:
25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26 “In your anger do not sin”[a]: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. 28 Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.
29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
It’s time to produce like you have before
1.Stay rooted. Attend church and bible study regularly this year.
2.Get in the light. Have regular devotion including prayer and reading your bible. Check out www.lifejournal.cc for instructions on how to journal during devotion.
3.Let God prune you. After you bear fruit for God he has to cut something off of you so that you can bear even more fruit. Get ready to drop off unneeded weight this year.
Dear God, I’m ready to produce this year. I know there is more inside of me that only you can bring out through my obedience to you. This is the year that I will produce for you. It’s time to show and prove how much I really love you. Forgive me for not producing. Thank you for giving me another year to do better than I did last year.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
The Ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.
Many of us are standing on the edge of our breakthrough. New possibilities are budding like leaves on tree tops after God flooded the earth ready for the new day of his redemption. We are budding but we must make sure we blossom into a fruitful tree. In 2011, God wants to open up the flood gates of heaven but when he does it’s up to you to be fruitful with what he pours out on you.
At the beginning of the year everyone is ready to repent. That is, we remember or look back on how far we’ve gotten off track with our lives and we resolve or make resolution to get back to where we should be. Repenting is not enough! We must produce fruit in keeping with repentance (v.8). There must be proof that we are making a change in 2011 before we are cut off. This year don’t tell people your resolutions show them the results. It’s time to produce!
John the Baptist said, “The ax is already at the root.” It’s crucial for many of us this year either we are going to produce or we’re going to be cut off. With this recession everybody’s making cuts. There are no more free rides, no room for mediocrity, or the same old same old. Either you are producing or you are getting cut. It’s imperative for the Body of Christ to produce fruits in keeping with repentance.
Ephesians 4:25-32 is a good recipe for producing fruit in keeping with repentance:
25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26 “In your anger do not sin”[a]: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. 28 Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.
29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
It’s time to produce like you have before
1.Stay rooted. Attend church and bible study regularly this year.
2.Get in the light. Have regular devotion including prayer and reading your bible. Check out www.lifejournal.cc for instructions on how to journal during devotion.
3.Let God prune you. After you bear fruit for God he has to cut something off of you so that you can bear even more fruit. Get ready to drop off unneeded weight this year.
Dear God, I’m ready to produce this year. I know there is more inside of me that only you can bring out through my obedience to you. This is the year that I will produce for you. It’s time to show and prove how much I really love you. Forgive me for not producing. Thank you for giving me another year to do better than I did last year.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
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