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
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
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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