We have a great to be thankful for in this nation and certainly if there is anything more important than being thankful for family and the church, I can’t think of it.
The Bible says, “In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
It is God’s will for you and I to give Him thanks both in everything (1 Thessalonians 5:18) and for everything (Ephesians 5:20). Here is why…we thank God in everything because we know that He will never leave us nor forsake us and that in the time of trouble He is a very present help.
We can thank God for everything because ultimately He allows nothing into our lives without it being filtered through His love for us…and therefore it is designed to eventually make us better and more like Jesus. "For we know that all things work together for good to them that love the Lord, to them who are the called according to His purpose," Romans 8:28.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Friday, October 29, 2010
THERE ARE NO SHORT CUTS TO OCCUPY YOUR DESTINY
Lazy hands make a man poor; but diligent hands bring wealth.
Proverbs 10:04 NIV
Proverbs 10:04 NIV
God has prepared a great future of peace, joy, abundance and healthy relationships for each of us. The only thing that can prevent you from living and enjoying that future, which includes having the career; the business; and the kind of home and reltionships that you envision, is your willingness to occupy it!
To occupy (take possession of), the future that God has prepared for you, it is incumbent upon you to recognize that there are no shortcuts. It will take work; effort; as well as, bold, determined faith actions.
The Scripture says “Lazy hands make a man poor; but diligent hands bring wealth.” While this Scripture is specifically speaking of material wealth…it is a principle that applies in general, to every area of our lives.
· If you want to receive the best that God has prepared for you in your relationships – you have got to work at it.
· If you want to receive the best that God has prepared for you in your health – you have got to work at it.
· If you want to receive the best that God has prepared for you in your finances – you have got to work at it.
There are no shortcuts to your Promise Land…to occupy your blessing and live the abundant life that Jesus died for you to have…you have got to work at it.
Proverbs 13:04 reads, “The sluggard craves and gets nothing, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.”
Remember God knows the intentions of your heart…however He blesses the labor of your hands.
There are no shortcuts to occupy your destiny; you have got to work for it!
Monday, October 18, 2010
THE POWER OF INFLUENCE
The wisdom of Proverbs 13:20 says, “He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed.”
When we consider and evaluate the major influences in our life that have helped to shape the kind of person we are, we must admit that peer pressure, people influence has to rank high on the list. The people we choose to allow into our lives will have a powerful influence either positively or negatively.
Now we are not talking about the casual or occasional contact or encounter we may have with others. But those relationships that we choose to let influence us on a more intimate and personal basis are very important. Even those associations of a business and professional nature, will influence our lives significantly. We should never underestimate the power of influence.
The influence of those around us is so powerful, until many times we don’t realize how much we are being affected because influences generally develop over a period of time!
We often associate peer pressure with teenagers, however it is a powerful force in the lives of everyone including adults…because it is so subtle. If you are around people who talk negative, chances are that you will talk negative. If you are around people who spend all the money they make, chances are that you also will spend all the money you make. If you are around people who go to night clubs more than they go to church, chances are that you will do the same thing. If you are around people who do not read, chances are that you won't read.
People can in subtle ways keep nudging us off our desired course of life, a little at a time until, finally, one day we ask ourselves, "How did I get here?" We must take time periodically to examine; study and evaluate the influences we allow in our lives, if we really want our lives to turn out the way we've planned.
Consider the following questions which may help you to evaluate your current influencers or associations:
1. “Who am I around?”
Make a mental note of the people with whom you most often associate. This is important because you have to evaluate everybody who is able to influence you in any way.
2. “What are these influencers doing to me?”
This is a critical question to ask. What have they got me doing? What have they got me listening to? What have they got me reading? Where have they got me going? What do they have me thinking? How have they got me talking? How have they got me feeling? What have they got me saying?
You've got to make a serious evaluation of how others are influencing you, both negatively and positively.
3. “Is this in line with my life’s purpose?”
“Is that okay?” Maybe everyone you associate with has been a positive, energizing contributing influence. Then again, maybe there are some who have been a drain; some who have been takers; some who have been manipulators; some who have been negative influences.
The point is that you take a close and objective look. Everything is worth a second look, especially the power of influence. Both will take you somewhere, but only one will take you in the direction you need to go.
It's easy to just dismiss the things that influence our lives. One man says, "I live here, but I don't think it matters. I'm around these people, but I don't think it hurts." Well I would suggest that you take another look at that...because everything matters!
Yes, some things matter more than others, however everything amounts to something and you and I are being influenced one way or another. It is vital that we are continuously evaluating and examining to find out whether our associations are tipping the scales toward the positive or toward the negative. When it comes to who and what is influencing our lives, ignorance is not the best policy. Finding out is the best policy.
Jim Rohm tells the story of the little bird, who had his wing over his eye and he was crying.
When we consider and evaluate the major influences in our life that have helped to shape the kind of person we are, we must admit that peer pressure, people influence has to rank high on the list. The people we choose to allow into our lives will have a powerful influence either positively or negatively.
Now we are not talking about the casual or occasional contact or encounter we may have with others. But those relationships that we choose to let influence us on a more intimate and personal basis are very important. Even those associations of a business and professional nature, will influence our lives significantly. We should never underestimate the power of influence.
The influence of those around us is so powerful, until many times we don’t realize how much we are being affected because influences generally develop over a period of time!
We often associate peer pressure with teenagers, however it is a powerful force in the lives of everyone including adults…because it is so subtle. If you are around people who talk negative, chances are that you will talk negative. If you are around people who spend all the money they make, chances are that you also will spend all the money you make. If you are around people who go to night clubs more than they go to church, chances are that you will do the same thing. If you are around people who do not read, chances are that you won't read.
People can in subtle ways keep nudging us off our desired course of life, a little at a time until, finally, one day we ask ourselves, "How did I get here?" We must take time periodically to examine; study and evaluate the influences we allow in our lives, if we really want our lives to turn out the way we've planned.
Consider the following questions which may help you to evaluate your current influencers or associations:
1. “Who am I around?”
Make a mental note of the people with whom you most often associate. This is important because you have to evaluate everybody who is able to influence you in any way.
2. “What are these influencers doing to me?”
This is a critical question to ask. What have they got me doing? What have they got me listening to? What have they got me reading? Where have they got me going? What do they have me thinking? How have they got me talking? How have they got me feeling? What have they got me saying?
You've got to make a serious evaluation of how others are influencing you, both negatively and positively.
3. “Is this in line with my life’s purpose?”
“Is that okay?” Maybe everyone you associate with has been a positive, energizing contributing influence. Then again, maybe there are some who have been a drain; some who have been takers; some who have been manipulators; some who have been negative influences.
The point is that you take a close and objective look. Everything is worth a second look, especially the power of influence. Both will take you somewhere, but only one will take you in the direction you need to go.
It's easy to just dismiss the things that influence our lives. One man says, "I live here, but I don't think it matters. I'm around these people, but I don't think it hurts." Well I would suggest that you take another look at that...because everything matters!
Yes, some things matter more than others, however everything amounts to something and you and I are being influenced one way or another. It is vital that we are continuously evaluating and examining to find out whether our associations are tipping the scales toward the positive or toward the negative. When it comes to who and what is influencing our lives, ignorance is not the best policy. Finding out is the best policy.
Jim Rohm tells the story of the little bird, who had his wing over his eye and he was crying.
The owl said to the bird, "You are crying."
"Yes," said the little bird, and he pulled his wing away from his eye.
"Oh, I see," said the owl. "You're crying because the big bird pecked out your eye."
And the little bird said, "No, I'm not crying because the big bird pecked out my eye. I'm crying because I let him."
It's easy for us to simply let influences shape our lives, to let associations determine our direction, to let pressures overwhelm us, and to let the wind and the tides take us where they are going.
The bigger questions are: Are we letting ourselves become what we wish to become? Are we influencing others toward a higher place or are we being influenced to remain in place?
"Yes," said the little bird, and he pulled his wing away from his eye.
"Oh, I see," said the owl. "You're crying because the big bird pecked out your eye."
And the little bird said, "No, I'm not crying because the big bird pecked out my eye. I'm crying because I let him."
It's easy for us to simply let influences shape our lives, to let associations determine our direction, to let pressures overwhelm us, and to let the wind and the tides take us where they are going.
The bigger questions are: Are we letting ourselves become what we wish to become? Are we influencing others toward a higher place or are we being influenced to remain in place?
Saturday, October 2, 2010
If Only
I’ve discovered that most people only dream of what they could do…IF ONLY! If only they had a better job; if only the teacher was not always picking on them; if only they were taller; if only they had more money; if only they were born in a diffent races or different place or at a different time; if only they were not neglected or abused or rejected or if only they had a perfect family life.
The Bible says that “You are without excuse O Man…” Here’s the reason we have no excuse, the Bible says that “God has given us everything that pertains to life…”
In other words, while all of our life's challenges, set-backs and disappointments are real. They are no excuse for us to remain in the situation we are in. Our past does not dictate our future. Life is not about where you start; nor where you are at present...its all about what you do to move toward the great destiny that God has prepared for you!
We have to learn to play the hand you have been dealt! We have to learn to turn the lemons of our life into lemon-aid! So pursue your dream and remember that for every "no"…it simply means that you are getting closer to your "yes." And all it takes to turn your situation around is one "yes!"
Why not begin now to change your thinking and begin by:
1. Dropping the “IF ONLY” talk… Stop waiting for things to get better, before you make them better. Give up the excuse of “if only.” “If only I had this; or if only I had that.”
2. FACE life as it is…But don’t ACCEPT it as it is… remember that you were created to make a difference in the world. You have greatness dwelling within you and the world needs your contribution in order for it to be a better place.
3. Recognize that YOU HOLD the power to do something with your life, regardless of the economy, your upbringing, your past mistakes. God has given you SEED to plant (your words, your choices, your money, your talent, your abilities. etc.). If all you have is a nice smile…that’s your seed—use it.
4. Don’t wait for the perfect conditions. Don’t wait for a better day…or the right teacher; the right principle; the right time of day; the right time for the stock market, or real estate market or the media or things to get better…before you do what you know to do. Make your life better by thinking the right thoughts…and sowing the right seeds.
5. Don’t Forget Your God-Given Benefits… Instead of focusing on what you don’t have…focus on the good that you already have; focus on what God HAS already done…focus on your Benefits as Believers…
Read Psalms 103:1 – 5 today…and watch your strength be renewed.
The Bible says that “You are without excuse O Man…” Here’s the reason we have no excuse, the Bible says that “God has given us everything that pertains to life…”
In other words, while all of our life's challenges, set-backs and disappointments are real. They are no excuse for us to remain in the situation we are in. Our past does not dictate our future. Life is not about where you start; nor where you are at present...its all about what you do to move toward the great destiny that God has prepared for you!
We have to learn to play the hand you have been dealt! We have to learn to turn the lemons of our life into lemon-aid! So pursue your dream and remember that for every "no"…it simply means that you are getting closer to your "yes." And all it takes to turn your situation around is one "yes!"
Why not begin now to change your thinking and begin by:
1. Dropping the “IF ONLY” talk… Stop waiting for things to get better, before you make them better. Give up the excuse of “if only.” “If only I had this; or if only I had that.”
2. FACE life as it is…But don’t ACCEPT it as it is… remember that you were created to make a difference in the world. You have greatness dwelling within you and the world needs your contribution in order for it to be a better place.
3. Recognize that YOU HOLD the power to do something with your life, regardless of the economy, your upbringing, your past mistakes. God has given you SEED to plant (your words, your choices, your money, your talent, your abilities. etc.). If all you have is a nice smile…that’s your seed—use it.
4. Don’t wait for the perfect conditions. Don’t wait for a better day…or the right teacher; the right principle; the right time of day; the right time for the stock market, or real estate market or the media or things to get better…before you do what you know to do. Make your life better by thinking the right thoughts…and sowing the right seeds.
5. Don’t Forget Your God-Given Benefits… Instead of focusing on what you don’t have…focus on the good that you already have; focus on what God HAS already done…focus on your Benefits as Believers…
Read Psalms 103:1 – 5 today…and watch your strength be renewed.
Friday, September 17, 2010
The Best Way To De-Stress Your Life
Besides learning to love others as you love yourself…the greatest thing you will ever learn is to forgive! When we hold resentment; bitterness; hatred; anger or revenge; we are bound to that person or that situation or condition, by an emotional tie that is stronger than steel.
The Bible teaches us that we are “Forgive one another even as God in Christ has forgiven us.”
Forgiving is not forgetting – forgiving is a willful choice we make, not to respond negatively to the pain that may have been inflicted upon us. Forgive those who have caused you emotional distress, mental pain or wronged you in any way. Here is the reason why, because as long as you hold on to past hurts – you give that person or that circumstance total control of your life! You make yourself a prisoner of your past; you cage your in and lock out opportunities and you become a victim in your very own mind, carrying around a ton of stress that weighs you down.
Today is your day to de-stress your life and get truly free…by forgiving and moving on! This may be the hardest thing you will ever do - but it will the best thing you have ever done and it will bless you; it will release you; it will de-stress you and it will refresh you.
It is the BEST way for you to bring peace and lasting change to your life!
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Your Rights - Your Privileges
Many Christians are living so far beneath the place of victory and freedom; power and authority; prosperity and abundance that has been given to us as our inheritance.
If we are ever going to be the witnesses and image of Christ in the earth and have the kind of impact that the early Church had, it is essential that we understand and apply our rights and privileges as believers.
In Christ, you are given everything you need to live a godly life; the abundant life; and a life of faith and faithfulness to God. Don't allow Satan to decieve you any longer and render your witness ineffective.
Learn what you have a right to as a believer; what are the privileges granted to you; what is your spiritual inheritance and how to claim what is rightfully yours!
Each Wendesday at 07:00pm...join me for this life changing teaching series that will move you closer to your divine destiny.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
THE HIDDEN MAN OF THE HEART
There is a You in you. It is called the hidden man of the heart. It is the invisible you that motivates, encourages, enables and empowers the visible you to succeed.
The Bible says that "God is at work in you, both to will and to do of His good pleasure." "He who has begun a good work in you will complete it." In other words, there is more working in you and for you than there is outside you and against you.
So look within and see the unseen you that is within you. Look within and see the greater one who is in you; see the strong, powerful, one created in the image and likeness of God.
Rise up You...there is a world waiting for you to release the potential and reach for the prize. Humanity awaits you to fulfill the place in history that is reserved just for you.
The Bible says that "God is at work in you, both to will and to do of His good pleasure." "He who has begun a good work in you will complete it." In other words, there is more working in you and for you than there is outside you and against you.
So look within and see the unseen you that is within you. Look within and see the greater one who is in you; see the strong, powerful, one created in the image and likeness of God.
Rise up You...there is a world waiting for you to release the potential and reach for the prize. Humanity awaits you to fulfill the place in history that is reserved just for you.
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