Monday, March 28, 2011

Secret To A Successful Life

There is one particular passage of scripture in the Word of God that gives us instructions on how to have a successful life. There are many more but this is one of my favorites. It sort of covers everything. Are you ready to hear it? Ok I'll get to it in a moment. First, let me ask this. What is it that you want out of your life? Do you want more riches, better health, a name for yourself that is to be recognized? Just exactly what is it that you want? Or are you content with what you have? Are you satisfied with your life just as it is? Next question, what is it that you need? Do you need more food, more money, better health, a better relationship? Or are you content with what you've got? Are you satisfied? Those are two different questions even though you may think they sound the same. One is what do you WANT the other is what do you NEED. And then the second part of both questions is just as important, are you CONTENT or are you SATISFIED. 1 Tim 6 v 6-10....Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptaition and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the LOVE of money is the root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faiith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows...... Now this scripture does not say money is evil. No, it says the LOVE of money. Being financially rich is not evil. It is when we start coveting what we do not have, and when we let those riches take over our lives and we forget who we are. We need to be content with what we have so that we do not covet what others have. You know the saying the grass always looks greener on the other side. That does not mean it is better for you. That grass has probably been fertilized with harmful chemicals that eventually causes destruction or death to you. Looks can be deceiving. Now the word does not tell you to be satisfied so that you stop working to achieve more. No it just simply says to be content with what you have at all times even though you are still working toward a goal. We can be content without having satisfied our goals and desires just yet. Just as we can strive to satisfy those goals and desires without coveting what is not ours. When something is satisfied, it is brought to completion, it is finished. I for one do not want to be satisfied until Jesus comes. But I am happy to be content with what I have and to work toward other goals. Some may say, I have all I need or want. You may say I do not need anything else. That is great, but don't get satisfied, start working on a goal to help others in the kingdom. Find what it is that God would have you do to help in His kingdom. After all Who was it that got you where you are? I heard it put like this once. The word retirement is never found in the bible. You may have satisfied your obligations as for working for the world, but there is no retirement in working for the LORD. AMEN! Jesus didn't say go out into all the world and preach the gospel until you have put in your 25 or 30 years. Mark 16 v 15... And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature."..... No we are not all ordained ministers, but we all do minister the gospel everyday with our actions, our words, our conduct. You have heard it said that sometimes you are the only bible a person ever sees. We are to be the word of God in action. Oh yes, we will mess up now and again, but we must be quick to repent when we do and make our actions right according to the word. Being successful doesn't necessarily mean being financially rich. There are some financially rich people who are living in misery everyday. These people do not experience Joy, Peace, Divine Health and the blessing of Abraham on their lives. These are those so called "self made milllionaires." When someone starts claiming to be self made then they are only enjoying temporary riches here on earth. The secret to success is being blessed with riches in every area, not just finances and being content with what you have while still striving toward other goals. And now for the secret to success found in the Word. Please take the time to read and meditate on this passage of scripture, so that you may obtain revelation of what a sucessful life is really all about. Prov 3 v 1-10 ......My son, do not forget my law, but let your heart keep my commands; for length of days and long life and peace they will add to you. Let not mercy and truth forsake you; Bind them around your neck, write them on the tablets of your heart, and so find favor and high esteem in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, and strength to your bones. Honor the Lord with your possessions, and with the first fruits of all your increase; So that your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine...... WOW, here you have it. You are told how to have a long life, a healthy life, a strong body, favor from God and men on you and all you set your hands to (your business, your job, etc.) Then you will have your barns overflowing with all that you can contain. And most importantly you will not be doing it alone and you will have His peace through it all. AMEN! STAY IN THE WORD!

Monday, March 21, 2011

Where Do You Fit In

Sometimes do you wonder where do I fit in to the big scheme of things? Where am I suppose to be in God's big world? Who am I to Him?

We have all wondered that at some time in our lives. You are not alone. But now we have to realize just who we are in Christ. We are joint heirs with Him to the throne. We are God's children and He loves us all the same. He is no respector of man so He will not love you more than me, or me more than you. We are descendants of Abraham and therefore we are in covenant with God to the promises of Abraham.

What does that mean you might ask? Well, for one thing it means you will have no lack. No lack in any area. No lack in your food, no lack in the gasoline you need to put in your car to get you to and fro. No lack in your health. No lack in the strength you need to do the things God calls you to do. I could go on and on. But you get the picture. God says He will provide your every need. He knows what you are going to need before you need it.

Now, where do we fit in? We all fit into God's world, remember He formed us each in our mother's womb. Do you think God would make something for nothing? Why would He do that? No, He has a purpose for each one of us. We heard yesterday at church about our vision as a church. We have a goal for 2011, a vision that we will strive together to meet, and we will meet it before 2011 is over. Why? Because God does not give you a vision and then not see it through.

God gives each of us our own personal visions as well. We struggle sometimes to see what that vision is. I know I do. I am always thinking Lord, what would you have me do for You? What is my purpose? It is like our Pastor said yesterday, sometimes we get under condemnation thinking we can not see our vision, thinking we have to know before the day is over what is my vision. Sometimes we can't see the forest because of the trees. AMEN! We need to back off, stop, get quiet and listen to what God has to say to us. See what He has to show us. And then if you are like me, sometimes He will show us a vision, and we will say, nah, thats not it, I could never do that. Maybe you couldn't, but God can. He is using you to bring His vision about. Now that is where you fit into the big scheme of God's world. Alone, you probably can't do what He might ask you to do, but with Him all things are possible. AMEN!

The next time you are sitting and wondering just who you are to Christ and how you fit into His world, get the word out and begin to look at what the scriptures say about who you are, and what your purpose is. The more we STAY IN THE WORD, the more we know about ourselves and who we are to Him. AMEN!

A scripture Pastor used yesterday to help us with seeing our vision was in Habakkuk. It was marked in my bible so at sometime I had heard this in church or from a speaker before. But, like most of us, I then went about my week and forgot all about it. We need to meditate on scripture when we hear it until we get a revelation of it. Until we say "Oh" now I get it. This week I will be meditating on these scriptures. I do not want to be like the people roaming around in circles in the desert for forty years. I would like to see my vision come to pass in less time than that. AMEN!

Habakkuk 2 v 2-3....Then the LORD answered me and said: "Write the vision. And make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it: Because it will surely come, It will not tarry......

Here is something the Pastor gave us yesterday to help us with our vision.
1.) We pray about it........2) We see it.........3) We write it......4) We say it......5) We act on it.....6) WE HAVE IT!

Remember we have to say what we have before we actually have it. That is faith. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. (Rom 10 v 17) We need to hear our vision being spoken out. The word tells us to call those things that are not as though they already are. (2 Cor 4 v 18) ( 2 Cor 5 v 7) (Heb 11 v 3 and verse 6) Jesus told Thomas, blessed are those who believe without yet seeing.(John 20 v 29) That is the Faith of Abraham and we are the descendants of Abraham.( Heb. 11 v 1) How do we get to that point of having that kind of faith?

STAY IN THE WORD!

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Who Do You Think Is Watching You

When we are challenged with attacks against us or our health, or when someone on our job irritates us to the point of wanting to scream. Who do you think is watching to see how we will react? We have been taught through out our childhoods, to be on our good behavior, that God is watching us, He sees how we behave.

Well, it is not God who is watching us. Shocked? No, in fact it is the enemy who is watching us to see what we will do. He wants to cause us to react out of anger, or revenge or anything else but love. When we do, he gets bonus points for his side.

You see, God does not have to watch us. He already knows every move we will make before we even make it, or every word before we speak before it is spoken. You see He knows when to turn away as He can not look upon sin. But the enemy on the other hand is sitting there cheering us on when we react to something outside of love.

God is always watching over us, He is always there to catch us when we call upon His name. But, He is not watching to see how we behave. He already knows. He will be there afterwards when we call out to Him. When in truth, we should have called out on His name to start with before we put ourselves into sin.

That is hard to think on sometimes as I know I for one have not always reacted the way I should to situations. Sometimes, I have a tendency to just fly off the handle and say whatever spiteful thing comes to my mind first. This is not something I am proud of, it is just part of my makeup that I need to change by renewing my mind daily with His word.

Who are we hurting when we react out of anger, or hatefuleness. Are we hurting those who are attacking us? Maybe, but they are not the only ones we are hurting. We are hurting all the people everywhere who Christians are trying to help, who they are trying to tell how much God loves them and wants to forgive them, and wants to give them life full of joy and abundance and hope. We are destroying our own witness of the Lord and His grace. We are making null and void what we say we believe. Oh, God's grace will win out, His love will never fail. But we will at times. It is what we do when we do fail that will make a difference. Don't leave things as they are when you mess up. Be quick to apologize and to offer love and ask for forgiveness. It is not easy being humble. Just ask Jesus!

We are being watched by all those who have looked to us to show them how we as Christians are to respond to the wiles of the devil. It breaks God's heart to see us react outside of His love.

I don't know about you, but it breaks my heart to think that I have broken God's heart. AMEN!

Matthew 5 v 44-45a.....But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.......

Yes, we are to behave as sons and daughters of our Father in heaven. So that when people see us, they can see God through us.

Matthew 5 v 14 and 16.......You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.... 16....Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven....

Ephesians 5 v 8-10....For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the LORD......

Galatians 5 v 16....I say then; walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lusts of the flesh....

Galatians 5 v 22-23a....But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control....

I believe the main fruit of the Spirit that we should all work on is self control. If we can master this one, then the rest of the fruits will fall into place. AMEN!. Bottom line, is always always walk in love toward your neighbor. And then your Father in heaven will not only be watching over you, but watching you as well and beaming with happiness.

How do we stay in God's presence and react the way He would have us to? By renewing our minds, by...

STAYING IN THE WORD!

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Staying Focused

Focused on what you may ask? Focused on the Word of God. If you do not stay focused on the Word, and your circumstances become bigger than the Word that is in you, then you will succomb to your circumstances. Let me explain.

When you stay in the Word and you get the Word established (settled) into your heart, then no matter what the circumstances are the Word will be bigger. You will hear the Word rising up in your Spirit man, and you will not be able to hear (or see) the circumstances that are trying to rise up against you.

God will win out everytime. No matter what the battle you are facing. You just need to find in His Word where He says that battle has been fought and won already, and take hold of your victory.

Our Pastor said it like this Sunday. The Greatest Victory is on the other side of your worst battle. So just know when you think you are going through the worst possible fight you can imagine, recall what He says in His word about it, and stay focused on the Word and not the battle. And you will come out with the Victory on the other side. AMEN!

So if your battle is dealing with healing in your body, focus on what He says in IS 53, 1 Pet 2 v 24.

IS 53 v 5....But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.....

1 Pet 2 v 24.....Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness, by whose stripes you were healed....

If your battle is with finances read Proverbs 10, and Galatians 3 v 29, Gen. 17 v 7, and Gen. 15 v 1.

Proverbs 10 v 22...The blessing of the Lord makes one rich, and He adds no sorrow with it....

Gal. 3 v 29...And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise....

Genesis 17 v 7....And I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and your descendants after you......

Genesis 15 v 1...After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying, do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward....

If your battle is with others trying to steal your joy. Read 1 Cor 13, Phillipians 4.

1 Cor 13 v 4-8a.....Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy. love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails....

Phil 4 v 6-7.....be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.....

Above all else remember who you are in Christ Jesus. And stay focused on what He says you have, who He says you are and then give Him your battles and He will see your through to the other side.

Hebrews 13 v 5-6....Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." So we may boldly say; "The LORD is my helper; I will not fear; What can man do to me?".....

There is a safe place for us when we rest in Him and meditate on His words. And there is always, always Victory on the other side of our battles when we trust in Him. Read PS 91 and focus on who God says you are to Him. See what He has to say about those who come against you and the battles you are facing. He says they shall not come near you. Focus on that! AMEN!

STAY IN THE WORD!