Devotional

September 5, 2013

First Generation to . . .

I just received an interesting email from Tim Elmore, author and president of Growing Leaders (You can find out more about the company from their website growingleaders.com). I thought Elmore’s comments fit well with what Dr. Chris Royael shared on Growing Champions (last night at Valley Fellowship). Dr. Elmore has written a lot about the new generation of young adults. Here is the heart of email I got today, September 5, 2013 from Tim Elmore.

Your high school or college students are among a generation who’s the first to experience a number of realities. In fact, because they’re initiating these realities, they may present a challenge to your parents and teachers. Adults are grappling with how to raise this population of kids who grew up on-line, with a screen in their hands. The pixels and format of those screens have re-wired their brains: they think differently, react differently, communicate differently, and process information differently than adults. Some call them “screenagers.” Consider the following “firsts” they represent.

This is the First Generation of Youth Who:

1. Doesn’t need adults to get information.
Consider how this difference changes the role of an adult. Because information is everywhere, we are no longer brokers of data. They don’t need us for information, but for interpretation. We must help them make sense of all they know. Our job isn’t to enable them to access data, but to process data and form good decisions.

2. Can broadcast their every thought or emotion to those who follow them.
You see this every week. Thanks to Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, your kids can send messages to huge populations who matter. They are the new PR for your youth department or your school. Some posts actually get famous…good or bad. Most have not been equipped to harness the megaphone in their hands.

3. Has external stimuli at their fingertips 24/7.
Because a portable device is in their hand, they receive outside stimulation any time they’re bored. Many don’t think well on their own. This outside entertainment may have reduced their internal motivation. They’ve never had to motivate themselves. They depend on a screen to push them. We must equip them to find it within.

4. Is socially connected at all times, but often connects in isolation.
This is the most connected generation in history—but perhaps the one who’s experienced the least community. They’re rarely disconnected, but are lonely and often connect virtually, in isolation, on a screen. Their empathy, soft skills and emotional intelligence are lower because of it. They’ll need those skills for life.
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5. Will learn more from a portable device than from a classroom.
This one is a game changer. The portable device they hold in their hand is now the compass that guides them, not their teachers. They’ll consume more data on this device than through any other means. It may be inaccurate or damaging, but it’s available and they are digesting it. They’ll need us to help them navigate this tool.

6. Adults have enabled to be narcissistic instead of valuing a team.
Adults have told them they’re special, gifted and smart. This affirmation was intended to build self-esteem. Sadly, instead of helping their self-esteem, as a whole, it’s produced a high level of narcissism. They’re into themselves not the whole. You may be needed to furnish them with bigger picture perspective.

7. Uses a phone instead of a wristwatch, camera, wall calendar or board game.
Students no longer manage their lives the way we did growing up. Their phone tells time, provides entertainment, takes pictures, gives directions, connects with friends and broadcasts their messages. Designed to make life simpler, this non-stop information center has made them the most stressed out generation to date.

8. Scores lower on global comparisons, but believe they’re “awesome.”
This may be the most notable “first.” American kids continue to score lower on standardized tests than their peers around the world. Despite this fact, the one category they keep scoring highest in is: self-confidence. They’ve been empowered to believe they’re awesome, but not equipped by adults to enter adulthood.

Our Job…
Despite the unintended consequences to this world of “firsts” I continue to believe in the potential of this emerging generation. I pray they truly will transform the world. They can be role models for younger kids—but they will require direction and equipping that earlier young adults may not have needed. They need conversations about how to navigate an overwhelming world of information, and they need help to see they are only part of a much bigger world than themselves. Are you ready to expand your definition of “teacher” or “leader”?

What does this say to us that want to reach this generation for Christ? I encourage you to reread Dr. Elmore’s last paragraph. Are you ready to be a role model for Christ?

September 5, 2013

Divinely Resourced

Even when you feel drained, or life knocks you around, or you feel like you just can’t make it, God remains your source. Your connection to Heaven’s King puts you in a spot to be Divinely resourced. You have somewhere to go when you need strength to stand back up. There is good stuff held-back, waiting for the day you need them. Even if you think you are out of options, but God says you are not!

We also pray that you will be STRENGTHENED with all his glorious power so you will have all the ENDURANCE and PATIENCE you need. May you be filled with JOY, always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the INHERITANCE that belongs to his people, who live in the light. (Colossians 1:11-12 NLT)

Paul prayed for strength and his prayer provides an open door for us to ask God for strength. Pray for strength.

You and I can be strengthened by His Glorious Power! Father God provides for His children with abundant, ready supply. Author and noted New Testament translator, J.B. Phillips proclaimed, “God is the great reality. His resources are available and endless. His promises are real and glorious, beyond our wildest dreams.”

We are Divinely Resourced! Heavenly Fathers delivers endurance, patience, joy, inheritance.

#1 ENDURANCE

You have an endurance reserve. Often God perplexingly and mysteriously seems to place His children in positions of profound difficulty, situations that try resolve and test persistence. But, God never let more come your way that you are able to handle – with His help.

Sometimes we pray for the easy way out of adversity, instead of asking for strength to go forward or expecting God’s comfort. We want no persecution, no pain, no discomfort, no hardship. We beg God to get us out of difficult circumstances, but could God want glory from bringing us through the insurmountable obstacle? Everything that He accomplishes in our lives is for our benefit, but it is also for His glory.

God will deliver you and will provide you a reservoir of strength, but in doing so He will get glory and He will give you a lesson that you will never forget. Even when you think your tank is empty, you have a Divine reserve for endurance.

#2 PATIENCE

You have a patience supply. Paul lists patience as a fruit of Holy Spirit (Galatians 5) and our choice to yield to Holy Spirit is superblooming-fertilizer for patience.

I chuckled to hear of the sign hanging in a Texas country store, “Be patient. None of us am perfect.”
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Patience really isn’t optional; God commands, “Be patient with everyone” (1 Thessalonians 5:14b NIV). I have been told that a Greek word for patience carries the literal idea of “taking a long time to boil.” Hmm. How long does it take you boil?

Pray. Invite the Holy Spirit to develop Christlike character within you. Tap into the Divine supply of patience.

#3 JOY

You have a joy source. The joy of the Lord is your strength but His joy cannot be equated to how most people view “happiness.” The materialism of American culture pushes people to look for happiness in a having MORE STUFF. However, Jesus tells us, “a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions” (Luke 12:15). American society values the pursuit of happiness and some folks mistakenly assume praying the “sinner’s prayer” automatically releases this kind of stuff-minded happiness.

Being born again gets you into the kingdom of God, but to be a joyful Christian, you have to get the kingdom of God into you. Our minds need to be renewed and retrained, our faith needs to be exercised, our lifestyles need to be transformed, and all of this happens as we continue to yield to the Holy Spirit. Joy is available even when circumstances are deplorable. Why? Because our joy is ultimately based on the finished work of Christ and Christ’s death and resurrection opens the way for us to live in the kingdom of light (Colossians 1:12).

#4 INHERITANCE

You have a Divine inheritance. In Colossians 1:12-14, Paul reminds of readers of the present and future victory we enjoy as believers. God divinely positions His children to prosper and succeed in what He has called them to do. Believers are blessed – empowered to prosper and succeed in every area of life so that they experience satisfaction, fulfillment, full joy, and success.

James Hudson Taylor, the famous Christian missionary to China and founder of China Inland Mission, wrote:

It does not matter where He places me or how. That is rather for Him to consider than for me. For the easiest positions He must give grace; and in the most difficult His grace is sufficient. So, if God places me in great perplexity, must He not give me much guidance? In positions of great difficulty, much grace? In circumstances of great pressure and trial, much strength? As to work, mine was never so plentiful, so responsible, or so difficult; but the weight and strain are all gone. His resources are mine, for He is mine. (Draper’s Book, p.7481.)

God isn’t finished yet; the story isn’t over; Divine resources are not yet exhausted. Paul encourages, “this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19 NLT).

God remembers you, even when you have failed and let Him down again and again. You can confidently pray and call upon Him in your desperate need. With the God who provides as your source, you are never out of options.You will discover you are Divinely resourced.

September 4, 2013

Growing Champions

Tonight, Valley Fellowship Church was honored to have Dr. Chris Royael teaching on “GROWING CHAMPIONS: Parenting on Purpose.” Dr. Chris was inspirational and informative, and I want to share my notes and ideas from today.

Dr. Chris (M.Div and Doctorate of Education) spent 17 years at Oral Roberts University where he served in the Student Life Department as the Dean of Men mentoring young men and women. Since 2005, he has led Faith Academy, a K-12 school with 330 students in Victoria, Texas. Dr. Chris is a member of the ICAA Accreditation Commission and an accreditation site-team chairperson. An ordained minister at Faith Family Church (Victoria, TX), he speaks regularly.

God has a plan for every child. Parents, a battle is raging for the destinies of our children. A war rages for the hearts and minds of our children. Everyday our children are being molded and formed – spiritually, socially, academically, and even sexually. We cannot afford to skip our opportunity to grow champion children. If we step out, someone else will step into our role. God wants everyone of us to pull together and intentionally shape the next generation. We can impact destiny if we capture the hearts and minds of kids.

Raising Godly children who love the Lord and are serving Him takes a lot of work, grace, and strength from the Lord. Parents, we must focus on OUR opportunities, our responsibilities—the things we can control. With single-parent-families and families with two full-time jobs, too many parents are relinquishing their most important priority and expecting a school or a church group to fulfill the parenting responsibility. VFCA (Christian education and schools) are great partners for parents, but a school can never replace parenting by parents. We will not make excuses, but work to find solutions; we will not give away our influence or limit God’s power.

Young people will be shaped and molded. The question is: BY WHOM and FOR WHAT PURPOSE? It doesn’t matter if you feel overwhelmed or inadequate or disqualified by past mistakes, God entrusted that child to you for you to parent that child. The single greatest influence on a child’s life – more than peers, more than teachers – is still parents. What will your influence be?

You are the perfect parent for that child. God gave that child to you. Think of the example of Abraham. God “settled on him,” picked Abraham to be Isaac’s daddy.

Abraham is going to become a large & strong nation; all the nations of the world are going to find themselves blessed through him. Yes, I’ve settled on him as the one to train his children and future family to observe God’s way of life, live kindly and generously and fairly, so that God can complete in Abraham what he promised him. (Genesis 18:18-19 MSG)

Abraham wasn’t perfect (no parent is) and he made plenty of mistakes, but Abraham managed to communicate that God was supremely important. Parents’ NUMBER ONE PRIORITY: Create a family environment where God is SUPREME. Sports, housework, watching tv, relationships, every part of living should all be saturated by God’s influence. Every day, every place, every opportunity is an ALTAR to encounter God & serve Him. “Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering” (Romans 12:1b MSG).

Parents, we desperately need to:

TEACH our kids what a fully-devoted life looks like. Not just what, but why.
TRAIN them to follow God wholeheartedly. Not just why, but how.

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We teach and train our kids best when we INVOLVE them in our faith journey. There is a huge difference between talking about something and actually doing it. “Tell me; I’ll forget. Show me; I may remember. Involve me and I’ll understand.” Are you taking your kids along with you in your faith journey? Hebrews chapter eleven highlights that Abraham journeyed forward not knowing where he was going, but willing to take the journey with God. Sometimes we aren’t sure of what we are doing, but God is with us on the way. Yes, Abraham made mistakes, but he did include his son on his faith journey.

#1 To grow champions, BE INTENTIONAL AND CONSISTENT.

Pray
Plan for growth
Persist

We need to form genuine relationships with our children, speak uplifting words, communicate we are for them, express care and personal interest, and call our children to a higher standard of excellence and maturity.

Paul likens discipleship to giving birth, “Oh, my dear children! I feel as if I’m going through labor pains for you again, and they will continue until Christ is fully developed in your lives” (Galatians 4:19 NLT). There are joys and excitement when the baby kicks, but there are also nights when you can’t sleep, when the demands of that new child become inconvenient, uncomfortable, and work.

#2 To grow champions, use LIFE-ORIENTED discipleship.

Effective discipleship is life-oriented. If we want our children to follow God, we must make GOd a part of our everyday experiences. Kids need to see the big picture as they witness how God relates to every aspect of life – not just church-related life. We live in a real world with real issues and real concerns. Parenting includes preparing children for all the choices they will be making and ensuring that they are ready to handle them.

Seize the “teachable moments.” When you get in the minivan, pray on the way to school. When you get home, talk to your kids BEYOND yes and no answers. When you put your kids to bed, pray and talk and connect with them. Process life with your children.

Don’t ignore or sidestep the real questions of life. Tough questions don’t need to be avoided but can provide a wonderful opportunity to teach a Biblical worldview. If you don’t answer your child’s question, someone else will. Pause that show and talk about what you just saw. You don’t have to know all the answers. Admit you don’t know, but don’t let youtube give “the talk” to your kids. Process the hard questions; learn together if necessary; call a pastor or a Godly advisor.

Step time with your kids. Cultivation only happens when the gardener is with the garden.

Attention, Israel! God, our God! God the one and only! Love God, your God, with your whole heart: love him with all that’s in you, love him with all you’ve got! Write these commandments that I’ve given you today on your hearts. Get them inside of you and then get them inside your children. Talk about them wherever you are, sitting at home or walking in the street; talk about them from the time you get up in the morning to when you fall into bed at night. Tie them on your hands and foreheads as a reminder; inscribe them on the doorposts of your homes and on your city gates. (Deuteronomy 6:4-9 MSG)

#3 To grow champions, let your actions COMMUNICATE Godly values and beliefs.

Actions communicate values and beliefs. Our lives communicate values and validate beliefs. What we do more than anything else indicates what we believe. Kids follow the example of parents.

The apostle Paul understood the importance of example, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1 NIV). Our standard is based not on what others do or don’t do, not on the lowest common denominator with another family; our standard is Jesus Christ and His presence in our lives.

American humorist Will Rogers wisely quipped, “Peoples’ minds are changed through observation and not argument.” What are you kids seeing you do? What kind of faith-trail are you leaving for them to follow? Consider the following statistics:

89% of what we learn comes from what we SEE
10% from what we HEAR
1% through other senses

Follow the leader is not just a game that kids play. Following the leader is the way children embrace the values of people they trust (whether right or wrong). What are your children seeing you do? We don’t need to send mixed-messages to children. Everything you do and everything you are is the model for kids.

#4 To grow champions, work your spiritual CORE.

Have you developed your own spiritual life? Every athlete knows the importance of having a strong core, the source of your power and strength. Well, your core is the REAL you. Everything you do flows out of who you are. Your ability to influence others is directly related to the confidence people place in your credibility. We need to be disciplined in our own lives BEFORE we can be effective in others’ lives. WITHOUT a solid core, there is no compass, no consistency and no credibility. Core exercises include Bible reading, prayer, connecting, serving, giving, and sharing.

“What we live by we impart.” (Augustine)

September 3, 2013

What does it take to build a House?

“House” is common metaphor for the church, the Body of Christ, or for a local congregation. Here are four components of building a House for God’s glory.

#1 House Building Entails PEOPLE!

People are the instruments God uses to build. God wants to use US to do His work on earth. Every person in a congregation needs to recognize their own individual responsibility to the body. No one is excluded. There is so much that God wants to do. “He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.” (Ephesians 4:16 NLT)

#2 House Building Entails UNIFIED People!

God wants US to work together in unity. More unity releases more power; more division equals less power.

“Live in harmony with one another.” (Romans 12:16a NIV)
“Live in harmony. Do what I have asked you to do. Agree with each other, and live in peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you.” (2 Corinthians 13:11b NCV)
“Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News.” (Philippians 1:27 NLT)

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#3 House Building Entails Unified People WORKING!

Can you imagine a “help wanted” sign hanging in front of your church building? Maybe the sign should read, “Business Good! Help Wanted.” To accomplish God’s purpose, sweat equity is required. We need people who work – faithfully and diligently – even when it takes time and effort.

House building isn’t easy work, but God’s people don’t need to be afraid of hard work. Should you really call yourself a “lion tamer” if your prerequisites are 1) a tamer lion or 2) an already tamed lion?

Willingness to work is evidence of commitment and not just interest. When you are only interested in doing something, you do it when the task is convenient. When you are committed, you accept no excuse and fulfill the job. Lots of folks are interested in something happening, but not everyone is willing to work to see something happen.

“And whatever you do [no matter what it is] in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus and in [dependence upon] His Person, giving praise to God the Father through Him.” (Colossians 3:17 AMP)
“Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.” (Colossians 3:23-24 NLT)

#3 House Building Entails Unified People Working WITH GOD!

We need the right perspective. We co-labor with Almighty God. We are building what He desires. “For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything” (Hebrews 3:4). The secret to success is not self-confidence but God-confidence. We desperately need His strength and grace. We will face difficulties as we build but we can confidently say, “I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13).

“If the Lord does not build the house, the work of the builders is useless.” (Psalm 127:1a GNT)
“Such confidence we have through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God.” (2 Corinthians 3:4-5 NIV)

September 1, 2013

Vision Motivates Action

Redemptive revelation from God motivates us to significant action. “Where there is no vision [no redemptive revelations of God], the people perish; but he who keeps the law of God, which includes that of man, blessed, happy, fortunate and enviable is he” (Proverbs 29:18 AMP).

Have you ever been fired up in the church building, only to lose your victory in the parking lot? Worship services and anointed preaching certainly can motivate, but Christians often lose momentum because of failure to remain focused on God’s vision and purposes. Daily life is drained by the distraction and busyness provided by a thousand good things that sidetrack us. Regularly focusing on vision spurs you to the “God” things to do.

The Lord affirms, “Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it” (Habakkuk 2:2 NIV84). Write it down! Why? First, it allows other people to understand the map of direction, and secondly, writing it down allows other people to join with you.

Once vision is clear, correct decisions seem to be highlighted among the many choices.

I had a vision to be married to a Godly woman of God, and that vision motivated me to action. When I identified Patti as the woman for me, I was spurred to action! I pursued her. I called her. I wrote notes. I got up early in the morning to be able to walk her to her car (for her student teaching assignment). I don’t really enjoy shaving my face, but I remember several days when we were dating that I shaved TWO times. I bet you already know why! Patti didn’t like my stubble, and I wasn’t going to let a little facial hair keep me from possibly being close to her!

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When people really want something, it is amazing what lengths they will go trying to obtain it. Vision will motivate you to action, as well. Vision provides a focus that invigorates, and vision gives persistence to right direction.

Realizing how Valley Fellowship Church has progressed excites me, but seeing unfinished areas also propels me forward. You have not yet seen all that God wants from Valley Fellowship. Keep on watching! God isn’t finished. I believe that God will fulfill His purpose, but I also understand that God’s purposes are always accomplished in God’s time.

The Lord says in Habakkuk 2:3 (NIV), “For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay”. The Living Bible paraphrases, “But these things I plan won’t happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, do not despair, for these things will surely come to pass. Just be patient! They will not be overdue a single day!”

God-given vision, a redemptive revelation with motivation, provokes Lord’s plans and purpose for your life. Focus on vision and see it fulfilled.

August 30, 2013

HOLD ON

Don’t let go of what God has spoken to your heart. Hold on to God’s promise. Hold on to your vision from God. Don’t surrender your dream just yet – God isn’t finished! Don’t capitulate to the bombardment of noisy negatives.When God reveals His will, His plans, and His purpose to you, hold on to His promise. God does speak and prompt and reveal things to come, but we need to hold on.

Don’t live in a fantasy world, but don’t let go of what God has spoken to you. You can’t just wait and do nothing. You need to do what is required of you in your life – in your work life, in your family life, in your financial life, in every obligation of your daily life. But, don’t give up on the vision God has given you for your life. Don’t let go of what God has revealed to you.

Hold on. I am sure that it was difficult for Mary to understand how she could possibly give birth to the Messiah, but the angel encouraged her, “For with God nothing is ever impossible and no word from God shall be without power or impossible of fulfillment” (Luke 1:37 AMP).” Mary trusted the word and humbly accepted the assignment. When Mary sought out her cousin, Elizabeth spoke over Mary, “She who has believed is blessed because what was spoken to her by the Lord will be fulfilled!” (Luke 1:35 HCSB) At just the right moment in history, in the “fullness of time” (Galatians 4:4), Mary gave birth to Jesus Christ. Mary got to see what God revealed fulfilled.

Don’t quit; don’t you want to see what God revealed to you about your life fulfilled?

I do. I am still holding on for a fresh move of the Lord where I live. I am crying out for revival in my generation, awakening in my time, renewal in my area. I am inviting Holy Spirit outpouring that will make it hard to go to hell from Huntsville, Madison, and the Tennessee Valley. I was part of a group fervently praying this morning. We closed out early corporate prayer today singing the song “Holding On” by Generation Unleashed (Bryan Bettis © 2010 City Bible Music). You can find it online if you are interested. The chorus declares, “Holding on; Standing strong upon Your word. Holding on; All Your promises are sure.” Hold on!

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Your family will be blessed by your faithfulness to the end. Noah trusted the revelation God gave and prepared for a flood despite huge persecution. Noah’s family was saved because he didn’t grow faint halfway through the project and give up. Let’s learn from Noah’s example! “Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary” (Galatians 6:9 NASB). Hold on.

Joseph went through many years of rejection, mistreatment, slavery, scandal, lies, and prison – BUT he held on to the dream God had given to him as a teenager. Joseph’s persistence open the way for the salvation of his entire family – even the brothers that had so horribly mistreated him. Thirteen plus years of delay and denial surely were not easy for Joseph to endure, but the story wasn’t finished.

It only took the Lord ONE day to move Joseph from an Egyptian prison to a royal palace, from overlooked victim to overseeing Prime Minister. In one day, total transformation occurred. Hold on. When the time of fulfillment arrives – look out! It doesn’t have to take long! It may take a while before you see everything lining up in place, but it really only takes the Lord a moment to change a life.

What God has spoken concerning your life is worth the struggle or delay. God will do what He desires. Even if your battle has been going on for a long, long time, don’t give up. Don’t let go; hold on.

August 29, 2013

God’s Vision for YOUR Life

In June, our family enjoyed God’s beauty during a day at the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania – animals, flowers, trees, and oh-what-a-sunset!

Heavenly Father creates masterpieces – of landscapes, horizons, AND lives! Everything that God makes is good. We are God’s handiwork, His work-of-art, His creatively-designed art that should bring glory to Him. We are “created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10 NIV). God designed and gifted each of us to accomplish something significant during our time here on earth. God has something for you to do, something unique to the way He shaped you, something that He wants you to do.

Do you have a vision of what God wants for your life? Effective vision shouldn’t be just a human goal you determine within yourself. It is not just something you think would be fun or something that just popped into our head, successful vision needs to be revealed by God.

It is reported that when Abraham Lincoln was asked whether he was sure God was on this side, he responded, “I do not know: I have not thought about that. But I am very anxious to know whether we are on God’s side.” When you are sure what God wants you to do, you have confidence that God is on your side and you are not wasting your time, energy, or finances. A God-given picture of a preferred future motivates you to action. That “vision” from God allows you to persist today knowing that a better, brighter tomorrow awaits.

“Where there is no vision [no redemptive revelations of God], the people perish; but he who keeps the law of God, which includes that of man, blessed, happy, fortunate and enviable is he.” (Proverbs 29:18 AMP)

How diabetes causes ED? Diabetes is a metabolic disorder which does not produce or properly uses insulin in the human cost levitra body. Your healthcare needs are viagra generic discount unique. Though we are not short of diseases in fact admitted a kind of condition, which can affect purchase female viagra anyone. Now permit me to talk about the attitude of the people that you need buy levitra online http://djpaulkom.tv/category/crakd/ to deal with, especially men and their spouse. Fulfilling a vision from God bears evidence of God’s work, establishes the Kingdom of God in righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. Some proudly display a vision statement that sounds good but isn’t God’s, and then wonder at completion why there is little kingdom joy. Psalm 127:1 answers, “Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain.” As you follow divine direction, you will walk in divine blessing. Proverbs 19:21 (NIV) instructs, “Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails”. Seek the Lord’s purpose. Ideas, opinions, and suggestions come and go, but God’s desires remain true and constant. If your vision is of God, it will prevail.

Motivating vision must be a revelation of God for your life. Never surrender your potential to something for which you were not intended. Never delegate the direction for your life to someone else. Take responsibility for yourself. You are liable for seeking God for yourself. “Don’t be stupid. Instead, find out what the Lord wants you to do” (Ephesians 5:17 CEV). Godly men and women give good advice, but you are responsible for doing what God has called you to do.

God’s vision must be a personal revelation to your heart and spirit. There is little satisfaction in fulfilling another person’s vision. Complacently following the crowd brings little gratification. Contentment will only be found in undertaking what you are called to do. You must personally own the vision God has given.

For a local congregation to be successful, individual members must own the vision for themselves and for that house. Each person must be individually aware that the purpose of the church is from God and must be individually responsible for owning up to what part they are to play. The Lord is really interested in what you are doing in a local church body. The puzzle piece of your life is necessary in order to complete the puzzle and fulfill God’s vision.

August 28, 2013

Do You Have Vision?

Do you recognize the important role that vision plays in your life?

Do you have a redemptive revelation from God? What has the Lord given you a vision to do? What desired picture or destination has He placed upon your heart? Are you working hard at accomplishing what He desires? Vision, a redemptive revelation of God that motivates you, is essential for enjoying the fullness of the Kingdom of God.

Jesus Christ redeems lives! Real life is available through His sacrifice. We, as Christ-followers, are redeemed by the precious blood of Jesus (1 Peter 1:18-19), bought back by Christ. Through sin, humankind sold out to satan, but the price for our salvation was paid in the heavenly court (Hebrews 9:24-26). No negotiation, no rebate, no half-price sale – Jesus paid the full price for total deliverance. Through His sacrifice, we can know and have a personal relationship with God.

Jesus Christ purchased us to have that personal walk with God, not just so we could make it to heaven. If all He desired was your company in heaven, you might as well pull a stupid stunt and kill yourself. He has a vision and purpose for your life while you are still living on this earth, a purpose you can know and fulfill with His help and guidance!

God has a purpose for you because He loves you. One thing of which you can be absolutely certain is that He has a great plan for your life. Correspondingly, satan hates you and has an evil plan for your life – to abort God’s plan. But, through His mighty power, the Lord works out His purpose. The enemy’s plan cannot succeed when you daily exchange your weakness for God’s strength. Even though the enemy attacks, the Lord brings restoration.

Paul declared, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (Philippians 4:13 KJV) God cannot and will not fail. “But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ.” (2 Corinthians 2:14 NIV)
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Involving the Redeemer’s mighty power in your quest to fulfill God’s plan requires reliance upon God. Divine direction for your life will always include you trusting in Him. Jesus declared, “Apart from me you can do nothing (John 15:5 NIV), so why do some people think that they can fulfill God’s vision solely through their own strengths and abilities?

Revelation is a necessity. Have you ever noticed that you can know something, without really knowing it? Maybe that is why the word “revelation” has been defined as “something you always knew, but never realized.”

If you are not sure where you are going, you probably will not like where you end up. You are not to walk aimlessly, but to progress in the straight path of God’s calling. There is a purpose to fulfill. You are called to grow and mature – growth and maturity in line with God’s purpose for your life.

You are not just called to grow older, but you should grow more like the revelation of God. You need and want life. For the kind of life God wants for you, you must allow the Lord to melt you, mold you, and make you into what He desires. You and I need a revelation of His purpose and plan for our lives, coupled with determination to use His power to fulfill it.

We CAN have a revelation of God that is real and powerful! The ultimate revelation of God is in Jesus Christ. He is not only Lord; He is our role model. Believers are to become more like Him each day, but in that growing process, the Lord also prepared in advance good works (Ephesians 2:10). We are here by divine design and by divine timing.

August 27, 2013

Prayer Changes Things

Prayer is the God-designed method for obtaining what we need and for accomplishing God’s purposes – in an area, in a church, in a family, and even into the smallest details of our personal lives. Prayer is powerful in the face of every situation – problems, joys, conflicts, conversations, victories, and defeats. Prayer changes people’s destinies. We never realize fully the dramatic changes God orchestrates in response to persistent prayer.

“The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” (James 5:16b NIV)

We desperately need resources which only God can give and which only prayer releases. Prayer unlocks heaven’s treasure chest of abundance. Far too often we neglect prayer to our detriment. We miss out on the rewards following faithful prayer. In the classic work How to Pray, R.A. Torrey encourages constant, persistent, overcoming prayer. On pages 26-30, he highlights four broad areas where prayer accomplishes much:

1) Prayer promotes our spiritual growth as almost nothing else, indeed as nothing else but Bible study; and true prayer and true Bible study go hand in hand.

2) Prayer brings power into our work. If we wish power for any work to which God calls us, be it preaching, teaching, personal work, or the rearing of our children, we can get it by earnest prayer.
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3) Prayer avails for the conversion of others. There are few converted in this world unless in connection with some one’s prayers. Prayer often avails where everything else fails.

4) Prayer brings blessings to the church. The devil hates the church and seeks in every way to block its progress; now by false doctrine, again by division, again by inward corruption of life. But by prayer, a clear way can be made through everything. Prayer will root out heresy, allay misunderstanding, sweep away jealousies and animosities, obliterate immoralities, and bring in the full tide of God’s reviving grace.

Prayer changes things. Prayer connects us to things we need, but more importantly, prayer connects us with our Heavenly Father (oh, and He wants to meet with us!). Ultimately, prayer is really not focused on getting things from God; prayer focuses us to get with God. Have you connected with God today? Heaven Father is waiting. Let’s pray!

August 26, 2013

For To Me To Live Is ____________

“For to me, to live is ____________.” What word did you put in the blank?

Paul fills it, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21 NIV).

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For what are you living?

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