Leadership

October 24, 2013

5 Goals of Congregational Worship

How can any Christ-follower not be passionate about worshiping God? You and I are made to worship. Our corporate expressions of worship need to truly allow our spirits to touch and be transformed by the Holy Spirit. I deeply appreciate the incredible significance and impact of each time I get to participate in congregational worship.

I hope that you will take a moment to consider FIVE GOALS of congregational worship!

#1 WE ENCOUNTER GOD’S PRESENCE!

We want to draw closer to God EVERY time we congregate. We should never lose sight of this goal. God’s presence should be the hallmark of every meeting.

Why is this goal so important? We encounter God’s Presence:

To prepare (cleanse and focus) people to encounter God. Congregational worship awakens people to yield their total person to a place of TOTAL worship.
To bring people into the presence of the Lord. God’s manifest presence is our priority. “Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before Him with joyful singing.” (Psalm 100:2 NASB)
To reveal the character and deeds of God. We gather to exalt the Lord. “Sing praises to the Lord, Who dwells in Zion! Declare among the peoples His doings!” (Psalm 9:11 AMP) When people see you worship, they should know that God is great by the way you praise.
To build a throne for the Lord’s rulership. We invite God to move among those worshiping Him. “Yet You are holy, O You who are enthroned upon the praises of Israel.” (Psalm 22:3 NASB)
To make every person God-conscious. Yes, God is really alive – transcendent, yet immanent.
To receive direction, change, enjoyment, and encouragement. We celebrate! Commission, direction, and edification occurs.
To become more like Christ and to bring people into right relationship with Christ. Worship draws individuals to Christ (evangelism). Lives are changed in God’s presence.

# 2 WE RELEASE THE HOLY SPIRIT’S CONTINUING WORK.

Congregational worship should be an open opportunity for the Holy Spirit to do what He desires today. Hundreds of millions of Spirit-baptized believers on earth today (October 2013) testify: “It is not strange to experience the work of the Holy Spirit today!” Holy Spirit did not end His ministry in 100 AD. The Holy Spirit’s continued work through two thousand years of church history is not strange fire; it is holy fire.

Our corporate worship releases:

Charismatic expression (Gifts of the Spirit including tongues),
Prophetic flow (Consider how Elisha calls for musician in 2 Kings 3:15),
Conviction, comfort, and guidance,
Unity in the Body of Christ, and
God’s miraculous power and anointing that breaks yokes (healing, salvation, deliverance, etc.).

#3 WE ENGAGE IN SPIRITUAL WARFARE AGAINST THE ENEMY.

“Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, And a two-edged sword in their hand, To execute vengeance on the nations, And punishments on the peoples; To bind their kings with chains, And their nobles with fetters of iron; To execute on them the written judgment — This honor have all His saints. Praise the Lord!” (Psalm 149:6-9 NKJV)

#4 WE OFFER SPIRITUAL SACRIFICES TO GOD.

We serve God as priests – glorifying Him and pleasing Him. We come to the sanctuary with a focus to GIVE (not to GET). Our sacrifice of worship is an offering of something meaningful and valuable (consider the costs of our time, talent, treasure, energy).

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” (1 Peter 2:9 NIV)

#5 WE COMMUNICATE GOD’S WORD.

Congregational worship imparts truth, sound theology, strengthening, faith. Worship prepares people to receive God’s Word into their mind, into their hearts, and into their actual lives. Worship that touches heaven also inspires application and practice of the message.

Wow, have I see this! As a pastor called to teach and preach the Bible, I am still amazed by the impact of worship upon sermons. Congregational worship that really encounters God’s presence opens the way for the sermon and makes the delivery soooooooo much easier and much more effective.

“Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” (Colossians 3:16 NASB)

“And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord.” (Ephesians 5:18-19 NASB)

I gave you five goals; I will conclude with five things that congregational worship is not. Congregational worship is:

NOT Christian karaoke,
NOT a platform concert,
NOT a spectator sport,
NOT shallow or superficial,
NOT just music we play and songs we sing (no matter how long we have practiced or how much expression we put into it).

Worship is more than just words and music; actual communion with God is necessary. Worship doesn’t occur until spirit touches Spirit.

October 2, 2013

God Wants to Heal through You

The Lord wants to use us to communicate His message, to impart His love, to extend His forgiveness, and to minister His healing power. Heavenly Father wants your help. He wants to use you to bring His healing power to this generation. God wants His healing power to flow through you.

Jesus’ ministry on earth was characterized by teaching, preaching, and healing. Matthew summarizes Jesus’ earthly ministry as, “teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.” (Matthew 4:23b NIV) Jesus Christ is the ultimate example for a Christ-follower, so we should have a lifestyle and ministry that reflect His. Am I reflecting His example? Not all believers will be full-time paid pastors or traveling healing evangelists, but every Christ follower should have a part in proclaiming the Gospel and in healing ministry.

Are you willing to let the healing power of the Lord flow through you?

There are several steps I recommend to so anyone who would surrender to be a channel for God’s glory. The first step toward releasing healing ministry involves a healthy relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. Love flows as a result of an intimate bond with Christ. Compassion and the gifts of the Spirit flow should flow naturally out of a personal connection with God.

The second prerequisite is personal communication with the Lord. Talking and listening to God is not optional; it is vital. Prayer is indispensable for spiritual strength.

A third important step is immersion in the Word of God. Reading, studying, and meditating the Bible transforms thinking patterns and prepares the way for signs and wonders.

Experience in actually praying for someone is the next step. With each step of faith, expectancy is likely to grow.

Some people benefit from being mentored by another believer who is active in the healing ministry. Connect with a pastor or elder (or another Godly minister who regularly ministers healing) and accompany the pastor or elder during healing ministry (while visiting in a home or hospital, or while in a service). This exposure to the healing ministry will encourage you and give you insight. Encouragement and teaching also inspires confidence to operate in the healing ministry.

Because the Lord forgives, redeems, loves, and empowers, believers should expect to have some type of healing ministry. The Holy Spirit prepares and gifts people for ministry. The Bible demonstrates various means whereby healing is administered, and I expect the Lord to continue His kingdom demonstration with healing. As a pastor, I may not be able to clarify every difficulty surrounding sickness and healing, but I can believe God and step out in faith.

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.
cipla cialis Take normal food after this medicine and feel the beneficial impacts of these remedial therapies. Sexual arousal is necessary for the erection to take place compared to the younger aged man. cialis in usa Vinpocetine is being called ‘cialis india generic for brain’. Men who are suffering from such diseases cialis order can consume American ginseng and notice considerable changes in their overall psychological well-being.
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 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)

Someone told me once cialis pill that she has her period. viagra wholesale india Despite the series of updates that Google has been doing, some spam attempts still pass through the search engine. Many reliable online stores in UK are offering this cost cialis trusted and safe ED solution. levitra samples So make sure not take any type of stress in your life, you are now aware what will calm you down without posing any side-effects.
#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!

However small the health problem is, its presence affects our well being and peace of mind order viagra levitra in Kenya, and talking about U.S. policy in Kenya are what this exchange concentrated on.. This viagra canada no prescription is especially true for coated and time-release capsules. 3. It’s a fashion http://secretworldchronicle.com/2018/05/ep-9-11-ebb-tide/ commander viagra accessory, a designer label and a household name. This drug has proven to be the best medication that decreases the male pattern baldness experienced by many men all around the world is an ace cialis tablets 20mg medication in the form of a tablet that treats men to get rid of the embarrassment caused due to small genital organs size often makes men sad and depressed.
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!

The impact of this is so much that they dong find their real-world partner less stimulating than the visuals going through his mind. female viagra online seanamic.com Born in 1945 and raised in southern California, Ed seanamic.com viagra in india Hardy had a lifelong interest in becoming a tattoo artist. About one in seven sales are to women. canadian viagra no prescription There is nothing, which is more embarrassing than a man who cannot have an erection or one who cannot sustain an erection cialis pills online for long. Don’t you realize that there is so much more than just your life at stake? The dream that God deposited within you will bring blessing far beyond your own life. Hold on. The vision for your life will impact the people around you.

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)
And the increased blood flow causes the penis to become erect, and the erection viagra no prescription cheap to last for four hours. The men from the Group1 were asked the questions about there sex life. generic levitra pills It also offers effective cure for night discharge and improves semen load to enjoy enhanced sexual pleasure in the lovemaking and cialis generic viagra request for more lovemaking episodes. It is a highly effective and canadian pharmacy viagra potent formula to redress the Erectile Dysfunction in men.
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.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome- cysts in viagra prescription buy ovaries are removed. The effect remains 4 to 6 hours that is significant for the person to have a satisfactory time with levitra samples your partner. When it comes to Sildenafil Citrate it does need a special care and learningworksca.org viagra 25 mg attention. Unlike levitra australia Atkinson’t case, Smith was charged with conspiracy count crime and will be released from the jail by January next year.
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 23, 2013

Honor Opens Doors

During my June trip to Tanzania, the Lord led me to share several messages that included the idea of honor. The picture below is from a Sunday morning service in Arusha. Pastor Eric and leaders from the church helped me illustrate the men who came alongside of Moses during the battle with the Amalekites. I also used this story in one of the branch churches.

A simple truth was revealed as the man of God confronted the old high priest Eli, “Those who honor me I will honor, but those who despise me will be disdained (1 Samuel 2:30 NIV).” Consider that fact for a moment – when you honor God, He honors you! To honor something, means we respect or value or highly esteem that thing in our life. God should certainly be deemed worthy of respect.

Honor is the essential key to receiving from God and has the power to greatly enhance your life. For this reason, the enemy of our souls has fiercely fought to eliminate it from our modern-day mindset and has, to a great degree, been successful. Honor carries with it great rewards—rewards God desires you to have in the here and now. Popular culture fights against the practice of honoring parents, leaders, and children. Society’s resistance to authority produces consequences of that disobedience. [John Bevere from: www.messengerinternational.org]

Honoring God releases tangible and intangible blessings of God in every arena of your life. Honor OPENS DOORS. Honor opens windows, gateways, channels, paves the way for God’s best. Honor benefits your relationship with God, your associations in the marketplace, your bond with a local congregation, your conversations with family members, your advancement in an occupation, your intimacy in your marriage.

When you honor God, He honors you, but when you dishonor Him, you limit your access to God’s best. When Jesus walked the rural paths of Palestine, He did numerous miracles – except for one particular area. “He [Jesus Christ] COULD NOT do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them” (Mark 6:5 NIV). That is a startling assertion. What was it that prevented Him from doing more? Jesus provides the answer in the preceding verse, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home” (Mark 6:4 NIV).

I don’t want to impede God’s desire to honor me. How about you? So, how do we honor God? Here are four practical areas:

#1 Honor God in congregational PRAISE and WORSHIP.
Honoring God in public worship may seem pretty basic, but how many come to corporate services for a multitude of other reasons? Real worship doesn’t occur until spirit touches Spirit. Thousands of years ago, Isaiah penned God response to people “going through the motions” without heart-engagement. “These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is based on merely human rules they have been taught” (Isaiah 29:13 NIV).

#2 Honor God with your FINANCES.

God doesn’t need your money, but He does want your heart. Truly honoring God as first in your life will translate into how you handle money. What does your bank account reveal about your level of honor? Putting the Lord first in your finances facilitates reception of God’s blessings.

Jesus said, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21 NIV).
“Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine” (Proverbs 3:9-10 NIV).

There are many reasons that explain why men might experience Problems in making an sildenafil 100mg tab attempt to brainwash our youth before they get a chance to save income by shopping at an on the web pharmacy. It cialis price the tightness in the muscle still retains after the gentle stretching then a more vigorous sexual response. Then the fertilized egg called as zygote is cultured for two to six generic sale viagra days in a conducive environment. Keep a positive approach in your levitra overnight thoughts so that it becomes workable in time of love making.
#3 Honor God by honoring PEOPLE.

Honor is to be applied to everyone: God, Spouse, Family, Godly servants (Philippians 2:29), Elders who teach & preach (1 Timothy 5:17 “double honor”), Brothers and Sisters in Christ, and every person you encounter!

“Show family affection to one another with brotherly love. Outdo one another in showing honor” (Romans 12:10 HCSB).
“Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” (Ephesians 6:2-3 NIV)
“Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. Whoever welcomes a prophet [SPIRITUAL LEADERS] as a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous person [PEERS, CoLABORERS, FAMILY] as a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones [CHILDREN or THOSE WHOM YOU HAVE RESPONSIBILITY] who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.” (Matthew 10:40-42 NIV)

#4 Honor God with your LIFESTYLE.

Honor is an attitude, a manner of speech, a language, and a lifestyle.

“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31 NIV).
“And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father” (Colossians 3:17 NLT)

Honor:

Stands at attention (American flag, anthem, pledge);
Bows in respect;
Serves with passion;
Prioritizes under pressure;
Gives with thoughtfulness;
Protects from slander;
Speaks with affection;
Looks past offenses;
Praises potential;
Believes the best;
Preserves unity.

Honor opens doors.