Friday, April 12, 2013

DON'T MISS YOUR BLESSING!

We ask God to bless us, but when the blessing comes we miss it because of one or more of the following things:

     1) We let the weather dictate whether or not we are going to be in attendance.

     2) FEAR (False Evidence Appearing Real) keeps us from striving towards the goal.

     3) Being too lazy to make and take the extra effort to get to the next stage in life.

     4) God will always help us, but we shouldn't expect Him to do for us what we can do for ourselves.

     5) We often try to wait for a perfect moment, place, person and/or time?  We can't make that happen.  Only God knows how to create the perfect situation.

     6) When God speaks, we need to listen (when He says be quiet and be still, we need to do it; and when He says move quickly, and speak up with Christian boldness, we need to do it!)

     7) We need to stop thinking that we can do what we want when we get ready.  God sometimes blesses us in a moment's notice.  We have to be ready to act on it.  We have to come out of our comfort zone most of the time in order to receive our blessings.  God does this to show us how much more we are capable of doing if we are willing.  Also, He is testing us to see if we are willing to sacrifice something of ours (time, money, material things) in order to receive a blessing from Him.  What God gives us will always be greater than our sacrifice.

Lord, help me to stop being me (working out of my flesh) because when I'm being me (only looking at the natural), I'm blind to what You would have me to see.

The Lord answered, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their food allowance at the proper time?  It will be good for that servant whom the master finds doing so when he returns.  Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions.  But suppose the servant says to himself, ‘My master is taking a long time in coming,’ and he then begins to beat the other servants, both men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk.  The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the unbelievers.  “The servant who knows the master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what the master wants will be beaten with many blows.  But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked. Luke 12:42-48 (NIV)

Thursday, April 11, 2013

What is Your Testimony!

On yesterday. I watched as my wife gave her testimony to a group of believers; a strong group of Christians. I was amazed at her poise and how well she spoke as she recounted the facts of her life, and the story of just how much God has done to turn things around for her.  Now since we have been together for 31 years alot of her testimony included me in every possible way, especially the bad and negative things we use to do before God stepped into our lives.  The group listened intensely, some crying.  But the tears were tears of joy, because they knew just how good God has been to us and also just how good He has been to them in their own lives.  After the testimonial, members were coming up to talk to each of us about what they heard or just to know more.  Alcohol, drugs and wrong living is affecting some of their family members and they wanted to know what to do. My wife had told them in her talk that there was no 12-step program, just one step, Jesus!

You see, your testimony isn't about you.  As a Christian, you should be able to proudly stand up and tell the truth about who you were and who you are now as a new creature in Christ.  The testimony you give will have an impact on someone else and you just may be the instrument God is using for that person's turn-around.

“Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.”  Mark 5:19b(NIV)


PS: I am so Godly proud of my wife. TGBTG !

Monday, April 8, 2013

What Gift Has God Given You?

We have all been given different talents, gifts and abilities.  God works in different ways through each of us, and we all serve Him faithfully as we use our gifts to glorify Him.  We should invest the gifts that God has blessed us with wisely.  We should use our gifts and abilities to honor God and to bless, encourage and strengthen others in love (without love, all our gifts are nothing!).  We should not neglect our gifts, but instead develop them, “stir them up”, “fan them into flames”… so that they get even better, to the edification of the church and to the glory of God.

So go out and let the world know what God has blessed you with and share it with all that come across your path. TGBTG !

1 Corinthians 12:4-6
“Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone.” (ESV)

Sunday, April 7, 2013

Lord, I need more Wisdom !

I don't know about you, but I am tired of making unwise decisions.  I am sure you are too.  When you make unwise decisions you will suffer consequences that may take years to overcome.  But don't be discouraged, just focus on the future.  We cannot change the decisions we  have made in the past, but we can strive to make wise decisions for the future.  Wisdom is what we need.  According to James 1:5, if you lack wisdom, you should ask God for it.  Just make sure that you are not pursuing something outside of God's will for your life.  If you ask God, and allow Him to make His answers clear to you, then you will be able to make wise decisions.  Many times we don't want to accept the answer that God is trying to give us.  God is all knowing, and He knows the future.  He knows the road ahead and what is on the other side of the mountain.  Just trust Him for wisdom and knowledge and you will be satisfied.

But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
(James 1:5)