"I will bless you with an abundant increase of favors. And I will make your name famous and distinguished and you shall be a blessing." ~ Genesis 12:2
Many Christians view the concept of "faith" like a convenient light switch. You turn it on and off, as you need it! Faith, however, is not so much an act, but it is a perspective that drives us to act in any situation like the one we really believe in, God. We actually believe and have confidence that He will act on our behalf. According to Jim Cymbala's book, "Fresh Faith," to grow in our faith, we must learn to trust in the promises of God. He has blessed us beyond our wildest dreams! Why? He loves us, and, He wants us to bless others. This is the process of the kingdom. This is part of the covenant blessing. We are not a depository of the outpouring of God's blessings. We are a channel through which God's blessings can flow out to others.
We are blessed to be a blessing! We must understand this, and it must be part of our covenant with God. It is our mission and mandate as a local expression, as a member of the body of Christ... the Church! We are blessed so we can invest our gifts to serve eternal purposes. The parable of the talents in Matthew 25 clearly points out that we have been given gifts to use, and we are called upon to make wise choices with those gifts. Only what we do for eternity has any real merit... and the only way to affect eternity is to be faithful with our talents and gifts.
We are blessed... so, let us set our course to... 1.) Love the lost! 2.) Commit ourselves to the community of faith! 3.) Engage our talents and gifts for eternal purposes! God has called all of us to this process of blessing. You are blessed...to be a blessing! You are a Success Maker! Your future will find its greatest fulfillment in this principle. Jeremiah 29:11-13 states: "I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Glory to GOD
Whoever offers praise glorifies Me; And to him who orders his conduct aright I will show the salvation of God.
(Psalm 50:23)
When we keep praising God with a heart of gratitude, the glory of God shall be revealed in our life. His grace also increases in our life in order to reveal His glory. The Lord expects only a heart of gratitude from us. It is stated in the Bible, “For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God” (2 Corinthians 4:15).
Ten lepers came to the Lord Jesus and requested Him to heal them from their leprosy. The Lord blessed them and sent them away. On their way back all of them were healed through the power of God. But only one Samaritan came back to the Lord and thanked Him. The heart of Jesus was really pained (Luke 17:12-19). Once a lady known to us, lovingly invited us to her home to have a meal. We too accepted her invitation and went to her house. When we sat around the dining table she told me, “Sister, I had an opportunity to participate in one of your meetings. During the message you said that we have to pray and praise God before every meal. You also said that when we do that nothing shall harm us. I strictly follow your advice everytime I have a meal. I have also taught my children to do that.”
My mother taught me a valuable lesson even while I was a child. Whenever we buy something new whether it is a pen or a pencil we have to take it first to the church and pray before using it. We must wear our new dresses first to the church and offer thanks to God for providing it. Dear Friend! When you get a new dress wear it first to the presence of God and offer your thanks. Then the Lord shall bless you in an abundant measure. When you praise the Lord from the bottom of your heart, the grace of God automatically increases in your life. The Bible also says, “Whoever offers praise glorifies Me” (Psalm 50:23).
Prayer:
Loving heavenly Father,
I place before Your nail-pierced feet all my unbearable worries and burdens. Please transform my life to love You and serve You more. Help me to seek You and Your kingdom first. I firmly believe that You will change everything in my life and will bless me from today onwards. All praise, thanks and glory belong to You.
In Jesus precious name I pray.
Amen.
--
(Psalm 50:23)
When we keep praising God with a heart of gratitude, the glory of God shall be revealed in our life. His grace also increases in our life in order to reveal His glory. The Lord expects only a heart of gratitude from us. It is stated in the Bible, “For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God” (2 Corinthians 4:15).
Ten lepers came to the Lord Jesus and requested Him to heal them from their leprosy. The Lord blessed them and sent them away. On their way back all of them were healed through the power of God. But only one Samaritan came back to the Lord and thanked Him. The heart of Jesus was really pained (Luke 17:12-19). Once a lady known to us, lovingly invited us to her home to have a meal. We too accepted her invitation and went to her house. When we sat around the dining table she told me, “Sister, I had an opportunity to participate in one of your meetings. During the message you said that we have to pray and praise God before every meal. You also said that when we do that nothing shall harm us. I strictly follow your advice everytime I have a meal. I have also taught my children to do that.”
My mother taught me a valuable lesson even while I was a child. Whenever we buy something new whether it is a pen or a pencil we have to take it first to the church and pray before using it. We must wear our new dresses first to the church and offer thanks to God for providing it. Dear Friend! When you get a new dress wear it first to the presence of God and offer your thanks. Then the Lord shall bless you in an abundant measure. When you praise the Lord from the bottom of your heart, the grace of God automatically increases in your life. The Bible also says, “Whoever offers praise glorifies Me” (Psalm 50:23).
Prayer:
Loving heavenly Father,
I place before Your nail-pierced feet all my unbearable worries and burdens. Please transform my life to love You and serve You more. Help me to seek You and Your kingdom first. I firmly believe that You will change everything in my life and will bless me from today onwards. All praise, thanks and glory belong to You.
In Jesus precious name I pray.
Amen.
--
Friday, August 20, 2010
Thursday, August 19, 2010
How does God speaks to "YOU"
"I will maintain my righteousness and never let go of it; my conscience will not reproach me as long as I live." ~ Job 27:6
God speaks to us in many ways! One way is through that "still small voice," our conscience. Often, that is the voice of Holy Spirit directing you, encouraging you, or giving you an advance warning. When you feel uneasiness and unrest, the Lord may be saying, "Watch out, there's danger ahead." If you ignore these warnings, and continue down the path you have chosen, you could possibly experience destruction, heartache, and pain. Conscience is the voice of the human spirit.
God gave man a conscience! Conscience is the internal ability to discern what is right and what is wrong. The conscience is the source of all guilt. When we sin, or we are about to make a wrong decision, our conscience comes alive and condemns or warns us. Most Christians, however, live with a guilty conscience! This stems from a lack of teaching and understanding of the purpose of the cross of Jesus. That's why most prayer-life is based on begging, not believing! The miracle of the New Covenant is a clean conscience, according to God's Word. A spirit of condemnation is the greatest enemy to faith. We get the idea that until we "feel right," we have no "rights." God's blessings are not based on our gifts and talents, but on the work of Calvary, and the Person of Jesus Christ.
The cross opened up the doorway for us to enter into the Holy of Holies! In the Old Testament, only the high priest could enter the Holy of Holies. There was a huge veil there (60 ft. high) that separated the Ark of the Covenant (representative of the presence of God) from the rest of the area. When Christ died on the cross, that veil was torn in two -- from top to bottom, because Christ's body had been torn in two. Your conscience, therefore, was your greatest enemy before you were born-again, but your greatest friend after your salvation.
Never compromise! Never compromise in your marriage, your business, or with your family. Listen to the "still small voice" inside that warns you of possible danger, and obey it. When you do, you will stay on God's best path, and enjoy the life of victory and abundance that He has in store for you -- with no regrets!
God speaks to us in many ways! One way is through that "still small voice," our conscience. Often, that is the voice of Holy Spirit directing you, encouraging you, or giving you an advance warning. When you feel uneasiness and unrest, the Lord may be saying, "Watch out, there's danger ahead." If you ignore these warnings, and continue down the path you have chosen, you could possibly experience destruction, heartache, and pain. Conscience is the voice of the human spirit.
God gave man a conscience! Conscience is the internal ability to discern what is right and what is wrong. The conscience is the source of all guilt. When we sin, or we are about to make a wrong decision, our conscience comes alive and condemns or warns us. Most Christians, however, live with a guilty conscience! This stems from a lack of teaching and understanding of the purpose of the cross of Jesus. That's why most prayer-life is based on begging, not believing! The miracle of the New Covenant is a clean conscience, according to God's Word. A spirit of condemnation is the greatest enemy to faith. We get the idea that until we "feel right," we have no "rights." God's blessings are not based on our gifts and talents, but on the work of Calvary, and the Person of Jesus Christ.
The cross opened up the doorway for us to enter into the Holy of Holies! In the Old Testament, only the high priest could enter the Holy of Holies. There was a huge veil there (60 ft. high) that separated the Ark of the Covenant (representative of the presence of God) from the rest of the area. When Christ died on the cross, that veil was torn in two -- from top to bottom, because Christ's body had been torn in two. Your conscience, therefore, was your greatest enemy before you were born-again, but your greatest friend after your salvation.
Never compromise! Never compromise in your marriage, your business, or with your family. Listen to the "still small voice" inside that warns you of possible danger, and obey it. When you do, you will stay on God's best path, and enjoy the life of victory and abundance that He has in store for you -- with no regrets!
Sunday, August 15, 2010
what is in your mind
"The Lord will keep you in perfect peace, if you keep your mind stayed on Him." ~ Isaiah 26:3
Your thoughts determine your future! You cannot make a decision, or make a move, without first thinking about it, and it changes the course of your life. The way you think will determine your success or failure. That's why it's so important to keep your thoughts on God's Word, and seek His plan for your life. Proverbs 23:7 says, "As a man thinks in his heart, so is he." My Friend, you just cannot think negative thoughts and expect a positive outcome. Change your thoughts, and it will change you!
In your relationships, are you a conformer or a transformer? Align your thoughts with Christ and He'll begin to align your relationships with His will. There are two kinds of people in relationships: thermometers and thermostats. A thermometer conforms to the temperature around it. It registers what the temperature is, and you know the temperature of the environment by looking at the thermometer. It doesn't affect the temperature in any way. It only reflects it! A thermostat, on the other hand, controls the environment! It has a specific setting that it's "tuned-to." If the temperature doesn't measure up to that setting, the thermostat kicks in and turns on the heat, or the air-conditioner, and causes the temperature to adjust... until it falls into line with the thermostat's setting. Thermostats are agents of change! A thermometer conforms to its environment; a thermostat transforms its environment.
We are called to be transformers, not conformers in our world, and in our relationships! However, most of us are thermometers. We can tell you the temperature of our relationships, but we cannot do much about it. If we're going to affect change in our relationships, in our community, and in our world, we must become transformers. We must become thermostats!
We become thermostats by changing our minds, and therefore, aligning our thoughts with the mind of Christ! Our minds will only be changed, when we immerse ourselves in God's Word, the Bible, on a regular basis. His Word equips us for every good work. It prepares us for life and for the relationships we have in life. It is the Word of God and only the Word of God that can change our minds, and equip us to be thermostats in our relationships.
Your thoughts determine your future! You cannot make a decision, or make a move, without first thinking about it, and it changes the course of your life. The way you think will determine your success or failure. That's why it's so important to keep your thoughts on God's Word, and seek His plan for your life. Proverbs 23:7 says, "As a man thinks in his heart, so is he." My Friend, you just cannot think negative thoughts and expect a positive outcome. Change your thoughts, and it will change you!
In your relationships, are you a conformer or a transformer? Align your thoughts with Christ and He'll begin to align your relationships with His will. There are two kinds of people in relationships: thermometers and thermostats. A thermometer conforms to the temperature around it. It registers what the temperature is, and you know the temperature of the environment by looking at the thermometer. It doesn't affect the temperature in any way. It only reflects it! A thermostat, on the other hand, controls the environment! It has a specific setting that it's "tuned-to." If the temperature doesn't measure up to that setting, the thermostat kicks in and turns on the heat, or the air-conditioner, and causes the temperature to adjust... until it falls into line with the thermostat's setting. Thermostats are agents of change! A thermometer conforms to its environment; a thermostat transforms its environment.
We are called to be transformers, not conformers in our world, and in our relationships! However, most of us are thermometers. We can tell you the temperature of our relationships, but we cannot do much about it. If we're going to affect change in our relationships, in our community, and in our world, we must become transformers. We must become thermostats!
We become thermostats by changing our minds, and therefore, aligning our thoughts with the mind of Christ! Our minds will only be changed, when we immerse ourselves in God's Word, the Bible, on a regular basis. His Word equips us for every good work. It prepares us for life and for the relationships we have in life. It is the Word of God and only the Word of God that can change our minds, and equip us to be thermostats in our relationships.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
God wants to give you a breakthrough
God wants to give you a breakthrough—a sudden burst of His favor; an explosion of His goodness. He wants to release His power in such a way that it overwhelms you and drives out your enemies! Maybe you have been praying about a relationship for years, and suddenly, things get into place. That’s a breakthrough. Or you were trying to get a certain job. They said there were no openings; but suddenly, they call you back and you get the job. That’s another breakthrough. Perhaps you have struggled with an addiction for a long time, but then something happens and it’s not a struggle anymore. Those are all breakthroughs. No matter what you’ve been facing, no matter how impossible things look, know this: the God of the breakthrough wants to visit your house. Get ready! Look for His favor and goodness. Remember, God rewards the people who seek after Him. So keep expecting, keep believing because the God of the breakthrough is ready to overwhelm you with His goodness today! Bible say in 2 Samuel 5:20 “…the Lord has broken through my enemies before me, like the bursting out of great waters…” Prayer for Today: Father in heaven, today I am expecting Your goodness. I am looking for Your favor. I’m trusting that You, the God of the breakthrough, are working mightily on my behalf. Help me to live a life pleasing to You as I wait for Your hand to move mightily in my life. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Heavenly father
The blessing of the LORD makes one rich, And He adds no sorrow with it.
(Proverbs 10:2
God looks at the mountains and says, "'But you, O mountains of Israel, will produce branches and fruit for My people Israel, for they will soon come home. I am concerned for you and will look on you with favor; you will be plowed and sown, and I will multiply the number of people upon you, even the whole house of Israel. The towns will be inhabited and the ruins rebuilt” (Ezekiel 36:8-10). God is an incomparable Father who is concerned about the well being of His children.
The Almighty God says, “I have to prepare the land where My people are going to live and multiply with blessings.” The love and compassion in the heart of our God whom we serve and love cannot be fathomed.
The Bible attests that Jesus Christ loved His disciples till the end (John 13:1).
He lovingly asks His disciples, “Children! Have you eaten?” (John 21:5). He cares for you (Psalm 55:22; 1 Peter 5:7). He enquires about your well-being. He desires to know about how you are progressing. He is interested in every minute detail of your day to day activity. Is there no one to care for you? Do you have no permanent place of shelter? Does your child treat you spitefully? Do they hurl words at you that pierce your soul like arrows? Are you forsaken by your parents for following Christian principles? Are you being fired at your workplace? Do you feel unwanted in your classroom? It is to people such as these, who are traversing through valleys of dry bones, like sorrows, sufferings, sickness tears, trials, temptations and tribulations, who experience some sort of an emptiness that God says, “I have a place for you.” (Deuteronomy 32:13).
God calls His children to ride on high places. The heart of God is thrilled when His children are returning to Him. God is concerned that you live in great comfort. God wants to shower His favour upon you. Unlike men He will not condemn, criticize or cast you away. The first promise that God offers is to multiply the number of people and make them settle down on the mountain.
God will multiply the number of people who are lifted to high places. Surely God will lift you and your household to high places and help you to enjoy abundant blessings.
Prayer:
Loving heavenly Father!
You are my only hope in this world that is filled with wicked and evil people. From today onwards, let Your holy presence surround me on all sides and protect me. Please do not forsake me but hold my hand and lead me at all times. In the prayer answering name of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ of Nazareth, I pray.
Amen
(Proverbs 10:2
God looks at the mountains and says, "'But you, O mountains of Israel, will produce branches and fruit for My people Israel, for they will soon come home. I am concerned for you and will look on you with favor; you will be plowed and sown, and I will multiply the number of people upon you, even the whole house of Israel. The towns will be inhabited and the ruins rebuilt” (Ezekiel 36:8-10). God is an incomparable Father who is concerned about the well being of His children.
The Almighty God says, “I have to prepare the land where My people are going to live and multiply with blessings.” The love and compassion in the heart of our God whom we serve and love cannot be fathomed.
The Bible attests that Jesus Christ loved His disciples till the end (John 13:1).
He lovingly asks His disciples, “Children! Have you eaten?” (John 21:5). He cares for you (Psalm 55:22; 1 Peter 5:7). He enquires about your well-being. He desires to know about how you are progressing. He is interested in every minute detail of your day to day activity. Is there no one to care for you? Do you have no permanent place of shelter? Does your child treat you spitefully? Do they hurl words at you that pierce your soul like arrows? Are you forsaken by your parents for following Christian principles? Are you being fired at your workplace? Do you feel unwanted in your classroom? It is to people such as these, who are traversing through valleys of dry bones, like sorrows, sufferings, sickness tears, trials, temptations and tribulations, who experience some sort of an emptiness that God says, “I have a place for you.” (Deuteronomy 32:13).
God calls His children to ride on high places. The heart of God is thrilled when His children are returning to Him. God is concerned that you live in great comfort. God wants to shower His favour upon you. Unlike men He will not condemn, criticize or cast you away. The first promise that God offers is to multiply the number of people and make them settle down on the mountain.
God will multiply the number of people who are lifted to high places. Surely God will lift you and your household to high places and help you to enjoy abundant blessings.
Prayer:
Loving heavenly Father!
You are my only hope in this world that is filled with wicked and evil people. From today onwards, let Your holy presence surround me on all sides and protect me. Please do not forsake me but hold my hand and lead me at all times. In the prayer answering name of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ of Nazareth, I pray.
Amen
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)