WORDS

Lately, The Lord has been dealing with me about the WORDS that I speak. In years past I never really took note of the words that were coming out of my mouth. If I thought something, I spoke it. Most of the time I used wisdom in the timing of what I had to say (at least that's what I thought) however, it was the choice of words used in the course of a conversation that revealed my need for maturity. 

After The Lord saved me I thought everything was going to change. I quickly joined the choir in singing the songs of Zion. Songs with lyrics like, "look  what The Lord has done, look what The Lord has done. He healed my body, He touched my mind, He saved me just in time...". I was singing a lot of songs that talked about having new hands, new feet and a new mind but I quickly discovered my spirit was renewed while my mind and body were the same. Granted some of the desires I had prior to my conversion had gone but others had not.

There were days when I would think, say or do something that was totally contrary to the Word of God and I knew I was saved but was baffled at how this could happen? I found myself making many trips to the altar re-dedicating my life to God. As I reflect, maybe I should have just gotten some wood, a hammer and nails and built a house there. That was how much I frequented the place early in my Christian walk. 

I kept wondering what as wrong with me. Why wasn't my mind and body changed with salvation? After a bit of research I found out.

The Bible says our natural bodies must die because of Adam's sin in the Garden of Eden and flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of Heaven (1 Cor 15:50  I encourage you to read the entire chapter). In order for us to receive our new body there must be a physical death of our old. In the resurrection we will be given the appropriate body for heaven and until then we will live in our natural bodies (flesh) and constantly keep it in subjection by our mind (1 Cor 9:24-27).

Now, lets talk about our mind. In Romans 12:2 the second part of the verse tells us to be transformed by the renewing of our mind. When we are told to be in this scripture, it means: choose to be changed to another form. The Greek word "mind" is "nous" this word means: the seat of our understanding, reasoning, intellect, philosophy it's what we think or believe. This is the one area that we have complete control over. Our Father did not create puppets rather, men with a will. He has given us His Word for our "nous" to meditate on, enabling us to be transformed into the image of His Son but we must choose by faith to be transformed. 

A part of the definition of the word "renewing" means renovation. So when you think about your mind going through a home renovation it is the changing out of the old and replacing it with something new. The home is not new but the inside of the house is new. A complete home renovation normally cannot be completed in a day but over a course of days, weeks, months even years the project gets accomplished. When the Truth of God's Word is presented to your nous, you have the right to put out the old items in the house and bring in the new items. So, Romans 12:2 could be read like "choose to be changed to another form by renovating your reasoning, intellect or thinking". 

Could God have just spoken a word of renewal over our total existence? Of course He could but by His sovereign will He chose the way of transformation we must take.

There is a war in our mind between our flesh, our renewed spirit and the enemy of our soul. This war is over the influence of the mind. Because who ever controls the mind controls the body, which is the person. Every part of us, our body, soul and spirit goes through a process of renewal and our mind plays a huge part in that process. 

The way we perceive things in our mind, shape the way we express ourselves in word or deed ultimately shaping our life.

It may seem like I am off on a rabbit trail from the subject of WORDS but in the teachings to come you will see how it all fits together. I am laying a foundation. Although this may seem basic it is actually one of the main area of struggle, stumbling and defeat in the lives of many people. I'm not certain how long this teaching/blog will go but hang in there I'm sure it will be good for our "nous". 

Talk with you next week.

Terminal C

Lately, I must say that I have not had the most enjoyable experiences flying. I know that flying gets me to my destination much quicker than traveling by train, car or bus but I often wish that I could be translated in the spirit, instead of enduring many hours of uncomfortable seats and heart gripping turbulence.  Nevertheless, for the sake of preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ, I board each plane trusting in the keeping power of God.

A few days ago I was flying home from Florida with a connecting flight through Dallas, Texas. My departure flight from Florida was delayed leaving so I knew once we landed, in order to make my connecting flight, I would have to move with quickness. Our plane landed and parked at a gate in the D terminal but my connecting flight would be departing from the C terminal so I quickly gathered my things and headed for the Skylink (the train that transports people between the different terminals).   

The Skylink departures were on the level above me so I had to take the escalator up to that level. When I arrived at the top, I noticed there were signs to my left and to my right. I identified which train I was supposed to take and joined a group of people waiting for the train to arrive. After about 3 minutes an announcement had come over the intercom that the side of the Skylink where we were waiting was having trouble and we needed to go to the other side and take that train. 

Immediately people started rushing to the other side to board the train that was approaching the stop. I too began to scurry for the other train but hesitated as I once again looked up at the sign. The train the others got on was headed in the opposite direction to where I was trying to go and although the voice on the intercom was telling me to take that train it just didn't seem right. As I watched the train  zip away, I was thinking to myself, those people have made a mistake. At that time my attention was turned by a comment a young man in a business suit was making (He was one of the few who didn't take the other train). His comment was, "they're going to go all the way around the airport". He then shook his head, turned his back and put his hands in his pockets as if to say - oh well, at least I made the right decision.  About 2 minutes after that, our train arrived and we were on our way to Terminal C which was only 2 stops from where we were. 

As I was riding to Terminal C the scripture from the book of Matthew came to mind "Enter through the narrow gate because the gate and road that lead to destruction are wide. Many enter through the wide gate. But the narrow gate and the road that lead to life are full of trouble. Only a few people find the narrow gate.(Matthew 7:13-14 GOD'S WORD Translation)

Now did the other people in my story meet destruction? No they didn't but they were about to take a trip full of unnecessary stops only to find themselves back at the place where they started. Why did they leave for the other train? Because they were warned about problems they may have had to endure. And although we heard the same warning there were only a few of us willing to endure those problems for the sake of continuing on the path that was leading us to our destination. 

On this journey of following Jesus we can be sure that there will be problems, troubles, trails and tribulations. Jesus Himself told us there would be and there are only a few people who will trust that though the problems are inevitable,  there is safety on the path with Jesus than on the road without Him. 

You may be going through a difficult time right now in your marriage, with your children, in your finances, in your body or on your job and the pressure is great for you to veer off the narrow path of trusting God to fix your situation. Well,  I have come today with a word of exhortation for you. "STAY ON THE PATH TO ENTER THE NARROW GATE" I know the voices are saying that there are problems on this road and there may be but Jesus did not say living a life of obedience to God would be easy, in fact He told us it wouldn't be. He also told us that we didn't have to face them lone. He said that He would be with us and send us a helper. He said that He would give us a way of escape when we are tempted and that He has given us the victory over the devil and all his attempts to distract and destroy us.

Maybe you have already strayed from the path, don't be discouraged! Today is your opportunity to get off the wrong road and onto the right one. You see though the others took the Skylink going in the wrong direction, if they would pay attention to the signs, they would notice that there are stops all along the way indicating that they could take the train on the other side and it would get them back on the right track. All they have to do is GET OFF THE WRONG TRAIN AND GET ON THE RIGHT ONE. It's really that simple.

Our destination is the joy of the Lord. If we continue on the right path by being a good and faithful servant we will rest in HIS JOY forever. I love you with the love of Christ be encouraged. You can do it!

Daily Declaraion-I AM ON THE RIGHT PATHI have kept my feet from walking on any evil path in order to obey your Word. (Psalm 119:101 GOD'S WORD Translation)

BE-CAUSE

Why do you do what you do?

This was the question asked to my husband & I the other day by a pastor friend of ours. At first I looked at him like why would you ask such a question, when the answer should be obvious. I truly had to fight the temptation not to say that to him. So I stood there processing for a minute because there were many different religious answers forming in my mind.

 I didn't want to seem clueless so I answered, "Be-CAUSE” Jesus has set me free. I want others to experience this same freedom.”  I thought to myself, "Yeah that sounds good to me." That sounds like the right answer to give when a pastor asks you a question about the motives of your pursuits. The pastor nodded his head in agreement and began expounding on the reason for his question. I kept myself engaged in conversation with him, but my thoughts kept taking me back to his question.

WHY DO YOU DO WHAT YOU DO?

Although the pastor seemed satisfied with my answer (at least he made it appear that way) for me the answer just seemed to float on the inside of me. It was as if it had no weight to it.  It wasn’t that my answer was untruthful. That wasn't it at all. The thing that troubled me about my answer was that it was a surface answer. It was the typical answer. It was the answer a good Christian gives to be safe or to avoid further questioning. Besides, what other purpose is there than helping people know Jesus?

The truth be told, I did not have a specific answer to the pastor's question and that bothered me. It was something that had been frustrating me for a while. It was the -WHAT IS YOUR BE-CAUSE? What cause needed to be in my life? What is the BE-CAUSE if I don't do it people will die? What is the thing that God wants to use me to show Himself mighty through? I have been doing a lot, but not finding satisfaction. I took his question as, “What is the beautiful scenery of the big picture that all these little puzzle pieces are going to make?”

Ugh, God has not shown me the big picture yet, and you would think by now He would have. Right, now all I have is a bunch of fragmented moments.

These questions were starting to plague my mind; they were becoming a trap. It isn't that these are forbidden questions. It is simply that they were being used as distractions. If the enemy could get me so focused on what I didn’t know about my future instead of what I did, then he knew I would get discouraged, irritated and outright confused.

The realization is, I do not know all of why I do what I do. And you too, like me, may not know the depth of all you do. God may not have pin pointed a certain BE-CAUSE in your life, but just because He hasn’t doesn’t mean He won’t. Be assured that it will happen in His time. It is not wrong to want to know what your be-cause is and it’s not wrong to not know it.  Don’t be hard on yourself. Remember not to let impatience or frustration cause you to discount everything else that has and is happening in your life. There are things we do that may not seem to have a significant meaning as it stands. However, we must not discard them so quickly. It may very well be the piece that completes the puzzle.

Sometimes our be-cause will come in a bright light on the road to Damascus like Paul (Acts 26:13-18) or -be kinda surface like mine was and other times it may be -I'm not sure yet. Our ultimate because is unfolding everyday and the more we obediently trust Him; the closer we come to the revealing of what He has ordained for us. All things are working together for our good. Don't lose heart. You are on the verge of an answered BE-CAUSE! 

Prairie Dog Showdown

Read and meditate on Job 30:13

The car drove down the road and suddenly stopped, facing a prairie dog head on. The prairie dog looks innocent enough, with its cute little stance and cuddly face, but it carries the bubonic plague, digs up the ground, making it difficult for ranch owners and all those in the neighborhood as those holes cripple horses and other livestock if they step in them, and are just an overall nuisance.

I watched as the car waited for the prairie dog to move. It stood as a little sentinel, and then ran back and forth in front of the car. The driver then honked. I couldn’t help but release a little chuckle. To think that a little prairie dog could cause that little drama made me laugh.

Just behind the car was a truck coming up the road. The driver saw what was happening with the other car and simply drove past both. They didn’t let either obstacle stop them. As silly as it sounds, we need to be the driver in the truck.

Don’t let the enemy stop you from reaching your destination. Simply drive beyond what he has put in your way to slow you down. If we stop and give opportunity to the enemy, he will definitely distract us from reaching our destination.

By. Erica Alexander

ABUNDANT HOPE

Lately I have been meditating on the word hope. We are admonished in the Bible to have hope, but what exactly is hope? Is hope faith? Is it a feel good sensation that fills your heart when the preacher gives a compelling message? Or is it the inspirational word used during Christmas time? Not at all. Hope is much more. Hope is joyful, earnest expectation. To expect something is to look forward to it with assurance that you will attain it.

To hope is not the same as to wish. There is no certainty, or assurance in wishing. It's like saying, “I want this to happen but, there's a possibility it won't.” Let me give you an example. One day during church service, Alex announced that he had been praying to get a good job and asked those in the congregation to pray as well. Immediately the pastor called him forward so he could pray for him. The pastor placed his hand on the young man’s shoulder and said, "Alex, God is going to grant your petition.” Alex looked up at the pastor and said, "I sure hope so.” In all actuality he was saying, "That's what I'm wishing for. I don't know if a good job is what God wants for me, but maybe it is and He just might help me get one.” Now a response like that doesn't sound like joyful, earnest expectation to me. It sounds more like doubt and unbelief.

 Romans 4:18-22 (NKJV) gives us a true example of hope:

18 Who, contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken, “So shall your descendants be.” 19 And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb. 20 He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, 21 and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. 22 And therefore “it was accounted to him for righteousness.”

Abraham was 100 years old and his body was past what seemed physically possible to produce a child. He considered not only himself to be too old, but his wife also. Nevertheless, he trusted God to be faithful to perform what He had promised.

This is the true picture of hope. Hope is expecting to see what God has promised come to pass no matter what things look like in your life. You may be in a situation right now that looks as good as dead, but hope believes even if a thing dies. Jesus is the resurrection and the life. You might even be standing in front of an incredible mountain. Hope believes God has given you the authority to speak to it and tell it to move.

Hope is not maybe it will happen or I'm wishing it does happen.

Hope is joyful, earnest expectation in God!

Hope is trusting.

Hope maintains the spiritual vision of faith.

It is CRITICAL for every believer to have hope because hope keeps us moving forward. It’s more than just a mere emotion. It is our passion, our driving force, leading us, rather than pushing us. Every time doubt creeps up, hope begins to remind us of the promise and how determined we are to see it; seeing and receiving looks much better than not. God promised to give us a hope and a future. Don't be discouraged because the thing you desire is being prolonged. Keep your focus on the fact that it is coming and praise God for it.

I believe the more we thank God and show how appreciative and excited we are for His coming promise, the more He wants to give it to us.

Our hope/expectation in God is His delight.

Do not lose hope! The promises of God in Him are, “Yes!” and “Amen!” and they are coming your way!

Daily Declaration-I AM ABUNDANT WITH HOPE

Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, in the power of the Holy Spirit.        Romans 15:13 (NASB)

Vision

My pastor spoke this Sunday about having a vision for your life.  As I listened to him teach I thought, "Thank You Lord for confirming what was in my heart". Pastor told us how important it was to have a vision and by the end of his sermon he asked us if we had one. If we did not, he encouraged us to seek the Lord through prayer and His Word, believing that He would reveal His plan to us.

What is a vision?

One definition for the word vision is: a prophecy.

So in essence pastor was asking; do we know the prophecy of God for our lives?

The Bible say's in Proverbs 29:18, "Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained, but happy is he who keeps the law." Vision keeps you -on purpose. It keeps you in line with God's plan. Not your plan or the one someone else planned for you but God's plan.

We all have things we would like to do and places we want to go. I know for me, there are certain people or people groups in need, that I would like to help. It's all good and honorable but no matter how noble my aspirations, I must be sure that is it God's prophecy for me.

King David had a desire to build God a house to dwell in. This too was a good and honorable idea but it was not God's plan for David to build His house. As we see in 2 Samuel (please read this entire chapter). He had set this task aside for Solomon, King David's son to do. God spoke His vision/prophecy for David through the prophet Samuel and it was not just His plan for David and his son that was revealed but His plan for the entire Israelite nation. So having a good idea is just that "a good idea" but a "vision" from God is something far greater, it is God's prophecy spoken over our lives that keeps us on course.

There are specific things God has for each of us to do. God knows exactly what He has planned for us. In Jeremiah 29:11 the vision was given to the Israelites, "For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope." What stood out to me from this verse of scripture is I KNOW, I HAVE, FOR YOU. No matter what things look like or what others tell you, seek the prophecy of the Lord for yourself. Don’t despise prophecy from His prophets but remember God will always confirm His word.

Again, ask the Lord to reveal His plans to you because He knows what He has for you and no good thing will He withhold from those who love Him. If you already know the vision my question then is, does it restrain you? Are the things you're doing running smoothly parallel to His plan or causing a zig zag effect, leaving you confused?

I challenge you to spend some time today pondering this question.

What is your God-given vision?

Daily Declaration- I AM CALLED
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.  Romans 8:28-30 (NASB)

ACTION

                                                   http://youtu.be/SqZN7Q9g3wc

Jesus was going through all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness. Seeing the people, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.”  Matthew 9:35-38

Just recently a couple staff members and I were invited to join Compassion International on their mission trip to Tegucigalpa, Honduras. I had no real personal desire to go on the trip, only a feeling that I should go. So I did. I had been on other mission trips, so I kind of had an idea of what I would see in terms of poverty.  But I was totally unprepared for the life-altering experience I would encounter during those four days.

When we arrived at the projects (programs) where the children's needs are met, I was surprised to see the joy and hope that seemed to shimmer in their eyes. I was so captivated by the love of God on them that it was hard to focus on the poverty situations they were in, although it was evident. The children don't live at the projects; it's sort of like going to a community center before or after school. The only difference is they get fed a meal and for many of them, this could be the only meal they receive the entire day.

On the third day after our visit to the third project, I noticed that something was happening in me. I kept crying and there was a stirring in my spirit that couldn't be shaken. I hadn’t experienced this on other mission trips. I have always had a tender heart toward the poor, but this was something much different. I began to think of the numerous times I have felt compassion for a person trapped in a bad situation or how sorrow filled my heart for someone because of the circumstances they were under.  But again, there was something different about this trip. What was this? It was HIS COMPASSION that I was experiencing. It was His love for His people to do something about their situation that was flooding my heart.

I realized that it was not enough to merely shed tears and tell people that Jesus knows what they are going through. This may be the immediate response that expresses my emotions at the time and nothing is wrong with that, but God made it clear that He is requiring more from me!  Jesus said in Matthew 9:37, 38 “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.”  What does this mean in context to my story? You see in the projects the children were full of life because they have Jesus in their heart, but there are millions more that are not in the projects and they want to be. The problem is there is a shortage of laborers to go get them. Not a shortage of people with need or those who see the need, but a shortage of those who are moved to action because of the need.

Notice that Jesus told the disciples to pray that God send workers in the field to get His harvest. This is what I believe that I experienced in Honduras, a "command to go", a call to action, from the Lord. It is not that I haven't been working because I have, but there is much more to be done.

Where is your field? What is it that tugs at your heart that you can no longer ignore? Is God "sending" you out into that field? I want to encourage you to join me, and countess others who are gathering God's end-time harvest; to seek God’s heart as to where He is calling you to go. If you are already working, are you ready for your next assignment? There is a great harvest and they are waiting on you!

Daily Declaration-I AM A LABORER WITH GOD

Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labor. For we are laborers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.  1 Corinthians 3:8-9 (KJV)