Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Stop Waiting For Your Ship to Come in and Build A Boat!
Putting your Hope in the lottery? I've read that you are more likely to be hit by lightning, twice, than to win a million dollar lottery!
Some people call that faith! I'ts actually unrealistic and can be a dangerous thing for those who tend to live a life outside of reality anyway.
Therapists offices are filled with people who are in denial of reality. There are many negative consequences to ignoring reality. The alcoholic who, against reality, convinces himself that just one drink wont hurt is just one example. There are many others. The employee who thinks he will never be caught steeling from the job or the liar who believes that no one will ever find out about how she lied on her tax return.
Terrible relationship problems are no stranger to unrealistic thinking. The man who beats his wife is also living in a fantasy land based in unrealistic thinking. He believes that his spouse really stays because she loves him and not out of fear of reprisal.
Living in reality can change your life! Instead of waiting for your ship to come in you'll build yourself a great boat! Living in reality will cause one to face their flaws and shortcomings and realize that change can only occur when reality is faced. If I eat this Sweet Cake it actually WILL cause me to be in danger of blindness if I am a Diabetic.
Science says that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.
God put it this way... "Don't be led astray, God will not be mocked, whatever you plant, that is what will come up. " (Galatians 6:7)
If you don't pay that bill, you'll loose your house, or car... or whatever... It's just reality.
Time to begin working on your boat...
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Don't follow your heart!
The following is a post from a favorite blog that I follow. I am re-posting it here and at the bottom I am placing His blog address so you can check out more of his blogs. He is my youngest Daughter and her family's Pastor.He has great insights! You will enjoy his blogposts!
"...there's a phrase that I hear often that I'm tired of hearing. I want to put it
out there as a plea to quit saying it and most importantly, to
stop doing it. Here's the phrase I don't want to hear
anymore: "I'm following my heart."
Almost
every person I sit down with in counseling is suffering from the results of
following their heart.
You
probably read the headlines recently of the teacher who left his wife, children,
and teaching career in order to move in with a former 18-year old student. Their
reasoning was "We're following our hearts."
He's
in prison now. Why? Because he followed his heart...and that's where your heart
will lead you.
The
Bible says our hearts are deceitful and desperately wicked - no one can know it
(except the One who made it, of course). The Bible also says that without Jesus,
we're dead in our sins.
So
I say to stop following your heart because without Jesus, your heart isn't
beating!
What
you really need to do is follow Jesus - the One who breathes life into dead and
dying hearts. He's the One who will never let you down or lead you astray. And
although following Jesus often goes directly against the feelings and direction
that your heart says to go, His way is the right way, and the one way that
you'll never regret following.
Stop
following your heart and follow Jesus.
The
temporary pleasure is not worth the lasting pain."
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Atheism
The Belief
that nothing exploded into something and that the nothing that exploded into
something somehow had the luck to come together into the right combination of lifeless
somethings for life to spring from it.
And then this nothing continued to evolve into such intelligence that
it is able to evaluate itself and it’s origins and have such a grasp of all
knowledge, enough it seems, to know without
question that there is no God... WHAT?
Then there are those who do believe that there was something
the size of a dot that exploded… When
asked where the dot came from they say it came from millions of stars and
universes that expanded evolved and ran it’s cycle and then came back together
again with such heavy gravity that it garnered the current explosion… So where did those universes come from? No answer, or they say perhaps another dot
and they still declare that they know it wasn’t God that did it… Really?
So they say, the existence of life is an accident, Intelligence is an accident, the study of science is an accident, it’s all
an accident. The conclusion for them is
that we are random matter but, in the whole scheme of things we don’t really matter. So what is the value of existence? And since we are just accidental matter is
there really a thing called value and if we just made it up then didn’t we make
something out of nothing and does that make man’s intelligence a creative force that could be described as God? Now what’s funny about that question is that
when asked that, they tilt their heads to the side, place the earpiece of their
eye-glasses in their mouth and then… nothing contemplates the possibility that
they may indeed be God after all. These buffoons
think that nothing can know if something called God started it all…
It’s interesting to me. They decry my faith and at the same time, their
Complex gravitational explosive dot of nothing that becomes life and evolves
into intelligence is a much bigger religious leap of faith than mine. I just believe that; “In the beginning God!” Now who is the religious zealot?
“Thinking
themselves to be wise they become fools”.
Prayer: Dear God... AMEN!
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Anointing and the Presence of God
Moses was called aside by God to the burning bush where God
commissioned him to remove the children of Israel from Egyptian Slavery. God’s call and commission to Moses contained
in it the Job that he was to do for God.
This was an act of a direct call from God and God Himself commissioned
Moses to the work of not only freeing the Israelites but also to lead them
through the sea, across the wilderness, and into the promised land.
In the Old Testament, there was something called
Anointing. Almost every place where
anointing is mentioned in the Bible, we also see that oil is to be smeared on
the subject. When one was anointed,
they received a commission to go and do something for God. Anointing with oil was the ceremony side of
what God was doing in the spirit. God
was setting them aside for service and giving them a commission to perform acts
for God.
Anointing was also, in a sense, the receipt of a job
description from God. When David was
anointed by the Prophet of God as the King of Israel, the fact of the anointing
to be King also gave him the description of what he was supposed to DO.
So we see in the Old Testament how anointing was a ceremony that
set a person by commission to do a work of God’s choosing. God chose the man and the Work. Anointed him and set him apart to do a work
for Him.
Moses was very wise.
After Moses led the Children of Israel out of bondage it was time to
enter into the Promised Land. God told
Moses what his mission was to be in leading them into the land of milk and
honey, Moses prayed to God. “And he said
unto him, If thy presence go not with me,
carry us not up hence.” (Exo
33:15)
Moses understood the need to not only have the commission or
anointing to do a thing but that he also needed the presence of the Lord.
In the New Testament Anointing take on an even more definite
relationship between the anointing and the presence of God. Christ Jesus had a mission to perform and God
anointed him not only for mission but also with the Holy Ghost and with Power!
How God anointed Jesus of
Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and
healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
(Act 10:38)
We need to see the necessary relationship between our
Commission and Call Anointing and God’s empowerment to do What God has called
us to do. I have seen men who were very
gifted in their call loose everything because they relied on the Commission and
Appointment to do the work and did not practice the presence of God.
We need BOTH! We need
to be anointed, commissioned and ordained to do the work and we also need to be
spend enough time with God in prayer in order to be endued with Power from on
high. We need the Anointing of the Holy
Spirit and Power to perform it so we do not bring shame to the Ministry.
Never just rely on your calling and your commission to do a
task. Also spend enough time with God to
walk in His presence as you go forward and perform ministry as Jesus Did… “anointed
with the Holy Ghost and with power”!
My Prayer:
Dear God, I truly
desire not only to petition you for things that I want in ministry. I desire to spend time with you. I believe that the amount of time that I
spend with you is in direct relationship to having your presence in my
preaching and other ministry duties. Let my prayer be the same as Moses; “ If
your presence doesn’t go with me, don’t carry
us up from here.” AMEN!
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Without Ceasing
Even beginning during the fast, God has been dealing with me lately on the subject of Prayer. The following is written in Outline form but I believe that you will get the idea behind it.
Pray without ceasing.
(1 Thessalonians 5:17)
Strongs Definition:
Prayer Reveals our View of God in the following areas...
Pray without ceasing.
(1 Thessalonians 5:17)
Strongs Definition:
Pray:
G4336
προσεύχομαι; proseuchomai: Pray: pros-yoo'-khom-ahee
From G4314 and G2172; to
pray to God, that is, supplicate, worship: - pray
(X earnestly, for), make prayer.
·
Prayer is Pro-Active: It is to actively present to God that which
we desire.
·
Indicates the idea of sending forth to God that
which is desired, to Pray…
·
Prayer reveals our true and secret motives
The Theology of our
Prayers:
·
Prayer is a sign of our faith, in that it assumes several things
·
Prayer reveals faith enough to endeavor to talk
with God
1. The existence of God
a. Prayer shows that one
believes in God
b. God is the
objective recipient of our prayers.
2. The recipient of our prayers
(God) will hear them and further…
a. It assumes a God that is actively
involved in current creation
b. It assumes a God that is
concerned with our well being (He Loves
us)
3. He will receive them.
a. It assumes also that He is
willing to answer our prayers
4. He will Consider our prayers
and wheather or not they have merit. (Are His will for us)
a. It assumes that God
influences our lives beyond setting things in motion in the beginning
b. It assumed that God “interferes” supernaturally in the lives of man at man's request.
My Prayer: Lord, Teach me to pray in acordance with your will so that my prayers will be answered and so that I can see their results in my life and glorify you. In Jesus Name, AMEN!
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Perspective is Everything
My scripture today:
Isaiah 6:1, "In the year that King Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple."
It is our own personal perspective that determines so much in our live. Some people see the glass half full... some half empty. How you see things affects your reaction, your conviction, how you view the resources you have, your ability to hope or lack thereof, everything.
Some view the Lord High and lifted up as Isaiah did, others see Him as an old man with a big stick ready to knock them around when they come up short. How you and I see Him will determine our actions and responses to Him and His word.
If we take Isaiah's view and see Him in His Majesty as the ruler of the whole of creation with His Glory filling the Earth then we will have a view that brings us to a place where we Honor Him and see ourselves in the light of His true place.
It humbles us.
The Resultes of seeing the Lord From the proper perspective does three things.
I. Verse 5... "Woe is me, I am a man of unclean lips..."
touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged.
Dear Lord, Help me to be the servant to you and to your church that I need to be. Keep me in the hallow of your hand and close to your side where I can experience your presence at all times in my life. Amen
Isaiah 6:1, "In the year that King Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple."
It is our own personal perspective that determines so much in our live. Some people see the glass half full... some half empty. How you see things affects your reaction, your conviction, how you view the resources you have, your ability to hope or lack thereof, everything.
Some view the Lord High and lifted up as Isaiah did, others see Him as an old man with a big stick ready to knock them around when they come up short. How you and I see Him will determine our actions and responses to Him and His word.
If we take Isaiah's view and see Him in His Majesty as the ruler of the whole of creation with His Glory filling the Earth then we will have a view that brings us to a place where we Honor Him and see ourselves in the light of His true place.
It humbles us.
The Resultes of seeing the Lord From the proper perspective does three things.
I. Verse 5... "Woe is me, I am a man of unclean lips..."
- It brings recognition of sin in the sight of an Awesome God
- It brings us to a place of a repentant Heart
touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged.
- Iniquity is takn away and
- sin is purged
- It creates within us a heart of service to God. A willingness to serve others by serving God.
Dear Lord, Help me to be the servant to you and to your church that I need to be. Keep me in the hallow of your hand and close to your side where I can experience your presence at all times in my life. Amen
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Temptation
A Confession:
I went through a real temptation yesterday evening with my fast. I have been doing pretty well on the fast for the most part and then BOOM! Starting the 17th. day of the fast at sundown yesterday, I had a real heavy food temptation.
You may be tempted to laugh when you hear. I am. And it happened to me.
I settled in for the evening and was sitting quietly when I had a heavy urge to go into the kitchen and open a can of chili that I had seen in the cabinet.
Mistake # 1. I got up and went into the kitchen, opened the cabinet door and Looked at that can of chili! I shut the door and my body screamed at me. (a metaphor for how I felt!) I mean I had a real crises moment with that can of chili. LOL I wanted it SO BAD!
Mistake # 2. I opened the door again and gave myself an excuse. I heard myself say: "You may as well eat that chili and get past this." "Just start back tomorrow."
The urge to eat that can of chili was almost physical in it's intensity! The thing is... I was not having hunger pangs! But is was so compelling!!! I left it and walked around and even prayed; "God, why is this so hard? I'm Stronger than this. This shouldn't be this way."
OK, I acknowledge that this is NOT a major sin. In the scheme of things, it's really not all that big a deal. People are hungry out there with no food, no home, no way of getting them. People are dying in other countries for the cause of Christ. So my little petty battle isn't really all that much... except...
I am trying to consecrate myself to God. I want to be closer to Him and I didn't want that can of chili to come between the bigger picture for me personally right now. I want closer to God. I want His Spirit to be more real to me every day... I want to walk in relationship with Him in my life.
Then I hear that still small voice. "Who's the Boss?" Are the cravings of my flesh so strong that I am willing to allow them to keep me from fulfilling my heartfelt desire to be closer to God? Who is the boss here? My flesh, or have I yielded myself to serve the Living God?
So I went back into the living room, sat in my chair for a little while longer and then went to bed thanking the Lord for His grace in the moment.
Prayer:
Lord, I remember the wise words of Stephen Covey in His book; "The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People". "Private victories precede Public victories." Thank you for reminding me that the small victories that we face in private precede what we are in our very public walk with you and there is no substitute for those small victories. And sometimes they can seem pretty tough. AMEN!
I went through a real temptation yesterday evening with my fast. I have been doing pretty well on the fast for the most part and then BOOM! Starting the 17th. day of the fast at sundown yesterday, I had a real heavy food temptation.
You may be tempted to laugh when you hear. I am. And it happened to me.
I settled in for the evening and was sitting quietly when I had a heavy urge to go into the kitchen and open a can of chili that I had seen in the cabinet.
Mistake # 1. I got up and went into the kitchen, opened the cabinet door and Looked at that can of chili! I shut the door and my body screamed at me. (a metaphor for how I felt!) I mean I had a real crises moment with that can of chili. LOL I wanted it SO BAD!
Mistake # 2. I opened the door again and gave myself an excuse. I heard myself say: "You may as well eat that chili and get past this." "Just start back tomorrow."
The urge to eat that can of chili was almost physical in it's intensity! The thing is... I was not having hunger pangs! But is was so compelling!!! I left it and walked around and even prayed; "God, why is this so hard? I'm Stronger than this. This shouldn't be this way."
OK, I acknowledge that this is NOT a major sin. In the scheme of things, it's really not all that big a deal. People are hungry out there with no food, no home, no way of getting them. People are dying in other countries for the cause of Christ. So my little petty battle isn't really all that much... except...
I am trying to consecrate myself to God. I want to be closer to Him and I didn't want that can of chili to come between the bigger picture for me personally right now. I want closer to God. I want His Spirit to be more real to me every day... I want to walk in relationship with Him in my life.
Then I hear that still small voice. "Who's the Boss?" Are the cravings of my flesh so strong that I am willing to allow them to keep me from fulfilling my heartfelt desire to be closer to God? Who is the boss here? My flesh, or have I yielded myself to serve the Living God?
So I went back into the living room, sat in my chair for a little while longer and then went to bed thanking the Lord for His grace in the moment.
Prayer:
Lord, I remember the wise words of Stephen Covey in His book; "The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People". "Private victories precede Public victories." Thank you for reminding me that the small victories that we face in private precede what we are in our very public walk with you and there is no substitute for those small victories. And sometimes they can seem pretty tough. AMEN!
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
His Presence
Today is the 9th. day of my fast. I am now doing one meal each day and I am following the Daniel Fast as far as the type of meals I am eating for that meal. For instance, today I had a small bowl of beans for lunch. Yesterday I had a salad and a plate of vegetables for lunch.
I am fasting breakfast which is usually my favorite meal of the day. I am also fasting the evening meal.
As a diabetic I am keeping a close watch on my blood glucose level and being very careful. (The reason I started eating the one meal each day) I have not taken any meds for several days and my sugar level is staying mostly between 70 and 90. "I am watching it like a hawk."
Today has been a awesome day.
I am part of a Pastors Prayer group. We get together on Tuesdays for Prayer and a fellowship Breakfast. Our prayer time starts at 7:00 and we usually end between 8:00 and 8:30 after which we all go to a local restaurant for breakfast.
Several of the Pastors in our group are also fasting which makes it easy to sit around in the restaurant and NOT be tempted to eat anything!
Today I am really thankful for these other Pastors and our prayer time this morning. The presence of the Lord was really evident. A few of us felt led to pray for each other and our churches.
I asked some of them to lay hands on me and pray for my back that I have been having a little trouble with. (I moved some heavy tables the other day... nuff said). I had prayer Sunday Night at Church as well where I began to feel a very real touch from God and a significant easing in the pain.
Today as these men prayed for me I experienced a warmth in the small of my back (where the pain was). It was AWESOME! There is another noticeable difference in my pain. PRAISE THE LORD! God is Good!
My Prayer today:
Dear Lord, thank you for my healing! Thank you for a wonderful group of people to pastor and for a great group of Pastors to meet with for prayer on Tuesday Mornings. Most of all, Thank you Lord for meeting with me in prayer today. Thank you so much for your presence. AMEN!
I am fasting breakfast which is usually my favorite meal of the day. I am also fasting the evening meal.
As a diabetic I am keeping a close watch on my blood glucose level and being very careful. (The reason I started eating the one meal each day) I have not taken any meds for several days and my sugar level is staying mostly between 70 and 90. "I am watching it like a hawk."
Today has been a awesome day.
I am part of a Pastors Prayer group. We get together on Tuesdays for Prayer and a fellowship Breakfast. Our prayer time starts at 7:00 and we usually end between 8:00 and 8:30 after which we all go to a local restaurant for breakfast.
Several of the Pastors in our group are also fasting which makes it easy to sit around in the restaurant and NOT be tempted to eat anything!
Today I am really thankful for these other Pastors and our prayer time this morning. The presence of the Lord was really evident. A few of us felt led to pray for each other and our churches.
I asked some of them to lay hands on me and pray for my back that I have been having a little trouble with. (I moved some heavy tables the other day... nuff said). I had prayer Sunday Night at Church as well where I began to feel a very real touch from God and a significant easing in the pain.
Today as these men prayed for me I experienced a warmth in the small of my back (where the pain was). It was AWESOME! There is another noticeable difference in my pain. PRAISE THE LORD! God is Good!
My Prayer today:
Dear Lord, thank you for my healing! Thank you for a wonderful group of people to pastor and for a great group of Pastors to meet with for prayer on Tuesday Mornings. Most of all, Thank you Lord for meeting with me in prayer today. Thank you so much for your presence. AMEN!
Saturday, January 7, 2012
God wants to do a new thing in you!
It has been a few days since my last post so I wanted to update you on what the Lord is speaking to me on the 6th. day of my fast.
Day 7 will begin for me this afternoon when the sun sets.
(Isa 43:18)
Remember
ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.
(Isa 43:19) Behold, I
will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will
even make a way in the wilderness, and
rivers in the desert.
Forgetting
those things which are behind…
I
have knowledge of the Past and I thank God for all He has done… Then I leave
them behind and move into my future!
God is still
speaking to His people! Too many times we
look at what God has done in us, as great as it is, and we stop looking for
anything new and fresh from God. We
believe that all that we have received is all God has for us.
(Lam 3:22-24) It is of
the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are
new every morning: great is thy
faithfulness. The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I
hope in him.
(Isa 42:9) Behold,
the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare:
before they spring forth I tell you of them.
(Isa 42:10) Sing unto
the LORD a new song, and his praise from
the end of the earth, ye that go down to the sea, and all that is therein; the
isles, and the inhabitants thereof.
Here is the thing. We keep living in this world. New problems arise, new situations, new challenges and we do rely on what God has told us. This is good. But God has not stopped speaking! This begs the question; Have we stopped listening? Are we relying so heavily on our past victories that we do not seek God for New battle plans?
Every day is New! Every challenge is New! And while everything God has done in our lives is timeless, much of it is for the time in which we heard it!
God is still speaking so what have you heard from Him lately that is giving you...
- A New Joy
- A New Hope
- A New Song
- A New Victory
Prayer:
Dear Lord, make everything New in My relationship with you. Bring fresh rain, fresh praise, a fresh song! Thank you for the NEW! Amen.
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Day 3 of my fast January 3, 2012
It's strange how I can have such sinus trouble and still feel "...the peace of God which passeth understanding."
Fasting always seems to bring a calm and a serenity to me. I have spoken with others through the years and I know that experience may not be the case with everyone. I wish I could describe it. Words like calm, peace, serenity all come to mind. There seems to be no real struggle in my spirit while I am fasting.
Now Physically, that sometimes is a different story. For the past two or three years, when I have determined to do the Daniel fast i get sick before the fast is to begin. I really don't think there is a "Spiritual" reason behind this. I think it's just the time of year. Right after Christmas where I have been around great numbers of people. Many of them coughing and sniffling. No wonder! But it does present a little more of a challenge.
Helpful friends say things like...
"I could never fast while I was sick. You need to wait until later." (Tried that... later didn't
come for a year!)
Or...
They say things like...
"Fasting is bad for you. It will ruin your digestive system... give you kidney trouble... or, this is
one of my favorite, So your trying to loose weight, right?
I would like to sometimes say, "Hey guys lighten up, I'm not Job and your not his comfortless comforters... are you:?"
In reality fasting for me is a deeply spiritual experience. For one thing, I'm not just doing without food. I'm also praying and seeking God and reflecting on my Christian journey, Asking God for guidance for next steps for the Church etc.
So I got a cold in my nose... And peace in my heart. Go figure!
Prayer:
Dear Lord, I just want to thank you for your presence in my life today. AMEN
It's strange how I can have such sinus trouble and still feel "...the peace of God which passeth understanding."
Fasting always seems to bring a calm and a serenity to me. I have spoken with others through the years and I know that experience may not be the case with everyone. I wish I could describe it. Words like calm, peace, serenity all come to mind. There seems to be no real struggle in my spirit while I am fasting.
Now Physically, that sometimes is a different story. For the past two or three years, when I have determined to do the Daniel fast i get sick before the fast is to begin. I really don't think there is a "Spiritual" reason behind this. I think it's just the time of year. Right after Christmas where I have been around great numbers of people. Many of them coughing and sniffling. No wonder! But it does present a little more of a challenge.
Helpful friends say things like...
"I could never fast while I was sick. You need to wait until later." (Tried that... later didn't
come for a year!)
Or...
They say things like...
"Fasting is bad for you. It will ruin your digestive system... give you kidney trouble... or, this is
one of my favorite, So your trying to loose weight, right?
I would like to sometimes say, "Hey guys lighten up, I'm not Job and your not his comfortless comforters... are you:?"
In reality fasting for me is a deeply spiritual experience. For one thing, I'm not just doing without food. I'm also praying and seeking God and reflecting on my Christian journey, Asking God for guidance for next steps for the Church etc.
So I got a cold in my nose... And peace in my heart. Go figure!
Prayer:
Dear Lord, I just want to thank you for your presence in my life today. AMEN
Day 2 of my 21 day fast: Jan 2, 2012
Today I am thinking of a portion of the following Scripture: "Is this not the fast that I have chosen: To loose the bonds of wickedness. To undo the heavy burdens, To let the oppressed go free and that you break every yoke? ..." Isaiah 58:6
I am praying today to "bread every yoke" that is in my life. All of us have limiting beliefs and habits of life that seem to keep us bound to certain stations, status, activities, ways of living that cause us discomfort and even real problems.
For example. There may be times when one wants to "One up" those with whom they are in a conversation.
David: "Hey Bob, I just got a new car!"
Bob: " Yea, that's probably an OK car for you but I wouldn't drive one of those things if
you gave it ti me! Now MY car... Man that's a Car!"
You and I both know that there are also more subtle ways in which people play the "One UP" game.
That's not fun for any of us. Behavioral habits can take us captive and be a yoke to us in our lives.
One behavioral problem that I seem to sometimes face is jumping in on conversations I am having with people and trying to answer them before they have completed their thought. I don't do this on purpose, I just sometimes seem to jump ahead in the conversation and "Get to the Point". there are also those who procrastinate and take the very long way around never seem to get to the point.
I had a person in a church that I once pastored who asked me to come by their place of business. They said that they had something they wanted to talk to me about. I set the appointment and told them that I had about 45 minutes available at the time they needed to see me and then I had another appointment with another person in the church after theirs.
About an hour into it, I thought thay had time to tell me all they wanted and I got up and started to leave only to have them tell me that they hadn't gotten to the point yet. I had to make another appointment with them to finish the talk but one thing it revealed to me is that sometimes the "Point" isn't really the point at all. In some peoples lives, it's the process that shows them that they are valuable.
In addition, thay may have also had a little bit of a procrastination problem which could also fit a habit or yoke that needs to be broken.
Another habit that has taken me a lifetime to perfect is my habit of being over weight. I am really good at staying too heavy for my health. It has caused me problems with Diabetes and put me in danger for other related health problems.
So today I am praying for God to help me have the strength to break these kinds of Yokes. They can affect our relationships, our health and sometimes even place our lives in jeopardy. I want to be around to see my great grandchildren.
Prayer: Dear God, Help me to not only identify some of the habits in my life of which I need the Yoke broken from me, but I am praying today for these yokes to be broken from me. Use this fast to reveal my "flesh" to me and release my by the spirit and power of God from these yokes of bondage. In Jesus Name I pray. AMEN
Today I am thinking of a portion of the following Scripture: "Is this not the fast that I have chosen: To loose the bonds of wickedness. To undo the heavy burdens, To let the oppressed go free and that you break every yoke? ..." Isaiah 58:6
I am praying today to "bread every yoke" that is in my life. All of us have limiting beliefs and habits of life that seem to keep us bound to certain stations, status, activities, ways of living that cause us discomfort and even real problems.
For example. There may be times when one wants to "One up" those with whom they are in a conversation.
David: "Hey Bob, I just got a new car!"
Bob: " Yea, that's probably an OK car for you but I wouldn't drive one of those things if
you gave it ti me! Now MY car... Man that's a Car!"
You and I both know that there are also more subtle ways in which people play the "One UP" game.
That's not fun for any of us. Behavioral habits can take us captive and be a yoke to us in our lives.
One behavioral problem that I seem to sometimes face is jumping in on conversations I am having with people and trying to answer them before they have completed their thought. I don't do this on purpose, I just sometimes seem to jump ahead in the conversation and "Get to the Point". there are also those who procrastinate and take the very long way around never seem to get to the point.
I had a person in a church that I once pastored who asked me to come by their place of business. They said that they had something they wanted to talk to me about. I set the appointment and told them that I had about 45 minutes available at the time they needed to see me and then I had another appointment with another person in the church after theirs.
About an hour into it, I thought thay had time to tell me all they wanted and I got up and started to leave only to have them tell me that they hadn't gotten to the point yet. I had to make another appointment with them to finish the talk but one thing it revealed to me is that sometimes the "Point" isn't really the point at all. In some peoples lives, it's the process that shows them that they are valuable.
In addition, thay may have also had a little bit of a procrastination problem which could also fit a habit or yoke that needs to be broken.
Another habit that has taken me a lifetime to perfect is my habit of being over weight. I am really good at staying too heavy for my health. It has caused me problems with Diabetes and put me in danger for other related health problems.
So today I am praying for God to help me have the strength to break these kinds of Yokes. They can affect our relationships, our health and sometimes even place our lives in jeopardy. I want to be around to see my great grandchildren.
Prayer: Dear God, Help me to not only identify some of the habits in my life of which I need the Yoke broken from me, but I am praying today for these yokes to be broken from me. Use this fast to reveal my "flesh" to me and release my by the spirit and power of God from these yokes of bondage. In Jesus Name I pray. AMEN
Monday, January 2, 2012
Fasting: Day One
"Is this not the fast that I have chosen: To loose the bonds of wickedness. To undo the heavy burdens, To let the oppressed go free and that you break every yoke? ..." Isaiah 58:6
Fasting is a Spiritual Discipline. As such, you should take care of your health and do not do anything foolish during your fast. If you decide to fast, be careful about your health and if you are under a Dr's Care or have any health issue at all you should consult with your physician before going on a fast.
We are doing what is called an "Open" fast at our Church. In the Bible there were times when spiritual leadership called for the people to fast. As such, this fast is not a "secret" fast which I believe is also Biblical. I have called a fast for our church and asked those who felt led, to join with me in this time of fasting.
Some of us are doing the "Daniel" fast. Others are doing their own self styled version of the Daniel fast and still others are doing other kinds of fasting as they feel led of the Lord. Although this fast is done openly with those who are part of our spiritual community, it is not to be done for the purpose of being "seen" of others. It is still for personal spiritual purposes and while it is known by us it is not for show.
I believe this is a good kind of fast to use to encourage those around to begin fasting as a new spiritual discipline in their lives. The nature of this kind of fast allows one to encourage and be encouraged by others during the fast.
Today is my first full fast day. My fasting began at sunset on the first so at sunset today, I will begin day two of the fast. I am fasting all solid foods. I do drink liquids including a few ounces of juice mixed with water in the morning and the evening. If you do juices during your fast be careful if you buy juice from the store. Many juices can have more sugar than sugary sodas.
I am fasting for the above promises mentioned in Isaiah 58:6 and also for the promises mentioned further down...
* Your light shall break forth like the morning
* Your healing will spring forth quickly...
* Your righteousness will go before you
* The glory of the Lord will be your rear guard
* Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry and He will say "Here I Am".
* You light shall dawn in the darkness and your darkness shall be as the noonday
* The Lord will guide you continually
* And satisfy your soul in drought
And so on...
I am believing God for guidance for our Church and for souls to Come to Christ as a result of this fast. Some people, including myself will be keeping a personal journal during the fast. It is a good idea to journal on your fast so you do not loose any of the things that the Lord speaks to your heart during your fast.
As the sun sets, I will have finished my first full day of fasting and will have begun day two.
My Day One Prayer:
Dear Father. Maker of Heaven and Earth. Guide me and help me to experience all things that are your will for me during this fast. Help me to be the leader that you intend for me to be so that I can guide and encourage your loving people in the things of God. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Fasting is a Spiritual Discipline. As such, you should take care of your health and do not do anything foolish during your fast. If you decide to fast, be careful about your health and if you are under a Dr's Care or have any health issue at all you should consult with your physician before going on a fast.
We are doing what is called an "Open" fast at our Church. In the Bible there were times when spiritual leadership called for the people to fast. As such, this fast is not a "secret" fast which I believe is also Biblical. I have called a fast for our church and asked those who felt led, to join with me in this time of fasting.
Some of us are doing the "Daniel" fast. Others are doing their own self styled version of the Daniel fast and still others are doing other kinds of fasting as they feel led of the Lord. Although this fast is done openly with those who are part of our spiritual community, it is not to be done for the purpose of being "seen" of others. It is still for personal spiritual purposes and while it is known by us it is not for show.
I believe this is a good kind of fast to use to encourage those around to begin fasting as a new spiritual discipline in their lives. The nature of this kind of fast allows one to encourage and be encouraged by others during the fast.
Today is my first full fast day. My fasting began at sunset on the first so at sunset today, I will begin day two of the fast. I am fasting all solid foods. I do drink liquids including a few ounces of juice mixed with water in the morning and the evening. If you do juices during your fast be careful if you buy juice from the store. Many juices can have more sugar than sugary sodas.
I am fasting for the above promises mentioned in Isaiah 58:6 and also for the promises mentioned further down...
* Your light shall break forth like the morning
* Your healing will spring forth quickly...
* Your righteousness will go before you
* The glory of the Lord will be your rear guard
* Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry and He will say "Here I Am".
* You light shall dawn in the darkness and your darkness shall be as the noonday
* The Lord will guide you continually
* And satisfy your soul in drought
And so on...
I am believing God for guidance for our Church and for souls to Come to Christ as a result of this fast. Some people, including myself will be keeping a personal journal during the fast. It is a good idea to journal on your fast so you do not loose any of the things that the Lord speaks to your heart during your fast.
As the sun sets, I will have finished my first full day of fasting and will have begun day two.
My Day One Prayer:
Dear Father. Maker of Heaven and Earth. Guide me and help me to experience all things that are your will for me during this fast. Help me to be the leader that you intend for me to be so that I can guide and encourage your loving people in the things of God. In Jesus Name, Amen.
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