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Yearly Archives: 2011

The Spiritual Experience

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I remember when I was growing up and how I used to daydream of being a spectacular musician. There were so many long days and nights of practicing and learning that I never thought that I would be able to play anything at all! After such a long time (or at least it seemed like it anyway) there began to be a steady progression and I learned to love the overall experience of working on myself to be better at music. It is still something that I have to work on each day and without the effort I would eventually be in lack or without the proficiency to play like I could.

With that said, I also remember the day the spirit of God entered into my life. I never thought my life was going to get better from where I was, but after getting saved I began to follow what the spirit would lead me to do. These sorts of things could be a thought to yourself in the moment or an audible voice when you least expect it, leading you down a path of righteousness. I assure you the only time that God is leading is when it is right and fair and in love for your neighbor.

Learn to allow God’s spirit to lead and guide you each and every day. There is something to be said about the spiritual experience, especially when we do not have it. It is your lifeline for leadership and knowledge in applying what you need to do and how to abide in the rest of God when you have no solution. In order for it to be fluent, keep in practice and work in it every day through prayer and close humble devotion to God. It is well worth the practice to succeed at life!

Learning To Adjust To Adversity With God As Your Guide

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One of lifes unpredictable pieces represents the part of it that changes it the most: the people around you. This is something that with each and every one of us at some point I’m sure have tried to fight or change the opinions or perspectives of, but never succeed. As you are reading this, please consider your own life as well as to how much you are able to adjust to others.

When I walk in the wilderness or mountains, there are so many different objects that you can interact with in many ways and with all senses. By comparison you can find unique things and people that differ all around you. I have walked through the mountains and seen some people admire the beauty of the rocks while others would throw them. I have seen others take plants as something special while others step on over it without even knowing what it is. In essence we are the same way with the way that we become preferable to some and not others. That’s how you can classify why it is easier or harder to love; for in a lot of the cases it is within how we perceive them to direct our feelings. I have also seen people destroy trees and smash rocks to try and fit them for other purposes as well. Even if you alter the original state of an object, it still does not negate from the fact that it was an object before it was changed, right? So what are we getting at today?

There are going to be plenty of people out there that you attempt to reach out to that may be totally different than what you are used to (or even prefer!), but that does not mean that God does not love them the same nor that the opportunity for salvation and deliverance isn’t just as free. We as children of God must learn to love all of God’s creation and learn to appreciate and love one another. With that said, doing this is a huge adjustment but not impossible!

Trust God to help you stay adjusted to have a love for all and and charity for those in need. Never forget that you are God’s creation regardless of all of life’s adjustments. Hang in there and cling to the promises of God today!

Those Who Love God First Stay Together

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I could not count the amount of messages that I have either posted on the site or preached in person that has been in reference to unity or coming together. God has been laying upon my heart over the past few months to stay on this topic, and I cannot help but wonder why (but of course it’s for a good reason).

When you begin to consider the building up of your church or ministry, you have to really consider how solid your foundation is and what exactly it is based on. In continual seeking of God you will find how much that you are a part of that wonderful family. On the same token, church and ministry need to be built on the same premise. As you work with people, remember that they are people that you must love as Christ has loved you.

With that said, strive to keep love in your hearts and as the center for your personal willpower to keep helping others and showing charity. Remember that though you may not be direct family but in God’s family that we are all one! The more that we remember this simple thought, the more we can learn to come together more often with success!

It makes me think of the phrase that repeats from that old hymn, “Makes me love everybody and that’s good enough for me”. God bless each and every one of you.

Learning To Let Go And Let God

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One part of life that everyone must face that may be considered the worst is when we go through times of transition. This could be when you are changing jobs, moving between homes, losing and gaining friends, or the many cases of the unknown. However unfamiliar the case may be, change is always hard to face when the time comes for it. It seems like that no matter how much a person can prepare for something that there is always going to be room for some kind of emotional baggage or breakdown. I’ve heard all the classic wisdom that people have tried to tell me on how you can be “almost” prepared. I’ve also read just about every single thing you can that would try to lead you in the right direction for having the right perspective. The fact of the matter is that when it comes to change, there is never enough preparation on ones’ own.

I am so thankful today, and will forever continue to be for the great comforter of the spirit of God. I have found that in the best and worst of times that the spirit is my all in all. My prayers have sometimes been in desperation or in faith, but the spirit of God comes to lift up the weariness that I am in. It’s as if God comes to fill the void of uncertainty. It makes me understand in tough times that wholeheartedly God is truly the strength in my weakness. We need to always be bold enough to acknowledge that we cannot take life on alone.  As we continue through the obstacles of life, let us learn to let go in times of weakness and let God take control!

I encourage you today to allow the presence of God take your tears and worry and lead you by comfort into joy and peace in Him.

Prayer And Worship – A Spiritual Formation Guide

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When I first saw this book and thumbed through it, I wondered if it would be something that I would truly enjoy or not. I can say now after making my way through it that I am glad that I picked it up.

The book in essence not only covers what it’s title says (Prayer and Worship) but attempts to touch on some other areas (trusting, celebrating, waiting, asking, longing) as well. What I enjoyed doing the most was actually writing within the book the answers that it was asking about me personally. This gives a reader a good opportunity to verbalize on paper and get things out to where they can think and meditate. I loved it, and would recommend it for anyone who likes this style of book and wants a deeper walk with God in praise and worship.

And always remember when you are done with one, pass it on or recommend! That helps the ones who work so hard to write them!

Check out: Prayer And Worship – A Spiritual Formation Guide – ISBN 978-0-06-084125-6

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Faith Is Your Lifeline

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Galatians 2:20

[20] I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

By Faith, we live. We should always take advantage of the wonderful spirit that lives within us and apply our faith to it to grow each and every day. It can sometimes make or break how well that you will endure through a trial.

John 3:18

[18] He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

And as we were condemned, faith removes the sentence. By the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, we have the ability to ask forgiveness of sins and not have to live with the condemnation of sins from any timeline. And through the gift of salvation, we have eternal life beyond this vapor of life we live here on earth!

2 Corinthians 2:14

[14] Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.

By faith we stand. We must learn to not only “get through” a trial, but to come out in triumph. We accomplish this by letting our faith be strong and overpower the doubt and present weakness in our life. As we become more humble before God (and faithful), it allows the ability to recognize who our source of strength is as well as who it is that we submit and trust to.

Acts 10:43

[43] To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.

And as we were guilty, faith procures our pardon. That makes me rejoice to know that I do not have to live in the midst of my history of guilt; for faith has pardoned us to be new creatures and to become the loving followers of Christ that God has called each and every one of us to be.

2 Corinthians 5:7

[7] (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)

By faith we walk. As we go through the motions of each day our faith must be based beyond what we can focus on with our senses. By Jesus passing from earth and back to Heaven we walk now striving for a better place that is beyond our vision to see, touch to feel, sound of hearing, aromas to smell, and flavors to taste!

Acts 13:39

[39] And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.

And as we are evil, faith brings justification. No matter how present an evil we are able to fend off every instance of darkness by the power of Jesus Christ. As it reads in the word of God, no weapon formed against me (us) shall prosper!

1 John 5:4-5

[4] For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

[5] Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

By faith we overcome the world. By the faith that we stand for we overcome the influence that would try and hinder your belief or stray you to unbelief every time something goes wrong. By standing in faith you become a witness for it and people see you as a witness of it.

Romans 4:5

[5] But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

And as we are unholy, our faith is counted for righteousness. Our faith leads us to a higher standard and allows us not to count ourselves as worthless or to have the attitude thereof. It’s easy to just fall into the general consensus of complaint, but faith and complaint cannot be within the same spirit, for complaint shows a sign of doubt or unbelief which in turn proves a form of ungodliness (or not God like).

Ephesians 6:16

[16] Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

By faith we overcome the devil. We are able to say no to every temptation that would try to steer you away from your walk with God by staying continual in your trust in God.

John 3:36

[36] He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

As we were dead in sin, faith begins to lay hold on life. As we live in this life on earth for a season, faith brings life as the spirit lives within you!

Hebrews 4:3

[3] For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.

By faith we enter into rest. One of my favorites! I must believe that God will catch me when I fall for the full effect of the rest of God to be useful; for otherwise I simply fall to mine own unbelief. Keeping an established trust that is renewed daily (as Paul had written) is one of the only methods to not only be a stable Christian but a stable assembly.

Romans 10:9

[9] That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

As we were lost, the confession and faith bring salvation! It makes me rejoice to know the simplicity of believing and taking action on an act of faith to call out on God for a brand new life!

Finding Joy In The Fiery Trials

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1 Peter 4:1-19

[1] Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;
[2] That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.
[3] For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:
[4] Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:
[5] Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.
[6] For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.
[7] But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.
[8] And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.
[9] Use hospitality one to another without grudging.
[10] As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
[11] If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
[12] Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
[13] But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
[14] If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.
[15] But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters.
[16] Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.
[17] For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
[18] And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?
[19] Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.

One of the toughest messages and principles to preach and apply is concerning the parts of life we go through that we consider to be of difficult magnitude. We have to stand tall and be proud of the God that we serve in this present day and show to the world who that it is that saved us and who can save them from destruction! How do we do that? Through the example that we show of course! How we live in love and fellowship with one another will begin to demonstrate through our acts of love and kindness just how much that God lives in us. And as we begin to let the fiery trials be put into the hands of God, we can begin to feel more strength as the weight is lifted, thus giving more ability to help others more!

The key part of it all is to learn to rejoice in the midst of the trial. The hardest part to accomplish but with the best reward is allowing trust to be established with God through prayer and faith in the things we cannot change or control. Turn it over to God and truly believe today and begin to see things move by His will to work for your good! It’s then we can stand and not be ashamed of the life that we live (being led by the spirit) and the life that we give (being led to help) to others!

Take The Time To Take Your Time

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No matter the situation it seems we are in, there is always the part of us that is demonstrated in the moment: the need to love or care for others on demand. I admit first and foremost that at times it is hard to do, or even feels impossible as emotionally affected as we can get. Let me share some quick tips with you that has been inspired by God and the wisdom of some great elders to me.

1) If someone takes the time to have a conversation about you or something that concerns you, make sure you take the time to return the favor by doing likewise (or indicating why you can’t). We should always be subject to one another and do unto others as we would have them do unto us! Doing so demonstrates a love for people which in turn demonstrates love for God and beyond yourself. It’s very key to note that it’s in the very small things you do in your every day life that will demonstrate the power of your ministry.

2) Take time to help those who cannot help you. It is so easy just to either deny people simply by the right of judgement or denial that they really “don’t need me to care”. What we neglect to realize is how much of a difference being charitable can be. Remember to help those who cannot repay, for this truly shows the kind of love that Jesus gave to us when he gave His life for us!

3) Finally, the time we have to live is a gift from God, so do not waste it! Live in love and live for loving others! Make time for God each and every day not only in prayer but in acts of love and kindness towards others. Beyond that, have a heart that will show that driven love and kindness beyond what would try to drag you down!

Use God’s time to build yourself up as well as the lives of others!

What Moves You? God Does, Right?

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When you begin to read of certain events in the bible, the sad ones to me start to reveal the defeat or downfall of people. There is always a direct correlation in the lack of either the belief in or stirring up of God within. Even as I personally go through things from week to week, it is very easy to lose sight of what we are striving for. With our best of intentions we are always aiming to do our best to help others by default.

As life continues to come with new surprises, many of these things will try and delimit the amount of time and level of passion that we hold in our hearts for God, thus eventually bringing our talents and gifts to help to a grinding halt. Staying in a halt state after a while will lead to a point where we try to assume full control and things become unglued and beyond our ability.

What I would like to address is that part of us that gets “moved”. Typically we are emotionally driven with most of what we do. A very big problem with that is too often our emotions get skewed by one event which adjusts us for the rest of everything else. I know (even to me at times) it seems impossible to keep our emotions in check, but it is vitally necessary to not let your emotional self overdrive or overpower the spiritual self. Life will not always be driven by feelings; for life has little guarantees or the types of emotional victories you can achieve. Being spiritually grounded always guarantees and presents the qualities of the spirit of God, which at baseline produces peace, love and joy. As you grow with the basics, you are able to add unto your faith many more virtues that can build your character and help you to reach out to others on a more continual constant level.

Be spiritually moved and driven for your motives, goals and intentions. Let go of yourself and let God be your guide and lead you to the impossibles you never thought you could do on your own!