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Giving All That We Have

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Luke 21:1-4

[1] And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury.
[2] And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites.
[3] And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all:
[4] For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had.

There is a difference in throwing our best in flesh versus our best in spirit. There is something to just coming in and going through the motions versus actually coming in and giving God a sincere effort from your heart. You can have all the wonderful gifts and talents of God, but without casting in all that you have, or in essence that which “all you can give” it cannot fully profit you. God does not want us to hold back nor be ashamed of what lives within us!

“All the Living” vs. “All the Flesh” is two completely different things! If I act and perform out of myself exclusively, it will only help temporarily or even not at all. It is only the things we do that are spiritual and done in love through faith believing that are truly sown and grow over time! That goes for things you do for yourself as well as others!

James 4:5-10

[5] Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?
[6] But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
[7] Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
[8] Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
[9] Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.
[10] Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

There is nothing wrong being down to being humble. God cannot use us if we are too proud or think that is “not required” of us to be obedient. God wants to be glorified and is only glorified through our actions in faith! Faith without our works is dead, or in other words cannot go any further than the thought of it. I am faithful to believe I can help people, absolutely. However, it goes much further when I believe that and step out in obedience to God, pouring out myself so others may be exhorted and lifted up in their time of trouble.

We can lose our so-called riches to inherit far greater things! Those things that we consider of worth in this world are made new and fade away. There is nothing that we could ever produce that will ever replicate or replace what God is supposed to fill inside of us. Jesus is the way, and the only way we can grow as an individual, ministry, or a church!

Matthew 5:29-30

[29] And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
[30] And if thy right hand offend thee, cut if off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

If there are things that are standing in the way of your humbleness, work on you first, THEN IN LOVE, encourage, not MAKE others to move to work for Christ in the same manner!

It is better to lose things and it feel like a loss in the short term to gain the greater things in God. It only feels like a loss to us because we have placed such a high value upon it. Things like this should be a clear indicator to us that God is not first or above something that we are struggling with, and should be immediately addressed if the spirit convicts you of it! And it’s not a hard thing to give up with faith and prayer and continual coming to God!

Efforts Lost Are People Lost

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This is a short, but sweet reminder that when we do not begin to pose a strong consistent effort within our services for God, that there are people that are slipping through our fingers and falling through the cracks!

We have to begin to always be dependable in the sense that we are going to be obedient vessels in and out of season, or in other words, whether I feel like it or don’t.

This applies to all aspects of ministry and is the hardest to realize when we are down or discouraged about the fruitfulness of what we are doing.

We have to remember that which we put before God is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. Just because people don’t receive you in the carnal mind or body does not mean that by your willingness that God has not moved into their heart with conviction!

Help all that you can in the support of God’s church and all the parts that make it!

Whoa, What Happened?!?

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We’re glad to have you back for another day and read! For some of our long time fans, you’ve seen the web site take on many new looks and features!

We are rolling new things out every day here and there to try and reach out to the online realms all over the world. It’s one thing to reach out person to person, but outreach has taken a completely new approach in the information age. We hope that through our site that we are setting an example and hope for others that online ministries are still going strong! So to all of you online ministers that feel no support or motivation, get back out there!

With the expansion on our radio times, the beginning of recording our official music, the new experience of the Everyday Word, as well as taking on more in all of our individual ministries, needless to say that our passion for God only grows stronger!

We are some of the proud laborers still left in the world, and encourage everyone to get back in and labor with us. Just remember that whether you contribute to the ministry through prayer or other significant contributions that you are just as much of a part of our outreach. We hope that we are providing tools for people to use even to others that they do not have the words to properly say.

We hope you enjoy the new looks and features, and continue to increase the power of our ministry by recommending us to someone! God Bless!

The Mind Of Christ

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1 Corinthians 2:16 – For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

– – – –

When we begin to consider a few of the wonderful qualities of the mind of Christ, it makes us really evaluate what is upon our minds:

First of all, Jesus made of Himself no reputation. Some people in this world are in involved in the interaction and entertainment for a name, fame or fortune. Let me remind all of us that Jesus came so that all could have life and a way unto Heaven (and not to give us an hours’ worth of entertainment on Sunday). We (while in the world today) should remember that we should make what we do about no one but God first and God glorified. If we put out more of God and less of ourselves, they will be drawn to something that will never fail them. Am I saying that we as leaders will fail? Yes. I am also saying that we need to remember who is in control of our leadership as well!

Secondly, Jesus took upon him the form of a servant while living on earth. We love to be in control, but never to follow or be ordered by others. We love to and want to place conditional prayers upon God, as well as putting conditions to serve and obey and truly expect everything to come to pass. A servant unto God will serve in spirit and in truth, through persecution and victory, and will not be moved from the calling that is placed within!

Finally, Jesus humbled himself, and became obedient even unto death. Honestly, even when we feel like the world is crashing around us and we do not hear a voice nearby, God is the still small voice that is there to lead. We have to remember that humbling ourselves allows the Godhead to have its place in our lives, and takes us to a place of complete obedience AND compliance in our lives! Let us begin to take on these high qualities so that we can be the true light of the world!

– – – –

Put Into Practice:

A simple way to know what is on your mind is to simply speak what is on your mind. This might be better practiced alone and may lead into prayer when done correctly. Take a few minutes and begin to just allow every thought that hits your mind to come out in spoken word. It may shock you to find what you actually will say verses what you normally suppress in the back of your mind. As you do this for a few moments, begin to start praying about the parts that are bothering you and allow God to help you in these areas. Growth never starts without some groundbreaking action!

Understanding God’s Will

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Behind any action, there is always a decision behind it. Every decision has a driven will. A person’s will is their own and free for them to decide.

So how does all of that connect with God?

Matthew 26:36-39

[36] Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.
[37] And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.
[38] Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.
[39] And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.

When Jesus at the garden, there was a great trial before him; in fact, this would become one of the greatest tests of will that we know as Christians today.

Even though Christ was justified for more reasons than one for giving up and turning away from this, he still chose the Father’s will over His own.

If Christ was strong enough to choose the will of God in the ultimate sacrifice for all of us, that speaks to me in so many ways! I am so thankful for the choice that was made. I now know that I have to begin to choose God’s will over mine own, even when I think I have the right or reason to.

If we are not too careful though, we might become as the disciples were:

Matthew 26:40-41

[40] And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?
[41] Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Where were those disciples, really? Yes, in the moment they were asleep in the garden. In our readings and interpretations though, they are metaphorically in the church of today (not literally).

We become comfortable with the way things are, and will (in theory) fall asleep on our walk with God. Then in that moment when Christ comes to speak to us, is what we hear “Could ye not watch with me one hour?”

Are we not able to come in and worship anymore? Are we not able to back the ministers of God and show support? Are we not able to get in and do what God has called us to do? We often blame it on reason, but we do not actually do anything because of our lack of will to do so.

Mark 3:24-25

[24] And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.
[25] And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand.

We have to begin submitting to God’s will and not ours. My will could never carry anyone or anything. My leadership in the church should never be directed by mine own will, but God’s through me. You see, God’s will can lead us through things know and also things unseen.

When leaders take the will into their own hands, critical mistakes occur. This results in self-directed sermons, songs that do not magnify God, and not being attentive to the spirit; in other words we do what we think the church needs. That’s a scary thought, but it’s true. Following God’s will leads to the only path for certain victory.

Mark 3:32-35

[32] And the multitude sat about him, and they said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren without seek for thee.
[33] And he answered them, saying, Who is my mother, or my brethren?
[34] And he looked round about on them which sat about him, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!
[35] For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.

There are many areas where our willpower must drive our want to obey:

  • Supporting Singing
  • Taking Interest In Preaching
  • Being More Involved In Church Functions
  • Being Active In Altar Service

If I could say anything, we as a church must begin to cast out every hindrance and distraction. It is vitally essential to see the fruitfulness and the increase of the desire of the people grow!

Always remember, it does not matter who it is that is carrying forth what God has led them to do; as long as it bears witness by the spirit you need not fear!

So how do we know the will of God? Do we want to know the will of God?

Are we truly ready to submit our lives and everything involved to them to his will?

Philippians 2:12-13

[12] Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
[13] For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

I know that we often love to depend on others to “move” us during service, but God has given us more than enough to move ourselves. He wants to do a great work in you, and it is in God’s pleasure to do it! He wants us to begin to have a stronger will to get up and be more obedient, to get up and go get those in need that God leads you towards, and to get up and keep yourself from falling short simply by doing nothing at all!

Making Myself Remember

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As we are on our journey with God, there are plenty of moments that attempt to come along and steer you away. There has to begin to be something stirred up from within you to remind you of how powerful that God is inside of you.

So how do I make myself remember? How do I stir up? How do I fight growing numb?

2 Peter 1:12-14

[12] Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth.
[13] Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance;
[14] Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me.

What we stir up within keeps us. What keeps us is what defines us. What defines us is what people see!

There are plenty of reasons to make yourself stay stirred up, so that you define yourself in some of the following examples:

  • discouragement
  • depression
  • suicide
  • addicitions
  • sadness
  • anger
  • bitterness
  • spitefulness
  • hatefulness
  • rebelliousness
  • being unwilling
  • unhappy
  • easy influenced
  • hard-hearted
  • vengeful
  • disobedience

Needless to say, this list goes on and on. I have to often remind myself as well as others that we are ALL subject to fall unto something, no matter how strong that we consider ourselves.

Hebrews 10:22-31

[22] Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
[23] Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
[24] And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
[25] Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
[26] For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
[27] But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
[28] He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
[29] Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
[30] For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.
[31] It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

We cannot forget or forsake the fact that assembling ourselves together is a powerful factor when it comes to the spirit of God. If we work together, a church can have an amazing service. On the opposite token, if we work against one another or refuse to make any efforts we will not be in the place that God intended for us to be.

Let us begin to consider one another once more. Let us promote unto good works, or in other words, let us only work on something if it is going to allow growth for the greater good of God in someone’s life. People that are going to be coming in that are in desparate need cannot have us in a place where we will not encourage them. We have to be ready, in and out of season!

We are held accountable for those that come in our midst that do not receive what God had intended due to the lack of obedience of the church. We can get past that if we are always stirred up and fluent in the spirit!

Hold Fast To The Foundation

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2 Samuel 22:2-3,33 – And he said, The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence. God is my strength and power: and he maketh my way perfect.

Psalm 31:3 – For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name’s sake lead me, and guide me.

– – – –

In my personal life there have been so many things that people have passed on to me through wisdom and knowledge. I will always be grateful for each and every one of the things that have helped me along the way. Some of the values and thoughts may bear more significance than others (do not touch a hot eye on a stove vs. refusing drugs). I wish that I could say that there was a token of wisdom for every situation, but there will always be cases where you are searching for guidance through confusion.

What I want to remind everyone is about the spiritual ground that you stand upon. The grounded foundation of God is always solid, is never wavering, and will always be there for you; even when you feel as though all have forsaken you. You can always pray to God when everyone else has stopped listening or think they have given you something that should suffice (personal advice). What we often forget is that we can always read in the bible and seek for deeper understanding for situations in your life or even areas you were not aware of!

Host fast to the only thing that will keep you! Hold fast to God, His spirit, and His word!

– – – –

Put Into Practice:

There are many different substances on this earth that carry many different malleable properties. Some can be bent under pressure easily while others require a great deal of force. When I consider this, it makes me think about how solid my trust is with God. If I am stable with God on Sundays and forget about Him on Monday, I would imagine that my Godly faith and backbone could be snapped in two. I would fall quickly, right? Go ahead and feel the example in your hand of what we could walk around as. Take an empty plastic water bottle, remove the cap, and begin to squeeze the bottle. Do you feel how easy it succumbs to the pressure? To me, this is the easiest illustration of how we are when the first sign of pressure attempts to weigh upon us.

So what can we do to improve? We need to have a stronger material within. We must build within ourselves the power of God so we are stronger for each and every trial that is ahead of us. I assure you the more work you put in to getting stronger the less you will regret the effort.

What Are We Offering Up?

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THE WORD

Jeremiah 33:11 – The voice of joy, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the voice of them that shall say, Praise the Lord of hosts: for the Lord is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: and of them that shall bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the Lord. For I will cause to return the captivity of the land, as at the first, saith the Lord.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

When I am working on the job I realize there is a Godly life that I must live so that the colleagues that I come in contact with will bear witness of it. When I am in church and am participating in fellowship with other members and visitors, it is a responsibility that I have to offer myself welcoming and receptive. When I sing praise and worship to God, I have to offer the song not just because I have to but rather present a sincere offering from the heart. Take an inventory of all the things that you may or may not be offering to God and consider that there may be more to be done. It is not painful to accomplish; you simply have to do it! And when you do it, please do not offer up something in resentment or a bad attitude. The bible talks in detail about having the tongues of men and angels yet without love it will be of no profit to anyone. To put it simply: this can only be realized in its greatest capacity of course when we finally get out of the way! When the moment finally comes that we are sincerely trying to present to God something genuine then this humble obedience becomes an offering acceptable and pleasing to God and in turn blesses others!

PUT INTO PRACTICE

Try to do this one of the next times that you will be attending a church: be sincere in everything you do. From a handshake to your hands raised, let others feel sincerity from your heart, humble before God, and willing to lead anyone to Christ. This may cost you time and energy at first but is worth the investment to see the growth in others around you!

Learning To Be Satisfied

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Philippians 1:3-7

[3] I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,
[4] Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy,
[5] For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;
[6] Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
[7] Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace.

I am satisfied with the good works that Christ has perfected in all of us!

Consider the phrase “so many works, from the first day until now” – Think about it! We should have all the reason in the world to be thankful and to praise God with no matter what we are dealing with at the time in our lives.

God knew us before we ever came to know him! He had already taken care of us before we were ever formed in this world! From this day until now! That should let me know with certainty that I am definitely not alone for sure!

Philippians 3:8

[8] Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,

I am satisfied with Christ’s compensation!

I would lose it all to gain him! Nothing else is of worth to keep that even compares to what you can feel through God!

When I really put into perspective what everything is really worth to me in comparison to what God means to me in my heart, all of this stuff in this world does not mean a thing!

Philippians 3:9-10

[9] And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
[10] That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

I am satisfied with Christ’s fellowship!

I want to know him, I want to know more of Him and I want to feel more of the spirit! To actually be in fellowship with the spirit is to be in a place of growth in my life!

I want to make it a goal in my life to be in continual fellowship with God and the spirit of God. That’s the only way my life can be in a ready state to grow!

Philippians 4:6-7

[6] Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
[7] And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

I am satisfied with Christ’s perfect peace!

It shall keep your minds and hearts if you will allow it to! In all reality, there is nothing out there that will ever keep me per say; it will only ever be the peace of God, because I will never be content with the way things are. God teaches us by the spirit to be content to a circumstance or situation.

Philippians 4:11-14

[11] Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
[12] I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
[13] I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
[14] Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction.

I am satisfied with Christ’s perfect strength!

God will speak to your situations and circumstances, no matter how grim that they seem to be! He will give you strength to be able to endure them!

Always remember the joy of the Lord is our strength, and without that joy, there is no strength. So I need to remember to surround myself or get myself to a place where joy is abundant.

Philippians 4:18-19

[18] But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.
[19] But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

More than anything, I am satisfied know that I will receive from Christ’s supply for my every need!

These things we get from God are according to his riches in glory, and are not limited to what we are in this world. That should say so much to us when we feel like we have so many reasons why we cannot make it or cannot move forward in life.

Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late

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I love life when life is good: my friends and loved ones are well, there are no general problems standing out, there is food on my table, the bills are paid, etc. I found it strange when I was praying today that God would reveal to me this interesting thought.

We have to remember to utilize the strength and willpower that we have through obedience during the good times so God can be glorified. I don’t want God to only be my “bailout plan”, to be the one I only call out on in sheer desperation. We can all honestly say at one point in time in our life that we found it easier to lose our focus on God when life was easier to live because the burdens did not carry a significant weight, right?

Let’s remember to move and praise God when it counts, in the GOOD times as well as the times when we are in trouble. If we are always spiritually in check by being humble in both times of our life, we have strength to be able to handle things when they come unexpectedly or out of the middle of nowhere.

So to paraphrase, obey God, and don’t wait until it’s too late!