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I Am So Glad This Walk Of Life Is Not By Sight – An Out Of The Box Wake Up Call

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I am so thankful for another day to be writing to each and every one of you. I count it such a joy with every thought and keystroke that God blesses me with. There is just something rolling out of my heart today through the prayers and thinking upon God that I am reminded of and as of late recently revived: I am so glad this walk of life is not driven by sight! It is driven by the faith that lives inside of us! What do you mean, you ask? Oh do tell, do I hear? Oh, well as a matter a fact I was just about to give a good elaboration. 🙂

As we are saved by the wonderful grace of God, we start out of the gate with the renewing of our minds. We have that brand new perspective! We are babes in Christ, found as precious as children in the sight of God! There is encouragement around every corner from everyone and it seems like that the skies could not be found any more blue and grass any likewise green (come on, I am light-heartedly chuckling a little). The most important thing looking back on that moment in time is that there was what I will call FRESH FAITH, which to me is to say that sort of “brand new Holy Ghost anointed unmovable” faith. It is the measure that we have always had, but finally are opened up to recognize. I am imagining I just heard someone say…”then what happens next?”. I will gladly tell you!

I know this is not going to be the case for every single person in the world. We must also acknowledge that every life is unique in the sight of God! With that said, every single life that starts that relationship with Jesus Christ begins a walk with God. As we continue in the life of a Christian, that ‘FRESH FAITH’ is as we say made stale by the ever-so-many influences that are about it. It could be a poor environment to grow and promote a person spiritually. It could be people that as we know should be promoting a strong Godly influence but tend to fail in the same area. Please do not misunderstand me here. I know we do not intentionally ever try to make anyone stumble. It is the case to plea however that when we are not a reflective witness of God and are not in full obedience of His spirit and love that we do fall short at times! The most important influences that can pull us around and around (I could say that part a million times) are all of the small tiny things that people think are OKAY. For each person it is different but is the very thing that keeps them either from humbleness, charity, or the ability to be low and without pride.

So when do we hear the alarm go off? I am so glad you asked!

It is in those moments where you know you should obey God but you do not. It is the second right before you hold your peace yet on the inside you hear yourself testifying. It is when you are singing that you know there is a deeper song that lives inside you. It is when you preach that you hear that strong word rising forth from you, yet the fear quenches it and leaves you preaching the same four to five messages in your arsenal. I know that whomever is taking the time to read this will find their place within these parts, for as we all know there is always something we could step out more in. We find these parts to grow through every day seeking and renewing!

I can honestly say that there is a renewing going on in my life. All I know is that in all of the small moments in life that I am starting to come into the realization of what God wants me to do. I am awakened and revived today from what God has been dealing with me about. I will not wait for the imaginary person to ask me this time. Here are four new revelations I am responding to in my life:

I WILL:

Continue to strive to be renewed DAILY. There is nothing more important than this.

Come boldly to the throne-room of grace and will not be hindered in my prayers. This is not to say that you come charging with a physical boldness, but with a faith that is unmovable and unwavering.

Be more humble in all things. ALL THINGS. There is no exception. There is grace that is given to the humble, and the meek shall inherit the earth.

Walk not by sight, but by the faith that lives inside me. I will no longer be ruled by what I see, hear or attempted to be influenced by.

Attention: Now Accepting Applications For Spiritual Leaders

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I first would like to clarify in a very silly way that this is in no way directed towards Heart of Grace Ministries actually taking applications. I am writing this today for what I feel God is leading me to give some direction on about spiritual leadership.

When it comes to the everyday hometown spiritual leaders, most of them have put in many wonderful years of service. The examples of people that I have had the privilege to meet and know has blessed me and helped me beyond words I could explain today. The part that alarms me is that how we are starting to not match up or miss with the word of God. All through the times you read in the scriptures the anointing and wisdom of the older generations was written and passed down, purposed for the up and coming seed that was growing to be the new leaders after them. There were multiple cases of this you can study to, and how the ministries and works only multiplied!

Today I am striving with all that is within me to be a spiritual leader and to use what had been passed down to me. I cannot say that when I received all of the wisdom that I saw myself as ‘ready’, but God sure did! Even at a younger age God has already given me a work and a purpose. If I were to waiver or give up on this purpose, I would not only be hindering the work God had intended for me but the works that were passed down to me!

So as God leads you each and every day, learn to take in each and every good work and wisdom from your elders. Give respect and honor and understand their purpose to better help you find yours! God is surely looking for those of us in the current generation to begin to rise as the new and next leaders of God! How do we apply? Prayer and continual seeking before Him! Finding your calling is the easy part (just like your dream job), but sticking with it with dedicated passion and purpose will prove you as a leader to others and a follower of Christ!

Personal Perspectives On Pain, Discouragement, Growth, Humility

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When you are in growing stages in your personal life I am finding that there are many different phases to the art of growth. I would be lying if I said that coming to this realization has always been the easiest concept to grasp. I am so thankful today for the times in my life that I have been in a place where God was able to show to me mightily that He reigns and is in control of all things.

We have been heavily involved with our building project at the church we regularly attend. And by heavily, I mean to say that we are consumed in all parts: mentally, physically, and spiritually. There have been days where the load has been light and the faith in your heart seems never ending when you think of the finished product. Then there are the moments when you are in the harder days working yourself until you cannot stand as you wonder “Lord God, when will the help we need come”. I stood on a lift hanging about 45-50 feet in the air and realized I was in a growth stage. It hurts. I was hurt. I went home just to lay down and cry inside and out and (in my own flesh) wonder what more I could do to move it forward. I began to think of how much more could be done if there was more help, but in doing this I began to feel low and sad before the Lord. This did nothing but attempt to perform a work of discouragement to my heart. Sure there are all kinds of people that offer advice and how you can begin to overcome the way you feel, but sometimes you simply cannot hear it for how low you feel. In this moment I realized that discouragement is a real spirit that attempts to weigh upon the hearts of people.

The next thing I began to think was, “who could I confide in?”. All of the people that you could consider or run through your lists of “trustworthy candidates” could never compare to the comfort of God. Sometimes the only way growth can begin is when you cast your cares before God. It allows you to be lighter, to have more clarity, and to be able to actually receive joy. Once I got past attempting to reach out just to be more upset, I began to call out on God in my mind. As I began to, God worked a silent miracle: my heart was touched with humility. The love of God began to rush through my mind and work its way into my heart. Then it finally hit me like a flood.

I know now that all of the scars, cuts and bruises that you would sacrifice for a literal building is a representation of the way we face persecution spiritually. The efforts that are given are efforts given to God in love, even our acts of physical obedience. I have now realized that when I face mental discouragement that it is just a part of growing and being able to be stronger. When things or people attempt to discourage me, it has to flee and can only through the comfort of the spirit of God. And all for what? The ability to lead others, of course! Jesus Christ walked this world with a love without compare, giving Himself through all He could do while He lived and the greatest gift of humility when He was crucified on the cross.

So today? I press on. I may end up aching in my body, being hurt in my heart, or being persecuted greatly in my mind. I continue the cause of the cross. I continue so that I may exercise humility and love for all that need a better life like I did. At the end of the day, we are here to grow and continue and pursue the mark of the high calling! Let your calling shine and your obedience be fluent. Be benevolent and never waiver due to the lack of giving in others. Show yourself to be a true witness of the love of God! Learn to recognize growth and embrace where God is trying to take you!

Learning To Live

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Deuteronomy 8:2-3

[2] And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no.
[3] And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.

One of the hardest things that there is to do in life when you are in a tough time is to recall a prior one that was better. When God has provided time and time again it is for the building up of our faith! I thank God today for the fresh manna that He provides each time I get down and call forth for more strength, peace and joy! Remember that we are sustained by the word of God, spoken in and lived out! To me when this principle of building faith through your testimonies is put into application it will bring you into life beyond what you would ever expect.

John 5:24-26

[24] Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
[25] Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.
[26] For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;

Life is secured through faith and when we hear and believe! Life through the practice and demonstration! When you hear the voice of God communicate to you, regardless of how to which it does, let it be life to you! Even when things are to change or mold us, it is to bring us to a better life and living! This is how we learn to live greater and more improved!

2 Corinthians 4:10-14

[10] Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.
[11] For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.
[12] So then death worketh in us, but life in you.
[13] We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;
[14] Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.

Life brings death to the parts that want to bring you down or destroy you! Life working out the infirmities through the work of the spirit! If we already know that death worketh against our physical, mental and spiritual self than we need to use the life that is made manifest by believing and speaking it! I am not as though I was, and you are not either! Through Jesus Christ we are made new creatures.

1 Peter 1:18-22

[18] Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;
[19] But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
[20] Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,
[21] Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.
[22] Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:

A strong spiritual life will promote the love and fellowship of the brethren (your church, class, ministry, missionary group). Life shared in love with others is the best life to live. For that is how God walked with Adam in the beginning: in love and fellowship, right?  God still walks with us today! We must learn to be in perfect agreement with the Heavenly Father and receive His perfect love to remove every fear that would prevent us from enjoying life to the fullest.

Phillipians 4:8

[8] Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Always remember to keep your life full of things that will spiritually promote you! Life increasing through you by spiritual fulfillment!

Repenting To God: Outdated And Replaced? No Way!

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If there was anything that I could ever be sure of that I know, it is to recognize God’s voice when it begins to speak into my life. There are going to be so many moments when it will speak words of encouragement when we are down. And as I am sure that when the time calls for it that we are all so thankful for the moments that God comes through. The moments that I want to talk about today though are the ones that seem to be the times that we sweep under the rug, never talk about, or stay in denial over. So go ahead and brace yourself for it, because here comes our old friend reality, which says: there are also other moments when God will direct us to repent or turn from what it is that is trying to pull us away from God.

I know this seems silly when you read me writing this, but consider the illustration of praise and worship. Praise and worship is assuming we are in a place of thankfulness and are able to get past everything in our heart and are light enough to be in a spirit of praise, right? In church services you can get millions to operate in praise and worship because we are sometimes praising God for things to come, right? The funny thing to me as a minister is when it comes to the art of repenting and being humble that you seldom find roughly 1-5 percent of your participants willing to do praise and worship AND be driven to repent.

What is up with that? It has been observed from my point of view that lately repenting to God has become somewhat unnecessary and outdated. Friends, asking God for the forgiveness of the mistakes you made is not only in style but necessary for the keeping of your mind and life each and every day! Please do not misplace this with the ideal that we can just replace asking forgiveness with just only being thankful. We must remember to have moments where we are humbled and acknowledge that we are human and that God is God! Stay in style and sanctify yourself through prayer today!

I Give Regard To God Above All Things

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Luke 12:22-40

[22] And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on.
[23] The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment.
[24] Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?
[25] And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit?
[26] If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest?
[27] Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
[28] If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?
[29] And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.
[30] For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.
[31] But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.
[32] Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
[33] Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.
[34] For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
[35] Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning;
[36] And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately.
[37] Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.
[38] And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants.
[39] And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through.
[40] Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.

This is not only a word of preparation, but a word of encouragement to know that we have a way to be prepared for no matter what is to come. The most important thing I would like to stress from this passage is the “take no thought”. Please do not think this is to not give any consideration whatsoever. This word was intended to remind them of the importance and priority of God and to not allow the wordly influences to supercede. Many people in that time valued their garments and religion far more than they did anything else, and even in the day we live in we still see that desire as a battle unto our flesh! The encouraging word for me is about the raven, simply because a raven does not give regard for the next meal. I guess you could say one animals lack of regard for the next provision should be the stirring of our faith for the victory in the next trial!

2 Timothy 4:1-6

[1] I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
[2] Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
[3] For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
[4] And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
[5] But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
[6] For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.

Paul was emphasizing that once you had the word of Christ in your life to be ready no matter what and to be prepared to face many circumstances such as rejection, difference of opinion, and even opposition to your obedience. He was reminding those in that time (and if we read it, for us as well) that sufferings will be present but the presence of God will be there to make a way for you through all things as well!

1 Peter 5:2

[2] Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;

Most importantly, as a friendly reminder to you I want to say that even though it is hard but to stay willing and flexible to what God has for you in His plan. It may seem hard, impossible or without logic to our own minds; however God’s ways are above ours and we need to hang in there and hold on with all we have until we have that breakthrough for ourselves and our loved ones! And trust me, it’s worth the wait!

Helping To Heal And Healing To Help

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I come in a very open point of view with the word I share today. I have been in prayer as of late and my heart has come to a word of encouragement for each one who is so wonderful to read this. When it comes to the discussion of healing for your life it can oftentimes be confusing as to how we should begin to allow God to let change come into motion. For example, I know when I have a head-cold and could probably see a quicker move if I changed my behavior to reduce my chances of it coming around again. Yet without any reaction or change to know is better direction for healing in my life, I prolong a sickness that could otherwise be moved quicker.

God is looking for us to be more proactive to react and change when we hear the word of the Lord to help heal each and every one of our troubles and trials. If I learned to not just be a hearer but a diligent doer of it then I am reducing the likelihood of the same thing occurring again of the same magnitude. This could be a test of patience, anger, moving you from depression, helping you through finances, etc. that list could go on forever. My point to you is that the healing of the Lord is for way more than just our bodies! It is for our minds as well!

So remember this: using the healing that God performs in you to allow you to be changed once and forever. After your wonderful change, use that experience as part of your witness to draw others! That is how others can begin to be drawn for their own change and the beginnings of that brand new life in Christ!

If You Hold Your Peace, You Will Find It

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There is no height or depth of a distance that I would go to find peace sometimes, especially the kind that will help me to stand still in the presence of God! It is when we have true peace over things that we are able to hold our words when we are angered, right? I praise the God that I serve because I know of the experiences that I have had to know this first hand. Just remember to allow God to guide you in your conversation and you will not find yourself in a place where you are confused and feel like you are slipping in your confidence.

When it comes to being a powerful witness, it’s important to carry your confidence with not just words, but in the peace in your mind and heart by the spirit you carry within. Sometimes it’s not how much we can give or how much we can say but simply how we can be there by being a Godly comfort to one another. And as we learn to do that for one another, it becomes easier for ourselves (and vice versa). Some of the greatest influences I have ever been encouraged by never said a word to me; they were simply there and gave me a hug.

The greatest thing that I could say today is that when you want to give something in abundance that you must possess it. To give great wisdom and powerful moving encouragement you must first receive that word of the Lord and apply it! As you grow and begin to build up your life you can begin to let your words speak to others in a way you have never seen before!

11 Defiling Things To Be On Guard For

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Mark 7:19-23

[19] Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats?
[20] And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man.
[21] For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,
[22] Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:
[23] All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.

When you begin to think about all of the parts of yourself that you wish that you could change, I am sure there are many things that come to mind. One thing that I have learned about God is that if we are willing that He can work with us to change each and every part of us that is lacking or is continually falling into defeat in something. After reading the passage above, I felt led just to list out into more detail some of the things that proceed out of our hearts:

1 ) Fornication and adultery – any act or sexual traffic or capacity
2 ) Theft – kieptes and legtes – tiny and large acts of stealing (as a pilferer and brigand)
3 ) Murderer – all violent deeds
4 ) Coveting – idolatry, whose sole purpose is gaining and getting
5 ) Wickedness – unspiritual and ungodly conduct
6 ) Deceit – cunning, craft, and art of deception
7 ) Lasciviousness – acknowledge no restraint has no shame
8 ) Evil eye – jealous grudges or envy
9 ) Railing – speaking against (men) or blasphemy (God)
10 ) Pride – absence from the heart spiritually unconscious
11 ) Foolishness – one who lives not by morals

With this listed it is very easy to identify how our walk with God can be so easily diminished. As we allow one or more of these types of feelings to overwhelm us, we begin to lose our ability to believe in God and defile the power that we normally have. So what can we begin to do? One of my recommendations under the leadership of God would be to put each and every one of these things under subjection and complete defeat when possible. These listed things are not things to live with, but to live without! Learn to get these out and put more of God’s love in and to bear the fruits of the spirit in your heart.

The Concept Of “With All My” Being Applied To Love

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Deuteronomy 6:4-9

“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thine soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates”

To break this away from being standard commentary, I’ll simply put it like this: this is the part of love that is missing today. Loving from the heart requires a lot of due diligence, patience, understanding, and paying attention to details one normally would pass on by. Loving from the heart will love in spite of faults and help to promote the greater good in one who has failed. Most importantly, loving from the heart is the fuel and the passion that drives everything else in our lives.

I will be real honest with you today. It is hard to see people try so hard in church and at life and still feel like that they fail. When asked directly about what needs to begin to change, the first thing I always reference to is starting to love God with all of your heart in a greater way. Upon hearing this people generally will typically roll their eyes, laugh, or almost get angry with me as if I am questioning or judging them. You can laugh if you wish, but the truth to this is that no one really wants to hear honest answers about why we fail!

Here’s the bottom line: if we love God more, the qualities of God begin to reflect in us and help us to succeed and give us strength when we feel like we do not. As you love God greater, the amount of self-admitted failures dramatically reduce and begin to be turned into parts of life that are continually mended by God’s leadership. And finally, to my favorite part I say this: as we have a strong foundation in love, we are able to love others the way they need to be loved!