I wanted to continue to encourage you to know that we have authority over the enemy and we can call him out. Know that he will come at you daily and a lot of the time when you least expect it.
1 Peter 5:9 says, “The devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”
You see in the jungle there are a lot of animals that can actually out run the lion, however his greatest attack is the element of surprise, while he is crouching down under the tall grass and sneaking up on his prey. This is just what the enemy likes to do in our lives. When we least expect it there he is throwing arrows of discouragement, doubt, fear, and his many other weapons he uses against the believer.
I felt God sharing with me to CALL HIM OUT!
Call out that lion when he attacks you and use the word to come back at it, just like Jesus did in Matthew 4. Isaiah 54:17 says, “May no weapon formed against me prosper.” And James 4:7 says, “Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” I want you to start using his weapons in these verses and call him out. May no sickness formed against me prosper, may no doubt, fear, discouragement formed against me prosper. I resist you sickness, doubt, fear and now you must flee from me. The devil does not like being called out. The more you use God’s word the more you will wear the devil out and he WILL not succeed in his attacks against you.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
The Enemies Greatest Weapon
Ephesians 6:12 says, “Our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against rulers, authorities, the powers of the dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”
You need to know that the devil has your number. Recognize that he works against you. In reading Believe That You Can by Jentezen Franklin, I came across this teaching I wanted to share. Picture the devil calling a board meeting with his chief demons, “What is our greatest weapon against this person?” Some of the demons suggested lust or greed or the usual things. And then one of them said, “Our greatest weapon against the believer is discouragement.” And that’s what he uses to make you quit, especially right before you’re about to run through the finish line.
Next time you feel discouraged, don’t quit.
All it means is that the devil is so desperate to stop you that he sent his most powerful weapon against you. You should stand up and start praising God for discouragement. Say, “Thank You, Jesus! Thank You God! I must really bothering the devil, and I must be getting close to something—because I am so discouraged!”
The devil doesn’t know what to do with a child of God who talks like that. You just took hold of the very thing he tried to mess you up with, and you turned it around. You just get encouraged about your discouragement.
You need to know that the devil has your number. Recognize that he works against you. In reading Believe That You Can by Jentezen Franklin, I came across this teaching I wanted to share. Picture the devil calling a board meeting with his chief demons, “What is our greatest weapon against this person?” Some of the demons suggested lust or greed or the usual things. And then one of them said, “Our greatest weapon against the believer is discouragement.” And that’s what he uses to make you quit, especially right before you’re about to run through the finish line.
Next time you feel discouraged, don’t quit.
All it means is that the devil is so desperate to stop you that he sent his most powerful weapon against you. You should stand up and start praising God for discouragement. Say, “Thank You, Jesus! Thank You God! I must really bothering the devil, and I must be getting close to something—because I am so discouraged!”
The devil doesn’t know what to do with a child of God who talks like that. You just took hold of the very thing he tried to mess you up with, and you turned it around. You just get encouraged about your discouragement.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Week 3 Renewal Of Our Life
Week 3 October 26th
Spiritual— I am not overwhelmed
1 Peter 5:7 Cast all your cares on Him because He cares for you
Physical—
3 John 2 Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.
* Diet-No partially hydrogenated oil (mainly found in chips)
* Body-Wake up at 6am 4 days a week Monday thru Thursday, continue work out program. Evaluate getting the right hours of sleep.
Family—
* Parenting- Continue devotional time with the kids, schedule Wednesday date night with daughter.
Proverbs 22:6 Train my child in the way they should go and when they are old they will not turn from it.
* Marriage- Plan a date day or date night with my wife this week and make everything a surprise.
Ecclesiastes 9:9 Enjoy life with your wife, whom you love, all the days of this meaningless life that God has given you under the sun— all your meaningless days. For this is your lot in life and in your toilsome labor under the sun.
Financial- Set time this week and going forward weekly to review finances together as husband and wife. This will cause us to both be good stewards of our money and create unity in our finances.
Deuteronomy 28:8, 11 The Lord will send a blessing on your barns and on everything you put your hand to. The Lord your God will bless you in the land he is giving you. The Lord will grant you abundant prosperity—in the fruit of your womb, the young of your livestock and the crops of your ground—in the land he swore to your forefathers to give you.
Ministry-
Psalm 25:9 He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them His way.
Spiritual— I am not overwhelmed
1 Peter 5:7 Cast all your cares on Him because He cares for you
Physical—
3 John 2 Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.
* Diet-No partially hydrogenated oil (mainly found in chips)
* Body-Wake up at 6am 4 days a week Monday thru Thursday, continue work out program. Evaluate getting the right hours of sleep.
Family—
* Parenting- Continue devotional time with the kids, schedule Wednesday date night with daughter.
Proverbs 22:6 Train my child in the way they should go and when they are old they will not turn from it.
* Marriage- Plan a date day or date night with my wife this week and make everything a surprise.
Ecclesiastes 9:9 Enjoy life with your wife, whom you love, all the days of this meaningless life that God has given you under the sun— all your meaningless days. For this is your lot in life and in your toilsome labor under the sun.
Financial- Set time this week and going forward weekly to review finances together as husband and wife. This will cause us to both be good stewards of our money and create unity in our finances.
Deuteronomy 28:8, 11 The Lord will send a blessing on your barns and on everything you put your hand to. The Lord your God will bless you in the land he is giving you. The Lord will grant you abundant prosperity—in the fruit of your womb, the young of your livestock and the crops of your ground—in the land he swore to your forefathers to give you.
Ministry-
Psalm 25:9 He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them His way.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Grow
God wants every one of us to grow in His wisdom and knowledge. I have been doing just a little something each day so I can change and grow. There are many things you can do, but” Just Do It” like Nike says.
We really need to be making sure we are changing our environment if we want to change our future. What I mean by that is your thoughts and words can control where you will be in a year. I have heard it said, review what you read, the people you hang around with, and the places you go and you can see where you will be in five years.
In Psalm 90:12 it says, “Teach me to make the most of my time so I may grow in wisdom”
You have to also be hungry for knowledge in order to grow. You want to have the hunger to see God do the extraordinary as demonstrated by humility, sacrifice, and perseverance. I was challenged recently to make sure that I continue to have the hunger to grow.
Rick Warren’s said; “the greatest detriment to today’s success is yesterday’s success.” Whatever you do today, do it better tomorrow.
Ask yourself these questions:
1) When was the last time you did something for the first time?
2) What have you learned and applied this month?
3) What do you do daily to facilitate your growth?
4) Are you teaching others what you are learning?
Final statement is as rewarding as it is to grow personally, it’s even better when you take the journey with others.
I want to thanks Joshua Canizaro for sharing these challenges with me.
We really need to be making sure we are changing our environment if we want to change our future. What I mean by that is your thoughts and words can control where you will be in a year. I have heard it said, review what you read, the people you hang around with, and the places you go and you can see where you will be in five years.
In Psalm 90:12 it says, “Teach me to make the most of my time so I may grow in wisdom”
You have to also be hungry for knowledge in order to grow. You want to have the hunger to see God do the extraordinary as demonstrated by humility, sacrifice, and perseverance. I was challenged recently to make sure that I continue to have the hunger to grow.
Rick Warren’s said; “the greatest detriment to today’s success is yesterday’s success.” Whatever you do today, do it better tomorrow.
Ask yourself these questions:
1) When was the last time you did something for the first time?
2) What have you learned and applied this month?
3) What do you do daily to facilitate your growth?
4) Are you teaching others what you are learning?
Final statement is as rewarding as it is to grow personally, it’s even better when you take the journey with others.
I want to thanks Joshua Canizaro for sharing these challenges with me.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Reactions
Often times we react based out of emotion rather than a factual or spiritual basis. In prayer I felt God say there are several things I can to, on how to improve my reactions. Sometimes I would just react emotionally and my reaction was completely out of line. Have you ever reacted to something you did not have all the facts on?
There are 4 things I felt God sharing with me.
Pause—The first thing we need to do is pause for a moment. Ask yourself these questions: What else can this mean? Is there something I am missing here? Am I responding more based on my insecurity?
Pray— Way to many times we try to respond in certain cases based on past experience and knowledge but sometimes we really need to pray for the answer.
Prepare and Plan—Sometimes we need to be a little more strategic, intentional and specific in our response. We need to feel secure in the way we respond based on prayer, facts, research and experience.
Phone—After we have done the first 3 steps then we can react.
I am sharing this more based on how I want to make sure I respond in the way God wants me too.
**The small disclaimer to this is sometimes if from our experience we already know the response and based on common knowledge you might be able to skip the steps.
***Next disclaimer is we need to be in prayer at all times like Paul said, “pray without ceasing” so if we are in prayer then the response time would be a lot quicker.
Please share any thought you have on reactions?
There are 4 things I felt God sharing with me.
Pause—The first thing we need to do is pause for a moment. Ask yourself these questions: What else can this mean? Is there something I am missing here? Am I responding more based on my insecurity?
Pray— Way to many times we try to respond in certain cases based on past experience and knowledge but sometimes we really need to pray for the answer.
Prepare and Plan—Sometimes we need to be a little more strategic, intentional and specific in our response. We need to feel secure in the way we respond based on prayer, facts, research and experience.
Phone—After we have done the first 3 steps then we can react.
I am sharing this more based on how I want to make sure I respond in the way God wants me too.
**The small disclaimer to this is sometimes if from our experience we already know the response and based on common knowledge you might be able to skip the steps.
***Next disclaimer is we need to be in prayer at all times like Paul said, “pray without ceasing” so if we are in prayer then the response time would be a lot quicker.
Please share any thought you have on reactions?
Sunday, October 18, 2009
40 Week Renewal of Our Life Week 2
Week 2 October 19th
Spiritual— I don’t have enough
Philippians 4:19 and my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
Physical—
• Diet No Soda
• Body continue P90x
Proverbs 8:14 Counsel and sound judgment are mine, I have understanding and power
Family— Continue Weekly Devotional and Prayer time with the kids.
• Parenting-
Proverbs 24:3-4 by wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.
• Marriage
Proverbs 3:3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart
Financial- Philippians 4:19 and my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
Ministry- Deuteronomy 28:1 If you fully obey the LORD your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations on earth
Spiritual— I don’t have enough
Philippians 4:19 and my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
Physical—
• Diet No Soda
• Body continue P90x
Proverbs 8:14 Counsel and sound judgment are mine, I have understanding and power
Family— Continue Weekly Devotional and Prayer time with the kids.
• Parenting-
Proverbs 24:3-4 by wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.
• Marriage
Proverbs 3:3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart
Financial- Philippians 4:19 and my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
Ministry- Deuteronomy 28:1 If you fully obey the LORD your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations on earth
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
I Can
Henry Ford, one of the greatest innovators and mentors of our history, made this famous statement “think you can or think you can’t, either way you will be right”
Proverbs 23:7 says, “As a man thinks so is he”
Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do all things through Christ who gives me the strength.”
Isaiah 40:31 says, “But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
God shared with me this past week that He was the one in control.
There are 3 things I want you to share with you today.
1. Say to yourself “I declare I can do all things through Jesus Christ who Strengthens me” Philippians 4:13
The power of life and death are in the tongue Proverbs 18:21 so when you declare things over your life you will make things happen.
1. Eliminate “can’t” from your vocabulary
When you say the word cant you are limiting God from being able to do things in you that you are not able to do—but God can
Ephesians 3:20 “God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all things more than you can ask or think according to the power that is at work within us”
So don’t limit God to what he can do in your life.
Just think Biblically if Noah said no I can’t build an ark, Moses no I can’t free your people from Egypt, Joshua said no I can’t overtake Jericho
1. Submit your thinking to the Word of God and your whole life will be changed.
Once I submitted my will to God and to the word of God my entire life changed.
Do you remember the little engine that could? Over 50 years ago, the book called The little engine that could, spoke to a generation of children. I think I can, I think I can, I think I can and it did!
Proverbs 23:7 says, “As a man thinks so is he”
Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do all things through Christ who gives me the strength.”
Isaiah 40:31 says, “But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
God shared with me this past week that He was the one in control.
There are 3 things I want you to share with you today.
1. Say to yourself “I declare I can do all things through Jesus Christ who Strengthens me” Philippians 4:13
The power of life and death are in the tongue Proverbs 18:21 so when you declare things over your life you will make things happen.
1. Eliminate “can’t” from your vocabulary
When you say the word cant you are limiting God from being able to do things in you that you are not able to do—but God can
Ephesians 3:20 “God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all things more than you can ask or think according to the power that is at work within us”
So don’t limit God to what he can do in your life.
Just think Biblically if Noah said no I can’t build an ark, Moses no I can’t free your people from Egypt, Joshua said no I can’t overtake Jericho
1. Submit your thinking to the Word of God and your whole life will be changed.
Once I submitted my will to God and to the word of God my entire life changed.
Do you remember the little engine that could? Over 50 years ago, the book called The little engine that could, spoke to a generation of children. I think I can, I think I can, I think I can and it did!
Monday, October 12, 2009
40 Week Renewal of Our Life
My wife and I are starting a 40 week renewal of our life. We don't really want to call it a fast but rather a new way of thinking. We have broken it down into 5 areas of our life. We have spiritual, physical (diet and body), family (parenting and marriage), financial and ministry. We are coming up with scriptures to claim over ourselves every day and start with changing certain things we think about, certain ways we eat and any bad habits we might have. This is going to be an ongoing process so we don't do it all at the same time. We have found in the past that when we do a certain diet--we are heavy for a week or so then we fall back into our routines. This way we are going to make some gradual changes over a 40 week program and build on each one of the areas.
Below are the scriptures for week 1.
Spiritual—I Can
Philippians 4:13, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Physical—
* Diet- no aspartame
* Body-
Proverbs 25:16 If you find honey, eat just enough too much of it, and you will vomit
Family—
* Parenting-
Joshua 24:15 But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD
* Marriage
Joshua 24:15 But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD
Financial- Deuteronomy 8:18, But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today.
Ministry- Deuteronomy 28:7 The LORD will grant that the enemies who rise up against you will be defeated before you. They will come at you from one direction but flee from you in seven.
Below are the scriptures for week 1.
Spiritual—I Can
Philippians 4:13, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Physical—
* Diet- no aspartame
* Body-
Proverbs 25:16 If you find honey, eat just enough too much of it, and you will vomit
Family—
* Parenting-
Joshua 24:15 But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD
* Marriage
Joshua 24:15 But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD
Financial- Deuteronomy 8:18, But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today.
Ministry- Deuteronomy 28:7 The LORD will grant that the enemies who rise up against you will be defeated before you. They will come at you from one direction but flee from you in seven.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Don't Do It In Your Strength
Matthew 11:28-30 (The Message)
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly.”
I have to admit that sometimes I need to see the plan laid out, the steps, the instructions or just any type of system or process to get a task done. I feel at ease when I know that if something I am doing is not turning out like I thought it would or like it looks in the pictures then I can look back at the directions. I mean come on, I am a guy—I am going to try to put it together without the directions first right? Ever done that?
Lately God has really been dealing with me to trust Him, and I cannot do it in my strength but He is the one who is going to give me the strength.
Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do all things through Christ who gives me the strength.”
Isaiah 40:31 says, “But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
God shared with me this past week that He was the one in control. He was in charge of my life and as long as I was walking in an active relationship with Him and seeking His council on decisions such as financial, parenting, ministry and marital decisions, He was going to be the one to guide me.
The very center of the Bible Psalm 118:8 says; “It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man.”
So today anything you are facing, anything you are having to deal with, I ask you to put your faith in God and he will guide and direct you.
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly.”
I have to admit that sometimes I need to see the plan laid out, the steps, the instructions or just any type of system or process to get a task done. I feel at ease when I know that if something I am doing is not turning out like I thought it would or like it looks in the pictures then I can look back at the directions. I mean come on, I am a guy—I am going to try to put it together without the directions first right? Ever done that?
Lately God has really been dealing with me to trust Him, and I cannot do it in my strength but He is the one who is going to give me the strength.
Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do all things through Christ who gives me the strength.”
Isaiah 40:31 says, “But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
God shared with me this past week that He was the one in control. He was in charge of my life and as long as I was walking in an active relationship with Him and seeking His council on decisions such as financial, parenting, ministry and marital decisions, He was going to be the one to guide me.
The very center of the Bible Psalm 118:8 says; “It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man.”
So today anything you are facing, anything you are having to deal with, I ask you to put your faith in God and he will guide and direct you.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Elijah's Victory
Today I wanted to share with you a story from 1 Kings 18 and 19. I will paraphrase the story. Elijah was instructed by the Lord to present himself to Ahab the king. When Elijah met up with the king, he rejected him calling Elijah a troubler of Israel. Elijah challenged the king to bring 450 of his prophets who were worshiping the Baals. Elijah challenged the 450 prophets to see if they would call upon Baal and see if he would set fire to their sacrifice. The 450 prophets accepted the challenge and set up the altar for the sacrifice and cried out to Baal. Of course nothing happened. Then Elijah set up his altar and God poured down fire on it. Elijah then seized and killed all the false prophets. This was a huge victory. However in chapter 19 Elijah flees out of being scared because of Jezebels threats against his life.
This is where I thought to myself even after this powerful man of God overcame a huge victory he still can doubt and fear?? It says Elijah fled and that was where God spoke to him again and gave him more instruction where he ultimately found his successor Elisha.
Have you ever overcame a huge victory only to get attacked by the enemy the next day? Have you ever had to overcome diversity in the midst of a storm? Be encouraged today and know that even strong men in the Bible like Elijah was discouraged after a huge victory but he still stayed the course and obeyed God.
This is where I thought to myself even after this powerful man of God overcame a huge victory he still can doubt and fear?? It says Elijah fled and that was where God spoke to him again and gave him more instruction where he ultimately found his successor Elisha.
Have you ever overcame a huge victory only to get attacked by the enemy the next day? Have you ever had to overcome diversity in the midst of a storm? Be encouraged today and know that even strong men in the Bible like Elijah was discouraged after a huge victory but he still stayed the course and obeyed God.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Sunday Morning VIP
I wanted to share my VIP that I shared with our Welcome Team today at Turning Point Church. I got this from a blog from Steven Furtick of Elevation Church.
…He overlaid (the ark) with pure gold, both inside and out, …
-Exodus 37:1-2
The Ark of the Covenant represented the presence of God. It served as the storage center for the Ten Commandments, and was Israel’s most sacred possession. It makes perfect sense to overlay the ark with gold on the outside. Everybody’s going to see that part every time it makes a public appearance. Obviously, we want to do everything we can to make God look good, and to represent him well in front of others. Like new bark, a clean building, creative messages, honoring our guests, dynamic children’s ministry and awesome praise and worship
But why bother overlaying the inside of the ark with gold? Wouldn’t silver suffice? Is that really necessary? Isn’t it a bit Extravagant? Wasteful? Secondary? Unproductive? Not for a purpose as important as the presence of God. Only the best is acceptable.
Let’s make it more personal. Do I overlay the inside parts of my personal life with gold? Do I speak well of others at all times? Am I a loving, kind, thoughtful husband and father everyday of the week?
It’s important to give our best to the seen and unseen places in our lives and ministries.
When we honor God in the places no one sees
He will honor us in the places everyone sees.
Excellence is an inside job.
…He overlaid (the ark) with pure gold, both inside and out, …
-Exodus 37:1-2
The Ark of the Covenant represented the presence of God. It served as the storage center for the Ten Commandments, and was Israel’s most sacred possession. It makes perfect sense to overlay the ark with gold on the outside. Everybody’s going to see that part every time it makes a public appearance. Obviously, we want to do everything we can to make God look good, and to represent him well in front of others. Like new bark, a clean building, creative messages, honoring our guests, dynamic children’s ministry and awesome praise and worship
But why bother overlaying the inside of the ark with gold? Wouldn’t silver suffice? Is that really necessary? Isn’t it a bit Extravagant? Wasteful? Secondary? Unproductive? Not for a purpose as important as the presence of God. Only the best is acceptable.
Let’s make it more personal. Do I overlay the inside parts of my personal life with gold? Do I speak well of others at all times? Am I a loving, kind, thoughtful husband and father everyday of the week?
It’s important to give our best to the seen and unseen places in our lives and ministries.
When we honor God in the places no one sees
He will honor us in the places everyone sees.
Excellence is an inside job.
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