will act now.
Hebrews 12:11
“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”
Discipline takes a lot of courage and diligence. It even most of the time is fighting your flesh to discipline your self to make sure you are living in God’s will. Life can be a challenge if we do not have the right discipline to get the things done, but as the writer of Hebrews states it can be painful.
I remember a seen in Rocky, where Sylvester Stallone wakes up early in the morning drinks like 12 eggs and starts running to train for the fight. That always motivated me, because when he was training everyone else was asleep.
Today be disciplined to live in God’s will because it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
I will act now Part 3
I will act now.
Mark 1:10, 12, 18, 20, 21, 28, 30, 42
“And immediately coming up from the water, Immediately the Spirit drove Him into the wilderness, They immediately left their nets and followed him, And immediately He called them, and immediately on the Sabbath He entered the synagogue and taught, And Immediately His fame spread, and immediately the fever left her, immediately the leprosy left him.”
IMMEDIATELY! Jesus did not waste any time, these scriptures were just in the first chapter of Mark. The word immediately was mentioned in the New Testament 52 times in the King James Version. You see we need to mirror Jesus here and act immediately because we are in a time where we need to come together as brothers and sisters in Christ and STAND UP for what we believe in.
Galatians 4:4 says, “the right time came and God sent His son.” The word time can have two meanings translated Chronos which is the clock time or Kairos which is the opportune time. I believe this is the opportune time for us to come together because the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.
I hope I don’t sound mad in writing this to you today but I believe that the Good News about Jesus is so very timely that we must make our decisions to follow Him timely.
If you have not made that decision, let’s make it today and pray this prayer.
“Father, I thank you for sending your Son Jesus, who died on the cross for my sin. I have sinned and now I repent and I ask you Jesus to become my Lord and Savior of my life and fill me fresh with your Holy Spirit.”
If you prayed that prayer today for the first time or are re-committed your life today, please let me know.
Mark 1:10, 12, 18, 20, 21, 28, 30, 42
“And immediately coming up from the water, Immediately the Spirit drove Him into the wilderness, They immediately left their nets and followed him, And immediately He called them, and immediately on the Sabbath He entered the synagogue and taught, And Immediately His fame spread, and immediately the fever left her, immediately the leprosy left him.”
IMMEDIATELY! Jesus did not waste any time, these scriptures were just in the first chapter of Mark. The word immediately was mentioned in the New Testament 52 times in the King James Version. You see we need to mirror Jesus here and act immediately because we are in a time where we need to come together as brothers and sisters in Christ and STAND UP for what we believe in.
Galatians 4:4 says, “the right time came and God sent His son.” The word time can have two meanings translated Chronos which is the clock time or Kairos which is the opportune time. I believe this is the opportune time for us to come together because the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.
I hope I don’t sound mad in writing this to you today but I believe that the Good News about Jesus is so very timely that we must make our decisions to follow Him timely.
If you have not made that decision, let’s make it today and pray this prayer.
“Father, I thank you for sending your Son Jesus, who died on the cross for my sin. I have sinned and now I repent and I ask you Jesus to become my Lord and Savior of my life and fill me fresh with your Holy Spirit.”
If you prayed that prayer today for the first time or are re-committed your life today, please let me know.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Ten Stupid Things That Keep Churches From Growing
I have recently finished reading Ten Stupid Things That Keep Churches From Growing by Geoff Surratt. I have been a diligent reader this year in the areas of church growth, leadership development, parenting and marriage. I will have to say that this book is in my top two books I have read in the area of church growth. I would compare this book to It by Craig Groeschel. Let me tell you why; Geoff has a great sense of humor and it is evident throughout the book. I really like his sense of humor and it reminds me of Craig's writing.Geoff does an amazing job with his resources and research. You can tell that he has done a ton of research on this subject and he has the references throughout the book to back it up. At the end of each chapter he does a great job at introducing other successful pastors in the ministry and asks them a series of questions in relation to the subject written in each chapter.
My suggestion is for every church leader to read this book and even go through it as a staff. The insight you will get from this book will help you to make great decisions in the future and minimize mistakes in the future.
At the end of each chapter he also has a series of questions to ask yourself and even discuss with other leaders in your church. I really think Geoff has done an amazing job in writing this book. I am a huge fan and can't wait to read more of his stuff.
Great job Geoff!!
I will act now Part 2
I will act now.
Ecclesiastes 3:1
“There is an opportune time to do things, a right time for everything on the earth.”
We have to accept the fact that everything happens in God’s timing. We might not be able to see God working in our lives right now, but you know what? He is. I look back at all the times I was wondering where God was and every time now I look back and I can see him working in my life at the time, even though I could not feel his presence or know He was at work.
Know today that God is working in your life. I have to truly remind myself that I am operating in Gods time and that He has an opportune time for me to do the things He has called me to do.
Today God is calling you to do something.
What is it?
· Maybe it is to get involved in your local church
· Maybe it is to serve in your local church
· Maybe it is to give of your finances to your local church
· Maybe it is to just talk to that one person who has been on your heart to talk to about His love.
I don’t know but God does and as long as it lines up with His will YOU MUST ACT NOW. Do it and don’t hesitate because delayed obedience to God is still disobedience.
This week I challenge you to ACT on what it is God wants you to do.
Ecclesiastes 3:1
“There is an opportune time to do things, a right time for everything on the earth.”
We have to accept the fact that everything happens in God’s timing. We might not be able to see God working in our lives right now, but you know what? He is. I look back at all the times I was wondering where God was and every time now I look back and I can see him working in my life at the time, even though I could not feel his presence or know He was at work.
Know today that God is working in your life. I have to truly remind myself that I am operating in Gods time and that He has an opportune time for me to do the things He has called me to do.
Today God is calling you to do something.
What is it?
· Maybe it is to get involved in your local church
· Maybe it is to serve in your local church
· Maybe it is to give of your finances to your local church
· Maybe it is to just talk to that one person who has been on your heart to talk to about His love.
I don’t know but God does and as long as it lines up with His will YOU MUST ACT NOW. Do it and don’t hesitate because delayed obedience to God is still disobedience.
This week I challenge you to ACT on what it is God wants you to do.
Monday, May 25, 2009
I will act now Part 1
will act now.
Ecclesiastes 11:4
“If you wait for perfect conditions, you will never get anything done. “
I found this from Rick Warren and could not have said it better.
Most of us have experienced the 8 Phases of Procrastination:
Phase 1: Hopeful – “I’ll start early this time.”
Phase 2: A little tension – “I’ve got to start soon.”
Phase 3: Creeping guilt – “I should have started sooner.”
Phase 4: False reassurance – “There is still time to do it.”
Phase 5: Getting desperate – “What’s wrong with me?”
Phase 6: Intense pain – “I can’t wait any longer!”
Phase 7: Get it over with – “Just get it done!”P
hase 8: Cycle repeats – “Next time, I’ll start earlier.”
Procrastination does tremendous damage to ourselves and others at work. It causes unnecessary pressure and problems … and it wastes opportunities, time, and money. The problem is: procrastination is addicting! The more you succumb to it, the harder it is to change. It becomes a way of life, causing you a lot of misery.· Stop making excuses!· Realize perfectionism paralyzes performance!· Face your fears!· Focus on the gain, not the pain!· DO IT NOW!What have you been putting off that you know you need to do? … something at work … at home … at church? DO IT NOW!
Ecclesiastes 11:4
“If you wait for perfect conditions, you will never get anything done. “
I found this from Rick Warren and could not have said it better.
Most of us have experienced the 8 Phases of Procrastination:
Phase 1: Hopeful – “I’ll start early this time.”
Phase 2: A little tension – “I’ve got to start soon.”
Phase 3: Creeping guilt – “I should have started sooner.”
Phase 4: False reassurance – “There is still time to do it.”
Phase 5: Getting desperate – “What’s wrong with me?”
Phase 6: Intense pain – “I can’t wait any longer!”
Phase 7: Get it over with – “Just get it done!”P
hase 8: Cycle repeats – “Next time, I’ll start earlier.”
Procrastination does tremendous damage to ourselves and others at work. It causes unnecessary pressure and problems … and it wastes opportunities, time, and money. The problem is: procrastination is addicting! The more you succumb to it, the harder it is to change. It becomes a way of life, causing you a lot of misery.· Stop making excuses!· Realize perfectionism paralyzes performance!· Face your fears!· Focus on the gain, not the pain!· DO IT NOW!What have you been putting off that you know you need to do? … something at work … at home … at church? DO IT NOW!
Sunday, May 24, 2009
I will multiply my value a Hundredfold Part 3
I will multiply my value a hundredfold.
Luke 6:38
“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
Have you ever had a hard time financially and wondered how you were going to make it through? I have and I want to share with you my story today.
We had moved away to Florida and brought with us a ton of debt. I received a pay increase with my promotion and move of more than 25% and Stacey and I were still living paycheck to paycheck. It was stressful and very hard on our marriage. We were attending church and I was just going through the motions to go to church. I had Stacey doing the finances and I wanted to go out to eat and she said “we don’t have the money.” So I started looking over the finances, you know cause I am the man, what do you mean we don’t have the money. The first thing I said was, well we can cut this 10% out going to the church first of all. Stacey was adamant about not doing that and thank God she was.
When I finally became broken in my finances and said, “Ok God, I am not in control you are.” I truly gave our tithe for the first time from my heart. Well Stacey was going on a trip to Texas and we did not have the money for me to go, but after I gave that Sunday we got a check in the mail from some escrow money from our house being sold in Oklahoma for triple the amount I tithed. I bought a plane ticket one way so I could at least drive there with Stacey, because I could not take off work and flew home.
I have never stopped giving and tithing since that day and God has delivered me from an upwards of 35k in consumer and credit card debt and allowed me to take over a 60% pay-cut to work in the full time ministry and fulfill my true calling in life.
Don’t get me wrong with taking this step things are still tight but God is supplying all our needs.
Luke 6:38
“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
Have you ever had a hard time financially and wondered how you were going to make it through? I have and I want to share with you my story today.
We had moved away to Florida and brought with us a ton of debt. I received a pay increase with my promotion and move of more than 25% and Stacey and I were still living paycheck to paycheck. It was stressful and very hard on our marriage. We were attending church and I was just going through the motions to go to church. I had Stacey doing the finances and I wanted to go out to eat and she said “we don’t have the money.” So I started looking over the finances, you know cause I am the man, what do you mean we don’t have the money. The first thing I said was, well we can cut this 10% out going to the church first of all. Stacey was adamant about not doing that and thank God she was.
When I finally became broken in my finances and said, “Ok God, I am not in control you are.” I truly gave our tithe for the first time from my heart. Well Stacey was going on a trip to Texas and we did not have the money for me to go, but after I gave that Sunday we got a check in the mail from some escrow money from our house being sold in Oklahoma for triple the amount I tithed. I bought a plane ticket one way so I could at least drive there with Stacey, because I could not take off work and flew home.
I have never stopped giving and tithing since that day and God has delivered me from an upwards of 35k in consumer and credit card debt and allowed me to take over a 60% pay-cut to work in the full time ministry and fulfill my true calling in life.
Don’t get me wrong with taking this step things are still tight but God is supplying all our needs.
Friday, May 22, 2009
I will multiply my value a Hundredfold Part 2
I will multiply my value a hundredfold.
John 10:10
“The thief comes to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
Someone needs to know today that Jesus came so that you could have a life of abundance or in Greek περισσός or perissos which is translated to exceeding abundantly above and beyond measure. God is not about lack, if you lack something in your life it was the thief that stole it from you.
God is about abundance He is our Jehovah-jirah as stated in Genesis 22:14 ‘The Lord Will Provide’. The story when Abraham was tested and God said to sacrifice his son and tested his obedience, when Abraham went to sacrifice his son that is when the Lord spoke to him and said not to do anything and provided him with the sacrifice, a ram. (Genesis 22:1-14)
Some of us might be going through the test. Some of us are taking our eyes off Christ like Peter did when he walked on water, and rather than focusing on Christ he looked around at the high waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” Peter said and it says INSTANTLY Jesus reached out his hand and grabbed him. “You don’t have much faith.” Jesus said. “Why do you doubt me?” (Matthew 14:27-31 emphasis added).
Jesus, save us today, remove this doubt and give us the faith to know that You are the God who provides all our needs according to Your glorious riches. (Philippians 4:19
John 10:10
“The thief comes to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
Someone needs to know today that Jesus came so that you could have a life of abundance or in Greek περισσός or perissos which is translated to exceeding abundantly above and beyond measure. God is not about lack, if you lack something in your life it was the thief that stole it from you.
God is about abundance He is our Jehovah-jirah as stated in Genesis 22:14 ‘The Lord Will Provide’. The story when Abraham was tested and God said to sacrifice his son and tested his obedience, when Abraham went to sacrifice his son that is when the Lord spoke to him and said not to do anything and provided him with the sacrifice, a ram. (Genesis 22:1-14)
Some of us might be going through the test. Some of us are taking our eyes off Christ like Peter did when he walked on water, and rather than focusing on Christ he looked around at the high waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” Peter said and it says INSTANTLY Jesus reached out his hand and grabbed him. “You don’t have much faith.” Jesus said. “Why do you doubt me?” (Matthew 14:27-31 emphasis added).
Jesus, save us today, remove this doubt and give us the faith to know that You are the God who provides all our needs according to Your glorious riches. (Philippians 4:19
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