What Are You Expecting In 2015?

A young business man had just set up and rented an office with beautiful furniture. He saw a man come into the outer office. He wanted to appear busy; the businessman picked up the phone and started to pretend he had a big deal working. He threw huge figures around and made giant commitments. Finally he hung up and asks the visitor, “Can I help you?” The man said; “Sure, I have come to hook up the phone system.” There’s no pretending when we’re anticipating God to hear us with our expectations.

David was in a tough season of his life where he was being hunted down by King Saul who was jealous over the anointing of God on his life. Sometimes we face seasons where things go from bad to worse. David had just returned from a battle when he came home to Ziklag. The city had been burned with fire leaving nothing but smoke. When David and the six hundred men came back, they had lost their families, homes and all their valuables. What would David do now? (I Samuel 30:1-31) reveals at least three things David would need in order to move forward.

·  DAVID NEEDED A RENEWED SONG OF HOPE. Early in life, David had received a song of Salvation, but when trouble came his way, he needed a renewed song of hope. The Word says when trouble knocked at his door;”David encouraged himself in the Lord His God.” When man doesn’t stand with you and when nobody else will assist and help you, “GOD CAN.” David lifted his voice to heaven which would change his focus, confidence and the outcome of his dilemma.

·  DAVID NEEDED A REDEMPTIVE WORD FROM HEAVEN. David said to Abiathar the priest, “Bring me the ephod!” So Abiathar brought it. This is what the Priests wore in fulfilling their calling. David wanted God to know that he wasn’t able to carry on without hearing a direct word from God himself. ⁸ Then David asked the Lord, “Should I chase after this band of raiders? Will I catch them?” And the Lord told him, “Yes, go after them. You will surely recover everything that was taken from you!” David started out with 600 men but 200 of them became exhausted and only 400 men stayed the course. Not everybody who starts with you will continue in the battle. David lost 1/3 of his army, but it didn’t stop him from chasing after the will of God in winning the victory that was in his future.

 ·  DAVID NEEDED A PLAN OF RECOVERY. As David set out to find the enemy, they come in contact with one man from Egypt. This was one of the raiders at Ziklag who became sick and was left behind in a field. He was the one man who revealed exactly where the enemy had gone. Friend, God can use one phone call, one friend, one divine connection, one prayer, one request, one act of humility, one setback to become your all time comeback. This one man led them to the very place where they would defeat the enemy and recover everything and everyone that had been taken.  Friend, don’t lose hope, Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever.  Expect God to do Great things in your 2015.

SHINING BRIGHTLY ?

Have you had days that you struggled to let your light shine before men? The roof caves in at home, your kid comes home with bad grades, your work place decides to lay off workers, and you find out at the end of the year, you’re one of them. Jesus never said that life would be fair and always be smooth sailing.

Christ came to a chaotic world to bring peace to all men. But where does the world SEE peace in this present evil society? If Jesus came to bring peace, where will people see it?

42% of people in America admitted they seldom or never go to church. Most people won’t ever hear a Gospel message preached from a pulpit. Most won’t experience a worship service. Many will never understand what “communion” is in a worship service. Many don’t understand why Christians are passionate about Jesus Christ. Why do Christians get up on a Sunday Morning to go to church when they could be fishing, hunting or going to the Sports stadiums?

Most people in the world don’t read their Bibles but they are reading YOU and ME. Jesus said, "You are the light of the world--like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.” NLT (John 5:14) Are we being a light to those around us?

When everybody at work is complaining about their pay and benefits, don’t chime in with them, rather say; “I’m so thankful that God has opened a door for me to have a job.

When somebody pulls in front of you, and takes the parking place you have been waiting for, don’t get into a bumper war with them say instead, “Lord, I’m thankful that I have two good legs to walk the distance I need to walk to go shopping today.

When a storm rages in your marriage, health, or your finances, don’t get a bad attitude about how nothing seems to go right in your life, Rather say; “And we know that all things work together for the good to them who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28) “In the world you will have tribulation but be of good cheer for I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)

I believe that God does allow it to rain on the just and the unjust so we can be a light in a dark world. The world may never read the Bible but they will get an opportunity to read if this Joy, Peace, Patience and the Love of God are authentic in us. May God help us to keep the light BURNING in spite of all our hiccups and hurts that come our way. “Greater is He that is in us than He that is in the world.” (1 John 4:4) Stay Connected to the One who keeps the bulb burning on and on and on. You never know who may be watching you today.

Lean In and Listen "Joseph"

One in eight people in the United States (13 percent, or 30 million) aged 12 years or older has hearing loss in both ears based on standard hearing examinations. Revelation 3:22 says; "Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what He is saying to the churches." Hearing with the natural ear is important and costly to correct, but even more crucial is hearing with your spirit man what God is saying to you. Have you LEANED IN AND LISTENED?

Joseph heard something that would forever not only change his life but the world. “An angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. ²¹ And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:20, 21)

What would Joseph need to do to move forward with the Plan of God?

Joseph would need DIRECTION. Too many people in life attempt to live their life without Godly Direction. The results are confusion and living disoriented which is only the beginning of a chaotic life. I wouldn’t know how to rest in peace at night without knowing that I was moving in the right direction in life. Joseph was about to change his whole trajectory based on a “God Word” that came to him in a dream. The natural thing would have been to run away from Mary as far as he could, but God gave him specific directions to take Mary as his wife.

Joseph would need FAITH. God tells each of us, “You can’t please ME without using your faith”. It was a word from Heaven that gave him the faith to move forward. “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.” Have you listened to what the Lord has directed you to do? I have never done anything that was in God’s will that didn’t require faith. It’s crazy to think you can move forward into His divine plan by using Zero Faith! When my wife and I moved to Lakeland FL to go to Southeastern University, we had been married 3 weeks; no money, no place to live, no jobs. Everything said with a loud megaphone, “It’s not going to work.” I had to make up my mind that I would either LEAN IN AND LISTEN TO GOD or give in to my fears and miss God’s will and plan. Thank the Lord, God made a way where there seemed to be no way.

Joseph would need COURAGE. When you have heard from the Lord, God will give you boldness, tenacity and bulldog, snapping turtle power to hold on and not turn loose until you have seen the baby delivered. That is what Joseph and Mary had to overcome: the doubts, fears, and people’s chatter and suspicion about their relationship. They moved forward with courage because they both Leaned In and Listened. Friend, be courageous and move ahead with the ‘Rhema’ word He has placed in your heart as He did for Mary and Joseph. There will come a day of rejoicing when the Baby comes!

Waiting?

Waiting on God can be one of the greatest challenges in life. What are you waiting on today? Are you waiting on your spouse, son or daughter to come to Christ? Are you waiting on your breakthrough in your health? Maybe you’re waiting on your door of ministry to open up. God says; “Hope deferred makes the heart sick.” (Proverbs 13:12) Friend, don’t allow your weariness to cause you to miss God’s plan and blessing. God says; “Let us not be weary in well doing, for in due season you shall reap if you faint not.” (Galatians 6:9)

Elijah prophesied to King Abab during the days of Israel’s backsliding; "As surely as the LORD, the God of Israel, lives--the God I serve--there will be no dew or rain during the next few years until I give the word!" What was God doing?

God was getting Israel’s Attention. Israel had been chasing after other gods instead of Jehovah God. During this season came a time of great famine. Cattle, donkeys, horses, were dropping dead. Everybody was struggling with their farming. Growing food and staying alive with shallow wells was a challenge. This famine made life very difficult and painful.

God knew how to Shake things up. God says; “When God spoke from Mount Sinai his voice shook the earth, but now he makes another promise: "Once again I will shake not only the earth but the heavens also." This means that all of creation will be shaken and removed, so that only unshakable things will remain. (Hebrews 12:26, 27) I have watched God shake people up in their money matters, health, family, job, and many other things to bring about CHANGE. I heard John Maxwell say; “Three things will cause someone to make a change.

 

•  When people HURT enough they have to,
•  When they LEARN enough they want to,
•  When they RECEIVE enough they want to.”

      God would Show His Might and Power. When Elijah prayed at Mt Carmel, He prayed; “The God who answers by fire is the one true God.” When he prayed, fire fell down from heaven that proved to Israel who the real God of power and might was. After that day, God sent His rain that ended the drought. Nobody said WAITING was easy, but those that will wait on the Lord will see Him prove and show Himself strong.

What are you waiting on? Are you waiting on the rain to end your drought? Jesus is the same yesterday today and forever. (Hebrews 13:8) Don’t give up but rather wait on the Lord and start Anticipating and Expecting God to send His rain on your life.

Lean In and Listen "Mary"

Just how important is it to LEAN IN AND LISTEN to the voice of God? The first warning of a possible Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor arrived, January 27, 1941 in a coded cablegram from the U.S. Ambassador to Japan, Joseph C. Grew and was addressed to The US State Department. Grew’s cable reported that “the Japanese military forces planned to attempt a surprise mass attack on Pearl Harbor.” A State Department Japanese-language specialist believed the warning and urged his superiors to treat it as such. However, Grew and U.S. intelligence specialists dismissed the report as a wild rumor.

Many lives were lost the 7^th of December, 1941, and a great deal of pain came as a result of ignoring the warnings. The assault, which lasted less than two hours, claimed the lives of more than 2,500 people, wounded 1,000 more and damaged or destroyed 18 American ships and nearly 300 airplanes. There are several things that can cause us to “Lean in and Listen.”  Sometimes it’s passion; other times it’s pain and there are times it’s pressure. Just how well are you Listening to the Lord’s words to you?

Mary was just a young virgin girl who Leaned In and Listened to God’s message through an angel of the Lord named Gabriel; He appeared with a pertinent message for Mary. (Luke 1:26-35)

·             “The Lord Is With You.” That was the first thing that God spoke to her. Mary would soon realize just how important that statement was in giving her courage and faith in the days ahead.

·              “Don’t Be Afraid, You Have Found Favor with God.” Where would you be today without the favor of God on your life? Mary was chosen for an assignment that would change the world. Did you realize you can achieve great things for God, not because of your gifts, but because of His favor on your life?

·             “You Will Conceive and Bring Forth The Son Of The Most High.” Can you imagine what went through her mind that day? She said, “That’s impossible, I’ve never been with a man.”

·             “The Holy Spirit Will Come Upon You, And The Power of the Most High Will Overshadow You.” God’s word can be unthinkable, unexpected, extraordinary, and mind boggling. She was leaning in to listen to this incredible word that would forever change and bring hope to the world.

Can you imagine what Mary would have MISSED had she rejected God’s plan for her life? I hate to think what I would have missed in life if I had not learned to Lean In and Listen to God’s still small voice. It was at a burning bush that Moses heard God say, “Go tell Pharaoh the King of Egypt; let my people go.” When Elijah was running in fear from Jezebel, God showed up in the cave where Elijah had hidden. God said, “What are you doing here? I’m not through with you; go back and anoint the King of Syria, the King of Israel and anoint young, upcoming Elisha.” Listening and obeying is essential for each of us.

Mary could have run from God’s plan, but instead decided to hang tough through the pressures of people’s suspicions, doubts, reservations and unbelief. What if she’d refused to accept God’s plan of bringing Christ into the World? Would God have found someone else? I can’t prove it, but I personally do believe God would have moved forward with His plan. However, Mary would have missed the joy of being a part of God’s plan in bringing Christ into the world. Will you Lean In and Listen to what God is saying to you? Your greatest JOY in life is doing things God’s way.

"Lord I’m Amazed At Your Power To Liberate" 2

Several years ago our family dog “Tera”, an English Springer went missing for 3 days. Our kids and I went up and down the neighborhood calling out her name; still we came up empty, disheartened and discouraged not knowing if we would ever find her.

You may have a son, daughter, mom or dad that is still living in the sin and you wonder when, where, how will you do it, Lord? Friend, God’s ways are higher than our ways. Here are some things to keep in mind when you want to see your loved ones come home to Christ.

Let God LIBERATE them HIS way. When God healed the blinded man, never before in history had the Lord used this method in healing. Jesus spit on the dirt and made clay and put it on the eyes of the blind man. What if the man had of said, “What are you doing to my eyes? I not only can’t see, now there’s this sticky mess on my eyes.” He not only allowed the Lord to use His plan and method, he also followed His instructions to go wash off the mud in the pool of Siloam. (John 9:6,7)

Mom and Dad, allow God to save your child the way He wants to. He has a design and knows the where and when and how it will happen. He knows how to open blinded eyes.

STAY out of the Way and Let GOD liberate them. I’ve watched many times people get in the way of setting someone free. Moses couldn’t stand seeing the mistreatment of the Jews and he took matters into his own hands and killed an Egyptian solider. From that point, Moses ends up running for his life. He lived on the backside of the desert for 40 years. Let God do the LIBERATING HIS WAY. Afterward, God does liberate Israel from Egypt His way and still uses Moses in the great deliverance.

DON’T LOSE HOPE IN THE WAITING. “Hope deferred makes the heart sick.” (Proverbs 13:12) Waiting can be painful. The father of the prodigal son didn’t run to Vegas to pull his son out of his crazy living. “NO”, he waited till his son came to himself. Let God put the pressure on your lost loved one. He has to power to bring them to himself. Luke 15:17 says;”When he came to himself, he said I will arise and go to my father.” As much as you want to see them saved, bailing them out of their problems may be getting in the way of what God is trying to do in bringing them to themselves.

By the way, 3 days later “Tera” did come home. There’s nothing more exciting than experiencing the return of one that’s lost come home. Remember, some plant, some water but God gives the increase. Only God can transform a life.