New Beginnings In 2015 #!

Each year presents itself with new opportunities to elevate our faith to a higher high. Is there room to increase your faith? What about your Joy, Peace, Courage, Confidence, Kindness, Gentleness, Meekness or Love? Is there a path to move higher in your walk with God?

I have noticed when I go snow skiing that there are challenges in going higher up the mountain. I’m better when I drink more water to overcome the changes in the higher altitude. If I don’t preplan in my moving up to higher elevations, I get light headed, nauseated and sometimes chest pains. God also has plans taking us higher in our journey with Him. Let’s discuss some things that can help you in your trajectory in taking One Step Higher in 2015.

Put Your Past Behind You. Paul said; “I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead.”(Phil 3:13) Paul’s hand was engaged in putting Christians in prison and was there when Stephen was stoned to death. Stephen said; “Lay not this sin to their charge” Paul decided not to look back but press toward the mark God had for him.

Keep Reaching Higher. Paul said, “I have not achieved it.” (Phil 3:13a) He was saying, “I have not arrived, I haven’t done   it all yet, I still have a ways to go.” When you think you’ve learned all you need to learn, you are in TROUBLE. You cannot possess what you do not pursue. Paul went on to say, “Let him that thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he fall”. There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t need His grace, mercy and courage for the journey.

Stay the Course. It encourages me to watch those who press on beyond and through the bumps, potholes, curves, hills, valleys and storms of life. Nowhere does God say that if you serve Me, it’s all smooth sailing. Jesus says, “In this world you shall have tribulation; be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world”. (John 16:33) You can make it through divorce, cancer, bankruptcy, termination of your job, being falsely accused, going to prison, paying off your college loans, providing for your family in a tough economy, working in a high pressured environment, being abandoned in a relationship, or finding out that your kid is on drugs. Nobody said life would be fair, but He did say; “I will never leave you nor forsake you”. Christ did say; “Nothing shall be able to pluck you out of my hand.” (John 10:29)

Keep your Eyes on the Finish Line I’m excited about the day Christ has prepared for His Church. One day He will come back for those who have prepared themselves like a bride that’s prepared herself for her groom. What a glorious, incredible day of New Beginnings in Heaven. One day we’ll walk on streets of gold, live in a city 1400 miles high, wide and deep. Keep pressing; it’s going to be worth it all, to press beyond anything we’ll ever face on this side of heaven. Could it be 2015?

From the ORDINARY to the EXTRAORDINARY IN 2015

Did you know that 90% of doctor’s visits are stress related? Most heart attacks happen on Mondays because people are stressed out about going to work. There’s no person in life that doesn’t have to fight off doubts, discouragement and dilemmas that come their way. We’re in a battle till the Lord comes back for His Church. Christians, “We wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities, powers against the rulers of the darkness of this world against spiritual wickedness in high places,” (Ephesians 6:12) The question is, “Will we fight back or just allow the enemy to run us over and intimidate us with fear?”

The Syrian Army came after the Prophet Elisha. When his servant came out on the front porch that morning drinking his Dunkin Donut coffee, he lost it when he saw the Syrian army that had surrounded him and Elisha. My version is, “Elisha, you better get out here, we’re in BIG Trouble” But Elisha was operating in faith and sees something supernatural and extraordinary. The threat of this army is nothing to his God, He prays; “Lord, open his eyes and let him see what I see.”

The next thing he sees blows him away. “Elisha, in the heavens, I see the chariots and horses of fire around this army. When God takes the scales off of our eyes we begin to see that God is greater than any force out of hell against us.

As you grow in God, you will begin to realize that what you believe doesn’t always line up with what you see. “We walk by faith and not by sight.” Elisha was able to do great things for God because he was operating in the supernatural while walking in the natural.

It didn’t make sense for Jesus to tell the disciples to have the crowd of five thousand people to sit down on the grass preparing to eat with only two fish and five loaves of bread. But Jesus was operating in the supernatural and believed in the extraordinary. That day He fed all five thousand plus and picked up 12 baskets of bread when it was all said and done.

It didn’t make sense for Jesus to spit on the dirt and place mud on the blind man’s eyes. But when the blind man obeyed the Lord and washed the off mud, he could see.

It didn’t make sense for Jesus at the wedding to tell men to fill empty vases with water, but when they obeyed, Jesus turned the water into wine. Walking in the Supernatural is going to be out of your comfort zone, but what have you got to lose but seeing the extraordinary this coming year. “Eye hath not seen nor has ear heard the things that God has prepared for them that love Him.” Are you ready to see the miraculous, remarkable, astonishing, astounding, stunning and  extraordinary in your life this year?  Then, See it, Believe it, and Go for it. “Greater works shall you do because I go to my Father. (John 14:12)

New Beginning's

Genesis 9:1-29

So many in life are overshadowed and are driven by their fears, their hurts, their blunders, their mistakes, their burdens and their hick-ups in life. Noah and his family are now back on dry ground. It's been a rough ride but now God has dried up the waters of the earth. God hangs a rainbow in the sky and says; " Never again will a flood destroy the Earth"

This is a sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and everything living around you and everyone living after you. I'm putting my rainbow in the clouds, a sign of the covenant between me and the Earth. (12)

Even God says it's time to move forward. Too many of us in life live in the past instead of our future. None of us can do anything about our mistakes, our failures, our shortcomings, the things we wish we could change in the past. It's time to move ahead.

"Twenty years from now, you'll be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than the ones you did do." Mark Twain

There is a reason that you are still on planet earth. God isn't finished with you. There are still more mountains to climb, valleys to cross, victories to win, storms to overcome, and challenges to conquer. God is taking you and me somewhere. Regardless of the past or the forecast, like Noah; "I have all intention of staying on the boat till I see the sun shine again, and I see the heavens open up over my life and fulfill the mandate and the promises of God in my life.

What are you dealing with today? What keeps lingering in your fuzzy thought life? Allow the Holy Spirit of God to overshadow you with fresh vision, fresh energy and fresh faith to go places you have never been, to do things that you have never done, to become someone that you have never been.

Through the spirit of God within you say; " No longer will I allow my past to overshadow my life, but I will be driven by Christ alone and the faith He has placed in my heart.  He will take the steering wheel of my life, and I will become all that He has created me to become for His honor and glory. In the days He has assigned my life on this earth, "I declare; today is a new day with new beginnings, yes new beginnings."

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.