Don’t quit dreaming. Keep the vision in front of you. A friend of mine was in an accident where both of his knees were crushed. The doctor told him he would be fortunate to walk, but he would certainly never run or play sports again. My friend was so disappointed. After being in the hospital for over three months, the first thing he did when he was discharged was join a health club. He took a step of faith.
The fact is, he couldn’t go to the club for over a year. He was too weak, but he made up his mind he was not going to sit back and plan on staying in that wheelchair; he was making plans to be up walking again. That was more than five years ago, and today that young man can outrun me. He defied the odds. What happened? He started making plans to rise up out of that injury. He could have easily let the doctor’s negative words sink in, convincing him to give up and settle for mediocrity. Instead, he believed God and began making plans to be well.
Maybe you’ve had some negative things happen to you or some negative comments spoken over you. Don’t allow those negatives to take root. Keep believing for good things. And remember, faith is always in the now. Get up every morning saying, “Father, I thank You that right now You are working in my life. I thank You that right now I’m getting better. Right now things are changing in my favor.”
Stay in the now; faith is always in the present.
by
Joel Osteen
Friday, July 22, 2011
Selective Amnesia
There’s a short passage of scripture that always serves as a constant reminder to “not forget” where the Lord has brought me from. Ephesians 5:8 says, “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.”
It’s the first five words of the passage that really grab me: “For you were once darkness". Wow, can you remember when? I can. I can remember what it was like to be lost and consistently living in sin. What did your “darkness” look like? I can remember battling through addictions, fighting through low self-esteem, lying, cheating and stealing all in the name of “fitting in.” I really like the way Paul put it in 1 Cor 13:11. “When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.”
So what is it? What aids children in “putting away childish things.” Here are four keys to effectively reaching our children:
1. Love unconditionally – Unconditional love is described well in 1 Cor 13:4-8. Paul articulates well what godly love is and what it is not. Love is patient and is kind. It doesn’t envy, nor does it parade itself, it’s not puffed up. Love doesn’t behave rudely, nor does it seek it’s own. It’s not provoked and it thinks no evil. It doesn’t rejoice in sin, but rejoices in truth. It bears, believes, hopes and endures all things. It simply never fails. I think if this text becomes our measuring rod of how we love, we’d begin seeing the fruit of this kind of love in each of the children we’re connected to.
2. Step Into Their World– Has someone ever attempted to do something for/with you that seemed like a chore or duty to them? Well, if you’re anything like me, doesn’t that bother you? I’d much rather you WANT to step into my world vs. you feel OBLIGATED to. When we authentically and intentionally reach out to connect it literally breaks down the subconscious barriers/ walls of protection most children put up.
3. Relate Without Compromise – Much too often, I witness parents, youth workers, and pastors alike attempt to win kids by acting like kids. Unfortunately, that just never works. Our Children don’t merely need friend’s, they need mature, loving guidance.
4. Be Patient & Don’t Forget – Earlier in the article, I attempted to take you back down memory lane because for some reason we forget. It’s as if when we age we decide to get selective amnesia. Let us not forget that someone was patient enough to graciously walk us through our mess, so why wouldn’t we do the same for someone else?
In order to reach them, we must always remember, we were once them.
by
Darius Wise
It’s the first five words of the passage that really grab me: “For you were once darkness". Wow, can you remember when? I can. I can remember what it was like to be lost and consistently living in sin. What did your “darkness” look like? I can remember battling through addictions, fighting through low self-esteem, lying, cheating and stealing all in the name of “fitting in.” I really like the way Paul put it in 1 Cor 13:11. “When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.”
So what is it? What aids children in “putting away childish things.” Here are four keys to effectively reaching our children:
1. Love unconditionally – Unconditional love is described well in 1 Cor 13:4-8. Paul articulates well what godly love is and what it is not. Love is patient and is kind. It doesn’t envy, nor does it parade itself, it’s not puffed up. Love doesn’t behave rudely, nor does it seek it’s own. It’s not provoked and it thinks no evil. It doesn’t rejoice in sin, but rejoices in truth. It bears, believes, hopes and endures all things. It simply never fails. I think if this text becomes our measuring rod of how we love, we’d begin seeing the fruit of this kind of love in each of the children we’re connected to.
2. Step Into Their World– Has someone ever attempted to do something for/with you that seemed like a chore or duty to them? Well, if you’re anything like me, doesn’t that bother you? I’d much rather you WANT to step into my world vs. you feel OBLIGATED to. When we authentically and intentionally reach out to connect it literally breaks down the subconscious barriers/ walls of protection most children put up.
3. Relate Without Compromise – Much too often, I witness parents, youth workers, and pastors alike attempt to win kids by acting like kids. Unfortunately, that just never works. Our Children don’t merely need friend’s, they need mature, loving guidance.
4. Be Patient & Don’t Forget – Earlier in the article, I attempted to take you back down memory lane because for some reason we forget. It’s as if when we age we decide to get selective amnesia. Let us not forget that someone was patient enough to graciously walk us through our mess, so why wouldn’t we do the same for someone else?
In order to reach them, we must always remember, we were once them.
by
Darius Wise
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Unshakeable
With each passing year, the instability in the world seems more and more obvious. Natural and man-made catastrophes claim countless lives; political balance shifts; wealth and status come and go. It all causes us to ask, Is anything unshakeable?
As overwhelming as these things seem, let me give you an even bigger example. In today’s passage, we see that the heavens and earth will be shaken. It will all be destroyed—burned, to be exact. Thankfully, we have the promise that God will create new heavens and earth, but in the meantime our world will undergo great turmoil.
Instability can create feelings of insecurity and fear unless we focus on truths we can stand upon with certainty. The Bible refers to Jesus as a rock and firm foundation (1 Cor. 3:10-11; Eph. 2:20). And we know that God is unchangeable and sovereign; nothing can undermine or move Him. His Word is truth, and it will last forever.
As Christians, we know that our eternal relationship with God is secure. We’ve been adopted as His children, and nothing can rob us of this position. What’s more, believers are assured of an eternal home with Him. Though we may at times feel unsettled by our circumstances, we can rejoice when trials bring us humbly to the cross of Jesus—there, we will find true peace and safety.
What assurance we have as God’s children! We can rest in peace and full confidence, knowing that our hearts are secure in Jesus Christ. King David said, “I have set the Lord continually before me; because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken” (Ps. 16:8).
by
Dr. Charles F. Stanley
As overwhelming as these things seem, let me give you an even bigger example. In today’s passage, we see that the heavens and earth will be shaken. It will all be destroyed—burned, to be exact. Thankfully, we have the promise that God will create new heavens and earth, but in the meantime our world will undergo great turmoil.
Instability can create feelings of insecurity and fear unless we focus on truths we can stand upon with certainty. The Bible refers to Jesus as a rock and firm foundation (1 Cor. 3:10-11; Eph. 2:20). And we know that God is unchangeable and sovereign; nothing can undermine or move Him. His Word is truth, and it will last forever.
As Christians, we know that our eternal relationship with God is secure. We’ve been adopted as His children, and nothing can rob us of this position. What’s more, believers are assured of an eternal home with Him. Though we may at times feel unsettled by our circumstances, we can rejoice when trials bring us humbly to the cross of Jesus—there, we will find true peace and safety.
What assurance we have as God’s children! We can rest in peace and full confidence, knowing that our hearts are secure in Jesus Christ. King David said, “I have set the Lord continually before me; because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken” (Ps. 16:8).
by
Dr. Charles F. Stanley
Monday, July 18, 2011
What Faithfulness Really Is
When I hear the word “faithfulness,” I think of something that’s continual and on going, never ending. We hear it and say it so much and tell the Lord that we’re going to be faithful to Him and His call. Do we really mean that, live it, and know what it is? It’s associated with obedience and it’s act upon act, and duty upon duty that describes and results in faithfulness. Faithfulness is also a fruit of the Spirit.
There was a man in the Bible named Ahijah, who was used by God in spite of his age and who illustrated a lifetime of faithfulness. He spoke a word for the Lord on two different occasions. The Shilonite prophet was obedient and went and told a man named Jeroboam, that he would become king over ten of the twelve tribes of Israel and to heed to all that God had commanded him. (1 Kings 11:29-40). Jeroboam became king, but didn’t pay one bit of attention to the warning in the prophecy and the people were led into idolatry. (1 Kings 12:28-33, Chapter 13). Years passed, and he had a sick child and wanted to know from the prophet the outcome of his child. Ahijah was obedient to the Lord again, letting him know the word (1 Kings 14:1-18). These two times when Ahijah carried out these acts and duties show that he was faithful to God.
It may not always be about big memorable, in the spotlight, or special events in your life that describe and display your faithfulness to God, but for sure it’s about when obedience keeps going on and on, small act after small act, and duty after duty. Today, He’s looking for good and faithful servants. Ask yourself, “Am I one of them?”
By
Brenda Gittens
There was a man in the Bible named Ahijah, who was used by God in spite of his age and who illustrated a lifetime of faithfulness. He spoke a word for the Lord on two different occasions. The Shilonite prophet was obedient and went and told a man named Jeroboam, that he would become king over ten of the twelve tribes of Israel and to heed to all that God had commanded him. (1 Kings 11:29-40). Jeroboam became king, but didn’t pay one bit of attention to the warning in the prophecy and the people were led into idolatry. (1 Kings 12:28-33, Chapter 13). Years passed, and he had a sick child and wanted to know from the prophet the outcome of his child. Ahijah was obedient to the Lord again, letting him know the word (1 Kings 14:1-18). These two times when Ahijah carried out these acts and duties show that he was faithful to God.
It may not always be about big memorable, in the spotlight, or special events in your life that describe and display your faithfulness to God, but for sure it’s about when obedience keeps going on and on, small act after small act, and duty after duty. Today, He’s looking for good and faithful servants. Ask yourself, “Am I one of them?”
By
Brenda Gittens
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Dreaming For Your Kids
We hear Joel 2:28 in church and think about how revival needs to come to the younger generation. But, instead of concentrating on that part of Joel 2:28, I want to draw your attention to the “old men will dream dreams” phrase.
"And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions." - Joel 2:28
I used to overlook that part of the verse most of the time, thinking, “I’m not going to be old for a long time yet, so I’m not going to talk or think much about the old men dreaming dreams.” But it is the older people in our society who dream dreams for the younger generation; and so it must be the parents who dream dreams for their children.
They Didn’t Ask for This Garbage
Looking at the culture barrage hammering our teens, whether it’s what is sold to them, written to them––movies and music––or the point-and-click pornography available to them, there is one thing we can all agree on: Our children are not the ones who invented these things.
Just about every one of these social influences, media entertainment, technological inventions or opportunities on the Web destroying kids, have been dreamed up by the older generation. These older dreamers prey on young people because they have plenty of money. They appeal to young people’s most corrupt desires to get them to empty their pockets.
The fact is, the kids didn’t ask for this garbage; they were sold it by people trying to make a lot of money without any thought to moral consequences. Of course they will tell us, “If people didn’t buy it, we wouldn’t make it” as if it’s a moral obligation to sell people things that will destroy them just because they buy it.
Here’s the question: Are we not dreamers? Cannot we, the people who love God, dream a dream for the young people in our churches? Is it only the secular culture that has a dream for our children?
You can protect your kids from the disaster of being shaped by a confused generation of adults selling media, but it will take deliberation. It will take sweat. It will require emotional and mental engagement with your kids, starting when they are at a very young age.
Dream for Your Kids
Dream a dream for your kids. You can determine if they will be entertainment oriented or service-to-others oriented; constantly appeasing the flesh and desiring the next thing to engage and tantalize them, or those men and women who lay down their lives as a sacrifice for others? As you dream for your kids teach them how to think critically and pursue growth in their relationship with the Lord. If you sacrifice now, you’ll reap a blessing for the rest of your life; and the world will never be the same.
Not only must we be the dreamers, but we must also teach our kids to be the dreamers for their own generation. These will soon to become the leaders who will soon determine the culture and morals of America. You can help them get a vision of how God could use them to change their generation and make a difference in the world.
Every time we allow our kids to watch, see, feel, touch and embrace this culture, they become a part of a dream belonging to someone else. The fact is, we must either be the dreamers or we will be a part of somebody else’s dream.
Merely giving birth does not make you a parent. Sacrificing while your children are small, laying down your “deserved” freedoms and deeply thinking about how you’re shaping your children will ensure their lifelong freedom from the chains of slavery to our culture. It’s called loving your children.
It’s called being a parent.
By
Ron Luce
"And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions." - Joel 2:28
I used to overlook that part of the verse most of the time, thinking, “I’m not going to be old for a long time yet, so I’m not going to talk or think much about the old men dreaming dreams.” But it is the older people in our society who dream dreams for the younger generation; and so it must be the parents who dream dreams for their children.
They Didn’t Ask for This Garbage
Looking at the culture barrage hammering our teens, whether it’s what is sold to them, written to them––movies and music––or the point-and-click pornography available to them, there is one thing we can all agree on: Our children are not the ones who invented these things.
Just about every one of these social influences, media entertainment, technological inventions or opportunities on the Web destroying kids, have been dreamed up by the older generation. These older dreamers prey on young people because they have plenty of money. They appeal to young people’s most corrupt desires to get them to empty their pockets.
The fact is, the kids didn’t ask for this garbage; they were sold it by people trying to make a lot of money without any thought to moral consequences. Of course they will tell us, “If people didn’t buy it, we wouldn’t make it” as if it’s a moral obligation to sell people things that will destroy them just because they buy it.
Here’s the question: Are we not dreamers? Cannot we, the people who love God, dream a dream for the young people in our churches? Is it only the secular culture that has a dream for our children?
You can protect your kids from the disaster of being shaped by a confused generation of adults selling media, but it will take deliberation. It will take sweat. It will require emotional and mental engagement with your kids, starting when they are at a very young age.
Dream for Your Kids
Dream a dream for your kids. You can determine if they will be entertainment oriented or service-to-others oriented; constantly appeasing the flesh and desiring the next thing to engage and tantalize them, or those men and women who lay down their lives as a sacrifice for others? As you dream for your kids teach them how to think critically and pursue growth in their relationship with the Lord. If you sacrifice now, you’ll reap a blessing for the rest of your life; and the world will never be the same.
Not only must we be the dreamers, but we must also teach our kids to be the dreamers for their own generation. These will soon to become the leaders who will soon determine the culture and morals of America. You can help them get a vision of how God could use them to change their generation and make a difference in the world.
Every time we allow our kids to watch, see, feel, touch and embrace this culture, they become a part of a dream belonging to someone else. The fact is, we must either be the dreamers or we will be a part of somebody else’s dream.
Merely giving birth does not make you a parent. Sacrificing while your children are small, laying down your “deserved” freedoms and deeply thinking about how you’re shaping your children will ensure their lifelong freedom from the chains of slavery to our culture. It’s called loving your children.
It’s called being a parent.
By
Ron Luce
Open mouth, Insert Foot
It's the scene of the Transfiguration (Matthew 17), and Peter, so excited about what he has just seen, blurts out, "Lord, it is good for us to be here! If thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah!" (v. 4) Remember? Imagine a 21st Century Peter, scrambling to get one of his biggest faux pas yanked from Youtube!
Well, I'd like to be able to roll my eyes at Peter and say, "Pete, man, I'm embarrassed FOR you, dude!" But whenever I read this passage, my face almost blushes from remembering times when my own mouth has had ample room for both feet...clear up to the knees! There are times when we utter things in haste that are, as Granny used to put it, "like feathers in the wind."
I'm more apt to speak out of turn – or to say things that, even as the words are leaving my mouth, my mind is shouting, "Will you shut up already!" – if I'm nervous, uncomfortable, or trying too hard to make a good impression. We are sometimes so anxious to impress that we make a total train wreck out of our good intentions! There even are some people who I embarrass myself around over and over again! Go figure…
My prayer for today: "Lord, help me to rein in my emotions and also my pride – for when
I'm too self-conscious, I forget to be more conscious of You. Help me to think before I speak, because I’m Your ambassador in a lost world where a disingenuous, religious spirit has left a bad aftertaste. I can either represent You well – or I can drive people even farther away from knowing how wonderful You are – all by the words I let escape from my lips.
You instruct us to be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to wrath. Help the inside of my vessel to be clean and not just the outside, so that when from the abundance of my heart my mouth speaks, my speech doesn't betray me – or You.
by
Lisa Crum
Well, I'd like to be able to roll my eyes at Peter and say, "Pete, man, I'm embarrassed FOR you, dude!" But whenever I read this passage, my face almost blushes from remembering times when my own mouth has had ample room for both feet...clear up to the knees! There are times when we utter things in haste that are, as Granny used to put it, "like feathers in the wind."
I'm more apt to speak out of turn – or to say things that, even as the words are leaving my mouth, my mind is shouting, "Will you shut up already!" – if I'm nervous, uncomfortable, or trying too hard to make a good impression. We are sometimes so anxious to impress that we make a total train wreck out of our good intentions! There even are some people who I embarrass myself around over and over again! Go figure…
My prayer for today: "Lord, help me to rein in my emotions and also my pride – for when
I'm too self-conscious, I forget to be more conscious of You. Help me to think before I speak, because I’m Your ambassador in a lost world where a disingenuous, religious spirit has left a bad aftertaste. I can either represent You well – or I can drive people even farther away from knowing how wonderful You are – all by the words I let escape from my lips.
You instruct us to be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to wrath. Help the inside of my vessel to be clean and not just the outside, so that when from the abundance of my heart my mouth speaks, my speech doesn't betray me – or You.
by
Lisa Crum
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