Monday 30 April 2007
Friday 27 April 2007
Abide Today!
John 15:7
"If you Live in Me [abide vitally united to Me] and My words remain in you and continue to live in your hearts, ask whatever you will and it shall be done for you." AMPL BIBLE
The truth that is alive in your heart is the truth you act on every day.
Truth comes alive in you when you
"If you Live in Me [abide vitally united to Me] and My words remain in you and continue to live in your hearts, ask whatever you will and it shall be done for you." AMPL BIBLE
The truth that is alive in your heart is the truth you act on every day.
Truth comes alive in you when you
- Think about it
- Meditate on it
- Apply it to your life
Abiding is the result of spending so much time in the Word of God and in His presence that His truth governs your actions without even a conscious thought.
Be consistent in the Word day after day, until it becomes engrafted in your heart.
Keep yourself full of the Word. Every minute you invest in the Word of God will yield a harvest - some 30, some 60, and some a hundred fold return. Mark 4:20,24
Thursday 26 April 2007
Wednesday 25 April 2007
The Life I Live and the Choices I Make
Life is basically a series of decisions and choices we make all through our lives. The fact is, we are a result today of our decisions and choices of yesterday and our future lies in the power of our decisions and choices of today.
God gave each of us the independent ability to make them ourselves. No one can ultimately make them for us. We have the sovereign power of choice in our lives.
You chose to eat or not to; you choose to be kind or not to; you choose to be excellent at what you do or to just drift along; you choose to quit or to get up again. You decide if it’s wrong or right; if you can trust or not; to love or not; to serve God or not; to accept Jesus or not; to educate or not; to invest or not; to follow your destiny or stay safe.
Everyday we are faced with these and myriads of decisions and choices. Some are hard, complicated and, can be, stressful. Others again are mundane, tedious, irritating and seemingly unnecessary.
Our typical response is, many times to avoid or to let them pass by and let others take the responsibility for making them-or so we think. Ultimately, the decisions we make have effects and the choices we make have consequences, whether we make them or allow others to make them for us.
What is required to make decisions and choices of quality?
1. We must have a ‘guidance system’ within us. A GPS that sets the course and direction of our hearts for quality and right and justice and mercy etc. this guidance system will be your value system, your directional guide. King Solomon said that the spirit of man is the candle of the Lord. That is where, in our innermost being, we have a sense of the umpire or referee that decides and chooses for us by peace or disturbance. Our value system, or directional guidance system, when based on the Bible, the Word of God, would not allow us to steal or fraud from others. It would guide us to walking in love or to give rather than to withhold when in my power to give.
2. The self-discipline of making the decisions required in any given circumstance. Someone said that the only discipline that lasts is self-discipline. Force yourself to think through every problem or choice facing you. At first it may require tremendous discipline, but in time the skill will be acquired to apply the same in easy and difficult situations. Never leave to others what you know is required of you. Never avoid a decision. Every decision and choice requires a commitment. They never go away. If you don’t take the responsibility, someone else will or something else will.
3.Learn the skill of doing research. Opportunities, good and bad face us every day and many times we are not sure of which way it could go. What the consequences could be. But learning to research and evaluate every opportunity and choice facing you will help you weigh in your own heart the pros and con’s of your decision.
4. Make a decision, settle it with finality and live with consequences. Many today are plagued with the stress of making so many decisions, but many times it is simply a matter of making a firm, single-minded decision. Once we have done all the research we can, decided this choice requires a decision on my behalf ( I cannot delegate it) and have a knowing of what I feel is the ‘right’ thing to do, then proceed with all haste. Make it firm. Don’t compromise. Don’t hesitate. Be confident in your ability to ‘take charge’ of your life. Whatever happens, happens but you have a sense of confidence that based upon your own experience and ability, you have made the right choice.
There is wisdom that has to be applied in many areas of our lives, but that’s another topic. For now moving forward in our lives with confident decisions is a sure way to eliminate stress and live expectantly-that something GOOD can happen to you.
God gave each of us the independent ability to make them ourselves. No one can ultimately make them for us. We have the sovereign power of choice in our lives.
You chose to eat or not to; you choose to be kind or not to; you choose to be excellent at what you do or to just drift along; you choose to quit or to get up again. You decide if it’s wrong or right; if you can trust or not; to love or not; to serve God or not; to accept Jesus or not; to educate or not; to invest or not; to follow your destiny or stay safe.
Everyday we are faced with these and myriads of decisions and choices. Some are hard, complicated and, can be, stressful. Others again are mundane, tedious, irritating and seemingly unnecessary.
Our typical response is, many times to avoid or to let them pass by and let others take the responsibility for making them-or so we think. Ultimately, the decisions we make have effects and the choices we make have consequences, whether we make them or allow others to make them for us.
What is required to make decisions and choices of quality?
1. We must have a ‘guidance system’ within us. A GPS that sets the course and direction of our hearts for quality and right and justice and mercy etc. this guidance system will be your value system, your directional guide. King Solomon said that the spirit of man is the candle of the Lord. That is where, in our innermost being, we have a sense of the umpire or referee that decides and chooses for us by peace or disturbance. Our value system, or directional guidance system, when based on the Bible, the Word of God, would not allow us to steal or fraud from others. It would guide us to walking in love or to give rather than to withhold when in my power to give.
2. The self-discipline of making the decisions required in any given circumstance. Someone said that the only discipline that lasts is self-discipline. Force yourself to think through every problem or choice facing you. At first it may require tremendous discipline, but in time the skill will be acquired to apply the same in easy and difficult situations. Never leave to others what you know is required of you. Never avoid a decision. Every decision and choice requires a commitment. They never go away. If you don’t take the responsibility, someone else will or something else will.
3.Learn the skill of doing research. Opportunities, good and bad face us every day and many times we are not sure of which way it could go. What the consequences could be. But learning to research and evaluate every opportunity and choice facing you will help you weigh in your own heart the pros and con’s of your decision.
4. Make a decision, settle it with finality and live with consequences. Many today are plagued with the stress of making so many decisions, but many times it is simply a matter of making a firm, single-minded decision. Once we have done all the research we can, decided this choice requires a decision on my behalf ( I cannot delegate it) and have a knowing of what I feel is the ‘right’ thing to do, then proceed with all haste. Make it firm. Don’t compromise. Don’t hesitate. Be confident in your ability to ‘take charge’ of your life. Whatever happens, happens but you have a sense of confidence that based upon your own experience and ability, you have made the right choice.
There is wisdom that has to be applied in many areas of our lives, but that’s another topic. For now moving forward in our lives with confident decisions is a sure way to eliminate stress and live expectantly-that something GOOD can happen to you.
Tuesday 24 April 2007
What is your worth?
1 Cor 6:19
"Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?"
This tells me 2 things:
1. When we know that God is in us and with us, then why do we stress about natural needs and difficulties? The God of the universe has taken up residence in you, you do not need to fear-Praise God! He pays His way. And we know that greater is He that is in us, than He that is in the world. (1 Jhn 4:4)
But what we need is to know this. Remind yourself often, that God the Holy Spirit, is in you and will never leave you, nor forsake you.
2. We carry within this weak, earthen vessel of our bodies the Living Spirit of God, therefore we should walk tenderly and sensitively through our journey of life. He is the wonderful comforter, third person of the God-head. He leads and guides us, makes Jesus real to us. We should therefore give Him the recognition and acknowledgement He deserves. We should be aware of our actions and words every day knowing He dwells within us.
"Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?"
This tells me 2 things:
1. When we know that God is in us and with us, then why do we stress about natural needs and difficulties? The God of the universe has taken up residence in you, you do not need to fear-Praise God! He pays His way. And we know that greater is He that is in us, than He that is in the world. (1 Jhn 4:4)
But what we need is to know this. Remind yourself often, that God the Holy Spirit, is in you and will never leave you, nor forsake you.
2. We carry within this weak, earthen vessel of our bodies the Living Spirit of God, therefore we should walk tenderly and sensitively through our journey of life. He is the wonderful comforter, third person of the God-head. He leads and guides us, makes Jesus real to us. We should therefore give Him the recognition and acknowledgement He deserves. We should be aware of our actions and words every day knowing He dwells within us.
Saturday 21 April 2007
A Heavenly Ministry
God has opened doors for us to walk through in 2007 --doors no man can shut. The only thing that can keep us from being in the right place at the right time is our UNwillingness to take our place. I am willing and I trust you are, too! Let's firmly plant ourselves, with Jesus, at the right hand of God and take our authority over the enemy. Jesus is depending on us to fulfill our heavenly ministry!
Wednesday 18 April 2007
Wisdom
A wise servant will rule over a son who causes shame,
And will share an inheritance among the brothers.
Prov 17:2
What does a "son" do that causes shame?
1. Prov 10:5 says that he sleeps in harvest.
He is not diligent to make the most of favourable times, when he should be making the most of his opportunities, whatever they may be, he rather chooses to 'shut down'. Never neglect the opportunities that are afforded you. Be wise.
2. Prov 19:26 says he "mistreats" his father and "chases away" his mother.
Mistreat-It means to ill-treat, mishandle, abuse, ill-use, ill-treat.
God puts great emphasis on the place, authority and respect of fathers. Its not always how perfect or wonderful he is, but purely the fact that he is 'father'. Never let your father (natural, spiritual or mentor) ever lose his place in your life. Mistreat really is the 'way' you handle him, the 'way' you approach him and your attitude toward him.
To "chase away" implies a driving away through intimidation or force.
Mothers are the bond of the family, the atmosphere creators, the tender part of the family, the affection and nest-er. It would mean to despise her that sets the moral tone of the home and your life. To despise her would be to despise your own moral values.
King Solomon stated that a wise bond slave would rule over ( have dominion, govern and reign over) a son who causes shame. Even though the son is the rightful heir to the all, but now he positions himself in a place where the wise govern him.
However, a wise servant...
(Wise:
A primitive root; to be (causeatively make or act) circumspect and hence intelligent: - consider, expert, instruct, prosper, (deal) prudent (-ly), (give) skill (-ful), have good success, teach, (have, make to) understand (-ing), wisdom, (be, behave self, consider, make) wise (-ly), guide wittingly.)
...will take his place and find himself in a place of dominion and rulership and goverment.
You see wisdom is :
And will share an inheritance among the brothers.
Prov 17:2
What does a "son" do that causes shame?
1. Prov 10:5 says that he sleeps in harvest.
He is not diligent to make the most of favourable times, when he should be making the most of his opportunities, whatever they may be, he rather chooses to 'shut down'. Never neglect the opportunities that are afforded you. Be wise.
2. Prov 19:26 says he "mistreats" his father and "chases away" his mother.
Mistreat-It means to ill-treat, mishandle, abuse, ill-use, ill-treat.
God puts great emphasis on the place, authority and respect of fathers. Its not always how perfect or wonderful he is, but purely the fact that he is 'father'. Never let your father (natural, spiritual or mentor) ever lose his place in your life. Mistreat really is the 'way' you handle him, the 'way' you approach him and your attitude toward him.
To "chase away" implies a driving away through intimidation or force.
Mothers are the bond of the family, the atmosphere creators, the tender part of the family, the affection and nest-er. It would mean to despise her that sets the moral tone of the home and your life. To despise her would be to despise your own moral values.
King Solomon stated that a wise bond slave would rule over ( have dominion, govern and reign over) a son who causes shame. Even though the son is the rightful heir to the all, but now he positions himself in a place where the wise govern him.
However, a wise servant...
(Wise:
A primitive root; to be (causeatively make or act) circumspect and hence intelligent: - consider, expert, instruct, prosper, (deal) prudent (-ly), (give) skill (-ful), have good success, teach, (have, make to) understand (-ing), wisdom, (be, behave self, consider, make) wise (-ly), guide wittingly.)
...will take his place and find himself in a place of dominion and rulership and goverment.
You see wisdom is :
- being circumspect
- being considerate
- being expert
- instructed
- prosperous
- prudent
- skillful
- successful
- taught
- and understanding
Even a wise servant-bond slave-who acts wisely, even though he doesn't have a natural place in the inheritance of the son, will take a place in that inheritance because of his wisdom.
...And will share an inheritance among the bothers.
Watch you don't lose what could be yours because you don't handle 'mom' and 'dad' properly.
And be wise, regardles of whether you think you deserve it or not, it will bring into rulership and dominion
Wednesday 11 April 2007
We need to have a real sense of His purpose for our lives. Without it we seem to just wander through life hoping to find some value in what we do. It gives us a "voice" of distinction, a conviction that we live significant lives that influences our world. Take the time to find your purpose in Him. We all have one.
Saturday 7 April 2007
TRUTH
The Jesus who said "You shall know the truth" Himself embodies all that is true. The mark of our own spiritual maturity will always be that divine things become real to us because HE is real to us.
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