The Turtle or The Hare

TOPIC: Temper Temper

SCRIPTURE: "He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city." (Proverbs 16:32)

OBSERVATION: Those who are able to refrain, are the ones with the true strength.

APPLICATION: As I came across this verse, I felt like I was suppose to look up other verses with the same type of focus, and share them with you. I encourage, as you are reading, to ask the Holy Spirit to speak directly to your heart.

"People with good sense restrain their anger; they earn esteem by overlooking wrongs." (Proverbs 19:11)
"Those who control their anger have great understanding; those with a hasty temper will make mistakes." (Proverbs 14:29)
"Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Your anger can never make things right in God's sight." (James 1:19-20)
"A gentle answer turns away wrath, BUT harsh words stir up anger." (Proverbs 15:1)
"Don't be quick-tempered, for anger is the friend of fools." (Eccl.7:9)
"Those who are short-tempered do foolish things, and schemers are hated." (Proverbs 14:17)

What did The Holy Spirit say to you?

Are you quick (like the hare) tempered?

OR

Are you slow (like the turtle) to anger?

If you haven't had the opportunity yet

You NEED to go through a Bible Study entitled

IT CAME FROM WITHIN (By Andy Stanley)

In that study you come across a few things related to this topic

Here's a sample of what you'll discover:

Anger says, "YOU OWE ME"

The antidote for anger is

to exercise = FORGIVENESS

Discussion Questions (From the Session on Anger)

1. When do you find yourself becoming angry? Are there certain situations or certain people who bring out anger in you?

2. How do you deal with anger when it wells up in you?

3. Read Ephesians 4:26. When is anger healthy? When is anger unhealthy?

4. Why is it important to deal with your anger before the sun goes down?

5. Read Ephesians 4:27. What happens when you don't deal with anger?

6. Read Ephesians 4:31-32. How is forgiveness the key to getting rid of anger?

7. What keeps us from forgiving others?

8. How does it change your perspective when you focus on how God has forgiven you?

As a result of this blog have you forgiven anybody and if so when, who & for what did you forgive them for?

PRAYER: Father God, thank you for reminding me of the extreme importance of controlling my emotions

Which Way Do I Go?

TOPIC: Shortcut ?

SCRIPTURE: "There is a way which seems right to a man, BUT its end is the way of death." (Proverbs 14:12)

OBSERVATION: The "path...that seems right" may offer many options and require fewer sacrifices BUT if it is NOT THE RIGHT path you will inevitably lose something.

APPLICATION: Ever taken a short cut, to only live to regret it. I know I have and I'm not just referring to taking the wrong street. In life, we are faced with shortcuts ALL the time. The questions is, is it THE RIGHT path.

The right path often requires:
hard work
&
self-sacrifice.

I came across a short poem that provides a great reminder to us all, it goes like this:

Are you sure that you are right?

How fine and strong?

BUT

Were you ever, just as ever sure, and wrong?

So

make sure

you take

The RIGHT TURN Clyde

PRAYER: Father God, thank you so very much for reminding that I need to think through a decision before I act especially if it look easier.

Seeking?

TOPIC: Wise Counsel

SCRIPTURE: "Where there is no guidance the people fall, BUT in abundance of counselors there is victory." (Proverbs 11:14)

OBSERVATION: Great leaders draw on the wise counsel of others around them.

APPLICATION: As a result of our reading plan taking us through the book of Proverbs, my mind has been continually revisiting a book I read not too long ago, The Best Question Ever. The thing that came to my mind as I read over this verse was not about The Best Question Ever that the book is all about BUT about the 2nd Best Questions Ever that the book touches on.

In order to not leave you hanging I will go ahead and share with you the best question ever in light of the fact that it is so similar to the 2nd best question ever.

The Best Question Ever is = In light of your past experiences, your current responsibilities and your future hopes and dreams, what is the wise thing to do regarding the situation you find yourself in?

The 2nd Best Question Ever is = In light of your past experiences, your current responsibilities and your future hopes and dreams, WHAT DO YOU THINK the wise thing is for me to do regarding the situation I find myself in?

You

YES YOU

Need to give the right people (People who love you BUT don't need you)

an ALL-ACCESS PASS to

EVERY major decision you make.

REMEMBER: The wisest man in the world said more about wise counsel than anyone else in the Scriptures.

1 Decision Away

Yes we are only 1 decision away from sacrificing our integrity, which leads to loss of credibility, which undermines our influence.

So if you haven't been already

Start seeking...

WISE COUNSEL

For more information like this
please purchase and read
The Best Question Ever
(By Andy Stanley)

PRAYER: Father God, thank you for all the times that you have surrounded me with wise counselors please continue to do so and please STOP me in my tracks the moment I begin to disregard them and what they have to say.

The Extreme We Need!!!

TOPIC: Compassion for the Lost

SCRIPTURE: "In the presence of Christ, I speak with utter truthfulness - I do not lie - and my conscience and the Holy Spirit confirm that what I saying is true. My heart is filled with bitter sorrow and unending grief for my people, my Jewish brothers and sisters. I would be willing to be forever cursed - cut off from Christ! - if that would save them." (Romans 9:1-3)

OBSERVATION: In these verses we see deep down inside of the heart of Paul. His love for his people was absolutely amazing.

APPLICATION: I've read these verses many times over the years, and I am always stunned at Paul's words. They cut straight to the heart. So

Let's get right to it:

How TRULY concerned are you about those who don't know Jesus?

Are you REALLY willing to sacrifice everthing to see them come to faith in Jesus?

PROVE IT!

PRAYER: Father God, please break my heart and keep on breaking my heart for those people that do not have a personal relationship with you.

Hint Hint

TOPIC: Can you hear ME?
Can you hear ME now?

SCRIPTURE: "Acquire wisdom! Acquire understanding! The beginning of wisdom is: Acquire wisdom; And with all your acquiring, get understanding." (Proverbs 4:5,7)

OBSERVATION: Here, we see Solomon sharing with us how his father David challenged him to always seek after wisdom. David told Solomon that it was the most important choice he could make. In case Solomon didn't get it the 1st time David repeated himself.

APPLICATION: As I came upon these verses, my mind raced back to 1998. I was teaching through the book of Jonah to a young adult (18-29 yrs. old) class. Specifically, how God had spoken to Jonah and told him to do something, after partially obeying (which is disobedience) he found himself in the midst of some potentially severe consquences. Once he had been heaved out of "Whale University" he seemed to come to his senses long enough for God to speak him again. God being the perfect communicator that He is, told Jonah to go and do what He had already told him to go and do.
The class was over and the next week went as usual. I prepared a new lesson for the next Sunday, however late Saturday night as I was praying I heard the Lord say to me, "All that preparation was for you alone, I want you to teach the same lesson again!" So Sunday came and I shared with the class what I felt the Lord had told me to do, then I taught the same lesson again.
No rave reviews
No standing ovations
No special comments
Nothing
The class was over and the next week went as usual. I prepared a new lesson for the next Sunday, however late Saturday night as I was praying I heard the Lord say to me again. "All that preparation was for you alone, I want you to teach the same lesson again!" Before I could utter a word I heard ,"YES, AGAIN!" At this point, I began to really question God about this, I informed Him of what these people were going to think of me. (Lazy, Incompetent, and Being guilt of beating a dead horse etc)

So Sunday came, I shared with the class what I felt the Lord had told me again and these people that were my friends, that spent lots of time with me, and loved me, began to look at each other and role their eyes. Some even commented outloud infront of everyone, making statements like,
"You have got to be kidding me!"
"Didn't have time this week to prepare a new lesson?"
"Come on, I mean we got it already, you don't have to beat a dead horse!"

After some more comments and snide remarks I said, "Look I understand and agree with you BUT the only thing I can tell is that I know that God spoke to me last night and told me to do this same lesson again. So that's what I am going to do."

So
I taught the lesson again
to the same people
for the 3rd Sunday
IN A ROW

The class came to an end
NO rave reviews
NO standing ovations
NO special comments
NOTHING

I was part of a church that had Sunday morning and Sunday night services. So, Sunday night I am at church again, and as I enter into our Young Adult class I ran into one of our MOST faithful volunteers. She asked me if I had a minute, I said yes, and she began to tell me how she was"Jonah" and how God had told her to do something and as a result of the same lesson being taught 3 times in a row she knew that God was saying in case you didn't hear ME the first, can you hear ME now? To which she said yes, her obedience meant leaving our church and going to be a missionary.

2 Weeks later she was gone

QUESTION:

Have you been hearing anything that sounds like a broken record lately?

You might ought to pay attention

Hint Hint

It might just be God

reminding you

of what He has already told you to do!!!

PRAYER: Father God, thank you for being willing to repeat yourself! Help me to pay attention anytime I hear something twice.

A Tribute (Con't)

Memorial Day

We are forever in debt to the courageous men and women who paid the supreme sacrifice to secure our freedom and make it possible for us to live in peace. As we honor and remember them, we must also remember to live bravely and continue to protect our liberty.

Memorial Day Reflections
Memorial Day is a good time to reflect on the sacrifices and services of the American soldiers and veterans and the U.S. military men and women. The American military is, has always been and will always recruit the best and finest of the crop of young men and women of the country and we will continue to shower them with appreciation, support and prayers, as we have always done. Memorial Day is just an opportunity for us to express the special places they have in the hearts of American citizens and more by honoring the people who work in the various branches of the military. The horrific tragedy of September 11, 2001, has stirred all and reawakened the spirit of patriotism in all hearts and unity and oneness binds all Americans in a special bond. The words 'United We Stand' and 'God Bless America' still hold the power to stir out hearts on this very special day. Let the feelings of true patriotism and love for all those who have risked their lives for the sake of America show by putting up American flags in front of your houses, have parties with patriotic themes to honor military and ex-military men and women in your neighborhood and community. It is a good idea to coax them into telling more about their experiences with the military and on the warfront and you may get an opportunity to hear some exceptional real tales that you may have not even imagined about.

Memorial Day Poem
By: C W Johnson
We walked among the crossesWhere our fallen soldiers lay.And listened to the bugleAs TAPS began to play.The Chaplin led a prayerWe stood with heads bowed low.And I thought of fallen comradesI had known so long ago.They came from every cityAcross this fertile land.That we might live in freedom.They lie here 'neath the sand.I felt a little guiltyMy sacrifice was small.I only lost a little timeBut these men lost their all.Now the services are overFor this Memorial Day.To the names upon these crossesI just want to say,Thanks for what you've givenNo one could ask for more.May you rest with God in heavenFrom now through evermore.

For more detailed information visit http://www.thememorialdaytribute.com/

A Tribute

Memorial Day

Memorial Day is yet another day to remember the brave American soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the USA, their homeland and its citizens. The three-day weekend is a solemn occasion to commemorate their bravery.

Honoring The Dead Of Unknown
As Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. said in his Memorial Day address in 1884 at Keene, Memorial Day 'celebrates and solemnly reaffirms from year to year a national act of enthusiasm and faith.' With changing times, Memorial Day is more celebrated as a holiday than the glum occasion it was meant for. We must remember that the day means to honor of America's defense personnel who lost their lives in various wars. Though, people used to honor the graves of the war dead even before the Civil War, the National Memorial Day holiday, originally known as 'Decoration Day' was first observed on May 30, 1868.The concept originated in the mind of General John Alexander Logan, who dedicated this day to decorate the graves of the American Civil War dead. Later, it encompassed all those who sacrificed their lives for their nation, from the Revolutionary War to the present. May 30th every year was celebrated as the Memorial Day until 1971. Later, the federal government issued the orders of holding the Memorial Day on the last Monday of May. Alabama celebrates Confederate Memorial Day on the fourth Monday in April while the states of Mississippi and Georgia celebrate it on the last Monday of April. Seeing the Memorial Day losing its importance in the minds of younger generations, the concept of the National Moment of Remembrance was hatched by a national humanitarian organizations known as the 'No Greater Love, based in Washington, D.C. It was introduced in 1997 and is recognized by the President and Members of Congress. Since then, 'Taps' is at 3 p.m. throughout America to honor the contributions of our dead soldiers. All Americans are encouraged to pay respect to them by keeping silent for one minute in their memory at 3:00 p.m.

Freedom Is Not Free
By- Kelly Strong
I watched the flag pass by one day. It fluttered in the breeze. A young Marine saluted it, and then he stood at ease. I looked at him in uniform So young, so tall, so proud, He'd stand out in any crowd. I thought how many men like him Had fallen through the years. How many died on foreign soil?How many mothers' tears? How many pilots' planes shot down? How many died at sea? How many foxholes were soldiers' graves? No, freedom isn't free. I heard the sound of TAPS one night, When everything was stillI listened to the bugler play. And felt a sudden chill. I wondered just how many times That TAPS had meant "Amen," When a flag had draped a coffin Of a brother or a friend. I thought of all the children, Of the mothers and the wives, Of fathers, sons and husbands. With interrupted lives. I thought about a graveyard. At the bottom of the sea. Of unmarked graves in Arlington. No, freedom isn't free.

For a more in depth tribute visit www.thememorialdaytribute.com

Prayer: Father God, thank you for all the men and women that have sacrificed their lives for my freedom. PLEASE Lord help me to NOT take it for granted, help me to live this life of freedom to the fullest!

30 Hour Famine (con't)

Day 2

Today was a challenging but great day!

We were able to mulch the entire playground
and several other small projects

The teens seemed to have a great time

Thanks for all your support

As a result of your support the teens were able to raise $4,000 for World Vision.

Praise The Lord

30 Hour Famine

Our Teens are involved in a 30 Hour Famine

What is the 30 Hour Famine?

The 30 Hour Famine puts hands and feet to your desire to help students live a life of Christian compassion.

It will unite youth group members like never before. And the impact will last long after the Famine event is over. It can be the spark that fires up a person for a lifetime of reaching out to neighbors in need, whether they're across the street - or around the globe.

be seen. be heard. BE HUNGRY

Kids just like you are seeing their friends and families die from hunger -

29,000

every day,

gone for good.

They're counting on you to care.

Do you care?

I know your own life is busy, but do you have room to care for someone else as well?

If so, you should get involved.

Be Seen.

Be heard.

BE HUNGRY!

What does it take to help a hungry child?

Only $30 a month, just $1 a day, will help feed and care for a child. You can start by asking twelve people they know to donate $30 - that's one person for each month of the year. When you've done that, you will have raised $360, enough money to help feed and provide necessary care to a child for a whole year.

Consider getting involved

For more information like this visit www.30hourfamine.org

Thank God for'em!

TOPIC: Consequences

SCRIPTURE: "If a man sins against his neighbor and is made to take an oath, and he comes and takes an oath before Your altar in this house, then hear in heaven and act and judge Your servants, condemning the wicked by bringing his way on his own head..." (I Kings 8:31-32)

OBSERVATION: This verse is pulled from Solomon's prayer of dedication. As we read over this passage, we come across this verse in which Solomon basically says, God, if someone has done wrong may they suffer the consequences.

APPLICATION: When I got to this passage and read over this verse, I heard a voice in my mind say, Thank God for Consequences! As I stopped reading for a few minutes, I went down memory lane, and thought through several decisions I had made and realized that if there had NOT been consequences for my actions I would probably STILL be making those same harmful decisions today. At that point I just started thanking God for consequences, because He knows me better than anyone and He knows that (though I am sad to say) without them I probably would never have learned my lesson.

Have you learned your lesson?

Are you still making harmful decisions?

That you KNOW
have negative consequences
attached to them

Then I pray as I friend of mine prayed for me
I pray that your consequences with become
more
and more
severe

UNTIL

U

Learn your lesson

The apostle Paul had a similar idea in I Cor.5:5 where he said, "I have decided to deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of his flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus."

Can I let you in on a little secret
U
REALLY
DON"T
WANT
2
GO
THAT
ROUTE


TRUST ME

Start TODAY making the right choices

OR ELSE

Get ready

Because 'them consequences' are a comin' !!!


PRAYER: Father God, thank you for consequences. Both the good and the bad. Help me and all who read this to start making the right choice.

What new thing are you doing???

TOPIC: A Call To Action

SCRIPTURE: "O sing to the LORD a new song..." (Ps.98:1a)

OBSERVATION: The theme of this psalm is a song of joy and victory. Because God is victorious over all and all those who follow Him will be victorious with Him

APPLICATION: As I was reading today I couldn't help but use this verse for my blog. Because as I was driving into work this morning, I heard a new song on the radio that so impacted me, that I took a quote from the song and placed it on the wall in my office.

When I heard this new song "God of This City" by Chris Tomlin I couldn't help but think about a quote I heard from John Maxwell.

I once heard John Maxwell say, that as a young leader he wanted to make a difference, but he soon discovered that not everyone wanted to make a difference. So he added this to his statement, 'I want to make a difference with people who want to make a difference'. As he got older he continued to add to this statement. At 60 his statement is...
"I want to make a difference with people who want to make a difference doing something that will make a difference in the time that will make the most difference."

If you want to make a difference
if you want to do something new
then keep reading

Here's a sample of the lyrics of the new song that I heard this morning

You're the God of this city
You're the King of this people
You're the Lord of this nation
You Are
You're the light in this darkness
You're the hope to the hopeless
You're the peace to the restless
You Are
There is no one like our God
There is no one like our God
For greater things have
yet to come
And greater things are
still to be done
in this city

If you want to make a difference
if you want to do something new
then push play
and get ready
to be moved to action!



A great quote that I recently came across says, "To reach people no one else is reaching we must do things no one else is doing."

What new thing are you going to do?

If you're ready to do something for God, but don't know where to start, let me know. I'd love to help you begin the process!

PRAYER: Father God, help me to live each day to the fullest . Help me to keep dreaming BIG and doing new things and not give up until it is accomplished for your honor and glory.

Excuses Excuses: Not This Time!

TOPIC: The True Knowledge of God

SCRIPTURE: "For the truth about God is known to them instinctively. God has put this knowledge in their hearts. From the time the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky and all that God made. They can cleary see his invisible qualities - his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse whatsoever for not knowing God." (Rom.1:19-20)

OBSERVATION: All people have an inner sense of what God requires. God has revealed himself plainly in creation to all people. Thus, everyone is absolutely, completely and totally, without excuse. To put it plain creation demands that there is a Creator and we are responsible to Him.

APPLICATION: As I was reading today Romans 1:19-20 caused me to stop and think about several friends of mine.

A question I've heard them ask is:

How can a loving God send anyone to hell, especially if they've never heard the name of Jesus?

My friends that asked that question really didn't want an answer, they just wanted to make excuses. They ultimately were NOT interested in being held accountable for any of their actions.

In once heard a preacher answer the previous question. Here is what he said: "If people are not interested in the FACT of God, then they're not going to be interested in the way to him."


So

Does anyone really have an excuse for not believing in God?

These 2 verses shout out an empatic NO.

From these verses we've discovered that creation clearly reveals to us that there is a Creator and that we are responsible to Him.

In the same way
A piece of art demands that there is an Artist
A letter demands that there is an Author
A house demands that there is a Builder
A cake demands that there is a Baker
A dress demands that there is a Designer

Creation DEMANDS
not just a
but
THE CREATOR

And if He created everything
And He did
then
that means
HE created us
which means
He knows best
&
We are accountable to HIM

&

That includes you

SO PLEASE

SUBMIT YOURSELF
2
Your
Creator

His Name is Jesus

He knows
and loves you
and desires
a personal relationship with you

Except His invitation
TODAY
(If you do I'd love to hear about it.)

PRAYER: Father God, thank you that you continue to have mercy on my friends. I ask that you will allow the Holy Spirit to draw them in again. Please use whatever mean necessary to get their attention. I thank you that you are a God of second chances and third and fourth and ... thank you!

"Shut Eye"

TOPIC: Self Control

SCRIPTURE: "I will set no worthless thing before my eyes;" (Ps.101:3a)

OBSERVATION: David knew that there were prerequistes to living a blameless life. Although there are things we must do, in this Psalm we discover what we should avoid. They are:
#1.) Avoid looking at worthless things
#2.) Avoid evil thoughts
#3.) Avoid slander
#4.) Avoid pride

APPLICATION: As I was reading today I came across one of David's statements and it sent me on a word search throughout the scriptures. David said, that he would "set no worthless thing before his eyes"

In my search I discovered that Job made a similar statement, he said that he had made a covenant with his eyes not to do certain things... (Job 31:1)

I don't know about you, but I believe I need to renew that convenant everyday. (I'm not just referring to 1 particular temptation here either)

I continued my search, & here are some of my findings...

I came across some verses that dealt with what happens when we choose to follow David's and Job's example to set no worthless thing before our eyes.

Luke 11:34a says, "Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are good, your whole body also is full of light."

Ps.19:8 says, "The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes (when obeyed)"

A few years ago I was in a foreign country, while there, I encountered a demon possessed teenager at church service. God set her free within minutes and these two verses became more real to me than ever because what was once a face of darkness became before my very eyes a face a radiating light!!!

It was truly a sight to behold.

I also came across some verses that dealt with what happens when we choose to NOT to follow David's and Job's example and we set worthless things before our eyes. Here's an example of one:

Luke 11:34b says,"when your eyes are bad, your body also is full of darkness.

Eccl.1:8 goes on to say, "All things are wearisome, more than one can say. The eye never has enough of seeing..."

Been there more times than I care to mention!!!

At times like these I need to practice a little more "shut eye"

What about you?

Although these next verses do not include a reference to our eyes we know that our eyes are majorly involved in this process. (This does not imply in any way that blind people do not go through this process, because they do.)

James 1:14-15 says, "...each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it bring forth death."

Matt.5:29 says, "If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell."

In light of these verses we might ought to take these next challenges a little more seriously

"Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you." (Prov.4:25)

"My son, give me your heart and let your eyes keep to my ways." (Prov.23:26)

LAST BUT DEFINITLY NOT LEAST

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith,(Heb.12:2)

PRAYER: Father God, help me to daily exercise a lot more shut eye, knowing that it can lead to...death, if not stopped.

ik sepsh’n?

TOPIC: Obedience

SCRIPTURE: "Now Solomon loved the LORD, walking in the statues of his father David, except he sacrificed and burned incense on the high places."
(I Kings 3:3)

OBSERVATION: To understand the importance of Solomon's actions, you must first understand Deuteronomy 12:13-14. In this passage, God gives specifications to the Israelites for how they were to make sacrifices to the HIM. Specifically, they were to only worship HIM in certain areas. This accountability, was designed to keep the people from setting up their own places and methods of worship: Solomon's sacrifice was outside of these guidelines.

APPLICATION: As I was reading this afternoon, once again, one word stuck out above the rest. I encountered it as I read this verse, "Now Solomon loved the LORD, walking in the statues of his father David, except..."

The Core meaning of the word except: a grammatical word indicating the only person or thing that does not apply to a statement just made, or a fact that modifies the truth of that statement

Exception = somebody or something that is not included in or does not fit into a general rule, pattern, or judgment

Have you ever felt, that you, were
the exception to the rule?
Solomon evidently did

Well

Let me let you in on a little secret

When it comes to God's Way:

You need to realize

#1.) You are NOT free
#2.) You are NOT released
#3.) You are NOT excluded
&
#4.) You do NOT have immunity (At "Tribal" Counsel)

GOD HAS SPOKEN

&

YES

That includes you

So remember

You're NOT the exception!
(& probably never will be)

Therefore

You'd better be planning on

Obeying


PRAYER: Father God, help me to remember that when YOU tell me to do something, that settles it, period.

Broken Yours?

TOPIC: TRUST

SCRIPTURE:"Did I not make you swear by the LORD and solemnly warn you, saying, 'You will know for certain that on the day you depart and go anywhere, you shall surely die'?" (I Kings 2:42)

OBSERVATION: Shimei gave his word to King Solomon however 3 years later circumstances arose in Shimei life that he considered to be an exception to the rule. Thus through his actions he broke his word to King Solomon resulting in his death

APPLICATION: The Bible says let your YES be YES and your NO be NO
When you give your word you swear to your own hurt.

Have you told someone that you would do something?
As we see from this passage
TIME
Does NOT change the fact that you gave your word

So

Have you broken yours lately?

You may still have time to make it right


Let the person know

Apologize

Do what needs to be done to make it right

Starting Today

PRAYER: Father God, help me to simply keep my word every time.

IF Then

TOPIC: Personal Responsibility

SCRIPTURE: "I will establish his kingdom forever IF he resolutely performs My commandments and My ordinances... ( I Chron.28:7)

OBSERVATION: We see David as he is addressing his people recounting to them the time in which God spoke to him concerning his son Solomon and how he was going to be King and what He would do for him if...

APPLICATION: As I was doing my reading today one little word seemed to just stop me in my tracks. It's a word that I seem to use a lot these days as a Dad of 3 little girls...IF...

The core meaning of the word IF = is a conjunction used to indicate the circumstances that would have to exist in order for an event to happen

My girls have come to know this word very well
NOT only are they familiar with the word
BUT
They have come to know to TRUE meaning of it


Have you?



Let's take a trip together

D
O
W
N

IF Lane

You're Going to Be Amazed at What You See

Stipulations
Conditions
Riders
Clauses
Requirements
Prerequisites
Terms
Preconditions
Restrictions
Demands
Specifications
Obligations
Necessities

Did it ever occur to you
that soooooo much
comes with this
little two letter word?


Has God recently said to you,
"I will IF you...
"If you do this then..."


If He hasn't, He soon will

SO GET READY

Personal Responsibility IS Coming

So

Take it!!!

PRAYER: Father God, thanks for reminding me that BIG things sometimes come in small packages. Help me to never forget the importance of this two letter word as it relates to my personal responsibility.

All Ears?

TOPIC: Understanding

SCRIPTURE: "Also Jonathan, David's uncle, was a counselor, a man of understanding, and a scribe;..." (I Chronciles 27:32)

OBSERVATION: As you come to the end of Chapter 27 you come across a list of David's Officials, included in that list is one of David's relatives, his uncle Jonathan. From this passage we discover several things about him:

#1.) He was one of David's Officials
#2.) He was David's Uncle
#3.) He was a counselor
#4.) He was a man of understanding
#5.) He was a scribe

APPLICATION: In my reading today, the phrase that grabbed my attention was, he was "a man of understanding". As I read that, my mind when straight to an earlier reading about "the sons of Issachar, men who understood their times, with knowledge of what Israel should do..." (I Chron.12:32) Their knowledge and judgement provided the much needed help in making decisions for their nation.

Understanding Has Prerequisites :

I'll just touch on one = Listening

To Listen = means to hear with understanding

We all exercise selective hearing at times
BUT
To be a person of understanding
We'll have to fight against that temptation

I don't know about you
but for me
Being understood is important

I heard a great statement once that says,
"I know what I am saying,
BUT I don't know what you are hearing.'


Ever been misunderstood?

Maybe it's because you didn't take time
to fully engage your listening skills

To understand = means to know or be able to explain to yourself the nature of somebody or something, or the meaning or cause of something, to recognize somebody's character or somebody's situation, especially in a sympathetic, tolerant, or empathetic way

If you have not done the difficult work of listening &
gathering as much information as you possibly can

You will not be able to accurately :
Realize what's really going on with...
Be aware of...

Grasp the importace of ...


Take everything in regarding...
Recognize the real meaning of...


Read between the lines of...

Empathize with...
Get the complete picture of...

Absorb all the details related to...

Figure out...
Catch on to...

Get the real message behind...

See all sides of...
Track the direction of...


&


One day

You may be placed like Jonathan in a position of influence

AND IF

You are not all ears

You will NOT be able to accurately,
comprehend the times like the men of Issachar

Remember
Your insight
just might
change the course
of someone's
eternity

Comprendo?



PRAYER: Father God, help me to do what I need to do, to become and remain a man of understanding

Passing It On ~

TOPIC: Preparing

SCRIPTURE: " Now behold, with great pains I have prepared for the house of the LORD..." (I Chron.22:14)

OBSERVATION: We see in this chapter, God telling David, that his son Solomon would be the one building His Temple. Instead of rebelling, David goes to great lengths to prepare for the next generation leader to lead. We see that David used all of his resources and authority to make ample preparations for Solomon to take over.

APPLICATION: As I read today the statements that David made really impacted me, he said, "With great pains I have made ample preparations for the house of the LORD before my death, and now, you (Solomon) may add to it."


Since we do not know the day of our death
We might ought take on and actually live out
The motto "Carpe Diem"
Which simply means = SEIZE (or Harvest) THE DAY


I read a great quote once that says,
"When opportunity comes
it is too late to prepare!"


So


R U preparing NOW?


If so how?


I once read in a leadership book this statement: "Learning to effectively hand off leadership to the next generation is vital to the longevity of any organization, especially the church."



Another quote that really impacted me, states,
"What I am to be,
I am right now becoming."



So



I have a question



Are you in the process RIGHT NOW
of passing the baton to your "Solomon"?



If so how?



If not, start now!

Because
you will NEVER change
UNTIL
you change something you do
DAILY


Take a Step

Every single day

Like a relay runner, learn to pass on the baton

David did it

&

So can you



2 Tim.2:5 says, "if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not win the prize unless he competes according to the rules."

We're not going to win the race

until
YOU

Pass it on~

PRAYER: Father God, help me, please help me, to learn to and actually pass on the baton to the "Solomon's" you bring into my life!

Been "Moved" Lately?

TOPIC: Temptation

SCRIPTURE: "Then Satan stood up against Israel and moved David to number Israel." (I Chronciles 21:1)

OBSERVATION: The verse says, Satan moved or caused (Tempted) David to do this, however, when you take scripture in light of other scripture, you discover that Satan only tempts. In this case, he tempted David, and David made a choice to act on this temptation and the sin of 1 impacted MANY!!! We also see in this story, the door of escape for David, through Joab's questions. (Accountability)
NOTE: It was NOT a sin in itself for David to call for a Census. It was his motives that were the problem.

APPLICATION: As I was reading today the phrase that jumped off the page at me was "and Satan moved (tempted) David."

We are all tempted
Every
Single
Day

And the good new is that God provides a way of escape
Every
Single
Time

I Cor. 10:13 says, "No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, BUT with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it."

From this story we learn that an action that may not be wrong in itself can be sinful IF it is fueled by greed, arrogance, or selfishness. Often our motives, not the action itself, contain the sin. Thus, we must continually allow the Holy Spirit to search us and reveal to us our TRUE motives.

So

Been so "moved" lately?
If so,
Did you notice your "Joab" trying to get your attention?

Pay attention when temptation comes
The way of escape will ALWAYS be there
AND it will be clear to you
IF
YOU are paying attention

And Remember even though our God is gracious, merciful, full of compassion, and unconditional in His love for us...

KNOW THIS

There are REAL CONSEQUENCES for sinning

&

Your choice to give in may NEGATIVELY IMPACT MANY

SO

PLEASE

PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR "JOAB"

PRAYER: Father God, thank you once again for giving me the opportunity to learn from someone else's mistake. Since I am going to be tempted every day help me to pay attention and always be on the lookout for the door of escape.

Are others certain of yours?

TOPIC: Personal Conviction

SCRIPTURE: "for our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake." (I Thess.1:5)

OBSERVATION: The Good News of Jesus Christ was preached to the Thessalonians through Paul, Silvanus and Timothy.
Their sharing was:
#1.) In word
#2.) In Power
#3.) In the Holy Spirit
&
#4.) With FULL Conviction



APPLICATION: The part that jumped out at me today as I read was the phrase "with full conviction."

Full = holding as much or as many as is possible; being at the highest degree or largest extent; affected by strong deep emotion; to the greatest or complete extent
Filled / Complete / Jam-packed / Chock-full/ Packed

Conviction = a belief or opinion that is held firmly
Assurance/ Certainty/ Sincerity/ Passion/ Fervor/ Confidence

What has God's power done in your life since you first believed?

Has your life truly changed on the inside?

Because if His power hasn't changed your life then if and when you share the good news with someone it will not be with FULL Conviction. You'll have a tendency to come across like a cheap car salesman that's only interested in trying to close the deal.

Does your life confirm or contradict what you say you believe?

Are you FULL of PASSION?

When I hear the word passion my mind goes straight to the movie Braveheart.

Would you place yourself in the same category as William Wallace?

"FREEDOM" = He was ABSOLUTELY committed to freedom

Are you just as committed to Jesus as William Wallace was to Freedom?

PRAYER: Father God, help me to live out the rest of my days as passionately as I possibly can for your honor and glory!!!

Making More?

TOPIC: Discipleship

SCRIPTURE: "And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, 'All authority has been given to Me in heaven and earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.' " (Matthew 28:18-20)

OBSERVATION: Jesus left his disciples with these instructions:
#1.) They were still under His authority and would remain that way
#2.) They were to go and make more disciples
#3.) They were to baptize them in the name of the Father, Son & Holy Spirit
#4.) They were to teach them to obey Jesus
#5.) They were to do this throughout the entire world
#6.) They were to do this with the awareness that He was with them always

APPLICATION: The part that jumped out at me today was Jesus' specific instruction to go and
make more disciples.
Disciple = somebody who believes in and follows the teachings of a leader

So

Are you making more disciples?

Are people believing in Jesus as a result of your efforts?
Are these same people beginning to obey Jesus?

A true disciple will turn around and
make more disciples
So, are they?

There's a quote I read that I've never forgotten,
it reads:
"You cannot evaluate what you cannot measure."

Our Measuring Stick: What Jesus did with his disciples

He had disciples, he knew their names, he spent time with them, and his disciples went out and made more disciples.

What are the names of your disciples?
Are you spending time with them?
Are your disciples making more disciples?

Final Question:
Are you making out of your disciples
what Jesus made out of His?

PRAYER: Father God, help me to fulfill the great commission in the same way and for the same reason that Jesus did.

Start Counting!

TOPIC: Thankfulness

SCRIPTURE: "I will render thank offerings to You." (Psalm 56:12)

OBSERVATION: The theme of this psalm of David deals with trusting in God's care in the midst of fear. When all seems dark, and our enemies are pressing in, one truth remains: When God is for us, who can be against us!!! David says, "I will offer thanksgiving to God because HE rescued him from death."

APPLICATION: No matter where we are, no matter how difficult things may be, there will ALWAYS be something to be thankful for.
Are you in a difficult spot? Do feel like you are between a rock and a hard place?

If so, then starting thanking God

A Song I sang when I was a child comes to mind:
Th chorus goes something like this...
Count your many blessings
Name them one by one
And it will surprise you
What the Lord hath done
Count your many blessings
See what God has done
Count your many blessing
Name them one by one
Count your many blessings
See what God hath done

Remember thankfulness is a choice
And as children of the KING
We have EVERY reason to be thankful

PRAYER: Father God, help me to be forever thankful for what you have done for me. Help me to take time out of each day to count my MANY MANY MANY blessings. Thank you Lord for you are good all the time!

BUT - The All Important Contrast Word

TOPIC: Discipline

SCRIPTURE: "Keep watching and praying that you may NOT enter into temptation; the spirit is willing BUT the flesh is weak."

OBSERVATION: Jesus reveals to us that one of the best ways to overcome temptation is by keeping alert and praying. Keeping alert means being aware of your surroundings. Temptations come normally at our point of weakness, thus, we need prayer to strengthen our defenses.

APPLICATION: Jesus said to Peter "BUT the flesh is weak."
Since we know, that that applies to us as well, we ought to go the extra mile when it comes to discipline.

We need to follow Paul's examples: (Physically & Spiritually)
"I discipline my body and make it my slave...(ICor.9:27) for though the spirit is willing, the flesh is weak.

So, don't forget to discipline yourselves physically, IT IS IMPORTANT!

&

Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness...for it is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.(I Tim.4:7-8)

Whereas physcial discipline only profits alittle, godliness will endure forever.


DON'T FORGET

God HAS given us a spirit of DISCIPLINE (2 Tim.1:7)

So we all have it.

The question is, are we submitting to it and walking in it?

We are all without excuse when it comes to disicpline

PRAYER: Father God, help me to be a man that is truly disciplined both physically and spiritually

Don't Hold It In

TOPIC: Confession

SCRIPTURE: "When I keep silent about my sin, my body wasted away Through my groaning all day long. For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; My vitality was drained away as with the fever heat of summer. I acknowledged my sin to You, and my iniquity I did not hide; I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD"; And You forgave the guilt of my sin." (Psalm 32:3-6)

OBSERVATION: The theme of this psalm written by King David reveals the joy that comes as a result of confession which lead to forgivness. True happiness and relief from the guilt of sin comes only as a result of asking God to forgive our sins.

APPLICATION: What is confession? To confess our sin is to agree with God, acknowledging that He is right to declare what we have done as sinful and that we are wrong to desire or to do it. It is to affirm our intention of forsaking that sin in order to follow him more faithfully.

So

Have you confessed ?

Have you confessed to the right person?

Have you confessed fully?

If so, isn't it wonderful to be free

Free from the

GUILT

Free from the

SHAME

IF NOT
Then start right now

Confess...Don't hold it in...It will only make things worse!!!

Imagine Being Free

It starts with Confession

So get to it

Right NOW!

PRAYER: Father God, please give me a super sensitivity to sin. Help me to keep short sin accounts. Help me to be completely honest with myself and ultimately with you. Help me also to be transparent with my accountability partners.

DRIVE 08

Due to the fact that I was in Atlanta GA at North Point Community Church's Drive Conference (A Conference for Pastor's) I was unable to complete my blog in time to post it today.

Sorry,
Joey

Being NOT Appearing

TOPIC: Holiness

SCRIPTURE: "But they do all their deeds to be noticed by men; for they broaden their phylacteries and lengthen the tassels of their garments. The love the place of honor at banquets and the chief seats in the synagogues, and respectful greetings in the market place and being called Rabbi by men."

OBSERVATION: Jesus, the master of revealing the true condition of your heart, exposes the religious leaders for who they really are, on the inside.
They cared about looking Holy, they wanted to put on a good front, because appearance was everything to them.

APPLICATION: As we learn information about Jesus and what it means to be a follower of his, we need to make sure that it is actually producing life-change on the inside.

Being holy trumps appearing holy anyday.
Be holy as I am holy says the Lord

David asked God to create IN him a clean heart
renew a steadfast spirit WITHIN him

Because BEING is and for ever will be more important than appearing

PRAYER: Father God, may I continually allow you to search my heart and see if there is any wicked way in me. Help me to be FAR MORE CONCERNED about BEING than appearing. Knowing that you see the hidden things.

NOT mine BUT THINE

TOPIC: Trust

SCRIPTURE:"May the LORD do what is good in His sight." (II Sam.10:12)


OBSERVATION: Joab was going into a battle against Ammon that at first appeared was going to be an up hill fight all the way. Joab challenged his men to "be strong and courageous" in the face of an army that had surrounded them.

APPLICATION: As I read over this passage the phrase that jumped out at me was Joab's statement, "and may the LORD do what is good in His sight." There must be a balance in our lives between our actions and our faith in God. Joab said, 'hey guys, lets fight with courage,' but he turns right around and basically says 'not our will but yours be done O LORD!'

He ultimately TRUSTED in God knowing that the outcome was in his hands.

Are you facing a challenge?

If so, I have a question for you:

Do you love God?


If so

Remember

Paul tells us that...

LOVE

ALWAYS

TRUSTS

(I Cor.13)

Remember that challenge your are facing

You are going to have to make a choice

Is God trustworthy or not?

PRAYER: Father God, thank you for your word. Thank you for reminding me that IF I love you that means that I trust you too. Help me to always make the choice to TRUST you.

A Eureka Moment

TOPIC: Discovery

SCRIPTURE: "When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard His parable, they understood that He speaking about them."
(Matthew 21:45)

OBSERVATION: Jesus was speaking to the chief priests and the Pharisees in parables. The first was the parable of the two sons and then the parable of the landowner. The main elements in the parable of the landowner are: the landowner is God, the vineyard is Israel, the tenant farmers are the Jewish religious leaders, the servants are the prophets and priest of old, the son is Jesus and the other tenants are the Gentiles. Jesus used this parable to expose the religious leader true motives.

APPLICATION: As I read through this passage the thing that jumped out at me was the phrase, "and
they understood that Jesus was referring to them".
Do you remember the last time that it dawned on you that, "Hey, God is actually speaking to me!"?

How did you respond?

Are you there now?

What is He saying to you?

Will you respond like the Pharisees?

OR

Will you humble yourself and repent?

The choice is yours

I hope you make the wise choice.

PRAYER: Father God, help me to always accept your corrective hand. Help me to always humble myself and maintain a repentant heart before you all the days of my life.

Much Is Required!

TOPIC: Responsibility

SCRIPTURE: " And two blind men sitting by the road, hearing that Jesus was passing by, cried out, "Lord, have mercy on us, Son of Daivd!" The crowd sternly told them to be quiet, but they cried out all the more, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!" And Jesus stopped and called them, and said, "What do you want Me to do for you? They said to Him, "Lord, we want our eyes to be opened." Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes; they regained their sight and followed Him."
(Matthew 20:29-34)

OBSERVATION: The blind men called Jesus "Son of David". The Jews knew that the Messiah would come from the line of David. Unlike the Pharisees, these two men could easily see that Jesus was the Messiah.
Inspite of the entire crowd telling them to be quiet, they continued to cry out to Jesus, because they wanted to see. Once they received their sight they followed him.

APPLICATION: I once heard a funny but sad quote it goes like this: "The problem with Amercians is that no one wants to take responsibility for anything, but don't quote me on that."

The thing that jumped off the page to me was that the blind men, right after they were healed, "followed Jesus". What you have to remember, is that, these men entered all whole new world, a whole new way of life. Ultimately, a life full of new responsibilities. Whereas while they were blind, other people took care of them. Now, that they can see, they will be required to take care of themselves.

This week a friend of mine reminded me

To whom

much is given

MUCH IS REQUIRED!


How much have you been given?


PRAYER: Father God, help me to remember that you have given and given and given and given SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much to me. Help me to step up and take responsibility each and every day of my life.

Speak Up

TOPIC: Testifying


SCRIPTURE: "Oh give thanks to the LORD, call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the people. Sing to Him, sing praises to Him; Speak of all His wonders." (I Chron.16:8-9)


OBSERVATION: David expresses his thanksfullness to the Lord through this song. We see several key elements of true thanksgiving in this song, one in particular jumped out at me and that one deals with telling others about God's wonderful works.


APPLICATION: Sharing with others what God has and is doing in and through you is so very important. Rev.12:11 says, "And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony and they did not love their life even when faced with death."

We so quickly forget what God has done. We see that this problem has been around for along time. Ps.106:13 says, "They quickly forgot His works; Verses 21-22 go on to say, "They forgot God their Savior, Who had done great things in Egypt, Wonders in the land of Ham And awesome things by the Red Sea."

Take time to recount all of the wonderful things that our God has done. I strongly encourage you to actually sit down with a pen and paper and write out each and every thing that you can remember. Because like the children of Israel we to are prone to forget. There's a Chinese proverb that says, "The palest ink is sharper than the keenest memory." So, write it down, it will help you to remember better. That way, when the time comes, for you to share with others what God has done for you, it will be easier to recall each and every detail.

PRAYER: Father God, help me to take advantage of every opportunity you give me to share with others about you and your marvelous works.

Have You Realized It?

TOPIC: Others 1st

SCRIPTURE: "And David realized that the LORD had established him as king over Israel, and that his kingdom was highly exalted, for the sake of His people Israel."
(I Chron.14:2)

OBSERVATION: We see that David comes to the realization that the LORD has been behind the scenes setting everything up. Establishing him as King and even highly exalting his kingdom. Why? The Bible says that the LORD did this "for the sake of HIS chosen people Israel."

APPLICATION: Look around! Where are you? Or better yet, whose around you. Realize this, that with God, there are NO coincidences. People have been strategically positioned where they are for a reason. As a child of the KING, you have an awesome privilege, and even greater responsibility to leverage your position, for the sake of others.

So, are you?

If so, are you doing everything you possibly can?

If not, start today.


Remember

TODAY

MATTERS!


And it matters what you do

So make the choice

Make a difference in someone else's life today!

"And remember the words of our Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive'." (Acts 20:35)

PRAYER: Father God, Thank you for the position you've given me. Help me to leverage it, with every fiber of my being, for the sake of others.