Never Give Up!

My 9 yr old daughter is starting to write short messages about things she is learning in life and how the Bible applies to her life.  I wanted to share one of them with you that will encourage you...(not sure why the white area is still in view, so please forgive the 'look')

Lots of people - I mean lots of people - give up on things like running, or playing baseball, or basketball because they think it's too hard. But with God you can do anything. Read Philippians 4:13;  it says "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me". How many things?  ALL things - not just some things, ALL things.

Do you think when you're in the middle of running a marathon and you give up you are going to come in 1st  place? No you're not - because you gave up. Do you think when your baseball team is losing a game 16 to 5 and you give up you can win? No - because you gave up.  Do you think that when you're playing a basketball game and the other team is bigger than you and you give up you can win? No - because you gave up.

Never give up! That's the last thing you want to do.

Let me tell you a story.  When I was in a baseball game, I had been in this slump where I kept striking out. Well, I was getting tired of it so I got up to bat and I said, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me"... and sure enough I hit it! I was so proud but the reason I hit was because I didn't give up.

Here is another story. Our basketball team was playing a team that had won 4 years in a row and no one had scored against them; it was our day to play them so we were all running as fast as we could, trying our hardest. Almost everyone of the team gave up,  but me and another girl didn't, so I stole the ball from the other team and passed it to her;  she shot and made it.  We didn't win but we made a shot off of them - because we didn't give up!

Just remember - don't ever give up !! 

The Holy Who?? Part 1

For the next few weeks, we'll discuss the person and power of the Holy Spirit. Now I'm sure some of you are just waiting to see what will be discussed since my family attended Assembly of God churches when I was growing up and I have worked for ministries or churches know as "charismatic."   We'll not go into weirdness or stupidity, but some weird beliefs and antics of others will be discussed! 
So often, we read the Bible or attend a church service and someone will talk about "the Holy Spirit", or they might say "the Holy Ghost".  In reading the Protestant bible, we find the book of Genesis as the first of the 66 books.  Interesting that the second verse of the very first chapter mentions the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters (New KJV).  Jump over to the second chapter, verse 7, and we see where God breathed into a creature made simply of dust - breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being. When we get to the book of Romans (yes, a letter written to people living in Rome), chapter 8 verse 2 refers to the law of the Spirit of life.
What do we notice about all three of these references?  First, in the beginning of time as we know it from a Jewish perspective, this "Spirit" was present with God and He gave life to a pile of dirt!  You try to go outside, put together some dirt piles and blow on them - just see if they will stand up, and become a human...bet you can't do that!
Second, there is a law - not a supposition or theory - that involves this "Spirit" and life;  we don't see death happening with this "Spirit", we see life. Anytime someone of a religion or a church says they 'have the Holy Spirit' and their attitude or lifestyle seems to be anything but life-giving,  you might ask them (or yourself) if they really "have" the Holy Spirit;  He does not bring death to a person, unless He helps them put to death their evil ways and attitudes.  Instead, He always empowers people with hope, expectancy, joy, love - attributes of  health and life.  
The term 'pneuma' has a root meaning "to breathe or blow";  this is the term translated "Spirit" or "Ghost" we read in the Bible. Interesting that the Spirit of God 'blew' breath into the first human, huh?  
If you are needing life in your 'world', why not check out more about this Spirit of God?  
Next time, we will look at some attributes of the Spirit.  

Get rid of your BA degree...

A couple of months ago, we discussed our attitude.  Joyce Meyer has a new book titled Power Thoughts that has prompted me to consider my thinking and my attitude....again!  Many of the following thoughts are from her book...if you need help in your thought life or attitude, find a copy of this book! It's the sequel to Battlefield of the Mind.  Oh, when you see the letters BA, that's my abbreviation for 'bad attitude' :)
Scott Hamilton, one of USA's Olympic gold medalists, said "The only disability in life is a bad attitude."  Winston Churchill noted that "Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference."  Nothing will hinder or handicap us in life as severely as a bad attitude.  Attitude refers to the system of thoughts, mental posture, mind-set, or way of thinking with which a person approaches life.
For example, a person with a BA towards work will think like this:  My boss is too demanding;  No one here appreciates me;  This company needs to pay me more and treat me better...  How can someone with those thoughts constantly running in his mind ever enjoy his work?  Being negative about our job never changes our employer or the job requirements; instead, it only leaves us feeling drained of any desire or ability to accomplish our work.
If you employed someone with that type of attitude, would you consider him/her for a promotion?  If this describes you, maybe it's time to evaluate your own attitude towards your work/employer or even your family members or church.
CHOICE-that's the key word we're talking about.  We each choose what type of thoughts we allow to stay in our mind, which determines our attitude;  change your thoughts and you will have a changed attitude.
So maybe it's time for some of us to attend an AA meeting- I'm talking about "Attitude Adjustment"!  And while you're in class,  you might consider turning in your BA degree.
Remember, God believes you can do whatever He has called you to do: housewife, employee, employer, teacher, pastor, plumber, electrician, etc.  Philippians 1:6  I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

Love - do we really?

A few weeks ago, my family attended a local conference.  Granted, the speaker wasn't someone that I would pay (again) to see, nor did he keep my wife or kids' attention very long, but I got something from what he said!  Leasa mentioned his speaking style certainly wasn't like our pastor's -- kuddos to Pastor Todd :)
When we say that we "love" someone or something, using that word can be confusing in the English language. We say that we "love" our car - until it starts costing too much to keep;  we "love" food - because it makes us feel good and settles our hunger.  Then we say that we "love" a person- our spouse, friend, pastor, parents, teacher, kids, etc.  
Here's the principle to determine if we really 'love' someone or something....if we can't get from it/the person what makes us feel good, or can't use it for our sake -  do we still "love" it?
The bible teaches us that God is the essence of and author of Love- and true love is found only in Him.  Because He loves people so much, He was willing to give the one person most precious to Him- His Son, Jesus - as the ultimate sacrifice to pay the penalty for humanity's wickedness.  Jesus didn't die on the cross because He knew people liked him or accepted His teachings; no, He died willingly, taking a risk that NO ONE would ever love Him or accept His sacrifice for them.  He and His Father, God, gave up His life even though there was no guarantee that anyone would accept His offer of freedom from sin. 
Now that's real LOVE!
So now we have to ask ourself this question:  If the thing or person you say you "love" would not be able to give you what you wanted or needed, or it/he/she could  not be used by you for your purposes/plans/desires....would you still "love" him/her/it??

This applies to every area of our life, but especially to those in our family and friends that we value...do we really love them with an attitude of giving ourself for/to them if they could never give back? 
Sobering thought, huh??

Breaking Bondages

If you attend church, many words are said that come from the Bible, yet are not in most of our daily verbage. Some people might call this 'Christianese'.  One example is found in Isaiah 10:27 where we read that the "anointing of God", which - in one simple explanation - is His power and approval,  "breaks and destroys bondages" (yokes of burden).

Anointing oil was used by the Jewish priests in Bible history as a specific ointment placed upon a person or item to 'set it apart' to be used by God. Example: King Saul and King David were anointed with this special oil by Samuel the preacher when he appointed them as king.  By the way, for us city peeps, a yoke is used on oxen or cattle so they can carry weight or pull plows, or keep two or more together.  With that explanation in mind, one translation of this text describes this 'anointing' as a 'fatness' or thickness that prevents a yoke from being secured onto an animal, object, etc.

In a practical manner I want to specifically look at this phrase as it relates to the Presence of the Lord in your church services and in our personal lives.  As we seek Him - meaning pursue God and His thoughts/desires for a given situation - through worship and prayer, God is pleased and moves in our personal life and church family.  There comes upon us and/or the persons we are praying for a 'thickness' that prevents spiritual bondages from taking hold in his/her life, thus the 'anointing breaks the yoke of bondage'.

No matter the name of our church, if it speaks Truth and exalts Jesus, every time we meet for service, people come to be encouraged,  healed and set free from bondages or 'yokes of burden';  it's our responsibility as believers to allow the Holy Spirit to minister and one important way of doing that is by 'saturating' the services in prayer beforehand, and even during the service.  Preparing the service by prayer causes this 'anointing' to be upon the people, from the 'pulpit to the pew'! 

As you begin to understand how powerful this anointing from God can be as it rests (unseen by the natural eye) upon people, let's be passionate about prayer and making intimate time w/ Jesus a priority. 

We are reminded in Isaiah 58:6 (Amplified) is not this the fast that I have chosen: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the bands of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every [enslaving] yoke?

I hope this has given you some insight into a Bible phrase we often hear, yet may not fully understand its meaning. 

How Does Your Heart Rate?

"Let's check your pulse"... you've probably all heard this statement when going to the Dr., since a visit usually involves a nurse checking your heart rate.  At times, we need heart surgery and some people have even undergone a heart transplant.
Not only is our physical heart rate important, but according to the Bible, our heart is something that is important in our relationship with others and with God. Throughout the Bible we read the word 'heart';  in most cases, this is not a reference of our physical heart, but it refers to our 'inner being' - that part of us that's comprised of our thoughts and attitude. 
There is an Old Testament scripture that says we are to love God with all of our 'heart', soul and mind; Jesus is quoted as referencing this same text in His biographies by the Gospel writers.  When we read this text, it is not simply a suggestion for us to have a quality life-no, it is actually a command.  Our thoughts and attitudes toward God should be pure, with our motives for serving Him also being pure.  When they are not, imagine it being the same as a blocked artery or vein that affects your physical heart.  Doctors have several ways of 'cleaning' our blocked arteries and veins; God has offered us a means of 'cleaning' our thoughts and attitudes toward Him- it's a principle called confession and repentance.
Confess simply means 'to say the same as'.  In 1 John 1:9, we find that confessing our sins to God brings forgiveness and a cleansing.  Someone arrested for a crime is encouraged to 'confess' their part and motive; when doing this, they are admitting they did the 'same thing' they are accused of.  In the same manner, when we sin against God (ie, violate His Word) this verse says we are to say/admit we have done what God has said is wrong and are to be clear, not vague, in saying the wrong. 
To repent generally is defined as 'to feel such sorrow for sin or fault as to be disposed to change one's life for the better; be penitent.'  Notice it says to 'change';  if we look at repentance before God as a change of direction in thinking or life, this explains the principle of repentance in a biblical sense.  
When we are truly sorry and want to make changes in our life, we have grace - ability and desire - to confess our wrong to God (and others, when necessary) and we are to repent-change our thinking or attitude about the matter/issue.
So I'm sure you're asking...what do these terms have to do with my heart rate??
When our spirit, mind and attitude are blocked by sin, our spiritual heart rate is affected- it doesn't function as it should;  when we confess and repent of our sins, the 'blockage' is removed and our heart rate is normal.
This week, check your spirit's heart rate... is it functioning as it should, or do we need to visit Dr. Jesus?

Attitude- it will make me or break me

Attitude... What comes to mind when you hear that word?  Someone's face that you really think needs to get a new life.. or maybe the fellow employee, family member or church member that always has a negative comment about any given situation.  I'm sure there are many people that we think need a lecture about his/her attitude.
Sometimes I'll tell my kids to 'get an attitude check'. There are times I have to tell myself the same thing.  Life is not all about me!  
I've realized in my personal life that keeping a good attitude determines how I view and face many challenges; it also determines the outcome of my life during that situation. Here's a very true quote:  Our attitude determines our altitude!  That principle will help you realize why some people are overcomers in every area of their life, and why others feel like they are the 'last ones to get help'. 
One thing I've learned in 42 years of living - Life happens when we least expect it! Our job is to avoid this popular entitlement mentality that so many are taking on, and learn to face the reality of life -- sometimes we just don't get our way!
Do you realize your thoughts affect your attitude?  What you are thinking about determines your feelings of a matter.  Basically, change your thoughts - change your attitude!
If you are struggling with negative thoughts about your work, school, parents, spouse, pastor, co-worker, etc, I challenge you to check your attitude...that is where you will find the greatest success in life!!