Monday, May 26, 2008

Heart Check

tree

Everyone has heard this story. If you haven’t then you are about to hear a great one. Take a moment and read this passage, even if you have read it in the past. You may see something new in this text that you have never seen before.

Mark 11 12-14,

12-14As they left Bethany the next day, he was hungry. Off in the distance he saw a fig tree in full leaf. He came up to it expecting to find something for breakfast, but found nothing but fig leaves. (It wasn't yet the season for figs.) He addressed the tree: "No one is going to eat fruit from you again—ever!" And his disciples overheard him.
20-21In the morning, walking along the road, they saw the fig tree, shriveled to a dry stick. Peter, remembering what had happened the previous day, said to him, "Rabbi, look—the fig tree you cursed is shriveled up!"
Fig trees produce leaves before they produce fruit. So this caught Jesus’ eye from a distance. He knew that this tree wasn’t supposed to be producing, so he came to check it out.

I was always puzzled at why Jesus cursed the tree. It wasn’t time for the fruit to be there so why did he curse it? It was because it was a phony. It was advertising it was something it wasn’t. It is so interesting that it caught Jesus’ attention. Here He is walking along with his closest friends they are probably talking, and He notices this tree in the distance, and He walks over to it.

Here is the thing. ARE YOU READY FOR THIS!!! WOW THIS IS SO GOOD!!!l

Fig trees produce leaves right before the will produce fruit. So when Jesus saw the leaves He knew that fruit should be about to come forth. When He went looking there was nothing there.

OK I AM SO EXCITED HERE WE GO!

So many times we put on our little “Christian mask”. We have learned how to walk through life with saying the right things at the right times, we may even attend church and say “Hallelujah” from time to time. We have the leaves, but when we are checked there is no fruit in our lives.

So many people will just go through the motions of living a Christian life. Let me tell you it is a life style it isn’t what we do on Sunday morning. If you are just giving God your 2 hour time once a week, the rest of the week you are living for you. You are never going to see true change in your life. I will go one step further and say you will never see the full blessings of God on your life.

There is one thing that God can’t stand is lukewarm. He would rather you be cold then lukewarm. This tree is reflective of a lukewarm tree. It looks like a fig tree, has leaves like a fig tree, but when push comes to shove it is just a phony! That is why the tree was cursed.
It is not that you go to church, it is how you go to church. If you don’t go to church then put it this way. It is not that you are a good person in public, how are you when the doors are closed? What is in your heart? What are your intentions when you do something?

What do I mean by that? If you are cussing your kids on the way there, got drunk the night before, nagging your husband before you walk in the church doors before you put on your “Christian mask”. I love it when working with people you will meet a child’s mom. We will call him Johnny. I start talking to Johnny’s mom and she is being just so super mom Christian with me. “Ohhhh little Johnny he is just a blessing sent from the Lord. And we will be praying for you and your family this week ok”-Johnny’s mom. All the while Johnny is sitting there with his mouth wide open and asks “Are you ok mom? You just called me a ____ ______ before we got here!” I don’t know about you, but I want to be the same on closed doors as I am in public! AMEN?

1 Samuel 16:7
7 But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."

I love this this is so opposite of anything we know on earth. We think that if you look put together if you are smiling that means that you have your life together. That isn’t how God checks us. He looks deeper then man he looks on your heart. Today I believe He is looking.
heart
You may be saying I want to know how do I know what fruit I have. The Bible puts it quiet plainly in the following verses. Read and see…..

Galation 5:19-23,25
19-21It is obvious what kind of life develops out of trying to get your own way all the time: repetitive, loveless, cheap sex; a stinking accumulation of mental and emotional garbage; frenzied and joyless grabs for happiness; trinket gods; magic-show religion; paranoid loneliness; cutthroat competition; all-consuming-yet-never-satisfied wants; a brutal temper; an impotence to love or be loved; divided homes and divided lives; small-minded and lopsided pursuits; the vicious habit of depersonalizing everyone into a rival; uncontrolled and uncontrollable addictions; ugly parodies of community. I could go on.
This isn't the first time I have warned you, you know. If you use your freedom this way, you will not inherit God's kingdom.
22-23But what happens when we live God's way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.
23-24Legalism is helpless in bringing this about; it only gets in the way. Among those who belong to Christ, everything connected with getting our own way and mindlessly responding to what everyone else calls necessities is killed off for good—crucified.
25-26Since this is the kind of life we have chosen, the life of the Spirit, let us make sure that we do not just hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out its implications in every detail of our lives. That means we will not compare ourselves with each other as if one of us were better and another worse. We have far more interesting things to do with our lives. Each of us is an original.
Do you see more of the bad fruit on this list or the good? I have found it is really hard to examine ourselves. I know for me it hurts when God holds up the mirror so I can see what He sees.

How do you change?

Well, if you are in a church and are not getting fed I encourage you to get in one! Mine would be a great one! You have to have a church family that will support you, and help you get to your destiny. If you are not in one like that then you need to find one. Number 2 is to get in God’s word daily really read it and absorb it. Seek Him daily as you do He will begin to change your heart which will start changing your fruit. People think that going to church or being a good person is what God wants. Really all God wants it to be Number One in your life. That is it.
fruit of luv
I believe that if we as a church will get a hold of this word and really let it sink in then we will start to change a world for Jesus. People are sick of fake Christians. They are ready to see the church of the Bible moving with power and love! Let it start with us. Hey there was only Jesus and 12 disciples and look at how many lives they changed! Surely we can do the same with the power of Him that lives in us!

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

What are you looking at

glasses

You know there are so many things in life calling out for our attention. When problems and situations come into our life it is as though they consume us for a time. We loose sleep thinking about how to fix them. I am such a planed person. Everything in my life I thought at one time has to be planed out to a T. When anything in that plan would go off track it would just aggrivate me to no end, and I would put everything I had into getting back to "the plan". The funny thing is the more frustrated I got the more I fought the worse it would be.
I love in Genesis 30 the story of Jacob and Laban. See Laban was a man that was always messing with Jacob. Every chance he had he would make a deal with Jacob only to go back on his promises. So Laban agreed with Jacob that he can have only the speckled sheep out of his flock. So Jacob would take to solid colored sheep and put spotted rods in front of them where that is what they looked at and they would reproduce spotted sheep. Jacobs herd grew just by spotted rods. That is so powerful!!

ARE YOU READY FOR THIS ONE???
What you are seeing in your life right now is directly related to what you are looking at!! You can either see the good in what God has planned for you or you can look at what all is falling down around you. I love what my Pastor says "If one side of your house is falling down stand on the side still standing and praise God for it".

This one is so good 2 Corinthians 10:5 says "Take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ".

I will tell you a quick news flash. Things will happen in life that will stink, but don't let those be the things that define you and your life!

We need to be thinking about what Jeremiah 29:11 says For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. All God wants for you is for you to be blessed. We need to spend time looking to Him and his plans for us, and quit trying to figure it all out ourselfs. We will prduce whatever we are looking at. If all you are looking at is how bad and stinky things are, I hate to tell you this, but your life will be bad and stinky. If you look at things and say well this is not so good right now in this moment, but things are going to get better.

Here is another thing we can't keep looking to the past. Girls it is so important that we let go the things that have happened to us. We all have things that are bad from our past. But let me tell you something the only way your past can control your future is when you let it. The people that hurt you then still have control over you when you keep re-enacting the events in your mind. I challenge to let true forviness to settle in and aever time that a bad thought comes to mind you won't look at it for one minute. You will say what Jeremiah 29 says God has plans to PROSPER ME AND NOT TO HARM ME HE IS GIVING ME A HOPE AND A FUTURE!

When my kids are in the middle of Wal-Mart on melt down it is almost 5 o'clock and just saw the mom that has it all together and here I am on the verge of tears. I just close my eyes and say "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" You know what I make it through that moment. God with me leaning upon Him gives me the grace to get through. I know this is something small, but it has always worked no matter how big or small the situation is.

Numbers 20. These people were just a bunch of complainers. God was doing all kinds of miricles. He had parted the Red Sea, gave them mana that literally came down from Heaven. There was all kinds of things that were happening yet they still complained while they were in the dessert. All they could do is see how bad things were. So the Lord says to Moses and Aaren "Because you did not trust in me enough to honor me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this community into the land I give them." in verse 12.
road
LADIES LISTEN TO ME They were on the way to the promise land. This was their destiny! You too have a destiny a purpose, but the only way you are going to get there is to trust God and look to Him to make a way for you. If we just start looking to Him on what we should do then our life will go so much smoother. Moses never made it to the promise land. All they did was look at the bad. Don't be like moses. Start looking at all of the blessings God has given you. When you do it will totally change your perspective of things, and you then will begin to reproduce blessings.

PRAYER**Lord I thank you for each and every person that came here today. Lord just bless them in a BIG way. Let their thoughts be your thoughts. Help them to take every thought captive. Let them start to see what your plans are for their life and let them have ears to hear that. And Lord whatever might have happened in their life that they can't let go of Lord let them let go today Lord. In Jesus name AMEN!

Thursday, May 15, 2008

CHALLENGE

Happy

Everyone is looking to be happy in life. That is what everyone truely wants. Everyting that we do we do because we are looking to be happy. The Bible says it is more blessed to give then it is to receive.
I challenge everyone to do this one thing. This next week I want you to do something for somebody else. It can't be a member of your family. I want you to do something like go help them do something, volunteer at a church or something along those lines. I think one of our problems in life is everything becomes so all about me. When we are constantly looking at what is wrong in our life, then we can't see how truely blessed we are. No matter how bad you have it there is always someone that has it worse.

It doesn't take money. Help someone unload their groceries at the store. Make a cake or something for somebody you know that is having a hard day. Go to a nursing home and talk to somebody there that you don't know. Maybe pick some flowers out of your yard and bring them to somebody in the hospital.

We are called to make a difference in people. We can't do that when we are wrapped up with our agenda and what we have going on in our life. We have to start looking at those around us and start making a difference in people.
the giving tree

I love this children's book about the Giving Tree. All the boy did all his life was take take take from the tree. He never gave back. Until there was nothing left of the tree but a stump. Let's not expect that the world should give give give to us when we aren't doing anything to give back to others.
Ok so go change someone's life. I want you though to come back here and post what you did, what was their reaction, and how did this change you!

GOOD LUCK!!! I look forward to hearing about how you made a difference!

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Kicking you OUT of the boat

boat

Matthew 14:24-31

24-26Meanwhile, the boat was far out to sea when the wind came up against them and they were battered by the waves. At about four o'clock in the morning, Jesus came toward them walking on the water. They were scared out of their wits. "A ghost!" they said, crying out in terror.

27But Jesus was quick to comfort them. "Courage, it's me. Don't be afraid."

28Peter, suddenly bold, said, "Master, if it's really you, call me to come to you on the water."

29-30He said, "Come ahead."

Jumping out of the boat, Peter walked on the water to Jesus. But when he looked down at the waves churning beneath his feet, he lost his nerve and started to sink. He cried, "Master, save me!"

31Jesus didn't hesitate. He reached down and grabbed his hand. Then he said, "Faint-heart, what got into you?"


God really revealed something to me throughout his text. There was water between Jesus and the disciples. They were the ones on the boat he was the one on the land. He then walked out to meet them. I think God is telling us two things through this text.


1. There is no space or anything that can separate us from God. Just because we are in a difficult place. In this situation a storm that prevented them going where Jesus was that doesn't stop God. No matter what obstacles you are facing in life God will meet you where you are at and make miracles with your life.

God sees where you are and what you are going through. When you are in the storms of life we can't see that Jesus is behind the scenes developing an exit strategy for us. What a good God we serve.

2. The boat in this symbolizes so many things to me. It represents preconceived thoughts of what God can do. They thought the only way to get to Jesus is to take the boat to their destination. But with God we can't just depend on what we think but trust in God to deliver us whatever we are in.

Proverbs 3:5
Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;


Maybe you are not facing a big obstacle right now. For me I have in my heart such big dreams. I know that I know my destiny is to preach. I have a hunger in ministering to women. I see myself preaching all over the nation, but I don't know how to get from A to B. The great thing is God knows exactly how to. For so long I had constructed a "boat" of how I thought God was going to bring things about. Through counsel from Joyce Meyer and Beth Jones they told me to start putting myself out there. Beth said to do a blog to start ministering to ladies and that is what would take me to my destiny. I thought "that makes no sense". I drug my feet not wanting to do it. All the while the Holy Spirit urging me to do it.

So here I am. Just like Peter I had to get out of my comfort Zone. Here Peter was it was four in the morning on a nice safe boat there was security in where he was. He made the decision to meet Jesus. He had to let go of what he thought would get him to Jesus.

I don't know what your dream what your want for your life. Maybe right now you just want things to be better then what they were. Just start putting one foot in front of the other. Get somebody in your life that will mentor you. Just start doing what is on your heart to do.

Sometimes people are like man Peter he didn't have great faith, because he sunk. I am like "Dude at least he tried". Some of us today have dreams and visions. We watch people on t.v. etc that are living our dream. We are addicted to watching certain shows because it is about what we love to do. Hey that is your dream and God put that in you for a reason. It is time to get out of the boat and start walking to Jesus.

jumping

Jesus is teaching me more and more to get out of the comfort zones of my life and start looking to Him to tell me how to get my destination. He has better plans then what we could ever set out. Peter learned so much through this experience I know. I mean really how many people can say they walked on water with Jesus. From now on I will be able to. I set it in my heart that I am going to live my life by the leading of the Holy Spirit. Even when it doesn't make sense to my natural mind, I will get out of the boat and go to God with a heart of expectation.

So it is official, I have kicked you out of your boat. Go do what you were created to do. That is what you were made to do. It is time to do it!

Saturday, May 3, 2008

GRACE

Recently I realized that I am always asking people "Are you ok" or "Are you mad at me?" My husband and those closest to me got to a place where they were like if you ask me again I am going to really get angry with you. So you are thinking easy; just stop asking right? WRONG!!! I found that when I was about to say it I would stop my self from saying it. This was/is the hardest thing to do cause everything in me is so worried that something is wrong with what I am doing. That they are not happy. I would finally just bust at the seams and blurt out "Are you ok?"

Thank the Lord for the precious Holy Spirit. All we have to do is pray and God will reveal what we can't see with our eyes in our heart. As I prayed for God to show me what was wrong why do I have such an insecurity. All the people in my life love me so much and their love for me isn't going to change no matter what I do wrong in a day be it forget their favorite thing at the store, say the wrong thing or even if I am not being the "life of the night".

Finally I remembered my father Craig had anger problems. He would go zero to 60 in one second. Love had to be earned at my house. If I walked into the room with a wrong tone or gave a straight face it would be immediate anger. So all my life actions=love. All the while in fear that what I was doing might be driving them away with my imperfections.

Genesis 6:8 Noah finds favor with God. All around him were people about to die but God had Grace on Noah.

****FAVOR IS GRACE*****
If you don't get anything else from this whole thing get that. When you obtain favor with someone that is their love and friendship grace comes with that. That is so freeing. There is nothing that Noah did to obtain God's favor and grace. Any of the people that died in the flood could have been the one on the boat in my opinion. God is a good God. He is constantly reaching out His hand into our life waiting for us to reach back.

Once you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior there is favor on your life which means you have.....That is right GRACE.

Proverbs 4:7-10
7 Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom.
Though it cost all you have, [a] get understanding.

8 Esteem her, and she will exalt you;
embrace her, and she will honor you.

9 She will set a garland of grace on your head
and present you with a crown of splendor."

10 Listen, my son, accept what I say,
and the years of your life will be many
.

There are several verses in the Bible that talk about grace being around our neck. I thought about this and I realized that God does nothing by chance it all has a divine purpose.

Joshua 10:24
When they had brought these kings to Joshua, he summoned all the men of Israel and said to the army commanders who had come with him, "Come here and put your feet on the necks of these kings." So they came forward and placed their feet on their necks.


Neck is a HUGE significance. When someone has you by the neck you are forced to submit to whatever they want you to do. This is something that their enemy will do to manipulate and control their prey. WOW!!! God puts a garland of grace around our neck to protect us. When we let Him crown us with this garland that is when we quite being controled by the devil and lead by God.

How awesome is that! I love what verse 10 of the Proverbs 4 verse says: "Accept what I say and the years of your life will be many". That is so inspiring. The best thing with God is His hand is there waiting to put the garland, protection, around our neck all we have to do is accept it!

So you are thinking this is good right? Well it gets so much stinkin better!
READ THIS!!!

Romans 8:31-36 (msg)
So, what do you think? With God on our side like this, how can we lose? If God didn't hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else he wouldn't gladly and freely do for us? And who would dare tangle with God by messing with one of God's chosen? Who would dare even to point a finger? The One who died for us—who was raised to life for us!—is in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us. Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ's love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture

The new living says we were marked but now we were all marked like sheep for the slaughter BUT God's grace around our neck has saved us! How powerful is that.

I love the above scripture, that it says "Who would dare even to point a finger". This is something that everytime I start to think that somebody I love is not liking what I am doing or is angry with me I just say this to myself. I have God's love, acceptance and most of all HIS GRACE!!! Then it goes on to say that nothing can drive a wedge in between us and God's love for us. That is so amazing to me that God loves me so much. His love can't go away for not one reason. There is such a security in that when you really get a hold of it.

There is nothing that we can do, say, buy to obtain God's grace. All we have to do is to decide that we are going to start walking in it daily. I promise you that if you get ahold of what I am saying and start walking knowing that you now have a garland of grace around your neck you can get the devil's foot off of you and start living your life free of strongholds!!!