Thursday, November 13, 2014
10 DREAM BUSTERS
I have decided years ago that I would loose sight of the shore and RUN after the dreams God placed deep inside. I began to chart my path and chase after all the passions. This left me with changes and much uncertainty. I left my comfort zone 4 years ago. I will admit things have not all lined up like I planned.
I have so many possibilities with my credentials and skills but that is not what makes my heart skip a few good beats! Something in me pushes me each day to continue to develop and live out the deeper calling.
SO I CONTINUE TO RUN!
I will RUN until I collide with my dreams.
In the last 4 years I have found 10 LIES that have become barriers in my personal RACE.
I am thankful for a BIG GOD that kept my dream, passion and life goals bigger then the lies in my pathway.
Here are 10 lies that will hinder you from running hard after your dreams!
1. You can follow your DREAMS someday but not right now
2. You're totally SCREWED if it does not work out and you put all this money into the project
3. Its safer to just find a DAY JOB
4. Thats Impossible
5. Only the LUCKY ones "make it"
6. Failing will look bad
7. You DO NOT have access to the right resources!
8 You need more money
9. You are not smart enough
10. The work is getting way to hard
DISREGARD ALL THE ABOVE AND GET OUT THERE AND KEEP RUNNING!
Wednesday, November 12, 2014
HOW DO I KNOW GOD'S WILL FOR MY LIFE?
Take a quick second and read just 12 scriptures taken from Hebrew chapter 8:16-28.
(I copied the verses for you below)
I encourage you to stop by daily to MY DAILY BIBLE READINGS.
This web page was created long ago for you to be able to read a portion of scripture each day. Save this in your favorites and pull it up daily. Make it part of your agenda.
After Reading today's assigned reading you will find 2 foundational lessons that helped me transition from my old life to the new one found in my relationship with Christ Jesus. I hope you find the lessons valuable.
God has a plan for you but it requires us to learn how to find that perfect plan.
HEBREW 8:16-28
16-17 Like a will that takes effect when someone dies, the new covenant was put into action at Jesus’ death. His death marked the transition from the old plan to the new one, canceling the old obligations and accompanying sins, and summoning the heirs to receive the eternal inheritance that was promised them. He brought together God and his people in this new way.
(I copied the verses for you below)
I encourage you to stop by daily to MY DAILY BIBLE READINGS.
This web page was created long ago for you to be able to read a portion of scripture each day. Save this in your favorites and pull it up daily. Make it part of your agenda.
After Reading today's assigned reading you will find 2 foundational lessons that helped me transition from my old life to the new one found in my relationship with Christ Jesus. I hope you find the lessons valuable.
God has a plan for you but it requires us to learn how to find that perfect plan.
HEBREW 8:16-28
16-17 Like a will that takes effect when someone dies, the new covenant was put into action at Jesus’ death. His death marked the transition from the old plan to the new one, canceling the old obligations and accompanying sins, and summoning the heirs to receive the eternal inheritance that was promised them. He brought together God and his people in this new way.
18-22 Even the first plan required a death to set it in motion. After Moses had read out all the terms of the plan of the law—God’s “will”—he took the blood of sacrificed animals and, in a solemn ritual, sprinkled the document and the people who were its beneficiaries. And then he attested its validity with the words, “This is the blood of the covenant commanded by God.” He did the same thing with the place of worship and its furniture. Moses said to the people, “This is the blood of the covenant God has established with you.” Practically everything in a will hinges on a death. That’s why blood, the evidence of death, is used so much in our tradition, especially regarding forgiveness of sins.
23-26 That accounts for the prominence of blood and death in all these secondary practices that point to the realities of heaven. It also accounts for why, when the real thing takes place, these animal sacrifices aren’t needed anymore, having served their purpose. For Christ didn’t enter the earthly version of the Holy Place; he entered the Place Itself, and offered himself to God as the sacrifice for our sins. He doesn’t do this every year as the high priests did under the old plan with blood that was not their own; if that had been the case, he would have to sacrifice himself repeatedly throughout the course of history. But instead he sacrificed himself once and for all, summing up all the other sacrifices in this sacrifice of himself, the final solution of sin.
27-28 Everyone has to die once, then face the consequences. Christ’s death was also a one-time event, but it was a sacrifice that took care of sins forever. And so, when he next appears, the outcome for those eager to greet him is, precisely, salvation.
What is God's will for your life? Many desire to do God's will, but struggle because they don't know what God's will is. The following are some principles from God's Word that will help you to discern what God's will is for you. Lets set all of our old plans aside and strive for the NEW ONES. Christ died for you and His death took care of so much!
Do not choose to live outside of His will for your life.
- God does have great plans for your life!We were created by God, in His image, for a purpose. Just as God set apart from birth ( Jeremiah 1:5) for a specific purpose, he also has a specific plan for your life.
“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declared the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’” Jeremiah 29:11
The Bible says that God's will is “good, pleasing and perfect” (Romans 12:2). - God's will, first and foremost, is that we have a relationship with Him through His Son, Jesus Christ.
“This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:3-4).
- God wants us to be Christ's disciples.This means Christians must be committed to following God's will daily, whatever the cost.
“If anyone would come to me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23).
- The Bible will help us to know God's will.
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path” (Psalm 119:105).
- God promises to give us wisdom if we just ask Him in prayer, believing that He will give it.Sometimes we need to just ask God to give us wisdom to discern His will.
“If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him” (James 1:5).
In Philippians 4:6, God tells us that we can pray about everything! - God has given us the Holy Spirit for guidance.
“…when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth…” (John 16:13a).
- We should listen to the advice of godly men and women that God has placed in our lives.Many times the advice of a parent, pastor, youth minister, Sunday School teacher or other mature person is just what we need to hear to help us decide what God wants us to do.
“The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice” (Proverbs 12:15).
“Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisors they succeed” (Proverbs 15:22). - The Bible says that there is a peace that comes when we are pleasing God with our lives.When deciding between two alternatives that you have been praying about, sometimes one of the options will give you a greater peace. That option is probably God's will.
“The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever” (Isaiah 32:17).
- We should trust God in faith that He will accomplish His will in our lives.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6).
“Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in your will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6). - God has given each of us gifts and abilities to use in His service.God always equips us to do what he calls us to do. If you aren't gifted in a certain area, God is probably not calling you to minister in that area. (see Romans 12:6-8, 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 andEphesians 4:11-13 for lists of spiritual gifts and a discussion of them.)Remember that God's ultimate purpose for all of us is that He would be glorified (1 Corinthians 10:31) and that the gospel and God's kingdom would be advanced (Genesis 50:20 and Philippians 1:12)
7 steps to help you navigate the right decision
You see, God loves you, and me, far more than we can ever truly comprehend. He loves us; he’s actually crazy about us – and he wants to be an active part in our lives everyday. He is the Spirit, and he wants to walk with us, to talk with us, to give us advice, to give us comfort, to give us direction. He wants to live his life together with us; and that’s why he offers to personally lead us, and invites us to personally follow.
Surrender To Him and "do not be conformed to this world"--or worldly ways of doing things--"but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove"--there will be no doubt!--"what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." Romans 12:1
Sometimes to find out what God's will is, we have to first find what it isn't.
If, after trying these seven ways listed below, you still aren't sure you have found the will of God, take the first step in the direction you think He is leading you. A boat has to be in motion before the rudder can take effect. Take one step, then stop and ask God to confirm that you're going the right direction. Then if the answer's not clear or you're still not sure, give it some time. God may be waiting for certain circumstances to be right before He can show you any more than He has to put yourself in MOTION to finding God's Will for your life or a particular decision.
1.READ THE WORD OF GOD
The WORD is the source of all wisdom. Only He views your life from an eternal and comprehensive perspective. Allow Him to become part of your decision–making process and guarantee yourself a lifetime of success. I highly recommend reading the word daily during this time. Jump into a chronological reading plan and do that days reading. Click here for TODAY'S DAILY READING
The Holy Spirit will speak to you through the Word for your personal life. Click Here to get your daily reading schedule.
Always check your decision against God’s Word. James 3:15-17 provides the characteristics of true godly wisdom: “But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.” Have the courage to ask yourself whether your choice meets these qualifications for God’s wisdom, or whether there are still any outside influences directing your path.
If you sense any anxiety or confusion, keep in the word and praying. God’s wisdom will direct your paths in a peaceful manner.
2. PRAYER
If we want what God wants for us, we must add one more thing to our list. Take a few minutes each day to be still. Slow down and take time to hear His voice. Ask Him to reveal His plan to you.
God will always respond. Spending time with the kindest Being in the Universe will change your life forever.
Daniel 6:10 (NIV), “Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before”..
Talk to God 3 times a day during this week of seeking God's will.
3. SEEK GODLY COUNSEL
Note: Godly counsel means godly counsel, not good opinions from nice people! Godly counsel comes from God which means that a godly counselor is one who knows the Word of God, is spending quality time with God in prayer, and is living a godly life. I’ve seen too many people follow counsel from someone who is religious, but not godly, and they end up sending you in the wrong direction.
4. FAST
Fast for 24 hours no food just water. During this time your spirit becomes uncluttered and more sensitive to the things of God.
5. WATCH ALL CIRCUMSTANCES
Not only does God speak to us through His Word, and not only will He never contradict His Word, but God also speaks through circumstances.
Although I'm not one to base major life decisions on circumstances alone, there have clearly been times when I have sensed that something was the will of God and then things would fall into place circumstantially. At other times, circumstances have made it obvious that God was saying "no."
A classic example of God speaking through circumstances was when God spoke to Gideon, who laid his fleece out on the ground, asking God to confirm His Word. Certainly, Jonah got the right message when God brought his journey to an abrupt halt, and he found himself in the belly of a very large fish.
Of course, as a part of this process, God speaks to us through people.
For example, there have been times when I have been listening to a someone preach or have been talking with a friend, and suddenly what he is saying addresses the situation I'm going through, even though he is completely unaware of my circumstances. It makes me realize that it is God himself speaking to me through those individuals.
Maybe God has spoken to you through a pastor or a Christian friend. Or perhaps He has been speaking to you through circumstances. Listen carefully, and remember that He will never contradict His Word.
6. MAKE A DECISION AND MOVE ON IT
Nobody can drive a parked car.
Many never move forward because of fear. Fear that they may make a mistake, go the wrong way, or the up most fear of all . . . fear that they may fail. These people are not going against the will of God. Yet, the sin is just as dreadful because they are not reaching for it either.
Honestly . . . you will probably make some mistakes in your journey. However, we serve a God that forgives and He is a God of second chances. Don’t just sit there; get busy and take hold of what God has for you. Once you begin to move in the direction you feel God leading from doing the above steps, be patient and watch God connect the pieces.
7. REST ON THE DECISION
On the seventh day God rested after He created the world. After taking 7 days in seeking God over a particular area the last day REST in the decision. If you do not have a decision yet...Rest and start over the following week. God will not leave you hanging, He will speak to you!
Make sure you are in church that Sunday also because many times God speaks through a pastors sermon!
I hope this helps. I use this method all the time when seeking a direction. Many times when I feel stuck in the middle of a DREAM or DESIRE I go back to this 7 day method and God always confirms His direction for me. I used this method during big house moves, ministry changes and more.
I also want to recommend a journal or notebook you can jot the word of God down in and the circumstances you see lining up. The journal helps me see my problem areas against Gods will many times and the written pushes me to make the MOVE
Tuck these steps away in a safe place, they can be life changing if put to use!
Blessings,
May God help us all to not only find His will, but to do it!
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