How Is God drawing people to His spirit?

What a powerful but very important question...

Ephesians 4:11- 13 " HE himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, for the EQUIPPING of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of faith and the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ

"Christian Discipleship is so VERY important to me because its important to God"

Ephesians 12 teaches us that when the church fills the five offices using ORDINARY people God called to TRAIN and EQUIP for the ministry then we have a church with EXTRAORDINARY GOD ORDAINED people living out their calling!

My mentor Pastor Dave Ferranti recognized God at work in my life several years back. When the Spirit is drawing you to the Word the spirit will then charge and edify your life for your specific calling! 

LEADERS FOR CHRIST is amazing, I was so blessed to be part of our annual gatherings last night at Bay Valley Christian Church. When a system is in place it helps keep things accountable and the soil ready for when God is doing His work. Others need to recognize the hand of God in ones life so they may have a firm set of directions and teachings to lead and Grow them in the maturity of the Lord.

 Experiences and Education is key my friends! 

My heart is for the" springs of water"  in the land of churches and communities

When we come to the waters and DRINK... the word AWAKENS our soul!

JOHN 4:14
"Whoever drinks the water I give them will NEVER thirst. Indee , the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to Eternal life."


Thankful today that God used Pastor Dave in the creation of LEADERS FOR CHRIST. Located World wide. Gods vision is going before Him and He has a heart for all. This is not a politically correct church thing but a unity and relationship tool for all bodies of Christ! 
Please check out His heart in the video link below!

LEADERS FOR CHRIST

If this is working which it is, then my prayer is for God to utilize this in other churches or communities for the equipping of the Saints for the work of the ministry for the edifying of the body of Christ!

Ask yourself these questions:
1. What eternally significant growth occurs in the lives of those you lead? (vs 11-13)

2. Do our people understand that your role is to EQUIP them to serve and SEND THEM OUT (vs12)

3. How are your recent followers serving, ministering and studying the Word in all platforms in your church or community for each level of their spiritual growth? (vs 12)

4. Do our people know that involvement in service is essential for growth? (vs12)

5. Do our people grow spiritually mature as a result of their ministry involvement? (vs 13)

6. Do our peoples lifestyle reflect Christs character? (vs 13)

7. What percentage of our peoples faith and involvement is easily shaken? (vs 14)

8. Do our people build up one another in the Word? (vs 15-16)

I would love to just be the connector for your ministry, church or community to Leaders For Christ!

"My gifts, talents and calling would have died or fell to the wayside during a season of my life, But God drew me to the Word and relationships through Leaders for Christ"
Heather Baxter

Do you have a Plan?

The person with a PLAN is the person with the POWER 

If we set a plan we will get the history we deserve and the accomplishment and celebration!


 Jesus taught this in the parable of the talents in Matthew 25:1-29.


We need to prepare to meet our future. When we prepare it drives us to move toward a goal.


The first part of Moving toward a goal is determining " A STARTING POSITION"


 In today's passage it spoke about individuals and described their starting positions. For example One person had 5 talents, to another two, and to another one. Each was given something according to their ability.


God has given us all special gifts and talents according to our ability and His purpose.


Some may be born in abundance others with less. But what we have does not matter, it's what we do with it that matters.


Life is not fair, but our STARTING CONDITION is irrelevant to our STARTING POSITION.

 I have a great example for you all...


I am a runner, however my starting condition may not add up to the other runners that I know. Another runner may be fit and in shape with a great runners body and abundant motivation and determination..

 Does that mean I should not pursue the goal of becoming a long distance runner?


 We both have the same STARTING POSITIONS at  each race.


How we train and pursue goals is what determines a runners ability to finish their race.


 I am not a fast runner with a lean and trim body but my condition and shape does not determine my starting position.

 The goals I set help me pursue the ability to complete my personal race and drives me to the Starting position.


 A Goal will Drive us and motivate us.


 We must determine our STARTING POSITIONS.


 I know God has entrusted me with the talents of writing and speaking because others in the body of Christ and in my sphere of influence has affirmed that talent in me.


 Now I can make a choice to BURY that talent due to fear, distrust, sin,  lack of faith and lack of resources but then I would allow my starting condition to rob me of my starting position.


If I bury my talent I can push Gods predetermined destiny away from my life.


 If we do not start at the starting line we cannot run the race.


 We need to show up at the STARTING POSITION and push past our fears and shortcomings.


Have you seen the down hill skiers or snowboarders starting position on the X Games? The hill is steep and long, looking rather scary but the individual SHOWED UP to his STARTING POSITION prepared to meet his future.


Do not procrastinate with your life friends, God has given you talents and goods with an expected future in mind so get moving!


.God expects us to use what we have been given.


 If you do not know what God has given to you, I urge you to ask Him to show you the abilities and your starting position.


Step up to the plate and watch God work in your life.


Do you already know your abilities/talents and remember the starting position in which God has called you to but maybe you have gotten off track with life?


 Have you failed to show up due to rebellion, fear, sin, distrust or lack of resources or knowledge?


Ask God today to give you a push and jump start

God knows your hearts desire and if you feel bad that you have buried those talents in the past then Gods grace will dig them up and allow you to SHOW UP AND START AGAIN!


The GRACE of God is what we need and today I am grateful for that!
His GRACE abounds friends so get out of the way and stop making excuses. This is what I told myself today in the mirror.

Abounds= extends and over flows

Blessings, 

COMPLETED or DEPLETED?

   COMPLETED

DEPLETED

In this life we have days that we feel COMPLETE and days we just feel DEPLETED.

Today as I was driving home from my morning routine of dropping the kids off for school a verse popped in my head. 

PHILIPPIANS 1:6

BE CONFIDENT THAT HE WHO BEGUN A GOOD WORK IN YOU WILL CARRY IT ON TO "COMPLETION" UNTIL THE DAY OF CHRIST JESUS.

This verse popped up in my spirit because I was in a dialogue with God about some areas in my life and also the lives of others that I have been praying for.

Some days you just feel DEPLETED and not COMPLETED!

DEPLETED= exhausted, empty, drained, wasted, used-up, tired of waiting, stressed out or doubtful

The marriage can make you feel depleted

Your childs illness/health

A personal health condition can leave you feeling depleted

Your past failures and mistakes

Your past memories

Your loss

The finances can make you feel depleted

the DREAMS/DESIRES you have may leave you feeling depleted 

WAITING can make you feel depleted

The family relationships may have you feeling depleted/ especially for those whom never found their real moms or dads. 

(I mention that statement above because I have several close friends whom never met their parents or in the process now of reuniting with their family.)

The everyday running and rituals can leave you feeling depleted.

YET GOD SAYS WE NEED TO CARRY ON TO COMPLETION.

COMPLETION= Whole, completed and finished, ended, not limited, not lacking 

TRUTH AND APPLICATION:

Truth is: We will all have trails and prison like situations. 

God uses everything with purpose. He will use the depleted situation to advance the gospel and this will leave you feeling complete in a depleted situation. 

Romans 8:28 (look up and write down today)

If we have a core mission living inside of us we will feel determined to leave a mark in the middle of our mess.

God created every individual with a purpose.

 Our lives may feel depleted but God will give you distinct and legitimate reasons for having passed through it.

 See God has something complete in your Depleted reality.

How do we sense a purpose or mission in the middle of depletion?

Consider the following:

1. A PURPOSE WILL MOTIVATE YOU DIFFERENTLY

2. A PURPOSE WILL KEEP YOUR PRIORITIES STRAIGHT

3. A PURPOSE WILL DEVELOP YOUR POTENTIAL

4. A PURPOSE WILL GIVE YOU POWER TO LIVE IN THE PRESENT

5. A PURPOSE WILL HELP YOU EVALUATE YOUR PROGRESS

6. A PURPOSE WITH REPOSITION YOU DAILY

7. A PURPOSE WILL COMPLETE YOU

I urge you today to understand the gospel has purpose. The gospel will allow you to have a tough mind in your depleted situation. The gospel will affirm and fix you. 

Yes finally something that really fixes! 

What are your priorities, goals and mind set when in comes to learning the gospel and pursuing a relationship with Jesus Christ?

HEBREW 13:21

HE WILL EQUIP YOU WITH ALL YOU NEED FOR DOING HIS WILL. MAY HE WORK IN US WHAT IS PLEASING TO HIM, THROUGH JESUS CHRIST, TO WHOM BE THE GLORY FOR EVER AND EVER! 

He makes you complete! 

SHE IS BOSTON STRONG

Yup! now my running friend Anita is waiting on Anderson Cooper!

My girlfriend Anita is BOSTON STRONG!

She will be running her second BOSTON MARATHON this monday.

 Last year was such a scare  as we watched and experienced happiness and fear all at once! Thankful when we heard she was safe and sound. It was a memory she will not forget and if you go back to her blog you can read her post  that she wrote the same day, one year ago!

Anita encouraged me to begin running many years ago! We attended church together and pretty much did life together in our small hometown.
I would always pass her running down some random road as I was making my way around town.
She is such an example of endurance and self discipline!
Her testimony and her story in Christ has made her Boston Strong!  GOD has down an amazing work in Her life SINCE the day she decided to RUN with Him!
I am proud of her today and excited to pray along side her Monday as she covers those 26.2 miles!
God is allowing her voice to be heard!

A few interviews  already and now waiting on Anderson Cooper! (He really called)

  SHE WILL ALWAYS TELL OF HER LORD AND SAVIOR WITH ZEAL AND TENACITY!
Today I would like to share her blog with you and encourage you to pray for the Boston Marathon coming this monday!

CLICK THE LINK Below To see her interview and hear her heart to the media!

Her blog is also on my blog homepage up in my links! Her energy is contagious and she will get you running!
Her blogs will also encourage you in your spiritual race!

Go Anita girl!
Blessings,

Running against the odds!

A GUST OF WIND IN YOUR LIFE

 

The Holy Spirit a life force.
The bible describes the Holy Spirit as having powerful force, comparing it to the wind

John 3:8
"The WIND blows wherever it pleases.
You hear its sound, but cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going.
So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”

The word spirit in both Hebrew and Greek means “breath” or “wind.” Both a breath of air and a breeze are appropriate images for the Holy Spirit.

Consider several properties of the wind.

Wind is moving air, and this fresh air is needed continually for life itself. Even seeds often require wind for their dispersal and subsequent growth. Similarly, the Holy Spirit is the presence of God, the source for all life.

Wind has no material shape or form. It is invisible; we cannot see the source or the destination of wind. It is a mysterious, unseen force. Nevertheless, its presence is known by its effects.

Likewise, the unseen Holy Spirit can be experienced in a refreshing way. His presence is displayed in the work he does in our personal lives by transforming, encouraging, and teaching.

Wind is a powerful force. It cannot be stopped or controlled by people. Likewise, the Holy Spirit is not subject to our control. The moving of the Holy Spirit is God at work.

There is great variety in the wind. It may be a soft whisper gently rustling the leaves on the trees, or it may be a hurricane uprooting tree.

This morning the wind is creating a gust force and moving things all around my yard.

Likewise, the Holy Spirit may create gusts or gentle forces to bring people closer to Christ and His plan for their lives.

The Holy Spirit may also create gust forces in different seasons of your life to create change and to move things around.

 Remember, the wind cannot be seen.  A person can see and feel the effects of the wind blowing through the trees, but the tree movement is not the wind, only evidence of the wind’s presence.

The chimes hanging outside my house make noise from the blowing of wind, the blinds on the inside of my home smacking the trim  due to the blowing of wind. I see and hear these activities but cannot see the wind.

The Holy Spirit is like the wind:

The Holy Spirit is neither a passive presence nor emotional excitement.
 The Holy Spirit comes from God’s presence.
The Holy Spirit is a person, separate and distinct from whom Christians identify as God the Father and God the Son, Jesus Christ. Together these three separate and distinct persons form a triune godhead, or trinity that Christians refer to as God.

 Each separate and distinct but have their own role in the Godhead and their own personality, if you will.  In the bible, each is identified as an individual, separate and distinct from the other.

For example, the creation account in the book of Genesis says that ‘God’ created, the ‘Word of God’ spoke, and the ‘Spirit of God’ was hovering over the waters. Together, the Trinity was active in creating our world.  This is the first example of the triune godhead acting individual and corporately.

Sometimes the wind can blow you down or create major change and rearranging in your life.
 But during times like these,  pray for the fresh wind of the Holy Spirit to blow through Your life and breathe new life  and promotion into Your situation.

No matter how hard things are or how bleak they appear, God is able!

Listen to the wind today and ask God to move in your life and those around you.

He will move and blow in your marriage

He will blow around your dreams and giftings

He will move over your children's lives

He will move in the broken areas

May the wind of the Spirit touch your lives today. It's ok if you cannot see what's going on just know the spirit is moving all for the good.

TRUST AND WAIT

A DREAM WITHIN

Are You Dreaming BIG?

Dreams are not merely the nightly thoughts you experience as the brain sorts out the day's events. They are the goals and visions that fire your heart and saturate your soul with joy at the very thought of them. They are those continuing visions of what you want your life to be at its highest level of fulfillment--what you want to do, how you want to do it, what kind of person you want to become in the process.

Your destiny and reason for living are wrapped up tightly in your dreams and desires, like the genetic information inside a seed. That dream in your heart contains your spiritual "DNA," the very blueprint for who you are. Your dream is that idea, that vision for your life that burns inside of you--something you can't ignore for long. It keeps coming back to your mind because it is part of who you are; it will never leave you alone.

A dream doesn't drive you; it draws you. It is like a big magnet that pulls you toward itself. I don't believe that there is a man or woman without a dream, because God designed every member of the human race to have dreams. Without a dream, a person will be frustrated in the present and will miss his or her future.

Your dream did not even originate with you. It resides within you, but God put it there. He is the source of your dream. When people dream without God, they find it hollow and unsatisfying. Every person must come to Jesus for his or her dream to make sense. In fact, without Jesus, you might follow a dream for your life that God never put in your heart.

Not every dream is from God. There is such a thing as godless dreams. But when your dream is God's dream, it's unstoppable.

Jesus said that apart from Him we can't do anything and that all our dreams will be frustrated. The power, energy and creativity needed to fulfill our dreams must flow from Jesus.

The most common and most crucial question is, "How do I know which dreams in my heart are from God?" Here is the answer. You will know it's God's dream if:

1. It is bigger than you.
2. You can't let it go.
3. You would be willing to give everything for it.
4. It will last forever.
5. It meets a need nobody else has met.


Paul spent three years in the desert listening to God before he began his ministry. That was his seminary education. He said: "God, what is this all-consuming passion of my life? Once he discovered his dream, he lived an extraordinary life.

 Paul used his greatest gifts to honor God.
Romans 12:6 says we each have gifts. God gave you the gifts you have; you didn't choose them. Fulfillment comes when you use those gifts for Him in service of your dream. Your gifts are the key to discovering God's will in your life.

Desire =dreams

 God uses desire to accomplish what He wants on this earth.

God speaks to us through desires. Many Christians have come to think that their motives and desires are corrupt and untrustworthy, but the Bible says that if any man is in Christ Jesus, he is a new creature. Old things pass away, and all things become new (see 2 Cor. 5:17). That includes our desires! The Bible says you can have the mind of Christ within you. So what does it say about your desires? It says your desires, when you become a new creature, are changed. That's why God can say, "I want to give you the desires of your heart"


God can use your desires, past experiences  and talents to serve your larger goals. Even if it's a skill you don't particularly enjoy, you may find it opens doors for you at key times. Not everything in our past is bound to be good. Some people reading this may have lingering pain in their lives. Some went through a divorce, grew up with angry parents or struggled with alcohol. Some had abortions, filed for bankruptcy or endured hurts that cannot be easily explained.

But each of these problems falls into the category of "all things." God wants to integrate your hurts and difficulties into your life message. He never wastes circumstances, even bad ones. Before you became a believer, God was working to redeem the problems you faced. Not all things are good, but all things will work for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purposes!


 START TO EXPLORE AND JOURNAL YOUR DREAM! 

My stack of dream journals have led me on an amazing journey.
My favorite verse is:
Habakkuk 2:2 says, "Then the Lord answered me and said: 'Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it.'" If you want to move ahead in your dream, you must write it down! 

Are you dreaming big ? Is your dream going to reach the kingdom?

I encourage you to read christian books on how to dream big. I have a shelf full and most of the language used in this devo today came from some of the greatest dream mentors that I have only met through print.

DREAM BIG!

If you are interested in hosting a "Dream Big" conference for your ministry please contact me . I will work with you and your community and make it fit for you. It's powerful and will stir a fresh passion in your land!

BLESSINGS

How To Study The Word

HOW TO READ GODS WORD

Studying God's Word, has totally changed my life. I thank God for what I know now, but it didn't come overnight. If you want to see areas of your life change, learn to truly study the Bible. Ask my friends that knew me, I was the last one they would picture reading a bible! 

My marriage was falling apart and a friend pointed me to The Word.

My lifestyle was nothing that looked purified and church worthy but The Word drew me in.

My past sin caused much shame and guilt that it felt better to stuff and try to forget, the Word brought it to the surface until my heart began to heal.

My children make me worried sick but the Word has brought me promise and peace.

The word heals and restores.

WHY MAKE THIS INVESTMENT?

The Bible is no ordinary book. The WORDS within its pages are like medicine to your soul. It has the power to change your life because there is LIFE in the Word! (See Hebrews 4:12.) And when you DISCOVER the power and truth of God’s Word, you will begin to see changes in your life that only this truth can bring.  The word uncovers what you hide and allows you to rediscover a new HOPE.
You will even learn how to recognize what the enemy tries to bring against you.

Just begin where you are right now and determine to stick with it! Every time you study the Bible and pay attention to what you’re reading, you’re learning something. God has a way to confirm himself to each person seeking. He created you so He knows the best way to reveal himself to you.

Proverbs 4:20-22 says, “My son attend to my words…for they are life to those who find them…” The word “attend” means to pay attention to, give some time to something. To attend to the Word of God is a lot more than just reading it on sunday, it's learning to dig one step further.

Picture this: if you bought a flat of flowers and took the out of the carton and laid them on the soil how would they grow? You would enjoy the beauty for a day but then they die. When we dig a little hole and prepare a place the flower then can take hold of the soil and grow.

I love and encourage bible study groups for this reason. You can go and start to dig a little hole.

Digging helps us get into agreement with what God wants us to do in our present circumstance. It's amazing how God's word speaks to your current situation.

What Do I Study?

There’s really no wrong place to start.  You can study anything that’s going to help you. 
I strongly again suggest jumping into a small group or going to listen to a teacher or podcast.

Try this exercise, pick a word that relates to your circumstance. ANGER, WORRY, FEAR, HURT or whatever. Now go in the back of your Bible and pick one of the words you relate with at the time. Begin looking at all scriptures referenced with this word and read them. Ask the Holy Spirit to lead you, and He’ll lead you and reveal things to you.

Being able to apply what you study is just one picture of what studying the Bible looks like.

Hopefully you understand why you should study with some ideas on what to study. Here are four steps you can take to begin digging into God’s Word now:

Four Effective Steps to Studying the Bible

1. Purposely set aside time. I make an appointment with God in the mornings, but if that doesn’t work for you, find a time that does…even if it’s not every day. Whatever you can do, that’s what you need to do. Just start somewhere and you’ll see the fruit that this time brings to your life!

2. Make preparation for your Bible study. Have a place that you enjoy being—a room in your house where you can be alone. Somewhere you are comfortable and like to be.

3. Have all your materials available. You’ll want of course your Bible, but also get a good Bible dictionary, concordance, a pen and paper. That way, you don’t have to stop every few minutes to reference something or write something down.

4. Prepare your heart. Talk to God about things you may need to confess, and enter your study time peacefully and without anything that may block you from receiving revelation during your study.

Make the time in your life to study because there is power in it to change your life and become the person God wants you to be. 

If you know a person that study God's Word reach out to them and ask them questions. My mentor of many years has taught me a great deal. I would spend time asking her to teach me to dig.

I challenge you to step out and go deeper in God's word, you will be amazed at the change it brings!

Blessing,

A TEACHER

Today's bible verse: Luke 6:40
A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like His teacher.

I was thrilled that this verse was part of my reading today because I am particularly  passionate with teaching the Word of God!

WE ARE ALL TEACHERS

Everything we do, with everything we don’t do, with everything we say, with everything we don’t say and with our beliefs, with our attitudes – all of, all of us TEACH!

When you hold a door for someone, you are being a teacher.  When you honk and yell obscenities while driving, you are being a teacher.  (BEEN THERE)
When you walk about with a furrowed brow and pursed lips, you are being a teacher.  When you smile at those who cross your path, you are being a teacher.

It all spreads.  It is all felt.  The energy that you are walking around with, whether you say anything to anyone or not, is felt.  What are you carrying around?  What are you spreading out into the world?   It is all within your control.

TODAYS BIBLE VERSE SHOULD: either excite you—or drive you to your knees! If you want to touch others you must first ask God to touch you! He desires to work through you AND TEACH, but He can’t until He works in you! He’ll use you as His instrument, but first He wants to sharpen and cleanse that instrument so it becomes a more effective tool in His hands! So, if you want to strengthen your teaching, do everything in your power to strengthen the teacher—yourself!

“You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life…” 2 Timothy 3:10 NIV

I’m what you would call a “Life Learner” I believe every day that I am alive and kicking there’s yet something new I can learn. 
So every day of my life I live to learn something new. And I’m not just a collector of information, BUT I LEARN SO I CAN SHARE WHAT I’VE LEARNED WITH OTHERS, THAT IN WHATEVER CAPACITY, THEY MAY BECOME BETTER! 
THAT’S THE HEARTBEAT OF ANY GENUINE TEACHER, NO MATTER WHAT THEY’RE TEACHING OR AT WHAT LEVEL THEY’RE TEACHING IT!

Jesus was the best teacher that existed. Let me share 3 points the illustrate a good teacher.

1. KNOW YOUR STUDENTS 

This takes COMMITMENT AND TIME. GOOD TEACHING HAS A PRICE TAG: YOU’VE GOT TO BE WILLING TO POUR OUT YOUR LIFE FOR OTHERS. People don’t care how much you know, UNTIL THEY FIRST KNOW HOW MUCH YOU CARE! 
Jesus showed compassion but taught a lesson in every situation.

2. BE WILLING TO BECOME VULNERABLE: 

IT’S THE BROKEN WHO BECOME MASTERS AT MENDING!
The ultimate master was Jesus. He was broken for our sakes. 
 DON’T BE AFRAID TO LET PEOPLE LEARN WHAT YOU’RE STRUGGLING WITH, AND WHAT YOU’VE STRUGGLED WITH THROUGH THE YEARS. Remember the master mended your cracks and trained you up in grace. 
 People tend to see us in terms of where we are NOW, rather than in light of WHERE WE’VE COME FROM AND WHAT WE’VE BEEN THROUGH. 

ALWAYS REMEMBER, FOR THE MOST PART, THEY DIDN’T SEE YOUR PROCESS.

 SO BE VULNERABLE, AND TELL THEM ABOUT THE GOD YOU KNOW PERSONALLY, AND WHAT HE’S PERSONALLY BROUGHT YOU THROUGH! IF YOU WANT TO GET THROUGH TO YOUR STUDENTS WITH REAL LIFE APPLICATION THEN TEACH MORE THAN THE TEXT, TELL THEM THE TESTIMONY THAT ACCOMPANIES IT! 
THAT’LL IMPACT THEM EVERY TIME! 

WANT TO BE A TEACHER WHO “GETS THROUGH”? THEN BE A TEACHER WHO SHARES WHAT YOU’VE BEEN THROUGH!

3.NEVER STOP GROWING 

THE TRUTH DOESN’T CHANGE, BUT YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF IT SHOULD! Peter writes: “…GROW In GRACE AND KNOWLEDGE…” (2 Peter 3:18 NIV).This requires the attitude that you haven’t yet “ARRIVED”. Those who apply this principle are always asking, “HOW CAN I IMPROVE? What do you want me to know Lord?

Jesus said, “A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher.” (Luke 6:40)

THE APOSTLE PAUL WAS near the end of his life, when most people are looking for rocking chairs, he wrote: “Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me…” (Philippians 3:13-14 NIV). PAUL WAS NEITHER IMPRESSED BY HIS SUCCESS NOR INTIMIDATED BY HIS FAILURES! 
HE LEARNED FROM HIS PAST, BUT HE REFUSED TO LIVE IN IT! His goal was always BEFORE him. He said, 
“I PRESS ON” Every day when Paul’s eyes opened I can imagine him saying, “It’s a new day full of possibilities; Lord help me to learn in every moment!” 

 God has given you the gift and opportunity to teach be aware of every opportunity!

Ask Him for fresh opportunities and never cease to learn everyday!

Blessings,

WAR IN THE GATES

Judges5:8
"They chose new gods and then there was WAR in the gates; Not a shield or spear was seen Among forty thousand in Israel?
 My heart is with the rulers of Israel. Who offered themselves willingly for the people 
Bless the Lord!"
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There were forty thousand Israelite troops in the land, and yet there wasn't a one that would pick up his sword and spear and make a stand. 
They would rather bow down to NEW gods of the heathen that ruled over them, then take a stand and trust God for the victory. Mankind has not changed in four thousand years, and when our nation is being flood by eastern religious cults, fly-away doctrines, progressive church movements it is easier to go along with that garbage, than to get down and study God's Word for the truth
We need to KNOW truth.
The teaching in most church houses today is that you don't have to know the plan of God, and study His Word from the book of Revelation, and the Old Testament, because it doesn't apply to you. Somehow we believe it passed away and we live by New testament. They say all you have to do is believe, yet the babe in Christ is given nothing to believe in. Today we have millions of people that say they are in the army of God, and call themselves Christians, yet they have hung their shields of protection on the wall, and they will be taken immediately at the coming of the fake Christ, who is Satan. 
We are living in the final generation, and yet the church world has no idea of the times that they are living in. They have detached themselves from the Creator and His plan.
This is as the troops of Israel were in days of Deborah, and it took this woman to light the fire under them.(I love that idea, light a fire in truth and love)
 There is a spiritual war going on and our people have lost the interest to fight and be part of that war
*A war for our marriages
*A war for our children
*A war in our churches 
*A war in our relationships
*A war on knowing what truth is in the Word of God
We have a war at our front doors!
As the world is being swept into a new age order, and they have forgotten that it is God that gives us the victory. It is God that we rely on for our provision and the direction that we should be taking in our lives.
In our generation the weapons of war is your gospel armor, all of the Word of God, for that is the only way that we can have an understanding of God's plan and how you and I fit into it in these final days.

The sword of the Lord is the Word of God, and the war that is taking place is a spiritual battle. The battlefield is in our minds, while the weapons are fought with words and ideas that come right from the Word of God. We can fight this war in our personal gates. God left us with the most powerful tool.
Satan is an expert in tripping people up with the Word of God. He distorts it, and adds a word to and takes a word away until what Satan wants you to believe is a lie. Better yet Satan tries to set you against your leaders and creates war in your church gates.

Look at the verse below

Judges 5:9 "My heart is toward the governors of Israel, that offered themselves willingly the People. Bless the LORD

Today more then ever it takes a heart of dedication and abiding in God's word for church leaders to govern over their flock. Remember sheep are stupid by nature and we are like sheep!
We run all over not knowing what grass we should really eat from. God uses the shepherd to take us on the path of righteouness. Today that path is very hard with all the new gods created around the true gospel. We have to really know the doctrine of truth and be able to seperate, divide and understand. Our pastors and teachers will teach you how to love yet know truth. This is a challenge these days and it will create wars in the gates.

JUDGES 5:31
O LORD! BUT LET THOSE WHO LOVE HIM BE LiKE THE SUN WHEN IT COMES OUT IN FULL STRENTGH!

 LET'S PRAY FOR OUR LEADERS TODAY AND FOR THE PEOPLE, THAT WE MAY KNOW THE TRUTH.

BLESSINGS AND FAVOR,
HEATHER XO

BREAKING NEWS: A woman murder's a man with tent peg and hammer

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Today's daily reading comes from The book of Judges. Follow along daily with this great reading plan!
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There is a messy murder.  A military leader is found dead in a tent with a tent peg lodged through his head!

 

My daughter Brittni dreams about being an FBI agent, studying criminal law when she is older is her greatest desire. I know she would consider this to be a great "Law and Order"  episode...  It has all the elements of a tight crime story:  political intrigue, warfare, bad leadership, good leadership, perhaps some romance, and a homemaker with her fingerprints on the weapon. 

 

Deborah and Jael we find these women in the book of Judges Chapter 4.
The book of Judges is short described the history of Israel from a theological and spiritual viewpoint.
God chooses Judges that are willing and divinely appointed to help in the control of Israels continued conquest. God works through people in a detailed plan. The book of Judges displays cycles of Israels Opression and deliverance in the land. In each short episode covering about 400 years a Judge was appointed to follow out Gods plan. In today's reading I came across an amazing woman that God appointed. Her name was Deborah. She was first a homemaker and then later rose to an elevated place of power by common consent of her peers! Her peers new she was a strong mom and probably set a great example in her MOP groups and community activities!

What an honor that God chose a woman to speak through and deliver people in a time of war.

What if I am a woman? Is not the God of ancient times the God of these modern days? Did he not raise up Deborah, to be a mother first and then judge Israel? 

                God has a plan and purpose for every faithful lady

 Lets look at this story a little closer.  Ms. up-front and Ms. behind-the scenes
(Deborah and Jael) 
 They work together as they placed their commitment to God above all else Deborah is called to a place of high-profile service, Jael seems content to be a homemaker, make that a tent maker.  God uses them both, It is amazing what two people can accomplish with God, a tent peg and a hammer!

The cycle in the book of Judges goes a little like this...

Israel forgets and sins
God sends judgment
In distress Israel cries out to God
God sends Deborah.  

It can look like this for us today

We forget and sin
God convicts our heart
In distress we cry out to God
God sends a "servant" to help us!

  In this situation God sends a woman to lead the nation.

 Some might say that there must have been no good men or surely God would have chosen a man.   Look at the track record of most of the men God chose and Deborah looks pretty good.  She is a multi-gifted woman.  She is described as a prophet, a judge, and a national leader—all while married.  
“Now Deborah, a prophet, the wife of Lappidoth, was leading
Israel at that time.   She held court under the Palm of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, and the Israelites went up to her to have their disputes decided.”  (Judges 4:4-5.) 
As a prophet she spoke the word of God to the people.
 That was and is the essence of the prophetic gift.  As a judge she gave rulings to solve disputes, which as a homemaker tending her tent she was probably excellent at this.
 As a national leader she showed great wisdom, calling on the wisdom of others, assuring the week-kneed Barak that maybe he could do something for his nation, and instilling confidence in the nation that victory was at hand.

So lets wrap her up with 7 excellent traits

*She was a homemaker Judges 5:7
*She had a servants heart Judges 4:9
*She delegated task Judges 4:6-7
*She offered praise Judges 5:2
*She led with authority from God Judges 4:4
*Loved to affirm and motivate others of Gods great plan Judges 4:9, 14
*She was a respected leader Judges 4:8

What an amazing woman of God. She delivered Gods purpose through her obedience and servants heart.

 

Of all the national leaders we find in Judges, I think she is the most commendable.  Unlike most of the others, she is not recorded as having a lapse in faithfulness to God.  My conviction that women and men are called to share in church leadership is well known.  Deborah certainly gives me room to say more today.  Deborah is the only woman listed as a leader of
Israel in Judges, so some might say she was an exception.  She was an exception, with a resume more interesting and diverse than any other of the judges.  But she wasn’t the only woman God used with prophetic or leadership gifts in Israel.  There were Miriam, Huldah, Naomi and Ruth, Esther, Rahab, and more.  In a time when much of societal life was hierarchical and male-dominated, God had a better way. 

Sometime after Deborah, the Lord spoke so clearly through the prophet Joel: “I will pour out my Spirit on all people.  Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.  Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days.”  (Joel 2:28-29.)  And that became glorious reality in Acts 2 on the Church’s first Pentecost.  But it was happening long before. 
 God chooses people for leadership in ways that confound us. He still works this way today.
 We wouldn’t have picked Moses, guilty of murder, to become
Israel’s deliverer in Egypt.  We wouldn’t have picked Abraham and Sarah, advanced in age and with some moral lapses, to bear the child of promise for the nation.  We wouldn’t have picked David over his older brothers, far more impressive than he, to be the king to unite
Israel.  We wouldn’t have picked Mary, barely a teenager and engaged to a quiet male, to carry the Messiah to birth.  We wouldn’t have picked Paul, devout Jew and a violent hater and persecutor of the Church, to become the great missionary to the Gentiles. Every single leader had a CHANGED heart and desired to follow Gods heart and ways!

We are all followers and, at various times, we may get to lead for a while. The one true judge in the book of Judges is God and God alone.  The one true leader of the Church is Jesus and Jesus alone.  The one true empowerer for serving is the Holy Spirit and the Holy Spirit alone.

This was Deborah's and Jael's true heart, God could trust them.

 

Deborah and Jael are two remarkable women. The base for our serving and leading is listening to HIM.

Look what happens and lets learn as modern woman how we can watch the ways of our household and DRIVE that peg into the enemy's schemes!

War is a thing God does not like.  People get killed, and that pleases Satan.  But, sometimes wicked men attack godly people, and God calls for His leaders to stand up and fight the enemy.  God wants good godly men to defend their homes.  When evil men attack the homes or land of godly people, then it is necessary for the godly men to kill the wicked men if they will not go away.  Wicked people have no rights.  
War today is not always fought for these reasons.  Some rulers go to war just to see if they can get something for nothing at the end.

Lets consider that lady Jael.  Did she get a sword or gun to kill Sisera? 
 Sisera was a commander and was attacking Gods people! 
 Ladies did not join the army in God's Israel. 
However... God works in unique ways and brought Sisera to Jael's home.  She fooled the rotten king, Sisera. She learned how to be a servant in Gods army with her great wisdom and strength! 
 She treated him real nice, and she tucked him in for a nice little nappy in her tent! CLEVER! 
She stayed home and took care of the home while Heber, her husband, was out trading in the marketplace or in the fields planting his wheat.  She had to pound those big tent pegs into the ground thousands of times.  The Kennite's tents were HUGE, and they lived in them the same way you live in your home.  They were NOT camping.  A tent could be fifty feet long and twenty feet wide, and the ropes and tent pegs were huge.  The wind would work the tent pegs loose, and they had to be pounded in over and over.  The harder the dirt, the better the tent peg would hold.  Are you starting to get the point?  Jael was no skinny little bit of fluff!

 

 

Jael had strong arms.
SHE HAD GUNS! 

Ladies, you should think about Jael.  God wants you to take care of a home, and you should be eagerly getting ready for the home God will one day give you.  If you do your work eagerly, you too will become physically strong and spiritually ready to do great things for God.
Jael used the strength she had.  She used the food in her kitchen.  She used the tools of battle she had- her mallet and her tent peg. She killed the enemy of Israel and of Yahweh!
God has given you the high calling of keeping a home. 

The enemy today masquerades around sneaking into all our homes. We need to stand on guard and use our biblical knowledge and truth to nail the enemy in the head when he arrives thinking he will sneak in our "Tents"

God wants us to be women of the word, strong and powerful.

We need to be on guard for:
Deception: Satan's most successful tool.  He wields this tool with devastating results.
Doubt: Makes you question God's word and his goodness.
Discouragement: Makes you look at your problems rather than God. Diversion: Makes the wrong things seem attractive so you want them more than the right things. (watch this with our children)    
Defeat: Makes you feel like a failure so you don't even try.
Delay: Makes you put off something so it never gets started or completed.

One of my favorite verses I would like to share is

Proverbs 24:3-6

New King James Version (NKJV)

³ Through wisdom a house is built,
And by understanding it is established;
⁴ By knowledge the rooms are filled
With all precious and pleasant riches.

⁵ A wise man is strong,
Yes, a man of knowledge increases strength;
⁶ For by wise counsel you will wage your own war,
And in a multitude of counselors there is safety.

 

Its not easy being a homemaker and working woman in today's society. It calls for much Wisdom and strength. This can only come from the Holy Spirit and your relationship with God.

 

What does the above verse mean to you?

How are you building yourself up in wisdom?

How are you establishing that wisdom in your home?

 

My oldest son was just saying to me that he does not want to have any kids because the world is so confusing and he is confused himself. I remind this young child of mine that God is at my side and the only way he will discover peace and purpose is with a heart abiding with God. Everything else will propel WAR and confusion.

 Toady's world has created so many little gods and those little gods CONFUSE!

Lets learn from Deborah and Jael how BIG God really can be to a heart that desires His goodness!  

 

Blessings and strength I pray over you today,