To my children I often feel compelled to ask, ‘have you been in the word today, or even lately?’ That is a good question to ask yourself. You may say sure, I listened to the greatest radio preacher on the way to work today, or I am reading the latest, greatest Christian book, or I was in church just yesterday and the pastor was talking about the word. Anything remotely similar to those responses, really misses the point of the question. I mean, no doubt the radio preacher, the Christian author, or the pastor all base their life and message on the word. But, are you spending time in the word of God for yourself, or are you for the most part a ‘word-less Christian’? You’ve made a commitment, but have done little to build upon it. Have you become, according to the book of James, ‘a forgetful hearer, but not a doer of the word.’ Do something to change that this year by committing to spend time daily in the word of God. Look for the word to move you, to speak to you, to change your thinking by hearing and doing what God says. The Bible says God’s word is ‘living and active’. It states that this word is further able to cut right to the heart to produce a testimony of Jesus. It was for this reason the Apostle Paul could say, ‘for me to live is Christ….’ The heavenly Father desires for His children to be His living witnesses. You simply cannot do that without this ‘living Word’. Or said another way, you cannot be His disciple without living in this word. Your faith depends on this word, without it you will not be able to stand in these days. So activate your Christian life today by looking with expectation for the move of God through His living word.
Category: Impression
The Priority of His Presence
God desires that you overcome today. David gives us the proper focus in Psalm 27:4 when he says, ‘One thing I have asked of the Lord and that I will seek..’ He underscores the high priority of God’s presence staying focused on the place where His glory dwells with us. I believe today God is saying on the basis of His word, you and I need to arrive at that place of decision–a place where we take a stand with the Lord and seek His presence. He says, ‘follow these steps on your way to seeing greater confidence living an overcoming life’. He says, ‘Fear no man; make no room for evil; and ask what you would that I could do for you. I will do mighty things even greater that what you could ask me for.’ Stand today in the fearless abode of a loving Father who desires to publish abroad a miraculous testimony through your life that rescues, heals, and delivers.
The Work of God in Prayer
Recently in prayer, I began to understand the source of my frustration with others. In my discovery, I realized how I had waited on men and not waited on God. I had waited on men to be my help; I had waited for men to have the answer. I was waiting on men for my next move. It was hindering my progress slowing me down and making me angry. I saw my failure to wait on God was causing me to miss His move and with it, His great provision. Bottom line, it was the fear of man and not the fear of God. I began seeing where the fear of man ensnared me and left me without a Godly mandate to move forward. That fear of men kept me from confronting my problems and issues with others. It left me without a voice that could speak as God to inspire true leadership that moves to victory. I did a lot of preaching at the problem, but was distant from confronting it head on with real solutions born out of relationship. The people were not my problem, but failure to wait on God was. Could it be God is calling you to a ‘relationship of waiting on Him’? In your frustations, your failure to wait is a failure to get a word from Him to speak directly with divine wisdom into the lives of others. You like me need to see the work of God in prayer. It is a work that reveals willingness to wait on God bringing rest from other men’s agendas. In prayer, the Spirit of God will cause you to find a ‘fresh wind’ to fill your sails and propel you forward to victory.
Working Together
This ministry has for a long time provided a place to help others. I can’t say that everyone has received help, but that has been our desire. This week I began thinking about the body of Christ working together; it is important we pull together to accomplish the purposes of the church. The church has been given the unique call to preach good news and make disciples. At our ministry farm we believe the Lord was saying to us for the past few years, “build a barn and usher in a harvest of souls”. That word was confirmed to us and so we will be using the farm to provide a variety of ministry opportunities in days ahead. It is important you see your part in the body of Christ and realize your effectiveness. We must believe in our hearts we can reach people for Christ’s sake. So I need you to ask yourself the question, ‘what do I see as my part in His body and will I allow the Holy Spirit to prepare me to be ready in season?’ My dad used to say, ‘you get what you are willing to give’. That is so true; we often reap a harvest out of the kind of attitude we bring with us. Often, I see people who come to church and seem to get nothing. What did they come to bring? Did they come just to get and not to give or participate? Did they just bring an attitude of unbelief that thought they were not going to get much and so received nothing? Someone has said how much attitude affects our altitude. I believe that is important for us all to consider. Is your attitude one of appreciation for the word or is it in merely telling what you know? Are you spreading words that heal or do they divide? The real issue is my heart and a faith that is working for his kingdom not my own. Will you consider working with me to reap a harvest in these days? Call or contact me so we can pray with you concerning God’s will and His work. Let’s find ourselves working together in these days ahead.
GraceLife 