ARE YOU GETTING HOT - OR ARE YOU GROWING COLD
(Part II)
January, 2008
My Prayer For You This Month: Father, in the Name of Jesus, thank you for those tuning in by internet. I pray that 2008 will be a year of personal growth spiritually and naturally. I thank you that Your Word will take precedent and that Joshua 1:8-9 will be a reality in the lives of your sons and daughters. Amen.
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MESSAGE
Even though this message was started quite some time ago, it is even more relative today. Do not allow yourself to become cold or lukewarm for the things of God. Let’s pick up our story in Revelations 3:17 where Jesus told the Church of Laodicea that they were wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked. Why did Jesus use these terms to describe this church?
What you need to know is this city was known for its wealth. Laodicea earned its wealth in the textile industry in the production of black wool and the banking industry. Yet Jesus said they were naked and poor. Laodicea was also known for its medical school which concocted a spice nard for the treatment of ears and eye salve. People came to Laodicea to receive treatment for eye problems. So why did Jesus say in vs. 17 that they were blind and naked?
Jesus was using a natural example that they could understand to let them know that material wealth alone wouldn’t cut it. He goes on in verse 18 of Chapter 3 to tell them they needed His gold, His white raiment to clothe themselves and His eye salve that they may see. In other words, they needed Jesus and what He had to offer. Money will not get you into the kingdom of God, nor will it help you to ward off spiritual attacks.
But lets look at verse 19 where Jesus tells them that its His love that causes Him to rebuke and chasten. If Jesus didn’t love the Church at Laodicea, He could have just left them in their sin. But He loved them. But guess what, He loves you too; so much so that He had me write this message to you.
There is nothing you have done that Jesus won’t forgive. If you look at I John 1:9, it simply says “confess your sins.” There is not a list of what sin God will forgive and what sin He won’t. He simply says “confess it to Him.”
Right now, if you have unconfessed sin, cut the computer off after you finish reading the message and have a talk with the Father. Tell Him where you missed it and start the new year out with a clean slate. The rest of I John 1:9 says that God is faithful to forgive you. So after you confess the sin. Do a 180 degree turn in the right direction and seek God.
Don’t trust in your riches. Trust in God. I’ll be back next month but until then, stay hot for God.
Can You Hear God Now?"
My Prayer For You This Month: Father, I thank You that after this message is read, people will hear You as never before. Never again will they struggle with this issue. More importantly, I thank You that after they hear You, they’ll be quick to obey what You tell them in Jesus Name – Amen.
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So God doesn’t talk to you. Really? I have had many people tell me that God doesn’t talk to them. Well before you say that again, let’s look at some things. See our ability to hear a person speak is directly related on how we define words. Most people define ‘speak’ as. . . . “To utter words or articulate sounds with the ordinary voice; talk; to communicate vocally.”
While this is true, according to Dictionary.com unabridged, there are more definitions of the word speak. They are. . . . 1) To make a statement in written or printed words; 2) To communicate, signify, or disclose by any means (so this could be via TV, radio, CD, cassette, letter, book, etc. . ) 3) To emit a sound, as a musical instrument; make a noise or report. (Wow! So God can speak through music!)
You better know that just like the definitions above, God’s no different. He speaks to His children in many ways but primarily it’s through His Word (the Bible) and through Holy Spirit (He’s a real person who lives on the inside of believers. People who don’t know any better, but mean well sometimes refer to Him as their conscience.)
Ephesians 4:11 tells you other ways God speaks. It reads, “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;” So, God can speak through any of these ministry gifts as well as through TV, tapes, CD’s, books and at times perhaps with an audible voice.
In John 10:27, (anytime you see red, Jesus is speaking), it reads “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:” Also see John 10:4. So when you say that God does not speak to you – what you’re saying is, you don’t read your Bible, you don’t go to church, you don’t read Christian books, you don’t watch Christian TV, etc., etc.,
I mentioned earlier that most of the time God speaks through His Word. Let’s see what He’s already said using some example questions you may have. . .
How Am I Going to pay this bill? He speaks through Matthew 6:25-27
God how can I be successful? He speaks through Joshua 1:8-9
People say I’m supposed to praise, is that true? He speaks through Psalm 150:6
God I’m in trouble! He speaks through Psalm 34:17-20
Will I ever get married? Will my son ever get right? He speaks through Psalm 37:4
When should I pray Lord? He speaks through Eph 6:18, I Thess 5:17
You get my point. Prayerfully, this has changed your views on how God speaks.
NEVER, EVER AGAIN SAY THAT GOD DOES NOT SPEAK. . . .YOU JUST NEED TO BE A BETTER LISTENER!
In closing, when God does speak to you don’t forget to thank Him for speaking and thank Him for listening. Remember, 2008 will be great as long as you stay hooked up to Jesus, the Power Source. He’s your connection to Almighty God – never forget it. Anything you can do without Him is nothing compared to what you can do with Him.
"Boundaries + Balance = Blessings”
March, 2008
My Prayer For You This Month: Father, in Jesus Name, I pray that you will help the readers to set boundaries in their lives. Help them to understand that the right boundaries will keep them from the hands of the enemy and open the doors to Your blessings. Amen.
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Are you living a life without boundaries? Anything goes? Maybe you’ve not said this, but in reality you haven’t set limits. So how do you measure your thoughts and actions? Do you fly by the seat of your pants and address concerns when they come? While this format may have worked for you in the past, it is doomed to fail. Let me offer an alternative of how you should operate. Set some boundaries.
For example, you’ve been unemployed for two years. You decide you’ll work for anything. You just want a job. So when asked the question by a potential employer “What are you looking for in wages?” You answer “right now Sir, I just need a job, so I’ll work for anything.” He offers you $2.00 an hour. You gasp thinking, “the nerve, who would work for $2.00 an hour, that won’t even cover transportation.” Well you were the one who said you’d work for ‘anything.’ Your boundaries weren’t clearly identified.
When setting boundaries weigh your decisions and pray over them. Prayer brings balance. Ask questions of yourself like, how does this effect me spiritually, financially, mentally, etc. Because your decisions are well-thought-out, and prayed over, you’ll know the ramifications of the boundaries you’ve set. In the job example above, had you set employment boundaries, you would have known that your answer of “anything,” would not be an acceptable answer.
Sampson didn’t have the right boundaries when it came to women and because of it, he opened the door for his enemies to mock him and eventually it caused him to die prematurely. (Judges Chapter 16)
Miriam and her brother Aaron murmured against the man of God. They had no boundaries when it came to gossiping. The Lord got angry and Miriam was temporarily struck with leprosy. You need to read this story in Numbers 12:1-20. Your mouth should not be a garbage disposal that spews trash all over everywhere. And you should especially keep your mouth off the men and women of God. If you set boundaries over what you say, you won’t have a problem.
While boundaries appear to be restrictive in nature – they are really a place of liberty. They provide safety. Allow Holy Spirit to help you set your boundaries. Don’t try to do it by yourself. Within your boundaries, there should be a place and time for God. He should come first and by doing so, you’re guaranteed success. (Joshua 1:8-9)
When setting your boundaries, be realistic. Don’t try to re-invent the wheel, use God’s word to help you. For example: As a single person, decide you will not have sex outside of marriage. Period! (I Corinthians 6:18-20; 10:8) If you already have these boundaries in place, when someone pops that question, you don’t even need to think about it, your answer is “No,” boundaries have already been set.
If you need more help, in setting boundaries start with the six things that God hates. (See Proverbs 6:16-19)
As I close, know that balance requires discipline so don’t get discouraged, you’ll get there, but it starts with your decision to place boundaries on your OWN life.
Until next time, be encouraged, your best days are ahead of you!
