Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Monday, November 8, 2010
Will the BEST YOU stand up and stand out?
Placed inside of each of us is tremendous ability! Before the foundation of the earth, our loving Father, decided that we would be a part of His plans to do beautiful and amazing things in the earth. Your relationship with Jesus connects you directly to the heart of the Father so you can know His plans for you! Think about it…God could have chosen to do it all alone, but instead He decides to give all of His children a role to play! The enemy thought he could thwart God’s plans with the little stunt in the garden because he was too dumb (he is so dumb) to realize that God is not reactionary, but proactive. Before the foundation of the earth the Lamb was slain so that there would never be any separation between God and his children that couldn’t be restored!
Expand your vision of the blood! The finished work of Jesus does so much more than access into Heaven once we depart from this life. It gives us access to the very heart and plans of God so that we can create Heaven here in this life! You’re here because there is something for you to do. Not just something boring, but something amazing that reveals God’s love and creativity!
We see people do amazing things all the time, but how much more could any of us do, if we realized that God Himself desires us to maximize our creativity? What happens when we realize that there are still ideas, concepts and inventions in His Hearth that haven’t been revealed to us? What if we decide to seek Him for what He longs to do through us? We often talk about worshipping God, but limit it to singing, lifted hands and tear. However, if we follow the model of the trees…true worship occurs when we fulfill purpose. Trees do what they were created to do, how about you? How were you created to worship God? Maybe it’s through song. Maybe you are an artist or an architect or an accountant, fashionista (you don’t think God has great fashion sense?), scientist, playwright, world class athlete, pastor, motivational speaker or teacher. Whatever the gift or gifts, we all have the privilege to maximize them so that God is glorified.
The book of Romans tells us the earth is groaning, longing for the sons of God to manifest. That’s more than going to church…that’s about taking your place as a child of God for the purpose to allowing His plans for you to shine in the earth. I often tell my children, “It’s not pride to want to be great; its pride to want to be great without God.” No one can be created in the image and likeness of God and want average and mundane living! You were created for great exploits and adventures with God leading the path.
God is so diverse and longs to show the diversity we each have. Let’s put away imitation and embrace our individuality. Let’s also celebrate our unique makeup and the distinctiveness of others! Come out the box! The world needs your best!
I’ll close today’s blog with a poem my Miriam Williamson. I pray that you are challenged and respond to the challenge by taking massive action to discover and become who the Father created you to be! We’re waiting!
Our Greatest Fear —
it is our light not our darkness that most frightens us
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light not our darkness that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous,talented and fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God.
Your playing small does not serve the world.
There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other
people won't feel insecure around you.
We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.
It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone.
And as we let our own light shine,we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear,Our presence automatically liberates others.
—Marianne Williamson
Expand your vision of the blood! The finished work of Jesus does so much more than access into Heaven once we depart from this life. It gives us access to the very heart and plans of God so that we can create Heaven here in this life! You’re here because there is something for you to do. Not just something boring, but something amazing that reveals God’s love and creativity!
We see people do amazing things all the time, but how much more could any of us do, if we realized that God Himself desires us to maximize our creativity? What happens when we realize that there are still ideas, concepts and inventions in His Hearth that haven’t been revealed to us? What if we decide to seek Him for what He longs to do through us? We often talk about worshipping God, but limit it to singing, lifted hands and tear. However, if we follow the model of the trees…true worship occurs when we fulfill purpose. Trees do what they were created to do, how about you? How were you created to worship God? Maybe it’s through song. Maybe you are an artist or an architect or an accountant, fashionista (you don’t think God has great fashion sense?), scientist, playwright, world class athlete, pastor, motivational speaker or teacher. Whatever the gift or gifts, we all have the privilege to maximize them so that God is glorified.
The book of Romans tells us the earth is groaning, longing for the sons of God to manifest. That’s more than going to church…that’s about taking your place as a child of God for the purpose to allowing His plans for you to shine in the earth. I often tell my children, “It’s not pride to want to be great; its pride to want to be great without God.” No one can be created in the image and likeness of God and want average and mundane living! You were created for great exploits and adventures with God leading the path.
God is so diverse and longs to show the diversity we each have. Let’s put away imitation and embrace our individuality. Let’s also celebrate our unique makeup and the distinctiveness of others! Come out the box! The world needs your best!
I’ll close today’s blog with a poem my Miriam Williamson. I pray that you are challenged and respond to the challenge by taking massive action to discover and become who the Father created you to be! We’re waiting!
Our Greatest Fear —
it is our light not our darkness that most frightens us
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light not our darkness that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous,talented and fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God.
Your playing small does not serve the world.
There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other
people won't feel insecure around you.
We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.
It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone.
And as we let our own light shine,we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear,Our presence automatically liberates others.
—Marianne Williamson
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Let's Talk about Money! Are you ready to retire?
I’ve spent the past month aggressively working to become financially literate. When I say financially literate, I’m not talking about balancing my checkbook and knowing the difference between an asset and a liability. A balanced checkbook tells me what I’ve already done, not where I’m headed. I’m talking “how does money work and why?” From what I have gathered thus far, most experts tell us to work hard, cut back and save money which seems like good advice and would be great advice if this was 1971, but unfortunately it’s 2010 and that advice alone will not position people to be financially independent. There are new money rules, but most of us didn’t follow the old money rules. Maybe that’s good thing because we don’t have much to unlearn.
History Lesson:
In 1971 President Nixon stopped the dollar from being backed by gold which changed the dollar from money to currency. This decision led to the demise of the Bretton Woods system which demanded that every nation adopt a monetary policy that maintained the exchange rate of its currency within in a fixed value –plus or minus one percent –in term of gold. This kept currency from floating. Once gold no longer backed the dollar it began to lose value because the U.S. could print currency that had no value. When the dollar was backed by gold, it made sense to save it. Now saving money is not the way to become financially independent. (For more information check outhttp://www.investopedia.com/terms/n/nixon-shock.asp)
The dollar is constantly losing value. According to a recent Bloomberg report, the dollar has lost 13.2% of its value since George W. Bush took office in January 2001. That means the dollar is losing its purchasing power. This is why the same bag of chips that costs $.75 in 2001 cost $1.29 today…the dollar is losing value. So what should we do? The short answer is that we need to learn how to invest our money in assets that are less likely to lose value. We use to hear that a home was an asset…well the latest recession proves that is not true. All around the nation, people are living in homes that they can’t sell because those homes have lost their value. There are many investment vehicles, but you’ll have to find the right one for you.
Here are some things that must occur to be prepared for whatever direction the economy may take:
We must take responsibility for our financial knowledge and future – Too many people expect someone else to rescue them financially. We have a generation of people preparing to retire that expect the government to pay them social security. Social security is on a fast train to bankruptcy. If you put your trust in it, you will be disappointed. Others have put all of their trust in 401K. We’ve had many corporations show us that we can’t trust them to provide our financial security. Others trust so called financial experts who have no personal proof that their advice works. Finally most people just keep working, spending and pretending that things are getting worse. Take responsibility!
The Bible says people perish for lack of knowledge! Most people do not have enough financial literacy to make intelligent decision regarding money. Do you k
Open your bills! Face your creditors! Pull your credit report! Stop ignoring your debt and current financial situation. In order to create a roadmap anywhere, you must locate where you are.
We must educate our children – Most of what we know about money we learned from our parents. Being a good parent doesn’t mean that you handle your finances well. The Bible says a wise man leaves and inheritance to His children’s children. Did you receive an inheritance? Will you leave one? Nothing just happens. We can’t live our lives paycheck to paycheck and then expect an abundance to be left to our children. We must prepare! Even if we plan to have life insurance policies to leave our children, we must teach prepare them to handle large sums of cash. If we want our children to be prepared we must teach them that it’s better to own Nike stock than Nike shoes.
We must embrace the process – Anything worth having is worth working for including financial freedom. Acquiring wealth is process that begins with our thinking. We must bombard our thinking with information about money. We must decide what financial freedom means. One person may say it’s no debt. Another may say it’s the freedom to pursue a dream job without having to consider money. What do you say?
We must not expect a quick fix – People are constantly being taken advantage of because they look for a quick fix. You must learn about money, identify your spending habits and develop a plan that will produce solid results long term. People are living above their means and using credit cards to finance their lives. When the credit cards are maxed out, they refinances their homes to continue the façade until the entire thing collapses.
I don’t claim to know it all because I’m still learning every day! However, I always try to share what I have learned. I hope this helps those of you who haven’t taken responsibility for your financial future to face your fears, get educated and pursue freedom!
History Lesson:
In 1971 President Nixon stopped the dollar from being backed by gold which changed the dollar from money to currency. This decision led to the demise of the Bretton Woods system which demanded that every nation adopt a monetary policy that maintained the exchange rate of its currency within in a fixed value –plus or minus one percent –in term of gold. This kept currency from floating. Once gold no longer backed the dollar it began to lose value because the U.S. could print currency that had no value. When the dollar was backed by gold, it made sense to save it. Now saving money is not the way to become financially independent. (For more information check outhttp://www.investopedia.com/terms/n/nixon-shock.asp)
The dollar is constantly losing value. According to a recent Bloomberg report, the dollar has lost 13.2% of its value since George W. Bush took office in January 2001. That means the dollar is losing its purchasing power. This is why the same bag of chips that costs $.75 in 2001 cost $1.29 today…the dollar is losing value. So what should we do? The short answer is that we need to learn how to invest our money in assets that are less likely to lose value. We use to hear that a home was an asset…well the latest recession proves that is not true. All around the nation, people are living in homes that they can’t sell because those homes have lost their value. There are many investment vehicles, but you’ll have to find the right one for you.
Here are some things that must occur to be prepared for whatever direction the economy may take:
We must take responsibility for our financial knowledge and future – Too many people expect someone else to rescue them financially. We have a generation of people preparing to retire that expect the government to pay them social security. Social security is on a fast train to bankruptcy. If you put your trust in it, you will be disappointed. Others have put all of their trust in 401K. We’ve had many corporations show us that we can’t trust them to provide our financial security. Others trust so called financial experts who have no personal proof that their advice works. Finally most people just keep working, spending and pretending that things are getting worse. Take responsibility!
The Bible says people perish for lack of knowledge! Most people do not have enough financial literacy to make intelligent decision regarding money. Do you k
Open your bills! Face your creditors! Pull your credit report! Stop ignoring your debt and current financial situation. In order to create a roadmap anywhere, you must locate where you are.
We must educate our children – Most of what we know about money we learned from our parents. Being a good parent doesn’t mean that you handle your finances well. The Bible says a wise man leaves and inheritance to His children’s children. Did you receive an inheritance? Will you leave one? Nothing just happens. We can’t live our lives paycheck to paycheck and then expect an abundance to be left to our children. We must prepare! Even if we plan to have life insurance policies to leave our children, we must teach prepare them to handle large sums of cash. If we want our children to be prepared we must teach them that it’s better to own Nike stock than Nike shoes.
We must embrace the process – Anything worth having is worth working for including financial freedom. Acquiring wealth is process that begins with our thinking. We must bombard our thinking with information about money. We must decide what financial freedom means. One person may say it’s no debt. Another may say it’s the freedom to pursue a dream job without having to consider money. What do you say?
We must not expect a quick fix – People are constantly being taken advantage of because they look for a quick fix. You must learn about money, identify your spending habits and develop a plan that will produce solid results long term. People are living above their means and using credit cards to finance their lives. When the credit cards are maxed out, they refinances their homes to continue the façade until the entire thing collapses.
I don’t claim to know it all because I’m still learning every day! However, I always try to share what I have learned. I hope this helps those of you who haven’t taken responsibility for your financial future to face your fears, get educated and pursue freedom!
Monday, September 13, 2010
A Very Present Help in Trouble!
Have you heard the song that says, “He may not come when you want Him, but He’s always on time?” Do you sing it? Have you ever stopped to think about that song? Is it scriptural? These are the types of questions, a person who walks by faith must ask. There are scriptures that warn us to be aware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is really just a way to tell us to be aware of things that seem godly, but actually minimize the power of God.
You may be thinking there are scriptures in the Bible where God did not deliver the people when they wanted it. For example, the children of Israel in slavery in Egypt and you would be correct. However, here is something to consider: God told Abraham that his descendents would be enslaved for 430 years and at exactly 430 years, God delivered them. So who did God tell that you had to be bondage to debt, sickness, or a bad relationship for a certain period of time? Furthermore, when Jesus came He told us that He came to preach this acceptable year of the Lord. The acceptable year of the Lord refers to the year of Jubilee. In the Old Testament, every seven years was a year of deliverance, when they people were set free from everything bad. Jesus told us that what once happened every seven years was now available daily to all who would believe.
So why are so many people in bondage? The answer is simple…they don’t believe (because of a lack of knowledge or a refusal to accept the truth) that Jesus has ALREADY delivered them. The Bible tells us that Jesus is the expression of God in the earth. In other words, Jesus displayed the Father’s heart towards humanity. Can you find a place in scripture where Jesus made someone wait for deliverance? No you can’t. Do you want to know why? Those days are over with!
You and I have a better covenant! We are entitled to all of the natural blessing of Abraham as well as the spiritual rebirth through Christ. This means that we don’t have to stay bound! We are redeemed from all of the works of the enemy! What are the works of the enemy - sickness, disease, poverty, depression, bad relationships and anything else steals, kills and destroys. (Gal. 3:13-14, John 10:10)
Let’s look at these two scriptures:
“Now listen to me: You're a hardheaded bunch and hard to help. I'm ready to help you right now. Deliverance is not a long-range plan. Salvation isn't on hold. I'm putting salvation to work in Zion now, and glory in Israel." Isaiah 46:12 (Message)
“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12
I love that it says, “Deliverance is not a long range plan” and “The Word of God is quick” According to the dictionary, quick means “prompt, able to move with speed, keenly responsive.”
We need to change our view of God. When we are in trouble God doesn’t just sit back and wait to help us. In fact, Psalm 46:1 tells us that God is a very present help in the time of trouble. Many people think that when they are in trouble, they have to call God and wait on Him to come, but the Bible tells us that He is present in trouble. How is that possible? God dwells in us through His Spirit so He doesn’t have to come down from heaven to rescue us! Isn’t that good news?
So could it be that is has taken so long to receive healing, debt freedom or family restoration because our view of God is incorrect? What happens if you realize that God is with you now, longing to help you? What happens if you begin to study the Word and it becomes real to you that God loves you and has already provided deliverance for every problem you could ever be presented with? I think your life would change!
You may be thinking there are scriptures in the Bible where God did not deliver the people when they wanted it. For example, the children of Israel in slavery in Egypt and you would be correct. However, here is something to consider: God told Abraham that his descendents would be enslaved for 430 years and at exactly 430 years, God delivered them. So who did God tell that you had to be bondage to debt, sickness, or a bad relationship for a certain period of time? Furthermore, when Jesus came He told us that He came to preach this acceptable year of the Lord. The acceptable year of the Lord refers to the year of Jubilee. In the Old Testament, every seven years was a year of deliverance, when they people were set free from everything bad. Jesus told us that what once happened every seven years was now available daily to all who would believe.
So why are so many people in bondage? The answer is simple…they don’t believe (because of a lack of knowledge or a refusal to accept the truth) that Jesus has ALREADY delivered them. The Bible tells us that Jesus is the expression of God in the earth. In other words, Jesus displayed the Father’s heart towards humanity. Can you find a place in scripture where Jesus made someone wait for deliverance? No you can’t. Do you want to know why? Those days are over with!
You and I have a better covenant! We are entitled to all of the natural blessing of Abraham as well as the spiritual rebirth through Christ. This means that we don’t have to stay bound! We are redeemed from all of the works of the enemy! What are the works of the enemy - sickness, disease, poverty, depression, bad relationships and anything else steals, kills and destroys. (Gal. 3:13-14, John 10:10)
Let’s look at these two scriptures:
“Now listen to me: You're a hardheaded bunch and hard to help. I'm ready to help you right now. Deliverance is not a long-range plan. Salvation isn't on hold. I'm putting salvation to work in Zion now, and glory in Israel." Isaiah 46:12 (Message)
“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12
I love that it says, “Deliverance is not a long range plan” and “The Word of God is quick” According to the dictionary, quick means “prompt, able to move with speed, keenly responsive.”
We need to change our view of God. When we are in trouble God doesn’t just sit back and wait to help us. In fact, Psalm 46:1 tells us that God is a very present help in the time of trouble. Many people think that when they are in trouble, they have to call God and wait on Him to come, but the Bible tells us that He is present in trouble. How is that possible? God dwells in us through His Spirit so He doesn’t have to come down from heaven to rescue us! Isn’t that good news?
So could it be that is has taken so long to receive healing, debt freedom or family restoration because our view of God is incorrect? What happens if you realize that God is with you now, longing to help you? What happens if you begin to study the Word and it becomes real to you that God loves you and has already provided deliverance for every problem you could ever be presented with? I think your life would change!
Friday, August 27, 2010
Jesus Heals Them All
Many believers struggle with sickness, disease, anxiety and low self esteem daily? Could it be that they do not know the reality of the redemption available in Christ? The English word “salvation” does not fully communicate what the original Greek word “sozo” means. Typically when people hear the term salvation, they think “Heaven or hell” and while that true, it is an incomplete understanding of what Jesus did on the Cross for those who believe. “Sozo” means deliverance, preservation; material and temporal deliverance from danger and apprehension.” (Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words). Notice the word temporal which refers to earthly things. So Jesus came to deliver those who believe from sin and sickness.
This is an amazing promise! Isaiah 53 is about Jesus becoming the substitute from mankind. As I explained this to my children the other day, I used an illustration that I will share with you. Imagine that you have done something wrong and your parents have decided to spank you. You are on the bed preparing to receive what is rightfully yours, the spanking you deserve for your disobedience, but your brother or sister walk in and say, “Don’t spank her/him, spank me instead.” My kids immediately said “Someone would have to really love you to do that.” Well that’s how much God loves you! HE arranged a substitution for you! Isaiah 53 tells us that Jesus himself bore our sickness, disease, grief and sorrow! So it is not the will of God for you to be sick, depressed or bound in any area! Praise the Lord!
Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil and sickness is a part of those evil works. Many think that God uses sickness to teach his children lessons, but that is erroneous teaching. Often when people tell me that everyone “can’t get healed” I challenge them to confirm that by scripture instead of experience. What does that mean? It means instead of deciding what God will do based on life experience decide what He will do based on His Word. If you read the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke & John) you will discover that every time anyone came to Jesus, He healed them! In fact is Matthew 12:15 tells us that “He healed them all.” There is not one place in scripture where people came to Jesus and HE didn’t help them! Hebrews 13:8 – Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today and forever. Jesus is the same. He healed then and He heals now.
Unfortunately many believers haven’t fully comprehended the magnitude of what Jesus did on the Cross which causes them to struggle with sickness and disease. Not only did He deal with our eternity, but He made provision for right now. No more sin! No more sickness! Allowing sickness to operate in our bodies is like taking the spanking that our sibling has already taken. The price has been paid!
You don’t have to struggle, but you must make some changes in order to walk in freedom. You must get in the Word! Too many believers put more faith in the doctor’s report than the report of God. Often that is because they don’t know what God said. Here are some steps that will help!
1. Take the Word like medicine. Read the scriptures of Jesus healing the multitudes until your heart is convinced that healing is the will of God for you. Be consistent!
2. Find a faith filled church. There are lots of churches that love Jesus, but not so many that believe that the Jesus of the bible is still doing the same miracles today. If you are going to stand in faith, you need to be others who believe in divine healing too. Not people who are trying you to accept your sickness and die gracefully.
3. Obey God – God will give you instructions, follow them! He may correct your eating, increase your water intake, or send you to a certain doctor. Whatever He says do it!
4. Don’t complain about how hard faith is. It may be new, but it can’t be as hard as struggling with sickness, being controlled by fear, spending your money on doctors and medicine. Believing God is easy, you just have to learn what you can believe for!
You don’t have to be sick. God takes no pleasure in your sickness! He sent Jesus to ensure that sickness was dealt with. Now you have to believe it, expect and act in agreement! Remember Jesus healed them all!
This is an amazing promise! Isaiah 53 is about Jesus becoming the substitute from mankind. As I explained this to my children the other day, I used an illustration that I will share with you. Imagine that you have done something wrong and your parents have decided to spank you. You are on the bed preparing to receive what is rightfully yours, the spanking you deserve for your disobedience, but your brother or sister walk in and say, “Don’t spank her/him, spank me instead.” My kids immediately said “Someone would have to really love you to do that.” Well that’s how much God loves you! HE arranged a substitution for you! Isaiah 53 tells us that Jesus himself bore our sickness, disease, grief and sorrow! So it is not the will of God for you to be sick, depressed or bound in any area! Praise the Lord!
Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil and sickness is a part of those evil works. Many think that God uses sickness to teach his children lessons, but that is erroneous teaching. Often when people tell me that everyone “can’t get healed” I challenge them to confirm that by scripture instead of experience. What does that mean? It means instead of deciding what God will do based on life experience decide what He will do based on His Word. If you read the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke & John) you will discover that every time anyone came to Jesus, He healed them! In fact is Matthew 12:15 tells us that “He healed them all.” There is not one place in scripture where people came to Jesus and HE didn’t help them! Hebrews 13:8 – Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today and forever. Jesus is the same. He healed then and He heals now.
Unfortunately many believers haven’t fully comprehended the magnitude of what Jesus did on the Cross which causes them to struggle with sickness and disease. Not only did He deal with our eternity, but He made provision for right now. No more sin! No more sickness! Allowing sickness to operate in our bodies is like taking the spanking that our sibling has already taken. The price has been paid!
You don’t have to struggle, but you must make some changes in order to walk in freedom. You must get in the Word! Too many believers put more faith in the doctor’s report than the report of God. Often that is because they don’t know what God said. Here are some steps that will help!
1. Take the Word like medicine. Read the scriptures of Jesus healing the multitudes until your heart is convinced that healing is the will of God for you. Be consistent!
2. Find a faith filled church. There are lots of churches that love Jesus, but not so many that believe that the Jesus of the bible is still doing the same miracles today. If you are going to stand in faith, you need to be others who believe in divine healing too. Not people who are trying you to accept your sickness and die gracefully.
3. Obey God – God will give you instructions, follow them! He may correct your eating, increase your water intake, or send you to a certain doctor. Whatever He says do it!
4. Don’t complain about how hard faith is. It may be new, but it can’t be as hard as struggling with sickness, being controlled by fear, spending your money on doctors and medicine. Believing God is easy, you just have to learn what you can believe for!
You don’t have to be sick. God takes no pleasure in your sickness! He sent Jesus to ensure that sickness was dealt with. Now you have to believe it, expect and act in agreement! Remember Jesus healed them all!
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
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