Are you struggling with something right now? If you are not, you are one of the few people on a mountain peak. However, if you are like the majority of everyone else in the world, you are in the midst of what most people call a crisis. I call it an obstacle, and if you are facing an obstacle it is for a specific reason.
When facing an obstacle, one must identify the obstacle. Once identified, one can then plan the method of attack for overcoming that particular obstacle. Some obstacles are made to go around, others are made to go over, and some are made to go through.
The obstacle is designed to stop you from reaching a particular goal. If you consider the obstacle as something you cannot overcome, then the obstacle has served its purpose, and Satan has won in his efforts to stop people from coming to know Jesus on a more intimate level. Therefore, the obstacle should be seen as a way to grow closer to God via a more intimate relationship with Jesus Christ.
Never let an obstacle trip you up, but rather lift you up. What Satan intends for harm God uses for the good of those who love the Lord and are called according to His purposes. Know that obstacles serve as a stepping stone toward God.
Overcoming obstacles is something people have done since the dawn of civilization. Be thankful to be where you are, and know that God is using everything you experience as a way to draw you closer to Him. He has you exactly where he wants you. Focus on God and any obstacle you face will instantly become less important. There is nothing you will ever experience that will overshadow or overpower God and His great love for you. By focusing on God, you are focusing on the solution and not the problem. Get your focus on Him and you will glorify Him in all you do.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Your Time, Your Schedule, Your Decisions
In a world of nifty gadgets and electronics, it is easy to get caught up in the myth that there is not enough time in the day. Truth be told, we each get 24 hours per day to accomplish tasks we have in front of us. Another sad fact is we create our own schedules. We decide what is important, what to commit to, and what we do not have time for. If you are one of those people caught in the proverbial time trap of modern society, only you can stop it.
God gives us 24 hours a day to accomplish our specific tasks. He expects us to manage our time responsibly. If we do not spend any time with Him during the day, how can we learn about Him? How can we know His voice when we Hear it? The only way we can get to know someone is to spend time with them. Do you know your mother's voice? How about your boss? And your neighbor? How about an old teacher? You know their voices because you spend time with them. The same is true of your Heavenly Father. The more time you spend with Him, the easier it is to distinguish His voice from the "noise" of hectic society.
Start saying no to extra events, even if they are for a good cause. Spend more quiet quality time with loved ones. Spend even more quiet time with God. You will experience growth in areas of your life that are now stagnant. Remember, as we draw near to Him, He draws near to us. Finally, put God first when you wake up and when you go to bed. He should be first on your list when it comes to how you start your day. He should be the last area of focus before you go to sleep. Make Him a priority today.
God gives us 24 hours a day to accomplish our specific tasks. He expects us to manage our time responsibly. If we do not spend any time with Him during the day, how can we learn about Him? How can we know His voice when we Hear it? The only way we can get to know someone is to spend time with them. Do you know your mother's voice? How about your boss? And your neighbor? How about an old teacher? You know their voices because you spend time with them. The same is true of your Heavenly Father. The more time you spend with Him, the easier it is to distinguish His voice from the "noise" of hectic society.
Start saying no to extra events, even if they are for a good cause. Spend more quiet quality time with loved ones. Spend even more quiet time with God. You will experience growth in areas of your life that are now stagnant. Remember, as we draw near to Him, He draws near to us. Finally, put God first when you wake up and when you go to bed. He should be first on your list when it comes to how you start your day. He should be the last area of focus before you go to sleep. Make Him a priority today.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Influence
Peer pressure... normally a phrase with a negative connotation... will never be viewed in the same way after you read this. Peer pressure is when one person or a group of persons tries to influence another party to participate in an action that the party would not normally participate in. Examples would be a team trying to get a new player to do some sort of "initiation," a person trying to talk another person into riding a roller coaster, or a group of people at a party trying to talk someone into drinking or doing drugs.
Today, however, will shed a new light on peer pressure. It is time to use peer pressure for good. As Christians, it is our duty to share the gospel and stand up for Jesus Christ and God's Holy Word. Knowing that we are Christians and that God's Word is the ultimate truth, it should be easy for us to stand up for what we know. I, for example, am a man, and if anyone should dispute that I would defend myself. As Christians, it should be no different. When people dispute what the Bible says, we have to stand up for what we know to be truth. If we do not stand up for what the Bible says, we are passively siding with views of the world rather than views of God.
How can you use peer pressure to share Christ? All you have to do is talk about what God says in His Word, and what God has done in your life. Not one single person has a testimony like yours, and we are called to share what God is doing in our lives. Accordingly, thanks to Scritpture, we know that God's word does not go out void, so when you quote scipture, it is the Holy Spirit's responsibility to communicate the truth of the word to the person you are witnessing to.
Next time you find yourself in the middle of a conversation about religion, God, or someone's views, do not forget to speak what you know to be true. It just might be the last time that the Gospel is shared to a particular person or group of persons. You could be that person's only lifeline to Christ.
Be encouraged, fear not, and share the love and story of Christ with everyone. The first time you do it you will probably be a little nervous, but the Lord will give you the words to say. The next time you share Christ with someone, it will be a little easier than the first. The more you do it, the easier it becomes to share your faith. Furthermore, Christ in you gives you the ability to witness, not your wordly knowledge, position, or wealth. Go out in His name, for His glory.
Fear not! His mercy endures forever.
Today, however, will shed a new light on peer pressure. It is time to use peer pressure for good. As Christians, it is our duty to share the gospel and stand up for Jesus Christ and God's Holy Word. Knowing that we are Christians and that God's Word is the ultimate truth, it should be easy for us to stand up for what we know. I, for example, am a man, and if anyone should dispute that I would defend myself. As Christians, it should be no different. When people dispute what the Bible says, we have to stand up for what we know to be truth. If we do not stand up for what the Bible says, we are passively siding with views of the world rather than views of God.
How can you use peer pressure to share Christ? All you have to do is talk about what God says in His Word, and what God has done in your life. Not one single person has a testimony like yours, and we are called to share what God is doing in our lives. Accordingly, thanks to Scritpture, we know that God's word does not go out void, so when you quote scipture, it is the Holy Spirit's responsibility to communicate the truth of the word to the person you are witnessing to.
Next time you find yourself in the middle of a conversation about religion, God, or someone's views, do not forget to speak what you know to be true. It just might be the last time that the Gospel is shared to a particular person or group of persons. You could be that person's only lifeline to Christ.
Be encouraged, fear not, and share the love and story of Christ with everyone. The first time you do it you will probably be a little nervous, but the Lord will give you the words to say. The next time you share Christ with someone, it will be a little easier than the first. The more you do it, the easier it becomes to share your faith. Furthermore, Christ in you gives you the ability to witness, not your wordly knowledge, position, or wealth. Go out in His name, for His glory.
Fear not! His mercy endures forever.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Make God first in your life
Make God first in your life. One easy way to do this is to literally put Him first in life. When you wake up in the morning, before you go to the bathroom, brush your teeth, or take a shower, immediately drop to your knees at your bedside. Thank the Lord for giving you another day, and ask Him to help you make the day count. Pray for your friends, family, and even your enemies. Before you go any further, sit down and read the Bible. Following these simple steps is an easy way to make God first in your day, which will translate to Him being first in your life.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Under Attack
Last week our ministry came under attack. Not an attack of flesh and blood, but a spiritual attack was aimed at demolishing the ministry to which God has called us. Without going into details, we immediately recognized the attacker, which led to victory over this attempted hijacking of God's calling. Although we received negative news, we realized that what Satan meant for bad, God uses for good. As a staff we discussed the dilemma at hand and immediately began recounting scripture after scripture of God's promises in our lives. Examples of Scripture that came to mind are as follows:
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
...If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31
Greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world. 1 John 4:4
The Lord will fight for you, you need only to be still. Exodus 14:14
He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6e
Being that we are of flesh the idea for vengeance did come up, but we recalled that vengeance is the Lord's. We found comfort in 2 Thessalonians 1:6 which says "God is just: He will pay back those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well."
Oddly enough, the scripture we discussed today was, once again, both profound and comforting in its timing, and reads as follows:
Psalm 62
My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation: he is my fortress, I will never be shaken. How long will you assault a man? Would all of you throw him down--this leaning wall, this tottering fence? They fully intend to topple him form his lofty place; they delight in lies. With their mouths they bless, but in their hearts they curse.
Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.
Lowborn men are but a breath, the highborn are but a lie; if weighed on a balance, they are nothing; together they are only a breath. Do not trust in extortion, or take pride in stolen goods; though your riches increase, do not set your heart on them.
One thing God has spoken, two things I have heard: That you, O God, are strong, and that you, O Lord, are loving. Surely you will reward each person according to what he has done.
Psalm 62:4
NIV
Amazing how God works, isn't it? His Word, if read and meditated on everyday, can be the most important part of your life. People say life did not come with an instruction manual, but I disagree. We have had the manual for thousands of years now, and it is known as the Bible. Don't believe us? I challenge you to pick a Bible up and start reading in the New Testament, perhaps Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John, and ask the God who created you to reveal Himself to you. It will be one of the greatest decisions you ever make.
Need a Bible? Have questions about God? contact us at mentor@spiritual2adays.com, or check out our web site at s2ad.org.
May His peace be your peace.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
...If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31
Greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world. 1 John 4:4
The Lord will fight for you, you need only to be still. Exodus 14:14
He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6e
Being that we are of flesh the idea for vengeance did come up, but we recalled that vengeance is the Lord's. We found comfort in 2 Thessalonians 1:6 which says "God is just: He will pay back those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well."
Oddly enough, the scripture we discussed today was, once again, both profound and comforting in its timing, and reads as follows:
Psalm 62
My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation: he is my fortress, I will never be shaken. How long will you assault a man? Would all of you throw him down--this leaning wall, this tottering fence? They fully intend to topple him form his lofty place; they delight in lies. With their mouths they bless, but in their hearts they curse.
Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.
Lowborn men are but a breath, the highborn are but a lie; if weighed on a balance, they are nothing; together they are only a breath. Do not trust in extortion, or take pride in stolen goods; though your riches increase, do not set your heart on them.
One thing God has spoken, two things I have heard: That you, O God, are strong, and that you, O Lord, are loving. Surely you will reward each person according to what he has done.
Psalm 62:4
NIV
Amazing how God works, isn't it? His Word, if read and meditated on everyday, can be the most important part of your life. People say life did not come with an instruction manual, but I disagree. We have had the manual for thousands of years now, and it is known as the Bible. Don't believe us? I challenge you to pick a Bible up and start reading in the New Testament, perhaps Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John, and ask the God who created you to reveal Himself to you. It will be one of the greatest decisions you ever make.
Need a Bible? Have questions about God? contact us at mentor@spiritual2adays.com, or check out our web site at s2ad.org.
May His peace be your peace.
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