Approach with confidence!

Have you ever had a relationship that you needed to seek forgiveness from the other person, yet you felt like you couldn't? Was the fear because maybe you realized at that moment that one area you felt failure in was your lack of investment in that relationship? Or was it that you treasured that relationship so much? Are we doing the same thing with our relationship with God?

Here is your stone!! "Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. "(Hebrews 4:16 NIV).

Approaching the throne with confidence? That is not a confidence that is built on how much we give to the relationship, rather its built on the truth of what God did for us!! If He was willing to make that sacrifice for you and I when we were known to fail, He is ALWAYS ready to give us grace. Go to Him confidently with knowing HIS love. We can't let our lack of investment in our relationship with Him, lessen the truth of His sacrifice for us.

Not mine..... Yours!!!

As we prepare for 2013, many will set a goal list or at least talk about the different items or even a single change they want to accomplish next year. Isn't it interesting the things we plan? I mean there are things we do need to do, but isn't our goal to live out His plan? Can we approach a new year with no idea of what it holds with the attitude that Christ did the night before He was to be crucified?
Here is your stone!! "“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”" (Luke 22:42 NIV). As Him as our example, can we submit to His will? Will you commit to a new list you create or to the You list by the creator?

Opportunity Opposition

There are times in life when we feel like a door has been opened and we are ready for some amazing opportunity. It is something that we know that God is all over. Then as we step through the door and begin moving forward, WHAM!! Opposition begins. Doubt creeps in. Fear sneaks up. Was God really there? YES!!!
Here is your stone!! "because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me." (1 Corinthians 16:9 NIV).
God is getting ready to do something BIG. Get ready. If you are feeling opposition or resistance, it's because you are moving forward. Idleness does not create opposition.

PC or JC

Over the years we have all been told and challenged to be more "PC" (politically correct). It has gotten to a point that it has become second nature to many. I will admit that in some cases a PC approach makes a little sense, but not when it comes to my savior! As a follower are we suppose to see that change?
Here is your stone!! "neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:39 NIV).
That separation happens when we don't speak of Him daily. So which is your priority, PC or JC? I pick Jesus!!

Merry CHRISTmas !!!!!

Pit Growth

Have you ever felt defeated, tapped out, or even simply burned out with a situation or challenge. Often it becomes decision time to throw up your hands and quit or to grab ahold and ride it out. Either of these may be right, but it's the time up to that point that you have to reflect. It is during those times that you are given the most wisdom in the process of what appears to be a time of failure.

Here is your stone!! "Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." (James 1:4 NIV)

Not lacking ANYTHING!!! It's during those times when Christ is working in you and providing you with all you need to GROW FORWARD!!! How will you Grow today?

Bench mark

Have you ever found yourself justifying how you are or how you handle a situation? Maybe you have found an opportunity that allows you to compare yourself to another person. Often we might even compare ourselves to other "believers". Just like a lion finds the weakest in a herd, we allow ourselves to find the faults in others to base our comparisons. Wow, not much of a benchmark is it?
Here is your stone!! "We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise." (2 Corinthians 10:12 NIV). We must recognize that we all fail and yet God knows we are not perfect. Our benchmark- Jesus!! Strive to be like Him and know that God understands we won't make that level, but will glorify Him on the journey.

12-12-12

The number 12 is a perfect number. How will we allow the Perfect God to work in our lives today?

http://www.biblestudy.org/bibleref/meaning-of-numbers-in-bible/12.html

Out of sight out of mine.

We are always willing to share our faith right? I mean any time someone wants to pray for a meal, we are jumping right in! If others talk about needing prayer or even say they will pray for us, we don't even get offended. I mean most Sundays, we are even willing to go to church. I'd bet that if asked on a application or form, we might even pick Christian from the list. I mean if push came to shove, we would even get a little frustrated about all the talk of separation of church and state. This is BIG! Or is it? You know that most of us can live our lives in the world and never really step out and share our faith, live out our faith, or even show our passion for Jesus OUR Savior! The reason, well.....
Here is your stone!! "Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not openly acknowledge their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue;" (John 12:42 NIV). That fear of being "put out" of something or some group is the fear that keeps our faith hidden. He saved our lives!! Why would we not talk about this all the time!!!! Give Him some praise! People need to see your passion!!!

Step down.

Humility, a word we all know but do we live with it. Son often we do things to be recognized. To get praise for those things in a world so filled with competition, pride, and self interest. Truth is that any real greatness we gain is all part of His plan, not ours. God continues to place opportunities before us to "succeed". So why would we take the credit. If we could live as we are called, imagine the amazing things we could be in trusted with for His glory..

Here is your stone!! "He must become greater; I must become less.” (John 3:30 NIV). How are you positioned today?

Thought of the weak!

As a teen and into my twenties and early thirties, I was completely aware of how perfect Christians thought they were. Often hearing it through their condemning of others around them. Obviously that condemnation was spoken to other Christians about someone else. Yet I never heard about their failures. About their reality. As a non believer at the time, I found myself seeing it as joke, insult, and something I wanted nothing to do with. Then there came a night, as men shared their failures, struggles, and how they were working on them, through God's strength. Wow!! I needed that!! Within hours, I made the most important decision, that I am never going to be perfect, but could have a relationship with the Perfecter. I once heard a pastor say, "Share your strengths and you build walls, Share your weaknesses and you build bridges." It's not our "perfect talk" that gives us freedom, it is His Grace!!

Here is your stone!! "But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me." (2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV)

Let His power rest on you and build bridges today!!! Thank You Jesus!!!!!

Ask Believe Live

Have you ever asked for anything and not gotten it? Of course we have!! We always ask for something, but usually it is either a fleshy or prideful want. What about a REAL FAITH REQUEST? Something that you knew would align with God's word? Maybe we have and then the enemy brings doubt. We must ask in Faith and Believe God will deliver!!

Here is your stone!! "But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind." (James 1:6 NIV). Ask, Believe, Live it out!!

L I V E!!!!!

I believe!!! Do you??? We often talk about our faith in an abbreviated manner. What I mean is that so often I hear the words, "I believe that Jesus walked the Earth, was crucified, and rose from the dead and is now with God in Heaven.". Would you agree with that statement? This is a true statement, but there is more!! He IS STILL ALIVE!! He is living with us today. As a believer we must see Him in our daily lives because so many have become blind to His presence. Open your eyes and recognize Him today!!!

Here is your stone!! "Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live." (John 14:19 NIV)

Live today!!! God have us this gift of life today. How will you make the most of it to bring Him glory?

Enriched!!!

Get ready!!! I mean really get ready. Have you had your morning cup of joe? Here ya go. Get ready for God to use you today!! Here is your stone!! "For in him you have been enriched in every way—with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge—" (1 Corinthians 1:5 NIV). You are enriched!! No negative speaking or thinking today. Live your enriched life through Christ!!! I love my savior and give Him all praise and glory. Thank God for enriching me with my awesome kids, a great job, and my AMAZING WIFE!!! Today!! Live enriched!!!!!