Thursday, March 17, 2011
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Thursday, September 23, 2010
God's Hand
It has been quite some time since I have written on this blog site. This delay has been spent learning lessons and opening my heart to God.
In June and July I had placed my job as the priority in my life. I was not spending time in God’s Word and even placed my job in front of serving Christ. In the middle of July I signed my resignation and began the process of humbling myself. I began my daily readings and taking the time to listen for God to speak. I was applying for employment and praying for God to open the doors for the right vessel. I looked into different mission organizations to become a full time missionary. I found that many of these organizations have placed rules about being divorced. I know God uses jacked up people all through the bible for His glory. I continued to pray and then six weeks ago I applied for a position in a ministry that’s sole purpose is to get God’s Word to every child. Two weeks after applying for this position I still had not heard anything.
This is when God’s hand showed up and showed me His power to change all things. On the night of Saturday, 08/21/10 out of my normal routine I walked into the church office to pick up the items needed at our 2nd church campus. I was asked about my work experience. It turned out that the same position I had applied for two weeks prior was e-mailed to church staff. The next day as I was driving to the main campus to deliver items from the 2nd campus I thought “If there is a parking spot near the office I’ll stop. If not I’ll just pull up and drop off the items off and leave”. You guessed it. There was a front row space right next to the office. I went in and dropped off the items then went to talk to a Pastor about my internship in Pastoral Care. This was the 1st answered prayer of the week. I was then introduced to the Church member who sent the e-mail to the Church staff. On Monday I began my internship. On Tuesday I received a phone call to set-up an interview for the position I had applied for. On Wednesday when I finished the interview I knew there would be no doubt that God had arranged this whole situation. The interview was 90% about my walk with Christ. My resume explained my work experience so that was never a question. To interview for a job and be able to talk about what God has done in my life was amazing. On Friday I received the phone call that I was hired. This was the 2nd answered prayer of the week. The 3rd answered prayer was the pay was exactly what I needed in order to live and pay my bills.
During this time I read Psalm 25 almost every day. I can truly say this Psalm helped me through this tough time. God provided all my needs during the time of being unemployed and provided a vessel that allows me to serve Him every day. I am truly blessed and amazed by the Power, Mercy, Grace and Love God has for each of His children. God reached down and held me close. His right hand never let me go.
In June and July I had placed my job as the priority in my life. I was not spending time in God’s Word and even placed my job in front of serving Christ. In the middle of July I signed my resignation and began the process of humbling myself. I began my daily readings and taking the time to listen for God to speak. I was applying for employment and praying for God to open the doors for the right vessel. I looked into different mission organizations to become a full time missionary. I found that many of these organizations have placed rules about being divorced. I know God uses jacked up people all through the bible for His glory. I continued to pray and then six weeks ago I applied for a position in a ministry that’s sole purpose is to get God’s Word to every child. Two weeks after applying for this position I still had not heard anything.
This is when God’s hand showed up and showed me His power to change all things. On the night of Saturday, 08/21/10 out of my normal routine I walked into the church office to pick up the items needed at our 2nd church campus. I was asked about my work experience. It turned out that the same position I had applied for two weeks prior was e-mailed to church staff. The next day as I was driving to the main campus to deliver items from the 2nd campus I thought “If there is a parking spot near the office I’ll stop. If not I’ll just pull up and drop off the items off and leave”. You guessed it. There was a front row space right next to the office. I went in and dropped off the items then went to talk to a Pastor about my internship in Pastoral Care. This was the 1st answered prayer of the week. I was then introduced to the Church member who sent the e-mail to the Church staff. On Monday I began my internship. On Tuesday I received a phone call to set-up an interview for the position I had applied for. On Wednesday when I finished the interview I knew there would be no doubt that God had arranged this whole situation. The interview was 90% about my walk with Christ. My resume explained my work experience so that was never a question. To interview for a job and be able to talk about what God has done in my life was amazing. On Friday I received the phone call that I was hired. This was the 2nd answered prayer of the week. The 3rd answered prayer was the pay was exactly what I needed in order to live and pay my bills.
During this time I read Psalm 25 almost every day. I can truly say this Psalm helped me through this tough time. God provided all my needs during the time of being unemployed and provided a vessel that allows me to serve Him every day. I am truly blessed and amazed by the Power, Mercy, Grace and Love God has for each of His children. God reached down and held me close. His right hand never let me go.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Acts 20:28
Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.
This is a very powerful and humbling verse. Paul spoke these words to the elders in Ephesus. This message still stands firm today. As I continue my walk with Christ and grow my faith I am reminded it is not just about me. As a leader in different ministries it is my responsibility to spread the Gospel and help others in their spiritual walk. My salvation was paid for by the blood of the living God. As 1 Timothy 4:14a states - Do not neglect your gift. My gift from God is the ability to communicate His word. I do not do this for money or self gain. I do this for the will of God and I serve him whole heartedly. Through the perseverance of my life and with sound doctrine I not only save myself but also those who hear and accept the salvation of Jesus Christ. Each of us has a flock that we tend to. You may not always be open to the idea of mentoring others; however your actions in every situation are well noted by those around you. Walking in faith and living a Christian life pays more towards others salvation then most people ever know.
This is a very powerful and humbling verse. Paul spoke these words to the elders in Ephesus. This message still stands firm today. As I continue my walk with Christ and grow my faith I am reminded it is not just about me. As a leader in different ministries it is my responsibility to spread the Gospel and help others in their spiritual walk. My salvation was paid for by the blood of the living God. As 1 Timothy 4:14a states - Do not neglect your gift. My gift from God is the ability to communicate His word. I do not do this for money or self gain. I do this for the will of God and I serve him whole heartedly. Through the perseverance of my life and with sound doctrine I not only save myself but also those who hear and accept the salvation of Jesus Christ. Each of us has a flock that we tend to. You may not always be open to the idea of mentoring others; however your actions in every situation are well noted by those around you. Walking in faith and living a Christian life pays more towards others salvation then most people ever know.
Friday, May 7, 2010
Galatians 2:20
"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me”
I can truly say I struggle with this verse. We are still in a world that is polluted with sin. Just about every corner and turn I make sin is in my face. To be crucified with Christ means to be dead to sin. Satan is constantly testing me and my faith. I ask the Holy Spirit each day for guidance, wisdom and refuge. I live my life in faith of someone I cannot text, e-mail or call on a phone. Living in Faith takes me outside of all my senses. Imagine talking to people and trying to introduce them to your best friend that you cannot see. That is a walk in faith. I think about God turning his back when Jesus was beaten, mocked, spit on and crucified. As a father I cannot imagine turning my back on my son and allowing him to be treated like that. This was done for me (us). When I think about this I realize just how much God loves each one of us.
I can truly say I struggle with this verse. We are still in a world that is polluted with sin. Just about every corner and turn I make sin is in my face. To be crucified with Christ means to be dead to sin. Satan is constantly testing me and my faith. I ask the Holy Spirit each day for guidance, wisdom and refuge. I live my life in faith of someone I cannot text, e-mail or call on a phone. Living in Faith takes me outside of all my senses. Imagine talking to people and trying to introduce them to your best friend that you cannot see. That is a walk in faith. I think about God turning his back when Jesus was beaten, mocked, spit on and crucified. As a father I cannot imagine turning my back on my son and allowing him to be treated like that. This was done for me (us). When I think about this I realize just how much God loves each one of us.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Philippians 4:6
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present you requests to God.”
During the course of last week, I had a lot of anxiety in my heart and mind. I had been going crazy trying to discern the decisions I had to make. On Thursday my heart was heavy and I finally stopped and asked God to provide me with the strength to get this anxiety behind me and provide me with the courage to handle the situation. I gave thanks for everything he has done in my life and for the prayers he has answered. All my anxiety was immediately gone. I asked God to challenge me with a new verse and he provided me with this one. When I first read the verse I knew it was God reaffirming what I had done on Thursday. In today’s world with the pressures on everyone in the areas of work, finances, family and loved ones we tend to forget that God will always provide. As the scripture states, “IN EVERY SITUATION”, present your requests to God. We also need to ensure we give thanks for everything God has already provided for us no matter how big or small.
During the course of last week, I had a lot of anxiety in my heart and mind. I had been going crazy trying to discern the decisions I had to make. On Thursday my heart was heavy and I finally stopped and asked God to provide me with the strength to get this anxiety behind me and provide me with the courage to handle the situation. I gave thanks for everything he has done in my life and for the prayers he has answered. All my anxiety was immediately gone. I asked God to challenge me with a new verse and he provided me with this one. When I first read the verse I knew it was God reaffirming what I had done on Thursday. In today’s world with the pressures on everyone in the areas of work, finances, family and loved ones we tend to forget that God will always provide. As the scripture states, “IN EVERY SITUATION”, present your requests to God. We also need to ensure we give thanks for everything God has already provided for us no matter how big or small.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Biblical Fasting
During the beginning of March 2010, the church I attend asked the people to fast. Throughout the course of the week I had numerous people tell me that people questioned why they were fasting. Many people also commented that the church should not ask anyone to fast and that it was not Biblical.
I placed this subject on a back burner due to the controversy it brings. Over the past three days during my daily scripture reading I read two different verses in two different books of the Bible that talked about fasting. This prompted me to look more into the biblical aspect of it.
I certainly remember growing up and giving up something for Lent each year. As Easter approaches there are many who are still honoring this. This can be considered a form a fasting in today’s fast paced world. I have found that fasting appears numerous times throughout the Bible. The Master Study Bible refers to fasting as an act before God in the privacy of your pursuit of God. The early churches fasted to seek God’s will for the church leaders.
The three main forms of fasting in the Bible are:
•No food only water (Luke 4:2)
•No food or water for no more than 3 days (Ezra 10:6, Esther 4:16 & Acts 9:9)
•Fruits, Vegetables and water only (Daniel 10:3)
I personally find it ironic that people would question why people would fast and actually state it is not Biblical. I welcome the idea of fasting when I need to hear God. Fasting is a private matter between you and God. Boasting or advertising your fast to make people think you are righteous or Holy is not Biblical. In Matt 6:16, Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for doing just that. Jesus did not appoint any fasts during his time on earth, however He did fast for 40 days and 40 nights prior to being tempted by the devil (Matt 4:2-3).
I would urge anyone seeking God for Confession of Sins, Mourning, Heartfelt Prayer, Personal Afflictions or any Major Decisions to fast prior to talking with God. This will truly assist in cleansing the body and soul so you can truly listening and hear God’s answer.
I placed this subject on a back burner due to the controversy it brings. Over the past three days during my daily scripture reading I read two different verses in two different books of the Bible that talked about fasting. This prompted me to look more into the biblical aspect of it.
I certainly remember growing up and giving up something for Lent each year. As Easter approaches there are many who are still honoring this. This can be considered a form a fasting in today’s fast paced world. I have found that fasting appears numerous times throughout the Bible. The Master Study Bible refers to fasting as an act before God in the privacy of your pursuit of God. The early churches fasted to seek God’s will for the church leaders.
The three main forms of fasting in the Bible are:
•No food only water (Luke 4:2)
•No food or water for no more than 3 days (Ezra 10:6, Esther 4:16 & Acts 9:9)
•Fruits, Vegetables and water only (Daniel 10:3)
I personally find it ironic that people would question why people would fast and actually state it is not Biblical. I welcome the idea of fasting when I need to hear God. Fasting is a private matter between you and God. Boasting or advertising your fast to make people think you are righteous or Holy is not Biblical. In Matt 6:16, Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for doing just that. Jesus did not appoint any fasts during his time on earth, however He did fast for 40 days and 40 nights prior to being tempted by the devil (Matt 4:2-3).
I would urge anyone seeking God for Confession of Sins, Mourning, Heartfelt Prayer, Personal Afflictions or any Major Decisions to fast prior to talking with God. This will truly assist in cleansing the body and soul so you can truly listening and hear God’s answer.
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