The prabe experience and blogging has been a learning period. It has built my confidence in using new technology without dread. I has encouraged me to continue to read different literature each week. I am going to miss this time blogging summaries of the books that I am engaged in. If time were really to permit, I would probably still blog. This being my almost last semester, I am anxious to get finished and proceed ahead. As a reader, I like to read in spare time when I have nothing to do or bored. I am getting ready to start a new book by Dr. Lester Sumrall called; The Treasury of Lester Sumrall that represent a lifetime of ministry. It states that this is one devotional book that you will want to read again and again for many years to come. http://www.lesea.com/ for Lesea publishing and broadcasting.
When speaking about reading for an assignment, sometimes it can get to be overwhelming when taking more than one class. But, overall, I feel that reading is gaining knowledge and knowledge is power. There maybe some changes in my reading pattern after this, but I will always continue to read, to educate myself and others around me. It is sometimes relaxing after a long day or unfortunate occurrences to wind down and refocus energy.
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Sunday, November 27, 2011
No More Empty Hands: Stewardship; Faith & Obedience Connection.
Chapter 6: Developing stewardship is a requirement of the Lord you must meet so He can permit your hands to have a continuosly full supply. Stewardship is the ability to manage something. You are going to have to prove your ability to manage the money God gives you so that He can give you more. Obedience is the key to miracles. When God makes a financial deposit in your life, it's so that He can call on you anytime to give what He wants you to give and in doing so, He always gives you enough to enjoy life with. Stewardship begins with tithes. God promotes in stages: 1. God gives you seed according to your ability to handle Kingdom resources (Matt. 25:14-15). 2. God tests you with a few things first and increases you by how faithful He finds you in the "little" (Verses 16-19). 3. When God finds you faithful wit the resoures He gives you, He changes your status, and you go from faithful to ruler (verses 20-23). When God tells you to give something, He is trying to get something better to you.
Chapter 7: It's Time for Your Afterwards! Do you hold a promise of God in your heart as dear? Are you looking with confidence toward a manifestation of financial favor in your life? Just as God created an expectation in the hearts of His people in the Old Testament of their deliverance from slavery, He will create an expectation in your heart of your financial freedom from captivity. God wants to show you your afterwards. In Genesis 15:13-14, God speaking to Abraham "And He said unto Abram, know of a surety that they seed shall be a stranger in a land tha is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them 400 years; and also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance." Do you dare to believe God, He does not want us broke.
Chapter 8: The Conclusion.
How to Know the Best Time to Sow. The best time to sow is right now--not when you think conditions are favorable. If you wait that time is never going to come. Ask God where to sow and don't ever stop sowing. Withholding keeps people broke. Ecclesiates 11:16, "In the morning sow they seed, and in the evening withhold not thy hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good". Sow into good ground with a heart toward God and reap the harvest.
Chapter 7: It's Time for Your Afterwards! Do you hold a promise of God in your heart as dear? Are you looking with confidence toward a manifestation of financial favor in your life? Just as God created an expectation in the hearts of His people in the Old Testament of their deliverance from slavery, He will create an expectation in your heart of your financial freedom from captivity. God wants to show you your afterwards. In Genesis 15:13-14, God speaking to Abraham "And He said unto Abram, know of a surety that they seed shall be a stranger in a land tha is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them 400 years; and also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance." Do you dare to believe God, He does not want us broke.
Chapter 8: The Conclusion.
How to Know the Best Time to Sow. The best time to sow is right now--not when you think conditions are favorable. If you wait that time is never going to come. Ask God where to sow and don't ever stop sowing. Withholding keeps people broke. Ecclesiates 11:16, "In the morning sow they seed, and in the evening withhold not thy hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good". Sow into good ground with a heart toward God and reap the harvest.
Monday, November 21, 2011
No More Empty Hands!
Chapter 4: Grace for Giving and the Anointing to Sow.
In looking back at the Old Testament at the glory of God that rained down on His people to signify His blessings upon His people lives, you read about instances where prosperity followed according to obedience the manifestations of the glory. The anointing of God is connected with sowing and reaping. Any promise read in the word has the anointing on it when acted upon in obedience and faith. We must realize that we won't grow if we won't sow. God cannot fail His word, because He and His word are one. "So shall my Word be that goeth forth out of My outh: it shall not return unto Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto it is sent" (Isaiah 55: 11). The seed of the Word that you soe in your heart, and the seed of finances that you sow according to His Word shall not return empty. Followers of God must step out of the poverty mind set. God can give us a sowing grace that can surpass the best jobs and careers. We first, must realize that there is such a grace and second we must ask for it.
Chapter 5: Power of Hands that are Anointed to Sow.
By establishing the fact that God wants to put something in our hands to sow in order to activate His principles, plans, and promises in our lives, then we see His covenant is establised in our lives. From His point of view we are already blessed. Jesus paid the price in full. The Word has to be settled in your heart and mind. He is faithful who promised (Hebrews 10:23). The children of Israel had lived in slavery in Egypt and had been supernaturally delivered and provided with great wealth. God was trying to bring them into their own wealthy place. A land that was rich and fertile, a land that God Himself would water.
In looking back at the Old Testament at the glory of God that rained down on His people to signify His blessings upon His people lives, you read about instances where prosperity followed according to obedience the manifestations of the glory. The anointing of God is connected with sowing and reaping. Any promise read in the word has the anointing on it when acted upon in obedience and faith. We must realize that we won't grow if we won't sow. God cannot fail His word, because He and His word are one. "So shall my Word be that goeth forth out of My outh: it shall not return unto Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto it is sent" (Isaiah 55: 11). The seed of the Word that you soe in your heart, and the seed of finances that you sow according to His Word shall not return empty. Followers of God must step out of the poverty mind set. God can give us a sowing grace that can surpass the best jobs and careers. We first, must realize that there is such a grace and second we must ask for it.
Chapter 5: Power of Hands that are Anointed to Sow.
By establishing the fact that God wants to put something in our hands to sow in order to activate His principles, plans, and promises in our lives, then we see His covenant is establised in our lives. From His point of view we are already blessed. Jesus paid the price in full. The Word has to be settled in your heart and mind. He is faithful who promised (Hebrews 10:23). The children of Israel had lived in slavery in Egypt and had been supernaturally delivered and provided with great wealth. God was trying to bring them into their own wealthy place. A land that was rich and fertile, a land that God Himself would water.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
No More Empty Hands
Chapter 2: Walking in the financial favor of God.
In continuing with Dr. Lery Thompson; he quotes "Have your ever thought you could get ahead financially if you could just get a rais or if the stock market woul stay steady, or get enough overtime in at your job"? Well yes, we could benefit to a degree. The things in this world is not predictable and designed to only make a few rich. It leaves the majority of the people hanging, and wishing if only they could do this or that. The bible clearly warns against trusting or putting your trust and hope in uncertain riches (1 Timothy 6:17). Our finances can be here today and gone tommorrow. The financial favor of God can help with all of those things. We have to get in the position for no more empty hands. We must first gain knowledge about God's will and ways concerning finances. The example is about the financial favor in the covenant God established for us in Christ after the order of Abraham.
Before you can recieve financial favor from God, you have to first establish Him as your source. "But my God shall supply all my needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus"(Phil. 4:19)
Chapter 3: How to hold on to your dream--the difference between struggling and suffering.
Most of us are familar with struggling and not how to escape and walking free of it. The Lord has already made a way. Jesus said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life"(John 14:6). People need teaching and revelation and hope in their future from the Word of God. Freedom comes through faith and patience. This context is about how to work and cooperate with God's laws and principles of increase and freedom. We were made to dream. We should not let anyone or thing take that away from us. "God is able and willing to turn things around and bring you into your financial dream; so don't ever doubt or be afraid to speak it". The purpose for prosperity is the fulfillment of His purposes in the earth. God gives seed to the sower and He is the multiplier of the seed to provide bread for the one who has sown and more--all to God's glory.
In continuing with Dr. Lery Thompson; he quotes "Have your ever thought you could get ahead financially if you could just get a rais or if the stock market woul stay steady, or get enough overtime in at your job"? Well yes, we could benefit to a degree. The things in this world is not predictable and designed to only make a few rich. It leaves the majority of the people hanging, and wishing if only they could do this or that. The bible clearly warns against trusting or putting your trust and hope in uncertain riches (1 Timothy 6:17). Our finances can be here today and gone tommorrow. The financial favor of God can help with all of those things. We have to get in the position for no more empty hands. We must first gain knowledge about God's will and ways concerning finances. The example is about the financial favor in the covenant God established for us in Christ after the order of Abraham.
Before you can recieve financial favor from God, you have to first establish Him as your source. "But my God shall supply all my needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus"(Phil. 4:19)
Chapter 3: How to hold on to your dream--the difference between struggling and suffering.
Most of us are familar with struggling and not how to escape and walking free of it. The Lord has already made a way. Jesus said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life"(John 14:6). People need teaching and revelation and hope in their future from the Word of God. Freedom comes through faith and patience. This context is about how to work and cooperate with God's laws and principles of increase and freedom. We were made to dream. We should not let anyone or thing take that away from us. "God is able and willing to turn things around and bring you into your financial dream; so don't ever doubt or be afraid to speak it". The purpose for prosperity is the fulfillment of His purposes in the earth. God gives seed to the sower and He is the multiplier of the seed to provide bread for the one who has sown and more--all to God's glory.
Saturday, November 12, 2011
No More Empty Hands
Intro: How to have hands full with purpose by Dr. Leroy Thompson, Sr. He talks about our finances in this book and know the difference in struggling or enduring in your finances. He states, "To say with a fresh understanding, God truly is your source, and He loves you! God can supply the answer to each individual need. Know that it is God's will to prosper you and fill your hands with plenty and no lack. When we obey God and recieve His word it can truly change our lives.
Some try to change their financial condition by going back to school, working a second or third job, marriage, and so on. Neither is wrong in itself, but spiritual laws cannot be bypassed in a spiritual harvest. You have to do things according to God's way. Then with patience and trust, expect the Lord to deliver you and He Will! He can change you situation in an blink of an eye. He starts on the heart first and prosperity is a process.
Chapter 1: The will of God for you!
We are not waiting on God-He is waiting on us. He wants us blessed, just as He wants us healed, set free, and delivered. He wants us financially blessed also. Salvation-eternal redemption is the will of God for all. Poverty and financial lack do not come from God, nor are they the will of God. Proverty is not Holy. It is God's nature to bless and to prosper and not only that but, He is able to do it! God, Jesus, nor the Holy Ghost are broke or in lack. So what are we waiting for? It's time for christians to take a stand with bold declaration: "No more empty hands!" Money has a main purpose that is the propagation of the good news of the gospel--reaching mankind, teaching them, and reaching the nations (Matt. 28:19). This is money's first purpose. He doesn't want us to come before Him empty handed. That will not fulfill his purpose and glory. Your sowing is a means of God in multiplying harves back to you. finances are associated with freedom. It is written that "...the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just" (Prov. 13:22). God will see to it that every promise He has spoken will come to pass for those who walk upright before Him. The Blood of Jesus ratified a covenant of wholeness that we now have with God, being His child. It is not God's covenant with us but, our covenant with Him. Through redemption, the curse of the law of poverty, sickness, and spiritual death has been broken over our lives. The only way to deal with error is with truth. God wants us blessed!
Some try to change their financial condition by going back to school, working a second or third job, marriage, and so on. Neither is wrong in itself, but spiritual laws cannot be bypassed in a spiritual harvest. You have to do things according to God's way. Then with patience and trust, expect the Lord to deliver you and He Will! He can change you situation in an blink of an eye. He starts on the heart first and prosperity is a process.
Chapter 1: The will of God for you!
We are not waiting on God-He is waiting on us. He wants us blessed, just as He wants us healed, set free, and delivered. He wants us financially blessed also. Salvation-eternal redemption is the will of God for all. Poverty and financial lack do not come from God, nor are they the will of God. Proverty is not Holy. It is God's nature to bless and to prosper and not only that but, He is able to do it! God, Jesus, nor the Holy Ghost are broke or in lack. So what are we waiting for? It's time for christians to take a stand with bold declaration: "No more empty hands!" Money has a main purpose that is the propagation of the good news of the gospel--reaching mankind, teaching them, and reaching the nations (Matt. 28:19). This is money's first purpose. He doesn't want us to come before Him empty handed. That will not fulfill his purpose and glory. Your sowing is a means of God in multiplying harves back to you. finances are associated with freedom. It is written that "...the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just" (Prov. 13:22). God will see to it that every promise He has spoken will come to pass for those who walk upright before Him. The Blood of Jesus ratified a covenant of wholeness that we now have with God, being His child. It is not God's covenant with us but, our covenant with Him. Through redemption, the curse of the law of poverty, sickness, and spiritual death has been broken over our lives. The only way to deal with error is with truth. God wants us blessed!
Sunday, November 6, 2011
God is on my side!
Phase 15: God is on my side! Continuing and concluding from The Battle Belongs to the Lord by Joyce Meyer, she speaks about being a conqueror. You and I are more than conquerors through Jesus Christ that strengthens us. Before the battle ever begins, we have already been told that we are winners and know that we are going to come out victorious. God's love in our situations changes everything, Christ died for us, and by that He proved his love that interrupts the devestation of sin in our lives. The Lord is with us. When we are faced with impossibilities, we should never give up; we should worship and watch God work on our behalf. All things are possible to those that believe.
Phase 16: Remain in position. In Ephesians 6, is a chapter on warfare, we are told that after doing all that a crisis demands we are to stand. Also, that we will not need to fight our own battles becuse they belong to the Lord and not to us. All we are to do is take our position and remain in it until we see the victory. Our position is worshiping God. During times of waiting and need we should say, I am blessed. All my needs are met. I have favor everywhere I go. God's blessings are chasing me and overtaking me. I am blessed. We must hold fast our confession without waivering. Those who put their trust in God will never be dissappointed or ashamed.
Phase 17: For the Lord was with Him. Here the author is talking about the story of Joseph that was despised by his brothers and sold into slavery in Egypt and how the Lord brought him out and prospered him. The moral to this passage is keep a good attitude. When we are going through tuff times God will bless us in them if we will keep a good attitude and be thankful for what we have and giving praise to God, worshiping Him for who He is. Look to God as your source. Those who despise, reject, make fun of us and want nothing to do with us because we won't let them control us, may end up with a different view. We don't need those kind that are only with us when we are on our way up. If we will just hold our position, standing firmly in our place of faith, worshiping, having a good confession, we will see that wherever we go, and whatever we do, like God was with Joseph, so He will be with us to.
Phase 18: God means good. What the devil means for evil, God means for good. When God gets involved, He takes the thing meant for evil to destroy us and turns it around so that it actualyy works for our good. Nobody else can make things work out this way but God. He can take every negative and turn it to a positive to make us stronger. The story for example her is Ester and her people. How God gave her favor and she was chosen to be the queen. God has a plan in mind for us that is much better than ours when we are obedient. God records whatever good thing we do, even in secret and is not going to forget it. Each act of obedience will be rewarded. When God decides to bless us, no person on earth or devil in hell can stop Him. Gods plan is not thwarted. "If God be for us, who can be against us? If God is on our side, what can man do to us?
Conclusion: Take your position. Don't give up. Stand still. Enter the rest of God. See the salvation of the Lord. Quit worrying and trying to figure out everything that is going on in your life. Whe temptation comes, take your position and see the salvation of the Lord, which He has planned for you. "The battle is not yours; the battle belongs to the Lord".
Phase 16: Remain in position. In Ephesians 6, is a chapter on warfare, we are told that after doing all that a crisis demands we are to stand. Also, that we will not need to fight our own battles becuse they belong to the Lord and not to us. All we are to do is take our position and remain in it until we see the victory. Our position is worshiping God. During times of waiting and need we should say, I am blessed. All my needs are met. I have favor everywhere I go. God's blessings are chasing me and overtaking me. I am blessed. We must hold fast our confession without waivering. Those who put their trust in God will never be dissappointed or ashamed.
Phase 17: For the Lord was with Him. Here the author is talking about the story of Joseph that was despised by his brothers and sold into slavery in Egypt and how the Lord brought him out and prospered him. The moral to this passage is keep a good attitude. When we are going through tuff times God will bless us in them if we will keep a good attitude and be thankful for what we have and giving praise to God, worshiping Him for who He is. Look to God as your source. Those who despise, reject, make fun of us and want nothing to do with us because we won't let them control us, may end up with a different view. We don't need those kind that are only with us when we are on our way up. If we will just hold our position, standing firmly in our place of faith, worshiping, having a good confession, we will see that wherever we go, and whatever we do, like God was with Joseph, so He will be with us to.
Phase 18: God means good. What the devil means for evil, God means for good. When God gets involved, He takes the thing meant for evil to destroy us and turns it around so that it actualyy works for our good. Nobody else can make things work out this way but God. He can take every negative and turn it to a positive to make us stronger. The story for example her is Ester and her people. How God gave her favor and she was chosen to be the queen. God has a plan in mind for us that is much better than ours when we are obedient. God records whatever good thing we do, even in secret and is not going to forget it. Each act of obedience will be rewarded. When God decides to bless us, no person on earth or devil in hell can stop Him. Gods plan is not thwarted. "If God be for us, who can be against us? If God is on our side, what can man do to us?
Conclusion: Take your position. Don't give up. Stand still. Enter the rest of God. See the salvation of the Lord. Quit worrying and trying to figure out everything that is going on in your life. Whe temptation comes, take your position and see the salvation of the Lord, which He has planned for you. "The battle is not yours; the battle belongs to the Lord".
Monday, October 31, 2011
Continue To Behold and Worship
Phase 12: This chapter talks about how we are constantly being transfigured into the Lord"s image. How? By continuing to behold Him. The word BEHOLD is to gaze upon. Joyce states, "We need to stare at Jesus and glance at our problems, not stare at our problems and glance at Jesus occassionally". He took our place, took the punishment we deserved. He became our substitute and these are the things we should meditate on. We have to understand the "principle of continuing". It requires a long-term commitment; not to give up. "We must continue to study His Word and worship Him.
Phase 13: God is a big God; nothing is impossible with Him and He is on our side. None of our enemies are as great as God. He is in us and he said He will never leave or forsake us; of who, then should we be afraid? "If God be for me, who can be against me".
Phase 14: God will provide. Most people are concerned about provision. Worship wins the battle. Scriptures says that God gives food and provision to those who reverently fear and worship Him. whatever your situation God can provide. Worship is wisdom: the reverent fear and worship of the Lord is the geginning of wisdom. This is found in Psalms 111:10. Knowledge is good, but it is better to have wisdom. Without wisdom a person can become puffed up. There is no lack in worship. God is everything, and He is worthy of our praise and worship.
Phase 13: God is a big God; nothing is impossible with Him and He is on our side. None of our enemies are as great as God. He is in us and he said He will never leave or forsake us; of who, then should we be afraid? "If God be for me, who can be against me".
Phase 14: God will provide. Most people are concerned about provision. Worship wins the battle. Scriptures says that God gives food and provision to those who reverently fear and worship Him. whatever your situation God can provide. Worship is wisdom: the reverent fear and worship of the Lord is the geginning of wisdom. This is found in Psalms 111:10. Knowledge is good, but it is better to have wisdom. Without wisdom a person can become puffed up. There is no lack in worship. God is everything, and He is worthy of our praise and worship.
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