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.
Monday, October 24, 2011
Worship, Prayer and Change
Phase 8: Worship should be something we do before we ever ask the Lord to do anything for us; bfore we pray and then start seeing changes in our life and circumstances. "Change comes after we worship God, not before." The author speaks about worship and faith. The story of the canaanite woman seeking to get her daughter healed is a good example in Matthew 15:22-23. The woman came out with a loud cry and begged have mercy on me, O Lord, son of David. The woman's miracle came when she established that she had faith and that she was going to worship God. God sees our heart, and sincerity of heart is the most important thing to him. Our worship has to be real and comes out of a heart of genuine thankgiving and praise. We must fix our minds and heart on the Lord when worshiping Him. (John 4:23, 24). Joyce states, "We all must be open to growth, which always means change. Knowledge and revelation is progressive; if a thing is not moving, then it is dying." The confession of our mouth is a powerful weapon. The power of life and death is in the tongue (Proverbs 18:21).
Phase 9: Change from worshiping; when you bow down and worship God, using King David's method, you will begin to see some marvelous things happen and deliverance from bondages. In John chapter 6, the people asked "What must we do to please God?" Jesus answered and said, "Believe." We are to believe the word of God and then see the manifestation. We are to believe and enter God's rest, knowing that He is working on our behalf. "When we praise God before we see change, we are saying with our actions that we believe and start declaring that we already have the victory. The battle belongs to the Lord.
Phase 10: Worship God with a pure conscience--True worship has to come from the heart. It is not a learned behavior. Paul spoke of the importance of keeping our conscience clear or clean. This is one of the main functions of the Holy Spirit; to teach and lead us into all truth and convict us of sin in our lives and convince us of righteousness (John 16: 8,13). Paul worshiped with a clear conscience. This opens the door to repentence, if we confess our sins then God is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Then we can live before Him with a clear conscience.
Phase 11: Transformation and Transfiguration--"Do not be conformed to this world (present age) but be transformed (Changed) by the renewing of your mind' (Romans 12: 2). This is a Greek word metamorphoo, meaning "to change into another form." We must die to self to live for Christ. The example is the apostle Paul in the book of Galatians 2:20, crucified with Christ. We must die to ungodly attitudes, patterns, ways of acting and speaking, our own plans and desires. No pain, no gain.
Phase 9: Change from worshiping; when you bow down and worship God, using King David's method, you will begin to see some marvelous things happen and deliverance from bondages. In John chapter 6, the people asked "What must we do to please God?" Jesus answered and said, "Believe." We are to believe the word of God and then see the manifestation. We are to believe and enter God's rest, knowing that He is working on our behalf. "When we praise God before we see change, we are saying with our actions that we believe and start declaring that we already have the victory. The battle belongs to the Lord.
Phase 10: Worship God with a pure conscience--True worship has to come from the heart. It is not a learned behavior. Paul spoke of the importance of keeping our conscience clear or clean. This is one of the main functions of the Holy Spirit; to teach and lead us into all truth and convict us of sin in our lives and convince us of righteousness (John 16: 8,13). Paul worshiped with a clear conscience. This opens the door to repentence, if we confess our sins then God is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Then we can live before Him with a clear conscience.
Phase 11: Transformation and Transfiguration--"Do not be conformed to this world (present age) but be transformed (Changed) by the renewing of your mind' (Romans 12: 2). This is a Greek word metamorphoo, meaning "to change into another form." We must die to self to live for Christ. The example is the apostle Paul in the book of Galatians 2:20, crucified with Christ. We must die to ungodly attitudes, patterns, ways of acting and speaking, our own plans and desires. No pain, no gain.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Don't wrestle--worship
This is a continuance of Joyce's "The Battle Belongs to the Lord" part II entitled "Transformed through Worship". (Phase 5) Here she talks about Elijah (1 Kings 17:1) the prophet of the Lord. During this time he was sent to the wicked king Ahab to warn him of a coming drought although, God took care of Elijah by sending him to a poor widow woman. This 3 year drought and famine was on the land to show Ahab God's power. After three years God sent Elijah again to tell Ahab it was about to rain again. Now Elijah heard this in his spirit by faith. This made Ahab angry, because he did not want him to be right or in control. Elijah was listening to God and he believed what He said and began to act on it before he saw the manifestation. The point is just like Elijah announce to Ahab it was going to rain, we need to announce outloud what is going to happen in our life according to the word of God. So, hold your battle position. Elijah down on his knees got in the position of worship and it kept him strong. "When you worship God, He will send a Holy Ghost rain and drown out the Ahabs.
(Phase 6) Don't wrestle-worship: For we wrestle not against flesh and blood (Ephesians 6:12). Our war is not with the people around us, nor with ourselves. Our greatest battle is with ourselves, struggling with where we are and where we see that we need to be. We must remember that only God can fight our battles and give us the victory. Salvation is our most valued blessing. We can be changed as we worship God and not look to ourselves or counting our flaws-but as we look to Him. We can not do it on our own and have been given the Holy Spirit to aid us in our endeavors and to be like Christ. "Don't spend life trying to collect what is due you from someone that can never pay you back. God is our vindicator, reward and recompense. We release God to work on our behalf as we release our faith. As we worship God, we are released from frustration. When we worship His attributes, they are released in our lives. Such as: His loyalty, kindness, love, peace, faithfulness and more will be released in our own character.
(Phase 7) Be Transfigured: The scriptures speak about the transfiguration on Mt. Carmel of Jesus. As he was praying, the appearance of His countenance changed and His garments became a dazzling white. Being in His presence transforms us. We are in a battle, be ready to use our weapons of prayer, worship, praise and the Word of God. "When the world looks at us they need to see something different about us." The countenance on our face counts. In prayer, the first thing we normally talk about is our need or desire, but we need to enter His gates with praises and thanksgiving first. Worshiping Him should come before our asking. "More praise than petition." Magnify the Lord and with uplifted hands; there is power in worship and God is worthy. Water baptisim demonstrates what we believe is our through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Worship is a powerful force that shakes heaven, earth, and hell it gets God attention.
(Phase 6) Don't wrestle-worship: For we wrestle not against flesh and blood (Ephesians 6:12). Our war is not with the people around us, nor with ourselves. Our greatest battle is with ourselves, struggling with where we are and where we see that we need to be. We must remember that only God can fight our battles and give us the victory. Salvation is our most valued blessing. We can be changed as we worship God and not look to ourselves or counting our flaws-but as we look to Him. We can not do it on our own and have been given the Holy Spirit to aid us in our endeavors and to be like Christ. "Don't spend life trying to collect what is due you from someone that can never pay you back. God is our vindicator, reward and recompense. We release God to work on our behalf as we release our faith. As we worship God, we are released from frustration. When we worship His attributes, they are released in our lives. Such as: His loyalty, kindness, love, peace, faithfulness and more will be released in our own character.
(Phase 7) Be Transfigured: The scriptures speak about the transfiguration on Mt. Carmel of Jesus. As he was praying, the appearance of His countenance changed and His garments became a dazzling white. Being in His presence transforms us. We are in a battle, be ready to use our weapons of prayer, worship, praise and the Word of God. "When the world looks at us they need to see something different about us." The countenance on our face counts. In prayer, the first thing we normally talk about is our need or desire, but we need to enter His gates with praises and thanksgiving first. Worshiping Him should come before our asking. "More praise than petition." Magnify the Lord and with uplifted hands; there is power in worship and God is worthy. Water baptisim demonstrates what we believe is our through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Worship is a powerful force that shakes heaven, earth, and hell it gets God attention.
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Take Your Position
This is a continuance of Overcoming Struggles Through Worship by Joyce Meyer. In phase 3, she talks about Jehoshaphat's position when inquiring of the Lord. "On our knees is a battle position--the reverent position of face bowed to the ground is a battle position. Kneeling with uplifted hands is a battle position also." She defines praise and worship in the Old and New Testament and making know that our weapons are not natural or carnal. Praise is another position that we can take to get the victory over our battles in life. Therefore, we take a battle postion in the spiritual realm of standing our ground and worshiping the Lord. See (Ephesians 6: 13,14). The three main ideas in taking position is 1. The posture of Worship; 2. Stand up and Praise God; 3. Believe and Remain Steadfast. So, Jehoshaphat was obedient and obtained the victory in the battle. Worship transforms us and creates an atmosphere where God can work, and we can recieve.
In Phase 4, The author discusses deliverance. The people of Judah took their position and stood still worshiping and praising God. Jehoshaphat appointed singers and the Lord defeated their enemies by confusing them to the point they slaughtered each other. Phase four shares another battle victory in the book of Judges with Gideon in facing a battle. In another passage Joyce talks about resisting entanglements because they get us off course, and that we must not get out of balance. The overall messages in these two passages is let the Lord fight your battles by faith.
In Phase 4, The author discusses deliverance. The people of Judah took their position and stood still worshiping and praising God. Jehoshaphat appointed singers and the Lord defeated their enemies by confusing them to the point they slaughtered each other. Phase four shares another battle victory in the book of Judges with Gideon in facing a battle. In another passage Joyce talks about resisting entanglements because they get us off course, and that we must not get out of balance. The overall messages in these two passages is let the Lord fight your battles by faith.
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Overcoming Struggles Through Worship
I like to read uplifting and inspiring literature. I think that it builds character and renews our strengths in the inner being. Although, I normally read the scriptures; I will occassionally read best sellers and books written for ministry. This keeps me encouraged in life's endeavors. Occassionally, as I feel the need; I will re-read them again.
The book that I have just started (9/30/11) is entitled "The Battle Belongs to the Lord: Overcoming life's Struggle Through Worship" by Joyce Meyer (2002). I like Joyce because she teaches us about self-awareness and renewing the inner man. We need this to help us grow from dependency to independency, and most of all interdependency to cope ourselves and others.
In Part 1, Joyce talks about fear and being fearful. Phase 1--"Hear Directly from God". He wants us to live free from fear and feel confident doing what He tells us to do. When we understand His Will for us and unconditional love knowing that He always takes care of us and our needs, we can relax. God moves when we focus and call upon Him instead of our circumstances and fears. We must also worship Him for who He is with gratitude for the things He has done, doing, and going to do. (See: 2 Timothy 1:7)
The example given was the story of Jehoshaphat going into battle with 3 other tribes and was fearful. (2 Chronicles 20:1). Jehoshaphat needed direction and to hear from God. He began to pray, worship, and magnify Him that He would fight this battle. For the battle belongs to the Lord and ours is to have faith. Phase 2--"Admit your Dependence on God". This entails letting God do for us what we cannot do and waiting for the answer. Phase3--"Take Your Position". Kneeling with uplifted hands and face bowed down is one of the battle positions. This did Jehoshaphat. Phase 4--"The Lord Brings Deliverance".
I enjoy this kind of reading because I feel it is a kind of worship within itself. I will continue with Part 2 next week. Once you get something that is interesting, you have to finish it.
The book that I have just started (9/30/11) is entitled "The Battle Belongs to the Lord: Overcoming life's Struggle Through Worship" by Joyce Meyer (2002). I like Joyce because she teaches us about self-awareness and renewing the inner man. We need this to help us grow from dependency to independency, and most of all interdependency to cope ourselves and others.
In Part 1, Joyce talks about fear and being fearful. Phase 1--"Hear Directly from God". He wants us to live free from fear and feel confident doing what He tells us to do. When we understand His Will for us and unconditional love knowing that He always takes care of us and our needs, we can relax. God moves when we focus and call upon Him instead of our circumstances and fears. We must also worship Him for who He is with gratitude for the things He has done, doing, and going to do. (See: 2 Timothy 1:7)
The example given was the story of Jehoshaphat going into battle with 3 other tribes and was fearful. (2 Chronicles 20:1). Jehoshaphat needed direction and to hear from God. He began to pray, worship, and magnify Him that He would fight this battle. For the battle belongs to the Lord and ours is to have faith. Phase 2--"Admit your Dependence on God". This entails letting God do for us what we cannot do and waiting for the answer. Phase3--"Take Your Position". Kneeling with uplifted hands and face bowed down is one of the battle positions. This did Jehoshaphat. Phase 4--"The Lord Brings Deliverance".
I enjoy this kind of reading because I feel it is a kind of worship within itself. I will continue with Part 2 next week. Once you get something that is interesting, you have to finish it.
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