Kingdom Life Coaching Resources

Seven Keys in the Healing Process

2008-05-29T15:00:00.004-05:00

Live by these seven truths found in Psalm 107:17-20 according to the Message.

Life's habits produce life's harvest.
Those in Misery will usually neglect and avoid the very thing that would bring healing.
It's our thinking that limits us.
Healing comes by God's spoken Word.
Thanksgiving and praise are a necessary part of the healing process.
Sharing our story is essential to the healing process.
It all begins when we reach out to God.

Relationships For Success

2008-04-16T08:52:00.002-05:00

Healthy, happy, and wholesome relationships have several key components:

Trust
Forgiveness
Acceptance
Faithfulness

What's A Disciple?

2007-11-05T14:19:00.000-06:00

What's a disciple? Well, a simple way to put it is that a disciple is a follower. Who does the follower follow? Well, a true follower of Jesus follows the Holy Spirit. So, we can know if we are truly disciples if we are following the Holy Spirit. Am I following me, my plans, my way? Is it all about what I want, where I am, what I need, what I like?

Seems to me, it should be about what Holy Spirit wants, likes, thinks, plans, and needs. Hmmm. Maybe I have this discipleship thing all backwards. Maybe it's not so much about me studying my Bible, praying, witnessing, tithing, and ministering as I think fit. Maybe it's about getting in behind Jesus (Holy Spirit) and just doing and saying as He leads.

Oh come on, that sounds too easy. Just stay in behind Christ and do nothing unless He says so? Hey, that might work!

Waiting Patiently

2007-10-19T14:51:00.000-05:00

Isn't it hard to be patient? It's hard to wait, wondering if things are going to line up the way we want them to. And doesn't God seem to take His sweet time? "When, Lord? Is it getting close, Lord? Are you even workin' on this thing, Lord?" Well, James has a couple of tidbits that serve as good advice about patience and waiting.
James 5:7-11 (Phillips Version)

The Waiting Farmer

God says that the farmer waits quietly. Oh my, now that's not an easy task. The first thing I want to do is tell somebody, talk about it, make an announcement. You mean I have to be quiet? Just keep it between God and me?
God says the farmer has to "possess his soul" until the rains come. You mean there's some soul stuff going on? God is working on spiritual things while I'm waiting on Him? So, this patience stuff is about my walk with Him? What's he doin' with my soul? He's building my faith. He's producing fruit in my life. He's using me as an example. He's making me into a winner. Wow!
God says that we must follow the example of the farmer and rest our hearts on an ultimate certainty. God will give us a harvest. God will do what He promises. God will not fail us. I can believe in these certainties with all my heart.

No Complaining While We Wait

Boy, there's another tuffy: no complaing. Is that even possible. What if things don't happen when I want them to? What if God doesn't do it the way I thought He would or should? What if it's painful to wait? What if people pressure me? What if I start doubting? No complaining!

Those who wait patiently are called "blessed."

You mean if I keep the right attitude, I will be blessed richly? Yep! Man, I'm waiting; that's for sure. Wait patiently and He'll answer your prayers. Wait patiently and He'll reveal His secrets. Wait patiently and He'll give you favor. Wait patiently and He'll lead you. Wait patiently and He'll empower you.

Look At Job

His end was worth the wait. He was blessed with four times as much as he had before his trials. Get ready for multiplied blessing.
He endured. Hang in there. Don't give up and don't give in. Get tough. Make up your mind. Never quit, never stop.
He showed us God's mercy. God is merciful; He really is. It may seem like God is not there, but He is right near, watching and protecting and working. God is a good God. He does care, and He has not forgotten you.
He showed us that God understands what we are going through. God knew exactly what was going on with Job, and He knew exactly what was going to happen. All that was going on was a part of God's greater plan, one that would be recorded in God's book to teach all the world.

If you are in a time of patient waiting, and most of us are, keep Jame's advice: Do what the farmer does; Don't complain; Be blessed; Learn from Job. Wait patiently!

Working Out His Will

2007-10-18T13:20:00.000-05:00

There are 10 things Paul says we can do to work out the will of God (Ephesians. 5:13-18).

Live together in peace.
Reprimand the unruly.
Encourage the timid.
Help the weak.
Be very patient with everyone.
Never repay a bad turn with another bad turn.
Always make good your objective.
Be happy in your faith at all times.
Never stop praying.
Be thankful, whatever the circumstance may be.

How Does God Grow Us?

2007-10-17T21:18:00.000-05:00

You've got to be planted.
You've got to be planted in the right place.
You've got to be tended.
You've got to be tended in the right way.
You've got to be pruned.
You've got to be pruned at the right time.
You've got to be heated.
You've got to be heated for the right reason.

The Plain

2007-10-16T13:17:00.000-05:00

Jesus ministered in the PLAIN. What does that mean? Let me point it out by using each of the letters in the word:PLAIN.

People

Jesus loved people, common, everyday people. His life was about others. He fed people. He healed people. He encouraged people. He taught people. He forgave people. He changed people forever.

Lasting

His touch was a lasting touch. His work and influence has lasted for more than 2000 years.
What he does in your life and my life will be lasting too.

Accepting

Jesus accepted people just like they were, with all their problems, worries, sins, and messed up lives. He still does the same today. I'm sure glad, or I would be out of the loop.

Invitational

Jesus never beat anybody up. People wanted to be around Him. They wanted Him at their parties. They wanted to get near Him. Everything about Jesus was inviting, and it still is.

Jesus makes everything new. People become new people when they run into Christ. He gives us a new start. He gives a new way of thinking. He gives us a new heart. New, new, new. Everything is all new since I became a Christian. The neatest thing is that He gave me a new start.

Jesus loves People in a Lasting way because He is Accepting and Invitational, making everything New. That's the PLAIN truth!

Keys To the Kingdom

2007-05-07T12:29:00.000-05:00

Here are at least three keys to the Kingdom.

The name of JESUS
Faith
Following the Holy Spirit

To access the resources of the Kingdom we must focus more on being than on doing.
Find out who you are and you will find out more about what you can do!
God bless you! Remember that you live in His favor and blessing.

RELAX

2007-03-28T10:38:00.000-05:00

God keeps telling me to relax. Sometimes we just get too uptight about things. We are too serious. Truth is we need to exhibit some of that joy that the Holy Spirit produces as fruit. Smile a little. Laugh a little. Enjoy the ride. Enjoy the scenery. Relax, kick back. The Christian life is not all about rules, restrictions, and hard toil. It's not all about commitment, diligence, frugality, determination, and battle. The Bible talks about rest, peace, and freedom too. So relax! God can get it done. Remember the Christian life is invitational. Who wants to come to all work, no play? "Sorry you're a Christian now; the fun stuffs over. It's all serious business from here on out." Come on, lighten up! RELAX a little!

Don't Give Up

2007-03-27T12:25:00.000-05:00

Don't give up! God says that we will reap a harvest if we stay with it. Don't stop now. You are just about over the hump. It's about to come in to view. Keep on keepin' on. Quit second-guessing and go for it.

The Dream

2007-03-22T10:49:00.000-05:00

God puts a dream in every person. What's your dream? Find it! Cultivate it. Go after it. God is with you, behind you, and in you. Envision your dream fulfilled and put the pieces together that can make the dream happen. Start working out those pieces today. May God bless you and give you the desire of your heart!

The Plain

2007-03-21T09:40:00.000-05:00

Today is the day. The lights are on today. The Humble House is in business. We start working in the Plain. That's where Jesus did His work according to the Bible. He prayed in the mountain top and He worked in the Plain. That's where real ministry happens. Down in the streets. Involved in the lives of the broken, the hurting, the hopeless, the battered and beaten.

Who's going to make the difference? Who's going to give their lives and hearts in the Plain? That's where real joy and peace is found. That's where faith is truly expressed. That's where all the talk ends and results rise to the surface. It means leaving your comfort zone. It means risking your faith. It means losing control. Are you ready?

Why don't you get out in the Plain? Go for it! Have faith in God. Trust your heart. Touch someone's life forever, someone who can give you nothing back but thanks and gratitude.

Speak It!

2007-03-20T11:16:00.000-05:00

It's so important to change what we say, what we speak. Sometimes we are our worst enemies. We choose our words. Whether we like it or not, our words make a huge difference. They have an impact one way or another. The biggest impact, believe it or not, is on our own selves. Our minds hear what we say as directives, not options. What you say is what you get!

"She'll never change." Well, if that's what I say, then that's how I will view her, and my actions towards her will prove it. Fathers and husbands can change the atmosphere and direction of their homes by the words they speak. Try it! It's the truth. We can destroy our children's self- perception and confidence in just a few seconds with the words that we spew at them. We can also speak a blessing and encouragement to them and watch them beam with confidence and joy.

In Mark 11, Jesus opens this truth in the story of the fig tree. He basically says that when we speak and believe what we say, it's a done deal: you will have what you say.

We need to choose our words carefully. Your life can change when your mouth changes. You can change the world around you by the words you speak to that world. Don't believe it? Try it for yourself. See how powerful your faith talk really is.

Humble House

2007-03-19T10:42:00.000-05:00

We have a house! Humble House! Right in the downtown area. The doors open Wednesday, March 21. God opened the doors....all we have to do is pay the utilities each month. Of course, we will have expenses as far as the guys are concerned. Twelve men! It's a Recovery, Re-entry, and Restoration Center. We already have four guys beating down the doors, ready to get in. All needing recovery and sobriety. These are exciting times. The coaching classes on Tuesday evenings are growing in numbers as well as growing spiritually. I'm school teacher by day and Coach by night. My wife, Sheridan, and I have been reading Matthew Barnett's book, The Church That Never Sleeps. God sent him to downtown Los Angeles to open a church and disciple people. Now, God is sending us to downtown Temple to do the same.

It's all about being real. Having a Jesus heart. It's about wanting to make a difference and it's about fulfilling His Great Commission. Few in the traditional church are hungry to grow, but the streets are full of people who are grateful for spiritual food. First, we have to feed the stomach and then the heart.

My partner in the faith, Steve Neatherland, has been housing men in his own home. His Thursdays Conquering Chemical Dependency meetings have been growing. New people every meeting. He and I would love to see another house come open for women.

I'm working on a recovery manual called The Truth Will Set You Free. I have five truths that help us get free from any addictive behaviors. Knowing these truths is what makes the difference.

God loves and accepts me.
I have God's joy and peace.
I live in God's blessing and favor.
I live by God's power and provision.
I have God's guidance and wisdom.

His power will make you patient and strong enough to endure anything.

2007-03-08T09:48:00.000-06:00

His power will make you patient enough to endure anything.

His power will make you strong enough to endure anything.

What are you going through that you feel like you just can't make it? Here's His promise. It's not your power at work; it's His power working in you. God gives us the power to wait and keep believing. God gives us the power to be strong and to stay strong. He either does or He doesn't. If He doesn't, then His Word is not true. Accept His power to produce the patience you need as well as the strength you need.

You Will Come To Know God Better!

2007-03-07T10:24:00.000-06:00

How do we come to know God better?

Through prayer, especially as He speaks to us through prayer.
Through the Scriptures. He is a Father who honors faith. Jesus said, "Come learn of me." God doesn't want us confused about who He is. He made sure that we were presented with a written record about Him and His plans.
Through His church. He has set some Apostles, some Prophets, some Teachers, some Pastors, and some Evangelists to help us to know Him in His fullness.
Through the Holy Spirit. Jesus said that when the Holy Spirit would come, He would speak to us about and reveal to us Jesus Himself. Without the Holy Spirit, it's impossible to know our Father.
Through others. God lives His life through others. Jesus told His disciples to go make other disciples. You make disciples by them seeing your Father in you.
Through good deeds. The Bible says that people will see our good deeds and praise the Heavenly Father. They praise God because the deeds are a reflection of Him.
Through Kingdom resources. Joy, peace, patience, hope, confidence, assurance, forgiveness, love, encouragement are all resources provided out of His Kingdom. Financial provision and prosperity, spiritual gifting and anointing, and Christ-centered empowering and enabling are all resources from His Kingdom. When we live out of these resources and others see them actively at work in our lives, it is a reflection of our Father.

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you!

Please Him By Good Deeds

2007-03-05T10:43:00.000-06:00

The Bible says that we have been given a new heart. It is a part of the New Covenant agreement. God replaced our heart of stone with a pliable, soft heart, one He can work with. That's really where our good deeds originate: in our new heart. God has filled your heart with love, grace, compassion, mercy, forgiveness, tenderness, and encouragement. That's why it's so easy to reach out to others. It's not really you; it's Him acting through your changed heart. God is loving others through you. The good deeds we do for others please God because the deeds are evidence of the new heart and the New Covenant in action. They are proof that we are living by faith and that God is shining through our lives. You are helping and blessing others because you want to, not because you have to. It's not a religious duty but a heart's desire. Go for it!

Living A Life That Honors The Lord

2007-03-02T09:05:00.000-06:00

How can I live a life that honor's the Lord?

Surrender. He must live His life through us. That calls for our absolute surrender. That's the beginning point of faith.
Spirit. The Holy Spirit must empower and impart this life that honors the Father. Without the Holy Spirit, that life is impossible.
Stop. We have to get out of the way. We have to stop operating in our flesh effort and rest in trusting Him by faith. If we are trying, we are missing the whole point. If we are frustrated, troubled, worried, or afraid, then we need to stop trying to live this life in our own strength. We need to let go and let God.
Still. The victorious Christian life is a life of rest, effortlessness. We just need to be still before Him. Quit clamoring, fighting, struggling, exerting, complaining, and controlling.
Sure. We must believe that He's in control. He can handle it, whatever "it" is. He doesn't need our help. He will fulfill His promise to take over and live out the Life for us and through us. We can be sure because He signed a contract with us in His Son's blood.

Wisdom and Understanding

2007-02-28T14:28:00.000-06:00

The Holy Spirit gives us all the wisdom and understanding that we need. God loves giving us insight. He loves to reveal the unknown. He also loves to disclose what we think we know. This is not about a relationship with a book (The Bible). It's about a relationship with a person (Our Father). God's understanding and wisdom brings unity not division. God's insights cause us to draw closer together, not further apart. It's not about being confident in our knowing; it's about being thankful for His gift of knowledge and wisdom. Knowledge can puff us up, but true wisdom from God will make us humble and grateful.

Our Father Can Tell Us What To Do

2007-02-27T10:06:00.000-06:00

One of the promises is that our Heavenly Father can and will tell us and show us what to do in the everyday situations we encounter in life. Here are some points associated with that truth.

Our first goal and focus should be about learning how to hear Him. Maybe He speaks through the Scripture. Maybe He speaks through prayer. Maybe He speaks in your thoughts. Maybe you hear His voice in your heart. However He speaks to you, you must find His voice and follow.
Once we hear His voice, we must trust Him. He knows what He's doing. Sometimes it may not make human sense. His ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts. Still, He's trustworthy.
When we know what He wants us to do or what He wants us to say, we must obey!
Once we have obeyed, we have to leave the rest in His hands. We need to stay out of His way.

Start listening today. Listen, do you hear His voice? Keep listening. Wait until you hear and know!

Colossians 1:9-11 (Contemporary English Version)

2007-02-26T11:06:00.000-06:00

Some Promises for every believer:

God will show you everything He wants you to do.
You will have all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives.
You will live a life that honors the Lord.
You will always please Him by doing good deeds.
You will come to know God even better.
His power will make you patient and strong enough to endure anything.
You will be truly happy.

Receive, believe, and access these promises. They are real, and they are for you to possess. Claim them and excel!

Ephesians 3

2007-02-23T13:10:00.000-06:00

Based on Paul's statements in Ephesians 3, we can draw strength from numerous truths:

God treats us with kindness.
God's power is at work in us.
God loves to use the least important people.
God's blessings cannot be measured.
The spiritual realm is watching what God does in our lives.
God's plan that was hidden has been revealed.
Christ gives us courage and confidence.
Suffering should never discourage us.
Everything and everyone in Heaven and on earth get their life from God.
Christ will live in our hearts because of faith.

A Tender Father

2007-02-21T12:39:00.000-06:00

Ephesians Chapter 2: How God deals with us and what He provides to us.

Abundant Mercy
Great Love
Plenteous Grace
Loving Kindness

God Will Come Through

2007-02-15T08:22:00.000-06:00

Prayer is a key to the Kingdom.
God will give you strength.
God will comfort you now.
God will protect you.
God will give you the courage.
God will give you the wisdom you need.
God will speak to you.

Think About It

2007-02-13T08:46:00.000-06:00

You can't give away what you don't have.
You're stronger than you think.
Don't ever give up.
Let's do a random act of kindness today.
Don't take everything personally.

Encouraging Words

2007-02-12T08:58:00.000-06:00

Jesus offers rest. How hectic is your day? Turn some stuff over to Him. Relax in faith!
Starting the day with Him makes everything ok. How did you start today?
He gives confident hope. Your situation seem hopeless? Receive hope from the Master of hope.
He won't let you down. People letting you down? Trust the trustworthy One!
You are going to have a great and productive day. Why? Because His Word says so.

A Simple Focus

2007-02-09T09:19:00.000-06:00

Love God.
Share the gospel of the Kingdom.
Use your gifts well.
Make disciples.
Love people.

Kingdom Thoughts

2007-02-08T11:15:00.000-06:00

The Kingdom is about results not talk.
Every resource God provides is really His. We are merely managers of what belongs to Him.
There will be no change without faith.
Our Father has provided everything we need for relationship with others and relationship with Him.
All the Father really wants is us to have a Jesus heart.
Love, respect, and joy begin at home.
It's not about being an expert Christian; it's about being an expectant Christian.

Father First in Our Decisions

2007-02-07T14:06:00.000-06:00

How do you make decisions? Do you base your decisions on God's Word? Do you just make the best decisions you can from acquired wisdom and life experiences?

Let me make some practical suggestions about how we can better follow our Heavenly Father as He directs us in making decisions in everyday life.

We need to make our decisions based on Scripture. That's why it's so important to know the Bible.
We need to make our decisions based on the leadership of the Holy Spirit. He is real and can lead us and guide us in the decision-making process.
We need to seek the counsel of other wise Christians whom we trust. We are turning to the Father through their wise counsel.
We need to make decisions connected to the overflow of our deeply profound relationship with our Father.

Making good decisions is not so easy today, especially in light of the way our Christian world view is bombarded by the liberal, worldly pattern projected by political correctness. That's why it's so important that our Father comes first in our decision-making enterprise.

Our Father First in Purposes

2007-02-06T12:46:00.000-06:00

What is your purpose? Why are you here? What are your goals? What are you trying to accomplish? Our Father must come first when it comes to fulfilling our destiny.

We must discover and carry out the purpose He has for us.

We must set goals around His Kingdom and His heart's desire.

If we accomplish everything we want in this life but accomplish nothing for Him, our time here has been a total waste.

All the "whys" of life are centered in His purposes being first, front and center of our focus.

Our Father is first in our purposes.

Our Father Is First in Our Finances

2007-02-02T11:05:00.000-06:00

The biggest finance teaching going today deals with tithing. I have no problem with tithing. As a matter of fact, my wife and I are tithers. But when Jesus came, He set up a new way when it comes to finances. He established a financial system based on Kingdom principles. Let me explain how it works.

We can operate by financial principles that come from a pattern that the world follows, or we can live out of resources that God provides from His Kingdom, actuated by following Kingdom principles. If we choose to operate out of His Kingdom, every resource He provides, whether spiritual or physical, belongs to Him. We are only stewards (managers) of those resources. Jesus established this system when He began to explain what His Kingdom is like in the parables. God is no longer interested in 10%. He will provide 100% resources, and He makes us 100% responsible as managers of those resources, with the primary focus being on building and extending His Kingdom. He doesn't give permission to us to do with 90% whatever we want, as we wish. Our focus is to be on His Kingdom first. Our focus is not on the temporary and the worldly but on the eternal and the spiritual. He will push financial resources our way, in abundance, when we are ready to manage them with this Kingdom focus.

We can use the techniques of this world to gain great wealth and riches and to be successful by the standards of this world, but that's all we get. We have our reward. If we are to have an eternal and spiritual inheritance, we must manage His provided wealth based on Kingdom principles and Kingdom focus. We must recognize absolutely that nothing is ours, period. All is His, period. We manage what He has made available by following Him and living moderately(a Kingdom principle).

When our Father is first in finances, we will recognize that whatever we have is totally His. If what you have is yours, change your mind today. Hand everything you have gotten by your own power and expertise back to Him. See it as His and begin operating as a manager, not an owner. Then start watching your Father push more and more your way because He knows that you will manage it according to His plan and thereby extend His Kingdom.

Our Father First in Relationships

2007-02-01T09:15:00.000-06:00

Who is your best friend? Who do you live your life for? Who could you not live without? If you said, "My Heavenly Father," you are in there. Our Father must be first when it comes to our relationships. But how are relationships built?

First, it takes time, time with each other on a daily basis. What if we tithed our waking hours to our Father. That would be approximately an hour and a half everyday. Do we spend at least the first forty-five minutes of the day fellowshipping with our Heavenly Father? And do we spend the last forty-five minutes of the day in the presence of our Loving Father? If not, we are not even giving the minimal time necessary to building a phenomenal relationship with Him.

Second, it takes desire, desiring to be with each other every moment we can. I can promise that our Father loves spending time with us. He loves to share His heart with us. He enthusiastically wants to share His love with us. Our Father is the greatest encourager there is. Go to the Father today and ask Him what is on His heart. I bet you'll be surprised at His response. I'll give you a little hint: part of what's on His heart is you.

Third, it takes openness, opening up our very souls with each other. Open your heart to your Father. Believe me, He will not hurt...He cannot hurt...He will only Bless. Turn your life over to His care. He's an outstanding Father, far greater than any earthly father. He'll comfort you; He'll strengthen you; He'll engage you like nobody else. He'll share the deepest parts of Himself, if we just go searching.

Our Father is first in our relationships. Because He is, life can't be the same. Try it! Give Him the first and last forty-five minutes of everyday and experience real living.

Father First

2007-01-31T09:32:00.000-06:00

Our Heavenly Father must come first. We should talk with Him first. First thing in the morning. First, before anyone else. He must be first in our relationships. He must be first in our finances. He must be first in our purposes. He must be first in our goals. He must be first in our hearts. Everything begins with our Father. He is the initiator in our lives. Go to Him first; Go to Him now.

Looking Back

2007-01-01T12:13:00.000-06:00

Instead of focusing on the New Year, why not look at the Old Year. Here are a few questions that might inspire you.

# Who blessed your life this last year? How?

# Can you list five events that brought joy this past year? Make that list!

# How have you grown over the past year?

# List five things you would go back and change. What did you learn?

# List two new people in your life.

# List two milestones.

# List two answered prayers.

# List two spiritual breakthroughs.

# List two life-changing decisions.

Looking back is not so bad. We just need to look back positively.

Shepherd Questions

2006-12-30T14:03:00.000-06:00

“The LORD is my shepherd.”
It’s in the present tense: “is.” He is right now, this present moment, my shepherd. It’s personal: “my.” He is my personal shepherd. I trust Him. I mind Him. I follow Him. I need Him. I hear His voice. I stick close. I know Him intimately.

Let’s see if I can open some doors, just with a few questions. But don’t answer the questions quickly. Think about them. Like on the TV show, “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?” make it your “final answer.” Here goes!

*Who is really in charge of your life?

*Why did you become a Christian? Not How? Why?

*Has that reason or those reasons changed?

*Where is He leading you?

*Do you know His voice? What’s He saying?

*Do you trust Him? Why? What’s the proof?

*What does it mean to follow? Are you following? What’s the proof?

*What makes your relationship with Him intimate?

Is that your “final answer”?

“The LORD is my shepherd.”

Your Future

2006-12-28T00:56:00.000-06:00

Our Pastor turned 59 today. We had a big birthday celebration and presents to honor him. While he was opening the presents one of our sisters fell ill, and everyone gathered around to pray for her. She didn’t get better. It seemed that she got worse. We finally had to call an ambulance because all the signs indicated that she might be having a heart attack.

What’s your future hold? Got things squared away? Ready? What if tomorrow’s the last day? I just read about President Gerald Ford’s passing. He was 93. My friend, Jimmy, went home at 40. Cancer got him. I hate cancer! My dad is 73. I ask myself occasionally, “I wonder how much longer Dad has?”

The cool thing is that my dad’s future is set. That is if the Bible is true. He’s ready. I wonder if he’s ready with no regrets. I feel like I have not quite accomplished what I’m here for. I’d like to finish the race.

The future is in the Father’s hands. But He offers us a future. Not just the future in Heaven. He offers an amazing future of hope and success and provision and fruitfulness for this life we live in right now. Today! Tomorrow! It’s all found in His presence. You will not find it in His hand but in His heart. He rewards those who seek Him. Find your future; live your future. Find your Father!

Thankful Remembrance

2006-12-22T10:01:00.000-06:00

We find two statements that Paul made in IThessalonians Chapter 1 verse 2: "...we always thank God" and "...we remember you in our prayers." Every believer moving toward a mature and successful Christian life should be able to say that.

First, I should always be thankful. I am so blessed! God has been so good to me. In my troubles, He is there. In my successes, He's the cause. In my struggles, He's my strength. He empowers me. He engages me. He enchants me. He encourages me. He endows me. I can be thankful when things are great. I can be thankful when things are hard. I can be thankful when things are troubling. I can be thankful when things are sure. I'm thankful for His peace. I'm thankful for His love. I'm thankful for His power. I'm thankful for His call. "Thanks, God!"

Second, I should remember others in my prayers. Intercession! God gives us a mind to think of others. Someone has said that JOY means "Jesus first," "others second," "then you." Does a friend come to mind who needs something? Intercede! Does someone you love dearly come to mind who needs your prayers right now? Intercede! Do you know a soldier in Iraq? Intercede!

Let's thank God and let's intercede for others today! That's moving toward the life of success!

2006-10-20T23:37:00.000-05:00

Well, I'm back. Been caught up in a little work. Things are going well; faith is being tested. God is good; God is always good. He's good in your life as well, even if you don't realize it. There is no greater joy or challenge than watching God unravel things in our life, so He can put together a much better life! Remember, God's with you all the way!

God's Will

2006-08-14T06:34:00.000-05:00

Have you ever wondered if you have missed God’s will for your life? Did you ever set out to do something for God, and things just didn’t turn out the way you thought they would? Then you started doubting? Well, maybe Romans 12:2 can help us to better understand God’s will for our lives. Listen to what Paul says, “…that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

God’s will is broken into three parts: His good will, His acceptable will, and His perfect will. Maybe what we are having a problem with is His perfect will. God already understands that not everything in our lives is going to line up with His perfect will. When we make major mistakes maybe we disqualify ourselves from His perfect will. But we can still be in His will; we are then in His acceptable will or His good will.

God has a good will towards us no matter where we are or what we are doing. Remember the prodigal son? He left his father and went out to spend his inheritance foolishly. He was out of his father’s perfect will and his father’s acceptable will. But he was still in his father’s good will. In other words, his father still loved him and was good to him.

When the prodigal son returned home in repentance, he was accepted by his father, indicating that he was now in the acceptable will of his father. Sometimes we may not be in God’s perfect will, but we are in His acceptable will. That is, we are not perfectly where He wants us to be, but He accepts where we are and extends His grace none the less.

Then there is His perfect will, the place all of us would love to be all of the time. And, in deed, there are areas of our lives that we are in His perfect will. But, because we are not perfect people and we make mistakes, we can’t be in His perfect will all of the time in every area of our lives. We are going to miss the mark. That’s ok. God already knows and has made provision in His will and in his grace. That doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t desire or strive to do His perfect will or to be in His perfect will. But, thank God, if we miss His perfect will, it doesn’t mean we are not in His will at all.

Let’s examine where we are when it comes to His good, acceptable, and perfect will for our lives. Am I in His will? Yes, at all times!

Faith

2006-08-08T10:00:00.000-05:00

Every step we take is a step of faith or a step of doubt. Every word we speak is a word of faith or a word of doubt. God is saying, “If you want to impress Me, then believe Me.” The Scriptures teach us that this life is all about faith because we live by faith, not by sight. Here’s how it works. God gives us a word; we hear that word; we believe what He tells us. Then our words and actions flow out of what we believe. I’m not doing to please God or get from God. I’m doing because I believe the word God spoke to me. If God tells me that every church will someday have life coaches and mentors and I’m going to be involved in making that happen, then I’m going to start telling others about what He said, and I’m going to start looking for the churches that want to get in on what God is up to. My actions prove what I believe, and my words are proof that I do believe. But here’s the key: God wants me to believe Him and not waver in my faith. There cannot be the slightest hint of doubt (James 1:6-8). Let’s take steps of faith today. Let’s speak words of faith today.

Overcomers

2006-07-27T07:35:00.000-05:00

1 John 5:4
The Lord tells us that we will overcome the world if we are His child. He says that we do that by our faith. Think about that word: overcome. There are lots of things opposing us. The Christian life is not easy. John Eldredge tells us in his book, Wild At Heart, that we are all in a spiritual battle. We are fighting a fight of faith. We are destined to overcome the opposition. If you are sitting around and waiting on God to make everything happen for you, you may be waiting a long time. He wants us to overcome. Overcome our circumstances. Overcome emotional problems. Overcome addictions. Overcome relationship flaws. Overcome anger. Overcome depression. Overcome sickness. Overcome laziness. Overcome financially. Overcome spiritually. Overcome mentally. Overcome in every way! Be an overcomer by faith. Get after it!

Prayer of Faith

2006-07-26T07:39:00.000-05:00

In James 5:15, James talks about the "prayer of faith." Not prayer "in" faith or prayer "with" faith, but prayer "of " faith. Think about what that means because it makes all the difference in God's answering that prayer. We don't pray and then try to have faith. Because we are confident and deeply convicted and convinced of God's ability and desire to do what we ask, we pray. We must first decide not to doubt, then we pray. We are not supposed to pray a prayer and then try not to doubt God. You see, "of" means that it "originates out of." The prayer we pray comes out of the faith we already have. We pray because we are already confident people. Let's pray the prayer that comes out of our faith! Enjoy Life!

Coach and Mentor Today

2006-07-24T07:21:00.000-05:00

Hosea 4: 6 says, "My people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge...." It's estimated that about 48 % of our American population attends some kind of church experience at some point during the year. Of those attending, only about 17 % actually attend on a consistent basis. No wonder Christians seem to lack in knowledge when it comes to doing life well.

It may not be that church leadership is doing such a bad job at imparting knowledge; it is probably that so few are there to get that knowledge on a consistent basis. Why? I believe that the answer may be found in one word: accountability. That's why we need more personal involvement on the part of the church body or members.

Coaching and mentoring may not be "the" answer, but it certainly is a big part of "the" answer. Why don't you (a mature, strong, committed, and fulfilled Believer) consider becoming a volunteer coach and mentor to another Believer who needs someone to come along side and help him/her grow in his/her faith? Make that decision today. Start holding each other accountable in your Christian walk. If you need suggestions or help, go to my profile and send me an email.

Start coaching and mentoring in the power of Christ and for His glory today!

Pressing And Hard Times

2006-07-18T08:06:00.000-05:00

What should we do when we face difficulties? We must press. Press means to "exert influence on; to entreat; to follow through; to force or push one's way; to take hold of." Listen to those verbs: exert, entreat, follow through, force, push, and take hold. That's what we're supposed to do when it gets tough.

1) Press in
Don't move away from God but move closer. It's in the tough times that we need to press in closer to our faith. Most people do the opposite. They quit attending church. They stop reading their Bible. They start questioning God. No, that's when we need to believe with a greater faith. That's when we need to make our mind up to run to Jesus and hold on tighter.

2) Press through
Everything is temporary. It will not last forever. Look forward in your life. Look to something better and believe toward that goal. Then, as you move toward that dream, you will be moving past that difficult time. You may not even know that you are moving through the pain. Then, one day, you look back and see that it's behind you. God is going to get you through to the other side. I promise. Press through your difficulty. Don't give up!

3) Press on
You have to keep going and not look back. Keep facing the tough things in your life the same way: with determination, with faith, with joy, with positive hope, and with confidence. Jesus said, "In this world, you will have trouble. But be of good cheer because I have overcome the world." What Jesus is promising us who follow Him is that we share in overcoming the world's troubles because what belongs to Him belongs to us. So keep pressing on!

Pressing is not easy. Not everything in life is easy. The good things are worth pressing to get. Press in, Press through, Press on.

Help For Prayer

2006-07-17T06:14:00.000-05:00

We tell people quite often what they need to do. One of the things that I hear pastors and spiritual leaders telling people to do is to pray. But they very seldom tell people how to pray. I guess we just assume that people know how to pray. But that's not always the case. So I thought I'd make some suggestions that might help.
1) Pray a list
Make a list of things you want to pray for. Pray everyday for the items and people on your list until the prayer is answered, then indicate on your list that God answered that request.
2) Pray an acrostic
ACTS
A for Adoration That is we praise God and worship Him through prayer first.
Ex: Lord, You are awesome. There is no one more important than You.
C for Confession That is we make bold confessions of faith in prayer.
Ex: I am blessed! Everything will work out for the good! I am forgiven.
T for Thanksgiving That is to give thanks in prayer.
Ex: Thank You for this day, Lord. Thank You for my job and my family.
S for Supply That is asking God for His supply in prayer.
Ex: Pray for other's needs, then pray for your own needs last.
3) Pray as a warrior
Pray against the enemy, Satan and his demonic forces. Take authority over him and his schemes. Pray for protection for you and your family. Pray for healing and prosperity.
4) Pray in the Spirit
Pray in the Holy Spirit. Pray with His power and ability. Use your heavenly prayer language.
5) Listen in prayer
Listening is probably the most important part of prayer. Listen in your spirit. Listen in your heart. Listen through Scripture. Listen through others. Listen for His voice.
6) Pray Scripture
Quote the Bible everyday in prayer. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." "Greater is He who is in me than he that is in the world."
7) Pray with others
Friends, family, brothers or sisters in Christ, work buddies...

Hope this helps! God bless the reader!

A Formula For Success

2006-07-13T06:21:00.000-05:00

There four things we need that act as the foundation for success.

1) We Need Vision
We need to see clearly and specifically what it is that we are supposed to be doing or accomplishing. We need to know exactly what we are trying to accomplish. Sometimes that isn't easy when it comes to spiritual endeavors. But it is possible to know what God wants us to accomplish. God wants to clarify His vision for our lives. Philippians tells us God "works in us both to will and do of His good pleasure."

2) We Need Belief
Once we have a vision of what God wants us to accomplish, we need to believe that He will make it possible to fulfill that purpose. We must believe that He has given us the talents, abilities, and giftings to get the job done. We must believe that He has supplied the resources necessary to produce excellence. We must believe that the vision will be fulfilled and the job will be completed. The Bible teaches us that He "is the author and finisher of our faith." Also, the Scripture says, "I am pursuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him until that day." God is going to make sure that our dream comes true.

3) We Need Entusiasm
If we truly believe something, we will prove it by our attitude towards what we believe. We will be excited about it, deeply committed to it, and absolutely convincing about it.

4) We Need Passion
When we get a vision, when we believe in that vision, when we are enthusiastic about that vision, nothing will stop us from seeing that vision through. We are relentless because we are passionate. True fulfillment of our vision happens at the heart level. There is a fire in our soul that cannot be put out.

Get your vision, believe with all your heart, be enthusiastic, and pursue your dream with passion. You are guaranteed success.

God's Guidance

2006-07-12T06:59:00.000-05:00

How would you like God to guide you through life personally? Did you know that God will not automatically give you direction and guidance, just because you are a Christian. He tells us in Proverbs 3:5-6 that there are some prereqisites to gaining His guidance and leadership in our lives, some things that He requires of us.

First, He says that we must trust Him with all of our heart. No one will follow God very far who doesn't trust Him first, especially when heads off into unfamiliar territory. There is one thing that I can guarantee about God's leadership: He will take you out of your comfort zone. I didn't say "maybe" I said that He "will" take us out of our comfort zone. If we don't trust Him up front, we will not do what He asks because it might be intimidating or because it might require us to change . God won't take one step to guide us if we can't trust Him. It would be a waste of His time because we would bail out before we even got started.

Second, He says that we must not rely on our own understanding. God is not going to guide people who have it all figured out and know the way without Him. God starts off in one direction and we yell at God, "No, this is the way; I want to go this way!" It's amazing how many people come to me for coaching and counsel whose lives are really in a mess, but they know everything and have everything figured out. We can't have our own plan for life and follow God's plan at the same time. We are going to have to lay down our stuff before God takes one step forward to guide us.

Third, He says that we must recognize Him in all we do. If God is going to do the leading then He must get the credit and recognition for His involvement. Most of us want God's power, provision, and presence. But we soon forget where it came from and that the reason we have these wonderful blessings is due to God's grace and loving care. God leads us to the treasure, and we live as if He had nothing to do with it. He refuses to guide those who will not acknowledge Him.

God wants to guide us and provide for us, but there are some prerequisites. Let's trust Him; let's lay our stuff down; let's recognize Him in all we do. Then He will be happy to shepherd us unreservedly.

Spiritual Training

2006-07-11T06:23:00.000-05:00

I like to think of a Christian Life Coach as a spiritual trainer. You might need to get on the spiritual weights to build some spiritual muscle. Or maybe you need to do some spiritual laps in the spiritual pool. Could be that a few spiritual laps on the track would help you build some spiritual stamina. Better yet, you might need to go on a spiritual diet. Whatever the case, it's just really good to be in great spiritual shape. That's what a Life Coach does: focuses on the spiritual development of a committed Christian to help him/her be their best and do their best spiritually. If you need some coaching, go to my profile and send me an email. I'd be thrilled to hear from you. Get ready for a encouraging workout though. God bless you!

Special

2006-07-10T06:18:00.000-05:00

Your life is special because of Christ. He has set you apart. He has given you special talents and abilities, so you can fulfill the purpose for which you were created. No one in the entire world can fulfill your special mission. Today, He will give you insight as to how to carry out that mission. You can and will make a tremendous difference in your world. Write and tell me the difference you made today. Watch how He sends people and situations into your world, so you can do your thing. It starts right now! Have a blessed day!

Grandma Coach

2006-07-07T07:53:00.000-05:00

Who has coached you in life? Who has helped you figure something out or helped you through a troubling time? My coach is a wise, godly little Grandma named Mary Martinez. She's my spiritual coach and mentor. During the most difficult time of my life and after I'd fallen on my face in life and really messed things up, God sent her to encourage me and tell me to get up. She wrote me a letter describing what God had shown her about me during her prayer time with Him. That letter has been life changing. Now, when I need advice or a lift, I call my coach. She always blesses me and tells me what is possible through Him.

Who do you coach? Who do you encourage? We all need someone in our life like that. Choose to be a Christian coach and mentor today. Go along side someone God puts on your heart and give her/him a lift. It's what He has called you to do. It's what you're here for. Coach on!

A Key To the Kingdom

2006-07-06T09:59:00.000-05:00

One of the keys to the Kingdom is meditation, thinking about something over and over until it begins to have an effect on us. We can meditate on Scripture. In Philippians 4:8, Paul says that we should fill our minds with and meditate on these things:
True
Noble
Reputable
Authentic
Compelling
Gracious
The Best, Not The Worst
The Beautiful, Not The Ugly
Things To Praise, Not Things To Curse
(The Message)
Find a compelling passage of Scripture and start meditating on it today. Discover the power of renewing your mind. When you find yourself thinking negatively or struggling with temptation, quote that verse to yourself and see how powerfully Christ will act in your behalf. Take one of the topics above each day and think about things in that area. Meditating God’s way will change your life.

Be A Winner

2006-07-05T11:42:00.000-05:00

It takes five simple things to be a winner!

1) It takes real, unshakable faith.
The only thing Jesus ever got on to the disciples about is lack of faith. All things are possible with God. That’s Kingdom mentality. You must believe in who you are, what you have, and what you can do, period. The day you do believe is the day you are a winner!
2) It takes hard work.
A winner would be crazy to be lazy. I’d like to skirt the issue, but reality won’t let me. We have to be willing to do what it takes to get the job done. God will do everything possible to back us up, but we have to put the hands, feet, and heart into it. The day you get after it is the day you are a winner!
3) It takes commitment.
Quitters don’t win. When I was in high school, I played on the high school golf team. I was playing in a tournament one day, and I was playing horribly. I decided on the seventh hole to call it quits. My dad was in the clubhouse when I walked in from the golf course. He asked, “What are you doing in here. Aren’t you supposed to be playing the tournament?” I told him that I decided to quit. So, he took my clubs and put them in his truck. I wanted to know what he was doing. He said that he was selling my clubs. I told him that I wasn’t through with golf, just that tournament. He said something that I’ll never forget, “When you quit the tournament, you quit golf.” I understand now what he meant. The day you commit is the day you are a winner!
4) It takes sacrifice.
We have to be willing to pay the price to be a winner. Christ won because He was willing to go all the way and give everything. The day you pay the price is the day you are a winner!
5) It takes passion.
If you don’t believe in what you are doing, no one else will. I’ve never known or seen a winning athlete who was not passionate about what she/he did. No drive equals all jive. Passion is putting your heart into it. Passion is that fire in your soul that will not be quenched. The day your heart throbs with passion is the day you are a winner!

Tapping into Kingdom resources makes us winners!

Creative Not Competitive

2006-07-04T11:25:00.000-05:00

The only person you should compete with is you. I compete with my own self to be the best I can be. I work along side others to help them be the best they can be. We bless others and, they, in turn, bless us back. What we must become is creative, not competitive. That’s the problem: we are working against each other instead of with each other. God has put inside of us the ability to create. Instead of coming up with something new to beat out the other guy, we should be creating the new to benefit all.

The way of the Kingdom and the way of Jesus is to share and help, not to horde and hinder. Tap into your creative resources to give to your world what you have been created to give. Invest in the lives of others. Seek first His Kingdom, and everything will take care of itself. Be creative not competitive. Let’s work together to benefit everyone around us. We reap what we sow! Let’s spread some seed together.

Proactive Problem-Solving

2006-07-03T09:57:00.000-05:00

What do you do when you have a problem, hardship, or troubling event? Let me suggest that we should be proactive.

1) Proactive in the way we think

I can decide what I’m going to think and how I’m going to think before the problem comes up. “Everything is going to be ok, no matter what.” “Christ is with me all the way through this.” “I’m not going to worry.” I Corinthians 8 tell us that “All things work together for good…to those who love Him.”

2) Proactive in what we say

I can decide to make positive, hope-filled statements. James teaches us that life and death are in our mouths.

3) Proactive in what we do

We can decide to follow the leadership of the Holy Spirit. We can give our concerns and problems to Him. In Philippians Paul teaches us that God works inside us to want to and to do what pleases Him. So, He’ll give us the motivation as well as the power to carry out what’s best for our lives.

4) Proactive in what we believe

Jesus is enough! No one can simplify life more than Jesus. Believe that! Jesus tells us to come to Him, and He will give us rest. He'll swap loads. He'll take our heavy load and exchange it for one that's light and easy to carry. That's His promise. Believe Him!

Kingdom Access

2006-06-30T08:25:00.000-05:00

You are sons of the Kingdom. You are sons of God. You have access to all the resources in the Kingdom of God. Salvation is but one aspect of the Kingdom. It means that you have been saved (delivered) from the kingdom of darkness (controlled by the enemy) and transplanted into the Kingdom of light (ruled by Jesus Christ). God has given you the keys to His Kingdom and given you total access. Believe it. Access it. Share it.

Who Is In Charge?

2006-06-29T14:52:00.000-05:00

Who’s in charge of your life? Are you? Is someone else? Who’s in charge of your work or career? Are you? Is it your boss? Is it your company? Who’s in charge? That’s a good question. Is it God? Is He really in charge?

To be sure, someone is in charge. Those who operate out of Kingdom resources must face on absolute truth. God is King of His Kingdom. The truth? He’s in charge of all kingdoms. He’s ultimately in charge of your little kingdom, whether you recognize it or not.

God’s a different kind of CEO. He leads in love. He invests in the lives of His subordinates instead of managing them. Instead of just laying down the law, He gets involved by helping His employees do their best. He empowers them. He encourages them. He enables them. It’s called “grace.” He operates in this grace even when we don’t know that He is. He’s leading and directing even when we can’t see that it’s happening.

Who’s in charge? Thank God; He is! Our job? Recognize who’s in charge and submit… yield to the gracious CEO of life.

Edify

2006-06-28T06:58:00.000-05:00

Tapping into the resources that God has provided for the Believer is not always easy. It takes faith. That’s why we need each other. Our job as brothers and sisters in Christ and as Life Coaches is to help build up each other’s faith. The Bible uses the word “edify” to describe the process. We get the word “edifice” from this word. We are supposed to encourage each other on a daily basis, so we don’t lose heart. God wants to use you to build Him an edifice of faith, except the edifice is not a building; it’s a person. We all have Christ’s divine nature and His divine power. We just need to be reminded. Let’s encourage, edify, and remind someone today. Coach on!

Psalm 112

2006-06-26T06:24:00.000-05:00

In Psalm 112 the psalmist reminds us that we Believers have some wondeful resources that belong to us. He says some things about us in the first nine verses that really rock. These are applicable if you know who you are, what you have, and what you can do through Christ.

Believers are:

1) Happy
2) Delighted
3) Powerful
4) Blessed
5) Wealthy
6) Righteous
7) Given light in their darkness
8) Gracious
9) Compassionate
10) Generous lenders
11) Fair in business dealings
12) Never shaken
13) Remembered forever
14) Not afraid of bad news
15) Confident in heart
16) Assured in heart
17) Fearless
18) Triumphant over their enemies
19) Givers
20) Exalted in honor
Wow! Think of what you have in Christ today. All of these truths are about you and belong to you. Tap in!

My Friend Pauly

2006-06-24T22:21:00.000-05:00

Beer,Barbecue, and Bible Study

Great Blog. Check it out! Pauly has a way of turning a Bible story into a contemporary message. He also writes about our first Life Coaching encounter. It's a blesing to see the work of the Holy Spirit and to know you have a part.

Trust

2006-06-23T08:30:00.000-05:00

I trust God. I trust Him with my life. I trust that He has my best interest in mind. I trust that He knows what's best for me. I trust that He will lead me and guide me along in life. I trust what He says. I trust that He has made me strong, strong enough to face adversity. I trust that He has given me wisdom and insight. I trust that He loves me no matter what. I trust that He will never bail out on me. I trust Him enough to relinquish control of my life. I trust that He favors me and blesses me. I trust Him with my finances. I trust Him with the care of my family. I trust Him to make a way when there is no way. I trust Him to give me strength to do what I must do. I trust Him to go before me and prepare the way. I trust Him to walk along beside me every moment of everyday. I trust Him to get behind me, causing the whole universe along with all of Heaven's angels to cover my back door. If God is for me, who can be against me? Greater is He who is in me than he who is in the world. I TRUST GOD!

The Bible

2006-06-22T09:37:00.000-05:00

The Scriptures have been given, so we can know what God has provided. It's a resource manual. It's the book of "how to" for the Believer. I want to issue a challenge today: study Ephesians Chapter 1 and look for every resource God has made available to you, according to that Chapter.
List those resources on a piece of paper. Now pick out two of them that you will believe and walk in today. Just claim them as a promise that they are truly yours for the taking.

When you realize what you already have at work inside of you, you will begin to walk out that abundant life Christ promised. I'm chosen. I'm redeemed. I'm forgiven. I'm blessed. I'm safe. I'm loved. I'm strong. I'm wise. I'm sure. It's all there. Go find it in your resource manual: The Bible.

Encourage

2006-06-21T16:40:00.000-05:00

Someone has said that to encourage means to fill someone with courage. We all need encouraging on a daily basis. Who will you encourage today? Who will I encourage today? As Life Coaches, part of our job is to encourage those around us. How can I do that best?

1) I can be intentional and look for people who seem down or unenthusiastic. I can engage them, with the intention of giving them a boost.

2) I can be enthusiastic and passionate about life myself and make sure that these qualities are exhibited in my actions.

3) I can make a genuine effort to try to turn negative conversations to positive ones.

4) I can create a positive greeting. "How are you?" "I'm absolutely excited about life and couldn't be any happier!"

5) I could create an encouraging greeting for my answering machine.

6) I could write about "encouraging" on my Blog and just encourage the dickens out of everyone who reads that day.

7) I could speak some words of encouragement to you right now. Life is good. As believers in Christ, we have every resource necessary for a successful, fulfilling, and joyful life. Today, you can tap into joy. Today, you are blessed! Every blessing in the Heavens is yours to experience right now, while you're on the earth. God wants us to prosper physically, soulishly, and spiritually. Take Him up on it! God loves you, and there's nothing you can do about it. So Smile!

Others

2006-06-20T06:33:00.000-05:00

Life happens when we give ourselves away. The greatest thing you could do on this earth is to invest your life and yourself in someone else. To pass yourself on.
Making investments in others means sharing your time. Time is a precious commodity. According to surveys, time is what most kids want from their parents. They just want their parents to take time out for them. Most dads say, later in life, I wish I had spent more time with my family. The best use of our time is not spent getting more and more; it is spent giving more and more to others, sharing with them our hearts, our dreams, our lives.
Making investments in others means sharing our heart and our faith. People want the real us. We have to take off the masks, take down the walls, and reveal the true self. People need to hear about your relationship with Christ. How much you need Him. How important He is. The intimate details of your relationship with Him. Sharing your faith with others is sharing your life with others.
Taking someone alongside and investing in that person is the most fulfilling thing you could do in life. It's the reason we are here. Let's be others-centered today.

Bright Future

2006-06-19T06:03:00.000-05:00

If there is one thing I know, it is that my future is already planned by God, and it is wonderful. All ends well! If there are hardships or negative experiences around the corner, He's going to see me through all the way. Everything will go according to His plans, and I can know with certainty what those plans are. I'm told that He has plans for my life to give me hope and a future filled with prosperity and good things.
The neat thing is that I'm not doing life alone. He's with me every step of the way. He goes out in front of me and clears the way. He gets in behind me and makes it work. He changes people, circumstances, and me in order to bring about success.
He also puts those plans in my heart. So I can make plans and know that they are from Him. Then he empowers me to carry those plans out. He gives me the gifts, talents, and ablilities to produce positive results. Those resources are out of His Kingdom that Jesus left with us when He left the earth. If I commit myself to Him, He will cause my plans to succeed. So make some plans. Believe that He has planted those plans in your heart. He is behind your plans. He will move the whole universe to assist you. Just believe, use your gifts and talents, and put your heart into it and watch your dreams come true. Your future is Bright! I promise.

The Jesus Heart

2006-06-16T06:03:00.000-05:00

John Eldridge says that we have a good heart in his book Wild At Heart. He says that Christ has given us a new heart. I call that heart "The Jesus Heart." Every believer has His heart. Most of us just don't know it.
Jesus has an accepting heart. He accepted prostitutes, business scam artists, poor nobodies, disease infected outcasts, and other failure cases that the average guy just couldn't accept. And Jesus has planted in our heart that same kind of accepting heart, and we can feel with His heart and respond with His heart if we so choose.
Think about what a "Jesus Heart" must be like: kind, strong, passionate, giving, receptive, sensitive, open, loving, tender, trusting, forgiving, patient, protective, humble, ..........
You can fill it in from here. But I tell you the truth: You, as a Believer, have His heart beating away in your spiritual chest. Take advantage and respond out of His heart Today!

2006-06-15T05:55:00.000-05:00

What is your life about? Why are you here? There seems to be a huge buzz going around about discovering our purpose. Best selling books about purpose are everywhere. Motivational and inspirational speakers are telling us that when we find our purpose in life, we will become prosperous and successful like never before.
May I suggest the purpose that Jesus shared with each disciple, just before He left to go to His Father? Jesus said, "Go make disciples." Go pour your life into someone else. Go coach and mentor someone, making them strong followers of Me like you are. Do it on purpose. Take someone alongside and selflessly, transparently, and passionately give them the same things I have given you.
Teach them to do what I taught you to do.
Be what Jesus has called everyone of His followers to be: a Life Coach and Mentor.

2006-06-14T06:17:00.000-05:00

Timing
One thing you can count on as a child of the King is perfect timing. You can depend on the fact that God knows just when to show up and just when to carry out what needs to happen in our lives. He's not too slow, and He's not too quick; He's right on time!
Now that's not to say that I haven't felt, at times, like He might be cutting it close, or maybe I wondered if He was going to show up at all. But He has never let me down.
This divine timing is an element of the Kingdom supply. In order to tap in though, we need at least three things. One, we need the ability to hear. I mean to hear spiritually. The neat thing is that hearing the voice of the Shepherd is an absolute for His sheep. John said that we recognize His voice and we follow His voice if we belong to Him. So our part in this timing thing is to lean in and listen for His voice. Two, We also need patience. We must be able to wait if He says so. Patience is in automatic supply as a fruit of the Holy Spirit, just tap in. Three, we need what I call godly anticipation. Let me explain. Someone may call it discernment, but it's that uncanny ability to know that something is about to happen, something is about to change, something is on its way, and it puts us in a ready mode. Its that feeling, that knowing inside that makes us want to get up to the starting line to get ready and to get set. We don't want to be standing around, doing our own thing when He says, "Go!" We want to be perched and ready. That's what godly anticipation does; it assists us in getting ready and being ready. Are you ready? This day may be the day of His great timing in your life.
Listen, wait, anticipate!

2006-06-13T06:14:00.000-05:00

The way that God operates is so different than the normal way. Have you ever felt intimidated? Felt fearful, anxious, concerned? Ever needed to be real strong and did't know how to encourage yourself? Listen to His way: the joy of the LORD is my strength. Joy? Joy is suppose to make me strong? That doesn't make sense. Why would we want to make joy the resource we tap into when we are weak? I mean, maybe power, or might, or confidence, or courage, but surely not joy.
Yesterday morning, I had to engage a situation that I felt intimidated about. I was feeling frustrated and uneasy. The Lord said to me, "Tap into my joy, son." By faith I just reached out and grabbed some joy and walked right into that situation. Exuberant and smiling and lighthearted, I just launched in and enjoyed myself-had some fun. Everything became easy, relaxed. What happened? What happens every time we tap into Kingdom resources: positive results. Joy really will give you the strength you need. Try some today; it's yours for the taking!

2006-06-12T06:21:00.000-05:00

It's such a wonderful day to wake up and know that the challenges we face are really blessings in disguise. I know I am who God says I am: I am a King and Priest of the Most High God! I know I have what God says I have: I have been given the Kingdom! I know I can do what God says I can do: I can do all things through Christ!
Whatever we face today, let's face it with this Kingdom confidence: knowing who we are, knowing what we have, and knowing what we can do! God has made provision for your day. Have a pursuing heart of discovery today and make use of those tools.

2006-06-10T22:47:00.000-05:00

A Kingdom Resource
Authority
You have authority. It is yours to accomplish many different jobs. You need it as a parent. You need it as a leader. You need it with other people. Authority is one awesome tool available for every Believer to tap into. What are some areas of your life that are in dire need for an authority overhall? God's backing! Others recognizing who you are and what you can do. Do you speak with authority? Do you command authority? God gives you His authority as a resource from His Kingdom! All you have to do is tap in by Faith.

2006-06-10T10:47:00.000-05:00

What one thing would you change about your life if you could, excluding the past? What is the most important thing in your life right now? What difference are you making? What resources are absolutely, readily available in your life right now? What if I told you that there was a reservoir of endless life resources available to anyone who really wants to tap into the resource bank? That one thing you want to change about your life is not far away; it's right in front of you. A purpose-fulfilled life is right at your fingertips. You can start making that difference within the next few seconds.
It all starts with your desire and your willingness to pursue what belongs to you.