Blog Archives
Are you a victim of identity theft?
Image by eliazar via Flickr
Identity theft doesn’t only happen when someone steals your credit card information. There is a type of identity theft that is worse than losing your driver’s license or social security card. The type of identity theft that I’m referring to began long before these crimes became common. If you’ve ever been made to feel like:
- you’re not valuable
- that God can’t use you
- that you’re not smart enough
- that you’re not ”spiritual” enough
- that you’re not committed enough
- that you’re not “wife” material
- that you’re too nice
- that you’re too weak
- that you’re too strong (or independent)
If you’ve ever heard these or any other lies, then you might be the victim of identity theft. Identity theft is conforming to what people EXPECT you to be instead of being what God CREATED you to be. It’s allowing the lies of others to destroy the hope you have for something better. It’s the enemy’s #1 strategy. (Remember, he comes to kill, steal and destroy – John 10:10.)
Stop letting other folks (on assignment from the enemy) steal your identity! The most important knowledge that you can have is to have (1) a revelation of who God is and (2) a revelation of who you are in Christ. Now go get your stuff back!!
Woman 2 Woman: A Conversation with God for Women
We will discuss the following 10 questions, one each week, beginning on Thursday, June 23, 2011 at 6:30 p.m. at Impact Church in Detroit. These questions, found in Marcia Ford’s book “A Conversation with God for Women” will be the basis of our weekly Woman 2 Woman sessions. I hope you can join us!
- Why do we have to face temptation?
- Did Jesus experience human emotions while on earth?
- How can the Bible still be relevant?
- Is there a purpose to life?
- Do we have to go to church?
- What about women in ministry?
- Why aren’t some prayers answered?
- How can we love unlovable people?
- Why are there restrictions on sex?
- How can we respect an ungodly boss?
BONUS: What about people who continue to sin?
Being a Christian: A label or a lifestyle?
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You’re saved, but now what? Being labeled a Christian does not indicate that you lead a Christian life. Whether you are living a Christian lifestyle that glorifies God is indicated by the fruit you bear.
Even so, every healthy (sound) tree bears good fruit [worthy of admiration], but the sickly (decaying, worthless) tree bears bad (worthless) fruit. A good (healthy) tree cannot bear bad (worthless) fruit, nor can a bad (diseased) tree bear excellent fruit [worthy of admiration]. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and cast into the fire. ~Matthew 7:17-19 AMP
What does the fruit that you bear indicate? If you are not bearing fruit, are you willing to submit to the process? For more information on the process, start with the diagram on “How to Handle the Word of God” found at http://elderwiggins.wordpress.com/2010/11/06/today-in-the-blogosphere/
Related Articles
- What Does It Mean for a Christian to Bear Fruit? (thekingspresence.wordpress.com)
- Some “Christians” Can Be Un-Christ-like (emmilglenn.wordpress.com)
- Lessons from the cursing of the fig tree (ianmartinblog.wordpress.com)
Do You Have What It Takes to Win?
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There is a lot of talk these days about winning. Even in children’s competitions, rather than allowing them to experience loss so that they can one day appreciate victory, all of the competitors leave with medals or trophies. While it’s true that you don’t have faces with frowns or sobs of tears, they miss a valuable lesson.
You learn more from your failures than you do from your successes. We know this to be true because of an old saying “practice makes perfect”. While perfection is not always attainable, we do find a measure of success after completing the task numerous times. This is the case whether you’re practicing your handwriting or trying to pass the boards. When you keep at it, you learn what works well, and what does not.
In order to win, or finally reach that level of success you seek, perseverance is key. “Therefore I am ready to persevere and stand my ground with patience and endure everything for the sake of the elect [God's chosen], so that they too may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus, with the reward of eternal glory” (2 Timothy 2:10). Whatever you do, don’t give up, don’t give in. Keep at it so that God gets the glory in your life. It is only through our Lord and Savior that victory is ours.
The Brotherhood: A Precinct 11 Novel by Jerry B. Jenkins
I started this book and could not put it down until I was finished. It draws you in with the story of a successful young man who is living the life he’s always planned -the career, the wife, the kid, the house…until tragedy strikes. I’ve read some of Jerry B. Jenkins other books, but it was something about this one that reverberated deep in my soul.
Now, I’m not usually an emotional person, but the climax of the book made me flat out heave with sobs. You might not think that’s a good thing, but not only is it good to cry, but it lets you know some things about yourself that you may not have realized. The life lessons for me was three-fold.
- Life is precious, so value every moment spent with your loved ones, especially those you live with.
- Success in our own eyes pales in comparison to that of the Father. (He knows the thoughts He thinks towards you, thoughts of good, not of evil, to bring you to an expected end ~Jeremiah 29:11)
- We can have no other gods before Him, so be careful who you give your worship and adoration. Our spouse and children can quickly become idols IF we are not committed to Christ. This is true whether you are a new believer or have been going to church since you were a child.
We never know when tragedy is going to strike in our lives, but regardless what we go through, God can turn it around for our good. I want to emphasize that God is not the author of confusion, but He does allow our choices to ultimately bring us closer to Him.
Restoration is the underlying theme in this book. Whether you are familiar with law enforcement, gang wars, or any other type of criminal activity, this novel offers a refreshing look at God revealing Himself to His children. As the end draws near, you begin to see that God really does offer us second chances to get it right. In all truth, it’s a fulfillment of Proverbs 22:6 “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it”.
You may know the author from the famous Left Behind series novels. This book is the first in Jerry B. Jenkins new police trilogy. It’s a great reminder of the cost of sin, but the greater cost that Christ paid to take away our sins. I can’t wait to read the next in the series from this very gifted evangelistic novelist. I liked this book so much, that I’m giving one away. Be the first to comment on this review if you want to receive a gift certificate to receive your own copy of The Brotherhood: A Precinct 11 Novel.
I received a complimentary copy of this book for review purposes from Tyndale House. A positive review was not required and the opinions expressed here is strictly my own views of the book. Please visit www.tyndale.com for more information on this book or author.
Woman 2 Woman
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I love what God is doing through our Woman 2 Woman sessions on Thursdays. This week, we held our first session via conference call due to the wintry weather conditions here in Michigan. I’m so grateful for the use of technology to support kingdom building. Although with anything, there are challenges, I welcome new innovative ways to approach discipleship. The opportunity to teach and train is not a one-sided deal, but a reciprocal relationship. We learn from each other and grow stronger in the Lord as a result. I am thankful that God trusts me to help shepherd his people.
Woman 2 Woman is not just another Bible Study group, nor is it a “hen” session as some males may refer to it. The women who share with us on Thursday evenings are truly seeing results in their spiritual walk and this is based directly on their level of commitment and dedication. Hopefully, some will share their experiences here through the comments so the world can see that we are striving to inspire, ignite and IMPACT!
Sun Stand Still by Steven Furtick
Cover via Amazon
I received a complimentary copy of Sun Stand Still by Steven Furtick from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group. This book reached out, grabbed me and infused me with renewed passion and vigor to believe God for fulfilling every dream in my life. It doesn’t just tell about one man sold out to God, believing Him for the impossible. The author gives examples from the lives of people who anyone can identify with. This is especially true with the inspirational story of Norm in Chapter 12, who had been involved in illegal activity before he accepted Christ.
Steven Furtick takes familiar Bible stories with Moses, Joshua and others to new heights because he truly walks what he teaches. God is no respecter of persons, so what He has done for others, He will do in your life – if you have the faith to believe – for without faith, it is impossible to please God.
I was initially distracted by what I considered to be the use of incomplete sentences and some grammar issues; however, the message being told is so compelling that these things quickly fade. One of the things that I appreciated was the Sun Stand Still Lexicon in chapter four. Furtick defines terms that you may be familiar with for clarity because what something means to you may not be what it means to me.
If you are tired of the mundane and really want to walk victoriously so that God says “well done, my good and faithful servant” on that final day, then this is a must-read book! Steven Furtick will redefine what vision, faith and miracles mean to you.
Rate this review at http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/bloggingforbooks/reviews/view/3082/blogr:3303
Related Articles
- What I’m Loving this Week: Blogs, Books, Music (lizclaudio.wordpress.com)
- Big Prayers (j4man.wordpress.com)
- The Sun stands still today! (blogs.discovermagazine.com)
Hearing God, and having the guts to respond
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There are many instances in the Bible where we read that God heard someone’s prayer and responded. Prayer is two-way communication, so I wonder how many believers take the time to listen when God speaks? Unless we are taught, our prayers remain one-sided requests to God without waiting for a response, or just spending time with Him. Our first example of hearing God is in Genesis when Adam and Eve heard the voice of God walking in the garden in the cool of the day. We also learn of God speaking from the midst of the burning bush to Moses. In both examples, they heard God and were required to respond. We are taught that if we listen carefully to the voice of God and do what is right in His sight, He won’t make us suffer like our enemies because He is the Lord who heals us (Exodus 15:26).
If you have never heard the audible voice of God, this may seem foreign to you. God will also speak to our hearts or speak a word of knowledge through others, but the best way to recognize His voice, however He chooses to speak to you, is to know His Word. John 1:1 AMP says “In the beginning before all time was the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself “. The more Word we know, the closer we grow to God. The nearer we come to God, the nearer He comes to us (James 4:8).
My desire is that we each take time to talk to God, hear from God, then have the guts to respond in obedience to what He is calling us to do.
What We Believe DOES Matter
How do I know what we believe matters? Jesus asked his disciples “who do men say that I am?” He wanted to know what they believed. Were they going to believe what some people say? Some people said that he worked under the power of Beelzebub. Some said that he hung out with prostitutes and alcoholics. In a culture where it isn’t popular to love Jesus, let alone follow His Word and try to live your life holy, they chose not to tell Him what He already knew was being said out in the community where they served. They chose not to tell Him about popular opinion (too often we accept that as our personal beliefs without doing our own research). Peter gave a response that had to be from the Holy Ghost because it had never been uttered aloud before. Jesus is the Christ (Messiah), the Son of the Living God (Matthew 16:13-16).
Peter pronounced that Jesus is the Son of the LIVING God, in a culture that accepted and worshipped idols that were made of wood and stone. These idols were not alive, could not speak into their lives and could not bring salvation, deliverance or healing. Only Jesus can do these things. I’m not telling you what I’ve heard. I’m telling you what I know for myself to be true. What do YOU believe?
What Is Fear Keeping You From Doing?
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There are some things in life that we desire to do. There are some things in life that we desire to have; however, if we never act on those desires, we will never be able to attain the goal or the prize. What is fear keeping you from doing? What are some of the dreams that God has given you to accomplish? What is holding you back from making that first step to get it done? My challenge to you today is to write out your goals: work, family, community and personal. Next, identify the specific tasks necessary to accomplish those goals. Finally, identify those distractions (time stealers) that you need to be aware of which will keep you from completing your tasks. Once you’ve done this, start completing those tasks. You’re on your way to realizing victory truly is yours.
Habakkuk 2:2 (CEV) Then the LORD told me:
”I will give you my message in the form of a vision. Write it clearly enough to be read at a glance.”
Habakkuk 2:2 (NKJV) Then the LORD answered me and said:
“ Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it.”
Related Articles
- Your Vision (thisido.blogspot.com)
- How To Prepare Yourself (thisido.blogspot.com)
