Power of Wasting Time

Key Scripture:  “All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable. …that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”  2 Timothy 3:16,17

Power Point:

    Have you ever spent your time just “wasting time”?  We usually don’t start out to do that intentionally but haven’t there been times when you come to the end of a project or a day or a season in your life and you’ve said to yourself, “Well, that was a waste of time!”

     Watching TV can be instructive and encouraging or it can be a waste of time. I used to read novels.  I have nothing against them, I just used to make them more important than they should have been and I spent a lot more time reading them than I should have.  In other words, I wasted valuable time reading too many things that simply would not profit me.

     I certainly have been guilty of wasting money. You probably have too.  I did some serious self-examination a few years ago and decided I was using shopping as a remedy for some things that were lacking in my life.  So, I stopped going shopping as much as I used to. Now listen carefully (PLEASE!), sometimes you need to shop, or just enjoy the outing, but if you find yourself going simply to fill in some gaps in your life, perhaps you need to check that out.

     Sometimes I’ve been guilty of wasting my words, of wasting my time with sarcasm, or anger or unkindness, or being offended. Have I hit any of your areas yet? 

     What are some of the things that God believes are profitable?  Jesus was especially focused on our words being productive wasn’t He? He said that they are meant to encourage, and build up, and declare God’s purposes over our lives. He said, “Speak to the mountain, and if you believe what you say, it will move.” Moving mountains is a profitable endeavor.

     All scripture is profitable.  It’s there for us to read, to understand and to direct our lives into God’s purposes.  It’s meant to complete us and thoroughly equip us for good works-those works that God has prepared for us from the beginning of the world; those works that He has called us to as His children. Profitable works, things that enhance our lives and bring heaven to earth; those things that are beneficial and useful.

     Are the activities in your life putting you on the “profit” or the “loss” side of your daily ledger? Is your soul profiting from the things you do?  Are the things that fill your day profiting your spirit and profiting the kingdom?

     How will you spend your day today? Beloved, every one needs time off to relax and regroup. God did that, and highly recommends it, but it shouldn’t be a way of life should it? If you continue doing the same things in the same way the next 5 years, where will you find yourself? Will you be in the profit or loss column? Will you be like the eager steward that immediately went to work to profit the kingdom or will you be like the steward who had better things to do with his time and lost his reward.

I was reading in Revelation this morning in Chapter 22:12. Jesus says, “And behold I am coming quickly and my reward is with Me. To give to everyone according to his work.”

     One day, none of the things here will matter except as they have trained us for reigning.  We’ve been called for a purpose. A purposeless life will not complete your purpose. Jesus says He will reward our good works for the kingdom. That should be an exciting day to look forward to shouldn’t it?

     Solomon came to the end of his life and found that nothing he had done had profited him. He said he had been too busy doing things that didn’t profit.

     What’s wrong with being busy with your job, or scrap-booking or reading novels, or going to movies, or playing a sport? Absolutely nothing-unless it causes you spend every day without purpose or direction or unless those things become your direction and you miss the high mark of your calling.

      My friend Bobbi likes to play Lumosity (brain games) on the internet. She found herself playing it much longer than she intended. Now she makes sure that she spends twice as much time with the Lord as she does with Lumosity. That way both things will be profitable to her.

     Do you want a profitable life? I know I do. Stop doing the things that are unprofitable and do the things that God says will profit you.  

What is profiting us? We should keep those things and increase them. What is not profitable? Jesus says, “Cut it off.” It could be painful but it’s really good advice isn’t it?

Power Thought:

Everyone wants to end their life in the profit column don’t they?  The rewards are incredible when we are intentional about our purpose.

Power Of Walking

Power Of Walking

Key Scripture: "This is my command: Love one another the way I loved you. This is the very best way to love. Put your life on the line for your friends."                                                                                                                                          

Power Point:

     Following my foot surgery, my feet are encased in several inches of lovely, soft gauze.  There’s a reason for that. My feet are bruised and need to be protected.   The bruises didn’t show for a few days. They were very deep and took a while to come to the surface. I had pain but didn’t know why. Although each day is better, my feet still have to be cushioned.  Sometimes it’s like that for us spiritually isn’t it?  We begin our walk and find ourselves stubbing our toes on the love walk, or falling from grace.  We lose track of our identity as a child of God and it affects our walk doesn’t it? We don’t understand that there are bruises there that need healing.

Beloved, the love of God is always a soft place to land. His love cushions our fall and picks us up and sends us on our way again with a new spring in our step. He heals the bruises, and gives us hope for future and says, “You can do it!  I'll help!”

     Sometimes there are people in your life who need for you to be a soft place for them to land, aren’t there? They don’t need to hear the things they already know. They need to know how much God loves them and how many wonderful plans He has for them. They need to understand grace and mercy. They need to know what they’re missing.

     The scripture says that not one single one of us is worthy. (God keeps trying to tell us that doesn’t He?)  He keeps trying to make the point to us that there really is nothing we can do to earn His forgiveness, or His grace and mercy. It’s never been about our goodness, it’s always all about His. Sometimes people need to hear about a future of grace, mercy and unconditional love; a plan for their lives that includes promises fulfilled, and dreams realized, because God is SO good and He loves them SO much. That knowledge would heal a lot of bruises wouldn’t it?

     Will you be that soft place today?  Will you be a godly cushion? Will you refuse to love someone less because of the way they act? Will you be the first one to apologize, or give or encourage?  Jesus would love that. He'll even help!

It would definitely be a step in the right direction wouldn’t it?

Power Thought:

Will you be the FIRST one to show people the soft side of God- the comforting side?  Will you be the gauze that protects them from walking with bruises.

Powering UP!

Hey There!

I’m having a bit of an enforced break from writing the Power UP! this week. I am recovering from some foot surgery and have not been able to get to my computer until today.

I hope you will be blessed by these words from Joel Osteen today:

Remove the Negative Labels

Throughout life, people are constantly sticking labels on us, telling us what we can and cannot become. And sometimes this is good. People speak faith into us. They encourage us. But then, there are times that people put negative labels on us. You cannot stop the negative comments. You can’t prevent the negative labels, but you can choose to remove them. As a teenager, Walt Disney was told by his art instructor that he wasn’t creative. He didn’t have any imagination. Disney was smart enough to remove that label. He went on to do pretty well. Lucille Ball was told that she didn’t have any acting skills. She should try a different profession. She removed that label. Winston Churchill failed the sixth grade. He was told he wasn’t smart enough. He went on to become one of the greatest Prime Ministers that ever lived. The common denominator in the success of these people is that they chose to remove the negative labels. It’s the same way today. Don’t focus on what others say; focus on what God says. Remove the negative labels and embrace who God created you to be.

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. I receive what You say about me. I renounce the negative labels of the world and embrace Your truth knowing that my identity is found in You in Jesus’ name. Amen.

— Joel & Victoria Osteen

Power Of Satisfaction

Key Scripture: "For God SO loved _______ (your name here) that He gave His only Son, that as she/he believed in Him, ________ would live forever with Him, and experience an abundant life."  (Suzanne translation) John 3:16
Power Point:

       When you take a good look at the Gospel, does it really affect you personally? The Gospel (that very Good news) was meant to have daily impact in our lives.  It was not a promise to us of simply a glorious future of riding on the clouds, (although that would be quiet enough wouldn't it)? There should be some measurable side effects of the gospel for you personally in the here and now. 

     The apostle Paul tells us that Godliness accompanied by contentment is great gain. (I Timothy 6:6).  The Father tells us that when Jesus lights up our lives, we will be contented like stall fed calves.(Malachi 4:2) That's a perfect picture of staying in the confines of the stall (the kingdom of God), and eating only the heavenly food He puts in front of you. The result is that you become so full of life and energy that you can hardly wait to run outside into the open fields.

     I love being contented. The word actually means, “contentedly satisfied”.  I just spent some time with the Roberts' gang in Phoenix and found myself contented, and satisfied, simply enjoying my family, and being a part of their lives. I have the joy of knowing that I am part of such a wonderful family; of seeing my grandchildren growing tall, inside and out. Of course grandparents can be more objectively contented than parents, but I see that Kim and David have shot the arrow “fitly”.  It’s headed in the right direction toward the goal that God has for all of them. A major side effect of the Gospel is moving in the direction of a Godly life, which brings satisfied contentment because you know where you are headed and you know Who you are headed there with.

     Another side effect? Confidence. No matter what things may look like or feel like or seem like, you can have perfect confidence that the things you have committed to Him, will come to a flourishing finish.  Confidence is “full trust”. The opposite of “full trust” is, of course, mis-trust. Which side-effect are you experiencing?

     The final side effect of the Gospel is consistency. One of the definitions of “consistency” is to shape, or form something, and then retain that shape in its original form. The Gospel is meant to reshape us into something wonderfully new.  We are to be someone that consistently holds the original form of the GOOD news that Jesus left us. We are determinedly and confidently content that God will do what He has said He will do. We are consistently consistent with the wonderful news He has given us.

So, here’s a brief synopsis of the side effects of the Gospel in your life.

Are you more content? Is the good news really good news for you?

Are you more confident? Are you trusting fully?

Are you more consistent in your faith? It's been said that, "In consistency lies the key." That's a primary key to the kingdom of God.
Being consistent, confident, and contentedly satisfied leads to the abundant life that Jesus promised us in the Gospel. He's done His part. It's your move. Are you making progress on your journey and experiencing fewer negative side effects?

Power Thought:

Wherever you find yourself not content, confident, or consistent, ask Holy Spirit to show you who He wants to be for you in that place. 
Satisfaction guaranteed!

Power Of Overcoming

Key Scripture:  “Don’t allow yourself to be overpowered with evil. Take the offensive—overpower evil by good.” Romans 12:21, Phillips

Power Point:

These last few years have been a glorious opportunity to learn to walk in grace and love. That makes it sound like I’ve got it settled.  I don’t.

The truth is that every day of our lives is an opportunity to grow in those two vastly important areas. Why? They are the foundation of the character of God. Until we learn that, we’ll never understand how much we are loved.

Recently my friend, Julie, sent me a note. I’d like to share it with you.

“Last night as I was reading the Word, I was reading in Romans 12.  In verse 21, It simply says, "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."  I have probably read that hundreds of times but last night I saw Jesus as I was reading it and the word, “overcome" stood out to me.  It seems to me that when we think of overcoming, that we tend to think of battles--being attacked in a big way--disease, money, death, etc.  I saw this last night linked with love. I saw all the kind things Jesus did while being reviled.  I saw Him going to the cross; forgiving the ones who were putting Him to death.  The world's way when someone says something hurtful to us or appears to not like us is to retaliate-give it back to them-or just not like them. God's way-therefore the way of Jesus--was and is to love them.  ("Kill them with kindness.")  It is goodness that comes from love that overcomes.  It may not look like it by sight but it overcomes.  The goodness and gentleness of Jesus overcame all evil.  That is why forgiveness is so huge.  God didn't just decide one day to forgive us and send Jesus to the cross.  He loved/loves us, and His love is wrapped in goodness.  We forgive because of God's goodness flowing through us and through Jesus who made it possible for us through Him to operate in that love, goodness, and forgiveness.”

Every single person who calls himself “Christian” is identifying him or herself as a “Little Christ”. That means that people should expect us to live exactly as Jesus did; to speak and act and love and forgive just like Jesus.  Our lives are to be “wrapped in the same goodness” that Jesus has and had.  They are to be propelled and fueled by love that changes the world.

Today is your opportunity to do just that.  Tomorrow will be your opportunity to grow in those things so that how you show Jesus’ love today will be small in comparison to how you show it tomorrow and the next day and the next day. Why not ask Jesus exactly how, when, and where He wants to show up and wrap you in His goodness?

Power Thought:

Don’t you think we should be growing in love by leaps and bounds?

Power Of The Greater One

Key Scripture: “Greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.” I John 4:4

Power Point:

     What happens when the worst things happen? A believer believes no matter what.  A believer trusts that their good God is still on the throne. Satan may do his best to steal, kill and destroy but God’s plans are still on target to bring us a future filled with hope. 

After the events in Boston, I know that each of us responded differently. It was almost impossible not to remember seeing those horrible scenes from the Twin Towers 12 years ago.  After that horrible scene I was fearful. I was knocked off my moorings for a time. And then, I remembered that God had protected many people that day and saved their lives.  I remembered that I was still here and God still had a plan for me, and He was still good. This time, I simply got angry.

      When the worst things happen, Beloved, we have to link ourselves to heaven with an intensity that cannot be diffused or distracted. You can look around you and you can see the armies of the enemy surrounding you or you can look higher, into the air around you where God’s angel armies are armed, ready, and waiting for His command-through your mouth. Just like Elisha in 2 Kings 6 who was confronted by his servant’s panic, we have to see that those who are with us are far more than those who are against us. We do not panic. We do not lose courage. Like Elisha we must look into the unseen, into the Kingdom of God.  Jesus came and enlisted us in His army, and He seems to be determined to remind us that “Greater is He that is in us, than he that is in the world.” Greater means more powerful, more numerous, more efficient, more-everything!  Abundant life is always MORE than enough. Of everything you need.

Dear friend, do not let the enemy knock you off your moorings.  Keep your boat firmly anchored in the hope that we have in Christ.

This came from Bobby Connor, on the day of the bombings. Bobby is a modern day Elisha, who helps us see into the unseen:

“The Spirit of God is anointing and empowering dedicated, consecrated Believers with unstoppable authority (Luke 10:19). These are ordinary people who do extraordinary exploits for the glory of God (Daniel 11:32b). They have embraced the promise from Christ concerning who they are and what they can accomplish by His Spirit (John 14:12).

…Prepare, Prepare, Prepare!

Truly, as promised in Esther 4:14, we are in the Kingdom for such a time as this. Rejoice, for you can know for certain that the Kingdom is in you for such a day as this! Be confident: you are born for this day. Do not delay to move forward by faith, walking in victory and taking your place as an overcomer, embracing fully the destiny God has planned for you (Ephesians 5:14-16).”

     So Beloved, we grieve for our country and for those who were personally harmed by these blasts but we do not grieve as those who have no hope. That’s what UN-believers do. Believers, (that would be you and that would be me), believe that we are here for such a time as this, and we are called to carry the presence of God wherever we go, and we are the ones who bring heaven to earth, until Jesus comes again.

So, pick yourself UP! Dust yourself off! And BELIEVE!

Power Thought:

I think we just graduated from Basic Believing 103. This was your mid term.  Believe. You are stronger than you know.

Power Of Basics 102

Power Of Basic Believing 102

Key Scripture:  “Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”  Hebrews 11:1, NIV

Power Point:

There is a saying among the Amish:  “For sure and for certain.” As I was looking at this scripture this morning, I realized that this is exactly what this scripture says. I like it even better in the NLT:  “Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.”

 Since you’ve now passed Basics of Believing 101 with flying colors, let’s move on to Basics of Believing 102.  You have a solid foundation of believing God for the best, and now it is important that you realize that your choices of truly believing Him must lead you to a changed life-style. You can’t simply speak the Words without that little matter of obedience coming to the forefront. A believer believes what God has said about walking in love, forgiving and moving on to a place where God’s love and power can flow. That means that his “believing” leads him to a change in perception that changes his life because he believes. A believer’s life honors God in every way, because he believes that His counsel is wise and good. His life is living proof of a life that God blesses.

A believer seeks God and His wisdom as his first priority. In other words God isn’t last on your list of “go-to” people. A believer is sure that God will show up, will rescue him, will craft the worst thing into a good thing, and will honor him with grace, mercy, and favor. Yes. No matter what.

A believer has hope, a certain hope, established on the Truth that God never thinks or does evil toward him but is always full of good ideas and plans that will give him hope.

Are you believing God for the best, always?

Are you certain that He is on your side and will move heaven and earth to help you?

Let me help you remember Basic Believing 102.  God has said,  “I will help you.  I will never leave you or abandon you.  Nothing can separate you from My love.”

Power Thought:

God's plan is always a good thing on the way. I'm sure of that; sure and certain.

Power Of Basics

Key Scripture:  “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”  Matthew 19:26,

Power Point:

Some times we use the term “believe” loosely don’t we?  We call ourselves "believers", when a more accurate term might be "sort-of-Believers".  The  truth is that ”Believing” was never meant to be a one time event. You asked Jesus into your heart and you think that should be that. No, my friend. Believing is  a pathway of daily choices, for every event in your life that makes its foundation on the character and the Word of your God.

Beloved, you have to begin with BASICS OF BELIEVING 101.  You have to believe that God is good to you all  the time.  You have to know that His plans, His purposes, and His Father heart for you are never going to change.

Satan is never going to convince God that you are not worth the  effort He makes on your behalf.  Never.  That’s basic believing 101.

If you look around at your situation today, what could change if you believed that God SO loves you and wants the absolute "beyond the best" for you? How would that change your nest step? Or your next thought?  Have you been tempted to believe that this is all part of God’s plan to shape you up or that He’s just standing back with His arms folded waiting for someone else to show up to help you? No way.

He’s only standing back in order to hear the words from your mouth that release Him to act.   He’s looking for a heart that is totally sealed in faith, so that He can rescue, reward and be strong on your behalf.

That’s basic believing 101.

God does not reward fear.

God does not reward doubt.

He rewards faith. And faith is believing that He will do what He says He will do, and that He really is who He says He will be. Period.

You may find yourself in a place where things look impossible.  Go back to the basics. Get out your Bible, fill your ears and your mind with the Truth of the promises God has given you. If you’ve made a journal of prophetic words people have spoken over you go back and read them again and again.

Let the air around you be filled with the Words, Plans and Purposes of God for you. Those are the things that will charge your atmosphere with faith, pure and simple. That’s how faith grows. That’s how faith releases the power of God for you and that’s how you believe.

Jesus said that with God all things are possible, IF you believe. “Possible” means that God is able, mighty, powerful and strong enough to turn even your impossible situation into a good thing on the way. IF you believe; if you are firmly and confidently persuaded that He will and can and wants to do  just that.

Basic Believing 101. 

Power Thought:

Do you need to go back to the basics?

Power Of Rescue

Key Scripture:   “We felt like we’d been sent to death row, that it was all over for us. As it turned out, it was the best thing that could have happened.  Instead of trusting in our own strength or wits to get out of it, we were forced to trust God totally-not a bad idea since he’s the God who raises the dead!  And he did it, rescued us from certain doom.”  2 Corinthians 1:9

Power Point:                       

     Have you ever felt like you were living on death row; that maybe you were at the end of your rope? Aren’t you glad to know that the apostle Paul felt the same way? It makes him seem more human doesn’t it?  I know I’ve been in that place where it looked like as though it was all over but the shouting. Then Holy Spirit will lead me to read one of Paul’s letters, and somehow I find my way back again. I’ve been in the place where I finally had to give up trusting in my own strength or wits to get me out of my situation and I had to trust God totally. I agree with Paul that it's "not a bad idea at all." I wonder why we wait so long.

      Jesus came to rescue us. And of course He did. The thing is He IS The Rescuer. I think that means that He never stops wanting to do that.

In fact, I’m pretty sure that He never thinks we’ve called for rescue too many times or we should be able to figure this one out on our own. He doesn’t tell us to “shake it off!” or ‘get a grip”. 

He’s ready to show up on our behalf whenever we need Him.  He’s on our side.  He’s on YOUR side.  Sometimes He will use the people around you to be part of your rescue operation, but you can trust Him to use any and every means available to help you.

     Beloved, If you REALLY believe that He is good, and kind, and HELPful, how can you doubt that He wants to be good and kind and helpful to you right now? If you’re doubting that, then the Father of Lies is trying everything he can and whispering every lie he knows to get you to stay under your circumstances.

      Isaiah says, “Wake UP!” Jesus said, “GET UP!”  And Paul says, “Think UP!”  Trusting God totally is a good thing. It means that you are giving Him the freedom to deliver you from evil, give you the desires of your heart, and rescue you from certain doom.

      I remember hearing a sermon once about how the disciples asked Jesus if He didn’t care that they perished.  That’s pretty funny if you think about it isn’t it? The Savior of the world cares. He’s ready to rescue you. He will always rescue you.

How can you not love a God like that?

Power Thought:

He always has your rescue on His mind. Do you?