Powering UP America!

Key Scripture:  “But its not just Abraham, its also us!  The same thing gets said about us when we embrace and believe the One who brought Jesus to life when the conditions were equally hopeless.”  Romans 4:23, The Message

Power Point:

     You’ve heard my favorite quote from “The Shack” many times but I want to say it again. When Mack, the main character, is telling Jesus about his future and how bad it looks, Jesus replies to him, “Mack, do you realize that the only time you fear is when you don’t see your future with Me in it?” America, do you think we’ve forgotten to look at our future with Jesus in it? Do you think we’ve listened to all the talking heads that say, “God is dead” and believed it at some level? Are you wavering over the thought that Jesus is still able to bring heaven to earth and life from dead things?

Allow me to remind you, that Jesus reminds us, that He’s never going to leave us to our own devices, our own weaknesses, or our own failures. He’s definitely here for the long term. He has plans for us. Remember? Plans to bring us peace and not evil; plans to give us a future and a hope. Do you remember that He also told us He would leave us His own peace that is available every day of our lives to guard our hearts and minds so that we think His thoughts and speak out powerful words of Life?

That should be the bottom line shouldn’t it? What do you think that Jesus is thinking about America?

He’s thinking we should stand firm.

He’s thinking we should be thinking about what He’s thinking about. And He’s thinking that if the same Holy Spirit that got Him through and over the cross is in us, there's no problem.

He’s thinking we should stir up the anointing and take courage.

He's thinking we should fight back to possess our land.

He's thinking we are more than conquerors!

He’s thinking that it’s not over until God says its over.

And its not over.

Power Prayer For America

Father, today I intend to “take courage” from your character and your promises. You’ve said that they provide every thing I need to sustain real life. I intend to decide and declare that You are not dead but very much alive and that You still have the ability to bring life from death, to overcome evil with good, and to bring this nation back to its foundation in You. It was a very strong foundation, and it still is. Lord I ask that You raise up Joshua’s all over this land to reclaim our land and possess what You gave to our Fathers. We are not innocent.  We probably don’t deserve it but that’s the advantage of Your great mercy. Let that mercy and grace hunt us down and pursue us until it catches up.

Let Your Truth keep marching on!

In Jesus Name.  Amen.

Power Of Positive Reinforcement

Key Scripture:  “…but speaking truth in love.”  Ephesians 4:15

“…for the edifying of the Body of Christ.”  Ephesians 4:13

Power Point:

            Many years ago the Lord led my husband to the Lord with the first few verses of Psalms 40 where He promises to put a new song in our mouths. That new song is one of praise. I guess that means if we have put our foot firmly on the Rock, new things are supposed to come out of our mouths.

            Ephesians tells us that our words are to be truthful, encouraging and uttered in love. Wouldn’t you say that was positive reinforcement?  If someone is missing the mark, our job is to come along side with positive reinforcement. That means that we can share wisdom with them, but that as we do it, we are not to condemn or be a discouragement. We are to put our arms around their shoulders and point them forward to the place of their high calling in Christ.

            There have been times when someone has needed to point out the error of my ways to me. One devastating time that I remember very well was when the person gave me correction with a large measure of condemnation. I will never forget how long it took me to hear my Father’s voice after that. I felt so badly about me and I was so sure I had missed my destiny.  I believe that it literally took weeks to be able to hear the love in My Father's voice again, and feel His arm on my shoulder. All I could see was what was wrong with me and how miserably I had failed.

            Beloved, our job is to offer grace and mercy along with our wisdom. Recently I was talking to a friend who had made a really big decision in her life. The comments and opinions people were offering really hurt her feelings and made her question herself. That’s not how it should be is it?

One of the definitions for “edify” is to strengthen. That should always be our goal in instruction. When something is reinforced, it is made stronger.  It is able to handle the next storm more effectively. I was watching some of the hurricane coverage yesterday and the people who lived through Katrina are much better prepared now. They are using stronger reinforcements that will not allow this storm to destroy them.  That should be our job with our brothers and sisters in Christ shouldn’t it? We are to make them stronger so that when the next storm comes they will stand strong, and the Body of Christ can stand stronger together.

Deuteronomy 8 says that we don’t live (survive) by eating bread but by eating God's words and letting only those words come out of our mouths; words of encouragement, words of life, words that strengthen, and words of truth that will set us free. Those are the same words we are to give to others.

Strengthening someone and offering them positive reinforcement is our calling as ambassadors for Christ. That’s what He does. Following Him, means becoming like Him. Since He IS the Word, He probably has something good to say, something to strengthen us, and so should we. Don't you agree?

Power Thought:

Our words should always reinforce, not discourage; strengthen, not destroy; bless and not curse.That's positive reinforcement and that's the "new song" God gives us.

Powering UP America!

Key Scripture:  “You shall declare a thing and it will be established for you.”  Job 22:29

Power Point:

     If you could take a look at the atmosphere over the United States right now, what would you see? A few years ago we heard a story about the astronauts waking up to music from the 50’s.  When they asked NASA what they were playing, they replied that they weren’t playing anything.  Those words, that music, were still out there from all those years ago, coloring the atmosphere.

     What is “out there” that you or others have spoken out about your country?  If our words bring life or death, (and they do), how will what are you speaking affect this nation?  Let’s imagine your words in Technicolor; perhaps red for life and black for death. What are the colors over your head? My friend, if we are only to speak words that encourage and create life, then perhaps we need to learn to “zip our lips” a little more often.  Is it possible that our words are in opposition to what God would have us say; to create? Is it possible we’re drawing in the very thing we want to avoid? Are we cursing what God has blessed?

     When the spies came back from the Promised Land, they began to describe what they had seen. What would the atmosphere have looked like over their heads? Joshua and Caleb would have been pure Technicolor, wouldn't they? The other spies spoke black words that affected an entire nation and kept them from their destiny. Shame on them!

     My mama used to say, “if you can’t say anything good, then don’t say anything at all.”  It’s probably good advice. It’s the same advice that God gives us isn’t it?

There’s no doubt that you’ll have negative thoughts about our candidates and the coming election but could you keep them to yourself?  Find the promise that deals with exactly that thought and let those be the words that roll off the tip of your tongue-bringing life and not death.

     One of the scriptures that I use often when I am praying for a sticky issue, is from Job 22:28-30.  It says, you shall also decide and decree a thing, and it shall be established for you; and the light [of God’s favor] shall shine upon your ways. …He will even deliver the one [for whom you intercede] who is not innocent; yes, he will be delivered through the cleanness of your hands.”

So, let’s do it!  Let’s begin deciding and decreeing and agreeing with God. He’s the same God who says, that if we: “Speak to those mountains -we’ll see them MOVE; If we “Abide in His word and His words abide in us; we will ask whatever we will and it will be done for us. …That is what glorifies the Father in heaven.”

Let’s declare:

We are the head and not the tail.

The Father will restore the years the locusts have eaten.

He will do above and beyond all that we can ask or think.

We are blessed and not cursed.
He has promised that He would work all things for our good.

Those are words we want to live by!  They bring life and not death.

Powering UP Prayer:

Our Father, Who is in heaven, and on earth, make Your name holy again here in America. Let heaven touch earth today with winds of change and refreshing and of revival. We agree with You that this nation was established as ONE nation, under God. Thank You for the covenant our forefathers signed with You declaring exactly that. Today I ask that You respond to our confidence in You. We are not innocent but we will decide and declare the Truth. You will respond to the mountain-moving faith in our hearts and our mouths. We decide and declare that we are the blessed and not the cursed; the head and not the tail; and that no good thing will You ever keep back from Your children, your chosen ones.  You will not forget us or forsake us. Others   have fought. It's our turn.

Your truth keeps marching on.

In Jesus Name.  Amen!

Power Of Our Salvation

Key Scripture: “I am not ashamed of the Good news that Christ has brought us. That good news is the energy, the power, the great force and ability of God to every person who believes in Him.” Romans 1:16, (That’s my translation.)

Power Point:

     The gospel reveals that the will of our Father for us has always been peace on earth and good will toward men. It shows us that His will is always good. It can be easily received and accepted because it is perfectly tailored to release the flow of a loving God to the world that He loves so deeply.

     Recently a friend of mine attended a Bible Study at her church where the teacher’s foundational belief was that God allowed bad things to happen to us. In fact, she actually said that God sent those things. My heart broke as I thought of the 50 women in this study who were making that the foundation of their faith as well. Since I used to believe that, I’d like to address it.

Let’s take a look at what scripture says.  Isn’t that a good idea? What follows is the Suzanne translation.

John 10:10

Jesus said, "I have come to you to bring you abundant life, life as God has it, life clothed with His power. The thief comes to rob, kill, and destroy."  Jesus is good.  The devil is bad. 

Romans 12:2

Paul said, “Don’t be conformed to the way the world thinks but allow your mind to be transformed to God thoughts. Think differently and your life will be different. Believe differently and your life will reflect that. Your life can prove that God’s will is good and acceptable and perfect."

John 3:16

John said, God choose to love us so much that He gave us the best gift He could have given.  He gave us Jesus -Who gave us options and the power to live a full, and profitable life.

Luke 4:18

Jesus said, The Spirit of the Lord has anointed Me to bring you the good news that your needs are met, your hearts will be healed, your prisoners will be set free; and your blind will now see. Those who oppressed are now offered freedom.  This is the year of Jubilee, the appointed time for all debts to be forgiven and new life can begin.

Acts 10:38

Paul said, God anointed and empowered Jesus with the Holy Spirit and with His own power to go about doing only good works, healing all who were oppressed by the devil.  God was with Him.

      Aren’t you glad that this is the God that is with you?  Aren’t you glad that God offers wholeness, deliverance, rescue, healing, peace, needs met, and good plans? Of course you are. Now live as if that’s the Truth and share it with someone who needs to be set free from the lies.

Power Thought:

Every good and perfect gift comes to us from our heavenly Father. I guess that means that anything that is not good or perfect does not come from Him. What do you think?

Powering UP America!

Key Scripture:  “You are Christ’s body, that’s who you are!  You must never forget this.  Only as you accept your part of that body does your part mean anything.”  I Corinthians 12:27 The Message

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male or female; for you are all one in Christ.”  Galatians 3:28

Power Point:

The thing that I find most distressing in our political system is the division.  You may have noticed. The Republicans cannot partner with the Democrats to get anything done because both parties feel that they are right.  In fact, this has carried over into our society hasn’t it?  Over the last thirty years, we have become a divided nation. We are no longer “Americans”; we are divided into "something-Americans". Our political decisions are founded on who believes what we believe. If you are in one group, you don’t listen to anything the other groups say. When you think about that you can see that it separates us. It gives our section of society a more important role in our thinking than simply being Americans. We take our viewpoint and instead of being pro-America, we are more concerned with what our particular group thinks. What that does ultimately is destroy the fabric of America, the ability to work together in unity for a common goal under God's direction.  It is the very thing that made this diverse country a powerhouse in the world, and for the gospel.

     I’ve heard many people say, “I was born a Democrat (or Republican) and I’ll die a Democrat (or Republican).  My daddy was a “died in the wool” ___________ and I will be too.  I can promise you this- your daddy’s political party is not even remotely similar to the one he supported back in the day.  Are you more concerned with remaining true to a party, or your daddy, or true to asking God’s opinion on the matter? Isn’t His opinion most important?

     You see, Beloved, first and foremost you are a son or daughter of God Almighty.  That’s where your first allegiance should be shouldn’t it?  What do you think God thinks of your party’s platform? What does He think of the party itself and its ability to respectfully listen to each other’s opinions, to bring honor.  Can they talk things through and do what is best for America, and not the factions in America? It doesn’t matter whether you are a Republican or a Democrat -it matters what God’s plans are, and who will partner with Him to make them happen. It matters that you listen to His plan for America, and then vote it into existence.

      We are to be the UNITED States of America. And yet everywhere you look you see division. We have to stop contributing to that. If every Christian sought God first, and his/her party second, we would be united again wouldn’t we? We would have Godly wisdom and treat each other with dignity. Both parties would be better off. And so would America.  

If I could rephrase Galatians 3:28 it might read like this:

There is neither Democrat nor Republican, there are no classes among you, and there is neither male nor female; because God has made us one in Christ.

Are you a Democrat or a Republican or a part of the body of Christ?

It’s just a thought.

Power Prayer For America:

Father, forgive me for contributing to the division of these United States. Forgive me for thinking my viewpoint, my opinion was more important than anyone else. Forgive me for not walking in love and wisdom. Show me how I can walk in unity with You and my brothers and sisters in Christ. You’ve made us an army but we seem to be going in different directions. Bring us back, Father. Restore the years the locusts have eaten. Remove the deception from our minds.  Show us what is good, and what You require of us- to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with You.  (Micah 6:8)

Let Your Truth keep marching on.

In Jesus Name.  Amen

Power Of A Turnaround

Key Scripture:  “I only say what I hear My Father saying.”  

“The Father who sent Me, gave me a command, what I should say and what I should speak.”  John 12:49

Power Point:

      Is it time for a turnaround in your life? When we repent it means that we turn around and go a different direction. There is always a choice of which path we will take. Jesus gave us options. The thing about the world before Jesus came was that they truly had no hope. There were no options, no choices. Jesus gives us a choice. Which will you choose, life or death? What are you choosing to say to yourself and to others every day? What does your body hear you saying to it? What do your friends hear you saying about your future? What does your child hear you saying about their potential? Beloved, what are your words creating for you?

     Have you ever walked into a room where someone has just had an argument? You can actually feel those harsh words hanging in the air can’t you?  Have you ever walked into a room where someone has prepared it with peace before you got there?  You are so blessed, and your spirit immediately calms down, absorbing the atmosphere. Beloved, you get to choose the atmosphere you will establish today. You get to choose life or death. The words that come forth from your mouth will nourish faith or fear, joy or sorrow, hope or despair.

     Have you been stuck in a desperate place? What are you saying about it? Have you been calling things the way they are or have you been declaring what God says about your future?  Jesus said that we speak out of what fills our hearts.  He also said that our job is to believe.  Are you falling down on the job? Is it time for a turnaround?

    We are the only ones who can stop seeding failure in our lives. My mom used to say to me, “If you can’t say something good, don’t say anything.”  That’s really good advice.  What if you stopped saying all the negative things? After all, anybody can talk about what they see. It takes a special person to be able to talk about what they can only see in their spirits doesn’t it? 

Let your words seed faith into your life. Let them bring God’s plans into your future. You can turn around and change the direction of your life simply by planting good seeds of Truth in your heart and then speaking them out. Really? Yes. Why not try not saying anything at all if you can’t say something good? Resolve that you will begin saying what God has promised, what He has said, and what He fully intends to do for you and be for you.

It’s your choice.  Thank You, Jesus.

Power Thought

The only way you can have a turnaround in your life is if you turn around.

Powering UP America

Key Scripture:  “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or else make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for a tree is known by its fruit.”  Matthew 12:33

Power Point:

     Whenever I go to the grocery I have to be a wise fruit inspector. Otherwise I may come home with bruised bananas or apples and I don’t like bruised fruit!

     When we are making difficult decisions, personally or corporately about who we select to govern over us we always need to be good fruit inspectors don’t we? Sometimes it’s easy to see and sometime’s its not. As you pray for this nation, here are some areas of good fruit that you might want to look for.

We need someone who:

Honors God.
Is a person of integrity and honesty.

Is not overcome by evil but overcomes evil with good.

Has Godly wisdom and applies it.

Trusts God and will ask for His advice.

Surrounds themselves with wise counselors.

Responds to situations and does not react to them.

Chooses Life

Has a past that can predict integrity in their future decisions.

Is not ashamed of the gospel of Christ.

Uses their authority for good.

Loves this nation enough to fight for its restoration to one nation under God.

      These are just a few of the ways we can be “fruit inspectors”.  We need to agree with Jesus that, “out of the heart flow the issues of life.”  Good fruit comes from a good heart. We just need to stop, look and listen to the fruit in the lives of those we select to govern, don’t we?

     I just heard a comment from Ravi Zaharias.  He said, " The candidate we need to choose is the one who will provide good moral soil for Christians to have a voice in their government."   Which candidate do you believe will do that?  God knows. Why don’t you ask Him?

Power Prayer For America:

Father, I’m asking you to show me where the “bruises” are beneath the surface on all the candidates for office in this land. Help me to see, from your perspective, the man or woman who will bear good fruit for You in our government. Your word promises that if we abide in You we will bear good fruit. Help us choose the candidates that will listen to You and govern wisely. You have promised to rebuke the devourer for our sakes so that he will not destroy the fruit of our ground nor will our vines fail to bear fruit for you in the field. (Malachi 3:11) Let this nation become a fruitful vine once again.

Let Your Truth keep marching on!

In Jesus Name.  Amen!