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Son- Tanned Christian!

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  Son-Tanned Christian Scripture: Isaiah 55:11, NCV “ The same thing is true of the words I speak. They will not return to me empty. They make the things happen that I want to happen, and they succeed in doing what I send them to do. ” God wants to make things happen in our life. God wants his living and powerful Word to produce change in our attitude, thinking, feelings, and actions. He wants to put to death the sin that lurks in our soul, so Christ can continue his ministry through us. He wants to use us to meet the spiritual, physical, and material needs of others. God does not want his Word to return to him empty—that is failing to accomplish the purpose for which it has been sent. One of the questions he will ask us when we meet him face to face is, “To what extent did you allow God’s Word to prosper in your life, and to accomplish the purpose for which it was sent?” As I reflect on this truth, I find it to be very sobering. We can tell when others have been spending time in t...

Is It A Heathy Relationship?

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  The LORD had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation.” Genesis 12:1–2, NIV Is It a Healthy Relationship? If you follow the journey of Abraham, you know that God called him to leave his relatives and go to a new land, but he took his nephew Lot along with him. Perhaps Abraham felt he was obligated to take care of Lot and his family, but it wasn’t what God called him to do. From that point on, Lot’s presence brought strife, contention, struggle, stress, and frustration. Abraham did not distance himself from a relationship that hindered him, took his time and energy, and was a distraction from what God called him to do. Lot may be the coworker you sit with at lunch who talks badly about the boss, or the friend who causes you to compromise, or the cousin who brings out the worst in you. You can’t reach your destiny hanging around people like that. You need people around you who insp...

The Secret to Finding God’s Favor!

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  The Secret to Finding God’s Favor Scripture: Proverbs 8:33–35, NIV “ Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not disregard it. Blessed are those who listen to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway. For those who find me find life and receive favor from the Lord. ” People are looking for LIFE and FAVOR or advantages in their circumstances. However, most of the world is looking in the wrong places for these ingredients. In this incredible passage of Scripture, we learn what it means to find life from God’s perspective, and how to experience the promise of receiving favor from God. Life and favor are sourced in God alone. In order to receive God’s favor, we need to have a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. We are declared righteous when we trust in Jesus alone for our salvation: “ For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. ” (Romans 10:10, ESV) “ Surely, Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them w...

Your Author and Finisher!

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  …looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. Hebrews 12:2, NKJV Your Author and Finisher God is the author of your life. He breathed life into you. He chose you to be here. He gave you a purpose, an assignment, something to accomplish. He’s not just the author, He’s the finisher. He’s going to keep making you, molding you, giving you grace to come up higher until He finishes. Now, the key is don’t give up in the middle. Don’t get discouraged while you’re being changed. He’s in control. As long as you’re being your best, you don’t have to perform perfectly. You have a heart to do what’s right. Then you can be assured when it’s time to change, all the forces of darkness cannot stop you. But notice that there’s a requirement for this to happen. You have to look away from all that will distract and look to Jesus. Focusing on your flaws will distract you from your purpose. Magnifying your weakness, what you don’t like about yourself, will keep you from your potential. Lo...

God’s Favor at Work!

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  God’s Favor at Work Lamentations 3.24 : Daniel 1:9, NIV “Now God had caused the official to show favor and compassion to Daniel…” Daniel is a prime example of the kind of person God is looking to use. Daniel’s heart was fully committed to God. He always sought the will of God, and he let his light shine before his peers without fear. As a result, God used him in mighty ways that will echo into eternity. On numerous occasions, God caused officials and even kings to favor Daniel. God revealed secrets to Daniel. Because of God’s favor, Daniel was elevated to the highest levels of power, position, and wealth in the world system of his day. God’s favor rested big time on Daniel. There is great opportunity for us to see the hand of God at work in our lives. He creates in us a God-given, God-driven desire to please him. “And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.” (Hebre...

Further Faster!

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  Now when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no more; and he went on his way rejoicing. But Philip was found at Azotus. And passing through, he preached in all the cities till he came to Caesarea. Acts 8:39–40, NKJV Further Faster In Acts 8, Philip was directed by an angel into the desert to meet the treasurer of the queen of the Ethiopians, who upon hearing about Jesus immediately believed and wanted to be baptized. When they came up out of the water, the Scripture says that the Spirit of God caught Philip away and he was found in Azotus, where he began preaching again. One moment he’s in the water, and the next moment he’s twenty miles away. That defies logic, except that God had an obvious purpose for Philip to accomplish quickly. God has times when He will purposefully propel you ahead. It may not be to another city, but God may propel you in your career or health or a relationship. He opens a door, gives you id...

How to Develop a Vision of Life!

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  How to Develop a Vision of Life Scripture: Proverbs 29:18, KJV 1900 and Psalm 90:12, NIV “ Where there is no vision, the people perish: But he that keepeth the law, happy is he. ” (Proverbs 29:18, KJV 1900) “ Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. ” (Psalm 90:12, NIV) In Kingdom of God, we emphasize the wisdom of converting the perishable time, talent and treasure of this world into the imperishable values of the real world to come: eternity. In Psalm 90:12, we are taught to number our days in order to gain a heart of wisdom. The time will come when we will turn in the temporary body we are “leasing” during our life on earth. We do not have unlimited time to make decisions. How many people do you know who have no purpose? Failure to develop a personal vision of life will result in a disaster from an eternal standpoint. Proverbs 29:18 says that people without a proper vision of life perish. There is one appointment none of us will miss. That is the time w...