18 September 2011
Brent Brading
Too little too late:
John 19:38-42 in a time when someone has died. Family come from all over come to be together. Now Jesus is dead. Surely the price is paid. But what about too little too late. Nicodemus and Joseph a Pharisee and a member of the Ruling council. These were two men of great influence and resources, men who could possibly have prevented Jesus from suffering like he did. They secretly believed in Jesus and watched an innocent man die and did nothing about it.
Some of the most painful hurts are when we know people who could help but have done nothing. It is a painful thing. John 3:16 was quoted to Nicodemus. Maybe Jesus was looking at them. Have you been in one of those situations. Or where you were like Nicodemus or Joseph know you should do something but have done nothing. Scripture still paints these two men in a positive light.
Can you imagine these two men taking down the body of Jesus it must have been such a mess and they took him, wrapped him and cleaned him. Just for a few minutes the body of Jesus was in their hands. It is the same for us now. For a brief moment now, the body of Jesus is in our hands the church. Are we going to do too little too late or are we going to make a difference to the body of Christ.
Some people at a funeral have a broken relationship with the deceased and they grieve even more because of the broken relationship. A fear is that we come to the end of our lives and live with regret for how we have lived our lives.
How we don't drop the ball:
1) Serve, sacrifice and suffer for the body of Jesus, the church. This is what Paul believed and this is why he was so effective. Col 1:24-25. Eg Mother Teresa. Ephe 4:15-16 each part of the body doing its work.
2) Stay fully connected with the head of the body, not like a chicken with it's head cut off. We need to stay connected with Jesus our head. Col 1:18-19 pride causes us to loose connection with the head. Do we call on Jesus as our Lord as well as our Saviour? It takes humility to live in unity.
3) Don't miss your moments. Are we going to be sensitive and available to do what God is calling us to do. Esther 4:14 for such a time as this. Don't miss your moment. Ephe 2:10 God has prepared good works in advance for us to do.
The body of Christ is in our hands what are we going to do with it? Let's not miss it, stay connected.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Rands and Sense - Financial Freedom
18 September 2011
Brent Brading
Financial Freedom
Recap from part one
1) Gal 5:1 Jesus has set us free stand free and don't let yourself be yoked again by slavery, debt, greed and slavery
2) use your freedom and serve or lose your freedom to slavery. Gal 6:7 are you sowing to the sinful nature or towards the Spirit? 2 Cor 9:6-8 God loves a cheerful giver and he is able to make us abound.
Traps to freedom:
1)Greed
2)Poverty mentality
3)Debt (covered last week)
4)Unrighteous in our finances. Matt 6:33, Hag 1:6.
Types of unrighteousness: stingy, cheating with our tax, fraud, theft, bad business ethics. Where money has become there god.
Seek first his Kingdom.
5)A lack of financial unity in marriage. No financial agreement.
Hebrews 2:14, Prov.17:1 better a dry crust with bread and peace and quiet then feasting, with strife. Eph 5:31 the two will become one flesh. Separate accounts is not one flesh.
Potential marriages conflicts,
Spending patterns, are we being selfish with my money?
Manipulation and control, using our finances to hurt our spouse.
No communication or disclosure of financial position or situation.
No shared values or shared budget.
No leadership from the husband.
No financial vision.
Brent Brading
Financial Freedom
Recap from part one
1) Gal 5:1 Jesus has set us free stand free and don't let yourself be yoked again by slavery, debt, greed and slavery
2) use your freedom and serve or lose your freedom to slavery. Gal 6:7 are you sowing to the sinful nature or towards the Spirit? 2 Cor 9:6-8 God loves a cheerful giver and he is able to make us abound.
Traps to freedom:
1)Greed
2)Poverty mentality
3)Debt (covered last week)
4)Unrighteous in our finances. Matt 6:33, Hag 1:6.
Types of unrighteousness: stingy, cheating with our tax, fraud, theft, bad business ethics. Where money has become there god.
Seek first his Kingdom.
5)A lack of financial unity in marriage. No financial agreement.
Hebrews 2:14, Prov.17:1 better a dry crust with bread and peace and quiet then feasting, with strife. Eph 5:31 the two will become one flesh. Separate accounts is not one flesh.
Potential marriages conflicts,
Spending patterns, are we being selfish with my money?
Manipulation and control, using our finances to hurt our spouse.
No communication or disclosure of financial position or situation.
No shared values or shared budget.
No leadership from the husband.
No financial vision.
Monday, September 12, 2011
Price Tag - Murdered
11 September 2011
Brent Brading
Centre Stage:
John 19:16-37
One of the ironies of life is living in an age where man has taken centre stage. The irony is that never in the history of the world has there ever been so many depressed people.
Do we judge our self worth through others or through the eyes of our creator?
Have you ever serviced your car and then had a huge amount to pay and you want to know where all your money went. Jesus paid such a great price on the cross what exactly did he accomplish for us on the cross?
5 Old Testaments Pictures of Jesus death.
1) The fig leaves - Gen 3:7 Adam and Eve tried to cover up there nakedness. But it is impossible for man to save himself the fig leaves would never, the works of man will never do. We cannot cover up to appear our conscience. Is64:6 our righteous acts are like filthy rags. God had to cover their shame and nakedness. Heb9:22 everything needs to be cleansed with blood. Rom6:23
2) A son in sacrificed - Gen22:7-8 Abraham and Isaac. God himself will provide the lamb. The agony of the father willing to pay the ultimate price. It also shows the outworking of the covenant. The Father will provide the ultimate sacrifice.
3) The Passover lamb - Exodus 12:21-23 the blood of the lamb will cause the angel of death to Passover. John 1:29 Jesus is theLamb of God. And judgement is coming. Heb9:27-28 we will all face judgement.
4) The scape goat - Lev16:21-22 The sins of the people were placed on the goat and the goat carried them on itself into the desert. Heb 13:12-13 out side of the city Jesus carried our sins. Psalm 103:12 as far as the East is from the west so far has he separated our sin from us.
5) The snake on a stick - Num 21:7-9 those bitten by the snake run to the poll to look at the snake on the stick. We just need to look to Jesus and we will be saved. 2 Cor 5:21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us. Jesus took on our sin and became like to snake to save us. Sin has a deadly nature. We are born with the venom inside of us. 1 Cor 15:55 where oh death is your sin. We need to fix our eyes on Jesus Heb 312:2.Look to Jesus.
Reasons Jesus died for us:
Because we can't save ourselves
Because without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sin
To complete full fill the new covenant
To show the price the Father was willing to pay
To show that God would supply the sacrifice Because Jesus knew there was a judgement coming Because He had taken the sin of the world on his own head
To separate us completely form our sin
He died to conquer the sting of death He died so that when we look to the cross we will live
We respond with the sacrifice of our lives and lips. Heb 13:15
Brent Brading
Centre Stage:
John 19:16-37
One of the ironies of life is living in an age where man has taken centre stage. The irony is that never in the history of the world has there ever been so many depressed people.
Do we judge our self worth through others or through the eyes of our creator?
Have you ever serviced your car and then had a huge amount to pay and you want to know where all your money went. Jesus paid such a great price on the cross what exactly did he accomplish for us on the cross?
5 Old Testaments Pictures of Jesus death.
1) The fig leaves - Gen 3:7 Adam and Eve tried to cover up there nakedness. But it is impossible for man to save himself the fig leaves would never, the works of man will never do. We cannot cover up to appear our conscience. Is64:6 our righteous acts are like filthy rags. God had to cover their shame and nakedness. Heb9:22 everything needs to be cleansed with blood. Rom6:23
2) A son in sacrificed - Gen22:7-8 Abraham and Isaac. God himself will provide the lamb. The agony of the father willing to pay the ultimate price. It also shows the outworking of the covenant. The Father will provide the ultimate sacrifice.
3) The Passover lamb - Exodus 12:21-23 the blood of the lamb will cause the angel of death to Passover. John 1:29 Jesus is theLamb of God. And judgement is coming. Heb9:27-28 we will all face judgement.
4) The scape goat - Lev16:21-22 The sins of the people were placed on the goat and the goat carried them on itself into the desert. Heb 13:12-13 out side of the city Jesus carried our sins. Psalm 103:12 as far as the East is from the west so far has he separated our sin from us.
5) The snake on a stick - Num 21:7-9 those bitten by the snake run to the poll to look at the snake on the stick. We just need to look to Jesus and we will be saved. 2 Cor 5:21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us. Jesus took on our sin and became like to snake to save us. Sin has a deadly nature. We are born with the venom inside of us. 1 Cor 15:55 where oh death is your sin. We need to fix our eyes on Jesus Heb 312:2.Look to Jesus.
Reasons Jesus died for us:
Because we can't save ourselves
Because without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sin
To complete full fill the new covenant
To show the price the Father was willing to pay
To show that God would supply the sacrifice Because Jesus knew there was a judgement coming Because He had taken the sin of the world on his own head
To separate us completely form our sin
He died to conquer the sting of death He died so that when we look to the cross we will live
We respond with the sacrifice of our lives and lips. Heb 13:15
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Price Tag - Falsely accused
4 September 2011
Brent Brading
Ultimate Price
John 19:1-16 How valuable are we to God? He paid the ultimate price for us His son. Rev - by His blood he purchased men for God. The pain and the price of being falsely accused, it is a hard to bear. Phil 2:6-8 Jesus gave up everything in obedience to His Father gets accused of blasphemy. This is part of the price Jesus paid.
Accusations
We can get labelled and can feel isolated with a true sense of justice. Jesus knows what that is like He is our High Priest who can empathize with us. Jesus also came to minister to the accuser. We can often jump to conclusions and make judgment, bring accusation. Pro 18:17 the first to present his case often seems right till the second gives their case.
How did Jesus respond to all the accusation when he rose? Acts 6:7 because of Jesus repines a great number of priest became Christians because Jesus ministered grace to the accusers.
Democratic Spirit
What about Pilot? Was Pilot going to stand up for what he believed in or was he swayed by the crowd. It is what I call a democratic spirit. When your destiny is in the hands of others. it is like being an approval addict. You need .people to like you and want to accept you. John 19:4 Pilot knew Jesus was innocent. But Pilot was an insecure man.
What are the characteristics of a democratic spirit?
1) Vs8 they are ruled by fear. Decisions are based on fear, failure, etc. 2 Tim 1:7 God did not give us a spirit of fear.
2) Vs9 they withdraw into their cave. Mat 25:24-25 This kind of insecurity stops us from taking risks.
3) Vs10 they get flustered when they are put on the spot to make decisions. They are always worried about letting people down.
4) Vs12 they are half hearted. They don't have the courage of their convictions. Pilot tried to set Jesus free... Not really he was just covering his tracks.
5) Vs12 they are easily threatened.
6) Vs16 they compromise. They are ruled by the will of others.
Theocratic
Truth and conviction is compromised. We live our lives to keep others happy. Addicted to approval. But there is hope Jesus was in the same boat. But Jesus knew his destiny was not in the hands of the people but in the hands of His Father. This revelation will bring security into the lives of the insecurity. Jesus had a Theocratic spirit. John 12:42-43 democratic. Matt 20:25-27 autocratic. Duet 33:27 Theocratic. Father my life is in your hands. The only words Jesus spoke were not to defend him but to correct Pilots Theology.
Whose hands is your destiny in? Maybe it's time for a re- election.
Brent Brading
Ultimate Price
John 19:1-16 How valuable are we to God? He paid the ultimate price for us His son. Rev - by His blood he purchased men for God. The pain and the price of being falsely accused, it is a hard to bear. Phil 2:6-8 Jesus gave up everything in obedience to His Father gets accused of blasphemy. This is part of the price Jesus paid.
Accusations
We can get labelled and can feel isolated with a true sense of justice. Jesus knows what that is like He is our High Priest who can empathize with us. Jesus also came to minister to the accuser. We can often jump to conclusions and make judgment, bring accusation. Pro 18:17 the first to present his case often seems right till the second gives their case.
How did Jesus respond to all the accusation when he rose? Acts 6:7 because of Jesus repines a great number of priest became Christians because Jesus ministered grace to the accusers.
Democratic Spirit
What about Pilot? Was Pilot going to stand up for what he believed in or was he swayed by the crowd. It is what I call a democratic spirit. When your destiny is in the hands of others. it is like being an approval addict. You need .people to like you and want to accept you. John 19:4 Pilot knew Jesus was innocent. But Pilot was an insecure man.
What are the characteristics of a democratic spirit?
1) Vs8 they are ruled by fear. Decisions are based on fear, failure, etc. 2 Tim 1:7 God did not give us a spirit of fear.
2) Vs9 they withdraw into their cave. Mat 25:24-25 This kind of insecurity stops us from taking risks.
3) Vs10 they get flustered when they are put on the spot to make decisions. They are always worried about letting people down.
4) Vs12 they are half hearted. They don't have the courage of their convictions. Pilot tried to set Jesus free... Not really he was just covering his tracks.
5) Vs12 they are easily threatened.
6) Vs16 they compromise. They are ruled by the will of others.
Theocratic
Truth and conviction is compromised. We live our lives to keep others happy. Addicted to approval. But there is hope Jesus was in the same boat. But Jesus knew his destiny was not in the hands of the people but in the hands of His Father. This revelation will bring security into the lives of the insecurity. Jesus had a Theocratic spirit. John 12:42-43 democratic. Matt 20:25-27 autocratic. Duet 33:27 Theocratic. Father my life is in your hands. The only words Jesus spoke were not to defend him but to correct Pilots Theology.
Whose hands is your destiny in? Maybe it's time for a re- election.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Price Tag - 2
4 August 2011
Brent Brading
Investment Strategy
Do you know people who have been sucked into an investment scheme that just let's you down in the end. There was a church where they completely changed their investment strategy. Acts 4:34-35 There was no needed people among them. Those who owned lands and houses sold them and gave it to the apostles to be used. These were wealthy people who decided the best investment strategy is to invest in the Kingdom of God.
The foundation of our finances is Jesus.
Jesus was the tithe on our behalf. We don't live on a foundation but we need to build on that foundation. Malachi 3:10-12 the blessing spoken what does it actually mean? God is saying because of the tithe Jesus he will open the flood gates of heaven and bless our farming. The best farming environment has been given us.
How do we learn to become farmers?
If we were given the perfect farming environment what would we do? Start farming. We need to stop thinking like economist and accountants but as farmers.
1) You have to build on the foundation of Jesus.
2) God wanted a people how did he get it? Sowing and reaping. God had one seed Jesus and He gave Him to the world. John 3:16, Gal 6:7 God cannot be mocked He reaps what He sowed. Romans 8:29 God sowed His son and is reaping the world. Jesus Christ is the sowing and reaping of God. Sowing and reaping work. The whole earth is a garden and we now need to learn to farm it.
3) Have you watched the Perfect storm? It is where two storm systems converge. It is like the sowing and reaping converging with knowing that Jesus Christ is the very generosity of God. Generosity is giving your very best. God gave Jesus His very best. Romans 8:32 when it comes to sowing and reaping God controls the reaping side. 2 Cor 9:6 but we control the sowing side. Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly. We control the measure. Luke 6:38 the measure we use is the measure that will be measured to us.
4) So how do we apply these things to our lives?
How do you give? Mat 6:3,4 do it secretly.
We give cheerfully 2 Cor 9:7 – with Joy
Give generously 2 Cor 9:6
Where, to whom and what do we give?
To the poor, needy, orphans, levies, apostles, widows. All giving was done through trusted leaders. Acts 4:34,35; 1 Cor 16:1-2. Find leaders you trust to invest in and through into the Kingdom of God.
How much should we give? Give as much as you have got faith for but trust God to expand the grace on your life. 2 Cor 8:1-2. Give according to grace and not according to your means. Vs 7 see that you excel in the grace of giving. Learn to think in terms of percentage instead of amount. Mark12:41-44 Jesus and the widows mite. When you start aim at giving 10% work your way up to it. That is like subsistence farming. But it is not about how much do you want to give? Or is it how much do you want to reap. God wants to bless us.
When should we give? First, because if we wait till the end of the month it will not happen. It has to be a faith step. Mat 6:33.
5) Questions and answers.
What if I don't want to?
There are two parts to our heart flesh and spirit. The flesh will always fight you, but the Holy Spirit can quicken your heart to give because he is the most generous God in the universe.
We can’t even make ends meet so how then are we to live?
If you were a poor Farmer but had some seed what should you do? Eat the seed or take some for food and plant the rest. We can trust our Father and sow, think bigger picture and get some seed into the ground. 2 Cor 9:10-11 God supplies seed to the sower and bread for food.
How long does it take from sowing to reaping? It is not a set time, it can be instant other times it can take time. But God knows and he is responsible for the timing.
If I'm not earning what do I do?
Sow anyway Can I sow my time instead? Sow time reap time, sow money reap money.
How should we respond? Thank the Lord for setting us up for victory. Own these revelations.
Remember God is in charge of the reaping so let's go farming.
Brent Brading
Investment Strategy
Do you know people who have been sucked into an investment scheme that just let's you down in the end. There was a church where they completely changed their investment strategy. Acts 4:34-35 There was no needed people among them. Those who owned lands and houses sold them and gave it to the apostles to be used. These were wealthy people who decided the best investment strategy is to invest in the Kingdom of God.
The foundation of our finances is Jesus.
Jesus was the tithe on our behalf. We don't live on a foundation but we need to build on that foundation. Malachi 3:10-12 the blessing spoken what does it actually mean? God is saying because of the tithe Jesus he will open the flood gates of heaven and bless our farming. The best farming environment has been given us.
How do we learn to become farmers?
If we were given the perfect farming environment what would we do? Start farming. We need to stop thinking like economist and accountants but as farmers.
1) You have to build on the foundation of Jesus.
2) God wanted a people how did he get it? Sowing and reaping. God had one seed Jesus and He gave Him to the world. John 3:16, Gal 6:7 God cannot be mocked He reaps what He sowed. Romans 8:29 God sowed His son and is reaping the world. Jesus Christ is the sowing and reaping of God. Sowing and reaping work. The whole earth is a garden and we now need to learn to farm it.
3) Have you watched the Perfect storm? It is where two storm systems converge. It is like the sowing and reaping converging with knowing that Jesus Christ is the very generosity of God. Generosity is giving your very best. God gave Jesus His very best. Romans 8:32 when it comes to sowing and reaping God controls the reaping side. 2 Cor 9:6 but we control the sowing side. Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly. We control the measure. Luke 6:38 the measure we use is the measure that will be measured to us.
4) So how do we apply these things to our lives?
How do you give? Mat 6:3,4 do it secretly.
We give cheerfully 2 Cor 9:7 – with Joy
Give generously 2 Cor 9:6
Where, to whom and what do we give?
To the poor, needy, orphans, levies, apostles, widows. All giving was done through trusted leaders. Acts 4:34,35; 1 Cor 16:1-2. Find leaders you trust to invest in and through into the Kingdom of God.
How much should we give? Give as much as you have got faith for but trust God to expand the grace on your life. 2 Cor 8:1-2. Give according to grace and not according to your means. Vs 7 see that you excel in the grace of giving. Learn to think in terms of percentage instead of amount. Mark12:41-44 Jesus and the widows mite. When you start aim at giving 10% work your way up to it. That is like subsistence farming. But it is not about how much do you want to give? Or is it how much do you want to reap. God wants to bless us.
When should we give? First, because if we wait till the end of the month it will not happen. It has to be a faith step. Mat 6:33.
5) Questions and answers.
What if I don't want to?
There are two parts to our heart flesh and spirit. The flesh will always fight you, but the Holy Spirit can quicken your heart to give because he is the most generous God in the universe.
We can’t even make ends meet so how then are we to live?
If you were a poor Farmer but had some seed what should you do? Eat the seed or take some for food and plant the rest. We can trust our Father and sow, think bigger picture and get some seed into the ground. 2 Cor 9:10-11 God supplies seed to the sower and bread for food.
How long does it take from sowing to reaping? It is not a set time, it can be instant other times it can take time. But God knows and he is responsible for the timing.
If I'm not earning what do I do?
Sow anyway Can I sow my time instead? Sow time reap time, sow money reap money.
How should we respond? Thank the Lord for setting us up for victory. Own these revelations.
Remember God is in charge of the reaping so let's go farming.
Price Tag - Misunderstood
28 August 2011
Quinton Preen
Heavy Price to Pay
John 18:28-40
Why is being misunderstood a heavy price to pay? It was a big thing for Jesus because firstly he was asked what is truth? John 1:14 and John 16:1 and John 18:37 Jesus is the truth. Truth was defined in Jesus and Herod questioned that.
Is our truth subjective? Your truth may not be my truth. That is what the world wants to tell us. People are constantly questioning what is truth? But Herod should not have asked what is truth but who is truth. We need to turn our what questions into who questions. Remember Jesus is the answer to every question.
John 14:5-6 who is truth - Jesus says I am the way the truth and the life.
1) Jesus is the way
Hebrews 9:13-14 Vs 26-28, 10:8-10. In these verses Jesus is the way. In Genesis Adam and Eve where deported since then we have needed Jesus as our validity to get back into relationship with God.
2) Jesus is the truth.
Mat 5:18, 26, 6:2 He speaks the truth. He is the truth carrier; we are those who need to hear the truth. John 10:10 focuses on the who - Jesus the truth.
3) Jesus is the life.
John 10:10 I have come that you may have life. Psalm 23:1-6 our Shepherd - we need to focus on the shepherd and not on what he will do for us, for he will lead us to the good pastures.
How do we turn the what into the who?
John 16:7, 12-16 Jesus is the truth but the Holy Spirit is also the Spirit of truth and he will always lead us to Jesus the truth. We need to let the Holy Spirit to guide us to Jesus. Allow the Holy Spirit to do His job.
Quinton Preen
Heavy Price to Pay
John 18:28-40
Why is being misunderstood a heavy price to pay? It was a big thing for Jesus because firstly he was asked what is truth? John 1:14 and John 16:1 and John 18:37 Jesus is the truth. Truth was defined in Jesus and Herod questioned that.
Is our truth subjective? Your truth may not be my truth. That is what the world wants to tell us. People are constantly questioning what is truth? But Herod should not have asked what is truth but who is truth. We need to turn our what questions into who questions. Remember Jesus is the answer to every question.
John 14:5-6 who is truth - Jesus says I am the way the truth and the life.
1) Jesus is the way
Hebrews 9:13-14 Vs 26-28, 10:8-10. In these verses Jesus is the way. In Genesis Adam and Eve where deported since then we have needed Jesus as our validity to get back into relationship with God.
2) Jesus is the truth.
Mat 5:18, 26, 6:2 He speaks the truth. He is the truth carrier; we are those who need to hear the truth. John 10:10 focuses on the who - Jesus the truth.
3) Jesus is the life.
John 10:10 I have come that you may have life. Psalm 23:1-6 our Shepherd - we need to focus on the shepherd and not on what he will do for us, for he will lead us to the good pastures.
How do we turn the what into the who?
John 16:7, 12-16 Jesus is the truth but the Holy Spirit is also the Spirit of truth and he will always lead us to Jesus the truth. We need to let the Holy Spirit to guide us to Jesus. Allow the Holy Spirit to do His job.
Monday, August 22, 2011
A whole nother level
Women's conference
Lucinda Dooley
20 August 2011
Whole nother level
Whatever your situation is God wants to do it for us. God want us to enlarge and keep taking ground. Gen1:27-28 fill the earth, fruitful, reign, multiply. God wants us to go to a whole nother level. Our confidence, faith, fruitfulness, capabilities, anything can go to a whole nother level. Mediocrity is not our portion in life.
One in a million
Numbers 13:27-33 God wants to take his people into the promised land. But out of the twelve spies 10 of them did not make it to a whole nother level. Only two made it Joshua and Caleb. What was it about them that took them to a whole nother level. We must want to be one in a million.
1) We need to see with a supernatural eye and not a natural eye. Vs28 are we seeing the giants or are we seeing the hand of God. Take your eyes off the giants and look for God's supernatural answer. We need to shift our dish. Move the receiver. Pick up God's supernatural solution. His ways and thoughts are high above ours we need to look to him and see Him. Is the glass half full or half empty? Our God is sovereign and with our great God all things are possible.
2) vs 30 Caleb tried to quiet the people. We are going to have to silence the wrong voices in our lives. We will have to silence the voices in order to live for God. People will always try and minimize what God has called us to do. Even our friends, family, church people will say stuff that wears us down. We need to silence the wrong voices. Listen the the voice and call of God not what others say. Know what God has called you to, live radically.
3) vs30 Caleb was sure, certain that they could conquer the enemy. Do not throw away your confidence.
4) Vs 32 They spread a bad report. But we need to see past that. Be those who are always able to bring a good report. Don't allow things to get into your heart. Stop the negative thoughts. Get a good perspective. We need to watch the negative monster and don't allow negativity to take hold of you. Don't surround yourself with negative people. Who you associate with will affect you. Guard your heart above all else. Bad company corrupts good character. Psalm19:14 let the words of your mouth and meditation of your heart be acceptable to God.
5) Vs 31 Never compare yourself. There will always be someone better, gifted, etc. 2 Cor 10:12 to compare yourself is unwise. We are all called to be in community and be together how then can we work together. God has made you, you unique gifted and talented. Be yourself.
6) Vs 32-33 What we believe will definitely affect what we receive. Our decisions will affect our families. We need to realize our thoughts and decisions are not about us but about all those around us. We can't make decisions and act in isolation. It is very important what we believe about ourselves. We can feel like grass hoppers. We are not that. We are called to rise up and conquer and to be mighty on the earth. What we think affects what we say, what we do and how we are perceived. This can go both way. We can only change the influences in our lives. Make the Bible our greatest influence in our lives. Romans12:1 take our ordinary life and place it before God. Fix your attention on God and you will be changed from the inside out. When we look in the mirror we should see what God sees and how he has made me. A warrior, a person of influence.
With our God all things are possible. Let's go to a whole nother level.
Lucinda Dooley
20 August 2011
Whole nother level
Whatever your situation is God wants to do it for us. God want us to enlarge and keep taking ground. Gen1:27-28 fill the earth, fruitful, reign, multiply. God wants us to go to a whole nother level. Our confidence, faith, fruitfulness, capabilities, anything can go to a whole nother level. Mediocrity is not our portion in life.
One in a million
Numbers 13:27-33 God wants to take his people into the promised land. But out of the twelve spies 10 of them did not make it to a whole nother level. Only two made it Joshua and Caleb. What was it about them that took them to a whole nother level. We must want to be one in a million.
1) We need to see with a supernatural eye and not a natural eye. Vs28 are we seeing the giants or are we seeing the hand of God. Take your eyes off the giants and look for God's supernatural answer. We need to shift our dish. Move the receiver. Pick up God's supernatural solution. His ways and thoughts are high above ours we need to look to him and see Him. Is the glass half full or half empty? Our God is sovereign and with our great God all things are possible.
2) vs 30 Caleb tried to quiet the people. We are going to have to silence the wrong voices in our lives. We will have to silence the voices in order to live for God. People will always try and minimize what God has called us to do. Even our friends, family, church people will say stuff that wears us down. We need to silence the wrong voices. Listen the the voice and call of God not what others say. Know what God has called you to, live radically.
3) vs30 Caleb was sure, certain that they could conquer the enemy. Do not throw away your confidence.
4) Vs 32 They spread a bad report. But we need to see past that. Be those who are always able to bring a good report. Don't allow things to get into your heart. Stop the negative thoughts. Get a good perspective. We need to watch the negative monster and don't allow negativity to take hold of you. Don't surround yourself with negative people. Who you associate with will affect you. Guard your heart above all else. Bad company corrupts good character. Psalm19:14 let the words of your mouth and meditation of your heart be acceptable to God.
5) Vs 31 Never compare yourself. There will always be someone better, gifted, etc. 2 Cor 10:12 to compare yourself is unwise. We are all called to be in community and be together how then can we work together. God has made you, you unique gifted and talented. Be yourself.
6) Vs 32-33 What we believe will definitely affect what we receive. Our decisions will affect our families. We need to realize our thoughts and decisions are not about us but about all those around us. We can't make decisions and act in isolation. It is very important what we believe about ourselves. We can feel like grass hoppers. We are not that. We are called to rise up and conquer and to be mighty on the earth. What we think affects what we say, what we do and how we are perceived. This can go both way. We can only change the influences in our lives. Make the Bible our greatest influence in our lives. Romans12:1 take our ordinary life and place it before God. Fix your attention on God and you will be changed from the inside out. When we look in the mirror we should see what God sees and how he has made me. A warrior, a person of influence.
With our God all things are possible. Let's go to a whole nother level.
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