Hearts of Compassion International

Rest in ME and I Will Bring It to Pass

2015-01-01T02:11:00.004-05:00

The Year of the Lord’s Favor

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.

He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,

to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God,

to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion—

to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes,
the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.

They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.

No Looking Back…

2014-01-01T14:36:00.000-05:00

Now that we have entered a new year, we want to remind you friends to forget what is behind and strain toward what is ahead. Don’t let the enemy hold you back by keeping you focused on mistakes or failures. You can’t move forward if you’re focused on the rear-view mirror.

No matter how you’ve failed this past year, no matter how you’ve missed it, God’s love is greater. We are reminded how Peter betrayed Jesus in the Lord’s greatest hour of need. Nonetheless, God entrusted Peter with a leadership role in his newly established church because of Peter’s repentant heart.

Remember Paul who intensely persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it. Despite this, God used Paul to write two-thirds of the New Testament. Paul did not let his past hold him back. Paul received God’s forgiveness and moved on. As he so wisely stated in Philippians 3:13-14:

But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

We pray all God’s best for you and yours this new year. Know that he has a plan for your life and that plan is for good. Move into his best for you by forgetting what is behind and embracing the best yet to come. Blessings friends in this year of feasting and gladness.

Stop Over-Thinking Things

2013-09-26T12:02:00.000-04:00

If you want to have joy, you must stop trying to figure everything out. You must stop rolling your problems around in your mind. You have to quit anxiously searching for an answer to your situation, trying to find out what you should do about it.

When Jesus saw that His disciples were trying to "figure out" what to do about the fact they had forgotten to bring bread to feed the crowd, He said to them "You of little faith, why are you talking among yourselves about having no bread?" ( Matt. 16:8).

We spent many years attempting to solve our own problems and finally discovered that it is not God's will for us to do that. All our efforts did was make us frustrated and more selfish and self-centered. We focused on our self and expected everyone else to focus on us too. I looked to others (and myself) to do for me what only God could do.

We reason and try to figure things out, asking, "Why God, why?" and "When God, when?" We want to know the answers to our situation so we won't have to trust God. We don't want any surprises; we want to be in control because we are afraid things won't turn out the way we want. This driving desire to be "in the know" will usually produce one thing - a mind riddled with excessive reasoning.

"Why God, why?" and "When God, when?" are two questions that can keep us frustrated and prevent us from enjoying the lives Jesus died to give us. Many times we do not understand what God is doing, but that is what trust is all about. Nobody says we have to know everything; no one has ever told us we have to understand everything. We need to be satisfied in knowing the One who does know, and that is God. We need to learn to trust God, not ourselves.

Stop over-thinking things. Trust means not needing to know the whys and the whens in order to be at peace.

Know Your Strengths

2013-04-17T12:15:00.000-04:00

What are you good at? Do you even know? Have you seriously thought about it, or have you been so busy thinking about what you're not good at that you have not even noticed your abilities?

The Bible says in Genesis 1:31:

"And God saw everything that He had made, and behold, it was very good (suitable, pleasant) and He approved it completely."

In order for you to enjoy life, you need to know where your strengths lie. Thinking about what you are good at is not conceit, it is merely preparation to do your job with confidence. I know that anything I am good at is a result of God's gifts, talents and abilities in me, and I thank Him all the time for these blessings. Make a list of what you are good at and rehearse it daily until you gain confidence in your abilities.

I also realize that God brings people into my life who are strong in the areas where I'm weak - this keeps me humble and reminds me that it is not all about me.

Psalm 139:73 says:

"Your hands made me and formed me; give me understanding to learn your commands."

God created you to be great and you can trust His design!

Wholesome, God-centered Self-image

2013-04-06T08:59:00.000-04:00

How you view yourself and your confession will determine your destiny. God has great plans for your life, but you must cooperate with Him by seeing you as God sees you. You must believe in you like God believes in you. The following are suggestions for you to think on and confess to achieve a wholesome, God-centered self image:

1. I know God created me, and He loves me. See Psalm 139:13-16; Psalm 103:2-5; I John 4:10.

2. I have faults and weaknesses, and I want to change. I believe God is working in my life. He is changing me bit by bit, day by day. While He is doing so, I can still enjoy myself and my life. See Romans 7:14-25; Hebrews 4:14-16.

3. Everyone has faults, so I am not a complete failure just because I am not perfect. See the lives of

Jesus’ disciples Peter and John.

4. I am going to work with God to overcome my weaknesses, but I realize that I will always have something to deal with; therefore, I will not become discouraged when God convicts me of areas in my life that need improvement. See Philippians 3:12-14.

5. I want to make people happy and have them like me, but my sense of worth is not dependent on what others think of me. Jesus has already affirmed my value by His willingness to die for me. My confidence should be in God. See Jeremiah 1:5; Jeremiah 17:7.

6. I will not be controlled by what people think, say or do. Even if they totally reject me, I will survive. God has promised never to reject me or condemn me as long as I keep believing. See Proverbs 29:25; John 6:29.

7. No matter how often I fail, I will not give up, because God is with me to strengthen and sustain me. He has promised never to leave me or forsake me. See Isaiah 41:9-14; Hebrews 13:5.

8. I like myself. I don’t like everything I do, and I want to change, but I refuse to reject myself.

9. I am right with God through Jesus Christ. See II Corinthians 5:17, 21.

10. God has a good plan for my life. I am going to fulfill my destiny and be all I can be for His glory. I have God-given gifts and talents, and I intend to use them to help others. Jeremiah 29:11; Isaiah 49:1, 14-16, 23.

11. I can do all things I need to do, everything that God calls me to do, through His son Jesus Christ. See Philippians 4:12, 13.

How to Hear from God

2012-08-30T13:04:00.001-04:00

Why do you need to hear God's voice? Because God has a plan for your life, a good plan that He established long before you were even born. You were no surprise to God. You were no accident.

God wants you to know where you are going. He wants you to know with whom you are walking. He wants a relationship with you. In any relationship, communication must be both ways. God wants to speak to you. We want to discuss today how to discern God's voice. First, let's go back to the beginning so that we fully understand mankind's relationship to God.

In the Beginning . . . God created man for relationship and close fellowship with Him.

Originally, we had a sinless nature, just as Jesus had when He walked the earth (which is why the Bible calls Jesus the second Adam), so close fellowship with a holy God was possible. God spoke clearly to man. The Bible implies that God walked and talked in the garden with man. See Genesis 3:8-9.

After the Fall . . . we lost the close communion we once had with God. Sin separated us from God. We lost our righteousness. See Romans 3:23 ("for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.").

God is pure and holy. He cannot be where there is sin. If He came near us, His holiness would consume, i.e., kill us. As a result, there was a fellowship/communication barrier.

Until Jesus paved the way for the Holy Spirit to reside with man again, God created temporary avenues to communicate with man. Mainly, God communicated through the prophet, priest or king. God’s Spirit was not in them, but would be on or come upon them for a task. If you needed justice, you would go to the king and God anointed him to judge your case. If an individual needed direction, they would go to a prophet or priest.

The priest used what was called the Urim and Thummin. Some believe that they were two stones set in the breastplate of the priest. See Exodus 28:15, 29, 30. Some think the priest would go before the Lord and the Lord would shine his light on one of the stones, thus giving His answer. The word Thummim is widely considered to be derived from a root word meaning innocent, while Urim has traditionally been taken to derive from a root meaning lights. In consequence, Urim and Thummim has traditionally been translated as lights and perfections, or, by taking the phrase allegorically, as meaning revelation and truth, or doctrine and truth. For an example of such use, see 1 Samuel 14:41-42 (and footnote). This practice became known as “casting lots,” like rolling dice. This practice was carried over into the New Testament. See Acts 1:15-26.

Everything changed, however, once the Holy Spirit was given by the Father after Jesus paved the way for our restoration to God. See Acts 2. Never again do you see casting of lots as a means of hearing from God.

Please understand that Jesus, as a sinless man, restored our relationship with God. He took our punishment for sin so that we once again could be close to God. This was all part of God's plan to restore the broken lines of communication that we once had with him.

The prophet Joel spoke ahead of time about that plan in Joel 2:28, 29:

28 And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams,
your young men will see visions. 29 Even on my servants, both men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days.

After the believers were baptized with the Holy Spirit and spoke in other tongues on the day of Pentecost, Peter stood up and addressed the crowd and quoted the prior passage in Joel to explain what was happening. See Acts 2:14-21.

When you get saved, the Holy Spirit sanctifies you.

Sanctify means: 1) make or declare holy; consecrate; 2) make legitimate or binding by religious sanction; 3) free from sin; and 4) give the appearance of being right or good.

Your spirit is made new. Your spirit is as sinless and righteous as Adam and Eve’s spirits were before the fall. As a result, God can again be close to us as He always intended from the beginning. See, e.g., Romans 5:1, 2:

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ,
he is a new creation;
the old has gone, the new has come!
God made him who had no sin to be sin for us,
so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
2 Corinthians 5:17, 21.

1Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.

In fact, God actually comes to reside in your sinless spirit by His Holy Spirit when you get saved. See John 14:16, 17:

16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever — 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.

See also 1Corinthians 3:16:

Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you?

And finally see also 1 Corinthians 6:19:

Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own.

God can now have close fellowship and communication with you. You can now expect to hear the voice of God!

Blessings friends!

God Loves Imperfect People!

2012-07-03T00:24:00.002-04:00

Most times we believe that God loves us, as long as we are making good decisions, resisting temptation, and treating people right. No matter how good of a person you are, there will be times when you don’t perform perfectly, when you should not to say anything, but you said it anyway, or you said that it would be last time, but you did it again.

When we don’t perform perfectly, it is easy to think that God is far from us. When we blow it, it’s easy to think that God will never have anything to do with us. We think, “God will not listen to my prayers after the mistakes that I have made.”

The truth is when you fall God doesn’t turn away from you, He comes running to you. When you blow it, God is not going to say, “too bad you had your chance.” No, He comes after you with greater passion.

You may have blown it, but you are still a child of God. You may have let God down, but He will not let you down. You may have lost faith in God, but He didn’t lose faith in you.

God often reminds me of His disciple Peter when I get down on myself and feel useless to God as a result of my mistakes. Peter was one of Jesus' closest friends. There were multitudes who followed Jesus wherever He went. But the Bible mentions seventy-two who were a bit closer to Jesus. Within the seventy-two, there were twelve who occupied a special relationship with Jesus. And within the twelve, there were three who were very close to Jesus, probably what we would call today his best friends. Of those three was Peter, a common fisherman.

Once when Jesus was speaking about the way he would be killed for the good of man and His disciples would scatter, Peter spoke up and told Jesus that even if everyone else deserted Him, he would not. Jesus answered Peter that even before the rooster crowed, Peter would deny even knowing Jesus three times.

Just as Jesus predicted, Jesus was arrested and brought to a mock trial, before ultimately being killed by crucifiction. While at that trial, Peter stood a shirt distance away. While watching the trial, three times people came to Peter, recognizing him as Jesus' disciple, and asked him if he was with Jesus. And three times Peter denied even knowing Jesus. In fact, the third time Peter was asked, he cursed so the individual would believe him. Immediately, the rooster crowed as Jesus predicted, Jesus looked at Peter, and Peter went out weeping bitterly, knowing what he had done.

I am sure that Peter felt like God did not love him after the betrayal, that God would not want him anymore, that God could not use him for anything. But this was far from the truth, Just three days later when several women went to Jesus' tomb to anoint him as was customary in burial, they were met by an angel and an empty tomb. Notice what the angel said to the women:

“Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’” Mark 16:6, 7.

Did you notice that Peter was the only disciple the angel mentioned by name? This was no accident. God knew how Peter felt about himself, and although God had already forgiven Peter, Peter needed to know that God was not mad at him, loved him and wanted him still.

Not too long after this, Peter and the other disciples were fishing. Unknown to the disciples, Jesus was standing on the shore. Jesus called out to the disciples and asked them if they had caught any fish. The disciples answered no. Jesus told them to throw their net into the water on the other side of the boat, which they did, and their nets could not contain all the fish they caught. Immediately, the disciples knew it was Jesus. They rushed to the shore, Peter even jumping into the water swimming to shore.

After they finished eating, Jesus turned to Peter and said:

“Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.” John 21:15-17.

Notice, Jesus asked Peter three times whether he loved Him. Why did Jesus ask Peter this same question three times? Yes, because Peter denied Jesus three times. Jesus didn't do this because he didn't know the answer to the question. Jesus did this for Peter. Jesus gave Peter the opportunity to declare his love for Jesus three times to relieve the guilt in Peter's own mind for the betrayal. At the same time, Jesus publicly reaffirmed three times that he still loved and wanted Peter.

You see, God is not looking for perfect people. He knows we all make mistakes. Instead, God is looking for people who have hearts that love Him and are committed to Him, despite mistakes. Second Chronicles 16:9 states, “The Lord’s eyes scan the whole world to find those whose hearts are committed to him and to strengthen them.”

It does not say that God is looking for perfect performance, but God is looking for people who have hearts committed to Him. It means that even if you make mistakes, your heart is quick to run back to him. Your heart desires to honor him always, even if you fail sometimes.

Nothing you have done or could do is a surprise to God.

You need to keep walking with Him, because He loves you no matter what.

His loves is bigger than any mistakes that you have made. Don't give up on God as He has not given up on you.

Blessings friends!

God Wants You to Be Full of Joy

2012-05-07T00:09:00.000-04:00

Recently my pastor preached on the subject of joy using a scripture of which many of us have heard before, that is, Nehemiah 8:10 - “Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” However, my pastor did not use in the usual way I had heard this verse previously preached. In fact, the pastor stated that he was going to use the scripture in the usual way it is preached, but the Holy Spirit stopped him and caused him to meditate on the verses preceding verse 10. What followed was a Rhema word from God.

First you must understand the background of this passage. Because of their rebellious hearts, the Israelites as an entire nation had been conquered by the Babylonians and transported from their home country to Babylon, which was about 500 miles as the crow flies, but by caravans, the route would be about twice as much since it meanders. Finally after 70 years of exile (the length of time prophesied by Jeremiah and others that the exile would last), God gave the Israelites favor with the King of Babylon and opened the door for them to return to their home country.

As you can imagine, while the Israelites lived with the Babylonians, over time, they forgot their culture and adapted to the culture in which they lived. Life continued on, births, marriages, and funerals. In Nehemiah chapter 8, we see the Israelites have settled back in their homeland and for the first time in many of their lives they heard the priest read publically in an assembly from the book of the law. What proceeded next was great sadness as “all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the law.” Nehemiah 8:9. Why did they weep? Because they could not bear God pointing out their failure and the failure of their ancestors to keep God’s law. They felt rebuked, scolded and flat out shamed.

Isn’t this typical human nature when God corrects or disciplines us? We suck our thumb and threaten to quit church, or even worse, quit God. This should not be. My pastor used a wonderful example to demonstrate the absurdness of this reaction to God’s loving correction and discipline. Say you are a high school football player and you got the opportunity to receive tips and pointers from someone you admired and looked-up to in the professional league. Surely you don’t expect to be as good as them, nor would they expect you to be as good as them now. And when they corrected some of your bad habits, would you get long faced and threaten to quit. No, of course not. With gladness, you would receive their instruction because you know it would only make you better and it is coming from one of the best. In fact, just being in the person’s presence would bring you great joy . . . right?

Then why do we feel like a failure and quitting when God shows us where we could improve? Shouldn’t we received God’s correction and discipline with joy knowing it is coming from God, a being more perfect and above any other person who was, is, or is to come?! In fact, just being in God’s presence should bring us great joy and energy because it’s God, the creator of all that exists, but yet the ever-present lover of our souls who desires to have a relationship with us. This is why Nehemiah said “the joy of the LORD is your strength.” God’s presence is invigorating. He doesn’t desire for you to be sad around Him or dread his instruction. He desires that you be full of joy, knowing that any instruction is for your good and the good of those around you. Let His joy, that is, His presence fill you today. May you find peace and joy IN HIM. Blessings.

Donating Medical Supplies for Those in Need in Nicaragua

2012-04-25T18:01:00.000-04:00

Photographs from 2011 Missions Trip to Nicaragua

Recently, through the help of our partners, we have provided medical supplies for an upcoming missions trip to Nicaragua organized by Because We Care Ministries of Roanoke, Virginia and Faith Fellowship Church of Wirtz, Virginia. The trip is scheduled for June 11-18, 2012.

Nicaragua is the second poorest country in the western hemisphere. The vast majority of the five million inhabitants live in abject poverty with many suffering from severe malnutrition and starvation. The medical supplies we donated will provide relief and a witness to the people of Nicaragua of the love of Jesus Christ. Thank you for helping us help them. Blessings!

UPDATE!!!

The missions team has returned from Nicaragua and the trip was a wonderful success! The medical supplies that Hearts of Compassion International and you supplied were distributed to the poor and needy. In fact, our medical supplies made it into the most remote regions only accessible by horseback.

On June 14, 2012, a team saddled up with the medical supplies and hiked up to the village of Cacau. It was here that the medical team delivered medical services to 100 villagers who hadn't seen a doctor since November of 2011. While medical care was being given, others on the team fed the poor, worked with children, performed skits, and shared the gospel.

The people were so very appreciative. As a result of your generosity, many people discovered God's love and found Jesus as their personal savior. May you be refreshed as you have refreshed others in need. Blessings friends!

Donating Personal Items for the Poor and Needy to Stepping Stones Mission

2012-04-25T17:41:00.000-04:00

Stepping Stones Mission
Rocky Mount, Virginia

Recently, through the help of our partners, we have donated close to $1,000 in personal items for the poor and needy at Stepping Stones Mission in Rocky Mount, Virginia. The Mission currently operates a soup kitchen where it serves over 1200 meals monthly to individuals in need. They also distribute personal items to those who have no resources to purchase such necessary things.

Hearts of Compassion International has on numerous occasions in the past 6 years donated services to Stepping Stones Mission, which is entirely staffed by volunteers, but this is the first time we have been able to donate personal items. Thank you partners for your help and faithfulness to God’s instruction to care for the poor and needy! Together we are spreading the love of Jesus all around the world. Blessings!

UPDATE!!!

Because of your generosity, we once again this month were able to contribute close to $1,000 in personal items to Stepping Stones Mission in Rocky Mount, Virginia, USA. Mission President Mrs. Joanne Patterson relayed to us that the poor were so appreciative of your gifts. They lined up eagerly to receive the the needed personal items. This second shipment was very welcomed as she had to institute a sign up sheet for future disbursements as the items were so popular. Thank you for bringing relief to those in need on behalf of Lord Jesus Christ! You will be blessed in return.

How to Find Joy and Peace in Life

2012-04-09T16:41:00.000-04:00

Most of us are familiar with John 3:16 and God’s promise of everlasting life to those who believe in Jesus. In John 10:10, Jesus stated that he came to bring us life, and life to the full. When we think of this life that Jesus came to bring us, many people think it refers to the life God will give us one day after we die and go to heaven. Yes, this is included in God’s statement, but He meant so much more.

Jesus was clear that once we accept Him as savior, the Kingdom of God, and everything it represents, already resides in us. Luke 17:21. And the Bible says that the Kingdom of God “is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” Romans 14:17. God desires that your life be filled with peace and joy. He has placed these deep within your heart. Your job is to draw it out and cultivate it with God’s help. I want to show you today six key ingredients to living the full life that Jesus came to give us.

THE FIRST KEY INGREDIENT IS SPEND TIME WITH GOD. We spend time with God through reading His word and prayer, that is, simply talking to God and listening for His still small voice deep within. Spending time with God affects the quality of our lives in many ways. One such way is found in Philippians 4:5-7:

“5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

How often have we said “Oh well, I’ve done everything else, I guess all I can do now is pray.” Often times we forfeit the peace and joy that God has for us in any given situation because we do not take our issue to God first. He has the answer. Trust and rely on Him.

THE SECOND KEY INGREDIENT IS PERSONAL GROWTH. We all have attitudes, behaviors and habits that are not Godly. It is a result of being born sinful and living in a fallen world. We will not live joyous and fulfilling lives and have healthy relationships until we get some of our bad habits and behaviors straightened out. Romans 12:2 states:

“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

How do we get straightened out? By meditating on the Word of God as it will sanctify and cleanse us. Ephesians 5:26.

THE THIRD KEY INGREDIENT IS TO SET GOALS AND WORK TOWARD SOMETHING NEW. Note that in Genesis 1, each day God created something, at the end of the day He stood back and looked at it with satisfaction and said it is “good.” It brought Him satisfaction and joy.

God created us like Himself, to be progressive and creative. See Genesis 2:15 - “The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.” Only when we are working toward a goal, will we find true satisfaction in life. Galatians 6:4 makes this clear:

“But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.”

THE FOURTH KEY INGREDIENT IS TO MAINTAIN HEALTHY PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS. Proverbs 17:17 states:

“A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need.”

And Ecclesiastes 4:9-11 states:

“9 Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor. 10 For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up. 11 Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; But how can one be warm alone?”

In times of trouble, we often isolate ourselves because we are ashamed that we are struggling. This is a dangerous place to be. We need people to whom we can be vulnerable, accountable and go to in time of need.

THE FIFTH KEY INGREDIENT IS SERVICE TO GOD AND OTHERS. To live a fulfilled life, “it can’t all be about us.” In fact, the Word of God instructs us to comfort others like we ourselves have been comforted by God. Second Corinthians 1:3-4 states:

“3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. ”

God certainly rewards those who serve as He makes clear in Proverbs 11:25 that a generous person will prosper; a person who refreshes others will themself be refreshed.

Lastly, THE SIXTH KEY INGREDIENT IS REST. Genesis 2:1, 2 states that God rested after creating all that exists. He didn’t need to rest, because God does not get weary, nor need sleep. See Psalm 121. He was setting up a principle for us to follow. Our natural bodies need rest or we will burnout and life will lose its joy.

I encourage you that if you are feeling tired and weary today take the key ingredients that I have shown you and examine your life and assess where you might be out of balance. Most importantly, ask the Holy Spirit to show you. As Him for His help. He loves you so much. He is more than ready to help you. He desires that you be full of His joy and peace. Remember, Jesus came that we might have life and have it to the full.

God Desires to Be Your Friend

2012-03-09T12:27:00.001-05:00

In several places in the Bible Abraham is called a friend of God. Why is this so? What did Abraham do that caused God to call him friend? Is it possible for us to have that intimate relationship with God – so close that He calls us friends.

First, let’s define what a friend is. The Oxford Dictionary and Thesaurus defines a friend as: “a person with whom one enjoys mutual affection and regard.” Now let’s look back at Abraham and his relationship with God. Specifically, look at Hebrews 11:17:

By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had received the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, . . .. This verse starts out “By faith.” What is faith? Faith has been defined as an unquestioning belief or trust. So fitting this definition into the verse, Abraham had an unquestioning belief or trust in God.

Don’t we all consider friends those whom we can trust and who have a trust in us? Yes, of course. Indeed, it cannot be disputed that one of the first requirements of any friendship is trust. Thus we see God was able to call Abraham His friend because Abraham trusted God.

Look at the next verse:

. . . even though God had said to him, “it is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.” Hebrews 11:18.

We see from this verse that Abraham and God were in communication with each other. Friends communicate. There is no other way to foster a friendship but through mutual communication.

Have you ever moved from one place to another and stopped communicating with friends? What happened over time? You grew apart, didn’t you? To maintain a friendship, there must be communication. Where God is concerned, we call this prayer. But prayer is nothing more than simply communicating with God, that is, talking and listening.

Look now to the next verse:

Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from death. Hebrews 11:19.

We see from this verse that even though God had promised Abraham one thing, and the facts looked like God was going to go back on His Word, Abraham thought the best of God. Friends think the best of friends. Friends always look for the positive in a friend. A friend will try to find some way to reconcile the circumstances with their friendship.

It seems that our natural minds always want to gravitate toward the negative. How many of us will admit that we have walked into a room where people are talking and smiling and when they stop, we assume that they are talking badly about us. As humans, we all struggle with this. Well, this should not be so with friends. Friends should know that each other has their best interest at heart. Friends should think the best of friends.

Would you be considered a friend of God? Do you trust God and lean not on your own understanding? Do you regularly pray to God, that is, communicate with Him? Finally, do you believe God has your best interest at heart? Do you think the best of God and His plan for you?

If you are lacking in any of these areas, I encourage you today to commit yourself to be considered a friend of God. Trust Him, communicate with Him, think the best of Him. You are blessed our friends!

Keep Stepping: the Same God Who Led You in Will Lead You Out!

2012-02-07T00:25:00.001-05:00

You may feel that you are at your end today. Maybe you’re on your last dime. Maybe you are saying, “God, I don’t want to work here.” Or “God, I don’t want to live here.” Or maybe, “God, I don’t want to go through that.” Maybe you have waited a long time for your miracle. Maybe there are things you desire from God and you have waited what seems like forever.

I want to encourage you today to hold firm until the end. The same God who led you in will lead you out. The same God who has taken care of you in the past will come through for you again. He has not changed or lost His power. Nor has He forgotten you or given up on you. He will come just in time. Keep stepping in faith just like Abraham.

Remember how God tested Abraham and instructed him to take his promised child Isaac and sacrifice him on a mountain some distance away. The Bible states that Abraham, in faith, got up early the next day and set off on the three day journey to the mountain. Genesis 22:1-4.

God’s plan, however, could not have made any sense to Abraham. God had promised that through Isaac, Abraham would be made a great nation. Imagine what was going through Abraham’s mind the entire three day journey. Imagine how his feelings and emotions and the enemy must have been attacking his mind. Sometimes reading these stories we forget that these were real people with real feelings, emotions and desires. Surely Abraham did not want to do what God asked him to do. Nonetheless, he pushed through his feelings and emotions and kept stepping, trusting in God. Let’s look at the results of Abraham’s trust in God:

Genesis 22:9-18

9 When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood.

10 Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son.

11 But the angel of the LORD called out to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied.

12 “Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.”

13 Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son.

14 So Abraham called that place The LORD Will Provide. And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided.”

15 The angel of the LORD called to Abraham from heaven a second time

16 and said, “I swear by myself, declares the LORD, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son,

17 I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies,

18 and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.”

Note that when Abraham took that step of faith and did what the Lord had instructed, even though it didn’t make sense, God performed a miracle for Abraham: The right ram, was at the right place, at the right time. I like to think of it like this: When Abraham was climbing up the mountain on one side, there was a ram climbing up the mountain on the other side. And even though Abraham couldn’t see the provision, it was coming – with every step of faith that he took – it was coming. Not only that, but because Abraham trusted God, God promised to bless Abraham even further. Genesis 22:15-18.

God has no favorites. It’s the same for you, if you will hold on. If you keep stepping, in faith, even when you feel like giving up, even when you do not understand why this is happening to you, God will come through for you. Blessings friends!

Crisis In Chile! We Need Your Help.

2012-01-19T09:42:00.004-05:00

On September 5, 2006, the Quiñenahuín Vocational High School and dormitory that serves the needs of the Mapuche Indians in the remote High Andes Mountains BURNED TO THE GROUND. The total loss is about $200,000.

Since that time, ALL CLASSES HAVE BEEN PUT ON HOLD as there is no school within hundreds of miles. The Mapuche Indians live a hand to mouth existence and are far too poor to rebuild the school and dormitory on their own.

Can you imagine?! THERE HAVE BEEN NO CLASSES FOR MORE THAN FIVE YEARS. We must DO SOMETHING about this tragedy. The LOVE OF CHRIST compels us to help.

As a result, CHURCH VICTORIOUS OF ROANOKE, in conjunction with HEARTS OF COMPASSION INTERNATIONAL, BUILDERS INTERNATIONAL (the construction ministry of the Assembly of God World Missions), and CALLED 2 BUILD are rebuilding the school and dormitory. On November 2-10, 2012, WE ARE TAKING A TEAM OF VOLUNTEERS to Quiñenahuín, Chile to advance this goal.

There are TWO WAYS in which YOU CAN HELP . . .

FIRST, we are looking for additional volunteers to go with us on this mission trip. If you would be interested in more information, please contact trip coordinator DAN PIERCE at (540) 589-4684 or danpierce@rocketmail.com.

SECOND, we are receiving donations toward the trip expenses, e.g., plane tickets, room and board, food, transportation, etc., and construction materials. Total cost for the trip will be approximately $1700- $2000 per person. We have committed to the school to raise at least $5,000 for the construction materials.

Donations can be given in two ways. Send your check or money order made payable to "Church Victorious" to -

Church Victorious
4108 Electric Road
PO Box 21307
Roanoke, VA 24018
USA

-Or-

Give online at -

CHURCH VICTORIOUS

(Please designate “Chile Mission Trip” in the memo/comment section with either method. ALL DONATIONS ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE.)

THANK YOU for helping us take the LOVE OF GOD to those in need. You have honored God ("[W]hoever is kind to the needy honors God." Proverbs 14:31) and HE WILL HONOR YOU. I know that our GOD WILL REFRESH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY as you have refreshed those in need ("A generous person will prosper; they who refresh others will themselves be refreshed." Proverbs 11:25). Blessings!

Happy New Year friends! We Speak Prosperity and Restoration over You for 2012.

2011-12-31T17:40:00.002-05:00

Happy New Year friends! We pray that this year will be the best year ever for you. In fact, this is what God desires for you. Some time ago in the fall I was sitting in my office looking out the window as the wind was blowing very hard and bending the trees that lined the parking lot almost to the ground. I sat in wonder as to what purpose this serves.

Instantly, God spoke to my heart that the old must go so that the new may come. Indeed, as the wind violently blew the trees, the old, dead leaves were being cleaned off of the trees to make room for the new life that would appear the next spring. It is not different for you.

This past year has been hard for many. The world’s economic systems have been hit hard. Many are struggling with finances. This economic pressure has strained relationships and harmed the health of many. But I want to encourage you today. I hear the Sprit saying that 2012 will be a year of prosperity and restoration. Just as the leaves were cleaned off of the trees to make room for the new, you likewise have been prepared for the next great thing God is going to do in your life. You have learned lessons in this time that you could have learned in no other way.

And don’t put limits on God. You have not traveled this way before. Expect the unexpected. I hear the Lord saying, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:18, 19.

Why Do We Celebrate Christmas? What’s So Special about Jesus?

2011-12-24T12:35:00.015-05:00

In the beginning, God gave mankind dominion, or better said, authority to rule over earthly affairs. See Genesis 1:26-28, Psalm 8:4-6. Mankind rebelled against God and handed over his authority to rule to Satan. See Genesis 3, Luke 4:5-7. Since the time of Adam and Eve, the devil has been exercising dominion over mankind, stealing, killing, and destroying.

God could not violate His Word in Genesis 1 where He delegated authority to man by taking the authority back. When God decrees something, it is established. Isaiah 55:10, 11 states that God’s Word accomplishes that for which He sends it. It does not return to Him void. God cannot break His Word. It is a matter of personal integrity for Him. Thus, God had to devise a legal way to free mankind from the devil’s dominion and control. And, of course, this is where Jesus fits in.

Jesus had the right to exercise authority on the earth for two reasons:

1) Jesus was born a man. Remember, God gave mankind dominion over the earth. But being a member of mankind was not enough because mankind sinned against God and gave up their right to rule. Mankind’s sin made them a slave to the devil.

2) So Jesus also had to be a sinless man. While on earth, sinless Jesus rightly exercised the authority that sinless Adam and Eve once had (which is why Jesus is called the “second Adam.”). Jesus was not born of an earthly father (Jesus' father was God Himself through the virgin birth) so He did not receive the sin nature that we receive from our earthly fathers. We have a natural inclination toward evil. Jesus did not, which explains how He could remain sinless.

As a result, the devil had NO authority over Jesus. See John 14:30, 31:

30 I will not speak with you much longer, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold on me, 31 but the world must learn that I love the Father and that I do exactly what my Father has commanded me.

God asked Jesus to use His human authority to destroy the works of the devil. See 1 John 3:8 ("The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.").

How did He destroy the devil’s work? By healing people and delivering people from demon oppression and possession. See Acts 10:38 ("How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.").

Ultimately God had an even bigger plan. Because of mankind’s rebellion against God, mankind was doomed to eternal separation from God, otherwise known as the second death, or spiritual death because God is just and He must punish sin. So even if Jesus healed a person or delivered them from a demon, the person would still be subject to eternal punishment in hell upon natural death to pay for their sin . . . UNLESS . . .

. . . a sinless member of mankind would be willing to take the punishment in mankind's place. God could then legally pardon all sinners.

And God asked Jesus to do this. Why? Because God is love, desires to show mercy, and wishes that none perish.

God, nor angels, could have taken the punishment, only a member of mankind. Jesus was eligible. Although God Himself, Jesus was born of a woman which made Him also human. The genius of God’s creation is that He made mankind in His own image so that He could be born as a member of mankind to save us. God did not have to give up His divine sinless nature.

Ultimately, Jesus submitted His own desires and will to do what God asked of Him. He gave His life for ours. Why is He special? Because without Him, we would all be lost. Remember as you celebrate Christmas the wonderful gift of God in Jesus. Blessings friends!

People Are Not Always as They Seem

2011-12-12T23:46:00.002-05:00

For now we see in a mirror, dimly,
but then face to face.
Now I know in part,
but then I shall know
just as I also am known.
1 Corinthians 13:12

We don’t always see what we think we see. This point is especially relevant when it comes to judging people and their motives. When I was younger, I thought I had the whole world figured out. I thought I knew all about people. I thought that I could peg someone’s personality by looking at them. And I thought I knew exactly why people do what they do. But as I have gotten older and gotten more knowledge and experiences, I have found out that I did not know as much as I thought.

When younger, I always wanted to surround myself with the coolest, best looking and most successful people. But over time, God has taught me a big lesson in this area. Many times God has brought people into my life whom I would not have chosen for friends based on their looks or personality. But these God-sent friends turned out to be my best, closest, and most faithful friends. They are people who have helped shape who I am today for the better. They are people who have stood by me in trials and spoken into my life in times of need. People are not always as they seem.

What do you see?
Are the circles deformed?
They are not.
Design patterns make the
circles appear to be distorted.

Indeed, God taught us this lesson through the story of King David’s anointing. Israel wanted a king so God sent the prophet Samuel to David’s house to anoint the next king. But Samuel didn’t first chose David. Samuel spotted one of David’s brothers who was tall and good looking and said this must be the one. But God told him no. I want you to see why God said no. We pick up the story in 1 Samuel 16:

6 When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, "Surely the LORD's anointed stands here before the LORD."
7 But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."

Have you ever judged the motives for someone’s actions only later to find out you were wrong? I have. Even though we like to think that we know it all, we all perceive things through our own limited knowledge and experience. People’s personalities are very complicated and the reasons they do what they do can vary, even in the same situation.

Are the lines bent? No.
All of the lines are perfectly straight
and parallel to each other.

I have a friend who will disagree with you over every little fact you discuss with them, or if you try to teach them anything, they get angry. Other people have noticed this also. Some think the person is arrogant and full of pride because they cannot take criticism. Others have suggested that the reason the person acts like this is because they were raised as an only child and have to have everything their own way. But I know the person well. I know the real reason. It’s not what you would think. The person is insecure because people have always called her stupid as she has very little education. She is embarrassed and her embarrassment manifests as anger and being unteachable.

Stare at the four black dots in the
center of the image for 30-60 seconds,
then quickly look at a white wall.
You will see something in a white
circle moving up to the right. Things
are not always as they seem!

The Bible clearly warns us about judging people too quickly. In Proverbs 25:8, it states, “What you have seen with your eyes do not bring hastily to court [or do not be quick to judge], for what will you do in the end if your neighbor puts you to shame?” In Proverbs 18:17, it states, “In a lawsuit the first to speak seems right, until someone comes forward and cross-examines.” In other words, get all the facts first, then make your judgments. People are not always as they seem.

For all the above reasons, the Bible instructs us that we “should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry” (James 1:19) and be “ever ready to believe the best of every person” (1 Corinthians 13:7). Put this into practice in your life and I guarantee you that you will have less stress and your relationships will grow, prosper, and flourish. Blessings friends!

Let God's Dreams for You Outweigh Your Circumstances

2011-11-28T17:18:00.002-05:00

Today, I want to speak to you about your dreams – those hopes, desires, and plans for your life that God has placed in your heart -- and the circumstances in which you currently find yourself. Let me ask you, which are you allowing to control your life, your dreams or your current circumstances? Or put another way, which is bigger in your eyes? The reason for this post is to encourage you to again refocus your thoughts and energies on what really matters, specifically, what God says about your life and future.

God has promised you many good things, so why are you letting your current circumstances stop you from pursuing all that God made you to be. Remember, the Bible clearly states that He is faithful and more than able to do what He has promised you. Remember also that we only see in part. But God operates seeing the big picture. He is working on your behalf in ways that you cannot understand, which is why Proverbs 3:5 tells us to trust in the Lord with all of our heart, and lean not on our own understanding.

I know that sometimes it is hard to see a good future when so much for so long has been going wrong, but you must stand firm until the end. You have a part to play in whether God’s future for you manifests. If you do not believe and walk in step with how He sees your future, you can miss out on His best for you. God will not make you follow Him. He will not make you believe. Will you move forward or stay where you are? The choice is yours.

Furthermore, Psalm 37:4 says: “Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He will give you the desires and secret petitions of your heart.” The word “delight” is defined as “to give pleasure to or be pleasing to.” Do you find it pleasant when someone keeps asking you why, why, why, when, when, when? Neither would God as it does not show complete trust in His plan. Believe and rest in Him knowing that whatever circumstances surround you will not and cannot change the fact that He is faithful and will do what He has promised you.

In short, the secret to victory is not to just have a dream, but to keep the dream alive. Exalt in your eyes what God has said above what your circumstances seem to dictate. Do as Mary the mother of Jesus did in the Bible when people kept prophesying that her son one day would be the savior of the world. For many years she saw no signs of what God promised her, but she saved up the words in her heart and pondered them. She kept what God had said before her eyes, not her current circumstances.

Lift up your head. Keep dreaming. No circumstance is impossible. The word “impossible” is not even in Gods vocabulary. “For with God nothing is ever impossible and no word from God shall be without power or impossible of fulfillment” Luke 1:37.

Don’t Buy the Lie: See You as God Sees You

2011-11-15T19:58:00.002-05:00

You have an enemy. He is called by many names, satan, lucifer, the devil, etc., but one characteristic and label in particular defines him best – the deceiver. When referring to your enemy, Jesus said he “was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” (John 8:44). Indeed, the very first story where your enemy appears in the Bible (Genesis 3), he is found lying. And what was he lying about? God’s love for people (He tried to convince Eve that God lied to her and God was trying to keep something good from her by denying fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.).

It’s the enemy’s favorite subject to lie about because if he can get you to doubt God’s love for you, then you will not trust God for help with anything, including salvation, healing, or finances. In fact, if you buy into his lies about what God thinks about you (e.g., you are a failure, you never do anything right, God is mad at you because you continue to sin over and over again, you don’t read enough Bible, you don’t pray enough, etc.), you’ll be more apt to fear God and run from Him and hide. This is the enemy’s goal – to alienate you from God.

Look at the first recorded interaction between the devil and Jesus. After Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist, a voice came from heaven and God said to Jesus: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased” (Luke 3:22). Immediately after, Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. Notice the first statement that the devil made to Him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.” (Luke 4:3). The devil repeated back to Jesus what God said to Him at His baptism . . . except, do you notice what the devil left out? Yes, the devil conveniently left out that God loves Jesus and is well pleased with Him. The devil will never remind you that you are loved by God and God is pleased with you because then you would be empowered to reject his lies.

Now let me dispel the lies of your enemy and tell you today how God sees you according to His own words contained in the Bible. If you are a believer in Jesus Christ (that is, you believe that God raised Jesus from the dead and confess Him as your Lord), you belong to God through the blood of Jesus (Ephesians 1:7). You are forgiven of all your sins (Acts 10:43). And you have become the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21). What does it mean to become the righteousness of God? When God looks at you, He doesn’t see what you have done wrong, but what Jesus did right. Jesus’ righteousness (or said differently, His right standing with God because He never sinned) is imparted to you. Thus, just as God loves Jesus and is well pleased with Him, God loves you and is well pleased with you. So the next time the enemy tries to feed you his lies, don’t buy them. See you as God sees you.

Your Time Will Come and You Will Rise High

2011-10-31T17:08:00.001-04:00

One day I decided to quit . . .
I quit my job, my relationship, my spirituality . . .
I wanted to quit my life.

I went to the woods to have one last talk with God.
“God,” I asked, “Can you give me one good reason not to quit?”
His answer surprised me . . .

“Look around,” He said. “Do you see the fern and the bamboo?”

“Yes,” I replied.

“When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care of them. I gave them light. I gave them water.

The fern quickly grew from the earth. Its brilliant green covered the floor.
Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo.

being confident of this, that he who began a
good work in you will carry it on to completion
until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6

In the second year the Fern grew more vibrant and plentiful. And again, nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo.

In year three there was still nothing from the bamboo seed. But I would not quit.

In year four, again, there was nothing from the bamboo seed. I would not quit.

Then in the fifth year a tiny sprout emerged from the earth. Compared to the fern it was seemingly small and insignificant . . .

But just 6 months later the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall. It had spent the five years growing roots. Those roots made it strong and gave it what it needed to survive.

I would not give any of my creations a challenge it could not handle.”

God asked me, “Did you know, my child, that all this time you have been struggling, you have actually been growing roots. I would not quit on the bamboo and I will never quit on you.”

“And don't compare yourself to others,” He said. “The bamboo had a different Purpose than the fern, yet they both make the forest beautiful. Your time will come,” God said. “You will rise high.”

It’s the same for you friend. God has not forgotten you. He is working out His plan for your life. If you hang on, in your time, God will exalt you. You will rise high to achieve that which God has called you to do.

Is it Possible to End Extreme Poverty?

2011-10-23T19:13:00.001-04:00

Do you believe that it is possible to end extreme poverty? Or do you believe that the poor will always be with us? I was asked recently by the publisher to review a book entitled Fast Living: How the Church Will End Extreme Poverty by Scott C. Todd, PhD. The author’s main goal is to convince the reader that it is indeed possible to eradicate extreme poverty, even within the next 25 years. (Todd defines extreme poverty as life on less than $1.25 a day – not enough to meet basic human needs.).

Todd seeks to accomplish this task by raising the readers expectations as many good people doubt that the weight of poverty can be lifted. Certainly, “[y]ou can’t expect what you don’t believe is possible.” And if our expectations are low, so will be our motivation to get involved in the war on poverty. Conversely, as stated by Todd, “High expectations innovate. High expectations persevere. High expectations don’t quit until they’re satisfied.”

Why do we have low expectations? Todd traces the root to a misinterpretation of Jesus’ words in Matthew 26:11. I think most of us are familiar with this Scripture where Jesus himself said, “The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me.” On it’s surface, this statement seems to settle the issue that we will always have the poor with us. But as Todd points out, Jesus was speaking specifically to His disciples and not to us today.

The second clause of the sentence affirms this finding as Jesus said “you will not always have me.” We know that Jesus could not have been talking to us today because He said elsewhere that He would never leave us, nor forsake us. Instead, Jesus was telling His disciples that He would no longer be physically in their presence as He had been for the previous three and a half years. He was also telling them that, in their day, the poor would always be with them for them to minister to.

So with a clear understanding of this Scripture, is it possible to end extreme poverty or is the task too great a challenge? Todd says “yes” and lays out in his book very encouraging statistics that clearly indicate it is possible and we are well on our way. For instance:

In the past eight years, the number of kids dying from measles has declined by 78 percent.

Twenty-two countries have cut their malaria rate in half in only six years.

The number of children dying before their fifth birthday has been cut in half in just one generation.

Every day nineteen thousand fewer children die of preventable causes.

In 1981, 52 percent of the world’s population (1.4 billion people) were living in extreme poverty. Today that number has been cut down to 26 percent.

So the question is no longer can we end extreme poverty, but how fast. The answer to this question is left up to you and I. A world-renowned economist estimates that ending extreme poverty would require seventy three billion dollars per year over a span of ten years. A lot of money to be sure, but we have it collectively. As stated by Todd, “[i]f American Christians (not all of them, just the 138 million who attend church at least twice per month) were to tithe (give 10 percent), it would result in two hundred and fifty billion dollars per year in philanthropy.” Seventy three billion doesn’t sound like such a insurmountable number now, does it?! And this is just considering the American church. Imagine if the universal body of Christ world wide contributed their share. Extreme poverty could be wiped out in one generation.

I ask you today, are you doing your part? Poverty kills nearly eight million children each year. Let us band together and put an end to deplorable statistics such as this. Jesus said that we would do even greater things than He did when on the earth. Although God, He was limited by being one man who could be in one place at a time to minister help, hope and healing to the poor. Now that he has been glorified, His body, the church universal, is made up of many members. Together we can do this. May the world know us by our love.

Strength in Numbers

2011-10-03T17:45:00.001-04:00

We all need people to whom we can go to in time of need. But that is not what most of us do when we need help. Most of us are embarrassed or too proud to go to someone with our problems. We believe that people will think less of us.

So what do most of us do in times of trouble? We often isolate ourselves. We keep it all on the inside and suffer silently, or make bad decisions because we don’t seek advice from someone with more knowledge or experience. But this is a dangerous place to be. It’s a place where your real enemy the devil wants you to be because when you are alone, you are vulnerable to attack.

God illustrated this point to me using something as simple as farm animals. I would frequently pass by a farm on my commute into town and I noticed that the animals always remained huddled together in a pack. No matter what part of the field in which they were feeding, they remained together. One day as I drove by the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart. He asked me, “Do you know why they do this?” I answered “No.” He continued, “I gave them this survival instinct to group together because there is strength in numbers. They are not as vulnerable to attack by predators when they are in tight packs.”

Our “adversary the devil walks
about like a roaring lion, seeking
whom he may devour.” 1 Peter 5:8

He then communicated to me that we His children are likewise vulnerable to attack by our enemy when we isolate ourselves. He brought to my mind a Scripture, Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (NKJV):

9 Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor.
10 For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up.

Through this lesson, God communicated three pieces of advice to me. One, when we are hurting or in trouble, we should seek out someone we respect for help. The person from whom you seek help might be able to help you see a way out because when hurting emotions are running high so our ability to think clearly on our own is diminished. And don’t be embarrassed. We all make mistakes. No one except God is perfect.

Second, when we have a big decision to make, seek advice of other people who have knowledge or experience in the area. Listen to people who know more about a subject than you do. Be humble. The Bible has plenty to say on this subject:

Proverbs 12:15 - The way of a fool is right in his own eyes.

    Proverbs 13:10 - Wisdom is found in those that take advice.

    Proverbs 15:22 - Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.

    Proverbs 20:18 - Make plans by seeking advice.

    Proverbs 24:6 - In the multitude of counselors there is safety.

Third, reach out to others who might be alone. If you see people isolated because of personality or problems, reach out to them. One word from you could change everything. The Bible is clear that God comforts us so that we can comfort others. See Second Corinthians 1:3-4. And please don’t make the mistake of thinking that you are better than someone else. What do you have that hasn’t been given to you? (See First Corinthians 4:7 - "For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?").

Some of my best friends are people who I never thought God would put me with. But God was looking at their heart, not their exterior or what they have or what position they occupy. Until next time, be blessed our friends.

Don't Give up on God as He Will Do What He Promised You!

2011-09-25T19:40:00.002-04:00

Have you ever found yourself in a place or position where you could not understand what God was doing? Maybe God has given you a word about your calling and it seems that He is leading you in the opposite direction. Or maybe God has promised you something, but it is taking a long time or circumstances seem to say it is not likely to happen. You are not alone. We have all experienced these times. I want to encourage you today with something that God showed me not too long ago about His ways that might bring clarity to what He is doing in your life.

God led me to a story in Genesis Chapter 12 regarding Abraham. Remember, Abraham was just a regular guy who God had asked to leave his home country for a place God promised to give him. God also promised Abraham that if he would go to this land where God was sending him, God would make him into a great nation, make his name great, and bless him. (Genesis 12:1-3). Abraham believed God’s word, stepped out and traveled to that land. But not long after Abraham entered the land, a severe famine struck and Abraham had to move his family to Egypt – a land far from his promised land.

Now imagine how confusing this could have been to Abraham. God led Abraham to a specific place and said this is where you will settle, but then Abraham had to leave because of circumstances beyond his control. Even more, God had promised to bless Abraham. A famine – having your supply cut off and dried up – does not in any way resemble a blessing. This could not have made a lot of sense to Abraham. But you see, this was all part of God’s plan to fulfill the promises He gave to Abraham.

Before entering Egypt, Abraham instructed his wife Sarah and others to refer to Sarah as his sister and not his wife as he was afraid that the Egyptians would see her and want to kill Abraham to take her as she was beautiful. (Abraham was not asking them to lie as Sarah was indeed his half-sister.). Just as Abraham had predicted, the Egyptians noticed Sarah and brought her to the Pharaoh where she was taken into the palace. As if things could not get any worse for Abraham, he has now lost his wife. Imagine how confusing this time could have been to Abraham. You call this blessing God?!

But again, despite how it looked, it was all part of God’s plan to fulfill His promises to Abraham. Because of Sarah, the Pharaoh treated Abraham well, and Abraham acquired sheep and cattle, male and female donkeys, male and female servants, and camels. In other words, the Pharaoh lavished riches on Abraham. Shortly after, God allowed a serious diseases to be placed on the Pharaoh and his household because he was holding Abraham’s wife. As a result, the Pharaoh let Sarah go back to Abraham and allowed them all to leave his country with everything they had.

And then we get to Chapter 13 where the picture of what God was doing becomes clear. Everything finally makes sense. Abraham and Sarah return to the land that God had promised them, but now Abraham “had become very wealthy in livestock and in silver and gold.” Genesis 13:2. God fulfilled His promise to bless Abraham. It might have happened in a way that Abraham could not have anticipated, but God did it.

For I know the plans I have for you,
declares the LORD, plans to prosper you
and not to harm you, plans to give you hope
and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

I encourage you today, do not give up on the promise God has given you. He is working out His plan for your life in a marvelous way. His ways are not our ways. His ways are above our ways. He sees the big picture. He sees each piece of the puzzle of your life and knows in what order that each must be placed. He knows what He is doing, and if you will cooperate with Him, trusting Him despite what you see, you will eventually receive what He has promised you.

God Hears You When You Call to Him in Faith

2011-09-19T18:33:00.001-04:00

Philippians 4:6, 7 give us a sure formula to be heard by God and receive the subject of our petitions, while all the while resting in His peace. It states:

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Today, I want to discuss this formula with you so that you might have a better understanding of how to use it.

Lets look at the first part of our text: “DO NOT BE ANXIOUS ABOUT ANYTHING . . .” God instructs us not to be anxious about anything. God wants us to know that he cares for us and will take care of us. Also, if we are anxious, we are not trusting God for our needs as He has clearly stated that He will meet all our needs if we only ask.

As a parent, wouldn’t you feel bad if your child continually worried whether you would provide them food and shelter despite you telling them that you will? Of course you would. God is no different. He is our Heavenly Father and has promised to provide us all we need if only we ask. Do not worry.

Now lets look at the next part of our text: “ . . . BY PRAYER AND PETITION, . . . , PRESENT YOUR REQUESTS TO GOD.” Ask! Talk to God. Prayer is just talking to God. It’s that easy. Just ask.

As a parent, if you knew your kids needed something and they came and asked you for it, would you turn them down? No, of course not. God is the same way as a loving Heavenly Father. Just ask.

Lets look now at the last part of our text: “. . . BY PRAYER AND PETITION, WITH THANKSGIVING, PRESENT YOUR REQUESTS TO GOD.” If you really believe God will provide that which you asked, you would be fine with thanking Him in advance. Thanking Him before you receive whatever it is you requested demonstrates trust in Him. And we know according to Hebrews 11:6 that trust, or stated differently, faith, pleases God.

As a parent, does it not please your heart when your children get excited and thankful when you have promised them something or promised to do something for them? Sure you do. Their excitement and thankfulness proves that they trust you. God is no different. Be thankful.

Will you receive the peace of God today for every situation and circumstance in your life? It’s easy. Commit yourself to implement these principles and you will see a difference. You are blessed our friends!

How Do You Know What God Wants You to Do?

2011-09-07T22:56:00.002-04:00

This past Sunday we ministered again in two services to the youth at Faith Fellowship Church in Wirtz, Virginia. We spoke in part on discerning God's purpose for your life. As we have written here before, not only did God create you to have a personal relationship with Him, there is something that God desires to accomplish that made your existence necessary and valuable. Your purpose caused you to be born. God has an assignment in mind that made you essential. No one else can do it just the way you can do it.

But the question remains, how do you know what God wants you to do? The answer is contained in Philippians 2:13:

[Not in your own strength] for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight.

This scripture makes clear that God puts the desire in your heart for what He wants you to do. Yes, it is that simple. It can be identified through your natural desires and what you sense as your inherent assignment in life. There is an awesome sense of destiny placed by God deep inside every human being. There are several questions that you can ask yourself to help discover this purpose:

What is my deepest desire? What am I truly passionate about? What ideas are persistent in my heart and thoughts? What do I constantly imagine myself doing? What would bring me the greatest fulfillment? What would I do for no money or other compensation? What would I rather be doing besides my current job? What would I do if I knew I could not fail?

Many people on earth are frustrated, depressed, or disillusioned every day because they go to jobs that are not what they were born to do. Trying to be what you weren’t born to be is likely the most frustrating experience you could have. When you know you are doing something that you were not born to do, you will feel irritated in your current job. You will not feel comfortable in it. You will strive hard like trying to push a large rock up a steep hill. You will achieve few results, or, even if you are successful, you will lack the deep sense of satisfaction you would receive doing what God intended for you to do.

Just the opposite is true when you find your purpose in life. If you are doing what God intended for you, you will be highly successful. You will have fun while doing it, or, if not always fun, you experience a deep sense of satisfaction from it. The activity will be natural to you because God has equipped you with the gifts, talents, and abilities to do what He has purposed for you. Note in the verse above that it not only states that God gives you the desire to do His will, but the power. This is what Paul meant when he said that he could do all things through Christ who strengthened him (Philippians 4:13).

We encourage you today to reflect on what you are doing in life. If you are not where you should be, make the adjustments to get back on track. The good news is that “God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable” (Romans 11:29). He will help you because He needs you for a specific assignment. You are essential to God’s plan. Only you can do what God has planned to do through you. You are blessed and highly favored friends!