The word “move” has several definitions, but the one that sticks out to me as it relates to God is “to exhibit great activity or energy”.   When you put that definition with the previous comments, my curiosity really gets the best of me.    “Where is God moving?” Or maybe its better stated as “Where is God exhibiting great activity or energy?” or “Who is experiencing God’s great activity or energy?”

The Bible mentions God moving in the very first chapter…

And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
Genesis 1:2 (KJV)

God exhibited an enormous amount of activity and energy in creating the Earth and He has been moving in the Earth ever since.   He can move in a very personal and unique way to each individual.  He can move in specific congregation or group that exhibits a special time with God.  He can also move on a region or community as they experience what God is really like.

Are you in the middle of a MOVE of God? Is He MOVING in your church or city? Do you have a story to tell?

We want to know where and how God is moving!!!  Please post and let us know!

I’ll be the first to admit, I’ve been there.

What’s The Point?

Our lives can be so busy with responsibilities and to do lists that we get overwhelmed with everything we have to get done in a day. So we never end up accomplishing anything of any true worth. Sometimes the only thing we accomplish is another check mark on the long to do list of life.

So we get depressed, feeling like we’re not really making any sort of impact on anyone’s lives, including our own.

We begin to wonder if this is all there is to life and think “What’s the point?”.

Your Life Matters To God

I want to let you know that your life DOES matter. It matters to God, for He has a purpose on your life.

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 (NIV)

You may not be able to see what that is right now, but that doesn’t make it any less true. God has great plans for you and something for you to accomplish in this life.

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”
Jeremiah 1:5 (NIV)

God knew you, loved you, and set a plan in motion for your life…before you were ever born. God wants to do good things in your life and then have you let others know what He’s done for you.

Your Life Matters To People

God has set on your path people for you to make an impact on. Someone out there is going through something that maybe only you can minister to and encourage them in. So your life matters to other people also.

Don’t Believe The Lie

Don’t let the enemy, the devil, convince you otherwise. He would love nothing more than for you to stay mired down in just trying to survive everyday life or to completely give up. And he will continue telling you that your life doesn’t matter. But that’s a lie.

If you don’t believe me, then believe God. He confirmed it in His Word, as you can see from the previous two scriptures. And if you’re looking for confirmation and encouragement, it’s time to open up the Bible.

So don’t give up. Don’t believe that surviving one day to the next is all there is. Don’t pass this off as “oh that’s for everyone else”.

It’s for you. God’s talking to you!

Where Your Destiny Comes From

Look to God. Spend more time with Him and in reading His Word. As you do, He’ll begin to show you His plan for your life.

But don’t expect Him to give it to you all at once. He’ll most likely give you one step at a time.

Start by acting in faith on the small things He reveals to you and He’ll continue to reveal more. When you begin making even the smallest impact in other people’s lives, it will encourage you and help you realize that your life really does matter.

There’s a destiny on your life that can only be discovered through a relationship with God through His Son, Jesus Christ. If you want to begin walking in your destiny, living a life of fulfillment, then your first step is to accept the gift God’s made available to you.

Is it your family? Is it your job? Or maybe even what’s for dinner? Or what do I need to do?

Whether we realize it or not, we are always thinking about something. From the time we get up until we go to bed we are thinking and contemplating life and all that it brings. It’s normal and a necessity to get through each and every day. We have to live life and take care of our responsibilities. We use our thoughts to make decisions, solve problems, and plan the day. Our thoughts are ours alone, or are they? David stated it this way…

1 You have searched me, LORD, and you know me.
2 You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.
3 You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.
Psalms 139:1-3 (NIV)

Now that we’re looking from a different context let’s ask the question again. What are you thinking about? Are you thinking about HIM? The LORD! The One who gives us breath and life! The King of Kings! Jesus! How much time and reflection are you giving to HIM today? He’s done so much and wants to do so much more! We rush through all of life’s choices and decisions and just barely take a moment to “think” about Him. This is probably one of the easiest things to do. We’re not talking about traveling the world or speaking to thousands here, just a thought.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
Philippians 4:8 (NIV)

Are you thinking about HIM now? Isn’t it amazing how everything else just falls to the side in comparison? The needed decisions and plans now have something to be built on. They can now be given the correct perspective and priority. When we’ve been thinking about Him we will have a better understanding of Thanksgiving and TRUE worship. Taking this time of worship, either brief moments or deep contemplation, will bring much needed change to our lives.

Need healing? Think about Him!

Need deliverance? Think about Him!

Need change? Think about Him!

Need provision? Think about Him!

Need wisdom? Think about Him!

Check out this video, and “insert your life” into this song. See how a thought can become a shout!

Think about Him today! He’s thinking about you!

I know the feeling. Sometimes I really let things overwhelm me and put me in a real funk.

How Do You Handle It?

When we get that way, there are multiple ways we can handle the situation. We can wallow in it and do things that make it worse. We can take it out on ourselves by talking negatively about ourselves or finding ways to punish ourselves. We can try to escape it through alcohol or drug abuse, spending money, or eating. We can seek out approval and encouragement from others to build us up. Or we can take it out on others.

A Better Way

But there is only one real way to get rid of those negative feelings.

Turning to God is the only way to get out of that funk. But He’s not going to just zap you and make you feel all better.

Now David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God.
1 Samuel 30:6 (NKJV)

In the Amplified Bible it says “But David encouraged and strengthened himself in the Lord his God.”

David didn’t wait around for God or someone else to pick him up out of his depression. David encouraged himself by remembering God’s promises to him (that he would be king) and who he was (a child of God).

Don’t Wait for Someone Else to Do It

When we get in a funk, that’s what we need to do. We shouldn’t wait for someone else to help us feel better about ourselves or for that lightning bolt of encouragement from God!

How To Encourage Yourself

1) Yes, definitely bring it to God by praying about it. That’s a great first step. But unfortunately, where it ends for many people.
2) Don’t stop there. Break out your Bible and find all of the scriptures you can on how much God loves you and how He has great things in store for you.
3) Read those scriptures.
4) Write them down where you can see them.
5) Say them out loud.
6) Go through all the steps again tomorrow.

Doing this on a consistent basis will get God’s encouragement down into your heart, filling it up and pushing out those negative feelings. It’s certainly worked for me.

So what are some Bible verses that you turn to for encouragement? Leave a comment below to let us know.

I’d venture to say that much of the time, it’s done nothing more than fill our heads with more facts.

That’s not the way it should be.

So to what end do we gain more information? Surely it can’t be just to say that we now have more information rolling around in our already information overloaded minds.

The purpose of information is to do something with it…to hopefully end up in a better place spiritually, mentally, emotionally, or physically than we were before we got that information.  So just gaining more knowledge or information is merely the first piece of the puzzle.

The next step is to do something with that information, to take action on it.

But be doers of the Word [obey the message], and not merely listeners to it, betraying yourselves [into deception by reasoning contrary to the Truth]. For if anyone only listens to the Word without obeying it and being a doer of it, he is like a man who looks carefully at his [own] natural face in a mirror; For he thoughtfully observes himself, and then goes off and promptly forgets what he was like. But he who looks carefully into the faultless law, the [law] of liberty, and is faithful to it and perseveres in looking into it, being not a heedless listener who forgets but an active doer [who obeys], he shall be blessed in his doing (his life of obedience).
James 1:22-25 (AMP)

The first area where we need to make changes is with the Word of God.  We can sit in church, listening to a good sermon or read some scriptures from the Bible, but if it ends there, it’s merely entertainment, like going to a movie.  Instead of letting that new information just become another piece of stagnant information rolling around in the back of our minds, we need to do something with it.  We should pray about how to implement that information in our lives.

An example would be when hearing a  message on “love your neighbor as yourself”.  The next time your co-workers are bad-mouthing the boss, be prepared to not participate in that.  Additionally, step forward to say something nice about that person, even if it’s just to acknowledge that they’re trying to do their best in a tough job.

Or maybe it’s time to proactively do something nice for your spouse that you know that they would like, without expecting anything (including a “thank you”) in return.

I’ll warn against taking action on any old piece of information you find.  It’s easy to find information, but it must be measured against God’s Word for truth.  If it lines up with what God says in the Bible, then it’s time to take action on it and implement it in our lives.  So for some, the first step to take may be to open up the Bible and find out what God has to say to us.

We all want to make some changes or improvements in our lives, so it’s time to quit being merely a bunch of church-sitters, convention goers, or tape/CD listeners.  Start being proactive with the information that God’s passed along to you.  He wants that information to bring you into a closer relationship with Him and have a joyful existence, while you’re actually still on this earth. But you’ve got to be obedient and take action on it. So start today!

What are some other examples of where information can be turned into action?

Does it mean “I have a warm and fuzzy feeling towards you right this second, but it could be gone tomorrow”? Could it mean “You look gorgeous in what you’re wearing, but that attraction will wear off as soon as you change to your raggedy pajamas”? Or maybe it means “You just let me have my way and I’ll love you as long as you’re doing things my way”?

Many times, we throw around those three little words very half-heartedly, without realizing the true meaning we should have behind it. “Love” is such an overused word in our society that it’s lost all of its real definition.

We “love” those shoes, we “love” ice cream, and we “love” (insert favorite sports team). We even “love” to hate certain things.

The truth is love is not a feeling we have about someone or something. It’s not based on our emotions, though that’s how the word is mainly used now, to convey what we feel about a certain person or thing.

So what is love?

Love is a decision to put someone else’s best interests before your own. In marriage, that person would be your spouse.

Love is unconditional. That means that you make the decision to do what’s best for your spouse, no matter what the cost and no matter what you get, or don’t get, in return.

Now that we know what love means, it MUST be expressed.

Here are the two main ways to express love in your marriage.

1) SAY – Continue to say “I love you.” These words need to be said in a marriage. Don’t take for granted that your spouse already knows it. Start telling them on a daily basis. Words are powerful and those words can go a long way towards building up your marriage and encouraging your spouse. Everyone needs to hear that they are loved. And it will begin to create an atmosphere of peace and confidence in your marriage. Just remember what it really means and to not throw the phrase around lightly.

2) DO – Show your spouse your love. Take the mindset that you’re there to please them. Do something self-sacrificing for them. There must be something that you know of that if you did it for them, they would be tremendously appreciative. Go do it. But don’t do it with the motive of getting the appreciation. Do it because your spouse would like it.

Meet their needs. God created men and women as different, so your spouse’s needs may be different than yours. If you don’t know what their needs are, then ask them, with the intent of truly attempting to meet them on a consistent basis. Now your actions are lining up with your words.

Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.
Ephesians 5:1-2 (NKJV)

Go tell your husband or wife right now that you love them and explain what it now means to you. It could be the start of something new and refreshing in your marriage.

Today we’re going to talk about:

Dependence – I think in the United States, and it may be true in other countries as well, we have this attitude of independence. “I can do it on my own.” “I’m a self-made man.”

We’re proud of our accomplishments and that we’ve picked ourselves up and “made it happen”. There is mainly a dependence on ourselves.

But with that attitude, we (even Christians) have become less dependent on God.

By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me.
John 5:30 (NIV)

We need to remember that God is our source to solely depend on. Our source is not in this world, though God can use things in this world as channels.

But our source to depend on is not our job, not the economy, not our spouse, and not even our government.

Our source is not even ourselves.

Here’s another verse from the Amplified Bible that I like. It’s so straightforward, it’s kinda funny…but true.

Are you so foolish and so senseless and so silly? Having begun [your new life spiritually] with the [Holy] Spirit, are you now reaching perfection [by dependence] on the flesh?
Galatians 3:3 (AMP)

For me, I have to remember that I can’t be dependent on my hard work. I need to do what God tells me to do, then sit back and let God take care of the rest.

So here’s how you take action on this:

Try doing a keyword search for “independent” and “dependence” at BibleGateway.com for a few more good Bible verses. Make sure to include the Amplified Bible in your search.

As you get up each day, (in addition to being thankful for your freedom from sin and it’s cost like we mentioned in Independence vs. Dependence: Both Are Good – Pt. 1) start with the attitude that you’re now going to start depending on God. Do what you can do, remember some of these scriptures, and realize that He loves you and will take care of you.

I hope this helps and have a victorious day!

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Now I bring this up because we were at a meeting at someone’s home with a few other Christian couples and the leader brought up “independence” as a topic of conversation. It got me to thinking about 2 things related to us as Christians.

Today we’ll talk about:

Independence – It’s great that we as a nation were able to separate ourselves from Great Britain. That’s how our country enjoys the freedoms that we have today.

But as Christians we also should take note of and celebrate our independence.

From what?

IN [this] freedom Christ has made us free [and completely liberated us]; stand fast then, and do not be hampered and held ensnared and submit again to a yoke of slavery [which you have once put off].
Galatians 5:1 (AMP)

As a follower of Christ, we are independent from this world and things of this world. We don’t have to follow everything the world says or does. We should not be led by or dependent on others. Granted, there are natural and man-made laws that we must adhere to and people, well, they are part of our lives.

But as we live our lives, the first direction we should turn to is towards God. And in following Him, the Bible says we are independent and free from sickness, lack, and death…things that are prevalent in this world because of sin.

For this perishable [part of us] must put on the imperishable [nature], and this mortal [part of us, this nature that is capable of dying] must put on immortality (freedom from death). And when this perishable puts on the imperishable and this that was capable of dying puts on freedom from death, then shall be fulfilled the Scripture that says, Death is swallowed up (utterly vanquished forever) in and unto victory.
1 Corinthians 15:53-54 (AMP)

It may sound a little confusing at first, but it boils down to this…if we accept Jesus Christ as Lord & Savior while here on earth, we’re freed from the cost of sin, which is death. And, we see once again one of my favorite words. “Victory”. So we now win out over all those things that sin brings.

So here’s how you take action on this:

As followers of Christ, we should celebrate our independence daily by thanking God that we’re free from sin and it’s cost. Remember throughout the day that you are victorious.

Tune in next time for part 2, where we’ll talk a bit about “Dependence”. Or continue reading now at Independence vs. Dependence: Both Are Good – Pt. 2.

I hope this helps and have a victorious day!

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Are you anxious about things going on in your life? Your marriage? Your kids? Other relationships? Your health? Finances? Your job? The economy?

That list covers a lot of ground and I’m sure there are many, many other things going on as well.

In my own life, I can point to quite a few things on that list that have the potential to cause anxiety.

But I’ve learned that I don’t have to let circumstances dictate my level of anxiety. The burden of taking care of those things is not on me…it’s on God. I don’t have to tackle any of these things, or any of the many unnamed things, by myself alone.

And why would God want to help? Because He cares for and loves us. Does He really need any other reason?

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
1 Peter 5:7 (NIV)

God is telling us in this verse to hand whatever is causing anxiety in our lives over to Him.

And you know what, He can handle it. But, we can’t.

We weren’t made to shoulder the burden of anxiety, stress, and worry. Not only can we not mentally handle it, but our bodies can’t physically handle it either. Just look at all the stress related illnesses and deaths to confirm that.

Additionally, in casting our anxieties onto God’s lap, we can’t keep any of it. We have to give it all to Him; every single small piece of it. Because in keeping some of it, a little anxiety is still anxiety.

If we keep worrying over it, it means we haven’t trusted God to truly take care of us. Doing that throws a shadow of doubt onto God’s love for us.

Don’t let situations in life get to you. Worry, anxiety, and stress will tear you down mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and physically. Not only that, but none of those feelings has ever helped a situation one little bit. Many times it just makes things worse.

1 Peter 5:7 is one of the verses on my list of scriptures I keep in my office. I refer to it almost daily, usually starting my day off with it.

So here’s how you take action on this:

First pray and tell God that you’re giving the situations in your life over to Him, that you trust that He’ll work it out for you, and that you believe His love for you.

Second, write down this verse on a notecard, sticky note, or make a list of scriptures. Keep it where you can easily see it throughout the day. Then as you feel anxiety creeping into your thoughts, recite that scripture out loud. That way you’re reminding yourself that it’s no longer your problem, it’s now God’s problem to take care of.

I hope this helps you as much as it’s helped me and have a great day!

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So our slogan, or motto, is the following Bible verse:

But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:57 (NKJV)

Finding God’s promise in the Bible confirms His desire for victory in our lives.

Think on this scripture throughout the week and whenever adversity comes against you.  It will give you hope that what you’re going through will not stick around. That through Christ, you can have victory over that situation.

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