cupofjoe

The Lone Ranger

noreply@blogger.com (Joe Jones) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Sometimes I am guilty of going off by myself to try and figure things out. Especially when I was younger I would alienate myself from other people in hopes that just being by myself could produce the answers that I was seeking. Often what happened was that I stayed confused about the answer and grew lonely in the process. God does not need Lone Rangers! In fact, things will always go better when you team up with others. When Jesus sent out the disciples to do the work of the ministry he sent them in two's. Why?
Look at this verse in Ecclesiastes...

4:9 Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed.10 If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.11 Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone?

12 A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.

There is a way that to us may seem right but it usually ends up with no resolution and more trouble. Doing it God's way brings people together and brings solutions to the problems.

The next time things go badly, don't go badly with them. Don't be a Lone Ranger! Grab a partner in ministry and pray through the trouble until the answer comes. Grab a third if you want some additional power! This is your day to conquer the enemy!

Someone to Watch Over Me

noreply@blogger.com (Joe Jones) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0000

For the LORD watches over the path of the godly, but the path of the wicked leads to destruction. (Psalm 1:6 NLT)

This journey in life that we are taking does not have to be difficult. There is a predetermined design that has been set up by our Creator. There is also another way that is filled with more of us than God. The Bible even goes so far to say that there is a "way that seems right to man but the end is destruction."

I try the best I can to make the right choices but I have to admit that many times I fall short. I need someone to watch over me and help me stay the course. I have realized that "Father knows best" when it comes to Cup of Joe's journey.

So my idea of the right start to each day is to surrender control: to turn the reigns over to the Lord and trust His plan. How about you? Are you staying on the right path or do you drift off from time to time? Perhaps you too could use someone to watch over you? Trust Jesus today!

Grace & Peace

noreply@blogger.com (Joe Jones) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0000

May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace. Philippians 1:2
Have you ever looked at all the people that are around you each day? Those that pass by, sit next to you and share the same office? I wonder how many people go right past me that need encouragement, hope and maybe just a little help to get back on the right path. I wonder what I miss by being so consumed with me and what I need that I miss people God sends to me?
My pray for you today is my prayer for me and all of those that will be close to me today: may God give you grace and peace. Grace because it IS the empowerment of the fullness of all that God has and peace because there is so much turmoil around us that we need to embrace heaven sent peace. Quiet strength is yours today because God has already offered it to us.

Anointing

noreply@blogger.com (Joe Jones) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 14:42:00 +0000

After a season of fasting and prayer each year, at The Landing we have what we refer to as an "anointing" service. We do this in response to the scripture in James 5 where it says "14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord."

We sing a chorus that simply says, "anointing fall one me, let the power of the Holy Ghost, fall on me". When we "anoint" someone we empower them by the spirit of God to fulfill the plan and purpose of God in their life. Think of it like this. When my car has traveled over 3000 I make a stop into my local service station and have the oil changed. The engine can pick up dirt and develop a sluggish behavior if is is not maintained properly. Your spirit is the same way.

The friction of life can cause great wear and tear that does not have to happen. Jesus has sent the Holy Spirit to lubricate our life so that we can move a bit more smoothly through the challenges and not become sluggish and worn out. In fact Jesus IS the "anointed One".

Grab one of your closest friends and have your own "anointing" service today. Maintain yourself! Ask God to get rid of the sludge and allow you to move on down the road in His direction without all the friction and overheating. Get ready for a wonderful journey in 2012!
And dont miss the rest!
15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.

God's Kids

noreply@blogger.com (Joe Jones) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0000

See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don’t recognize that we are God’s children because they don’t know him. 1 John 3:1
Dont be afraid today to share your faith and love for Christ with another. The Word of God always wins. It never fails to accomplish what it in intended for. You can boldly speak with confidence knowing that all of heaven is supporting you. Will everyone get it? According to the Bible and this verse, apparently not. But don't worry about that. Your job is to share. Let the Lord determine when the seed begins to germinate! You are God's kids so get out there and act like it!

Acts of Love

noreply@blogger.com (Joe Jones) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Hebrews 10:24 tells us to "think of ways to motivate each other to acts of love and good works."

Acts of love make all the difference. Being there with a friend, sharing a prayer, an encouraging note…maybe having a Daniels Fast salad or “vegetable medley” together! One thing I see is the fact that when people see love, they respond lovingly. Then as they learn how to love and be lovely, they gravitate towards good works.

Perhaps the trouble many times for us is that we think that we can’t do enough and because we put that “limited thinking” on ourselves, we talk ourselves out of helping at all! Everything YOU need to live a godly life is in you, attached to you or set in the path you should be walking in. God created all of us so that we would connect to Him and then to each other. He knew that there would be times when you simply needed a little push…a simple sermon…a praise chorus…a note of encouragement. TENACIOUS people are always thinking about ways to get each other in loving, good works situations! How can I make their day brighter? How can I bless that brother in Christ who seems so sad today?

What kind of ways can you think about today to help another person move towards doing something good? Lets motivate each other this week!

Three Cheers

noreply@blogger.com (Joe Jones) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0000

I love it when you feel inspiration from scripture that rises up in your spirit and just makes you want to shout. There is a part of Philippians 3 that does that for me:

¹²I'm not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. ¹³Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward--to Jesus. ¹⁴I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back.
¹⁵So let's keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision--you'll see it yet! ¹⁶Now that we're on the right track,

let's stay on it.

I had all of us at The Landing say these things out loud this week. We felt better. We were energized and motivated by making these professions. Today, try it..

I'm well on my way!

I'm off and running and not turning back!

Now that I'm on the right track, I'm staying on it!

Feels good doesn't it! Three cheers for you today!

You Can Have it All!

noreply@blogger.com (Joe Jones) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Did you know that what you are willing to walk away from determines what God is able to bring to you? In other words, there are some things that God has in store for us right now but until we walk away from some of our harmful habits and critical friends, the conduit by which the blessings come is hindered. Consider Abraham…he left his own country and family in search of a place that God said he would give to him. He took his Sarah and Lot with him. Somewhere down the road things got complicated. There was so much in both of their lives that it was time to separate. God said it was time to walk away. So Abraham gave Lot his choice of land and they went in opposite directions. Suddenly Abraham started to be blessed again and again. He learned an important lesson that day…if you want it all you may have to lose a Lot!
What are you clinging to that keeps you stuck in neutral? Do you have a Lot in your life? You too can lose a Lot and have it all!

Stay on It!

noreply@blogger.com (Joe Jones) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 14:08:00 +0000

So let's keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision--you'll see it yet!
Now that we're on the right track, let's stay on it. Phil 3:15-16
We are now almost three weeks into the new year and our journey towards the goals we set before us. When the newness wears off and routine sets in we tend to become complacent, bored and many of us lose sight of where we were going and accept where we are. This is not the year for mediocrity. It's a year of miracles and spectacular surprises that can only come from God!
I declare to you that God has some incredible plans for you and those connected to you this year but you are going to have to hold on tight to the hope that you have. You will need to stay focused on finishing what has started and trust that even when things get blurry, God can be trusted to come in and bring clarity. We've only just begun! Stay strong, be tenacious and now that you are on the right track, stay on it!

God Blesses...

noreply@blogger.com (Joe Jones) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0000

“God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him,
for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
God blesses those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
God blesses those who are humble,
for they will inherit the whole earth.
God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice,
for they will be satisfied.
God blesses those who are merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
God blesses those whose hearts are pure,
for they will see God.
God blesses those who work for peace,
for they will be called the children of God.
God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right,
for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
“God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers.
(Matthew 5:3-11 NLT)

God blesses! Nuff said:)

Connections

noreply@blogger.com (Joe Jones) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0000

All I'm saying is simply this, that all life is interrelated, that somehow we're caught in an inescapable network of mutuality tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly affects all indirectly. For some strange reason, I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be. You can never be what you ought to be until I am what I ought to be. This is the interrelated structure of reality.
—Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Dr. King is remembered today for so many things and the common thread seems to be the idea of all types of people coming together. Why? Because we are all connected. We live in a time where people look out for themselves and decide that if they can take care of #1, nothing else really matters. That could not be farther from the truth.
Perhaps my future is connected to yours. My hopes to yours. My dream may not be realized until you see you have one too. The Creator made us all to function together. Our faith and beliefs weave us together in a band that cannot be broken. So today I must encourage you to pursue your passion and get after the things that your Creator has designed you to do. I want you to succeed. I too, have a dream. To see you live the dream God dreamed for you!

Not Guilty

noreply@blogger.com (Joe Jones) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 14:44:00 +0000

For God’s will was for us to be made holy by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all time. (Hebrews 10:10 NLT)
Take a good look today at this verse...once and for all the price has been paid for YOU! Too often I find myself feeling guilty or ashamed by things that have already taken place and I allow those feelings of guilt to rob me of joy and peace in the present. I can tell God sometimes that I will do better and then I set up all types of changes in my life to attempt to earn my way into His good graces.
The truth is that I was a mess. God knew that I could not untangle myself from a worldly system unless He made a way. He sent Jesus and Jesus went to the cross to pay I debt that I could never pay. His grace is my gift! So my mistakes, my falling short is taken care of by His precious blood. The verdict for me...not guilty!
Maybe you have been beating yourself up because you seem to be in a pattern of bad behavior that you cannot break out of. There is a way...His way! Accept what Jesus has already done and live like you've already won! You are free, once and for all!

Hoarder of Confidence

noreply@blogger.com (Joe Jones) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0000

"So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you!" Hebrews 10:35
I am becoming less and less of a hoarder. I used to keep just about everything because I firmly believed that I would need it some day in the future and there is nothing more frustrating than needing something that you had but got rid of! I would take boxes upon boxes from one place to the next and never even open them! So now if I have something that I neglect using in one year, I give it away.
One thing that I won't toss out is the confident trust that I have in what the Lord can and will do in my life. God is interested in everything that happens to us and He truly wants some amazing things to happen through us. We must not only believe that...we must place confident trust in the fact that he can do what He says. So I will continue being a hoarder of confidence...confidence in the Lord that is!

I Guarantee It

noreply@blogger.com (Joe Jones) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0000

The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify him. EPH 1:14
There aren't many "true" guarantees these days. A "guarantee" is a formal promise or assurance (typically in writing) that certain conditions will be fulfilled. I know we hear that phrase many times on infomercials and in local retail shops. But when you really try to cash in those guarantees, many times there is a great amount of "small print" that makes it frustrating and irritating.
You and I have some divine guarantees that we will inherit heaven by living for Christ. He promised this to us and God can be trusted to keep His promise. HEB 10:23 But just so you will know that He means business, He gives to you life in the Spirit so that you always are aware of His hand upon you and His voice speaking through you. You know those "inclinations" you have to do certain things or not be involved with particular people? I think the Spirit is moving in you to help move you to where you need to be. Praise Him today and give Him the glory for all that is going on around you. Hang on tight and remember this promise. You will inherit His kingdom. I guarantee it!

Worn Out Already?

noreply@blogger.com (Joe Jones) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0000

I am worn out waiting for your rescue,

but I have put my hope in your word. My eyes are straining to see your promises come true. When will you comfort me? (Psalm 119:81, 82 NLT)

Have you even felt like this? Worn out waiting? Perhaps our problem is that we do not understand the benefits of waiting. Waiting is not designed to wear you out but rather to build you up. You and I are supposed to let "patience have her perfect work". Isaiah 40 tells us that the people who know how to wait properly on the Lord will renew their strength. They will begin to fly high above the drama of life and whether they are walking or running through their day they will not become weary!

Today, place your hope in the Lord. Stop straining to see in the natural what is only visible in the spiritual. God IS ready to bring you comfort! You can be all that He designed you to be this year! you can do all that He says you can do in His Word! So, wait with expectation and joy knowing that this could be the day your breakthrough arrives.

TENacious

noreply@blogger.com (Joe Jones) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Every year I begin with a theme for the year, what I call a KeyWord. This year at The Landing our keyword is TENACIOUS. Tenacious describes a group of people that stick to it until it happens. They hold on without letting go.
Hebrews TEN:twenty three says,
"let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep His promise."
There are few things and people that you and I are able to place our trust in. God can be trusted. What he says you can do, you can do. So take a moment today and thank him for a new "tenacious" attitude that will help you hold tight to hope until your dreams are realized.

Comfort Others

noreply@blogger.com (Joe Jones) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0000

God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort.4 He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.5 For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ.6 Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer. 2 Corinthians 1
Often times we find ourselves in tough places and dark spaces where we need encouragement. God has connected us to the people in our lives for very specific reasons. One of them is to bring hope, peace, joy and comfort. When you have endured and pressed through a trial, you need to use what you have learned to help someone else. The fact of the matter is this: God comforts you so you can comfort another.
Don't get stuck gazing back at all you have gone through. Instead use what you know to help someone grow. Let God comfort you so you can pass it on today!

Touched by an Angel

noreply@blogger.com (Joe Jones) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0000

I wonder if you have ever prayed for something and waited for the answer? Daniel once was in a difficult place and praying to God. He was feeling discouraged and he was filled with sorrow. He had been praying and fasting for three weeks when he had a vision. It says in Chapter 10 and verse 4 that “as I was standing on the bank of the great Tigris River,5 I looked up and saw a man dressed in linen clothing, with a belt of pure gold around his waist.6 His body looked like a precious gem. His face flashed like lightning, and his eyes flamed like torches. His arms and feet shone like polished bronze, and his voice roared like a vast multitude of people.”

Nobody else saw this but Daniel did. Read it today for yourself. One thing I noticed in the story was how Daniel was changed. When he saw the vision it humbled him and he found himself face down on the floor. Verse 10 says that when he was his lowest the man touched him and lifted him up. He was then told that when he prayed the answer had been dispensed by God but there was a spiritual struggle and for 21 days the angels of the Lord were in battle with darkness. Daniel could not say a thing. The man touched his lips this time and he began to speak.

17How can someone like me, your servant, talk to you, my lord? My strength is gone, and I can hardly breathe.”18 Then the one who looked like a man touched me again, and I felt my strength returning.

19 “Don’t be afraid,” he said, “for you are very precious to God. Peace! Be encouraged! Be strong!”

Touched by an angel Three times!We know from scripture that Daniel prayed three times a day. We see in this story that he was touched by an angel three times, each time with a purpose: peace, encouragement and strength.

Sometimes it feels like prayers aren’t heard but I assure you that if Jesus is your Lord, the moment you pray the answer is given. God’s timing kicks in and there may even be some spiritual struggles taking place in the heavens that must be fought. But the answer will come. I am praying for my own three touches by an angel today! I believe that the Lord cares about what we need and as you and I humble ourselves this just might be the day when we find peace that goes beyond understanding, that our hearts our encouraged and fear is eliminated and divine strength takes over our weakness. You are very precious to God!

Fast Forward

noreply@blogger.com (Joe Jones) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0000

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, [which is] your reasonable service." romans 12:1

Each year on the first Wednesday of the year I start a process that I call "fast forward". Fasting is not just a beneficial thing to do physically, it's also an amazing thing to do for your spirit! For me fasting is never about food but rather about becoming more and more sensitive to the things that the Lord wished to do through me and to me.

So for the next 21 days I will be tuning in to God in a much deeper way than normal. And it all begins with presenting my body to the Lord to be prepared for the purposes that He designed me for. He made you for a very specific purpose too! You are here on the planet because you are amazing and highly valued in carrying out His mission on earth. Consider fasting forward and see what God can do through you!

Returns Welcomed

noreply@blogger.com (Joe Jones) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0000

The other day I bought something that I thought I really wanted until I got it. I was filled with what they refer to as "buyers remorse". I had purchased this item at my favorite store for everything that begins with a W and ends with "Mart". I decided that I would rather keep the money so I repackaged the item and took it back to the Customer Service desk. This store makes it so simple because they want to keep the customer happy. And happy I was as I left with my cash once again. It was as if I never bought the item in the first place.
Wouldn't it be great if the bad choices or regretful ones you and I make were able to be returned without question so that we could be happy once again? Well, as a fully devoted follower of Christ you have access to the head of customer service, why He owns the entire chain! It's Jesus and He is ready to erase your mistakes and make all things new again. But you have to take your return to the desk!
So stop living with regret and take that item back to Jesus. He welcomes returns and makes it like you never had the trouble. You will become stronger and healthier and you will learn how to stop going home with things that you really don't need:)

Another Year

noreply@blogger.com (Joe Jones) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Today I celebrate not only the beginning of another amazing year but the start of my 53rd year on the planet. Last year was filled with so many incredible moments and to imagine it could get any better sometimes seems a stretch.

I remember one of my favorite scriptures in Jeremiah that reminds me God has a very specific plan for my existence. That plan is to make the time I spend here the best that it can possibly be. To prepare for that plan I take time at the start of each year on my birthday to set me personal GPS. That stands for goals, plans and systems. I set some personal goals, put together a biblical plan that can move me in that direction and then add a system(real life skills) to put that plan into motion.

Goals are the target. The plan is the course of action to hit the target and the system is the driving force. Ultimately my personal GPS takes me to the predetermined location.

Take a moment today to set yours. Set goals that are simple and realistic. And then start moving. It was Thoreau that said, "go confidently in the direction of your dreams". You will need that confidence, especially when you hear the words "recalculating"!

Happy New Year!

noreply@blogger.com (Joe Jones) — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 06:00:00 +0000

Just a thought...

noreply@blogger.com (Joe Jones) — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 14:00:00 +0000

Are you one of those people that always tries to get the upper hand? May be you even use people to get your way. Let me share a simple cup with you today that you can share with someone else...
it really is about control...take a look at this acronym...

T he
Secret
I s
R eally
H aving
Control

CHRIST in control changes everything! Let Him take control of YOUR life today!

3 Things I Learned From Mickey

noreply@blogger.com (Joe Jones) — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 12:52:00 +0000

It's been called the most magical place on earth: a place where dreams come true. Walt Disney World is filled with activities, music and of course, all of our favorite Disney characters. Christmas at Disney is another experience altogether. And when you add to the mix a Bowl Game and the Orlando Magic playing in town, the city is jammed with people. So many in fact that all of the theme parks had to restrict access due to there being too many people trying to get in!
In the midst of the hustle and bustle, the theme park rides and character sightings, I began to notice some things. There are 3 things that Mickey taught me.
1-our country's people do not appear to be broke
Either the recession is a myth or you and I will always pay for entertainment, regardless of our financial condition. As I ponied up my nearly one C note to get into the park, eat food and quench my thirst, I was "feeding the mouse" all day. And thousands of us were doing it! Maybe we still need an escape from reality and a trip to a magic kingdom where dreams can come true.
2-Mickey Brings Joy
At least until the long lines, tired children and lack of cash kick in:) Mickey brings temporary joy. The smiles and laughs from the 8am entrants seem to turn to cries and moans of wearied bodies by early afternoon. Joy comes in the morning and may leave by dinner!
3-it's NOT a small world after all!
Most of the languages I heard spoken were not English. People from all over the world had gathered together to join me in paying homage to this family of fictitious characters. One day in any theme park during Christmas and you can clearly see just how large our world really is.
So thank you Mickey for these little lessons.
Life may go from 0-60 just like your Rockin Roller Coaster and circumstances may make the floor seem to fall out like it does in the Tower of Terror. Perhaps if we can smile, find a way to escape reality for a few moments and rub shoulders with our friends all over the world , dreams really can come true!

Holy Experience

noreply@blogger.com (Joe Jones) — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Yesterday I visited a place where many spiritual moments in history are re-enacted. It was the Holy Land Experience in Orlando.
Walking the grounds you get a visual sense of the times and life of Jesus. Special programs helped to remind how you and I have been forgiven and loved by our heavenly Father.
I'm grateful today that I have come to the place where I realize God loves me and has great plans for my life. I encourage you to embrace that thought as well and let the Lord live through you and bless your life, your family and friends. Use these last few days of 2011 to thank God for another year. Even if you went through some challenges let me remind you that you are here today: pressing through and your victory may be today!
You too can have a "holy experience" right where you are!