A Beautiful Mind

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a SOUND MIND.  2 Timothy 1:7

I want to camp right there on that scripture for this blog post. Why? Because your mind is generally the first area the enemy attacks, and if we as Christians don’t begin to claim what is rightfully ours, we may never experience the freedom and wholeness that comes with having a SOUND MIND.

How to Claim What Belongs to Us

As believers, there is a certain amount of tenacity and aggressiveness we must display in order to walk in the fullness of God. That may sound as foreign as can be to some people, but I promise you it’s the truth. Jesus Christ purchased salvation for us with His own blood, but He doesn’t force us to take it. We have to pursue and accept our redemption. After that, there’s more fighting to do… We are told in Ephesians 6:11 to put on the whole armor of God, so that we may be able to stand against the strategies and deceitful plans of the devil. The whole armor of God includes the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. I don’t know about you, but that scripture produces mental images of a battle that involves standing our ground, being wise, diligent, and claiming what is rightfully ours.

There are so many promises we could focus on today; our right to health and our promise of protection, just to name a few. But until we get our mind lined up with God’s way of thinking, we will never be able to stand on His promises for very long. All the enemy has to do is throw a little bit of discouragement, doubt, and unbelief our way and before long we’ll be having a pity party, wondering where our strength and victorious living has gone. Have you ever wondered why our minds are such a playground for the enemy? Well, I’m about to tell you. Read more

Are You Guilty of Living for a Temporary Purpose?

Christmas is over, and for some individuals, this means dealing with a bit of a let-down. All of the hype and the family times that were so anxiously anticipated and planned for are now just a memory. The meals are over–the hours of preparation, the cookie baking, the wrapping and exchanging of gifts, and the Christmas carols are now behind us for another year. Of course, as Christians, we realize that the gift of God and the true meaning of Christmas can remain with us every day–but that’s not what I’m talking about right now.

Today, I’d like to ask you a heartfelt and direct question. Are you guilty of living for a temporary purpose?

Maybe you’ve never heard of or even considered a “temporary purpose” lifestyle before. If you live this life, you’ll recognize it right away. A few signs of the “temporary purpose” lifestyle include:

• Short term goals that may be materialistic in nature, but offer a point of focus–such as saving for, dreaming about, and selecting a new vehicle or other large purchase.
• Consuming yourself with plans for an upcoming event, such as the birth of a child or a wedding (your own or that of a relative). Spending hours decorating, shopping, reading about and planning for this event.
• Inventing short term goals when there isn’t one that comes around naturally. Those who depend on the distractions caused by the “temporary purpose” lifestyle will actually cause things to happen if there isn’t something in the near future. This could include the decision to buy a new pet or the sudden urge to tradein a vehicle when there really isn’t the need to do so.
• Making the decision to put in a pool or undertake some sort of major household renovation for no apparent reason.

Does anything on this list sound familiar? If so, you may want to take a look at your life purpose to decide whether you are living your life according to God’s real plan for you, or if you are avoiding His plan by making your own short term focal points as a way to fill your schedule and crowd your thoughts.

Ouch. Kind of stings, doesn’t it? Am I actually saying that adding value to your home or upgrading your vehicle is wrong? Am I telling you to ignore the upcoming birth of your new grandchild? No, of course I am not. Read more

How to Really Come Home for The Holidays

Christmas is the time to come home. Whether we are 4 years old or 40, we all like to surround ourselves with family and friends during the holiday season. Something happens to our hardened edge as Christmas approaches. The remains of arguments or disagreements that may have taken place earlier in the year often melt away during the nostalgia and warm fuzzy feelings that overtake us during Christmas.

If you are reading this, saying, “Yea, right” to yourself, then maybe you need a bit of defrosting of the heart. Run down to your nearest video store and grab a copy of A Charlie Brown Christmas. After watching, see if you don’t have a little more clarity on the whole Christmas season. Charlie has a way of bringing it all into perspective.

Sometimes we lose sight of the real meaning of Christmas, but only for a little while. God is faithful, and the truth is that He really wants us to have a relationship with Him and come home for the holidays (to Him) much more than we could ever imagine. That’s why He is constantly calling us home. What? Did you say you haven’t heard him calling you? Maybe you should think a little harder.

God has spoken to all people (the lost as well as those who have received salvation) in their inner consciousness. We are created with an inner void, a longing that can only be filled through a healthy, active relationship with God. He is the only one who can fill the void.

How does God speak to us?

Maybe you are reading this and you weren’t even aware that you could actually hear God’s voice or develop a personal relationship with him. In John 17:2, Jesus said, “This is eternal life–that they may know God.”

So, how does God speak to us? Here are four simple keys of wisdom that will teach you exactly to hear God’s voice and how to develop a relationship with Him. Read more

Intimacy with God

Practical Advice for Building a Deep and Meaningful Relationship with Your Creator

Intimacy with God…
When you think of this phrase, what enters into your thoughts? If most of us would be honest with ourselves, we would most likely have to admit that feelings of discouragement often go hand in hand with the thought of intimacy with God.

Why do you think that is? Well, first of all, the discouragement stems from fear. Fear of failure as well as a fear of the unknown. Secondly, the discouragement comes from our own preconceived notions of what “intimacy with God” entails. And although discouragement tries to put out the fire and cause us to sit on the fence, the truth is that God created each of us with a deep desire for intimacy with Him, and He longs to have a relationship with us.
So passionate is His desire after us, that after Adam and Eve sinned, He immediately developed a plan to send Himself as the payment that would bring us back into relationship with Him.

Okay, wait…let me back up. Do you realize that Jesus died on the cross as payment for our sins “so that we could have fellowship with God?” Yes, that’s right. Many of us only believe that Jesus died as a payment to save us from hell. This is true, but it’s so much deeper than that. Just as God walked with Adam in the garden, He brought us back into fellowship with Himself so that He can walk with us in the garden of our own lives.

So, how do we begin? Read more

In a Funk? Here are the Keys to Contentment

The word content is one of my all time favorites. For me, the word conjures up images of a satisfied baby cooing at his mother or sitting quietly on a nice front porch swing, happily entertaining yourself with your own thoughts and memories.

Webster’s dictionary defines content as being mentally or emotionally satisfied with the way things are.

Unfortunately, many people do not live in a state of contentedness. This is a hurried and rushed world which seems to constantly race in a frenzied state towards one achievement or the next. Our gadgets aren’t good enough, our income isn’t high enough, and many or our relationships are strained at best. So how do we get from that gnawing, unfulfilled feeling to arrive at this seemingly elusive state of satisfaction and stability? Looking at the words of the Apostle Paul in the book of Philippians, I believe we will find the answer:

“But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:10-13 (NKJ)

Contentment is Not about What We Have

Reading through Philippians 4:10-14, we become keenly aware of the first key to contentedness. It’s not about stuff. Contentedness and deep inner satisfaction is not a result of what you have or where you live. It is a result of who you are in Christ. Paul had learned to be content with much and content with little–stable and sturdy in good times and bad. Read more

Interested in Fasting? Look No Further…

In today’s age of holistic medicine and toxic cleansing, many individuals are looking into the benefits of fasting.
A solid fast, which includes refraining from foods that your body has to work to digest, is gaining in popularity.

Why Do We Fast?

Throughout Biblical history, fasting has been encouraged for spiritual empowerment. Most individuals who fast, report elevated spiritual clarity, and the ability to connect with God on a deeper level.
Although fasting is not a requirement in the New Testament, fasting is known for its health benefits, as well as its ability to help you stop, regroup, and find your spiritual place in this world. Fasting can help individuals temper their desires and gain mental clarity.
Do you need to hear from God? Do you feel clouded in your thinking and your spiritual clarity? Fasting may be the answer for you. Read more

The Freedom of Forgiveness

“Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, it does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails“. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

You may be wondering what this famous love scripture has to do with forgiveness? Isn’t this the one reserved for marriage ceremonies and things of that nature? Yes, it is often used in those circumstances, but in order to truly walk in the light that God has called you to, you are going to have to walk in love….with everyone.
Everyone? Yes, absolutely everyone. Read more

Do You Feel ‘Life Burnout’ Looming?

Most of us experience the effects of life burnout from time to time. In this fast paced and demanding life–our energy, emotional well being and joy can easily be sucked right out of us.

Many of us think that it’s just because there is too much to do these days, but is that really true? Let’s go back to earlier times and ponder this thought for a moment. Today you can realistically wash clothes, cook dinner, do the dishes, and soothe your crying baby at the very same moment.  All you really had to do to accomplish this is load the two washers and touch the “wash” button. Dinner can be in the oven cooking at the same time, leaving you free to play with your child. Could this have happened in another time period? I highly doubt it.

Just think about washing dishes. First you’d have to get your water from the well, then make a fire to heat the water, and on and on. Realistically, life today can be as simple or as overly complex as we allow it to be. Every person in every time period had priorities to deal with. If you are feeling the familiar pull of things that compete for your attention and a possible life burnout looming on your horizon–let’s take a deep breath together and do something about it. Read more

Love Them Til They Ask You Why…

Evangelism Isn’t Something to Fear…It’s Something to Live

Many Christians have shied away from evangelism because they have mistakenly believed that it was all about introducing the idea of Jesus Christ as our personal savior. This is true, in part…but if you think about evangelism, it brings with it a certain amount of anxiety and awkwardness to most individuals. So, to avoid actual contact with others, many have resorted to leaving tracts in public restrooms and wearing Christian t-shirts. Now, before you feel that I’m condemning your t-shirt collection or your evangelistic efforts–hear me out.

What if there was an altogether different way to share your faith, that had nothing to do with religion or anxiety. What if I were to introduce the idea that God isn’t nearly as concerned with us telling people what a friend they have in Jesus as He is concerned with us showing others what a friend they have in us.

Reading the book of Thessalonians, you can clearly see that Paul believed in lifestyle evangelism. Read more

I’ve Made My Decision…Now What?

The “Who Am I?” Series – The Final Post for this Series

You know who you are and you agree that you need to change. You are willing to renew your mind, cleanse your thoughts, purify your heart and walk in the right direction. You are ready to maximize your life and fulfill your purpose with God. Now what? Unfortunately, you’ll probably be attacked. If you learn to recognize the resistance you are facing for what it really is (an attack of the enemy) you can become a true over-comer.

If you’ve been a Christian for any period of time, you should be quite aware of the tactics of the enemy. But just to be sure you face every day with your eyes wide open, here is solid truth straight from the Word of God. “Your adversary the devil, walks about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” 1 Peter 5:8

Did you notice the scripture says that our adversary walks around seeking whom he may devour? That tells me that we are not always in a position when we are vulnerable to his tactics. But when we are, there he is waiting for us.

The enemy of your soul doesn’t play fair, and he’s got plenty of time on his hands. He spends weeks and even months, observing you and strategically planning his next move. He is well aware of the basic frailties of man and also tries to discover your own personal weaknesses as well. Read more

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