OUT WITH THE OLD AND IN WITH THE NEW

...but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. (Philippians 3:13, 14 NLT) This is the last day of 2012. For some of you - its a big "whew" because you made it through. For others, you want to say a big "Praise God" for all the blessings that have come your way. However you feel - Paul tells us to now "forget the past and look forward to what's ahead." I feel very blessed to be part of a church that is on fire and wanting to move forward. I am looking forward with intentionality to 2013. As a church - we are starting this season with a 21 day fast starting NEXT Monday. I am praying for great breakthrough for many lives during this time. We are also excited about being part of THE STORY which will bring us through the Bible in 31 weeks. As said last night by Gregg Johnson "If we have just the Word we will dry up. If we have just the spirit we will blow up. But if we have both the word and the spirit - we will grow up." That's what I want for all of us. I pray that God would help us to all grow up in 2013. I pray that His spirit would so consume our lives that God would be first and foremost in all that we do. I pray that all bitterness and disappointment from the past would be exactly that - the past. I pray that God would fulfill your dreams and desires and that you would be a fully devoted follower of Christ in 2013. May God richly bless you today!

THE END IS NEAR!

“Look, I will come as unexpectedly as a thief! Blessed are all who are watching for me, who keep their clothing ready so they will not have to walk around naked and ashamed.” (Revelation 16:15 NLT) Recently we saw a group of people standing by the Mayan Ruins in Mexico waiting for the end of time. Based on their predictions - the world as we know it was to end and be over. Over my lifetime I have seen many such groups make and remake their predictions of the end of time and the when the second coming of Christ would be. And, again and again, they have proven to be false because those predictions didn't happen. Here's the thing - the Bible is specific with this fact - No one knows the exact time or hour of when Christ is returning and He could come anytime. We need to live everyday as if he is coming for His children today. We need to be "watching" and to be ready for that great event. Yes, the world is coming to an end but until that time - let's walk fully with the Lord and in His provisions and promises for our lives right now. Don't be fooled by the fact that He hasn't come in the past and He won't be coming in the future. He is coming back for His children and He has prepared a place in heaven for us. Keep your heart diligent so you won't miss it when He does return. Who knows - 2013 could be the year!

FOR THOSE DEALING WITH OPPRESSION

The Lord has sworn to Jerusalem by his own strength: “I will never again hand you over to your enemies. Never again will foreign warriors come and take away your grain and new wine. You raised the grain, and you will eat it, praising the Lord. Within the courtyards of the Temple, you yourselves will drink the wine you have pressed.” Go out through the gates! Prepare the highway for my people to return! Smooth out the road; pull out the boulders; raise a flag for all the nations to see. The Lord has sent this message to every land: “Tell the people of Israel, ‘Look, your Savior is coming. See, he brings his reward with him as he comes.’” They will be called “The Holy People” and “The People Redeemed by the Lord .” And Jerusalem will be known as “The Desirable Place” and “The City No Longer Forsaken.” (Isaiah 62:8-12 NLT) Have you been dealing with discouragement lately? Have you been dealing with opposition in your life? Do you feel like giving up and throwing in the towel? The list could go on and on because the enemy wouldn't be an enemy unless he is throwing these things your way. But here's the thing - God is bigger then your enemy and He has already made a place of victory for you. Our God is into the restoration of our souls. He is all about bringing you freedom from your captivity and joy into your life. "Pull out the boulders" of your life. "Raise a flag for all the nations to see." Whereas you were once worthless and not "desirable" and "forsaken" - you are not those things anymore. Take the authority that God has already given you and declare your victory. "Go out through the gates" and walk in your God-given victory. Don't let the enemies lies and condemnations enter your heart and your mind. Don't believe the doubts that have come your way. Speak to that mountain in the name of Jesus and say, "Be thou removed." I agree with you in this regard in Jesus' strong name. Amen!

FREEDOM IS YOURS

So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free. (John 8:36 NLT) A simple but true statement. If I could have any Christmas present this year - it would be that each and every one of you would experience true freedom in Christ. That your past and present would no longer harass and torment you. That the presence of Christ would fill your life and all fear would be gone. I would pray that your mind would be filled with God's thoughts and you would have true peace. That your bodies would be well and your relationships whole and well. If Jesus has set you free - then you are free indeed. I agree with you in that regard in Jesus'strong name. Amen!

I WANT TO BE LIKE JOE!

Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ...(Ephesians 5:1, 2 NLT) One Sunday I was at the front of the church when a man approached me saying that he was new to the church and wanted prayer. I asked him what he wanted me to pray for and his answer startled me a little by simply saying, "Pray for me so I will be more like Joe." He didn't say "Pray that I be like God" or "for God to touch his life." He simply wanted to be like Joe. In a way, he was really praying, I want to be like God because Joe was living a sold out life for God. His faith was contagious and this man saw the difference that it made in his life. He wanted to be just like him. May I encourage you that people are watching how you live out your faith? Your family and neighbors and fellow employees are watching if your faith is genuine and if it is really changing you into a better person. Your children and grand children are observing your faith whether it is genuine or not. Personally, I think that man's prayer was one of the greatest prayers ever. God was living in Joe's life that the only God this man could see was how God was living in Joe. So, imitate God in all you do so you an say, "Follow me as I follow Christ."

WHAT ARE YOU THANKFUL FOR IN YOUR LIFE?

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. (Ephesians 1:3 NLT) As a kid, I remember singing a song in church called "Count Your Many Blessings - Name Them One By One." It was a moderately upbeat hymn that people would sing loudly and with gusto. Afterward the song leader would ask for "testimonies" of which the people would speak out in the little church we attended. It would from the little boy on the front row about his pet dog to the oldest grandma in the back with some sort of ailment that was slowing her down. It would be about the little mundane things and even the great and seemingly impossible difficulties one would face. It was always a reminder that we need to be thankful in everything that we do. As I read this verse this morning I was reminded of how much we have to be thankful for in our lives. For me, this list could go on and on because I know that I have watched and seen the favor and blessings of God on my life. How about you - do you have a thankful heart? Are you mindful of God's blessings that surround you and your family? Let's make a list together about what we are thankful for and give God all the glory and praise for what He has done for you. Have a great day! Song - COUNT YOUR MANY BLESSING: When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed, When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost, Count your many blessings, name them one by one, And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done. Refrain Count your blessings, name them one by one, Count your blessings, see what God hath done! Count your blessings, name them one by one, And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done. Are you ever burdened with a load of care? Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear? Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly, And you will keep singing as the days go by. Refrain When you look at others with their lands and gold, Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold; Count your many blessings. Wealth can never buy Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high. Refrain So, amid the conflict whether great or small, Do not be disheartened, God is over all; Count your many blessings, angels will attend, Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.

YOU ARE MORE THAN VICTORIOUS TODAY!

The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you. (Romans 16:20 NIV) Be encouraged and let your heart be filled with hope. Victory is yours today. It is your promised inheritance as a child of the king. We have been learning about our authority as Christians - that, we need to name the lie and insert the truth. That, we need to take authoriy over the enemies lies in our life. What has been your downfall? What has been your nemesis? What has hindered you from the victory that has been promised to you? Today, you can begin to walk in the confidence that you have the victory in Christ. You can walk in the knowledge that God will soon crush Satan under your feet. I pray that you would sense God's mighty power with you today - that you would rise up with hope and joy and confidence in the God who has already declared Satan defeated. You are more than victorious. Walk in that truth today!

THE REASON FOR YOUR TRIAL

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. (Romans 5:3, 4 NLT) It's kind of ironic... The thing (problems) that we want to get rid of is the thing we need more of to help us be stronger. It is all part of the process to develop strength of character in our lives which then that which leads to a confident hope of salvation. You are probably thinking "God, get me out of this mess" and He is saying, "No, this is what's needed to bring you into a deeper relationship with me." It's what will make you stronger in your Christian walk. Your God loves you so much that He is allowing you to be refined like silver in the fire - which gets heated up 7x's to remove the dross. Instead of complaining about how hot the fire is right now - begin to thank God that He is allowing something to be in your life that will develop and purify your life right now. God has not left you nor will He leave you. He will go with you - all the way. He won't leave or forsake you. Grab hold of His hand today and let Him lead your steps today.