Sunday, December 15, 2013

TEAM Up!

TEAM up with me for a few minutes as I share this message, knowing Christ guides us to where he needs us to be if we listen.  Are you with me?  Christ spoke into my life this morning and I wanted to share with you.  The world TEAM came to me but in a different perspective than it normally does.  In Christ TEAM means I am Transformed, Empowered, Anointed and Mastered.  Let me explain in greater detail:

Transformed- Today I stand transformed into a new creation knowing the old me and old junk within me died in Christ as I was reborn into the new me, the me he intended in the first place.

Empowered-By myself I often felt powerless and incapable of impacting my situation and the storms that came upon me.  But as of my transformation in Christ, I am empowered through Him to change my situation, to overcome the storms, to take to the battle knowing victory is mine.  I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me for I am truly more than just a conqueror!

Anointed-His anointing over me is not temporary but rather an eternal anointing guaranteeing He is with me, in me and all around me.  He is an ever present, everlasting, and all knowing Savior whose anointing pours gifts into my life.  That anointing continues to ensure my transformation and empowerment will endure.

Mastered-Yes I am a one of a kind master production, created in His image but made into the me He foresaw me to be.  The only thing that could stand in the way of my mastered image is the free will He gave me enabling me to choose between being a mastered creation or an imitation, a counterfeit product looking like the real thing but falling far short of it.

TEAM with Christ and take hold of the fact you have been Transformed, Empowered, Anointed, and Mastered by Him.  With the knowledge granted through the step of faith taken when you asked Him into your life, you will achieve the greatness God intended for your life and the lives of all whom you TEAM Up with!  Amen, received His word!  Just a little advice to go!

Saturday, November 30, 2013

Be A Multiplier, Not A Diminisher!

Jesus was an expert at multiplying people, not just the number of people but the individuals themselves. He recognized the beauty and power of each individual and knew what to do to help them recognize their full potential.  He did not focus on their weaknesses or on diminishing them, but rather chose to love them unconditionally leading to the recognition that they could do the impossible.  Whether a prostitute, tax collector, a bad tempered and overreacting disciple or committed follower bent on washing his feet; Jesus knew how to multiply their strengths helping them to develop into better people. 

We too have to learn to become multipliers, to celebrate the goodness of those we come into contact with, helping them reach their full potential.  Sadly, we live in a world that often wants to focus on the negative, the flaws of the individual with little regard for their strengths.  It is so easy to come together to talk about others faults rather than trying to celebrate their strengths.  Each of us can move from being a multiplier to being a diminisher if we fail to make conscious effort to celebrate people rather than diminish them.  

As believers we are called to love everyone, to look for their goodness and strengths and help them focus on those while keeping their weaknesses in check.  It takes courage and commitment both of which  Christ provides if you are open to receiving them.  With his help we can learn to become multipliers and avoid being diminishers.  Join me in committing to help multiply people instead of diminishing them.  Just a little advice to go! 




Monday, November 11, 2013

A2G: Renewing of the Mind

Romans 12:2
Do not conform 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.

Yes we are all familiar with this scripture but are we really understanding that in order to avoid conforming with the patterns of this world, we have to make a conscious effort to keep our minds renewed.  It is not as difficult as it sounds, here are three simple areas to focus on based on Dr. Henry Cloud's teachings; he is a Christina clinical psychologist:

1. Attention: your ability to focus on relevant stimuli and block out what is not relevant.  Pay attention to those things that bless your life and take your mind away from those that curse your life.  Not a difficult plan, you know better than anyone else which stimuli to focus your thoughts on and which to avoid.

2. Inhibition: The ability to not do those things that are distracting, irrelevant or destructive to your life.  Don't do it, yes that means that you fight with all you have to make sure that you don't behave in ways that contradict who you are in Christ.  If you need help then get together with a group of believers that can help keep you standing in the light.

3. Remembering-Working memory: The ability to retain and access critical information that helps you reason, make decisions, and take action.  Your brain has to be constantly focused on retaining access to that information that helps you be successful in your walk with Christ.  That means no matter how bad you believe your memory is, you must constantly feed into it the blessing of God's word to help sustain you and deliver you from those destructive thoughts.  Retaining the good thoughts, God's word is a must to help sustain your Godly walk.

Remembering these three areas is as simple as remembering that you need AIR to survive: Attention, Inhibition, and Remembering are critical to making sure your brain has what it needs to thrive.  Give it a try!  Just a little advice to go!


Sunday, October 27, 2013

Three Crosses-A Final Message


Luke 23:40-43
But the other answered, and rebuking him said, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man has done nothing amiss.” And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come in your kingdom.” And he said unto him, “Truly I say unto you, today you shall be with me in Paradise.”

The three crosses at the time of the crucifixion of Christ provide a significant lesson.  Yes, the greatest reality is that His death on that cross represents the forgiveness of our sins and the grace that would carry us forward in our walk with Christ.  But Christ provided an example of that message, one that once again re-emphasized his message of love versus our message of condemnation.

Christ was verbally attacked by both robbers who were on opposite sides of him.  They were angry and ridiculed him for not doing anything to save them or himself.  One robber remained hateful and angry, a non-believer who ridiculed Christ and only cared about himself.  Christ did not respond to his taunts with any condemnation or criticism, He ignored him.  But the second man on the cross changed his tone, he went from being critical to defending Christ.  It was clear that he knew who Christ was, that he believed Christ was indeed an innocent man not worthy of the death sentence he had received.  Christ listened to this man and loved him despite the many evil things he had done.  Christ never condemned either man but knew to keep  his silence because in that silence the heart of one of these men would be touched.  That one robber confessed his wrong and accepted deserving the punishment he was receiving.

That is true repentance and true repentance opens the doors to heaven. He not only repented, but asked Christ to remember him, to give  him another chance.  How powerful and emotional is that, in the midst of all the pain and agony they were facing this man recognized the Savior for who he was and had faith that Christ would enter into paradise.  That faith prompted him to say the words, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom".  Amazing, isn't it?  Jesus' response was even more powerful and an example for all to follow.  He didn't lay out a series of actions that this sinner would have to take to make it to heaven, he didn't judge him, he didn't condemn him, he didn't gossip about him, he didn't act like he was better than him...   Jesus simply stated, "Truly I say unto you, today you shall be with me in Paradise".  It doesn't matter who you are or what you have done, recognizing that Christ is the savior allows you to call out and say, Jesus remember me and he will forgive your sins and reserve a place for you in paradise.  Just a little advice to go!

Sunday, October 13, 2013

Faith Key Opens Amazing Doors

Faith is that key that opens the door to God's promises for you life.  God's word shares many examples of how faith was required for the miracle to take place.  One example of this is the escape of God's people from the bondage of Egypt.  Trapped between the Red Sea and the approach of the Egyptian army, the Israelites found themselves facing death.  But Moses led them to the red sea knowing that the waters would part.  Moses led them there knowing that God would perform the miracle; he believed first and acted second resulting in God's miracle taking place.

So too, we must believe first having abundant faith and knowing that God will respond.  That is the transition that we as believers must all make.  We must move from doubters to faithful servants, from thinking it will happen to knowing it will happen.  When our faith is such, we know God will answer our prayers.  We will then hear that still voice speaking to our hearts and minds and know that it is God leading us.  We won't sit there and try to argue against God's message but will act on it faithfully knowing that his plan is not to be questioned.  

When we follow God's plan and respond to His words, will become aligned with his will and purpose for our lives.  We can then weather any storm and rejoice as His blessings will become an integral part of our lives.  How amazing God is!  Just a little advice to go! 


Sunday, October 6, 2013

Be Who You Want To Be!

Sometimes we think that it is impossible to become the person we want to be, but God tells us that there is no such thing as impossible.  Becoming a certain kind of person is only possible if we work at it, trusting in God's Spirit to help get us there.  If you find yourself saying I wish I could be more caring, more helpful around the house, a better friend, a better father and/or a better husband, then start putting a plan together to be better in those areas.

Putting the plan together sometimes requires some research; like asking our children how we can be better fathers, our wives on how we can be better husbands, and the Lord on how we can be better followers.  By being better followers we accomplish the other improvements we are trying to make.

I have been praying and asking God to make me a better servant and to help me better in a variety of other areas.  I am not focused on what others are not doing but on those who are doing the things I want to do.  I am looking at believers who are practicing behaviors that I want to practice and learning from their experiences.  I may not be perfect in any of these areas, but I continue to strive towards perfection, to run that race hoping to finish as someone who ran it well and achieved victory.

Be who you want to be, by putting a plan together that aligns with God's word, praying for his guidance, working with other believers, and trusting God that this is a race you can win!  Just a little advice to go.


Hebrews 12:1
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us...  Amen!

Friday, October 4, 2013

Prayer Plus-A Deeper Conversation

Praying to God is about a conversation that we have come to take for granted.  Too often our prayers fail to reach a point of significance that leads to a real deep conversation with the Lord.  How do we get there and how do we learn to hear God's voice?  These are two questions we all need to answer.  I have been reading a book called Too Busy Not To Pray, Slowing Down to Be with God by Bill Hybels and I would like to share some of his teachings.

Let's start with a framework for prayer that God provides us found in Matthew 6: 9-13, The Lord's Prayer:


Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
Your Kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins,
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom,
the power and the glory are yours.
Now and for ever.
Amen.


This prayer provides a framework that focuses on four critical prayer points many of you may have learned and remember with the acronym, ACTS.  That acronym stands for the following:

1. Adoration-Hallowed be thy name, yes we adore our heavenly father and adoration is the way we open the line of communication in prayer.  We lift our mighty God up in heavenly praise recognizing that he is the king of kings, the lilly of the valley, the bright and morning start, our beginning and our end, and our master and savior.  Start your conversation with the one you love and the one that loves you unconditionally with adoration.

2. Confession-Forgive our debts, yes we need to lay down our sins before God without being embarassed or ashamed.  He knows them already but confessing them and discussing them with God helps us put it out there and discuss the deep realities of our sin and mistakes.  That discussion helps us work through our sins with God and allows for his voice and conviction to minister to our hearts and help us to a place where we can move past that sin.  He forgives us, loves us, and empowers us to overcome those weaknesses we entrust to him.  Be real about your sin confession, God gets it.

3. Thanksgiving-For the kingdom and power and glory are yours; that is how we thank our heavenly father by acknowledging that it is all his, under his control.  We thank him because we know that despite our brokenness, he continues to respond to our prayers.  Philippians 4:6 reminds us that, "In everything with prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  Give him thanks and be specific!

4. Supplication-Your will be done, lead us not into temptation, and deliver us from evil all remind us that we must petition God for his will to take precedence over our will, for his protection from the temptations we will encounter, and for his deliverance when we find ourselves in the midst of evil.  This is a time of yearning and deep conversation with God about those distractors that draw you away from your relationship with him, about those evil occurrences that darken your heart but that he can help you overcome.

This is a model for prayer that I have adopted as my framework for conversing with God.  I even plan for that conversation by writing down what I am going to discuss before going to my prayer corner to talk with God.  Have a strategy for  prayer in place to ensure a deep and sincere conversation with God is taking place and you will be amazed at the responses you receive.  Just a little advice to go!

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Grace Based Families

I sat at the Oak Hills main campus this week for Sunday service and listened to Dr. Kimmel speak about a grace based family and knew I had to share this message with all of you.  It spoke to my heart and made me pray for God's forgiveness in my failures as a parent and offer thanks that despite my lack of grace I have an awesome family.

There are four freedoms that a grace based family provides the people they love, the first is the freedom to be different.  Yes our children will often want to do things that we don't agree with and grace is required to allow them to do things that they feel help them express themselves.  We as parents should provide guidance but not the kind that starts with outright no's with no explanation or reason.  Train a child in the way he should go doesn't mean make excuses and deprive our children of the freedom to learn from their own decisions.

Second, the freedom to be vulnerable, is one that is difficult for most of us as we want to  protect those we love and therefore stand in the gap every chance we get.  But God allows us the vulnerability of not interfering with every aspect of our lives and so too we must learn to stand back and allow those we love to experience the vulnerability of life's challenges.  Trust God to watch over them and allow them to experience life even when it makes them vulnerable.

Thirdly, be candid and speak your mind with love and grace.  Don't make excuses or create non existent biblical support for your position but rather be vulnerable and state your fears.  Your love one's will better understand your position if you tell them the truth about how you feel about what is taking place in their lives.  Our unwillingness to be vulnerable often leads to a lack of grace and decisions that are more our reality than that of the love one we are addressing.

Finally, we must be graceful in allowing our loved ones to make their mistakes without reacting unkindly.  I have messed this one up too many times with my friends, children and my lovely wife.  Oh, how this one makes me cry for forgiveness.  Our loved ones will make mistakes, yes even after we warned them not to do something and they do it anyway.  It is in this time that we must demonstrate the Grace of God, showing understanding, compassion, and love.  How can we not, given the reality that our heavenly father has provided us with his grace and forgiveness.  Yes discipline and correction are a form of God's grace, but so his forgiveness and compassion. Remember Romans 5:8, but God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.  Praise God!

These four freedoms remind us of God's willingness to give us the freedom to choose, let us do the same for those we love.  Just a little advise to go!

Saturday, September 14, 2013

Positive Choices

Sadly the more I speak to people about their challenges, the clearer it becomes that we are focused on the negative experiences of life and not on the positive.  It is too easy to let the enemy draw our attention away from God's blessings which is precisely why we must be engaged in an intimate and passionate relationship with Jesus.  He knows our needs and is more than willing to meet them, to help us rejoice, and to ensure that we have reason to celebrate rather than complain.

Ralph Marston writes about Positive Choices:


  • You can choose to be happy just as easily as you choose to be sad. The choice, no matter what the situation, is always up to you.
  • You can choose to get up and get going just as easily as you choose to sit and do nothing.  The choice to actively move your life forward is always yours to make.
  • Instead of worrying about who is to blame, focus on choosing your most positive response. Instead of letting the past get you down, make the choices that will lift you up.
  • This is your own life, so live it with your own best intentions.  Each moment gives you a new choice, so make all those choices count.
  • Sure, there are many things that are out of your control.  Yet there are still plenty of choices that enable you to live your life the way you wish to live it.
  • Choose, again and again, to live in alignment with your purpose and your highest values.  Positive choices are what create a positive, fulfilling life.
Six points that he offers to guide you towards a positive choice, throw in the Lord's Word and you now have six points to apply to how you allow God's word to influence your positive choices so that every day is one that you can choose to live in alignment with your Lord and Savior!  Just a little advice to go!



Sunday, September 8, 2013

10 Guidelines for Loving Others and Loving Oneself


Recently a resident at Haven for Hope came to speak to me about a problem he was having and during that time shared a piece of paper with 10 guidelines he used to help him love others and himself.  He was there seeking my help but instead blessed me with these guidelines to loving others that I now apply every day, I hope they will bless you as much as they have me:   

1. Listen w/o interrupting-We have all heard the saying, God gave you two ears and one mouth so you could listen twice as much as you speak.  Listen to others with intentionality and genuine care for what they have to say.  

2. Speak without accusing-Jumping to conclusions and playing the blame game is something we all fall into and have to learn to stop.  Rather than accusing, why don't we try to first find out what really happened, understand it, and focus on how we can help prevent it from happening again.

3. Give without sparing-Yes, give without always worrying about how much you owe or the bills you have to pay.  No I am not telling anyone to give it all away, just that when the Lord presents an opportunity for you to bless others, don't think about it just simply do it.  I think the Lord has a grasp on what your financial obligations are and will make sure that you have what you need.  You know like the birds and the lilies of the field. 

4. Pray without ceasing-Prayer doesn't have to start and stop, it can be a constant that happens throughout your day as situations and needs arise.  

5. Answer without arguing-Oh how we love to argue, debate and find someone to talk about rather than simply learning to respond to challenges with a great deal of love.  Yes even when someone challenges you and you know that they read into it based on what they are feeling and assuming, humility requires that we respond without creating an argument.  

6. Share without pretending-Share it freely without regret or pretending to mean it when you really don't.  What God has given us should be a blessing to others without any regret. 

7. Enjoy without complaint-We love to complain rather than take the time to rejoice about the many blessings God gives us.  For some it is not the blessing but how the blessing was delivered that becomes the problem.  They are so stuck on themselves they can't see the blessing for what it is and have to always find something to complain or second guess others about.  

8. Trust without wavering-We must trust even when things get tough and don't seem to be going our way. Anyone can trust when all goes well, the true challenge is how much we trust when things don't seem to be going our way.  

9. Forgive without punishing-Wow this one is a tough one, we have been conditioned that there has to be a consequence, a punishment when people to us wrong.  But the fact is that nothing prevents us from forgiving someone and leaving it right there.  I guess the opposite is true, when someone does wrong and action is required that results in punishment, then we are not forgiving the person but holding them accountable.  Know the difference!

10. Promise without forgetting-Never forget to honor your promises or your word.  If you make the commitment then make every effort to ensure you follow through.

Well, these will definitely help us love others the way Christ would expect us to love them and at the same time teach us how to better love ourselves.  Just a little advice to go! 


Sunday, August 25, 2013

Who Do You Say I Am?

In Mark chapter 8, we read about the conversation that Christ had with the disciples where he asked them who the people said he was and the answer varied demonstrating the confusion that existed.  Some thought he was John the Baptist or Elijah, others a prophet but then Jesus asked the disciples the tough question, who do you say I am?  Peter, always quick to respond, immediately proclaimed you are the Christ the son of the living God.

How awesome that Peter knew who Jesus truly was, but would you be able to respond the same way?  Do you accept that He is your savior, the one who died for your sins so that through his blood sacrifice all your sins would be forgiven?  How would you answer the question, is your life a genuine reflection of the Godly principles Christ lived?  Perhaps it is time that we each asked ourselves who we say he is?  Do our actions say he is our Lord, do our words reflect his love and purity, do others sense a difference about us because of that unique spirit that dwells within us, and can we shout that Jesus is Lord with the confidence that God would not look away from us?

I say he is my Lord and Savior; all that I am is focused on honoring him both in my private and public behavior.  Everyday is an opportunity to be more like Jesus, to love and care for others with the same patience, understanding, and kindness he provided.  I say he is my Lord, my beginning and end, my lily of the valley, my bright and morning star, and the one who is and will forever be.  Praise God!  Just a little advice to go!

Saturday, August 17, 2013

The Power of 2

Matthew 18:19-21
New International Version (NIV)
19 “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”

The power of 2 is a biblical principle stressing the importance of each believer joining with another as they come together seeking God's interaction with their lives.  We can have a personal relationship with Christ and are called to go into our private chambers in prayer, but we have a much greater intensity in that relationship when we join with another in agreement for that which we are asking of our Heavenly Father.  Isn't it amazing that he assures us he will be right there with us agreeing with us and making sure things fall into place.
  

When believers come together in prayer, united by agreement the Holy Spirit's power is more impactful.  We are  united in one accord with our Heavenly Father who enables us to pray with a power ensuring a response will be received.  Find the prayer partner or partners that will ensure God is involved in the conversation.  Just a little advice to go! 

Sunday, August 11, 2013

The Silent Partner

Recently I was speaking with a friend when she began to share her conversations with the Lord.  She is a faithful woman and prays for God's direction often finding herself debating the direction he provides. Fear and doubt along with financial limitations make her question God's direction only to find that God is more than willing to repeat himself.

She shared a story about last Christmas when God directed her to buy Christmas cards, inscribe the plan of salvation, enclose a small amount of cash and deliver them to total strangers.  When God moved her to buy the cards, she refused reminding the Lord that she didn't have a lot of money right now.  She left the store and went to another store only to find the same exact box of cards waiting for her and the same message from the Lord.  She eventually yielded to the Lord's message purchasing several boxes of the cards, inscribing the message of salvation, and placing six dollars in each envelope.  She then prayed and following God's directions, delivered the cards to the employees at her local McDonalds, Burger King, Walmart and Supermarket.  Yes, she delivered them to the employees, those folks working crazy hours in demanding conditions for very little money.

One by one she visited each location, spoke to the manager, and then handed out the cards.   The managers were left in awe with some even crying as they had never had anyone do this before.  Most employees received the cards with many asking how she knew they were hurting and praying for God to speak to their lives.  Several committed their lives to Christ on the spot and others were later her see her and tell her of their eventual acceptance of Christ.  One person was able to touch so many simply by listening to God's direction.

God uses anyone who listens to his voice and is willing to take a step of faith.  My friend is but one of many silent partners that God uses to touch lives.  She lives on a limited income, cares for her mother, and at times struggles to find ways to respond to God's direction.  But she responds nevertheless and God continues to bless and provide for her.  She is silent in her actions, never boasting or taking credit; she simply does as God directs.  Imagine the impact we could have on this world if we all became his silent partners.  Amazing!  Just a little advice to go!

Saturday, July 27, 2013

Listening With Your Eyes!


Recently I have focused on learning to do better in my relationships with others.  One key component of improving relationships is communicating in a more effective and compassionate manner.  Achieving this goal involves changing the way I listen to people from passive listening to active listening which means listening with more than my ears, with my eyes.  Yes, this means I stop everything I am doing so I can look at what a person is saying to me.  Looking at people with intentionality and observing how they are behaving when speaking to me, helps me better understand their message.  I can determine if there are their signs of stress, if their hands are saying something to me, if they are worried, and so forth.  Listening is more than just hearing the words the person is speaking; their emotions and physical behavior are just as critical.  

Today we focus on communicating via e-mails and texting without consideration for the importance of a face to face conversation with the other person.  Listening with our eyes forces us to make time for face to face meetings, to give the person a sense of value by demonstrating your willingness to set everything else aside and listen with your eyes.  

I thank God that He listens with his eyes, He watches over me caring for all my needs seeing the pains and struggles and responding appropriately.  He listen’s with His eyes and makes time for me even when I don’t realize He is there.  Praise the Lord!

Whether at work, school, or home take the time to listen with your eyes!  Just a little advice to go! 

Sunday, July 21, 2013

Spirit of Discernment!

As believers we often neglect to adhere to the principles taught in the word, discernment is one of those.  The fast paced world in which we live, often leads to our taking action before we discern the situation and proper course of action based on God’s will for our lives.   

We have the power of the Holy Spirit that dwells within us to help us discern situations we encounter on a daily basis.  We can't make those discernments if we don't yield to the Spirit or even recognize the power it provides us. 

There is a point in our spiritual relationship where we recognize God is directing us and then act upon that direction.  We learn not to lean on our own understanding, but to pray and ask for the Lord's assistance as we enter into critical decisions.  We analyze the situation seeking to understand the people involved, the circumstances, the options, and the direction God would have us take.   Once we discern the direction God wills for us we can focus on making it happen.  


Focusing on God’s direction is not always easy as we are often prone to act in accordance with our own will versus His.  However with practice, patience, a determination to listen for God’s still voice, and prayer; we can focus on staying in line with God so as to fulfill His plan for our lives.   Just a little advice to go! 

Sunday, July 7, 2013

In God's Time!

Yet those who wait for the LORD will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary." - Isa. 40:31

God's word is not intended for the weak of heart, for those who stress out and are inpatient.  God's promises are true and His word never returns void.  But His plan corresponds to His timing and not ours.  If we wait on the Lord we learn to become faithful, steadfast, and patient.  We move forward knowing that while the answer seems like it may never come, it will come in accordance with God's plan and not ours.

My wife and I have been married for more than 31 years and have truly come to understand the meaning of waiting upon the Lord and gaining the strength that comes with that waiting period.  We continue to redefine patience with every storm we weather understanding that it is not so much about what we want and when we want it, as much as learning to trust God to act how and when He needs to.

The storms have strengthen us to the point where we strive to help strengthen other couples who are much younger and are weathering storms we have experienced in the past.  For many of these couples our experiences offer an opportunity to learn and grow.  Helping them, helps us to grow stronger and more determined in our faith.

In the end, we are certain that those who wait on the Lord will receive an answer to their prayers.  He strengthens the faithful so that they mount up with wings like eagles, run and not tire, and walk and not become weary!  Just a little advice to go!

Sunday, June 30, 2013

Breaking The Yoke!

The yoke binds the oxen leading them in every direction their master chooses depriving them of their freedom.  Like the oxen we find ourselves yoked by the sin that haunts us from the day we are born into this world.  Many believe these sins to be a curse we cannot overcome, a curse that has become generational.  The yoke has bound them for so long they fail to realize it can no longer control them, that they can simply choose a different path.

Christ has come to deliver sinners still every day they march forward repeating their sins believing they can never break free of the yoke that bounds them.  This is where you and I as believers come in; we are called to share the message of Christ as the key that unlocks the yoke and sets the captive free.  Our walk with Christ provides illumination for the lost to see that there is a way to overcome the curse and be set free.

Celebrating Christ and the fruits of the spirit will draw others who are seeking the joy that we have.  We can share the wisdom of God's word to those who are hurt, broken, and in despair.  We become the messenger for the one and only creator, ensuring that others know that their yoke has been removed, the curse has been broken, and they have been set free.  There is no generational curse Christ can't overcome, no burden he can't carry.

Together we can be the light that shines in the darkness revealing there is no yoke for those who choose  the Lord as their Savior.  We can be the voice that shouts from the mountain top that the yoke has been broken, that in Christ we are truly free!  Just a little advice to go!




Sunday, June 2, 2013

Overcoming Negativity Through Christ!

The negativity we encounter on a daily basis can be destructive if we fail to understand its impact on our mental, emotional, and spiritual well being.  Negativity is a reality of every day life; how we respond to it determines whether it impacts us or we impact it.  First let's get a better understanding of the impact negativity has on us.

On the mental side, negativity has been demonstrated to impact the brain function by creating the release of  a large number of stress related hormones and neurotransmitters which increase our blood pressure and heart rate.  Tests where people have been exposed to negative words or pictures demonstrate the brain reacts negatively to this stimuli and the person becomes anxious and even depressed.  Negative verbal communication spreads with more people engaging in negative comments.   The end result is a continuously growing negative environment that takes its toll on those who have to endure it.

As our mental capacity begins to deteriorate so does our ability to control our emotions and with the induced stessors come a loss of emotional intellect resulting in behaviors that create alarming situations.   Those negative situations quickly spread negativity to others perpetuating itself by creating more and more negative situations.  

When mental capacity and emotions deteriorate because of negativity, the cognitive dissonance many experience creates confusion and stress leading to a state of panic, anxiety and subsequent depression.  The inner man, the Spirit, finds itself in conflict with the physical man and the battle begins.  It is a battle that the spirit can easily lose as scripture tells us the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.  Overcoming the flesh requires an overpowering spirit which one can only achieve by practicing positive behaviors.  For the Christian that means recognizing that we are empowered by His Spirit and Word.  When we abide in Him and His word abides in us, our Spirit can overcome the flesh and move us from a world of negativity to one of positivity.  Yes, as believers we have the ability to remain positive in all situations because His word gives us that authority.

God's word teaches us that in Christ we can do all things, we can be new creations moving from the negative to the positive, we can ask and receive, we can be more than conquerors, we can surrender all, we can overcome evil with good, we can lean on His understanding, we can become the light instead of darkness, we can be joyful in hope, we can be patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer.  Yes in Christ we can overcome negativity and turn our lives into a positive contagion that spreads to all whom we come in contact with.  Take the step to being a positive light in this world of negativity; Christ can get you there!  Just a little advice to go!

Sunday, May 26, 2013

Grace and Truth in Christ

Grace and truth is what Christ was full of as he came to this world to carry out the direction of his Father. So too, must we be full of grace and truth as we attempt to carry out God's purpose for our lives.
Grace and truth is what Christ possessed when he came to this world to carry out the direction of his Father. So too, must we possess grace and truth as we attempt to carry out God's purpose for our lives.

Grace is unmerited favor, yes that favor and kindness that that we do not deserve but God grants us through the ultimate sacrifice of the blood of his son Jesus Christ. Jesus came full of grace and truth knowledgeable of the fact that man could only achieve salvation through God's grace.   Jesus came knowing the truth that he would have to die a painful and terrible physical death, one that He did not deserve but had committed to, if we were to have any chance of achieving salvation.  Grace and truth guided Jesus' walk on earth enabling him to complete his mission and start us on our journey towards salvation.  

The truth is that because of Christ's sacrifice we can stop sinning and start living the life principles outlined in His word. Grace gives us the opportunity to move pass the sin and learn through our walk with Him to repent.  That is true repentance, when we stop sinning because we have learned to overcome it through the strength of His Spirit.

God's grace is never ending but the truth is that if we do not stop sinning, then there is no repentance, no learning and no opportunity for forgiveness.  Without forgiveness we fail, suffering the consequences of our sin and the misery that often accompanies it.

Truth appropriately starts us on the walk towards repentance and spiritual development. Grace gives us the opportunity to learn the truth, accept it, and make it the impetus for change. Change begins when we stop sinning, whatever it may be. Repentance is the first step on that journey towards spiritual growth and salvation and it begins with grace and truth.  Just a little advice to go.


Respectfully,


Dave Hernandez

Saturday, May 11, 2013

From The Inside Out


In Matthews, Jesus speaks about how the mouth speaks from the abundance of the heart.  Our hearts represent our inner being, who we really are.  They reflect our deep seeded realities and in spite of our efforts to conceal our true identities, our hearts give us away.  We present an exterior that reflects what we want others to believe us to be, despite of the realities of who we are.  How can we justify this type of existence knowing that God is intimately familiar with our hearts.  He knows who we really are and patiently waits for us to grow into the person he needs us to be, that person we often feign being but fall short of becoming.  

John Maxwell teaches that your outside will never convert your inside but that sooner or later the inside person will surface and people will see us for who we really are.  He challenges us to become that person God wants us to be on the inside, so that our outside person reflects God’s love.  

Corey Brooks, the Mayor of Newark, New Jersey tells a story about an elderly inner city woman who taught him that the world he saw outside of himself reflected his inner being.  If your inside reality is sinful and out of sync with God’s principles then that is what you will see around you.  But if your inside person is aligned with God’s love, faith, and grace; you will see a world full of opportunity and promise.  There is good reason to make sure that our inside person is truly that wonderful, faithful, and loving person we aspire to be.  God can help us get there if we are willing to stop pretending and start changing from the inside out!  Just a little advice to go! 


Sunday, April 21, 2013

Power and Presence

Power and presence are two keep factors in our service to God that we cannot forget.   As we encounter daily challenges we need remember the power and presence of God that dwells within us as believers. God's presence is with us for a reason, to assist in our daily walk through life.   It is a presence that can guide and direct our every step if we are sensitive to the Holy Spirit.  God's power can help fulfill the purpose He has for our lives.  If we are in His will, then we are not abandoned to the enemy's attacks but fortified by His power and authority.  We must learn to acknowledge God's continued presence in our lives and His willingness to address every aspect of our lives if we are humble enough to step out of the way and submit to His will.  We must move pride out of the way and learn to attribute the credit for our victories to God the Father.  

When we allow God's presence to prevail then we allow his power to be activated in us and can then achieve that which seems unattainable.  Suddenly the ideas come, the time needed to accomplish the goal is plentiful, the ability to multitask becomes second nature, the sense of panic and I can't do it yields to the feeling that no one can stop you, and everything falls in place.   Even when conflict occurs, you find yourself at peace because God's presence and power are in sync with His purpose for your life.    All you and I have to do is get out of His way and humbly yield to His power and presence!  Just a little advice to go!  

Thursday, March 14, 2013

Unconditional!

Not everything we see and come to believe is always true.  In the movie Unconditional, this becomes blazingly clear at the end when a broken hearted wife encounters the truth about her husbands murder.  She realizes then that even in his death, he stayed faithful to his belief in humanity.  While the movie is not overtly religious, it provides a framework by which one comes to understand how God's love can transform lives and help the lost escape from the abyss of hopelessness into the eternal promises of God's love.  It is a movie that captures your mind, heart, and soul!  Please take the time to watch it, over and over again!  Just a little advice to go!  A2G-Dave Hernandez