'Elijah was afraid and fled for his life...' 1 Kings 19:3 NLT
The Bible says, 'Jezebel...sent this message to Elijah: "You killed my prophets, and now...I am going to kill you"...So Elijah fled for his life.' (1 Kings 19:1-3 TLB) Often the voice of fear comes after you've had a mountain-top experience. Elijah had just called down fire from Heaven on Mount Carmel. Then Jezebel spoke. She didn't use chariots and soldiers; she didn't need to. Her words intimidated him, depressed him and drove him into hiding. Look out! If you listen to the voice of fear you'll be afraid of the next telephone call, the next medical prognosis or the next stock market report. Who are you listening to? Who are you going to believe, God or men? Neither the wind nor the fire nor the earthquake could bring Elijah out of his cave, only the still, small voice of God could (1 Kings 19:11-13). Our fears are often the result of two things: imagination and misunderstanding. Fear causes us to think the worst instead of believing God for the best (2 Corinthians 10:5). '...fear brings with it the thought of punishment...' (1 John 4:18 AMP) When something goes wrong we wonder, 'Is God punishing me for something I've done?' No, fear and faith are present with us every day; the one you choose will rule your life. So when you come up against a fear-producing situation, do these three things: pray for God's wisdom and protection; He promises both; admit your inner struggle-you're not unique, we all battle fear; stand on His Word, for He says, '...I will never leave you nor forsake you.' (Hebrews 13:5 NKJV)
'...Revive us, and we will call upon Your name.' Psalm 80:18 NKJV
AW Tozer gives us four more steps to personal revival that we must take: '(1) Bring your life into accord with such Scriptures as are designed to instruct us in the way of righteousness. An honest man with an open Bible, a pad and a pencil, is sure to find out what is wrong with him very quickly. I recommend that self-examination be made on your knees, rising to obey God's commandments as they are revealed to us. (2) Be serious-minded. You can well afford to see fewer shows on TV. Unless you can break away... every spiritual impression will continue to be lost to your heart. The...world used to go to the movies to escape serious thinking about God. You would not join them there, but you now enjoy spiritual communion with them in your own home. The devil's ideals, moral standards and mental attitudes are being accepted by you without your knowledge. (3) Deliberately narrow your interests. Too many projects use up time and energy without bringing us nearer to God. (4) Have faith in God. Begin to expect. Look up toward the throne where your Advocate sits at the right hand of God. All of Heaven is on your side. God will not disappoint you.' The Psalmist writes, 'Restore us...and we shall be saved!' (Psalm 80:19 NKJV) You say, 'Saved from what?' From ourselves! Saved from the influences that pull us away from God and towards this world. Saved to fulfill the purposes for which we have been redeemed and called into His Kingdom. If you desire it, you can have a personal revival.
'...Revive us, and we will call upon Your name.' Psalm 80:18 NKJV
The Psalmist prayed, 'Revive us, and we will call upon Your name.' Almost a century ago, AW Tozer laid out the steps that lead to personal revival. Some of the language may be outdated, but the principles still work today. First, get thoroughly dissatisfied with yourself. Complacency is the enemy of spiritual progress. A complacent soul is a stagnant soul. Secondly, set your face like a flint towards a sweeping transformation of your life. Timid experimenters are tagged for failure before they start. We must throw our whole soul into our desire for God. Thirdly, put yourself in the way of blessing. It's a mistake to expect God's help to come as a windfall apart from conditions known and met. There are plainly marked paths which lead straight to the green pastures; let us walk in them. To desire revival, for instance, and at the same time neglect prayer and devotions, is to wish one way and walk another. Fourthly, do a thorough job of repenting. Do not hurry to get it over with. Hasty repentance means shallow spiritual experience and lack of certainty in the whole life. Let godly sorrow do its healing work. Until we allow the consciousness of sin to wound us, we will never develop a fear of evil. Finally, make restitution wherever possible. If you owe a debt, pay it, or at least have a frank understanding with your creditor about your intention to pay, so your honesty will be above question. If you have quarreled with anyone, go as far as you can in an effort to achieve reconciliation.
'...Be quick to listen, slow to speak...' James 1:19 NLT
Want to become a good leader? Become a good listener! Here are two stories of what happens when we don't take time to listen. The first is from a young woman hurt by a manager who constantly cut her off: 'We expected he would wait and give us answers to serious questions about our work. Many times he walked off when we were in mid-sentence, having heard nothing.' The next is from a church youth director who was fired: 'After serving the Lord there for two years, I was called into an elders' meeting. They took out a list of all the things I'd done wrong in the past two years. Most of what they said was true, for I was brand new in this work. Then they called for my resignation. What did I learn? (a) not once did anyone care enough to coach or shepherd me (b) I'd no idea or warning that I was doing anything wrong (c) the church leaders never built a relationship with their staff.' Why is it so hard for some leaders to listen? Because leaders love to talk, and as they gain more authority there is the danger to think they have less reason to listen. Leaders by their very nature tend to be removed from the frontlines of battle. To win, they must constantly listen to those who are in the trenches and rely on that information to make wise decisions. Before Ezekiel was qualified to prophesy or lead God's people, he wrote: '...I sat among them for seven days-overwhelmed. At the end of seven days the Word of the Lord came to me.' (Ezekiel 3:15-16 NIV) All of us are leaders in some capacity so who do you need to listen to today?
'Seek the Kingdom of God above all else...' Matthew 6:33 NLT
As you read the following nine qualities, ask yourself, 'Are these things evident in my life today? Am I developing these fruits so that I may be entrusted with greater responsibility for the advancement of God's Kingdom?' (1) merciful and grace-giving. 'God blesses those who are merciful...' 'Stop judging others, and you will not be judged.' (Matthew 5:7; 7:1 NLT) (2) reconciliatory. 'If...a friend has something against you...go and apologize and be reconciled to him...' (Matthew 5:23-24 TLB) (3) teachable. 'Anyone who listens to My teaching and obeys Me is wise...' (Matthew 7:24 NLT) (4) courageous. 'Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves...don't be afraid...' (Matthew 10:16;26 NLT) (5) submitted. 'Anyone who does the will of My Father in Heaven is My brother and sister and mother!' (Matthew 12:50 NLT) (6) surrendered. 'If any of you wants to be My follower, you must put aside your selfish ambition, shoulder your cross, and follow Me.' (Matthew 16:24 NLT) (7) repentant. '...unless you turn from your sins and become as little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven.' (Matthew 18:3 NLT) (8) humble. 'But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.' (Matthew 23:12 NLT) (9) servant-minded. 'But among you it should be quite different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant.' (Matthew 20:26 NLT) If you're willing to make Jesus Lord of your life, make His Word the last word on all issues, and seek the fullness of His Spirit-you can live this lifestyle too!
'Seek the Kingdom of God above all else...' Matthew 6:33 NLT
What does it mean to put God's Kingdom first in your life? It means 12 things. Read them carefully then ask, 'How do I measure up?' (1) obedience to God. '...anyone who obeys God's laws and teaches them will be great in the Kingdom of Heaven.' (Matthew 5:19 NLT) (2) love. '...love your enemies!...If you love only those who love you, what good is that?' (Matthew 5:44,46 NLT) (3) justice. 'God blesses those who are hungry and thirsty for justice...' (Matthew 5:6 NLT) (4) peace. 'God blesses those who work for peace...' (Matthew 5:9 NLT) (5) holy living. '...let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.' (Matthew 5:16 NLT) (6) integrity. 'Just say a simple, "Yes, I will" or "No, I won't"...' (Matthew 5:37 NLT) (7) generosity. When you give a gift to someone in need, 'Give...in secret, and your Father, who knows all secrets, will reward you.' (Matthew 6:2,4 NLT) (8) spiritual wholeness. '...Is anything worth more than your soul?' (Matthew 16:26 NLT) (9) Biblical knowledge. 'Your problem is that you don't know the Scriptures...' (Matthew 22:29 NLT) (10) Faith in God. '...if you had faith as small as a mustard seed...Nothing would be impossible.' '...But with God everything is possible.' (Matthew 17:20; 19:26 NLT) (11) blessing people. Jesus not only taught this, but His constant healing of, training, and serving others demonstrated how to do it (12) disciple-making. 'Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations...' (Matthew 28:19 NLT) According to Jesus that's the only agenda worth living for-and if necessary, dying for!
'...we loved you so much...' 1 Thessalonians 2:8 NIV
Hard work. 'Surely you remember...we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone.' (vs 9) If the church had been an army, Paul would have been a commanding general. He could easily have given orders to be provided for to whatever extent he chose, and been obeyed. But he didn't do that. What he did was work hard, beyond the requirements of his ministry, to alleviate the financial burden others would have had on his behalf. Dad, your kids need to see you do the same, because: (1) By seeing you work hard it elevates the importance of work and helps them discover dignity in it. 'Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth.' (Proverbs 10:4 NIV) (2) By allowing them to share work with you around the home, you prepare them for success on the job by imparting to them much-needed work principles and skills. 'Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve before kings; he will not serve before obscure men.' (Proverbs 22:29 NIV) You'll be preparing them to be recognized for excellence and promoted because of their outstanding work ethic and skills. In a time of economic trouble when only the strong survive the competition, prepare your children to be the best they can be. The attitudes and abilities you nurture in them will benefit them all their lives.
'...we loved you so much...' 1 Thessalonians 2:8 NIV
Share your life with them. 'We were delighted to share with you...our lives.' How can your daughter learn healthy relations with men, or your son develop a healthy male identity, unless you share your life with them? Today's mother-led family is largely the creation of the absentee father. Dad, you share your life with your kids by: (1) Sharing your values. They need to know what's important to you and where your priorities lie, what you stand for and truly believe. (2) Sharing how they can live by Biblical principles. Life will throw obstacles in their pathway, confusing them. They need to know God's ways and God's Word when making tough, crucial decisions. (3) Sharing moments of laughter and fun. When you come home do your kids scatter or gather around you? Are you fun to be with? Teach them that Christianity is something to be enjoyed, not endured. They say: 'The family that prays together stays together.' So does the family that plays together! (4) Sharing with them the finer interests of life. Criticizing their interests only strengthens their commitment to them. Instead of condemning their music, dress, TV shows and internet use, introduce them to better alternatives. (5) Telling them how valuable they are to you. Don't assume they know. Researchers say that most kids, particularly boys, feel like nuisances to their dads. 'We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you...our lives...you had become so dear to us.' Tell them again and again!
'...we loved you so much...' 1 Thessalonians 2:8 NIV
Becoming a great dad calls for a man having a close relationship with his heavenly Father. Applying the principles Paul used when fathering his spiritual children can equip you to become a great dad. Speaking to his 'children', Paul demonstrates the warmth of a mother and the muscle of a father (see 1 Thessalonians 2:7-11). For the next few days, let's observe some of Paul's fathering principles: Making them feel loved. 'We loved you so much.' Paul chose a seldom-used Greek word for love, not the usual word for unconditional love or brotherly affection. The word he used meant a strong, warm, spontaneous magnetism-an endearing term used normally with a very young child. Why would Paul speak this way to adults? Because the need to be loved is one we never outgrow! He wanted them to feel loved. The Bible says: '...the greatest of these is love.' (1 Corinthians 13:13 NKJV) Dad, more than anything else, that is what your children need from you and it doesn't have a thing to do with their age; they need it as much in adulthood as they did in childhood. Your adolescent will probably cringe if you're affectionate with them around their peers, but deep inside they'll appreciate it. And it has nothing to do with their gender. Both sexes need to feel loved. Your teenage daughter is likely to return your hugs and words, while your teenage son will probably roll his eyes and grunt inarticulately. Love them anyhow, until they're old enough to tell you how good it felt! That will not only change them but you too...
'...I have finished my course...' 2 Timothy 4:7 KJV
The course God sets before us is seldom easy. Running it takes commitment. James MacDonald says, 'I've lived long enough to know men and women whose lives were sold out to God a few years ago, but who've since walked off the track...gone AWOL...lost their longing for God. Fear of following in their footsteps haunts me...and it should you, too... The faithfulness of my walk with God depends on my willingness to stay in a relationship with Him. I never want to lose the grip His greatness has on my life and the privilege it is to...serve Him till the day I'm welcomed into His presence. That passion compels me. It keeps me honest and humble... the last thing I want to do is crawl across the finish line a defeated, derailed Christian, or worse-give up the race before my life's over. I want to break that tape with arms high, my face to the sun.' Paul said, '...I have finished my course... Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown...' (2 Timothy 4:7-8 KJV) Notice, courage plus endurance plus faithfulness equals reward. Photographer Jacob Riis said, 'When nothing seems to help, I go look at a stonecutter hammering away at his rock, perhaps 100 times without as much as a crack showing in it. Yet at the 101st blow it will split in two, and I know it wasn't the last blow that did it, but all the blows that have gone before.' God's Word is '...a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces...' (Jeremiah 23:29 NKJV) So, '[hold] fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ [you'll] have reason to glory because [you] did not run in vain...' (Philippians 2:16 NAS)
'...be transformed by the renewing of your mind...' Romans 12:2 NKJV
Are you wrestling with a personal problem, thinking, 'If I can just overcome this I'll be all right?' Well, there's good news and bad news. The good news is that by God's grace you can overcome it. The bad news is that when you've overcome this particular problem, another one is waiting to take its place. You're always going to be working on something. Spiritual growth is a work-in-progress. And it doesn't come through human effort, self-condemnation or the white-knuckling works of the flesh. It comes as a result of spending time in prayer and having your mind renewed daily by His Word. As you agree with God, believing what He says is true, change automatically happens. You start to think differently, talk differently, and act differently. Be patient with yourself; it's a process that develops in stages. Would you think there was something wrong with your child because they couldn't walk perfectly on the first few tries? No, you're delighted each time they take a step. When they fall, you pick them up. When they mess up, you clean them up and encourage them to try again. You never stop working with them! And God does the same with us. He's not angry because you haven't 'arrived', He's pleased that you're pressing on, endeavoring to stay on the path. It's God's job to '...cause [you to] be...governed by the Holy Spirit...' (2 Corinthians 3:8 AMP) If you could do it by yourself you wouldn't need Him. So instead of driving yourself harder and harder, start leaning on God more and more and you'll '...go from strength to strength...' (Psalm 84:7 NIV)
'Isaac...loved Esau, but Rebekah loved Jacob.' Genesis 25:28 NIV
Parental rejection drives children to two extremes: namely, rebellion and compliance. Children rebel out of their need for acceptance. Esau understood the principle of parentally-approved marriage. But he expressed his resentment against a scheming mother who failed to love him and helped cheat him out of his inheritance, and against an unloving father, by rebelling against the laws of God and family, and marrying unapproved women (Genesis 26:34). Perhaps Esau felt some perverse satisfaction when his mother was '...disgusted with living because of [Esau's] Hittite women...' (Genesis 27:46 NIV) When our kids drop out of school, run away, get pregnant, abandon church, take drugs, consume alcohol, engage in illicit sex and marry disastrously, in many cases it's saying, 'I'll show you!' Turning to compliance, Esau's rebellion didn't win Mom's love, so he tried the opposite technique with Dad, hoping that doing it Dad's way might make him loved. Recognizing Dad's approval of Jacob's marital choice, 'Esau...realized how displeasing the Canaanite women were to his father Isaac...and married Mahalath', Abraham's granddaughter, but, alas, also Ishmael's daughter. (Genesis 28:8-9 NIV) A child at any age will do anything, however irrational or self-destructive, to earn and keep the love of parents! Did it work? No! Nothing he did could make his dad love him. The real problem was a self-centered parent who loved when it benefitted him! Certainly, Jacob and Esau were adults, responsible for their own choices. But parents are like potters, with the power to mould their child's character, conduct, convictions and course of life. Parents, nothing matters more to your children in life than your unconditional love for them!
'Isaac...loved Esau, but Rebekah loved Jacob.' Genesis 25:28 NIV
Isaac's favouritism triggered rivalry between his two sons. Now some rivalry is normal and healthy and is usually outgrown, but not in Esau's and Jacob's case. Time only turned their rivalry into hatred. It's tempting to blame Esau's explosive anger, but his brother Jacob was no innocent victim. Catching Esau at a moment of extreme hunger, Jacob tricked him into trading his inheritance for a bowl of stew. Later, pretending to be his brother, Jacob stole Esau's prophetic blessing from under their ageing father's nose. Where does this kind of toxic rivalry originate? Is it about good kids versus bad kids? Not likely! 'Isaac loved Esau.' Esau got his father's love, leaving Jacob resentful over getting what he, Jacob, wanted but was denied. Jacob couldn't get the love he craved from his father so he grabbed what he could: the birthright and the blessing. When children are denied our love they become self-destructive, pursuing whatever love-substitutes they can get from us or other sources. Jacob wasn't born a 'bad boy'. The failure of Isaac's love and his favouritism towards Esau left Jacob feeling rejected, hating the brother he perceived to be his problem. And Esau didn't start out a 'bad boy' either. His mother Rebekah favoured Jacob and helped concoct his 'stolen blessing scam'. Jacob wasn't loved by his father; Esau wasn't loved by his mother. Their parents weren't on the same page. Their favouritism led to one son becoming a fugitive and another programmed for a life of failure. Parents, consider carefully your power to shape your child's life!
Good Morning,
Amy and I ask for your prayers as we go see the social worker that oversees my mom tomorrow in Newport, doctors appt. on Wednesday, and our safe journey during the process. Just a reminder that there will be no Tuesday fuel group as well. Have a great week in Christ!
'...we were bold in our God...' 1 Thessalonians 2:2 NKJV
If you want to be led by God you must learn to be bold; not rude or insensitive, but bold, because God will sometimes direct you to do things others don't understand or agree with. Any time you step outside the boundaries of what others think is acceptable, you risk rejection. So be it! You can't allow that to keep you from doing what you know God wants you to do. Confronting criticism becomes a little easier when you remember that, ultimately, '...each of us shall give account of himself to God.' (Romans 14:12 NKJV) It hurts to be criticized. But if you're to succeed in life, you must have the attitude Paul had. Ben Campbell Johnson paraphrases Paul's words in 1 Corinthians 4:3-4: 'I am not the least concerned with the fact that you are deciding what is right and what is wrong with me... Neither you nor anyone else can put me down unless I first put myself down (and I'm not doing that)... Though I don't know of anything against me, my ignorance doesn't mean that I am correct in my appraisal, because the final evaluation is in God's hands.' Secure people can handle being the only ones doing something. They can also allow others the same choice because they know we have been called to love one another, not analyze and categorize one another! To avoid growing old and feeling like somewhere along the way you got lost and never succeeded at being what God called you to be, you must be bold.
'...be of one mind, united in thought and purpose...' 1 Corinthians 1:10 NLT
Here are two things you must do in order to mend a broken relationship. First, attack the problem, not the person. You can't fix the problem if you're obsessed with fixing the blame. The Bible says, 'A gentle answer quiets anger, but a harsh one stirs it up.' (Proverbs 15:1 GNT) In resolving any conflict, how you say it is as important as what you say. If you say it offensively, you'll be received defensively. 'A wise, mature person is known for his understanding. The more pleasant his words, the more persuasive he is.' (Proverbs 16:21 GNT) Nagging doesn't work. You're never persuasive when you're abrasive! Don't use words that are condemning, belittling, comparing, labeling, insulting, condescending or sarcastic; rather, 'Use...only helpful words...so that what you say will do good to those who hear you.' (Ephesians 4:29 GNT) Secondly, focus on your relationship, not your differences. It's unrealistic to expect everybody to agree about everything. But when we focus on the relationship, the problem often loses its significance, diminishes or becomes irrelevant. Often we can re-establish the relationship even though we're unable to resolve our differences. We'll always have honest disagreements, but surely, by God's grace, we can disagree without being disagreeable. We can walk arm-in-arm without seeing eye-to-eye. This doesn't mean giving up on finding a solution. You may need to continue discussing it-but now you agree to do it in the spirit of love. Reconciliation means burying the hatchet, not necessarily the issue. So who do you need to contact? With whom do you need to restore fellowship? Pick up the phone and begin the process.
'...be of one mind, united in thought and purpose...' 1 Corinthians 1:10 NLT
Getting along with each other requires more than compliance, it calls for cooperation. So make sure you validate the other person's feelings! Never try to talk someone out of how they 'feel'. Listen without being defensive, and nod that you understand-even when you don't agree. Feelings aren't always true or logical, but until they're validated you won't get anywhere. David said, 'When my...feelings were hurt, I was...stupid.' (Psalm 73:21-22 GNT) We all act badly when we're hurt. But Solomon says, 'A man's wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offence.' (Proverbs 19:11 NIV) When you are willing to empathize with someone's feelings it says, 'I care about our relationship more than our differences; you matter to me.' Yes, it's a sacrifice to patiently absorb somebody's anger, especially when it's unfounded. But remember, that's what Jesus does for you! Getting along with each other means that you must confess your part. Jesus said, '...First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend's eye.' (Matthew 7:5 NLT) Since we all have blind spots, get a friend to help you evaluate your attitudes and actions before meeting with the other person. Ask God, 'Am I part of the problem? Am I unrealistic, insensitive or too sensitive?' Confession is a powerful tool! When you can admit your own flaws, it defuses the other person's anger because they're expecting you to be defensive. Don't make excuses or shift blame, just acknowledge your part. You say, 'That's hard to do.' Yes, but God '...has given us this ministry of restoring relationships.' (2 Corinthians 5:18 GWT)
