What Wondrous Love

Calvary Faith Walk Great events @a Great Place...

Just a reminder to our CFW family that we have some exciting events planned for Passion Week.

3.29 Good Friday Worship & Communion Service 7pm @CFW

3.30 Men's Connection Breakfast 8am @CFW 

3.31 Community Sunrise Service 7am @Flattop Park  

3.31 Continental Breakfast 9am @CFW (Bring finger foods to share)

3.31 Easter Service 10am @CFW 

I hope you will make this week a spiritual priority for family and take part in these events...and bring a friend!

 

 

 

'...My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?' Matthew 27:46 NKJV

It's Good Friday! Imagine with me having to stand on a stage and watch every sin you've ever committed replayed for the entire world to see - your secret addictions, your selfish motives, your angry outbursts, your critical attitudes and your jealous heart. How do you think you'd feel? Well, Jesus experienced much worse. The Bible says: 'He...bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness - by whose stripes you were healed.' (1 Peter 2:24 NKJV) It's bad enough to die for sins you didn't commit, but imagine being forsaken by God! It's the same word Paul used when he wrote: 'Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world...' (2 Timothy 4:10 NKJV) Paul looked for Demas and couldn't find him. And on the cross, Jesus looked for His Father and couldn't find Him either. Does that mean the Psalmist was wrong when he wrote in Psalm 37:25 NIV: '...I have never seen the righteous forsaken...'? No, because at that moment Jesus was anything but righteous. When you look at Him hanging there you will see the gossiper, the liar, the cheater, the alcoholic, the porn addict, the child abuser, the murderer. Does it bother you to see His name linked with theirs? Well, Jesus did even more. He put Himself in their place - and yours. In a move that broke God's heart and gave us the gift of eternal life, He poured out His righteous judgment on His only Son. So when Jesus cried from the cross, 'My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?' He said it so that you would never have to. What wondrous love we get! You are loved...

Be Real

     
'...Beware of...hypocrisy.' Luke 12:1 NKJV

As I was reading through like 12 today, the word 'hypocrisy' stood out to me because it affects the Christian culture as whole. Jesus was laying out a new way for the disciples to live, yet he kept bumping into those who said one thing and did another. The word 'Hypocrisy' can be translated as 'hype'. And hype, no matter how religious it is, is only a charade. Jesus denounced it. Speaking about the religious leaders of His day, He said: '...Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known. Therefore whatever you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have spoken in the ear in inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops.' (Luke 12:1-3 NKJV) Why was Jesus so hard on hypocrites? Because hypocrisy accuses in others what it excuses in us, says one thing but does another, puts popularity above principle, loves admiration but cuts corners when it comes to integrity. Take Peter, for example. He preached that all people are equal in Christ, but he practiced it selectively. And Paul confronted him on it. 'When Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was clearly in the wrong. Before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group. The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray. When I saw that they were not acting in line with the truth...I [spoke] to Peter in front of them all...' (Galatians 2:11-14 NIV) God understands your weaknesses and He will work with you on them, but He won't put up with your hypocrisy. So be real! Stand strong and live the truth...you are loved.

Let Go!

'...We will find grace to help us when we need it most.' Hebrews 4:16 NLT

The Bible says, 'Let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive His mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.' Most of us grew up being told, 'If you want something you'll have to work for it.' But a strong work ethic can skew our thinking when it comes to receiving what God wants to freely give us. This idea of something free was a hard one for me to grasp. I worked hard all my life and to get something free when most free things have strings attached; it was a new learning curve for me. But with God its different. God is always pouring out His blessing, and as empty, thirsty vessels we must learn to open our hearts to what He offers. To 'get' implies to obtain by our own effort. To 'receive' implies to accept what's being freely and graciously offered. Jesus came to deliver us from struggling, not invite us into a new way of struggling under the banner of Christianity. We need to realize that all of God's blessings are given because of grace, and received by faith. I love what Joyce Meyer writes: 'I was always trying to "do" something, and leaving God out of the loop. I tried to change myself, my husband and children, tried to get healed...even make my ministry grow... But God will never permit us to succeed without Him. If He did, we would take all the credit. Finally I learned to pray for what I needed and allowed God to provide it His way, in His timing. When I did, I entered into His rest.' To get to this point in your spiritual walk you must realize your importance to God, and then learn to count on His grace. The truth is; He is more than willing to help you if you'll only let go of your independent attitude. Be Blessed today, you are loved... 

Bumps

      

'These trials will show that your faith is genuine...' 1 Peter 1:7 NLT

Part of my message yesterday was on being a overcomer in life. We read scripture and understand it, but its oh so hard to live it out sometimes. Living out our faith when the bumps hit is the biggest test on the road to walking the victorious life. Sometimes we look around to gauge how other people's faith is compared to ours. It is impossible to tell by looking at a person how much faith they have. Compare your faith to a covered bucket of water; you only discover how much is inside when somebody bumps it. Likewise, when life bumps you, you spill out what you are full of. Maybe you took a financial hit in the last few years: bump! What spilled out, fear or faith? Maybe you, or a loved one, received bad news from the doctor and you're going for tests: bump! What splashed over the side? Dreading the worst or trusting God for the best? People can't tell by looking at you how much faith you have, but they can tell by listening to you. In life, bumps are going to happen. You will be tested. And the purpose of the test is not just to reveal your faith, but to refine it. God doesn't test your faith in order to know how much you have, He already knows. No, He tests your faith so that you can know - and start strengthening it. Stop and consider the hardest thing that's going on in your life right now, then ask yourself, 'Is this situation decreasing my faith or increasing it?' The Bible says: 'These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold - though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.' (1 Peter 1:7 NLT) You are loved!

Winning Your Personal War With Satan (5)

     

'...Wash your hands, you sinners...' James 4:8 NIV

Today I will finish with our thoughts on spiritual warfare. James 4:8 says,'Wash your hands, you sinners.' The moment you 'come near to God,' you become aware of your condition. Notice, God doesn't demand you wash your hands before He will respond to you! All your attempts at self-improvement won't work. Why? Because His grace is the only basis on which He can relate to you (Ephesians 2:89). God points to your defeat zones not to condemn you, but to cleanse you. He knows that dirty hands enable Satan to accuse you before Him so He tells you to wash your hands, 'and do not give the devil a foothold.' (Ephesians 4:27 NIV) Once you've confessed your sins and been cleansed, you can look Satan in the eye and say, 'No ground; not even an inch!' James continues, '...Purify your hearts, you doubleminded.' (James 4:8 NIV) Your heart is like a hard drive; it's where you store things. 'It is with your heart that you believe...' (Romans 10:10 NIV) Your heart generates and stores your beliefs, constructive and destructive. Once you form a belief you begin to live it out good or bad. If you allow double mindedness in- you begin to do things you know that's wrong, yet think you can get away with it. How can you overcome the enemy with a heart full of wrong beliefs and a double mind? It isn't by turning over a new leaf'? It's by coming before God and saying, 'Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a steadfast spirit within me.' (Psalm 51:10 NKJV) When you pray that way, God will cleanse you, clothe you with power, and cause you to walk in victory. You are loved!

Winning Your Personal War With Satan (4)

    

'Come near to God and He will come near to you...' James 4:8 NIV

Resisting the devil is imperative, but it is not the endgame. Think about this for a moment because it's really pretty simple: 'Come near to God and He will come near to you.' Satan's goal is to drive a wedge between you and God, so how do you keep him from doing it? By closing the gap between you and God! There are three things that make or break us in our daily battles walking this journey of faith:  (1) We Distance ourselves from God unconsciously... You become preoccupied, self-centered, or overcommitted. Before you know it, prayer is limited to grace said over meals, Bible reading to the pastor's sermon text, and worship to a Sunday morning interlude.  The writer of Hebrews says '...Pay more careful attention, therefore, to what [you] have heard, so that [you] do not drift away.' (Hebrews 2:1 NIV) Distancing is a subtle drift, not a sudden dash. (2) Distancing from God is dangerous... Satan's goal is to separate you from God and His blessing. Like a soldier in enemy territory who's cut off, you become an easy target. The Bible says, 'If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.' (Ecclesiastes 4:10 NLT) (3) Distancing from God is a choice... But it's your choice, never God's! He says, '...I will never leave you, nor forsake you.' (Hebrews 13:5 NKJV) Whatever your circumstances, He remains faithful. 'When you pass through the waters...the fire...I am with you...' (Isaiah 43:2-5 NIV) What's God's part? 'He will come near to you.' Take one step in His direction and He will close the gap, embrace, secure, and enable you '...to stand against the wiles of the devil.' (Ephesians 6:11 NKJV) So put on the whole armor of God! You are loved... 

Winning Your Personal War With Satan (3)

'...Resist the devil...he will flee from you.' James 4:7 KJV

Just a reminder to our parents of teenagers, that tonight is Youth Group here @CFW. I hope you'll make spiritual discipleship a priority in your children's lives...starts @6:45 @CFW...Also Men's Conference (May 17-18) early Registration deadline is this Sunday; $57 early bird special.

Yesterday we looked at applying self-control to our daily lives. That seems funny to put it that way but once you become self-controlled, alert, and submitted to God, your next step must be to: 'Resist the devil...he will flee from you' When you are properly aligned with Jesus, His power and authority are behind you and at your disposal. Then when you act or speak you do so, not on your own, but as His representative. Think about it this way; when a police officer orders you to stop because you're driving too fast, the entire force of the law comes into operation. If you refuse to stop you are taking on the whole police force, the court, bringing down the full weight of their combined authority on your head. Some of you understand this totally because you've put this to the test. Others have never had the full authority of the law on them and so its harder to understand. In some ways it's also harder to understand in the spiritual realm. Think about this for a moment; as long as that policeman is aligned with and submitted to those who are over him when he speaks and acts - they speak and act through him. Are you getting the idea? In God's Kingdom the submitted life represents the King. So when you speak and act according to God's will, He speaks and acts through you. Even Satan cannot break this chain of command! Nor can he withstand it. 'Behold, I give you the authority...over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.' (Luke 10:19 NKJV) When you are submitted to God you can resist the devil as Jesus did when He said, 'Away from Me, Satan! For it is written: "Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only." Then the devil left Him.' (Matthew 4:1011 NIV) And when you speak those same words to the devil, '...he will flee from you.' (James 4:7 KJV) You are loved... 

Winning Your Personal War With Satan (2)

        
'Submit yourselves therefore to God...' James 4:7 KJV

One of the hardest things in life is bringing your mind under God's control. As a young believer I would constantly be in this fight; sometimes I'd win and other times I'd lose. Eventually I began to understand that being 'self-controlled and alert' to Satan's strategies empowers you to be proactive in your personal war with him (1 Peter 5:8 NIV). Listen because this next step is crucial. The art of war follows set rules of engagement. If you're losing more than winning, then you may have omitted this vital rule: 'Submit yourselves therefore to God.' Salvation doesn't enroll you in a club for the religious elite; it enlists you in the army of the Lord. And this war isn't just about you - it's also about your King, His rulership and authority, and who acknowledges it. Kingdom power is only given by the King to His subjects. To win this battle you must recognise your King and submit to Him. The Roman centurion who met Christ and asked for his help understood this. 'I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, "Go," and he goes; and that one, "Come,"' and he comes...' (Luke 7:8 NIV) He recognised that he, like Jesus, got his power by submitting to authority. Submitting yourself to Jesus is what gives you the power to battle Satan successfully. Don't hurl yourself into the battle. Instead, recognise Christ's authority and submit to it because it's the submitted life that overcomes. At the point of your temptation, seize the moment and surrender yourself to Jesus, the King of kings, who said, '...All authority has been given to Me in Heaven and on earth.' (Matthew 28:18 NKJV) Under His authority you discover that victory over Satan comes, '..."Not by [human] might nor by [human] power, but by My Spirit," says the Lord of hosts.' (Zechariah 4:6 NKJV) You are loved!

Winning Your Personal War With Satan (1)

     

'Be selfcontrolled and alert...' 1 Peter 5:8 NIV

I was thinking this morning as I was preparing my thought today that if we are to win the battle of renewing our minds as I shared yesterday; we also have to win the war with Satan. How do win the daily battles so we can be on track with God? Think about when nations decide to end a conflict, their leaders sign treaties that allow for the restoration of peaceful relations between them. Christ's death and resurrection defeated Satan fairly and squarely. Then Christ the victor '...ascended up on high, [and] He led captivity captive...' (Ephesians 4:8 KJV) He was welcomed back in Heaven as conqueror. But here on earth, no treaty was ever signed between Satan and God's people. You are still his target. He continues to be a thief who comes to '...steal, kill and destroy...' (John 10:10 TLB) He still '...prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.' (1 Peter 5:8 NIV) But Christ's victory on the cross has positioned you to walk in daily triumph over Satan. However, winning your personal war with the Accuser isn't a matter of brains or brawn; it's a spiritual battle and you can only win it by employing God's strategies for victory. Kind of like the formula I was sharing in Romans 12:1-2 "Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God--this is your true and proper worship. 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." For the next few days let's look at some ways to renew yourself: 'Be self-controlled and alert...' (1 Peter 5:8 NIV) Being 'self-controlled' implies staying in charge of your emotions, thoughts, words, decisions and actions. It requires taking responsibility for your own life; not allowing people, circumstances or the devil to take the steering wheel from your hands and usurp your Power of Attorney to gain control. Being 'alert' means being conscious of your weaknesses and Satan's corresponding ploys. You can't afford to coast, run on autopilot, or go with the flow. Being alert exposes Satan's well laid strategies, enabling you to stop him dead in his tracks. You are loved...
  
 

Lazarus

     

'...If you would believe you would see the glory of God.' John 11:40 NKJV

Just a reminder that Missionary Allan Johnson is going to be with us this Sunday sharing his recent research on the book of Daniel and the prophesies that are tied to the stars and planets. I hope you make it a priority to come hear him share his work...

Can you imagine what the glory of God is going to be like? Jesus says in John 11:40 '...If you would believe you would see the glory of God.' Having a belief system in place that believes God for the impossible is for every believer. In the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead, you'll notice three important principles: (1) Mary and Martha had a close relationship with Jesus before the crisis arose. When Jesus came to town, He stayed at their home and ate at their table. They were givers, not takers. You can't refuse to give God a minute of your time, an ounce of your energy or a cent of your money, then when trouble comes, say, 'Lord, why did You let this happen?' Jesus said, 'If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.' (John 15:7 NKJV) (2) Having a relationship with Jesus doesn't mean you won't have trouble But it does mean that you can go to Him with confidence in times of trouble. Yes, you must pay attention to your career and your family, but you must also pay attention to the most important relationship of all - the one you have with the Lord. '...If our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from Him anything we ask, because we obey His commands and do what pleases Him.' (1 John 3:2122 NIV) (3) When you bring Jesus into the situation, He will change it Lazarus was already dead and buried by the time Jesus got there. Humanly speaking, it was hopeless. But in moments like these God asks you, '...Is there anything too hard for Me?' (Jeremiah 32:27 NKJV) If your answer is 'No, Lord,' then your problem becomes an opportunity for Him to demonstrate His love and care for you. Will you put your trust in Him and Believe! You are loved...

Always Tell the Truth

     
'You desire truth in the inward parts...' Psalm 51:6 NKJV

I love this picture of our little dog Shaggy because it says really? Our boys went into our little pool one day and they decided that Shaggy would love to swim. Truth be told little Shaggy really didn't want to swim and as he was taking his breath he looked up at me and I snapped this shot. It's getting harder and harder to know what the truth is any more. How as a believer can you walk in truth? How can we desire truth in our inward spirits? The Bible says, '...Nor was any deceit in [Christ's] mouth.' (Isaiah 53:9 NIV) Gods desire for us is no have deceit, and if he has His way with us, none will be found in us either. We can't disguise the truth because God already knows us. God doesn't seek to minimise our deception, but to eliminate it altogether. He is blunt about dishonesty. 'No one who is dishonest will live in My house...' (Psalm 101:7 NCV) Paul lists the types of people who will not inherit the Kingdom of God - those who sin sexually, worship idols, get drunk, rob people, and - lie about others (1 Corinthians 6:910). 'You mean my fibbing and flattering stir the same heavenly anger as adultery and aggravated assault?' Apparently so. God views fudging on income tax in the same way as He views kneeling before idols. 'Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, But those who deal truthfully are His delight.' (Proverbs 12:22 NKJV) Why the tough stance? Because dishonesty is absolutely contrary to the character of God (Hebrews 6:18). It's not that God won't lie, or has chosen not to lie, but that He cannot lie. A dog can't fly, and at this point I know little Shaggy wanted to, but God can't lie. When He makes a covenant, He keeps it. When He makes a statement, He means it. When He proclaims the truth, we can believe it. Even, 'if we are not faithful, [God] remains faithful, because He cannot be false to Himself.' (2 Timothy 2:13 GNT) With God, the truth is not a grey area, it's black and white. So if you're serious about walking with Him and pleasing Him, you must commit to 'the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.' By the way, I rescued Shaggy and took him out of his misery, and in a since, he did fly away...lol You are loved!

The Most Important Skill You Can Teach Your Child (4)

  

'... [There is] a time to be silent and a time to speak.' Ecclesiastes 3:7 NAS

   

 

 

The hardest lesson to learn in life is when to speak and not to speak. Solomon was a man who asked for wisdom and God granted it to him. In Ecclesiastes 3:7 NAS Solomon wrote, '... [There is] a time to be silent and a time to speak.' How do we take this vital lesson that was being taught to adults and apply it in our children's lives? Begin by teaching your child to ask: (1) 'Is this the best time to make this decision?' Decisions made in haste are often regretted. 'There is a time to be silent and a time to speak.' Poor decisions are situationally driven, caused by momentary stress, peer pressure, mood swings and temporary emotions like loneliness etc. When the situation changes, our feelings change and our decisions often look doubtful. Can the decision be made later, reducing or eliminating the risk? One of things that my father did was apply a lot of pressure on me and in the end the result was opposite of what he wanted. Think about this for a moment; pressuring children often increases their desperation and leads to premature decisions, but assuring them that time is on their side lowers both their reactivity and the likelihood of future regret. Helping them see that God '...has made everything appropriate in its time...' (Ecclesiastes 3:11 NAS) offers them space to think wisely about their options, allowing for God's guidance. (2) 'If I were advising a friend (John or Susie), would I suggest they take this same option?' Shifting perspective often broadens the perceptions of our options. When emotionally influenced, our children often narrow their perspective, excluding many important possibilities. Often adults as my dad did in my life press logical, rational thinking on kids, meeting resistance. But by bringing 'John' or 'Susie' into the equation we open their perspective up. And one more thought: it's beneficial to 'debrief' with your child, helping them to evaluate the effectiveness of their decisionmaking process. This was a tough one with our own children. When something had happened and they didn't want to talk about it; well you know it's like pulling teeth to get anything out of them. But don't give up. Talk through how they handled the situation. Ask, 'How do you feel about that result?' If they're pleased, compliment them; if not, say, 'I'm sorry about that. Any idea what you'll change next time?' Instead of judging their failure, reward their success. If you do you're leading your children on a awesome journey with God and with you! Your loved...

The Most Important Skill You Can Teach Your Child (3)

 

 '...Your thoughts...are the source of true life.' Proverbs 4:23 CEV  

             


Thanks team for a wonderful day yesterday @CFW. I love when you come prepared to worship and hear the word. I was talking with Dave this morning and we agreed on something very special: the Spirit is ready to move! My prayer is that you are too...I am continuing this morning looking at ways you can help your children in life. As I shared yesterday in my message raising your children to be in personal relationship with Christ means you actually have to lay a path for them to follow. So here are some more spiritual things to Teach your child to ask themselves: (1) 'How will I feel afterwards?' What outlasts our decisions are the subsequent feelings of selfrespect versus shame, and positive selfworth versus negative selfworth. Our actions ultimately become history, but our thoughts about them continue to shape our future. 'Carefully guard your thoughts because they are the source of true life.' Children with selfrespect are much less likely to indulge in promiscuous sex, drugs, drinking, antisocial and illegal behaviors. Selfrespect and selfworth are internal standards which we are loathed to violate. Giving in to selfish choices is like abandoning the moral core of our being - the sacred soul God gave us. (2) 'How will the people I value feel about me after this decision?' The trust and respect of others is always needed to succeed. Reputation trumps money, even in the secular marketplace. 'Choose a good reputation over great riches; being held in high esteem is better than silver or gold.' (Proverbs 22:1 NLT) Poor decisionmaking can earn us a reputation that'll haunt our prospects indefinitely. 'A person who plans (chooses) evil will get a reputation as a troublemaker.' (Proverbs 24:8 NLT) When you get a negative reputation, it's hard to recover from it (Proverbs 25:10). The shortterm benefits of making poor decisions lead to long term losses and regrets. The person God blesses must '...exercise selfcontrol, live wisely, and have a good reputation...' (1 Timothy 3:2 NLT) You are loved!

The Most Important Skill You Can Teach Your Child (2)

 

'...A man reaps what he sows.' Galatians 6:7 NIV   

             


It's said, 'Yard by yard life is hard, inch by inch life's a cinch!' I don't know if you've ever heard that before but in some ways it makes since. As you prepare your children for life, our hope and prayers is that it would go right. In this process of raising and training children something must happen on their part, they must learn to think right. So teach them to ask: (1) 'What are my options in this situation?' But do it with the right attitude. If your face is like thunder when you talk to them, they'll run for cover. Brainstorm with them, writing down every option that's offered. Tell them that no answers are wrong and no idea will be judged as silly; all suggestions are accepted and valued. You're priming their creative pump, encouraging them to think for themselves. (2) 'What benefits come from each option?' The goal is not to coerce them, but for them to discover and embrace the truth for themselves. And that comes through patience, not pressure. Ask them to list which benefits seem most important to them. (3) 'What negative consequences come from each option?' Children can be brutally honest. That's ok; it's just part of learning God's cause-and-effect law of sowing and reaping. Indeed, many adult regrets could have been avoided by following this law. Don't preach or rant about how terrible the consequences are. Teach them to question themselves, 'Am I willing to accept the consequences? How would they change my life?' (4) 'What personal values are involved in this decision?' Values  based decisions call us to the high road rather than the path of least resistance. Suggest some godly values as primers, such as truthfulness, trustworthiness, loyalty, responsibility, compassion, friendship, selfdenial, courage, honor, faith etc. Break it down small for younger children, but don't miss your opportunity that is always there to make them into what God desire them to be. You are loved!

The Most Important Skill You Can Teach Your Child (1)

  

 '...Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve...' Joshua 24:15 NIV  

As I was praying for our church families this morning God reminded me what a job it is sometimes to raise kids. I have to remind myself just because our boys are now men, that we still have a spiritual battle for little minds going on and that moms and dads need all the help they can get. So I pray you will take heart to what God gives me the next few days. Good decision-making is the key to a happy life in your family. But good decision-making is not a skill some of us are naturally blessed with, while poor decision-making is a handicap others seem to be born with. Courage, education or the ageing process doesn't automatically produce better decision-makers. Spending time with good decision-makers is wise, but it doesn't necessarily rub off on you. And the earlier you teach this skill to your children, the better (Proverbs 22:6). So teach your children the following principles: (1) The consequences you get are the result of the choices you make. Let your children know it's not their circumstances, but decisions they make about them, that govern their lives. You may think your children know this, but they don't. Their 'wiring problem' makes 'cause and effect' difficult to connect until their brain reaches late adolescence. Asking, 'What were you thinking about?' will just invite the famous shoulder shrug and blank stare. They're not stupid - they just need guidance. (2) You will always have options. Children commonly feel powerless and hopeless when reacting to negative circumstances. They tend to be 'either/or' thinkers, concluding that things are either all good or all bad. Teach them 'both/and' thinking, because things can be bad yet you can choose to make good decisions about them. 'Either/or' thinking frequently produces children who become pessimistic, disempowered, easily manipulated, depressed adults. Knowing they always have good options prevents circumstances from dictating their lives. I hope you will pray about these things and ask God how you can use these thoughts and implement them in your child's life? If you do it will be a great learning process as your child gets older. You are loved!

Prayer Thoughts (2)

 

'Be still, and know that I am God...' Psalm 46:10 NIV

         

             

Yesterday I shared about making sure you have that everyday connection with God; however that may look like in your life. Today I want to take it to another level. To be still as the scripture suggests takes focus. Ask yourself the question: How am I giving God my thoughts and prayers to Him everyday? Throughout the centuries, Christians have learned the value of brief sentence prayers. These are prayers that can be whispered anywhere, in any setting. Some have sought unbroken communion with God by asking Him questions. Every two or three minutes they would pray, 'Am I in Your will, Lord? Am I pleasing You, Lord?' Imagine considering every moment as a potential time of communion with God. By the time your life is over, you will have spent six months at traffic lights, eight months opening junk mail, a year and a half looking for lost stuff, and a whopping five years standing waiting in various venues. What if you were give these moments to God? By giving Him your whispering thoughts, the common becomes uncommon. Simple phrases such as 'Thank You, Father,' or 'I stand on Your Word,' or 'My desire is to please You,' can turn a commute into a pilgrimage. You needn't leave your office or kneel in your kitchen. Just pray where you are. Let the kitchen become a cathedral and the classroom a chapel. Give God your waning thoughts. At the end of the day, let your mind settle on Him. Conclude the day as you began it - talking to God. Thank Him for the good parts. Question Him about the hard parts. Seek His mercy. Seek His strength. As you close your eyes, take assurance in the promise, 'He who watches over [you] will neither slumber nor sleep.' (Psalm 121:4 NIV) If you fall asleep as you pray, don't worry. What better place to doze off than in the arms of your Father? You are loved!

Prayer Thoughts (1)

  

'...Every morning, I tell you what I need, and I wait for your answer.' Psalm 5:3 NCV   

             

I'm still considering what God did yesterday in our services. As I was in prayer today I was reminded by God of the fact that He does hear us and we can trust in His word. The Scripture in John 14 is powerful if we will believe. The tough part is actually talking to God on a regular basis so we get familiar with Him. Consider a Shepard and his sheep. It takes time, but eventually sheep grow familiar with the voice of their shepherd and learn to trust him for everything they need. So how can you become equally familiar with the voice of God? Here are a few ideas: (1) Give God your waking thoughts... With your head on your pillow and your eyes still closed, offer God the first seconds of your day. Say, 'Thank You for a night's rest. Today I belong to You.' CS Lewis wrote: 'The moment you wake up each morning...all your wishes and hopes for the day rush at you like wild animals. And the first job each morning consists in shoving them all back; in listening to that other voice, taking that other point of view, letting that other, larger, stronger, quieter life come flowing in.' (2) Give God your waiting thoughts... The mature married couple has learned the treasure of shared silence; they don't need to fill the air with constant chatter. Just being together is sufficient. Try being silent with God. 'Be still, and know that I am God...' (Psalm 46:10 NIV) Awareness of God is the result of stillness before God. Jesus prayed, 'That [they] may be one, Father, just as You are in Me and I am in You. May they also be in Us so that the world may believe...' (John 17:21 NIV) Let me ask a few questions to get the ball rolling... When are you most deeply aware of Christ's presence 'in you' as He promised? To what degree have you consciously invited Him to be more and more at home in your heart? How has your practice of intimacy with God developed in the last few years? If you will ask yourself those questions and be honest with God and yourself; it will be the first steps in your new found belief system...you are loved!