Ask God for Your Mountain (2)

'...I am as strong this day as on the day that Moses sent me...' Joshua 14:11 NKJV

God has a mountain with your name on it. Do you know why? Because you only flourish as you face challenges in your life! Joshua and Caleb both brought back a good report, yet only Joshua was promoted to leadership when Moses departed. Caleb could have withdrawn and sulked, but instead he invested himself in the lives of the people around him. As an older man whose generation was dying off, he had to develop a whole new circle of friends and he did it. He became a mentor, guide and cheerleader for an entirely new generation. At 85-years-old, he did it with such gusto that he was able to lead the charge in conquering the hill country and defeating the giants who'd terrified an earlier generation.
Challenges undertaken for the greater good bind us to people, whereas the pursuit of comfort leads to isolation, and isolation is terminal. You say, 'I'm too old or too young to make a difference.' God doesn't think so. 'Even to your old age...I will carry you; I will sustain you...' (Isaiah 46:4 NIV) So start making plans. Dare to dream! Life isn't about comfort, it's about saying, 'God, give me another mountain.' Somebody said that when everything's coming your way - you're on the wrong side of the road. Living the adventure God planned for you isn't just another pursuit; it's the reason you were born! How will you recognize your mountain? There's no precise formula and like every other area of growth in your life, your mountain won't look exactly like anyone else's. But you'll recognize it, because it lies at the intersection of your greatest strengths and your greatest passions.
You are Loved!

Ask God for Your Mountain (1)

'...give me this mountain...' Joshua 14:12 NJKV

Think about it, why would someone ask God for a mountain? In life we sometimes need to tackle something bigger than our self. When we do: (1) you grow; (2) you learn to depend on God; (3) you get to celebrate big victories. Caleb said: '...here I am today, 85 years old! I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I'm just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then. Now give me this hill country that the Lord promised me that day. You yourself heard then that the Anakites were there and their cities were large and fortified, but, with the Lord helping me, I will drive them out just as He said.' (Joshua 14:10-12 NIV) Anybody can occupy the flat ground, but it takes faith in God to tackle a mountain. What's more, that's where the sons of Anak - the giants - lived. These guys were so big they caused ten of Moses' spies to say, '...next to them we felt like grasshoppers...' (Numbers 13:33 NLT) You'd think at 85 Caleb would have asked for a nice cottage in Shalom Acres! But no, he wanted another battle and another victory before he checked out. Stop asking God for a problem-free life, otherwise you might die of boredom. It's in working to solve problems and overcome challenges that you become the person God wants you to be. So ask Him for a task that will keep you learning, growing, uncomfortable, and hungry for significance. When you pray, 'God, use me,' be prepared to encounter four things: adventure, danger, risk, and reward. How about it - are you up for a little excitement?
You are Loved!

How do You Respond?

'...every good tree bears good fruit...' Matthew 7:17 NIV

How do we learn to live this scripture out in our life? Take a moment to consider these two questions. Question one: How do you respond when you're treated badly? A man stopped by a news-stand every morning to pick up a paper. The man behind the counter was always nasty, yet the customer was always nice to him. When a friend asked him why he remained so kind in the face of such rudeness, he replied, 'Why would I let his attitude dictate my attitude?' Question two: How do you respond when you're tempted? You say, 'Everyone is doing it, and I know it's wrong, but I can't help it.' Actually, you can. You can spend hour's listening to stories from people who lost control of there lives in sin. Look into the eyes of their children. Hear the betrayal, and see the broken promises in their eyes. When you do, you'll think new thoughts! The Bible says, '...Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.' (Galatians 5:16 NKJV) At any moment you can turn your mind to God and your thoughts will change. Feelings are like spoiled children; they can take a little longer to come round, but if you keep your mind 'fixed' on God, your feelings will eventually line up with your thoughts. Looking back, you'll be glad you were guided by God instead of your impulses. It's as if there's a little network called HSN (Holy Spirit Network) where you can tune in at any time. When you ask God to guide your thoughts, then pause and listen to what He says - He will guide you.
You are Loved!

Fear or Success, Your Choice!

'They...limited the Holy One of Israel.' Psalm 78:41 NKJV
I love the picture of my wife with her mustache. We were out at a restaurant and the boys bought them out of one of those candy machines. We teased her to put it on so we could take this picture. I love my wife because she is not afraid of what people think or to try new things. As I was looking for reasons why we succeed or fail I found that researchers conducted an experiment in which frogs were placed in separate glass jars covered with lids to prevent them from escaping. At first the frogs kept jumping, trying to escape, but each time they hit their heads on the lid. After thirty days of doing this, something amazing happened. When the lids were removed from the jars, the frogs never jumped out even though they could easily have done so. Why? Because they had formed a belief system that the top of the jar was as high as they could go - their limiting belief system kept them trapped in the jar! The Israelites did that too: 'Again and again they... limited the Holy One of Israel. They did not remember His power...' (Psalm 78:41-42 NKJV) Are you holding on to limiting belief systems, even though they are no longer true and are sabotaging your future? 'I'm too young, too old, I'm a woman, I'm the wrong nationality, I don't have the education, I don't have the talent, I don't have the connections, I failed too badly, etc.'
Fear of success stems from: (1) Fear of not being worthy of success. (2) Fear of being unable to meet the expectations and fulfil the responsibilities that accompany success. (3) Fear of being rejected by those unhappy about your success. (4) Fear of losing control of normal, private life. (5) Fear of saying no to friends and family who feel entitled to control you.
Get rid of your limiting belief systems! Not only will God give you success, He will give you the skill and strength to handle it.
You are Loved!

Be Kind!

'Be kind...forgiving each other...' Ephesians 4:32 NIV

I love the first part of our scripture today...Be Kind! Kindness comes from a heart that desires to love others and  forgive those who harm us. Here are four things you need to know about forgiveness that will change your heart:
(1) Forgiveness doesn't make what happened to you right; it means you've made a decision not to let it control your life. By forgiving and attempting to restore the relationship, you reclaim your peace of mind. If the other person refuses to acknowledge what happened was wrong, the offence can and should still be forgiven. Forgiveness doesn't depend on the other person; it depends on you.
(2) Forgiveness matters, even when the offending party refuses to admit guilt. When you wait for someone to admit he or she was wrong, you're placing your future in that person's hands. Forgiveness is first and foremost for your own benefit, not the benefit of others. By forgiving, you're letting the pain and hurt go and moving forward.
(3) Your willingness to forgive can move the other person to seek forgiveness. Perhaps the person who hurt you doesn't feel they deserve to be forgiven. Or they may know what they did was wrong, but lack the courage to step forward and ask for forgiveness. When you make the first move, it opens the door and allows them to reach out and find mercy and understanding.
(4) Forgiveness is easier when you accept that we all need it. When you refuse to forgive because you think someone's offences are greater than your own, that's pride. And '...God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.' (1 Peter 5:5 NLT) The Bible says, 'Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.' Once you realize the depth of God's grace toward you, it's easier to extend grace to others.
You are Loved!

Fears and Doubts

'A great storm arose...' Matthew 8:24 NCV

Love what Matthew records here because it has great meaning for each of us, ‘Jesus got into a boat, and His [disciples] went with Him. A great storm arose…’ (Matthew 8:23–24 NCV) There are some who love when a good storm rolls through with all the thunder and lighting...others not so much. In the Greek language the words ‘a great storm’ are one word—seismos. A seismologist studies earthquakes and a seismograph measures them. So the storm the disciples were in must have shaken them to the core. It had to have brought them to the place they thought they would die. There’s an important spiritual lesson here that Jesus wants to teach us today. Getting on board with Jesus doesn’t mean you will never go through a storm. Jesus said, ‘…In the world you will have tribulation…’ (John 16:33 NKJV) In spite of God’s promise to protect and prosper us, you’ll still have to deal with things like disease, lack, and fear. The difference is: the unbeliever faces the storm without Christ, but as a believer you go through the storm confident that all will be well because Jesus is on board. Does that mean you will never experience panic? If only it were so! But it isn’t. Looking at the swelling waves and the sleeping Savior, the disciples asked, ‘…do You not care that we are perishing?’ (Mark 4:38 NKJV) This is why fear is so deadly. It corrodes your confidence in God’s goodness. It unleashes a swarm of doubts. It deadens your recall. By this time the disciples had witnessed Jesus ‘…healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people.’ (Matthew 4:23 NKJV) Fear creates a form of spiritual amnesia. It dulls your miracle memory. It makes you forget what Jesus has done and how good God is. That’s why you must starve your doubts and feed your faith on God’s Word, for faith is what will take you through the storm.

You are Loved!

Living Generously!

'Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart....' 2 Corinthians 9:7 NIV

Are You living a life of Generosity?
The Bible says: ‘…Whoever sows … generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things, at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.’ (2 Corinthians 9:6–8 NIV) When you give what God tells you to, He’ll give you back more. When you realize that, it’ll revolutionise your approach to giving and the life Generosity. We think Paul is talking about people who’re trying to get rich; that's the opposite to the truth; he’s talking about ‘cheerful givers’ who want to finance God’s purposes on this earth. Do you want to find the way to greater blessing. Then learn to be Generous!  Contributing to God’s work isn’t giving something away; it’s investing—with a guaranteed return. A farmer who sows doesn’t lose his seed, he gains a harvest. Can you imagine a farmer praying this prayer? ‘God, give me a crop. I’m trusting You to get involved, but I’m holding on to my seed just in case.’ Is that what you’re doing? If so, here’s some good news. When you sow generously, God gets involved in your finances. Can you imagine a more secure position to be in? The Bible says, ‘The generous will prosper…’ (Proverbs 11:25 NLT) When you give, it enables God to return to you even more, which in turn enables you to give even more!

You are Loved!