Trusting God-easy to say, difficult to do. Easy to do for a day, difficult to do for your life.
How many of you can say-THAT IS ME!!!
When I start making plans for myself, my future, my career, my spouse (or lack of), my money, my living situations, my family-sooner or later-you have to ask yourself, "What does God say? Is this His Plan or is this my plan?"
Things we do to feel trust
1. Make plans with God. This may sound good, but its not. Let me give you an example. Ok God-I think we should do this. So, please make that happen. God, you said that you will give whatever we ask for, so...I am waiting. OK-there is some truth to that. Yes, God says ask and it shall be given. But, the way we approach Him is not right. It reminds me of a little girl that TELLS her mom. Mom-you said that you love me and if you love me, you will take me to the store and buy me candy. So, I am waiting mom. That is just not true and it is not right! God does love us, but He loves us to know what is best for us. We don't know what is best for us!
2. Make plans without God. This one is obvious, but we do it so often! I caught myself doing it this week. I have a plan in mind that I think sounds like a great plan. I tell my friends about it, family about it, journal about it...Then, I have a friend that asks me this humbling question-Have you prayed about it? Have you asked God about it? My heart sank! I said to myself-I am a Christian, good Christian at that(ha), and I didn't even ask God what He thinks. I didn't ask or seek His advice. All of us do it.Don't use that an an excuse. Don't stay there. Correct yourself. Remind yourself who YOU are and who HE is.
3. Make plans and give them to God. This I believe is healthy. For me, this is saying, "God, I want Your will, not mine. I am praying for.... If this is your will, please reveal it to me. Please let it be if it is Your Will". When you give your plans over to God, you are showing Him that He is in control, not you. You are showing Him that you trust Him, not yourself. After all, the Bible says in Jeremiah 17:9 that the heart is deceitful above all things, desperately wicked, who can know it? Only God can know our hearts. He knows what is best for our lives.
He is in the just-in-time business. He is never early or late-He is always on time!
I am learning to trust God with things that are hard to do. I slip into the mindset of "if I think about it, or plan, or control,...then I realize-Where is God in this plan of mine? Pro 21:30 There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord.
Proverbs 3:5-6 (New International Version)
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.
I challenge you to memorize this, say this, and meditate on this scripture! The more you make it apart of who you are, the more you will start living this verse out! I want to trust God with everything. Don't you?
To learn more about me and KidPointe Ministry, check out crosspointechurch.tv/ministries.html
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Monday, March 29, 2010
Inside Out
"But the LORD said to Samuel, 'Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.'"
I Samuel 16:7 (ESV)
So often we humans look at what we can see on the outside—beauty, talents, smarts and such. God sees straight to the heart—motives, intent and character.
1. His measuring stick is far more accurate and important than ours. So many spend countless hours and dollars perfecting the former while completely ignoring the latter. God's Word to us is clear. Who we are inside is really who we are.
2. His surprising stick is far more accurate and important than ours. Have you ever been astounded when someone you know changed their life around for God, or a "loser" that ended up being a "winner"? I think again-God see's the heart. He knows that people look on the outside for their faults and failures. But, God sees their heart healing. He uses their faults to bring Him glory.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 says "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
3. Remember-live your life from the inside out-not outside in.
There is a song that goes
A thousand times I've failed
Still your mercy remains
And should I stumble again
Still I'm caught in your grace
Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending, Your glory goes beyond all fame
my heart and my soul, Lord I give you control
Consume me from the inside out Lord
Let justice and praise become my embrace
To love You from the inside out
Let's live our life loving God from the inside out.
If someone could see your heart like God does, what would they say?
If you could change something about your heart, what would it be?
Are you as "great" as you think you are?
Would you be content if you looked different, had different skills, not as many friends?
Give me your feedback! Also, check out KidPointe ministries at crosspointechurch.tv/ministries.html
I Samuel 16:7 (ESV)
So often we humans look at what we can see on the outside—beauty, talents, smarts and such. God sees straight to the heart—motives, intent and character.
1. His measuring stick is far more accurate and important than ours. So many spend countless hours and dollars perfecting the former while completely ignoring the latter. God's Word to us is clear. Who we are inside is really who we are.
2. His surprising stick is far more accurate and important than ours. Have you ever been astounded when someone you know changed their life around for God, or a "loser" that ended up being a "winner"? I think again-God see's the heart. He knows that people look on the outside for their faults and failures. But, God sees their heart healing. He uses their faults to bring Him glory.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 says "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
3. Remember-live your life from the inside out-not outside in.
There is a song that goes
A thousand times I've failed
Still your mercy remains
And should I stumble again
Still I'm caught in your grace
Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending, Your glory goes beyond all fame
my heart and my soul, Lord I give you control
Consume me from the inside out Lord
Let justice and praise become my embrace
To love You from the inside out
Let's live our life loving God from the inside out.
If someone could see your heart like God does, what would they say?
If you could change something about your heart, what would it be?
Are you as "great" as you think you are?
Would you be content if you looked different, had different skills, not as many friends?
Give me your feedback! Also, check out KidPointe ministries at crosspointechurch.tv/ministries.html
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Why God Why?
That's it-the why question. How many of us ask God or ourselves WHY things are happening? Why did you let me date someone that was going to break up with me? Why am I sick? Why did my parents get divorced? Why are finances so tight? Why is our family so messed up? Why is work so stressful? Why do I struggle with this sin so much? Why do I feel lost? Why does it feel like no one knows what I am going through?
TRUTH: YOU WILL NEVER KNOW THE ANSWERS TO THE WHY'S
We like to be in control. We like to know why things are happening and the solution to it to make it better. We want to know why we are going through what we are going through.
You might as well just face the facts that you are NOT in control over yourself. The more you spend time trying to figure out the WHY-the longer you will stay in that trial. God is smart enough and loves you enough to do what is best. Romans 8:28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
TRUTH: GOD KNOWS ALL THE ANSWERS TO YOUR WHY'S.
This is a simple verse, but revolutionary if we start living this way:
Philippians 4:19 And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”
Where am I going with this? Well honestly, this truth is something that cannot be read and be done with. It is a lifestyle change. It is saying daily, God You know best. You know the reasons why everything is happening. I may not understand why, but I know You do-and I KNOW YOU. You are saying to God, I trust you enough to obey you even when I don't know why or when I don't feel like it.
TRUTH: ASK WHAT INSTEAD OF WHY.
Sometimes, we ask the wrong question to God. We ask "why God is this happening?", instead of "What can I learn from this?". I am not saying that you have to be fake with God and convince yourself that you are Hunky Dorey when you are not. I am saying that you will get the most out of trials if you start asking God-what can you learn from this instead of why this is happening.
It changes your perspective into being a criticizer into a maximizer. The more open we are to what God is trying to teach us, the more we will get out of the trial.
How can you make changes in your life to start living you life like a maximizer? How can we stop being the criticizer?
For more info about me and my ministry, check out http://crosspointechurch.tv/ministries.html
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Handling Pressure
Handling Pressure
In 2 Chronicles 34:1 Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem thirty-one years.
Have you ever felt like you couldn't be used by God because of your credibility, lack of knowledge, age?
Honestly, none of us can even imagine how Josiah must have felt becoming King at age 8. Sure it was an incredible honor, but also an incredible responsibility. Sometimes with that much responsibility, it can be easy to ALWAYS do the right thing...
2 Chronicles 34:2 He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD and walked in the ways of his father David, not turning aside to the right or to the left.
Think about this-you are the given the throne of a kingdom at age 8. Your father was an amazing King that did a lot of crazy stuff for the Lord...fought a giant at a young age, danced "undignified" before his people, ridiculed by his wife for being a man after God's own heart...and so on. Josiah must have felt the pressure. Yet, he still did what was right in the eyes of the Lord and walked in the ways of his father David, not turning to the left or right.
You WILL be faced with troubles, tensions, and temptations that will allow you to do the right thing. Someone at work yells at you, a friend betrays you, a situation involves you. It is your choice to do what is right in the eyes of the Lord. Josiah faced many trials. When he was 16, he started destroying idols!-Now consider this, our modern day idols look different than Josiah's days idols. Our idols would be things like : facebook, phone, t.v. internet, relationships...etc
None of these are bad things UNDER MODERATION. But when they replace God-that's an idol!
2. He walked in the ways of his father, not turning aside to the right or to the left.
He followed David's footsteps, who was a "man after God's own heart". Sometimes you may not have the Father that follows God, but you do have people around you, like a Pastor, or even a friend that can keep you accountable to stay on the straight path. The people you keep closest to is who you will resemble and act like the most. If you want to hang out with party people and drinkers, you will act like one. If you hang out with people that are absolutely head over heels in love with Jesus, you will begin to become one.
3. He wasn't intimidated because of his age.
As a result of Josiah following God, the Book of the Law was rediscovered, and the people returned to true worship of God.
For more info on me and my ministry : visit http://crosspointechurch.tv/ministries.html
I Timothy 4: 12 Let no one despise your youth but be an example to the believers in word, conduct, love, spirit, faith, purity.
In 2 Chronicles 34:1 Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem thirty-one years.
Have you ever felt like you couldn't be used by God because of your credibility, lack of knowledge, age?
Honestly, none of us can even imagine how Josiah must have felt becoming King at age 8. Sure it was an incredible honor, but also an incredible responsibility. Sometimes with that much responsibility, it can be easy to ALWAYS do the right thing...
2 Chronicles 34:2 He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD and walked in the ways of his father David, not turning aside to the right or to the left.
Think about this-you are the given the throne of a kingdom at age 8. Your father was an amazing King that did a lot of crazy stuff for the Lord...fought a giant at a young age, danced "undignified" before his people, ridiculed by his wife for being a man after God's own heart...and so on. Josiah must have felt the pressure. Yet, he still did what was right in the eyes of the Lord and walked in the ways of his father David, not turning to the left or right.
How did he handle the pressure?
1. He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord.You WILL be faced with troubles, tensions, and temptations that will allow you to do the right thing. Someone at work yells at you, a friend betrays you, a situation involves you. It is your choice to do what is right in the eyes of the Lord. Josiah faced many trials. When he was 16, he started destroying idols!-Now consider this, our modern day idols look different than Josiah's days idols. Our idols would be things like : facebook, phone, t.v. internet, relationships...etc
None of these are bad things UNDER MODERATION. But when they replace God-that's an idol!
2. He walked in the ways of his father, not turning aside to the right or to the left.
He followed David's footsteps, who was a "man after God's own heart". Sometimes you may not have the Father that follows God, but you do have people around you, like a Pastor, or even a friend that can keep you accountable to stay on the straight path. The people you keep closest to is who you will resemble and act like the most. If you want to hang out with party people and drinkers, you will act like one. If you hang out with people that are absolutely head over heels in love with Jesus, you will begin to become one.
3. He wasn't intimidated because of his age.
As a result of Josiah following God, the Book of the Law was rediscovered, and the people returned to true worship of God.
Josiah wanted to win the heart of God. Do You?
For more info on me and my ministry : visit http://crosspointechurch.tv/ministries.html
I Timothy 4: 12 Let no one despise your youth but be an example to the believers in word, conduct, love, spirit, faith, purity.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Complaining leads to disobedience.
Yes, we have all done it from time to time....we have complained. Things don’t go our way and we are complaining about this and whining about that. We make excuses. Yet the Bible clearly says that complaining is a sin. It shows an attitude that you are ungrateful and bitter. It often tests God’s patience.
1 Corinthians 10:10 - And do not grumble, as some of them did—and were killed by the destroying angel. (NIV)
While the Bible says that complaining is a sin, it also states that it can lead to further disobedience. Along with complaining comes the game of self-pity.
If you complain too much or focus on all the negative things, you can lose sight of all the good things God does in your life.
This can lead to an attitude where you lose faith and cause others to lose faith, too.
Psalm 106:25 - They grumbled in their tents and did not obey the LORD. (NIV)
As I read this, I think about the Israelites. They were rescued from slavery and was promised to see the promisedland. BUT-they complained about everything! They did not ask nicely-they were whiny. They whined for food, God gave them food. They whined that the food wasn't the "right" kind of food. God gave them meat. They complained about the meat and wanted figs....you get my point.
Then, I honestly had to look back and ask myself-do I do that? Do I complain about things when I have been set free from a life -condemned to hell? Do I complain when I am promised a life of eternity with God in Heaven? I am not saying that God is going to strike me dead for complaining and is never going to let me enter Heaven...that is not biblical. What I AM saying is that sometimes we need to ask ourselves-why am I complaining again?
I am not saying that God doesn't care about your problems. He clearly does. I Peter 5:7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.
There is a difference between complaining to others and giving your worries to God or others.
The key is being content in all circumstances.
Philippians 4:10-13 (NKJV) But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. 11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Have you complained about not having something that you really want? Do you realize that when you get to heaven, you wont be able to take that with you?
God is saying, it doesn’t matter as much as you think.
Paul was in prison when he was saying all this. He was thrown in jail...how many of you have been in jail? Not many of us! Paul didn't have the latest T.V. shows recorded, he didn't have the best food all the time, he didn't get to do whatever he wanted-He was in prison. He said that he has learned to be content,to be happy with what you have, no matter if he has a lot or not much at all.
I pray that I can learn to be as content as Paul...I hope you can too! :)
Will you start trying to be content with what you have?
To learn more about my life and ministry see http://www.crosspointechurch.tv/ministries.html
1 Corinthians 10:10 - And do not grumble, as some of them did—and were killed by the destroying angel. (NIV)
While the Bible says that complaining is a sin, it also states that it can lead to further disobedience. Along with complaining comes the game of self-pity.
If you complain too much or focus on all the negative things, you can lose sight of all the good things God does in your life.
This can lead to an attitude where you lose faith and cause others to lose faith, too.
Psalm 106:25 - They grumbled in their tents and did not obey the LORD. (NIV)
As I read this, I think about the Israelites. They were rescued from slavery and was promised to see the promisedland. BUT-they complained about everything! They did not ask nicely-they were whiny. They whined for food, God gave them food. They whined that the food wasn't the "right" kind of food. God gave them meat. They complained about the meat and wanted figs....you get my point.
Then, I honestly had to look back and ask myself-do I do that? Do I complain about things when I have been set free from a life -condemned to hell? Do I complain when I am promised a life of eternity with God in Heaven? I am not saying that God is going to strike me dead for complaining and is never going to let me enter Heaven...that is not biblical. What I AM saying is that sometimes we need to ask ourselves-why am I complaining again?
I am not saying that God doesn't care about your problems. He clearly does. I Peter 5:7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.
There is a difference between complaining to others and giving your worries to God or others.
The key is being content in all circumstances.
Philippians 4:10-13 (NKJV) But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. 11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Have you complained about not having something that you really want? Do you realize that when you get to heaven, you wont be able to take that with you?
God is saying, it doesn’t matter as much as you think.
Paul was in prison when he was saying all this. He was thrown in jail...how many of you have been in jail? Not many of us! Paul didn't have the latest T.V. shows recorded, he didn't have the best food all the time, he didn't get to do whatever he wanted-He was in prison. He said that he has learned to be content,to be happy with what you have, no matter if he has a lot or not much at all.
I pray that I can learn to be as content as Paul...I hope you can too! :)
Will you start trying to be content with what you have?
To learn more about my life and ministry see http://www.crosspointechurch.tv/ministries.html
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Stop Comparing
Reasons why it's dumb to compare yourself to other people
1. God created YOU to be YOU.
If He wanted you to be someone else, he would have created 2 of that person-which he has never done and will never do.
Ephesians 2:10 (New Living Translation) For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
2. God don't make junk.(I know about the grammatical error)
If you are trying to be someone else, you are telling God-Hey, you messed up with me, so I am going to make me better by being them. Trust me-God knew what He was doing when He made You. Your job is to be the best YOU for HIM.
Psalm139:14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful, I know that full well
3. Comparing yourself will leave you prideful or depressed.
If you are focused on others ( in the wrong way), you are not focused on God. Whatever you focus on is magnified. Focus on Jesus and He will be magnified. Put Him first. Realize that God made everyone different.Just be YOU!
Matt 6:33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
MY STORY
Trust me-I know all this because I have had to tell myself this several times. I remember in high school, college, and even my first year of ministry, trying to mimic other people because of their status, popularity, or success. Once I let go, and started being myself-I realized how free it is to be yourself AND SO MUCH EASIER!!
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