Changing Directions

Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are God my Savior, and my hope is in You all day long – Psalm 25:5 (NIV)

When facing a major decision ask yourself the next five questions regarding God’s will for your life:

1. Is it within the boundaries of God’s Word? God expects us to know His Word because it has the ability to divide right from wrong. (Hebrews 4:12) I am amazed by the amount of people who live together out of wedlock and still think God brought them together. God’s will never leads us beyond the boundaries of His Word.

2. Is this the right time? Joshua Harris says, “The right thing at the wrong time is the wrong thing.”  If it isn’t God’s timing, wait. If a realistic opportunity exists, and all the other factors are in agreement, then take the plunge. The faithless man asks, “What am I going to lose if I do?” The faithful man asks, “What am I going to lose if I don’t?”

3. Are unbiased, spiritually sensitive friends and mentors in agreement? Be careful not to consult only those who will agree with you. Give your advisors permission to ask hard questions. Don’t be afraid of “no” answers.  Proverbs 24:6 says, “there is safety in a multitude of counselors.” If it isn’t God’s will, don’t you want to know before you make the mistake of acting impulsively?

4. Do I have a sanctified desire? Don’t think that being in the will of God must always be an unpleasant task. The joy of the Lord should be our strength. I find my greatest joy in serving God and being in His will. But don’t get the idea that if everything is wonderful, you must be in the will of God. Is this a desire to satisfy a lust of the flesh or a Spirit-filled desire to see God’s kingdom established and people helped?

5. Do I have a peace about it? This is an inner peace. Is the peace of God guarding your heart and mind?

Together, we believe the best is yet to come!

The Worshiper Inside Of You

What a great time we had earlier this week with our three days of prayer and fasting!  Each night we gathered for a time of worship and prayer and it was amazing.  I’ve been involved with some powerful worship times, and this week ranks right up there.  On Wednesday, 28 people crowded into the back room of our office and they were loud.  Real loud.  I’m sure I will be getting a call from the yoga studio next door that was making an effort to meditate.  Everyone was singing at the top of their lungs.  Everyone had their hands lifted in praise to God.  It was the kind of night where the person leading just wants to get out of the way.

I’m convinced there is a worshiper inside of all of us crying to get out.  One of my favorite shows has just started its new season: The Biggest Loser.  I love it because it actually changes lives.  Each season starts with a group of people who are physically in the worst shape of their lives.  They can hardly walk much less run.  During their first few workout they faint, puke, scream, cry, and most of complain.  However, a few months later those who have survived are transformed into amazing athletes.  They are working out hours a day, running marathons and competing in challenges that most of us (I said “us”) could not do.  How did this happen?  Simple, our bodies are made for movement.  They are only slowed down by mismanagement.

Much in the same way, our inner man is made to worship.  Only mismanagement and neglect can silence the worshiper inside of us.  Nothing can truly hinder our ability to worship – it is only our desire than can be tamed.  Choose to let the worshiper out today.  Psalm 34 says “I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak his praises.” We don’t need a worship team, four walls, or even our itunes to begin.  All we need is our voice.

 

Breaking Through

And when they could not come near Him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where He was. So when they had broken through, they let down the bed on which the paralytic was lying.  - Mark 2:4 (NKJV)

Jesus was inside of a house ministering to people.  Four men carrying a paralyzed man on a mat brought Him to Jesus.  However, they could not get it the house because of the crowd.  This is where many stop – at the first sign of adversity.  They make excuses, say it must not be God’s will, and turn around short of their miracle.  I like these four guys.  They were determined to break through. I’d like to ask them some questions when I get to heaven: Was the roof the first idea?  Where did you get the rope?  Did you ever think of giving up?  Were you concerned at all of what the owner of the house would do?

In order to get a breakthrough you have to be determined.  You have to move past doubts and fears.  You have to be willing to do more than others think is necessary.  The question, “what do you need” is not nearly as important as “what are you willing to do to get it.”  I agree with John Mason who said, “let go of whatever makes you stop.”  Most of what we have to let go is trapped in our mind.  Mike Murdock said, “Some people make progress, others make excuses”.  Take the time to make progress today – let’s get out of neutral.

A Listening Ear

He who has an ear let him hear what the Spirit says to the Church.”   Revelation 2:7 (NKJV)

This phrase is repeated in each letter to the seven Churches in Revelations.   Of course the Holy Spirit is not talking about physical ears, but our spiritual ones.  Many religions pray: Buddhists pray, Muslim’s pray, Hindu’s pray.   The difference for us is that we believe we are in the presence of someone “who speaks!”

Someone once said that talking to God produces trust, but listening to God produces faith.  What we say when we’re in His presence is of value to Him, but it is what He says when we’re in His presence that takes us to another level.  Why would we want to be in the presence of the one whom Jesus called “the Spirit of Truth” and just talk?

I’ve got a long way to go on the learning curve of life, but one thing I have done well is learn how to be mentored.  There are two keys to being mentored: listening and following.  I went to breakfast years ago with a very accomplished minister.  I just listened.  When I did open my mouth, it was just to ask questions. Recently,  when Dr. Kevin Dyson ministered for us (a man who has 4 or 5 earned doctorates), we took him out to lunch afterwards.  I said very little, I listened.  How much more should we put that into practice when we are in the presence of ”the Teacher?”

Grab a notepad when you pray and write down what He is saying. John Mason says “Hearing tells you the band is playing, listening tells you what the song is”.  Listening is developed skill.  It takes time to develop your listening ear, so don’t get discouraged if you don’t hear anything right away.  Through diligence and hunger you will hear that still small voice speaking to your life, and your prayer life will never be the same.

Together, we believe the best is yet to come!