Crazy Truth's

Have you ever spoken a negative word?  Have you ever spoken a positive word?  The Word of God explains that our words are powerful as it says that "life and death are in the power of the tongue."  Knowing that our words contain power for life or death, shouldn't we be careful as to what comes  out?  Many times I've witnessed people speak negative words over their own lives, their children, and even a perfect stranger.  When negative words or words that are contrary to "the Word" are spoken, there's power made available for death.  However, when positive words or "the Word" is spoken, there's power made available for life.  So if we've got a lot of power hanging out there over our lives or other's lives, because a lot of words are mentioned in a day, what releases the power?  Simple, it's what we believe.  If a person believes in the word spoken over them, then it releases the power to affect them.  Let me help you a bit more by saying our words are containers.  They either contain faith or they contain unbelief.  If the words "SMART" and "DUMB" were spoken over our lives, then you and I are going to believe one and reject the other.  Which ever one we believe determines the power that will be released into our lives.  Which ever one we reject, it's power will cease to operate in our lives.  Threfore, it's important what were saying, but even more important what we're believing.   

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For just a moment, I want you to think long and hard about the words mentioned in the following scriptures...

Psalm 139:16 says, "You saw me before I was born.  Every day of my life was recorded in your book.  Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed." 

Ephesians 2:10 says, "For we are God's own handiwork, recreated in Christ Jesus, that we may do those good works which God predestined, planned beforehand for us, taking paths which He prepared ahead of time, that we should walk in them living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live."

Before we every had the chance to say HELLO to this world, God was thinking about us and planning our life out to be AMAZING!  All His thoughts about us and for us were ridiculously good.  In fact, He thought about us so much that not only did he create us, He wrote a unique story about each of our lives.  Listening to the words written in the scriptures above, God already recorded (prearranged) our lives, setting up paths for us to walk down that lead to the good life.  That sikes me out!  However, a sad truth is many don't live or ever experience the good life that God wrote about because they're re-writing their story.  You see, each time we lead ourselves, rather than allow the Word of God or the Holy Spirit to be our guide, we take paths that God never ended for us to take.  These paths normally give our flesh excitement for a brief moment, only to lead us towards destruction.  Think about this for a moment; when you read a story, it unfolds from the beginning to the end, revealing details as you turn the pages, which fill you full of various feelings, often leaving you in anticipation as to how it ends.  Why?  Because every good story has a great ending!  You and I have complete control over our story and we ultimately decide how it ends.  With every moment, through every choice, our story is being lived out.  So, what is yours going to be about and will it have a great ending?

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Have you ever found yourself out of control in something?  I recently took a trip up north where I drove and my experience got me thinking.  Allow me for a few minutes to explain.  I was heading from Florida to West Virginia.  As I started my trip, the weather was light rain and approx. 50 degrees.  As I got into Georgia, the tempature dropped to the mid 30's and there was occasional rain.  The speed limit was 70mph, so I'm driving at a good rate of speed, moving along nicely.  As I got into South Carolina, the tempature began to drop a bit more and the rain picked up a bit.  Before I knew it, the rain turned into a wintery mix, then ice, and quickly to snow.  I was amazed at the rate the snow was falling because it went from bare ground and trees to everything being covered in 30 minutes!  Well, as you can imagine, my good rate of speed came to a stop because the conditions had changed.  As I entered into North Carolina, the snow stopped, however the affects were still present.  The highway wasn't plowed very well, so there was snow on the road covering up the emergency lane and blocking the view of the yellow line.  Within a three mile stretch, I saw at least a dozen or more tire tracks of cars that got knocked off course!  What had happned was the front tire of these cars had caught a bit of the snow on the road which caused them to go out of control and off into the ditch.  Of course the result was being stuck and for some, worse.  Well, I adjusted to the conditions around me, took caution, and made it to my destination safely.  The change of conditions did cost me time, but they never knocked me off course.  It's interesting to note that many people start on their journey with God all excited, but somewhere along the way as unseen changes of conditions come, they get knocked out of control.  For some the result is minor, while others disasterous.  As I examine the life of Daniel, Daniel made a DECISION to live for God.  His decision was followed up by forming a HABIT of consistent quiet time with God.  All was fine for Daniel until one day the conditions changed, when a decree was signed by the King not allowing Daniel to pray to God.  However, because Daniel had formed a habit of spending time with God three times a day, it didn't change his daily routine.  This HABIT protected Daniel's DECISION, resulting in Daniel having control of his future.  I think for many, good intentions are at heart when making decisions, but the lack of forming habits to protect those decisions result in a failed attempt to succeed.  Today, there may come unseen changes of conditions in your life, but if you've formed habits to protect the decisions that are imporant to you, then you'll last.  However, if not, you'll find yourself out of control with your future unsecure.  Remember, it doesn't necessarily matter how long it takes for you to get there, just as long as you get there!!

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The Apostle Paul said in Philippians 3:10, "For my DETERMINED PURPOSE is that I may know Him..."  He then goes on to say in vs. 13 & 14, "...I'm forgetting what lies behind me and pressing forward to what lies ahead.  I press to reach the end of the race." 

This life can be difficult if it's lived from the natural standpoint of what's always seen, heard, felt, smelt, or whatever else.  Paul understood that in life, he'd face some tough times that he alone couldn't gain victory over without the help of God in his life and he knew that like any obstacle that stands in one's way from going forward, he'd have to press through if he wanted to get to the finish line of all that God had for him to do. 

The reason why Paul was able to press through the difficult times is because he knew God.  He was content with just knowing about God, but wanted to really know Him.  As you and I know, life get's busy and if we're not disciplined or determined, then things slip away in our day.  Therefore, we must be determined to purpose each day to spend time with God, to get to know Him so that in life, we can PRESS through anything and get to the finish line. 

I want to challenge you today to make it your purpose each day when you get up to spend time with God.  Get to know Him deeply because He is our source of life.  You'll find that the time you spend in His presence will encourage you, strengthen you, and empower you to face anything life has to throw in your face! 

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Mark 11:23-24 says, "I say unto you, that whosoever says to this mountain, be removed, and be thrown into the sea, and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he says shall come to pass, he shall have whatsoever he says.  Therefore, I say unto you, what things you desire, when you pray, believe that you recieve themm, and you shall have them." 

What a powerful scripture!  God said we can have what we believe!  The scripture says, "whatever you believe shall come to pass."  Believing comes before seeing!  Many times, people want to see first and then believe, but God said, "believe" first, then "recieve".  That is true FAITH, and faith pleases God!

There are 2 quick questions I'd like to ask as a challenge to you today.....

#1 - What you're believing for, does it line up with God's will for your life?

#2 - What are your beliefs?  Your beliefs are very important, because they will shape your life!

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Today, as we open our eyes, we find ourselves standing in the midst of a war.  All around us there are many wounded, many lost, and many waiting so desperately to be rescued.  For this isn't a war known to the common man, but only to an elite group of soldiers that are standing on the front lines of the battlefield.  It's the most important war man will ever know, for it's not physical, but spiritual.  It's one in which there's everything to gain, and everything to lose.  What war is this?  The battle for people's eternity! 

You and I are soldiers in the army of God, the most elite army ever!  However, many comrades in the faith have retreated, voluntarily giving up precious ground to the enemy.  This has wounded the army of God severely.  The bible declares in Matthew 11:12, "...the Kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it."  The assignment is always ADVANCEMENT, never retreat. 

What has caused some to retreat?  There are many factors, however, I'm convinced the biggest reason is that some have enlisted into the army of God, but they never gave up the civilian lifestyle!  Let me explain.  When you enlist into the army, you're no longer your own.  You've given yourself over in full submission to someone else's authority.  You're considered "government property".  Likewise, in the body of Christ, you've been "bought with a price" according to I Corinthians 7:23.  This means we're no longer owners of ourselves, but that our focus should be to submit to our Commander and embrace our mission by fulfilling our assignment. 

Jesus said, "If anyone would come after Me, he MUST DENY HIMSELF and take up his cross, and follow Me."  Wow, do you see this?  This means when we actually do our assignment, we're doing our duty!  Even though many think that they're doing God or their Pastor a favor, they're actually doing their duty.  Why?  Because we're soldiers in the army of God!!  We've enlisted into the greatest army every known and volunteered to fight for other people's eternities and the only way we gain victory is by ADVANCING!  So, let me encourage you today, remember your place.  Stay in position, don't retreat, but keep advancing!  There are many who believe in you and are counting on you to keep your ground and not give it up, because they know you will soon be there to rescue them! 

Let me leave you with one final scripture.  I Timothy 6:12 says, "Fight the good fight of faith.  Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses."

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David and Goliath, what a wonderful story!  I mean, come on, who isn't encouraged by a red headed shepherd boy stepping up to a 10 foot giant?  If that's not bravory, I don't know what is.  Can you picture the scene?  This giant burley man dressed in armor, a helmet, a sword, and not to mention he was probably diesel and this little boy David running up to meet him in battle face to face with just a sling shot and some stones.  You know everyone in the army was thinking, this little dude is insane!  I mean, afterall, the entire Israelite army of grown men trained in war ran away from the giant scared silly for their lives.  But David wasn't afraid.  The size of Goliath didn't scare him one single bit.  So what was it that made him different than an entire army of trained soldiers?

The answer is found in 1 Samuel 17:45-47.  David said to Goliath, "this day the Lord  will give you into my hand." He goes on to also say, "the battle belongs to the Lord."  The difference was David depended completely on God!  He knew that God was with him because he knew that he was IN GOD!  He stayed in constant fellowship with God on a daily basis and lived his life from the place of God's presence.  This allowed him to be FEARLESS in every situation he faced in life. 

Today, are you running from or to the battle?  Are you allowing the "giants" of life to scare you silly or are you fearless that nothing can defeat you or overtake you because you are standing in God?  The devil is after your potential and will always put traps before you and obstacles that seem to big to conquer.  But my friend, "GREATER is He that is in you than he that is in the world."  As long as you stay in God, you can be confident He is with you and that there's nothing to big that you cannot defeat!

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A farmer was once frustrated for years by a large rock in his field that had broken several expensive plows.  He tried to avoid the problem by plowing around the rock, but still he managed to hit it as often as not.  Finally, he decided to settle the issue.  He jammed a long, sturdy crowbar under the rock and began to lift it.  To his surprise, the rock was only about six inches deep and was easily loosened and removed.  Hundreds of dollars worth of broken equipment and  all the hassle could have easily been avoided if only he had tried to remove the rock when he first discovered it. 

As we grow as Christians, God will reveal things that are obstacles to our growth.  These can be sins, desires, relationships, attitudes, media influences, or any number of things.  If we try to ignore or avoid them, the result will be a lot of damage and aggravation in our lives.  A better solution is to settel the issue once and for all by being honest, facing it, and allowing God to work in our lives to loosen the obstacles, so they can be removed from us.  The longer we wait, the more difficult it will become. 

Psalm 32:1-5 says, "Count yourself blessed, how happy you must be - you get a fresh start, you're slate's wiped clean.  Count yourself blessed, God holds nothing against you and you're holding nothing back from Him.  When I kept it all inside, my bones turned to powder, my words became groans.  The pressure never let up and the moisture dried up.  Then I let it all out, I acknowledged my sin no longing hiding it, I said, "I will confess my sins to God."  Then He forgave me of the guilt of my sin."

Are there "rocks" in your life today that are keeping you from growing and going further with God?  Have you been avoiding them and hoping they will disappear?  I encourage you today to be honest with yourself, face whatever it is that you're hiding, and let the anointing of God help you remove it from your life.  Then, and only then can you truly grow in Christ!

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Ok, so have you ever wondered about all those bugs getting electrocuted every summer night in the purple "bug zappers" hangin on the back porch?  You know, the ones that amuze you when you hear the "zzzt, zzzt, zzzt" when the bugs fly right into their death.  I'm curious if their deaf or maybe even blind because you would think they'd hear the bugs before them getting zapped to a crisp or at least see them plastered to the light like super glue, right?!  Is the light just sooo beautiful that they can't resist or what?  Does every bug think their stronger than the others and able to avoid death as they get closer to the light?  In the end, we both know the answer....NOPE.  They too get shocked to their death. 

You know, even though we think those bugs lack a brain and aren't very smart, I wonder if we're any different.  I mean, we too can hear all the warnings and see all the negative results of other people's sins, but that doesn't always keep us away from them does it? 

James 1:13-16 says, " Remember, when someone wants to do wrong (or is tempted), it is never God who is tempting them to do wrong (or sin).  The temptation to give in to sin comes from us and only us.  We have no one to blame but the seducing flare-up of our own lust.  Sinful thoughts lead to sinful actions and afterwards as it matures, it leads to death."

The things of the flesh that are temporary often attract us, just as the bug light zapper attracts insects, yet we often think that we're different from everyone else and can handle the temptations that cause others to sin.  We often lie to ourselves and say, "I'm strong enough, I won't fall."  We flirt with temptations, edging closer and closer, until we give in and make a sinful choice.  The bible says, "resist the devil and RUN from temptations."  God in His mercy gives all of us plenty of warning signs.  He does everything to get our attention so we don't give in!  I'm wondering, will you choose to pay attention to the warning signs so that you're not zapped to death by sin?

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Police in Los Angeles had placed a group of criminals into a police line-up trying to help a witness recognize a masked robber.  When the detectives asked each man in the line to yell out the words, "Give me all your money or I'll shoot," one suspect couldn't help himself and yelled out, "That's not what I said!"

Proverbs 10:8-11 says, "A wise man is glad to be instructed (to accept and obey commands), but a self-sufficient fool falls flat on his face.  A good honest man has firm footing, but a crook will slip and fall.  Winking at sin leads to trouble (sorrow), but openess leads to peace.  The mouth of a good person is a well of life, but the mouth of the wicked person is filled with curses (violence)."

Can you identify with the robber?  Have you ever blurted something out and told on yourself?  Do you think the robber really wanted to be honest or just had a "stupid moment"?  The book of Proverbs is filled with clear statements about what a wise person looks, thinks, talks, and acts like versus what a fool looks, thinks, talks, and acts like.  The more you and I read the Word of God, the wiser we become.  The more you and I behave as God's Word instructs us to, the more we look and act like Jesus. We must remember an important truth: "what's on the inside will eventually come out."  I don't think any person makes it a goal to fall flat on their face, but it happens when one chooses to not walk with wisdom.  So today, be encouraged to love instruction and choose to obey so that it's said of you that your wise!

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I've often sat and thought if only one word could be used to describe my relationship with God what would it be?  Have you ever wondered that for yourself?  The Apostle Paul must have pondered on this a time or two because in II Corinthians 5 he says, "If I acted CRAZY, I did it for God." Wow, Paul used the word CRAZY to describe his relationship with God.  That's awesome!  He goes on to say, "Christ's love has moved me to such extremes."  Can you see this image of Paul living his life so in love for God that his actions were CRAZY?!  I mean when the guy is thrown in jail, where it's cold, nasty, and he's been beaten, not to mention the shackles tight around his ankles all because he stood for the things of God and yet the bible never mentions anything about him complaining or getting upset.  Instead it says that he worshipped and prayed to God.  Wow!  How many of us would be like that?  Let me say today, that being a Christian is about going to the extreme in this love relationship with a holy God.  Our lives were meant to be lived CRAZY, but only for God.  If your life today makes sense to the culture around you, then somethings wrong.  Be straight up and ask yourself the question:  what one word describes my relationship with God?  It just might get you to re-think how your living.

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