Verse and Message (Friday, September 28, 2007) September 28, 2007

The following message was pulled out of my archive verse and message file from 2005.  Periodically, I like to review previous messages I have shared in the past.  This one got my attention, because it reflects how we cannot depend 100% on anything or anyone other than our Lord. 

John 14:2 (NASB)

“In my Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.” 

  

I worked at The Sheraton Civic Center Hotel (now known as Sheraton Birmingham) from April 1992 through February 1996. It’s amazing the things I learned being employed in the hotel industry. 

I remember several times when the hotel was sold out.  On one occasion during a large conference at the BJCC, several guests were disappointed to find out upon their arrival that there were no more rooms available. 

It’s common for a hotel to sell out of rooms when a special event or conference is taking place.  However, what was most disturbing is that the referenced guests had booked their rooms several months in advance and additionally, they had ”guaranteed” their room with a credit card.  By providing credit card information, a guest is able to insure that their reservation will be honored, even upon “late arrival.”

Ironically, if one calls to reserve a room and makes the choice to guarantee with a credit card the following stipulation also applies: 

If the guest does not cancel the reservation, and does not show up, the credit card of the “guaranteed” guest will be charged for one night’s room and applicable occupancy tax. 

You can imagine the reaction of the aforementioned guests when they realized that there was not a room available.  The guests had arrived at the Birmingham International Airport, paid for a cab or rental car, and arrived at the hotel late in the evening….. exhausted from travel.

“NO ROOM……. BUT I GUARANTEED MY ROOM WITH MY VISA!”

“Sorry Sir, we are doing our best to find you another room in the city.”  Apparently, the “guaranteed late arrival” is not the perfect system. 

When Jesus shared with His disciples of His impending death, He had a special GUARANTEE for them. Jesus promised a “custom-made” home in Heaven.  This promise was not just for the disciples who walked with Him more than 2,000 years ago.  This guarantee belongs to anyone who accepts Jesus Christ as personal Savior! 

Once your name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life (Rev 21:27), your reservation is secure.  You don’t have to worry about check-in at the Pearly Gates! Because of the CROSS, your reservation was guaranteed and pre-paid!

Nothing in our world will ever compare to what HE has waiting for us.  So remember, when you’re feeling discouraged with what the world gives…..your perfect world awaits you! 

Jesus Christ is the only perfect system!

  

GOD’S GUARANTEE IS GLORIOUS!

ROOMS ARE AVAILABLE TO ALL WHO REQUEST A RESERVATION WITH THE ROYAL KING OF KINGS!

SUSIE MC

Verse and Message (Tuesday, Sept 18, 2007) September 18, 2007

Psalm 51:11
Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.

  

Romans 15:13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

I received an email recently that inspired me to write this message.  The person shared with me that he had heard a sermon at his church the prior weekend, and that it really meant a lot to him.  I was curious of the content of the message, but he revealed to me that he didn’t really remember.  He couldn’t explain why the message was so profound to him. 

I believe this scenario has happened to all of us before.  It doesn’t mean that a sermon was boring; Many times a message delivered is anything but boring.  I believe that the delivery has nothing to do with the person delivering it or the content of the material.  I believe it has everything to do with the PRESENCE and POWER of the HOLY SPIRIT. 

I have known so many people to attend a church because of the popularity of the pastor or the skill of the pastor who communicates the message.  My pastor is one of the most anointed and gifted communicators of the Word I have ever known (Pastor Chris Hodges-Church of the Highlands). The key is the anointing of the individual sharing the Word and the Presence of God.  Whenever I invite someone to my worship home, I always pray that God will touch that person in some way during their worship experience, and that He will anoint each person they come in contact with….  It could be as simple as the person feeling welcome, or the energy of the worship, or it might possibly be anointing of the person sharing the message.  More-so, or at least in addition to all of these areas….the Presence of God is the most crucial component. 

There have been times I have written a message, and I was not feeling particularly gifted or creative at the moment.  Sometimes I feel as though my words are mixed up and/or jumbled in my mind as I type the keys on the keyboard.  The HEART of any message or any form of communication is most important.  And, the MEAT of a devotion or a particular sermon or message is in our Savior’s touch, it’s not our doing. 

Credit belongs completely to our Father.  He is the ONE who has to draw us to Him.  We cannot force anyone to absorb any particular detail in a sermon, in a spiritual experience, retreat, or written message…including the Bible. The Bible comes alive to us when we are READY to RECEIVE it….and God meets us exactly where we are on our journey.  It’s so cool….and complicated to comprehend, much less try to explain.

If you are praying for someone to find the Lord….  If you are praying for someone to hear from God…..   If you are praying for your spouse to understand you…..  If you are praying for restoration or refreshment….  If you are praying for healing and strength…. then it’s best to pray for God’s PRESENCE to be realized and for His LIGHT to shine so bright that it’s impossible to ignore. 

God’s presence and peace is available to all of us….if we will only ask for it.  He’s knocking on our hearts wherever we are in our lives.  He’s waiting, He’s listening, and He loves us more than we can ever imagine.  That my friends is what HE DESIRES TO BE COMMUNICATED.  So if you have ever known someone who is going through a difficult time and you cannot imagine how they are surviving….it is because of God’s PRESENCE and His PEACE that transcends all understanding.

SEEK HIS PRESENCE TODAY!

SOAK IN HIS LOVE AND POWER!

HE DOES NOT DISREGARD THE FERVENT PRAYERS OF HIS CHILDREN!

  

SUSIE MC

Positive Quote of the Day (Thanks Josh) September 7, 2007

POSITIVE QUOTE OF THE DAY

SENT TO ME BY JOSH BECK

————————-

Class is an aura of confidence that is being sure without being cocky. Class has nothing to do with money. Class never runs scared.  It is self-discipline and self-knowledge. It’s the sure footedness that comes with having proved you can meet life.

– Ann Landers, born 1918

Verse and Message (Wednesday, Sept 5, 2007) September 5, 2007

John 10:10 (Amplified)

The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).

  

James 1:2 (NAS)

Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials.

Last Wednesday evening, Pastor Steve Blair shared some insight on how to reverse discouragement in our lives.  Too often we allow the Enemy to steal our joy, and it’s up to us to claim what is ours in Christ. 

Reasons of discouragement can be the result of being tired, fearful or apprehensive, when we get frustrated about our circumstances, or we can become discouraged when we make mistakes. 

Many characters in the Bible suffered discouragement.  One that comes to mind, who handled himself beautifully in the face of troubling circumstances is Job.  Yea, you know…..”the patience of Job” is a phrase you hear often when you recognize someone remaining strong and positive in the face of overwhelming and painful circumstances. At times like that, we ponder why God isn’t doing what we think He is supposed to be doing for the sad soul…..which at one time or another the suffering soul becomes each of us. 

Job had the best answer. 

He truly found encouragement in his relationship with the Lord. 

Pastor Steve shared seven ways that we can encourage ourselves when we become discouraged.  God needs people who can step up to the plate and encourage themselves. 

The following steps represent how that can be accomplished:

(I have included my personal comments in addition to Pastor Steve’s points)

1.  We need to make sure that we have an active and trusting relationship with the Lord.  How do we do that?  First of all, in order for us to love ourselves, we must recognize that God loved us first, and He loves us unconditionally.

  

2.  It’s also important that we maintain a healthy dependence on people.  We all need people in our lives to provide support in relationships.  A lot of times when people get discouraged, they tend to hold back and crawl into a cave of self pity, limiting contact with people.  What God wants us to do is to be active in seeking or reaching out to those who truly love us, and those who want what is best for us.  However, we must make sure that Christ is placed first in our lives. Healthy relationships with family members and friends are significant, but should precede our relationship with Christ.

  

3.  We need to have a view that is reality based – solely on the Bible.  We need to believe and trust in the promises of Scripture. As Christians, we need to recognize that the Holy Bible is complete Truth.  We cannot pick parts out of it to suit our needs for our personal convenience or individual circumstances. 

  

4.  We need to accept ourselves as valuable and unique to God.  He loves us more than we can ever begin to imagine loving another.  Each child of God is special to Him. He created each of us for a beautiful purpose.  Our trials will build our character. He is more concerned in our character than our comfort. (Rick Warren)

  

5.  We have to have a thankful heart and a positive attitude.  I was told one time that if I take a few minutes to count my blessings each day, I will truly have a grateful soul. It’s also important to maintain a positive attitude, which at times can be somewhat difficult when the Enemy is shooting flaming arrows from all different directions.  Sometimes those arrows get pretty hot, and we can become discouraged…but we must remember to “consider it all joy.”

  

6.  We must be consistent in our worship.  When we passionately and actively worship our Lord, He gives us the power and strength to change our perspective and ultimately change our circumstances in His timing.

  

7.  We must align our expectations with reality. God’s will for our lives is designed in our favor in order that we may be our BEST in Christ. Our reality should be parallel to His will for our lives, and we should expect God’s best in all outcomes (Romans 8:28).

  

Pastor Steve also shared this important note:

“When people try to eliminate pain out of their life, they eliminate the life out of their life.”

I learned a long time ago in my divorce recovery program, B.E., we cannot try to go around it, over it, or under it…

The only way THROUGH IT is to go THROUGH IT, and to know that our King is right there beside us.  He has already been through the FIRE for us so that we can truly live.  Those who remain discouraged are people who expect victory without difficulty or those who expect difficulty without victory. 

So, if you are discouraged today, take a minute to pray over these steps and allow God to give you the strength to encourage yourself.  Our Father sees the BIG PICTURE, and we must trust Him to guide us in and through all of these steps.  And the beautiful thing that happens is that once we are encouraged, we have the power to encourage others.  Someone once told me that if you want to take your mind off of your circumstances, then take a minute to help another in need. Our problems tend to diminish when we can help and/or encourage another.   

With the Light of the Lord within us, we have no choice but to SHINE and REFLECT His beautiful GLORY!

DISMISS DISCOURAGEMENT!

  

ENHANCE ENCOURAGEMENT!

  

LIFE IS GOOD!

SUSIE MC