Matthew 25:40 (Amplified)

And the King will reply to them, Truly I tell you, in so far as you did it for one of the least [in the estimation of men] of these My brethren, you did it for Me.

Romans 8:1-2 (The Message)

With the arrival of Jesus, the Messiah, that fateful dilemma is resolved. Those who enter into Christ’s being-here-for-us no longer have to live under a continuous, low-lying black cloud. A new power is in operation. The Spirit of life in Christ, like a strong wind, has magnificently cleared the air, freeing you from a fated lifetime of brutal tyranny at the hands of sin and death.

“Soul Surfer” (the inspiring true story of Bethany Hamilton) was on television a few nights ago. We have seen it at the theater, and we have also viewed it on DVD. I have even written about this movie in a previous post. By now, I am surprised we don’t own a copy.  The nice thing about seeing a movie a second or third time is that you catch things that you didn’t discover the first time.

At the end of the movie, Bethany Hamilton who had lost her left arm in a shark attack, had finally made it to regional competition after much struggle to re-learn so many things having only one arm.  As time was running out on the clock, and after several failed attempts to catch a wave, she felt something. She sensed the energy of a wave approaching, although the water was very calm. Her intuition answered true as a large wave surfaced and she mounted her board. However, the bullhorn exclaimed that time had run out, therefore, according to the judges of the competition, her spectacular exhibition “didn’t count.” 

When she made it to the shore, she showed no appearance of disappointment, although her supporters were upset that her final “perfect” performance “didn’t count.” She confirmed confidently, “It counted.”

How many times have we done something that we thought didn’t count? The cool thing about God….He sees all, knows all, and recognizes our true heart. So, if you feel discouraged that something “big” you did….didn’t count….think again. God keeps the good scores of His children and throws out the bad scores. Come again? Yes, indeed, any small or big action you do in serving others, you have done for Him. On the flip side — when you sin – IT DOESN’T COUNT. Instead, HE SEES JESUS. That’s right….YOUR SIN DOESN’T COUNT once you have surrendered to Him and asked Him to be your Savior!  

All that we need to know is that He sees all the GOOD we do for His Kingdom, even if the world doesn’t see it. In addition, He disqualifies our sin, because He QUALIFIED US THROUGH CHRIST AT THE CROSS! So, be ready to catch the next wave, He loves seeing us being perfected day by day through His perfect sanctification!

Father,

Thank you for Your precious mercy that my sin no longer counts because of the incredible sacrifice of your Son, Jesus Christ. May I rest in Your beautiful GRACE, although I never want to take Your priceless GIFT for granted.  Thank You that you see my heart and every act of kindness and You smile….even if the credit of the world may not take place. Help me Father to make every second count in this life by sharing the TRUTH with the world.

In your precious NAME,

AMEN

 

James 4:6

But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: 

 “God opposes the proud
   but shows favor to the humble.”

According to Merriam-Webster online, FAVOR is defined as “approving consideration or attention.”

In addition, if you look up FAVORITE, you will find the following definition:

One that is treated or regarded with special favor or liking; especially : a person who is specially loved, trusted, or provided with favors by someone of high rank or authority.

I don’t know about you, but I like attention. Who doesn’t? You may not want “public attention” but no human being would frown at approval.

 Although God doesn’t play “FAVORITES” there’s something to be said about when and how He chooses to display His favor. Teachers usually recognize or smile upon the student who goes the extra mile. Well, in much the same way, when we seek to please our Father in the way we live, favor is His natural reaction.

 It’s not necessarily about how much we do or exactly what we do, it’s about the attitude we have and the will and the heart in which we do it. Consistency and persistency get the attention of God.

 Therefore, if we seek Him and live a life reflecting His desires consistently and persistently, favor takes place. Now, if we are only doing something to get His attention, He knows it. When we truly love Him and people, He smiles. True love consists of action and selflessness.

 Once we genuinely begin to make it all about “God and people” the focus comes off of ourselves, and we are less concerned about us and how we can benefit. However, in that position of humility, God cannot help but unload His favor in our lives.

 If we make GOD our FAVORITE — FAVOR JUST HAPPENS.

 Father God,

Give me the right heart and attitude to serve You and people. I desire Your attention and approval Lord, but I know these benefits will be a by-product when my actions are sincere and my love is real.  Give me the heart to be consistent and persistent in serving You and Your people. I pray favor on my friends and family.

In your beautiful NAME,

AMEN

Isaiah 43:19

See, I am doing a new thing!
   Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness
   and streams in the wasteland.

I love routine. I despise change. Hence, we finally took our Christmas decorations down yesterday, after enjoying them since the weekend before Thanksgiving.  

One thing I have discovered as I painfully take the steps to move  past Christmas is that when I have put the last ornament away, boxed the last nutcracker, and folded the last Christmas towel, there is a sense of relief when everything is in order and in place in the attic.

I think it’s so cool that the New Year falls right after Christmas, because  a “fresh start” seems to be fitting after the hoopla of the Christmas festivities and events. We all appreciate new beginnings. 

The funny thing, we get a “do-over” every 24 hours. That’s right, at the dawn of each new day we are blessed with a new beginning. We can choose to “carry-over” the burdens of yesterday, or start anew each morning, as the sun rises and the SON SHINES.

Pastor Mark Pettus of Church of the Highlands shared three inspiring points on new beginnings, especially how to embrace the New Year.

*Don’t ignore the fresh opportunity God gives us. Don’t waste the opportunity for a fresh start.

*Don’t try to do everything on your own. We need more than what’s in us alone.

*Live in the power that Christ has given us.

We live in a fallen world, and we were told there would be trouble. When we have a “God-Focus” we can be victorious no matter what we face. Our thoughts make all the difference. “Godly thoughts lead to Godly behavior.” (unknown)

So, whether you resolve to lose weight, work harder, eat better, exercise more, read the Bible each day in this new year–whatever it is, remember, Jesus Christ is the Author of the “Do Over” and your success depends on how much you give Him of YOU. If you want a NEW YOU in the NEW YEAR, live your days for Him and others. It’s the BEST way to make a fresh start in 2012!

Father,

Thank you for new beginnings, “do-overs”…a fresh start.  Because of your SON  ”all things new” is possible. Help us to make the most of this year ahead in 2012. We want our desires to line up with your desires. Give us fresh vision and passion for your Word and your people.

In Jesus Precious Name

AMEN

We wish you a joyous CHRISTMAS with a NEW YEAR IN 2012 filled with His beautiful favor and abundance!

Love,

Jeremy, Susan, Connor, and Lena-Belle

Pastor Dino Rizzo of Healing Place Church spoke at Church of the  Highlands for our mid-week service last night. He shared an incredible message about being the “fragrance” of Christ. Our fragrance affects our environment and the people around us.

When we have a FRAGRANCE of ”sacrifice” “surrender” and “others” there’s no telling what kind of impact we will have on eternity. When we are identified by the fruit of the spirit, we not only represent HIM effectively, we have the power within us to change the atmosphere where miracles in salvation can occur. We may be the only JESUS people see. That is why it is crucial to live in such a way that we are recognized by His precious SCENT. 

Check out the following video. I think it speaks volumes of the responsibility we have to  influence eternity. The “fragrance” we leave just might create a supernatural domino effect.

--I couldn't resist using this photo--

Matthew 5:6

You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat.

When we don’t eat, we get hungry. Sometimes we don’t eat, because we are too busy. Sometimes we miss a meal, because we get distracted. Sometimes we don’t eat, because we cannot find something satisfying to indulge. Sometimes we are too tired to eat. And sometimes we are sick and don’t have an appetite.

We all know signs of hunger. We may suffer the following symptoms when we are hungry:

Feeling of emptiness

Dizziness, faintness, or light-headedness

Irritability, easily agitated

Lack of concentration

A strange phenomenon occurs if we go without eating for an extended period of time. We will eventually lose our appetite. Our body shuts down the hunger alert, and it stops desiring what is crucial for it to thrive. If we lack proper nourishment, our physical body will fail–likewise with our spirit.

When we cease to crave His presence due to distractions at work, domestic projects, activities with kids, hobbies, errands, events, social interaction, even religious activities — things that can complicate our schedules and wear us down—we tend to lose our appetite for the “Bread of Life.”

When we take our eyes off Him, we will begin to feel empty, faint, and irritable. In addition, we will have a difficult time concentrating on what is MOST important. When our focus is directed on anything other than our ONE TRUE SOURCE, we are at risk of losing our hunger for the only sure Answer to emptiness within.

What we hunger for is what we feed on. If we don’t go to Him FIRST to FILL US, we will fill up or settle for the junk of the world and its pleasures, thus, not providing room for His Holy Spirit to nourish us. With Jesus, we are given consistent sustenance–a balanced diet–The Fruit of the Spirit.

Our Lord wants to be the “SPECIAL” on the menu of each new day!

Father,

Please forgive me when I fill up on everything but YOU. I don’t want to be complacent with the things of the world. You provide the ONLY recipe for a healthy spirit. Remind me that when I feed on You and Your Word, my heart stays healthy.

In Jesus Beautiful Name

AMEN

Exodus 3:10, 13-14 10

10 So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.” 13 Moses said to God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?” 14 God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.[b] This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”

Pastor Layne Schranz, associate pastor at Church of the Highlands, opened up the service last Sunday talking about the GREAT I AM. I always thought that “I AM” was an awkward name for God, and I pictured standing in Moses’ shoes when God commanded him to go to Pharaoh to declare that the GREAT I AM sent him.

God revealed new light to me through Pastor Layne at that moment. If we want to derive meaning from the NAME of the GREAT I AM, we simply fill in the blank. 

I AM _______.

God is anything and everything we need or want Him to be.

If we need peace – then He says – “I AM your PEACE.”

If we need money or a job – then He says – “I AM your PROVIDER.”

If we are afraid – then He says – “I AM your PROTECTOR.”

If  we are sick or hurting – then He says – “I AM your HEALER.”

All we have to do is fill in the blank. There is MORE POWER in HIS NAME than in any other name.

Check out this beautiful worship song with lyrics that describes a little of what I am trying to explain….

NEW LIFE WORSHIP – GREAT I AM

http://www.onlylyrics.com/hits.php?grid=11&id=1062274

Do you want heaven to be real, and death to be a lie?

Do you want to see dry bones living again?

We can count on the GREAT I AM to be forever faithful. He fills the blanks in our lives. He truly completes us, never leaving us empty. He provides HOPE and gives us strength for anything we face.

Father,

Thank you for being the GREAT I AM. I am only alive, because you are my everything.  Never let me forget that darkness runs at the mention of your Name. No power above or below can stand against You. Thank you for being on my side. When you are for me, who could stand against me? That is a beautiful reality!

AMEN 

Matthew 28:19-20

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

When I first heard that an airplane flew into one of the Twin Towers in New York City, I thought, “what an awful accident”…I wondered what caused the malfunction of the instruments in the airplane, and how could air traffic controllers be so negligent?” Then, a second plane flew into the towers……REALITY CLARIFIED that this tragedy wasn’t an accident — September 11, 2001.

I think it’s a powerful tribute that a memorial was created at the location of where this event in history took place a decade ago. It’s fitting to have a memorial tell a story of what happened. As I reflect on 9/11, I realize it’s a moment in time that marks a changed life for most, and how we see things differently now.

I think about the people who said to Jesus, “If you are God, then get off the cross — save yourself — if you are King of the Jews.” Because Jesus WAS, IS, and WILL ALWAYS be God, He did what He did to save us.  We are a walking memorial for the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. HIS Great Commission directs us to share what happened over 2,000 years ago. For some, He’s a Life Changer, but unfortunately, for many, He’s just a part of  history. May we see the world differently, through His eyes, and may the increase of LIFE CHANGE take place through us.

Father,

Thank you for sending your SON to rescue us. Teach us to reflect the PERFECT MEMORIAL of the Savior! Please don’t let us take for granted the sacrifice that was made at Calvary. Comfort the families directly affected by the events of 9/11. May Jesus be glorified as we remember the lives that were sacrificed on that horrific day ten years ago. May we recognize our need for You no matter what events take place in our fallen world. Continue to use us to share the love and goodness of Christ!

AMEN

Below is a video of the 9/11 memorial…

http://news.yahoo.com/bloomberg-shares-lessons-of-9-11.html

Being a “BLOGGER” I have access to the greatest writers in the world. I have been blessed to be a part of a facebook group known as “Christian Bloggers Network” created by Dr. Andrew Jackson (http://drandrewjackson.com/about/about-dr-andrew-jackson). It’s a very encouraging site, of which I can feed on at any time!! There are a variety of backgrounds of faith represented with the enthusiasm and passion to share God’s Word. This morning I came across an incredible message that I think would inspire us “overachievers” and guide us to a new perspective.

You can follow Andrew Brewer’s blog at:  http://7sentences.com/

Here’s his post today…..

Are You Addicted to YES?

August 26, 2011

2 Corinthians 15:7

NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, NEVER GIVE UP!

(Winston Churchill)

This morning Brandon Isabell who is the pastor of our Church of the Highlands campus in Auburn, spoke on being persistent in prayer and genuinely believing in God for answered prayer. He shared the analogy of running a marathon and what happens when one hits the ”WALL” before completing a  marathon. 

The distance of a marathon is 26.2 miles. The “WALL” represents that place  in a marathon, typically between 17 and 20 miles, where one wants to QUIT…STOP…GIVE UP. 

I have run six marathons. The last one was completed in October of 2006. I made it through six marathon walls. After an injury that escalated to ultimately slow me down and take me out of marathon zone, I now have a new perspective. I haven’t given up, just waiting on God and allowing Him to do different things in me. Changing directions and priorities doesn’t mean we give up on a dream. It simply means God is molding us to become “better.”

I prayed for six consecutive “21 days of prayer” from August 2007 through January 2010 for my husband. During that span, praying through six “WALLS” God opened my eyes to a new perspective. He distracted me and redirected my focus to take the edge off. I was still persistent in prayer, but God helped me grow to be ”filled” with HIM, “joyful” in HIM, with more “focus” on HIM while waiting for His answer. God made me into a “better” Susan so that I would be ready for Jeremy, when HIS timing was right. 

When you pray fervently for something — a goal, a person, a change, provision, healing, etc — whatever it is you are praying for….you can count on God to be faithful. Most likely, He won’t answer the prayer in your timeframe or exactly the way you envision, but you can bet, HE has the BEST result.

If you are worn out praying…if you have hit the WALL…if you are ready to throw in the towel… envision this — Jesus, in the Garden of Gethsemane, praying to the point of death….blood, sweat, tears. He’s been there…He knows precisely what you are going through…He is working on the BEST outcome in your situation. His grace is sufficient. His grace was and will be sufficient for anything and everything we will face. So, persevere, HE’S GOT IT!

NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, NEVER GIVE UP!

Father,

Thank you for giving us the grace that is sufficient to get through the “Walls” of life. Guide us into becoming “better” and give us eyes to see what YOU see. Thank you for answered prayer, thank you for giving us the strength and perseverance to NEVER GIVE UP! Our HOPE is in YOU Lord!

Amen