Change is gonna come

Jeremiah 29:11-13 KJV"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart."
You are not satisfied with your routine. You have a great family. You are working at a decent company for decent pay (or a great company for great pay). You may be active socially, involved in the community, have fascinating hobbies. And yet there’s something missing. Maybe you simply need to alter your routine, or maybe you are ready for a significant and substantial spiritual change in your life. Here’s how to tell if the answer is: You’re ready for the change to happen.

Long before we acknowledge that we’re ready for a change, our heart is well aware and working on making it happen. If you find yourself thinking about a different lifestyle, if your thoughts wander off to things you’d much rather be doing, or if activities you used to be excited about don’t bring the same level of interest, this could be a sign you’re poised for a spiritual change.

When those you respect, suggest that not only are you ready for a change but you need to change. There’s nothing like confirmation from those you love, trust, and have your best interest at heart that the restlessness you’ve been feeling in your heart is present for a reason. Often, we dismiss and/or overlook what our hearts tell us. When people who are important to us take us aside and share what they’ve noticed, it may be time to consider a new paths to find the direction of God.

Do you sometimes feel uninspired? When people ask, “How’s it going?” is your response often lukewarm? Are you unchallenged? Maybe you’re not in a rut now, but are you headed in that direction? Are you eager to do something different or learn something new? Several “yeses” to these questions signal you’re on the horizon of change and that God is dealing with you about it.

Along with inspiration, energy levels can suggest whether you’re in a “good place.” At the end of the day, do you feel drained (depleted) or empowered (energized)? If you feel empowered, energized, lifted, or if you’re tired, encouraged by the goals you’re striving for, change probably isn’t necessary. On the other hand, when you end your day depleted and wondering where renewal will come from, your life is in the “ready, set” position for God to do something different within you.

When you believe, are told, or know that you were meant to do something more with your life, don’t be afraid to act on that knowledge. You may just discover the change your life has been seeking as God opens new doors for you.
-If there are things you want to do, but in your current position can’t because of situations you inherited, trust God to make the change.
-If you want to make a difference, but you don’t think you can because of past limitations, let go and let God do His thing.
-If you ask, “Why did God put me  here?”, you must realize He had a reason. Believe that He will reveal to you why.

Doing your best for God

If you want your work to be blessed by God, you need to exceed what is expected of you. Do more than just the minimum. Don’t just get by.

God wants you to go beyond the normal and surpass what is required of you. The Bible instructs us to exceed the expectations of your boss, to exceed the expectations of your customers. That is the kind of work God blesses.

We live in a world of mediocrity. How many times do we complain about shoddy workmanship or poor service or inferior quality? Americans used to take pride in their craft, but today it has become about just getting by. So many people just put in their time, do the minimum that’s required of them, and cut corners, getting by on as little effort as possible.

That’s the bad news. The good news is that this makes it very easy to stand out at work. Any time you take pride in your work and decide to do more than expected, you’ll rise to the top.

Another reason we should exceed in our work is because we represent Jesus Christ. And Jesus said, “If someone demands that you go one mile, go with him two miles” (Matthew 5:41). Exceed what’s expected of you, and watch God bless it.

On A Train Bound For Nowhere

 

Kenny Rogers' greatest hit was called, 'The Gambler". It was about a man who was having a hard time with life on a "train bound for nowhere". It was his encounter with a gambler that changed his perception of life when he heard the advice of the grizzled gambler.

Do you ever feel like a nobody riding on a train going nowhere no where?  I mean, down deep inside when it’s quiet and everybody else is in bed or when you’re driving and you don’t have to pay too much attention, do you start thinking about where your life is headed or what you’ve done or haven’t done?  At those times do you feel like a nobody going nowhere?  Has the thought ever crossed your mind “If I was gone a week later no one would even notice. Maybe a few family members, but no one would really notice.”

So many feel that their lives are like a treadmill. There’s a lot of activity, but they’re not getting anywhere. You’re working hard, but it doesn’t amount to much?  If so you are not alone!  Lot’s of people feel like that, but their perception is not necessarily true because everyone is special to God.

I have felt at times that God had forgotten my name, my dreams were dying, and I was a nobody going nowhere.  How about you? Do you ever struggle with such feelings? You don’t feel significant, needed, or recognized for what you contribute? Maybe you feel your spouse, your boss, or some other significant person in your life doesn’t appreciate you or what you do. 

Looking back on your past you think, “If I don’t get with it this is all I’m going to have for the rest of my life.”  Or perhaps you are saying, “What does it matter anyway?  No one gives a rip.”  Whoever you are, at whatever stage of life, I am here to tell you that you do matter. Someone does care because you are somebody destined to go somewhere because God says so.

Your perception of yourself makes all the difference in the world and determines in large measure the way your life will go. What you believe about yourself, whether it’s true or not, will influence your relationship with God and how you face life’s challenges.  Mistaken perceptions that aren’t in keeping with reality must be corrected by the light of God’s Word.  If you believe you are a nobody going nowhere your view needs to be corrected in the light of the truth found in Psalm 139.   This is the one Psalm that best describes God’s personal relationship with us. It reminds us that God is not far off, but is near to each of us.  

What Does this Psalm conclude? Well, in simple fashion I can sum it ups in four sentences:

1-God knows you.

2-God is pursuing you.

3-God says you are awesome.

4-God has a plan for you.

Read it and realize you are not on a train bound for nowhere and that you are not a nobody. You are special to God and always will be. Your destiny is decided by the choices He allows you to make. Don't blow it; pursue God and find out what He has in store for you.

His Word

Psalm 119:105 "Thy Word is a lamp for my feet, and a light unto my path."  

God put together a plan that instructs us on how to have a life that is rich in His success. He provided detailed instructions for building a life that is pleasing to Him thru His Word, but we too often leave the Bible sitting idle and unused, feeling comfortable with our Christian status quo. We throw together a few spiritual sounding phrases from the Word's pages with the hope that somehow this will take care of our problems and go our merry way. 

However, we often find we have too many situations to deal with and not enough phrases to go around. We speak phrases that are long and short, but never get the job done that is needed to be done to handle those situations. We wonder why godly men and woman in the Word were overcomers, but we sure do have a hard time just getting by.

Maybe it’s because the life we put together was with the wrong phases or perhaps you’re using phrases that don’t fit your situation. Since God made us and it only makes sense that He should know what we need to do to build our lives in Him and that's why He gave us His Word and helps us to speak what needs to be spoken at just the right time to make a difference.

So what are you trying to build? A dynamic relationship with Jesus Christ or a Christ-centered family? Godly children? God’s Word is filled with instructions that can help you in every area of your life. That's the good news. The bad news is that you'll never build it properly if you don't read the Bible. God’s instruction manual not only tells you how to build a God-honoring life, it also let's you know about where to find all the tools you will need thru the anointing and empowering of the Holy Spirit. The Bible has what you need when you need it the most.

His Word is a lamp for your feet. It will guide you thru the dark places of discouragement and despair. It will enlighten you when the storms and tempest howl. It will encourage you when all you friends have forsaken you and let you down.

His Word is a light unto you path. It's your path and your alone. No one can walk it for you. Isn't wonderful to know that whatever darkness you encounter can be defeated by the light of the world. That's exactly who Jesus is today and forever.


 

 

Predestined

Ephesians 1:5, 6 “Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.”

Theologians have argued the meaning of predestination for centuries. Since the question involves the eternal, undeniable counsel of an infinite Creator, it is evidently impossible for finite humans to comprehend its full meaning. But we don’t have to understand it before we can rejoice in its truth. The Scriptures teach that the purpose of God’s predestinating work is that we might glorify Him and His amazing grace. We have been predestinated to become adopted sons of God, “to the praise of the glory of his grace.”

Verse 5 said that He has “predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself."

Verse 11 declares, “We have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will." 

Verse 12 says we have been predestinated to a great inheritance, in order “that we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ." 

Verses 13, 14 say we have been “sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,” and, again, this is all “unto the praise of his glory."

We have also been predestinated “to be conformed to the image of his Son” according to Romans 8:29, which is predestinated unto eternal holiness, sonship, heirship, and Christlikeness. Surely these gifts are cause enough for us to praise eternally the glory of His grace.

That is, indeed, what we shall do in the ages to come. Paul said in Ephesians 3:21' “Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.". And since we are to be testifying to the praise of the glory of His grace throughout all ages, the challenge is for us to do so now.

So let's praise The Lord for all He has done for us!

I Will Rejoice

Habakkuk 3 

I know many times it seems like the unjust are prospering and the righteous has been forsaken, but we must remember that God has promised never will I leave you, nor forsake you. After questing and talking to God and hearing God reply Habakkuk said, 

"Although the fig tree shall not blossom yet I will rejoice in the Lord. 
Although there shall not be fruit in the vines yet I will rejoice in the Lord. 
Although the labour of the olive shall fail yet I will rejoice in the Lord. 
Although the fields shall yield no meat yet I will rejoice in the Lord. 
Although the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no 
herd in the stalls yet I will rejoice in the Lord."

I thought about the life of Job, how God allowed Satan, to take everything Job had and Job was facing death. But Job, said, although you slay me, yet will I trust you. And Habakkuk said, although...., yet will I rejoice in the Lord. I will rejoice in the Lord of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength and He will make my feet like hinds' feet, and He will make me walk upon mine high places. Therefore, I will bless the Lord at all times, His praise shall continually be in my mouth.

When we look and see the condition that this present world is in sometimes we become discouraged and we begin to question God, but we must remember that we are serving a true and living God. We're serving a God that sits high and looks low. A God that has all power in His hands, a God that is able to destroy, and a God that will defend His own.

So regardless of the problems and solutions God is still in control. I will rejoice in the Lord, for he has assure me in his word that he would not leave me nor will he forsake me, and told us, in this world that we would have trials and tribulation in this present world but be of good cheer for I have overcome the world. Although the dark clouds may rise, the stormy wind may blow, the thunder may roll, the lightening may flash and the rain may fall I will rejoice.