Too Fast for Filo!

Life can certainly come at us faster then we really expect. Many things in today's working world, not to mention family life, move at lighting speed, where just one decision can be life-changing. Many depend on their PDA to get them through one more day, but too many times we find ourselves press-down to the point where we can't seem to move forward. During these times, we need someone who can work and think outside the box; someone who looks at life "eternally" verses "just getting through the next hour." PDA's are great...but if we really want to have the ride-of-your-life...we need to look to Him, "the giver of all life." Only He can strap us in to meet the challenges of life. (Proverbs 3:5-6) Don't depend on a seatbelt or you may end up like Filo!

What Does it Take to Fill up your Tank?

Many of us are concerned about what it will take tomorrow to fill our gas tank, but did you ever stop to think what is required to fill up our Spiritual Tank. We are living in a Spiritual Energy Crisis. It is evident today that many of us are running on empty. I thought, wouldn't it be nice to see some type of a sign (like a bumper sticker) on each and every true Christian that might say: "Powered by Jesus!" Wouldn't that be neat? Shouldn't we be powered by Jesus?

Jesus Christ is the source of our power. What a vast difference it might make if every church member were one hundred percent powered by Jesus. That would be awesome. Not self-powered, but Jesus-powered. Far too many of us live on our own steam when there is available for our use the awesome almighty power of Jesus. Are you living with His Power?

I want you to look at 2 Peter 1:3. It says... "His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness." If your tank is dry and you feel like you need to stop and fill-up, try filling up with the only person who can truly fill you to the brim. It will not cost you $4.31/gallion; you are going to get the highest rated octane for the price of regular when you deal with Jesus!

What Makes You Click?

There is a connection between endurance, perseverance, and hope. The stronger our hope, the more resolute we endurance and maintain our relationship with Him. The longer we endure, the more we persevere through the tuff times, but without hope it’s difficult to hang tough. The more we know of Jesus, and what He had done for us, the greater will be our endurance, even when circumstances seem to be saying that everything is hopeless. “The hope of salvation” protects our thinking, our minds, so that we’re able to resist giving in to thoughts of hopelessness. So, hope is central to what we’re about as believers, not just something we lean on in challenging times.

For most, however, they have placed money at the center of happiness, thus requiring ever greater amounts to gain greater satisfaction. During times of hardship, lost of a job or some costly family situations, funds lessen; they are forced to seek other means of acquiring wealth. Under such statements as: "we are only trying to make it better for our family," or "we need to work based on the economy" everyone soon suffers because of missing parents who are now working 24/7 just to survive rising costs.

God is "a father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, a God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families, he leads forth the prisoners with singing." Psalm 68:5, 6

If we can regain our connection between endurance, perseverance, and hope, thus placing God at the center and not money, we soon realize that money is not as important as our kids.

VietNam War Memorial_2008

Each year Americans remember the many who gave their lives for our country. This year, much like those before, we know several that road motor cycles to Washington "Rolling Thunder - Run to the Wall."

But whether you remember our fallen on a motor cycle or that time to pray for those lost and those still serving our country today, I would like to consider the concept of a "Memorial."

Throughout Scripture, God speaks volumes about remembering, thus placing a memorial for future generations. Different, but the same, the memorial concept is a remembrance of the past to help all of us make decisions in the future.

A spiritual memorial is simply any object, picture, or memory that can direct one's spirit towards the realization that God is good and faithful... When the Israelites crossed the Jordan River to enter the Promised Land in Joshua 4, Joshua called each of the tribes to gather a stone from the river and, using these 12 stones, they built a memorial to the faithfulness of God. Joshua declared, "…When your children ask in time to come, 'What do these stones mean to you?' then you shall tell them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off in front of the ark of the covenant of the Lord. When it crossed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. So these stones shall be to the Israelites a memorial forever.'" (Joshua 4: 6-7) The first thing Joshua did when he entered the Promised Land was build a spiritual memorial to the faithfulness of God. He understood the transformative power of spiritual memorials. He understood that what some people might see as just a pile of rocks, others could be taught to see as a powerful testimony to God.

Another example of the transformative power of spiritual memorials comes out of the life of David in 1 Samuel 17. The young shepherd boy is thrust into a battle against a tremendous obstacle, the giant Goliath. As David considered the possibility of facing this giant in battle, he looked for hope in spiritual memorials of God's faithfulness to him in the past. When everyone around him, defeated and demoralized, trembled in fear of the giant, David chose to place his trust in God. David recalled occasions when God helped him defeat a lion and a bear while guarding his father's sheep.

These memories of God's faithfulness in the past provided David with the hope that God would be faithful in delivering him from the giant that he faced in this situation. So, armed with these spiritual memorials and a simple sling, David stepped into the valley and defeated the giant. David's act of faith infused hope and courage into the army of Israel. Suddenly, these men who'd been cowering in fear charged bravely across the battlefield to conquer the Philistines. Spiritual memorials not only serve as personal reminders to God's faithfulness, but at times they even bolster or ignite the faith of entire communities.

Spiritual memorials are all around us, but sometimes we just need to get people to see them with new eyes—to have a new experience with them.

National Day of Prayer

"The future continually demands reorganizing of our thinking. Strategic thinking can be summed up quite simply: What seems to be happening? What possibilities do we face? And what are we going to do about it? It is about maintaining an acute sensitivity to changing conditions, a willingness to think in a variety of ways, and avoidance to traps formed by what we already know and an ability to decide."

Change comes when we pray for change. The future is always demanding reorganization, but God remains unchanged. "If My people, who are called by My Name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land" (2 Chronicles 7:14). Change must begin with our relationship vertically if we want our horizontal relationships to be effected.

Benjamin Franklin spoke: In this situation of this Assembly, groping as it were in the dark to find political truth, and scarce able to distinguish it when presented to us, how has it happened, Sir, that we have not hitherto once thought of humbly applying to the Father of lights to illuminate our understandings? In the beginning of the contest with G. Britain, when we were sensible of danger we had daily prayer in this room for the divine protection.- Our prayers, Sir, were heard, & they were graciously answered. All of us who were engaged in the struggle must have observed frequent instances of a superintending providence in our favor. To that kind providence we owe this happy opportunity of consulting in peace on the means of establishing our future national felicity. And have we now forgotten that powerful friend? or do we imagine that we no longer need his assistance?

I have lived, Sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without his aid? We have been assured, Sir, in the sacred writings, that "except the Lord build the House they labour in vain that build it." I firmly believe this; and I also believe that without his concurring aid we shall succeed in this political building no better, than the Builders of Babel: We shall be divided by our little partial local interests; our projects will be confounded, and we ourselves shall become a reproach and bye word down to future ages. And what is worse, mankind may hereafter from this unfortunate instance, despair of establishing governments by human wisdom and leave it to chance, war and conquest.

I therefore beg leave to move-that henceforth prayers imploring the assistance of Heaven, and its blessings on our deliberations, be held in this Assembly every morning before we proceed to business, and that one or more of the Clergy of this City be requested to officiate in that Service.

We all need to pray for our nation; simply working things out through Strategic Thinking will only lead to addition needs. God wants to correct each situation, but we need to allow Him to do so...NOW MORE THEN EVER BEFORE!

The Search for Signficance

Every person is on a Search for Significance! We try to find significance through our personal relationships, work efforts, or the ability to achieve goals, but in every area, we always seem to come up short. Too often we spend our entire life looking for significance only to find that our diligent efforts have been placed in the wrong arena. I like what Stephen Covey says, "Sometimes we spend our entire life trying to get to the top of the ladder only to get to the top and discover that we had it leaning against the wrong wall."

In God, we have all the significance we will ever need! We where created in His likeness and image to have both an internal and external purpose. Too often we focus our need for significance in insignificant areas: such as our success that are based on personal goals that we will never achieve. Much of what our society has elevated to top priority positions is insignificant in light of eternity.

As I sit here sharing my heart, I suggest I am not so different from you all. We too seek the statements like: "job well done", but are we like you looking for it in the wrong place. I am reminded, we all need to "seek first the kingdom of God" verses simply expecting the acceptance from others after completing a task. By keeping Him and His eternal purpose first, we should be able to fulfill each daily priority better; by changing the priorities of life from centering on "me-first", we don't have to worry about the acknowledgements that will alway fade away with time. The Message New Testament says, "Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You will find all your everyday human concerns will be met." No one ever missed out by putting God first.

The best information available says - that we will not regret the things we did wrong as much as we will regret failing to live life passionately based on a specific purpose in mind. Where do the things of God fit into your priorities? Is God and His eternal purposes first in your life? Each of us need to answer these questions personally. It is something that can't be fixed by someone else!

Since our significance comes from God; certainly, if given the chance, all the other areas of life will follow accordingly!

"You will find, as you look back upon your life, that the moments

that stand out are the moments when you have done things for others"

The Matrix

Morpheus: The Matrix is everywhere. It is all around us. Even now, in this very room. You can see it when you look out your window or when you turn on your television. You can feel it when you go to work... when you go to church... when you pay your taxes. It is the world that has been pulled over your eyes to blind you from the truth.

This is your last chance. After this, there is no turning back. You take the blue-pill, the story ends, you wake up in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe. You take the red-pill, you stay in Wonderland and I show you how deep the rabbit-hole goes.

Did you ever feel that you have come to a turning point in your life; a cross roads that will take you to either the left or the right, but you where unsure as to which direction would be best. Many of us reach that point some time in our life were we must accept the blue-pill and simply go forward as we have always done or the red-pill to discover new avenues within our relationships, our families, and our service to Jesus Christ. If we choose Wonderland, we need to go down the rabbit-hole into an unknown territory. Like most rabbit-holes, it will lead to places were we haven’t been before or may have never considered if we just played it safe and took the blue-pill.

Serving in full-time missions -- it is like taking that red-pill. You don't fully understanding where it will take you, but you soon realize you will need guidance from a directional leader. Christ will always take you down a path where you least expect; to a Wonderland that far surpasses even your largest dreams. It is really up to all of you which pill to take. Choose wisely!

Fishing for Soles

Fishing evangelism is different. Most Christian’s workers struggle with evangelism; therefore, so rarely dot it. Jesus said that evangelism is fishing for people. Fishing, not hunting. Instead of indiscriminate evangelism, you fish out seekers from among indifferent or antagonistic people. It is what Jesus did and what both Paul and Peter taught. You discover seekers by putting out bait to elicit questions; in your neighborhood, workplace, or campus. Bait comes in two kinds:

Your life: Personal integrity, you character, moral purity, graciousness, and truthfulness. Quality work for the employer, as thought he were Jesus Christ! Paul insists that a caring loving relationship cost time and energy, but your ability to give of yourself shows others that you truly care about them.

Your words: Brief, appropriate comments about God, tactfully inserted into secular conversation offers advancement in areas that normally are closed. Bait is tiny; you drop small spiritual bombshells in a casual, natural way, then simply stand back and watch how God makes the change. This leaves people free to ask questions, but only if they feel they are have not been places in the spotlight.

There is nothing but benefits to this approach:

• For the fisherman...evangelism becomes enjoyable, because the seeker is asking all the questions.
• For the fisherman...evangelism is patient and kind, allowing the seeker to pace the conversation as they are ready. We some times turn people off by saying too much.
• For the fisherman...evangelism of this type shows respect. You treat the person, not as an object, but a real person who may be in need of help; help that only you can give.
• For the fisherman...evangelism maybe right on target; not a stab in the dark to find out what their evangelic temperature is an any given time.
• For the fisherman...evangelism is culturally sensitive. You are only answering questions that where asked, thus you are not pushing an agenda.
• For the fisherman...evangelism is discreet. You have reduced the concept of a spiritual hostile environment that could blow up in your face.
• For the fisherman...evangelism is Biblical. As Jewish hostility grew, Jesus simply taught in parables to offer new light on the same subject.

For the seeker there are also benefits:

• For the seeker...they can take it all in within their timing, not yours.
• For the seeker...they soon see that you really care and are there for them through each situation, not just specific ones.
• For the seeker...they don't feel like they have been used; to check off that a Christian got another’s on his or her belt.
• For the seeker...many times, like a fish, they are not aware that they are hooked until it is too late, or they really desired to bait and would risk everything to get it...it was their choice, not the fisherman.

Peter says, "Be ready to answer the questions." Paul says, "Know how to answer." We all need to give fishing a try, but remember -- Let the Holy Spirit finish the caught!

Breaking Bread Together

As we rush to keep up with the speed of our busy lives, one of the first activities we tend to sacrifice is the sharing of a meal with other people. We may find ourselves eating alone at the kitchen counter or hurriedly drinking a cup of soup while driving in our cars. Yet taking the time to share a meal with family or a close friend not only feeds your body, but also it can nourish your soul. Companionship can fill the heart the way warm stew can satisfy your belly. Eating a meal with others allows you to slow down, while nurturing your relationships.

Breaking bread with others can be treated like a ritual where the gestures of sharing and togetherness are just as important as the food you eat. Planning, preparing, and consuming a meal are all stepping off points toward good conversation, bonding, and learning about someone else. Inviting a new acquaintance to share a meal can be the start of a wonderful friendship. A shared breakfast can be a brainstorming session between coworkers, or it can set the tone for a positive day for family members. Lunch with a friend can be a welcome break from the day's stress, as well as a chance to unwind. Dinner with loved ones can be a chance to talk about the day's events with people who truly care. Sometimes, there may even be no need for conversation, and you may want to share a meal with someone while sitting in comfortable silence.

The breaking of bread can be a fulfilling experience, especially when done among people you love and trust. So the next time you find yourself rushing through a meal in front of your computer, you may want to pause and reconsider. The warm feelings, sense of security, and enjoyment you experience from sharing a meal with others may be the kind of break that you really need.

Veterans Day_2007

October 31, 2007
A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America

Throughout our history, America has been protected by patriots who cherished liberty and made great sacrifices to advance the cause of freedom. The brave members of the United States Armed Forces have answered the call to serve our Nation, ready to give all for their country. On Veterans Day, we honor these extraordinary Americans for their service and sacrifice, and we pay tribute to the legacy of freedom and peace that they have given our great Nation.

In times of war and of peace, our men and women in uniform stepped forward to defend their fellow citizens and the country they love. They shouldered great responsibility and lived up to the highest standards of duty and honor. Our veterans held fast against determined and ruthless enemies and helped save the world from tyranny and terror. They ensured that America remained what our founders meant her to be: a light to the nations, spreading the good news of human freedom to the darkest corners of the earth.

Like the heroes before them, today a new generation of men and women are fighting for freedom around the globe. Their determination, courage, and sacrifice are laying the foundation for a more secure and peaceful world.

Veterans Day is dedicated to the extraordinary Americans who protected our freedom in years past, and to those who protect it today. They represent the very best of our Nation. Every Soldier, Sailor, Airman, Marine, and Coast Guardsman has earned the lasting gratitude of the American people, and their service and sacrifice will be remembered forever. In the words of Abraham Lincoln: " . . . let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the Nation's wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle . . . ." On this Veterans Day, I ask all Americans to express their appreciation to our Nation's veterans.

With respect for and in recognition of the contributions our service men and women have made to the cause of peace and freedom around the world, the Congress has provided (5 U.S.C. 6103(a)) that November 11 of each year shall be set aside as a legal public holiday to honor our Nation's veterans.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim November 11, 2007, as Veterans Day and urge all Americans to observe November 11 through November 17, 2007, as National Veterans Awareness Week. I encourage all Americans to recognize the valor and sacrifice of our veterans through ceremonies and prayers. I call upon Federal, State, and local officials to display the flag of the United States and to support and participate in patriotic activities in their communities. I invite civic and fraternal organizations, places of worship, schools, businesses, unions, and the media to support this national observance with commemorative expressions and programs.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirty-first day of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand seven, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-second.
GEORGE W. BUSH

God, Please Help Us to Get it Right

By Ron McGatlin

Urgent is the word to describe the season in which we now abide. Like a building in an increasingly potent earthquake swaying and cracking, the world is threatening to come apart at the seams. The economies, governments, and every aspect of human existence is stretched beyond its capacity to continue in the same form and direction of the past. The values, morals, and priorities that have structured past life are no longer sustaining the movement of mankind on the planet toward abiding in productive growth and well being.

Despair and despondency will become familiar realities among much of the population of the world. Driven to desperation man’s extreme solutions for sustaining meaningful life will greatly affect the social and political structure and endeavors of peoples and nations. Dramatic changes and extreme actions will alter life on the planet, first in the ruling cities and outward to the small towns and villages of the world.

Why is most of the world rushing toward this abyss of darkness? This is an individual and personal crisis as well as a national and worldwide disaster. First the people and their families are being shaken and coming apart at the seams then cities, nations, and the world soon follows. I hear from people almost every day that are at the end of themselves and the church as they have known it. They are worn down and tired from trying to get enough money to provide for a house, car, food, education, their personal wants, and for their children to have the "good life" so they can grow up to do the same for the next generation. The church routines and rituals have left them dry and without power and wisdom to find and fulfill the purpose and meaning of their lives. Self indulgence and pleasure seeking becomes a popular escape from the empty reality of life.

The following is a portion of a confession from a very private moment someone recently shared publically. This is typical of many Christians coming to an end of life as they have known it.

"What am I here for? I’m sick of the world, I’m sick of the Church, I’m sick of paying the bills and having an education and a career and a mortgage. I’m tired of feeling fat and old and ugly and dumb. I’m tired of hearing about the wonderful things that people with money are doing for the less fortunate. Why do they need attention? I’m sick of hearing about the starving kids and the widows who have nobody. Why are they still in need, when Your church is on this earth? I’m tired of worrying about the next terrorist attack. And I’m really sick and tired every time I hear of a new million dollar mega-ministry being built in this country while there are people being martyred in other countries for having a Bible. I’m tired of feeling like I am alone and I don’t have a heart and at the same time, I cry and grieve all the time about everything I just wrote. I’m sick of hearing about any of it, but won’t do anything? Why am I not doing anything? What can I do? I am learning that I will never do anything about it. Because I have to die, so You (Jesus) can. I want to feel love for mankind and I don’t. I’m almost numb. But I ask this question all the time: Why was Jesus here? Why was your son here?"

And another person writes: "I went through all of the "hoops" and the never ending "classes to equip" to be made ready for service.

I have read just about every book and taken every class there is to "add to my portfolio" that the system has dictated I should have to be relevant. I think I will be sick if I see one more program concerning being ‘seeker sensitive’ while being totally impotent to the needs around us." And these comments are some of the lighter ones from God-loving Christians. Others deal with families spliting up, children going astray into everything from immorality to suicide. Church leaders are giving up everyday, unable to cope with their own problems much less that of a congregation. What is going on? What is wrong? Can you feel Him weeping? Is your heart weeping? Mine is.What happened? Where is the church that He said He would build to bring forth His ways on the earth? Christ Jesus came from heaven to earth and provided all that mankind will ever need to live in such a way that there could be peace on earth and good will toward men. The obvious thing is that we, for the most part, have not got it yet. We have not found and carried out His way, His plan, and His purpose for His people on earth. Is it now time to turn back to God with our whole hearts and lay down what is not working to pick up what Christ Jesus said to do? Is it time to reconsider our lives in light of the reality of the words of Jesus and change our priorties of life to what He said? Yes, I believe it is that time. I believe there is no other way. Obviously this will involve changing what we have believed was the way and what we have been taught were the priorities of life and finding His way and His priorities.Much could be said and many points covered in a search for the way. Yet, I believe God is revealing the core issue or predominant initial error that has led us into the grevious state the world has come to. We (the church) have not known that we were supposed to be the bearers of the way of life into the world, the light and the life of Christ Jesus to rule and reign in every area of life in the world. Here it is in one verse:"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." (Mat 6:33).

Plain and simple the church for the most part does NOT know what the kingdom of God and His righteousness really is. We have not even known what the first priority of life is about. Oh, yes, I know each denomination or group has given some interpretation to defining the kingdom, but almost none have known the reality of the kingdom of God. Therefore, the church and the world have sought after many things. However, we have not sought the real kingdom of God as our top priority. We do not even really know what Jesus was talking about. Therefore, discovering what the kingdom is and seeking it first is the answer for our world an mankind.Praise God, there is hope.

There are those among us receiving the revelation of the real kingdom of God, the gospel of the kingdom that Jesus really taught and preached as the top number one priority of life. When we get it, we can move into the reality of the power and love of God to redeem and change the world.Not everyone is ready to hear the word of the kingdom. Only those who are given ears to hear can hear the word of the kingdom. Jesus said that those with hardened hearts and rock-hard religious convictions or cares of this life cannot hear "the word of the kingdom" (Mat 13:19).WHAT IS THE KINGDOM OF GOD?The phrases "kingdom of God" and "kingdom of heaven" mean exactly the same thing and are used interchangeably in Scripture. People have different thoughts about the kingdom of God. Some see it as a generic term for anything relating to God. Much the same as one might say "the animal kingdom" when referring to everything about animals. Some think the church and the kingdom are one and the same. Others relate kingdom to heaven someday. Some think of the kingdom negatively as a human attempt to impose religious rule over other people. Others think of it as a means for men to gain personal wealth and self-gratification. Some think it is only within believers and has nothing to do with governing in the world. Some others think of cults or false extremist sects when they hear the words "kingdom of God." The enemy desires that doubts and confusion would enter our minds when we hear the word "kingdom," because he greatly fears the kingdom of God coming forth in God’’s people. The enemy knows that when the kingdom matures in God's people, his inordinate rule on earth is completely over.So what was the kingdom Jesus taught so much about? The Greek word "basileia" is translated "kingdom" in English. Jesus spoke of the kingdom (basileia) over one hundred times in the Gospels.

One wonderful man of God who began to hear the gospel of the kingdom in the 1980s, said he had trouble with the word "kingdom." He asked God for another word to replace kingdom and heard the word, "government." A kingdom is a government ruled by a sovereign. Perhaps it will help us to think of the kingdom of God as "the government of God." Most of Jesus’ teachings were aimed at explaining the kingdom (government) of God, how it works, and how to enter it. The thread or general theme of the kingdom of God runs through all the teachings of Jesus and much of the rest of the Bible. But the Holy Spirit, speaking through Paul in Romans 14:17, gives us perhaps the most clear, concise, spiritual definition of the kingdom of God. Romans 14-17: ... for the kingdom of God is not food and drink, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. The word translated "kingdom" in the New Testament is the Greek word "basileia" which comes from the root word "basis." "Basileia" means "foundation of power, realm, rule, or royalty." "Basis" has almost the same meaning in English or Greek. It means to walk, to pace, or foot in Greek.KING / DOM "King" means "ruler or sovereign." "Dom" is the root from which we get words like "dominion, dominant, domain, and dome." Thus, the kingdom of God means the sovereign ruler/dominion walk of God, the ruler/dom of God.The kingdom of God is a realm or walk. It is a lifestyle, sovereignly ruled by the basic foundational power of God through which God’’s ruler/dominion is established on earth. The kingdom walk or lifestyle is produced by the appearing or manifesting of Christ Jesus through the Holy Spirit within God’s people. When the character and nature of Christ is developed in the hearts of God’s people, they become the purified Bride of Christ. God’s love flowing in and through His bride produces obedience and righteousness prevails. Righteousness always leads to peace and joy. The bride or wife of Christ carries out her part as pictured in Proverbs 31:10-31, and the ruler/dominion of God is functioning in the world. The secrets of how to rule our planet God’s way are locked up in the revelation and understanding of the kingdom of God. They are extremely potent and can produce the overcoming of any negative force in the world. There is nothing impossible to those who possess the reality of the practical working of God’s government on Planet Earth.

The kingdom is only revealed to those with a pure heart. Most people are not in a position to hear even what was just written here, and there is much more that is vitally important to moving into the kingdom of God/Kingdom of heaven lifestyle. The Kingdom Growth Guides are filled with the revelation of the kingdom and begin with practical reality of getting into position to hear the gospel of the kingdom and empowering us to truly seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.

The kingdom Growth Guides are available free of charge...go Here:

http://www.openheaven.com/forums/forum_topics.asp?FID=14&PN=1

We are at War!

We are at war, but unlike the battles you see every night in the news or read within our local paper, this is a battle that goes beyond any technology known to man. It is a battle that seems to touch everyone, both rich and poor, single or married, and it is not extrusive to male or female; it is a battle for the hearts, minds, and souls of mankind. Many call it "the culture war" euphemistically, but it really is a clash of two antithetical worldviews.

This clash manifests itself in a couple of area, but the overriding question still reflects What is truth and is there a truth...what does it mean to be human? These questions certainly apply to every issue you see today, whether associated with the environment, challenges of one generation over another, or simply questions of how we are to get along with each other.

A Christian worldview is a set of presuppositions and beliefs that are used to interpret and form opinions about humanity, purpose in life, duties in the world, responsibilities to family, interpretation of truth, social issues, and most important, their relationship with God. The Bible has much to say about the nature of man, the world, purpose, truth, morality, etc., and so does the world in which we live. The world asserts that man evolved, the Bible says he was created in the Image of God. The world says that morals are relative, the Bible says they are absolute. Where the world says that there is no need of salvation and redemption, the Bible clearly states that all people are in need of deliverance from their sin. The contrast is obvious and profound. Both cannot be true.

As we observe society, it is evident that not all is well. Television has degenerated into a bordello of violence, occultism, and disobedience to parents. It often portrays pastors as psychotics, priest as pedophiles, and religious people as insecure, ignorant, and bigoted. The News is extremely biased and when speaking in areas where religious and secular moral collide, it uniformly present information with loaded words. Instead of "pro-life" we hear "anti-abortion rights." Instead of "conservative" it is "right wing fundamentalist." Other words are used such as "Bible thumpers," "censorship," and "intolerance." According to the Center of Media and Public Affairs, the average TV watcher sees 14,000 references to sex and the average child "watches 8,000 murders and 100,000 acts of violence by the end of elementary school." Illegitimacy is on the rise. In 1970 babies born out of wedlock were 10% of all births. In 1991, it was 30%; certainly much higher today. Rape is increasing as is violent crime, venereal disease, drug usage, and prison populations. When 30 Texas High School Students gathered to pray at the flagpole before school one morning, the principal politely, but forcefully told them not only to leave, but to pray out of sight.

Christians must adopt a Biblical Worldview in all aspects of life; we must have biblical perspective that we can offer to the world, if we want to make a true difference. This includes everything: education, medicine, the arts, politics, science, contemporary issues, ethics, and more. We can no longer sit back and let someone else run the show.

We are certainly in a War! How can we, as a nation, present our way of life to others when we don't have it together? We want to take our society and transpose it to fit into the needs of other nations, but unless it works right here, should we even try?

Please Lord...help me!

Come with me to a third grade classroom.....

There is a nine-year-old boy sitting at his desk and all of a sudden, there is a puddle between his feet and the front of his pants are wet. He thinks his heart is going to stop because he cannot possibly imagine how this has happened. It's never happened before, and he knows that when the boys find out he will never hear the end of it. When the girls find out, they'll never speak to him again as long as he lives.

The boy believes his heart is going to stop; he puts his head down and prays this prayer, "Dear God, this is an emergency! I need help now! Five minutes from now I'm dead meat." He looks up from his prayer and here comes the teacher with a look in her eyes that says he has been discovered.

As the teacher is walking toward him, a classmate named Susie is carrying a goldfish bowl that is filled with water. Susie trips in front of the teacher and inexplicably dumps the bowl of water in the boy's lap.

The boy pretends to be angry, but all the while is saying to himself, "Thank you, Lord! Thank you, Lord!"

Now all of a sudden, instead of being the object of ridicule, the boy is the object of sympathy. The teacher rushes him downstairs and gives him gym shorts to put on while his pants dry out. All the other children are on their hands and knees cleaning up around his desk. The sympathy is wonderful. But as life would have it, the ridicule that should have been his has been transferred to someone else - Susie.

She tries to help, but they tell her to get out. You've done enough, you klutz! Finally, at the end of the day, as they are waiting for the bus, the boy walks over to Susie and whispers, "You did that on purpose, didn't you?"Susie whispers back, "I wet my pants once too."

May God help us see the opportunities that are always around us to do good. Remember.....Just going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than standing in your garage makes you a car. Pray the following; there is no cost, but a lot of rewards. Let's continue to pray for one another.

The Prayer:
Father, I ask You to bless my friends, relatives and those that I care deeply for, who are reading this right now. Show them a new revelation of Your love and power. Holy Spirit, I ask You to minister to their spirit at this very moment. Where there is pain, give them Your peace and mercy. Where there is self-doubt, release a renewed confidence through Your grace. Where there is need, I ask you to fulfill their needs. Bless their homes, families, finances, their goings and their comings. Amen.

A New Declaration for Us!

"But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object, evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security."

Certainly our Founding Father had specific thoughts when composing such a declaration; thoughts that should transcend time and space. It is not a question of "throwing off the old guard to accept a new one, but changing the one we have to be more aligned with what God originally intended."

And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill it lusts (Romans 13:11-14).

Governments change with time, but God's declarations will always remain the same!

It is time that our country and the rest of our world get with God's original program and stop trying to do it on our own. Putting on our Lord Jesus Christ, (for believers) should be clothing ourselves with Christlike Characteristics such as truth, righteousness, and peace. We like many nations have lost our first love and are looking to within to fix the problems of society. It is time for a new look at an old declaration...we hold our truths to be God's truth.

Faith of the Heart

Star Trek Theme

Certainly "faith of the heart" goes much further then a theme song from Star Trek Enterprise. True faith comes from a deep love of the one who freely gives us that faith. Troubles may come and situations develop that we have no control of, but only through faith can we move forward with our lives. We don't know what tomorrow will bring; we don't know whether we will even be here to offer some input to the outcome. What we do know, as Christians is...our life doesn't end with death, for death is yet a new season of life in Him; faith of the heart for what tomorrow brings is faith in Him who continues to give us each tomorrow.

We all need to base our faith in what really counts...

Old Glory

Remember Me!

Some people call me Old Glory; others call me the Star Spangled Banner. But whatever they call me, I am your Flag; the Flag of the United States of America.

Something has been bothering me. So I thought I might talk it over with you, because it is about you and me.

I remember some time ago people lined up on both sides of the street to watch the parade. Naturally I was leading every parade, proudly waving in the breeze. When your daddy saw me coming, he immediately removed his hat and placed it against his left shoulder so that the hand was directly over his heart. Remember?

And you; I remember you; standing there straight as a soldier. You didn't have a hat, but you were giving the right salute. Remember little sister? Not to be out done, she was saluting the same as you with her right hand over her heart. Remember?

What happened? I'm still the same old flag. Oh, I have a few more Stars since you were a boy and a lot more blood has been shed since those parades of long ago.

But now I don't feel as proud as I used to. When I come down your street you just stand there with your hands in your pockets. I may get a small glance, but then you look away. I see the children running around and shouting. They don't seem to know who I am. I saw one man take his hat off, then look around. He didn't see anybody else with theirs off so he quickly put his back on.

Is it a sin to be patriotic anymore? Have you forgotten what I stand for and where I've been; Anzio, Guadalcanal, Normandy, Iwo Jima, Korea, Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, Iraq? Take a look at the Memorial Honor Roll, sometime, of those who never came back to keep this Republic free…One Nation Under God. When you salute me, you are actually saluting them.

Well, it won't be long until I'll be coming down your street again. So when you see me, stand straight, place your right hand over your heart. I'll salute you by waving back. And I'll know that...YOU REMEMBERED!

The 4th of July is not just a holiday, it is a life style

Reflecting the Character of God

The first three chapters of Genesis give us a detailed account of the creation of this world and the creation of man. What is quite clear is the perfection of God's creation; everything was good. Man being created in God's image was good, sinless and in harmony with his Creator. What we then proceed to witness is the degeneration of the human race from perfection to moral abasement. This is called "The Fall of Man".

One of the goals of the Christian life is to get to know God, to know and impregnate oneself with His character, to learn how to resemble to Him, to forge oneself to and become His image. A Christian person will have succeeded his life if he arrives to incarnate the characters of God.

When we talk about "Reflecting the Character of God", in the beginning that was not a problem, but with the fall of mankind in Genesis, reflecting God's character became a little more difficult. For us to reflect God's character we first need to know God's character...

First - God's nature defines moral values. He did not merely "invent" them. Nor are they something we are "free" to define for ourselves. A righteous or upright moral character is a reflection of God's character; a depraved or corrupt moral character is anything that goes against, or is contrary to, God's character.

Second - Our values influence conduct. What you believe will influence what you do. You may be able to hide your true values, character and motives for a while; but when you do so, you merely introduce another character trait into your life - hypocrisy! And you cannot hide it forever: In the end, the day will come in which your true character will be exposed and known to all (1 Timothy 5:24).

Third - To truly understand the very Character of God, we then need to base our life on the following attributes:

• God is love (1 John 4:8). God is the great lover of people - even people that have been corrupted by sin. He cares about us, He is patient and kind with us, He has good plans for us. (Jer. 29:13)
• God is Holy (Ps 99.3). Holiness is spiritual beauty. It is also total moral uprightness and separation from all that is unclean or evil. Like a diamond in the light with many faces, each of God's attributes shines out in perfect balance. There is no defect in God's character or nature.
• God is righteous (honest, impartial, fair). (Deut 33.24; Ps. 116.5). What he does is always right and fair from a moral point of view. As Judge of all the earth, God is a just judge. He judges with fairness, knowing all the facts and all the intentions of the heart. (Rom 2.16)
• God is good (Ps 136:1). He wants good things for people and for the universe. Jesus did the will of the Father, doing good and healing those who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. (Acts 10:38). However, God does not force people to be good, and it is because of the evil in people that there is suffering in the world.
• God is truthful & has integrity as does His Word (Num 23.19; John 17:17).
• God is faithful (keeps his promises). 2Tim 2.13.
• God alone is wise in Himself (Rom 16.27) - that is, he knows what He is doing and is doing it in the best way. Any wisdom we may have received comes from God, not from our own independent creativity. Wisdom is knowledge correctly applied to achieve the right purpose.
• God is forgiving and kind by nature (1 Jn 1:9; Pr 28:13; Matt 5:45). He blesses even His enemies at times and longs that his kindness will lead them to repentance so that He can forgive them. (Rom. 2:4)

CONCLUSION: To relate with God properly we must understand that He loves us, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (Heb 11.6). We should not believe the world - not the world's view of God, the teachings of religious tradition or our own philosophies or imaginations. We should always strive to seek God's direction for our lives and in turn "Reflect His Character" to others.

God is into "Home Improvement"

It never ceases to amaze me at the houses people build in the most insecure settings. Who among us has watched as homes (often large and luxurious), have been swept off their foundations by the power of a hurricane! How many of us have seen houses slipping from the cliffs along the Southern California coastline due to mud slides or during an earthquake! Even in our own inland regions we find sink-holes that consume entire homes in just one afternoon. Do you really want to build a million dollar home on top of a mountain with a skimpy foundation or build a vacation home right at water's edge; of course not, but people do everyday!

God is certainly into Home Improvement, but from a different perspective then most General Contractors or Structural Engineers would consider. Although foundations are critical to support the upper structure, His interests don't stop there; He is also interested in the interior design. The Bible says that "we are God's workmanship" (Ephesians 2:10) and promises that "He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion..." (Philippians 1:6).

In addition to new construction, God specializes in renovation projects (fixer-uppers) of the human heart. So often people think they have to clean up their act before God could ever accept them. Nothing could be further from the truth. God loves and accepts you just the way you are; although He doesn't intend to keep you that way. He has a design for your life. All He's waiting for is a "building permit" that will allow Him to be a master builder. If you say "yes" to God, He can commence His home improvement project right away and always bring it in on time.

You were created according to God's design. The Bible says you are fearfully and wonderfully made when He knitted you together in your mother's womb (Psalm 139). Most of us would have to admit that we've done significant damage to the design of our life over the years. True change is beyond our ability. The Good News is that, in Jesus, God has given us all that is required to complete the job. "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation..." (2 Corinthians 5:17). Jesus is the foundation on which our life must be built. The Bible also warns against building our lives on unstable ground. Too often we put our hopes in money, power, fame, or earthly desires. If we ignore God's plan, Jesus says that we are like the foolish man who builds his house upon the sand (Matthew 7:24-27).

If you want a sneak preview of how God intends to renovate your life (from the ground up), look at Jesus. He's the model or show home that God wants us to resemble when His redesigning work is complete. In God's blueprint, our new life is to be fashioned after Jesus' character. Like Jesus, we were created to carry out good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do (Ephesians 2:10).

Fortunately, we don't have to renovate our life alone. When we permit God to work, His Holy Spirit takes up permanent residence in our hearts until the work is completed (1 Corinthians 3:16). Each day the Spirit provides a fresh supply of resources and building materials such as love, joy, peace, gentleness, and self-control. The Spirit continually works to restore us.

So the next time you look inside yourself and don't like what you see, remember that God can redesign or renovate any life. Get a life...in Christ! It's one home improvement adventure that will truly change your life from the inside out.

Fellowship in the Body

John Calvin wrote, "Christ . . . once for all offered a sacrifice of eternal expiation and reconciliation; now, having also entered the sanctuary of heaven, he intercedes for us. In him we are all priests (Rev. 1:6; cf. 1 Peter 2:9), but to offer praises and thanksgiving, in short, to offer ourselves and ours to God. It was his office alone to appease God and atone for sins by his offering."

Christ prayed for all Believers in John 17:20-26. There He offers us assurance that the glory God has given Jesus would be given to us as royal priests that has been made perfect in Him. "I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You, that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. and the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one. I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have love them as You have love Me" (verses 20-23).

Jesus not only prayed for those the Father had given Him, but for all future believers - for their unity and their future glory. If you are a believer, these words are Jesus' prayer for you. "All may be one" is a present tense of the verb "to be" indicating that Jesus was praying for the unity that takes place through the sanctification of believers. This mutual indwelling of the Father in the Son and the Son in the church is also the means to unity, the ultimate expression of God's love.

Now let's get down to the real root of Christ's prayer. The Christian life was certainly not meant to be lived alone. God intends for each of us to spend precious time together with others who have Jesus Christ in their hearts. Often, however, Christians have either a wrong impression of what fellowship is, or how it helps them in their walk with God. Churches that don't associated with other churches in the neighborhood just because they believe something a little different in a doctrinal statement. Christ prayed that future believers would show unity, to allow God's love to flow freely between all who love Him. Of course there are some religions out there that are not part of the Body of Christ and/or will never be part, but why do Baptists stay away from Catholics and Catholics stay away for Independents; I thought we are part of the same team, or at least that is the way it was planned originally. It is mankind that put up the boundaries, not Christ; and it will be Christ who will break them down and set the story straight when He comes again; but do we really need to wait that long?

In order to have fellowship together we must meet together. When the early Christians got together they did more than just talked about doctrine. When we get together we should do things that are beneficial for the Body of Christ. Our fellowship should consist of prayer, time in the Bible, singing, encouraging each other, and getting to know on another. The goal of fellowship is to build each other up to become more like Jesus. This is not a short-term project, but a long-term life experience. Through fellowship, let us seek to help each other along the way.

Christ's prayer was for unity; unity that can still cross man made boundaries. We need to stop thinking about how we sing a song or do worship and start thinking how we need to join together to combat tomorrow's tomorrow. If not, we will be the losers, and we will loose more then what we lost on 9/11 as a nation, because that will happen again and again if we don't band together. Remember...tomorrow is just around the corner...

Self-Centered Society - A time for Change!

We are a self-centered society that typically considers the well being of our self before others. What would happen if we place others before our own self-interest? Certainly such word phrases as "please and thank you" should be heard often. Is that the only thing required to change our society...certainly not...but it is a good start.

Show genuine interest - I believe this is by far the most effective way of encouraging others, but it has to be genuine. To be genuine means...you place their self-interest over your own; please keep in mind...you expect nothing in return.

By acknowledging what’s important to them first, your allow them to talk about their needs, while you have a chance to formulate a response that offers them a positive solution. Don't talk when you can be thinking and certainly don't talk if you haven't thought though a concept.

Say “well done” and “thank you” is a great start to help people when they feel there is no one really out here who cares. Reciprocate the favour - if someone does something nice for you, a great way to show your appreciation is simply to reciprocate the favour.

Respond with something unexpected - another effective way to encourage others is to respond with something totally unexpected. Out of the blue. That’s when the maximum impact is delivered. Such acts can reach them at an emotional level and our brains are hard wired to respond to emotional things.

Ask for advice or confide in them - This is like flattery. Haven’t you felt like you were on top of the world when your peers asked you for advice or confided in you about something personal or important to them? Did’t that make you want to help and do everything you can to ensure their faith in you is well founded?

Waiting for someone to ask you for advise - be proactive by offering to lend a hand. If that person sees that you are willing to commit your own time and energy in their interests, they will be more committed to seeing it through and less likely to give up themselves.

It is time for a change..."We serve God by serving others. The world defines greatness in terms of power, possessions, prestige, and position. If you can demand service from others, you've arrived. In our self-serving culture with its me first mentality, acting like a servant is not a popular concept."

Rick Warren

This is a 'fallen', broken world that isn't always what God wants it to be. Humans get damaged. We do hateful things, we distrust, we lie, we trick ourselves and each other, and we seek after our own interest. We don't grow, because we grow up twisted without God's direction; hence the need to reconcile. This is true within each person, between people, in marriages and families, at the level of small groups, of towns, of peoples and nations. It is also true of our relationship with God, but at least God did something about that, through Jesus. Through Jesus we also can find what's most needed to heal, but that takes some of our own efforts to do so. Change is an action word...it is time to get going and do something; something that will last the test of time.