“Opportunity’s favorite disguise is trouble.” -Frank Tyger
Trouble: between a rock and a hard place, when life isn’t the way it is supposed to be. Ever been there? It’s been said that there are only three types of people, those who have just come out of trouble, are in the middle of trouble, or, are somewhere down the road, headed into trouble. Life’s like that.
The children of Israel experienced times of great heartache and trouble. Granted, most often it was brought on by their own actions. Invariably however, these times became opportunities for God to teach His people to trust their true King. Psalm 46 is actually a song to be sung to God in times of trouble. Within it we find amazing expressions of opportunity.
Our responsibility? Press in to God. Vs. 1 declares that “God is our refuge and strength. A very present help in trouble.”(NASV). In an emergency we “dial” 911. In times of trouble we can “dial” Psalm 91:1. When we dwell in the shelter of God, we will abide in His shadow. A place of refuge. And God is not just present. He is very present. The closer a train gets, the louder it becomes. The greater the trouble, the “louder” the presence of God.
Rest and relax. As difficult as it may seem when you are being pounded by trouble, God wants you to “Be still” and know that He is God (vs. 10 KJ). Let go, drop your hands, let Him be who He is, GOD. Take the opportunity to watch Him do what you could never do in your own strength.
Our response to trouble?
Don’t fear. “Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, and though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea” (vs. 2 NASV). No matter what happens, He is in the midst of it. And Paul reminds us “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” II Timothy 1:7 (KJV). Trouble is an opportunity to draw near to God as He draws near to us, without fear.
Trouble. While you will probably never welcome it (me either), you will, over time, learn to embrace it as a window for opportunity.
Source:AACC
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Be a Doer
“Que Sera Sera”… Whatever will be, will be. Or will it. Some resign themselves to a life of depending on fate. Others follow the thinking of Edmund Burke who said, “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”
During the Revolutionary war in 1776, the American forces were so outnumbered that they were forced to retreat from New York. A retreat which did not end until the crossing of the Delaware River at Trenton. With severely reduced forces who were scantily clothed and poorly armed, the American troops were horribly depressed. Washington did not give up hope, and Henry Knox followed his lead, there would be no reason for despondency. It was on Christmas night that Washington made the decision to cross the Delaware, directed by Knox, to surprise the Hessian forces at Trenton, capturing 1000 men as well as supplies. This event gave a much needed boost to the American morale and, most believe, changed the course of the war.
Life may have a strangle hold on you, but don’t give in to a spirit of defeat. Don’t quit! Pray, watch and wait expectantly for the Lord. And get some “fight” back in you. When Nehemiah was carrying out God’s call to rebuild the walls and gates of Jerusalem, enemies plotted to thwart the work. In the face of discouragement, Nehemiah energizes the people with, “Do not be afraid of them; remember the Lord who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses.” Nehemiah 4:14 (NASV) And get this… 52 days later the wall was complete.
The Lord, who is great and awesome, is also on your side. Fighting with you for your home, your family, your life. The great Apostle Paul says it this way, “Those things, which you have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, DO!” Phil 4:9 (KJV) And then the peace of God will flow, from the God of peace, into your heart and life.
Source:AACC
During the Revolutionary war in 1776, the American forces were so outnumbered that they were forced to retreat from New York. A retreat which did not end until the crossing of the Delaware River at Trenton. With severely reduced forces who were scantily clothed and poorly armed, the American troops were horribly depressed. Washington did not give up hope, and Henry Knox followed his lead, there would be no reason for despondency. It was on Christmas night that Washington made the decision to cross the Delaware, directed by Knox, to surprise the Hessian forces at Trenton, capturing 1000 men as well as supplies. This event gave a much needed boost to the American morale and, most believe, changed the course of the war.
Life may have a strangle hold on you, but don’t give in to a spirit of defeat. Don’t quit! Pray, watch and wait expectantly for the Lord. And get some “fight” back in you. When Nehemiah was carrying out God’s call to rebuild the walls and gates of Jerusalem, enemies plotted to thwart the work. In the face of discouragement, Nehemiah energizes the people with, “Do not be afraid of them; remember the Lord who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses.” Nehemiah 4:14 (NASV) And get this… 52 days later the wall was complete.
The Lord, who is great and awesome, is also on your side. Fighting with you for your home, your family, your life. The great Apostle Paul says it this way, “Those things, which you have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, DO!” Phil 4:9 (KJV) And then the peace of God will flow, from the God of peace, into your heart and life.
Source:AACC
Friday, January 14, 2011
What A Difference A Letter Makes
Picture this, a desert. Hot, dry and uninviting. Now add something very small. The letter “s”. What do you have? Dessert. You decide, chocolate cake?, apple pie? The little things can make all the difference in the world!
F. B. Meyer once said, “Do not try to do a great thing; you may waste all your time waiting for the opportunity which may never come. But since little things are always claiming your attention, do them, for the Glory of God.”
The Apostle Paul encouraged the Colossians to be faithful in everything they did. Colossians 3:17 “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus…” (ESV) In verse 23 Paul enhances this concept – “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.”
Giving the kids a bath, showing up at the game, dropping a note to a friend, listening to someone share their heart as you leave church. What about those seemingly unnoticed tasks at work? Ecclesiastes 9:10 reminds us, “Whatever your hand finds to do, verily, do it with all your might.”
Don’t let the small routine activities become ruts and rob you of your joy. You might try something simple like “whistling while you work.” Proverbs 17:22, “A joyful heart is good medicine…” (ESV) Change your perspective this week. View the “small things” in your life as deeds done directly for the Lord. Maybe no one sees what you do but God. The good news is that you always have an “Audience of One”. He sees what you think goes unnoticed.
In Luke 19:12-17, when the servant was faithful in the very little thing, the master then gave him ten cities to rule over. Details left undone can cause the wheels to come flying off. The little things will forever be clamoring for your attention. Do them well, it just might change your desert into dessert.
Source:AACC
F. B. Meyer once said, “Do not try to do a great thing; you may waste all your time waiting for the opportunity which may never come. But since little things are always claiming your attention, do them, for the Glory of God.”
The Apostle Paul encouraged the Colossians to be faithful in everything they did. Colossians 3:17 “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus…” (ESV) In verse 23 Paul enhances this concept – “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.”
Giving the kids a bath, showing up at the game, dropping a note to a friend, listening to someone share their heart as you leave church. What about those seemingly unnoticed tasks at work? Ecclesiastes 9:10 reminds us, “Whatever your hand finds to do, verily, do it with all your might.”
Don’t let the small routine activities become ruts and rob you of your joy. You might try something simple like “whistling while you work.” Proverbs 17:22, “A joyful heart is good medicine…” (ESV) Change your perspective this week. View the “small things” in your life as deeds done directly for the Lord. Maybe no one sees what you do but God. The good news is that you always have an “Audience of One”. He sees what you think goes unnoticed.
In Luke 19:12-17, when the servant was faithful in the very little thing, the master then gave him ten cities to rule over. Details left undone can cause the wheels to come flying off. The little things will forever be clamoring for your attention. Do them well, it just might change your desert into dessert.
Source:AACC
Friday, January 7, 2011
GPS
“Inga”. “Freeda”. Even “Thomas”. Names given to the voices on the GPS in practically every car. Voices that help get you where you want to go. There never seems to be any hesitation or doubt to their instructions. In fact, make the inadvertent wrong turn and you will hear, “At the next available location, make a U-turn.” Or, my personal favorite, “Recalculating”. These little devices are constantly assessing where you are and if you are headed in the right direction.
The New Year seems to be the right time for so many to make changes in their lives. A time to reassess and recalculate. Look at these practical “G.P.S.” recommendations to help get you started:
Goals. Remember the old saying, “If you aim at nothing you will hit it every time”? Very true. Goals should be personal. They should be realistic. Most importantly, set goals that matter and reflect God’s heart. 1 Kings 8:61 “Let your heart therefore be wholly devoted to the LORD our God…” (NASV) Even the best of goals, however, need a plan.
Plans. This is where the rubber meets the road. A goal is the destination. Plans are the map to get you there. Great hitters in baseball don’t just happen. You will find them at the cage taking 3…4…even 5 hundred swings a day. Be specific in your plans, and then stick to them. “The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance…” Proverbs 21:5 (ESV) Even the greatest plans will fail however, without a strategy.
Strategy. The Web defines strategy as “an elaborate and systematic plan of action”. It’s what I do to execute my plans,to reach my goals. The best strategies are written down and placed where you can see them everyday,all day. After the Lord spoke to Habakkuk, He then confirmed His word by directing Habakkuk to “Record the vision and inscribe it on tablets.” Habakkuk 2:2 (NASV) Strategies in written form will keep you on track.
So there you have it, GPS,Goals, Plans and Strategies…Let’s roll!!
Source:AACC
The New Year seems to be the right time for so many to make changes in their lives. A time to reassess and recalculate. Look at these practical “G.P.S.” recommendations to help get you started:
Goals. Remember the old saying, “If you aim at nothing you will hit it every time”? Very true. Goals should be personal. They should be realistic. Most importantly, set goals that matter and reflect God’s heart. 1 Kings 8:61 “Let your heart therefore be wholly devoted to the LORD our God…” (NASV) Even the best of goals, however, need a plan.
Plans. This is where the rubber meets the road. A goal is the destination. Plans are the map to get you there. Great hitters in baseball don’t just happen. You will find them at the cage taking 3…4…even 5 hundred swings a day. Be specific in your plans, and then stick to them. “The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance…” Proverbs 21:5 (ESV) Even the greatest plans will fail however, without a strategy.
Strategy. The Web defines strategy as “an elaborate and systematic plan of action”. It’s what I do to execute my plans,to reach my goals. The best strategies are written down and placed where you can see them everyday,all day. After the Lord spoke to Habakkuk, He then confirmed His word by directing Habakkuk to “Record the vision and inscribe it on tablets.” Habakkuk 2:2 (NASV) Strategies in written form will keep you on track.
So there you have it, GPS,Goals, Plans and Strategies…Let’s roll!!
Source:AACC
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
New day, New you.
Dieting. Reading the Bible. Spending time with family. Finally getting to that “bucket list”. It’s that time of year when “change is in the air”. Most of us don’t have trouble making New Year’s Resolutions. It’s the “keeping them” part that gets us. In fact, 40 to 45 percent of people do make a New Year’s Resolution, and while it is true that 97% of resolutions are never fulfilled, 75% do make it past the first week, and 46% make it past the six month mark.
As we start this New Year, there are three “C’s” in Psalm 37 that can offer some encouragement to help create your “breakthrough” year!
Commit
Psalm 37:5 “Commit your way to the LORD; Trust also in Him, and He will do it.” Every morning, noon and night (Ps. 55:17) give your desires, plans and goals to Him. Ask Him to bring strength and light to your journey.
Confess
Often, when we think of confession, we turn to 1 John 1:9 which deals with confession of sin. While this is important in the life of a Christian, we should also consider confession to the Lord of our deep need for Him. In verses 39 & 40 of Psalm 37, David acknowledges “the salvation of the righteous is from the LORD; He is their strength in time of trouble. And the LORD helps them, and delivers them…”(NAS) Confess to Him that you cannot “do life” without His help.
Confidence
David reminds us in verse 25 of the whole hearted confidence that He had in the Lord…“I have been young, and now I am old; yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, or His descendants begging bread.”(NAS) Such a bold perspective caused David to look expectantly to the Lord. In 1 Samuel 30, even when all was lost at Ziklag, David “strengthened himself in the Lord his God” (vs 6 NASV). He then “inquired of the LORD” (vs 8 NASV), believing that the LORD would hear and answer him. And He did…
As you set new goals, and face new horizons, come with a “spirit of expectation” to hear from, and be encouraged by God.
Sounds like a formula to help you join the “3%” club. New day…New you…
Source:AACC
As we start this New Year, there are three “C’s” in Psalm 37 that can offer some encouragement to help create your “breakthrough” year!
Commit
Psalm 37:5 “Commit your way to the LORD; Trust also in Him, and He will do it.” Every morning, noon and night (Ps. 55:17) give your desires, plans and goals to Him. Ask Him to bring strength and light to your journey.
Confess
Often, when we think of confession, we turn to 1 John 1:9 which deals with confession of sin. While this is important in the life of a Christian, we should also consider confession to the Lord of our deep need for Him. In verses 39 & 40 of Psalm 37, David acknowledges “the salvation of the righteous is from the LORD; He is their strength in time of trouble. And the LORD helps them, and delivers them…”(NAS) Confess to Him that you cannot “do life” without His help.
Confidence
David reminds us in verse 25 of the whole hearted confidence that He had in the Lord…“I have been young, and now I am old; yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, or His descendants begging bread.”(NAS) Such a bold perspective caused David to look expectantly to the Lord. In 1 Samuel 30, even when all was lost at Ziklag, David “strengthened himself in the Lord his God” (vs 6 NASV). He then “inquired of the LORD” (vs 8 NASV), believing that the LORD would hear and answer him. And He did…
As you set new goals, and face new horizons, come with a “spirit of expectation” to hear from, and be encouraged by God.
Sounds like a formula to help you join the “3%” club. New day…New you…
Source:AACC
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