Be gentle and forbearing with one another and, if one has a difference (a grievance or complaint) against another, readily pardoning each other; even as the Lord has freely forgiven you, so must you also forgive (Colossians 3:13 – Amplified).
Perhaps every day of our lives we will face opportunities to forgive those who harm us in some way. Life in a fallen world means facing imperfections at every turn. Wise living is knowing how to deal with the imperfections of others! I seek to live by Romans 12: 18: If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. That means I must be willing to practice what Jesus said to Peter when He told him to forgive 490 times (infinitely) the brother that offends him.
Failing to forgive produces some major problems and one of them is stress. Medical research indicates that the majority of illness is stress induced, so unforgiveness plays a significant role in sickness. Proverbs 14:30 (Amplified) reads: A calm and undisturbed mind and heart are the life and health of the body, but envy, jealousy, and wrath are like rottenness of the bones.
Unforgiveness means holding on to a certain thought pattern about a person or event. That thought pattern creates emotional hurt and pain. And if the thought pattern is not dealt with by releasing forgiveness to the offending party, then it cogitates underneath the surface in subconscious thinking. And this type of underlying negative thought pattern saps needed physical strength.
I’ve had people over my years of ministry tell me that they are tired all the time. They feel drained of strength. After speaking with these people I have found that often they are carrying a list of grievances in these underlying thought patterns and their emotions are draining them of needed energy. They simply need to practice forgiveness. There’s a lot of wisdom in Ephesians 4:26: Be angry, and do not sin: do not let the sun go down on your wrath. Each day we should clear our mind and emotions of the offenses of others before we go to sleep.
In her book Who Switched Off My Brain, Dr. Caroline Leaf from South Africa mentions that thoughts release chemicals into every organ of our body through our central nervous system. She mentions that all thoughts basically come under two categories, faith based or fear based thoughts. She reveals that fear based thinking releases toxic chemicals that coats the cells of our bodies and can eventually make us ill. On the other hand, faith based thinking that trusts God and expects the best; likewise releases helpful chemicals that aid the body and help it resist illness.
Unforgiveness affects our spiritual life. According to Jesus, you can’t go to heaven with it in your life (See Matthew 18:35 and Mark 11:25-26). And unforgiveness affects our physical bodies, hindering the health and healing provided to us by the Father.
Make a choice today to quickly deal with each offense. Readily and freely forgive as the Father through Christ Jesus has forgiven you. You’ll find heaven’s smile, soundness of mind, clearness of emotion, and renewed physical strength when you choose the path of forgiveness!
Monday, July 14, 2008
Unforgiveness and Stress
Posted on Monday, July 14, 2008 at 9:46 AM by Pastor Mitch
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Forgive
Posted on Sunday, July 13, 2008 at 4:10 AM by Pastor Mitch
And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him and let it drop (leave it, let it go), in order that your Father Who is in heaven may also forgive you your [own] failings and shortcomings and let them drop. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your failings and shortcomings (Mark 11:25-26 – Amplified).
Forgiving those that commit offenses against me releases me from the damage the offense can bring to my future. Unforgiveness affects me, not the person I’m holding the offense against.
My relationship with the Lord is directly affected by my willingness to quickly forgive those who do me wrong. My relationship with others is directly affected by how I deal with those who do me wrong. My relationship with my body is affected by my willingness or unwillingness to forgive. Many diseases have their origin in the stress produced by unforgiveness.
We are to forgive even as God in Christ forgave us. Nothing another person has done or will do to us can come close to the weight of our personal sin debt that we owe to God. He has forgiven us all of our past sins in Christ. We therefore have the obligation to forgive every single offense committed against us by another person. There are no exceptions.
Novels and history books are filled with the resultant harm brought upon individuals and families because of unforgiveness. No person is immune from the devastating effects of unforgiveness in their personal life. Unforgiveness will ruin life, period.
I’ll leave you today with God’s commands to us concerning forgiveness:
Judge not [neither pronouncing judgment nor subjecting to censure], and you will not be judged; do not condemn and pronounce guilty, and you will not be condemned and pronounced guilty; acquit and forgive and release (give up resentment, let it drop), and you will be acquitted and forgiven and released (Luke 6:37 – Amplified) And become useful and helpful and kind to one another, tenderhearted (compassionate, understanding, loving-hearted), forgiving one another [readily and freely], as God in Christ forgave you (Ephesians 4:32- Amplified). Be gentle and forbearing with one another and, if one has a difference (a grievance or complaint) against another, readily pardoning each other; even as the Lord has freely forgiven you, so must you also [forgive] (Colossians 3:13 – Amplified). A happy heart is good medicine and a cheerful mind works healing, but a broken spirit dries up the bones (Proverbs 17:22 – Amplified). A calm and undisturbed mind and heart are the life and health of the body, but envy, jealousy, and wrath are like rottenness of the bones (Proverbs 14:30 – Amplified). THEREFORE YOU have no excuse or defense or justification, O man, whoever you are who judges and condemns another. For in posing as judge and passing sentence on another, you condemn yourself, because you who judge are habitually practicing the very same things [that you censure and denounce (Romans 2:1 – Amplified). Exercise foresight and be on the watch to look [after one another], to see that no one falls back from and fails to secure God's grace (His unmerited favor and spiritual blessing), in order that no root of resentment (rancor, bitterness, or hatred) shoots forth and causes trouble and bitter torment, and the many become contaminated and defiled by it (Hebrews 12:15 – Amplified). Make sure no one gets left out of God's generosity. Keep a sharp eye out for weeds of bitter discontent. A thistle or two gone to seed can ruin a whole garden in no time (Hebrews 12:15 – Message).
Forgiving those that commit offenses against me releases me from the damage the offense can bring to my future. Unforgiveness affects me, not the person I’m holding the offense against.
My relationship with the Lord is directly affected by my willingness to quickly forgive those who do me wrong. My relationship with others is directly affected by how I deal with those who do me wrong. My relationship with my body is affected by my willingness or unwillingness to forgive. Many diseases have their origin in the stress produced by unforgiveness.
We are to forgive even as God in Christ forgave us. Nothing another person has done or will do to us can come close to the weight of our personal sin debt that we owe to God. He has forgiven us all of our past sins in Christ. We therefore have the obligation to forgive every single offense committed against us by another person. There are no exceptions.
Novels and history books are filled with the resultant harm brought upon individuals and families because of unforgiveness. No person is immune from the devastating effects of unforgiveness in their personal life. Unforgiveness will ruin life, period.
I’ll leave you today with God’s commands to us concerning forgiveness:
Judge not [neither pronouncing judgment nor subjecting to censure], and you will not be judged; do not condemn and pronounce guilty, and you will not be condemned and pronounced guilty; acquit and forgive and release (give up resentment, let it drop), and you will be acquitted and forgiven and released (Luke 6:37 – Amplified) And become useful and helpful and kind to one another, tenderhearted (compassionate, understanding, loving-hearted), forgiving one another [readily and freely], as God in Christ forgave you (Ephesians 4:32- Amplified). Be gentle and forbearing with one another and, if one has a difference (a grievance or complaint) against another, readily pardoning each other; even as the Lord has freely forgiven you, so must you also [forgive] (Colossians 3:13 – Amplified). A happy heart is good medicine and a cheerful mind works healing, but a broken spirit dries up the bones (Proverbs 17:22 – Amplified). A calm and undisturbed mind and heart are the life and health of the body, but envy, jealousy, and wrath are like rottenness of the bones (Proverbs 14:30 – Amplified). THEREFORE YOU have no excuse or defense or justification, O man, whoever you are who judges and condemns another. For in posing as judge and passing sentence on another, you condemn yourself, because you who judge are habitually practicing the very same things [that you censure and denounce (Romans 2:1 – Amplified). Exercise foresight and be on the watch to look [after one another], to see that no one falls back from and fails to secure God's grace (His unmerited favor and spiritual blessing), in order that no root of resentment (rancor, bitterness, or hatred) shoots forth and causes trouble and bitter torment, and the many become contaminated and defiled by it (Hebrews 12:15 – Amplified). Make sure no one gets left out of God's generosity. Keep a sharp eye out for weeds of bitter discontent. A thistle or two gone to seed can ruin a whole garden in no time (Hebrews 12:15 – Message).
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Burnout Inventory
Posted on Saturday, July 12, 2008 at 11:53 AM by Pastor Mitch
Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood (Acts 20:28)
I just concluded a two week vacation today and I feel refreshed! Taking a vacation is not just sitting around doing nothing, but it does involve changing your normal routines and cutting new paths for your life. Someone said that rest is not ceasing activity but changing activity.
So I went to the beach with my family for a week, I’ve visited with my parents and Susan’s parents; I’ve gone to the zoo with my kids; and I’ve just spent time reading, jogging, playing tennis, spending time with Susan and the my girls; and just generally hanging out. On purpose I’ve spent very little mental time (other than prayer) on “church stuff.”
A pastor’s life has the potential for constant high stress. And if I want to keep at this call lifelong, I must make sure that I get appropriate rest daily, a day of rest weekly, and then periodic times away from normal routine. Creativity is the results of tranquility. If you avoid adequate daily and weekly rest, and if you avoid vacation times away from normal affairs, then you’re setting yourself up for burnout. Burnout is an irritable, caustic I don’t care attitude than slowly creeps in and steals initiative and motive.
In 1991, I was in a traveling ministry and had also started a business. Susan was working the midnight shift at a hospital and we had three small children. I was up many nights after midnight dealing with the details of my new business after caring for my three children (feeding them, bathing them, and reading to them and praying with them before they went to sleep). Then I was up early the next day to spend some time with the Lord before working at my business all day.
Eventually, burnout knocked at my door. It was hard to overcome, and I made a promise to myself to never go there again. I’ve come close a few times and it’s always due to lack of periodic activity change. During this burnout time in my life, I found the book, How to Beat Burnout by Frank Minirth. The principles in the book helped me to overcome burnout, and to stay rested.
I’m ready to go back to work now, and am excited to minister tomorrow! I want to leave you with an excerpt from the book I just mentioned. It’s a burnout inventory. If you agree with most of the following 24 statements, you need to make a change and soon, or personal calamity will be a part of your future! Take your breaks, daily, weekly, and periodically take your vacations!
1. More and more, I find that I can hardly wait for quitting time to come so I
can leave work.
2. I feel like I’m not doing any good at work these days.
3. I am more irritable than I used to be.
4. I’m thinking more about changing jobs.
5. Lately I’ve become more cynical and negative.
6. I have more headaches (or backaches, or other physical symptoms) than usual.
7. Often I feel hopeless, like “who cares?”
8. I drink more now or take tranquilizers just to cope with everyday stress.
9. My energy level is not what it used to be. I’m tired all the time.
10. I feel a lot of pressure and responsibility at work these days.
11. My memory is not as good as it used to be.
12. I don’t seem to concentrate or pay attention like I did in the past.
13. I don’t sleep as well.
14. My appetite is decrease these days (or, I can’t seem to stop eating).
15. I am unfulfilled and disillusioned.
16. I’m not as enthusiastic about work as I was a year or two ago.
17. I feel like a failure at work. All the work I’ve done isn’t worth it.
18. I can’t seem to make decisions as easily as I once did.
19. I find that I’m doing fewer things at work that I like or that I do well.
20. I often tell myself, Why bother? It really doesn’t matter anyhow.
21. I don’t feel adequately rewarded or noticed for all the work I’ve done.
22. I feel helpless, as if I can’t find a way out of my problems.
23. People have told me that I’m too idealistic about my job.
24. I think my career has just about come to a dead end.
If you agree with most of these statements, you’re in the burnout mode sand need to change!
From How to Beat Burnout, Minirth, Frank B (Chicago: Moody Bible Institute, 1986) p. 37-38
I just concluded a two week vacation today and I feel refreshed! Taking a vacation is not just sitting around doing nothing, but it does involve changing your normal routines and cutting new paths for your life. Someone said that rest is not ceasing activity but changing activity.
So I went to the beach with my family for a week, I’ve visited with my parents and Susan’s parents; I’ve gone to the zoo with my kids; and I’ve just spent time reading, jogging, playing tennis, spending time with Susan and the my girls; and just generally hanging out. On purpose I’ve spent very little mental time (other than prayer) on “church stuff.”
A pastor’s life has the potential for constant high stress. And if I want to keep at this call lifelong, I must make sure that I get appropriate rest daily, a day of rest weekly, and then periodic times away from normal routine. Creativity is the results of tranquility. If you avoid adequate daily and weekly rest, and if you avoid vacation times away from normal affairs, then you’re setting yourself up for burnout. Burnout is an irritable, caustic I don’t care attitude than slowly creeps in and steals initiative and motive.
In 1991, I was in a traveling ministry and had also started a business. Susan was working the midnight shift at a hospital and we had three small children. I was up many nights after midnight dealing with the details of my new business after caring for my three children (feeding them, bathing them, and reading to them and praying with them before they went to sleep). Then I was up early the next day to spend some time with the Lord before working at my business all day.
Eventually, burnout knocked at my door. It was hard to overcome, and I made a promise to myself to never go there again. I’ve come close a few times and it’s always due to lack of periodic activity change. During this burnout time in my life, I found the book, How to Beat Burnout by Frank Minirth. The principles in the book helped me to overcome burnout, and to stay rested.
I’m ready to go back to work now, and am excited to minister tomorrow! I want to leave you with an excerpt from the book I just mentioned. It’s a burnout inventory. If you agree with most of the following 24 statements, you need to make a change and soon, or personal calamity will be a part of your future! Take your breaks, daily, weekly, and periodically take your vacations!
1. More and more, I find that I can hardly wait for quitting time to come so I
can leave work.
2. I feel like I’m not doing any good at work these days.
3. I am more irritable than I used to be.
4. I’m thinking more about changing jobs.
5. Lately I’ve become more cynical and negative.
6. I have more headaches (or backaches, or other physical symptoms) than usual.
7. Often I feel hopeless, like “who cares?”
8. I drink more now or take tranquilizers just to cope with everyday stress.
9. My energy level is not what it used to be. I’m tired all the time.
10. I feel a lot of pressure and responsibility at work these days.
11. My memory is not as good as it used to be.
12. I don’t seem to concentrate or pay attention like I did in the past.
13. I don’t sleep as well.
14. My appetite is decrease these days (or, I can’t seem to stop eating).
15. I am unfulfilled and disillusioned.
16. I’m not as enthusiastic about work as I was a year or two ago.
17. I feel like a failure at work. All the work I’ve done isn’t worth it.
18. I can’t seem to make decisions as easily as I once did.
19. I find that I’m doing fewer things at work that I like or that I do well.
20. I often tell myself, Why bother? It really doesn’t matter anyhow.
21. I don’t feel adequately rewarded or noticed for all the work I’ve done.
22. I feel helpless, as if I can’t find a way out of my problems.
23. People have told me that I’m too idealistic about my job.
24. I think my career has just about come to a dead end.
If you agree with most of these statements, you’re in the burnout mode sand need to change!
From How to Beat Burnout, Minirth, Frank B (Chicago: Moody Bible Institute, 1986) p. 37-38
Friday, July 11, 2008
National Blessing or Cursing
Posted on Friday, July 11, 2008 at 9:09 AM by Pastor Mitch
People of Israel, listen to the LORD's message. The LORD has this against you who live in the land: "The people are not true, not loyal to God, nor do those who live in the land even know him. Cursing, lying, killing, stealing and adultery are everywhere. One murder follows another. Because of this the land dries up, and all its people are dying. Even the wild animals and the birds of the air and the fish of the sea are dying. No one should accuse or blame another person. Don't blame the people, you priests, when they quarrel with you. You will be ruined in the day, and your prophets will be ruined with you in the night. I will also destroy your mother. My people will be destroyed, because they have no knowledge. You have refused to learn, so I will refuse to let you be priests to me. You have forgotten the teachings of your God, so I will forget your children (Hosea 4:1-6- New Century Version).
I was reading the book of Hosea during my personal time with the Lord today. And this verse seemed to stare at me again. We in America have been blessed due to our forefather’s honor of God and His moral laws. Our system of government was based upon the ethics of the Ten Commandments. Sure, not everyone involved in leading our nation has been godly, but enough have been that there has been a defining influence of godliness here. And we live in relative opulence and prosperity as no other people have because of the light of the gospel that has been here.
God asked the prophet Hosea to marry a prostitute and to remain faithful to her while she committed adultery. His life was to be an example of the way backslidden Israel treated God.
Israel lost God’s promised blessings due to their disobedience. Slowly the Lord removed His protective hand from their nation and the enemy came to wreck havoc. It was all due to their choices to sin. In the above verses you see that even the land and the animals were affected by the sins of the people.
Are the fires, floods, droughts, severe weather, and national and international problems that are rising in our land due to our national attitude as a whole towards God and His Word? No, God doesn’t bring hurtful things to His people. But disobedient living hinders God’s hand of blessing, and gives the enemy opportunity to steal, kill, and destroy. God has no choice but to back away from sin and disobedience. The results is calamity after calamity coming in due to His removal of protection as He is forced to back away the choice of the people.
Let’s hit our knees daily in prayer for our nation. God’s people went into captivity right along with the rest of Israel when the Babylonians removed them from their land. Yes, God protected and made provision for His own during these times of national disobedience, but the results affected everyone, God’s folk as well as unbelievers.
We need to be aware that if we as the church don’t rise to the occasion and live for God and be the salt and light He’s destined us to be, then the end results of national disobedience will affect us and our children right along with the unbelievers. Yes, God will make an ark for us, but the land will be affected, lifestyle will change, and we’ll be living in in a lesser condition instead of the peace and prosperity we have now.
I was reading the book of Hosea during my personal time with the Lord today. And this verse seemed to stare at me again. We in America have been blessed due to our forefather’s honor of God and His moral laws. Our system of government was based upon the ethics of the Ten Commandments. Sure, not everyone involved in leading our nation has been godly, but enough have been that there has been a defining influence of godliness here. And we live in relative opulence and prosperity as no other people have because of the light of the gospel that has been here.
God asked the prophet Hosea to marry a prostitute and to remain faithful to her while she committed adultery. His life was to be an example of the way backslidden Israel treated God.
Israel lost God’s promised blessings due to their disobedience. Slowly the Lord removed His protective hand from their nation and the enemy came to wreck havoc. It was all due to their choices to sin. In the above verses you see that even the land and the animals were affected by the sins of the people.
Are the fires, floods, droughts, severe weather, and national and international problems that are rising in our land due to our national attitude as a whole towards God and His Word? No, God doesn’t bring hurtful things to His people. But disobedient living hinders God’s hand of blessing, and gives the enemy opportunity to steal, kill, and destroy. God has no choice but to back away from sin and disobedience. The results is calamity after calamity coming in due to His removal of protection as He is forced to back away the choice of the people.
Let’s hit our knees daily in prayer for our nation. God’s people went into captivity right along with the rest of Israel when the Babylonians removed them from their land. Yes, God protected and made provision for His own during these times of national disobedience, but the results affected everyone, God’s folk as well as unbelievers.
We need to be aware that if we as the church don’t rise to the occasion and live for God and be the salt and light He’s destined us to be, then the end results of national disobedience will affect us and our children right along with the unbelievers. Yes, God will make an ark for us, but the land will be affected, lifestyle will change, and we’ll be living in in a lesser condition instead of the peace and prosperity we have now.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Heaven
Posted on Thursday, July 10, 2008 at 10:09 AM by Pastor Mitch
Do not let your hearts be distressed. You believe in God; believe also in me. There are many dwelling places in my Father's house. Otherwise, I would have told you, because I am going away to make ready a place for you. And if I go and make ready a place for you, I will come again and take you to be with me, so that where I am you may be too. And you know the way where I am going (John 14:1-4- New English Translation)
Heaven is our destiny as believers. Most Christians today don’t think much about heaven, but we should. Saints of yesteryear plodded through harsh, difficult years of toil and labor by keeping their eye on the goal of heaven. In western culture, our creature comforts, toys, and nice homes, have had a dampening effect on us when we think of going to heaven. We don’t want to leave here to get there!
Many people think of heaven as a place where there are hours of boring church services and where you just sort of float around and do much of nothing. This attitude is summed up in Mark Twain’s book, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Chiding Huck of his fun loving spirit, a Christian lady named Miss Watson gave Huck a negative view of heaven. In Huck’s words: She went on and told me all about the good place. She said all a body had to do there was go around all day with a harp and sing forever and ever, so I don’t think much of it…
But heaven will be a place of bustling activity and will be the fulfillment of all of our desires as a human. Charles Spurgeon said about heaven: To come to thee is to come home from exile, to come to land out of the raging storm, to come to rest after long labor, to come to the goal of my desires and the summit of my wishes.
Our future home in heaven will be a place far better than what we have now. Paul said, But I am hard pressed between the two. My yearning desire is to depart (to be free of this world, to set forth) and be with Christ, for that is far, far better (Philippians 1:23 – Amplified).
John saw the New Heaven and New Earth in vision form while on the isle of Patmos: Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away (Revelation 21:1-4).
David mentioned what the full manifestation of the presence of God brings with it: You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore (Psalm 16:11). That’s what heaven will be like.
In heaven, you will be the you that know now, minus the flaws. You’ll look like yourself, you will eat, you will walk, you will laugh, you will be busy with life, you will know your family members there, you will take your thoughts, your memories, your likes and dislikes, and your personality with you. Heaven is planet, but not like earth. It is a perfect environment for life. You will experience perfect life there. You will experience the senses that the glorified human body has. You will be totally satisfied. Earth is but a pattern of what heaven is like. You will feel at home there!
The current state of affairs on earth seems to point towards our going to heaven sooner rather than later! Let’s stay ready to go! I’m personally looking forward to it!
Heaven is our destiny as believers. Most Christians today don’t think much about heaven, but we should. Saints of yesteryear plodded through harsh, difficult years of toil and labor by keeping their eye on the goal of heaven. In western culture, our creature comforts, toys, and nice homes, have had a dampening effect on us when we think of going to heaven. We don’t want to leave here to get there!
Many people think of heaven as a place where there are hours of boring church services and where you just sort of float around and do much of nothing. This attitude is summed up in Mark Twain’s book, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Chiding Huck of his fun loving spirit, a Christian lady named Miss Watson gave Huck a negative view of heaven. In Huck’s words: She went on and told me all about the good place. She said all a body had to do there was go around all day with a harp and sing forever and ever, so I don’t think much of it…
But heaven will be a place of bustling activity and will be the fulfillment of all of our desires as a human. Charles Spurgeon said about heaven: To come to thee is to come home from exile, to come to land out of the raging storm, to come to rest after long labor, to come to the goal of my desires and the summit of my wishes.
Our future home in heaven will be a place far better than what we have now. Paul said, But I am hard pressed between the two. My yearning desire is to depart (to be free of this world, to set forth) and be with Christ, for that is far, far better (Philippians 1:23 – Amplified).
John saw the New Heaven and New Earth in vision form while on the isle of Patmos: Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away (Revelation 21:1-4).
David mentioned what the full manifestation of the presence of God brings with it: You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore (Psalm 16:11). That’s what heaven will be like.
In heaven, you will be the you that know now, minus the flaws. You’ll look like yourself, you will eat, you will walk, you will laugh, you will be busy with life, you will know your family members there, you will take your thoughts, your memories, your likes and dislikes, and your personality with you. Heaven is planet, but not like earth. It is a perfect environment for life. You will experience perfect life there. You will experience the senses that the glorified human body has. You will be totally satisfied. Earth is but a pattern of what heaven is like. You will feel at home there!
The current state of affairs on earth seems to point towards our going to heaven sooner rather than later! Let’s stay ready to go! I’m personally looking forward to it!
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Praise Produces Spiritual Strength
Posted on Wednesday, July 9, 2008 at 8:48 AM by Pastor Mitch
Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have ordained strength, Because of Your enemies, That You may silence the enemy and the avenger (Psalm 8:2).
But when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that He did, and the children crying out in the temple and saying, "Hosanna to the Son of David!" they were indignant and said to Him, "Do You hear what these are saying?" And Jesus said to them, "Yes. Have you never read, 'Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have perfected praise'?" (Matthew 21:15-16).
Jesus quoted Psalm 8:2 when challenged by the religious leaders because of the children’s voiced praise to Him. But notice that instead of saying You have ordained strength, He rephrased it to say You have perfected praise.
Praise creates spiritual strength! How does this happen? Well, Psalm 16:11 reads: You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. And we find in Nehemiah 8:10: Then he said to them, "Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength."
And we know that praise brings a manifestation of the presence of God according to Psalm 22:3 (KJV): But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.
When you put all of these scriptures together you find that when you praise God His presence manifests, and in His presence is fullness of joy. And the Joy of the Lord is your strength! So God has ordained that we be strengthened when we praise Him. Praise brings a manifestation of His presence which brings in it joy producing spiritual strength!
That’s the reason you should practice praise when going through tests and trials. You’ll find strength from the Father during the hardship when you praise instead of gripe and complain and whine! Paul and Silas were set free from a remote dungeon where they were shackled in Acts 16 after they spent time in praise!
If you find yourself in a habit of complaining when things go wrong, start practicing praise! You’ll be strengthened by His joy if you’ll just do it! I’ll leave you with a kind word about praise from our beloved friend James: Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations. Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience. But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing (James 1:2-4 – Amplified).
But when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that He did, and the children crying out in the temple and saying, "Hosanna to the Son of David!" they were indignant and said to Him, "Do You hear what these are saying?" And Jesus said to them, "Yes. Have you never read, 'Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have perfected praise'?" (Matthew 21:15-16).
Jesus quoted Psalm 8:2 when challenged by the religious leaders because of the children’s voiced praise to Him. But notice that instead of saying You have ordained strength, He rephrased it to say You have perfected praise.
Praise creates spiritual strength! How does this happen? Well, Psalm 16:11 reads: You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. And we find in Nehemiah 8:10: Then he said to them, "Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength."
And we know that praise brings a manifestation of the presence of God according to Psalm 22:3 (KJV): But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.
When you put all of these scriptures together you find that when you praise God His presence manifests, and in His presence is fullness of joy. And the Joy of the Lord is your strength! So God has ordained that we be strengthened when we praise Him. Praise brings a manifestation of His presence which brings in it joy producing spiritual strength!
That’s the reason you should practice praise when going through tests and trials. You’ll find strength from the Father during the hardship when you praise instead of gripe and complain and whine! Paul and Silas were set free from a remote dungeon where they were shackled in Acts 16 after they spent time in praise!
If you find yourself in a habit of complaining when things go wrong, start practicing praise! You’ll be strengthened by His joy if you’ll just do it! I’ll leave you with a kind word about praise from our beloved friend James: Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations. Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience. But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing (James 1:2-4 – Amplified).
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Be Prepared
Posted on Tuesday, July 8, 2008 at 9:11 AM by Pastor Mitch
But understand this, that in the last days will come (set in) perilous times of great stress and trouble [hard to deal with and hard to bear] (2 Timothy 3:1- Amplified).
I’ve enjoyed my vacation thus far! And I’ve missed everyone at Victory! I’m looking forward to seeing you on Sunday.
The last week or so, I’ve been impressed of the Lord about the closeness of His coming for the church. We’re watching in real time some steadily increasing changes in the world at large that are beginning to have an impact on our present daily lifestyle. The perilous times of great stress and trouble are upon us!
This not a time to worry, but it is a time to prepare. Each day, we should spend time in the Word to keep our minds renewed from the filth of doubt and unbelief around us. And we need daily time in God’s presence in prayer to keep His holiness wrapped around us like a coat of armor.
Feeding our faith on the Word is a necessity right now. A wise person prepares for a storm well before the time it strikes. The Father had promised us His care, provision, and protection, but remember that it is our faith that overcomes the world. And faith comes from spending time in the Word.
Our faith is also built up as we act on what we believe. This is most often accomplished by simply speaking the Word out loud to the Father reminding Him of what we believe. He watches over His Word, and delights to hear it come out of our mouth!
During this hour, calamity could strike at any time. That’s why it’s so important to keep yourself built up on your faith. When things suddenly occur, you’ll be prepared and will be used by the Lord to minister to others.
There is an assault on truth today. Behind this assault is the scheming of the evil one who is seeking to minimize truth in the name of openness and diversity. Prepare to be criticized for what you believe. Prepare to be persecuted by well meaning people who will call you narrow minded and bigoted.
Our response is to walk in love and to speak truth in love. We never respond to criticism with angry retorts. But we must loving confront error with truth; truth in our words and truth in how we live our daily lives.
Notice what Jesus said about persecution: God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way (Matthew 5:10-12 - NLT).
Let’s be prepared for the days ahead. Jesus return is causing exactly what has been predicted by the prophets for thousands of years. And it looks as though we are the privileged generation that gets to watch it happen!
I’ve enjoyed my vacation thus far! And I’ve missed everyone at Victory! I’m looking forward to seeing you on Sunday.
The last week or so, I’ve been impressed of the Lord about the closeness of His coming for the church. We’re watching in real time some steadily increasing changes in the world at large that are beginning to have an impact on our present daily lifestyle. The perilous times of great stress and trouble are upon us!
This not a time to worry, but it is a time to prepare. Each day, we should spend time in the Word to keep our minds renewed from the filth of doubt and unbelief around us. And we need daily time in God’s presence in prayer to keep His holiness wrapped around us like a coat of armor.
Feeding our faith on the Word is a necessity right now. A wise person prepares for a storm well before the time it strikes. The Father had promised us His care, provision, and protection, but remember that it is our faith that overcomes the world. And faith comes from spending time in the Word.
Our faith is also built up as we act on what we believe. This is most often accomplished by simply speaking the Word out loud to the Father reminding Him of what we believe. He watches over His Word, and delights to hear it come out of our mouth!
During this hour, calamity could strike at any time. That’s why it’s so important to keep yourself built up on your faith. When things suddenly occur, you’ll be prepared and will be used by the Lord to minister to others.
There is an assault on truth today. Behind this assault is the scheming of the evil one who is seeking to minimize truth in the name of openness and diversity. Prepare to be criticized for what you believe. Prepare to be persecuted by well meaning people who will call you narrow minded and bigoted.
Our response is to walk in love and to speak truth in love. We never respond to criticism with angry retorts. But we must loving confront error with truth; truth in our words and truth in how we live our daily lives.
Notice what Jesus said about persecution: God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way (Matthew 5:10-12 - NLT).
Let’s be prepared for the days ahead. Jesus return is causing exactly what has been predicted by the prophets for thousands of years. And it looks as though we are the privileged generation that gets to watch it happen!
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