Self-Government

We don’t need more self-esteem. What we need is more self-government.

The first and most important thing for people to govern (rule, manage) are themselves. The book of Proverbs lets us know that he who rules his spirit is stronger than he who takes a city.

Self-Government is built upon Self-Denial & Sacrifice.

With the increase of self-help books, teachings, and conversations, why is there an increase in counseling, depression, and discontent? Could it be that the focus on self is counterproductive?

What if we turned our focus to others?   What if we took to heart the example of Jesus and laid down our lives for others?   

God’s ways are not our ways.   Instead of seeking to save our lives, life is found in giving our lives.   The more we give our lives through self-denial and sacrifice, the more we govern ourselves.   

I pray today that we all would advance from the bondage of self-help to the freedom of self-denial and sacrifice. 

Through the power of the Holy Spirit we can manifest one of His fruit: self-government.

 

Valuing People

The more we value people, the better we can help them. People are more important than what they do for a living. They are more valuable than “the letter of the law”. People matter to God. He died for them. He got up from the grave for them. He is coming back for them (those that receive Him.) People matter to God.

The religious leaders in Matthew 12 tried to get Jesus trapped by the letter of the law. They were focussed on their religious agenda. Jesus was focussed on helping people. He poses a question to them, that I believe He poses to us today: “Of how much more value is a man than a sheep?”

Today, it sometimes seems that people are more concerned about whales than they are the little fatherless kid. Some are more concerned about turtles than the small business owner who is losing his business. But, people matter to God.

After Jesus talks about the priority of people, he demonstrates it. He tells the man with the withered hand, “Stretch out your hand.” While the religious leaders were pontificating and posturing, Jesus was serving and saving. He valued the man, thus was able to help him.

People matter to God. God help us to be more like You.

You have the power today to tell someone, “stretch out your hand.” Who can you value and serve today?

 

Happy New Year!

Had a great News Year’s Eve celebration at Hope Christian Church.

Bishop Jackson spoke about finding your voice in 2009.   There is something God has put in you and it’s time to get it out.

I spoke briefly about discovering the “old paths”, as mentioned in Jeremiah 6:16.    There are some things that have stood test of time.  These things will cause any person anywhere to advance.  So, while we exploit every new technology and new methodology, we maximize prayer, fasting, sacrifice, fellowship, etc.   These have been proven, so why not use them?

In this New Year, find your voice in God, while standing firm on the proven principles of God.  And, you’ll have a Happy New Year!

 

Restful Transition

This is a season of transition and those that remain true to the fundamentals will advance.

It is very clear that we are in a transition in the White House on many fronts. It is very clear that we are leaving 2008 and moving into 2009.  What is not so obvious is the transition that is happening in the hearts of believers around the World.

There is a stirring and a wind that is causing many to say “I am not satisfied; God I want to see more, do more, and serve more.  I want my life to matter.”

Is that you?

Jeremiah 6:16 says “Stand in the ways and see, And ask for the old paths, where the good way is, And walk in it: Then you will find rest for your souls…”

In this time of transition, we must stand in God’s ways and see things from God’s perspective.  Begin to ask God to show you the “old paths”.  Look for those things that have stood the test of time – prayer, faith, obedience, giving, receiving the Word of God – and walk in them.

As you advance, as you move closer making your life matter, you will do it and find rest.

 

Merry Christmas

Christmas is supposed to be merry, and it usually is.

It seems that this year, some of the merry is missing for many people. Challenges with the economy, memories of lost, and other things present obstacles to the joy of the year.

If we could just remember the reason for the season, and stay focused on the Greatest Gift, joy would spring up in our hearts. Remember Jesus.

Jesus is why Christmas is a great time of year. Take away Christ and you just have a mass.

Think about Jesus all through the season and joy is inevitable. Joy to the World! Why?

The Lord has come.

Merry Christmas!

 

House Projects and the Will of God

I woke up this morning and there were two house projects on my mind – things that I have not done, but should have been done a long time ago. I feel that God is reminding me about these things and is putting them on my priority list. It is in the will of God that I work on and complete these things.

Ultimately, the will of God is practical. The best example of this is the birth of Jesus.

Jesus came through a virgin and a humble man, born in a manger, without pomp or fanfare. This not only reveals the character of Christ – humility, but it was also practical. Imagine how easy it would have been for Herod to find Jesus, if He would have blazed into town with a mighty wind, in a cloud of fire, with the angels singing, the trumpets blowing, and the earth shaking. No, Jesus’ birth was practical.

Spend enough time with God to hear His voice and then you will know exactly how to manage life in a practical way. You may end up doing house projects that you don’t feel like doing, but your life will be better for it.

 

Walk in It

Walk In It

“Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” – II Corinthians 3:17

Today, right now, you are free to be who God is calling you to be.  You are free to do what God has put in your heart.  You are free from every bondage that might try to come your way.  This is not some sort of positive thinking trip or self-help nonsense.  This is reality.  Jesus makes us free, by His Spirit.

As we move in the Spirit, this month, making it our finest, let us live in the reality of our liberty in Christ.   Your body is not dominating you.  You are dominating it.  You are free from the evil things mentioned in Galatians 5: 19-21.  And, you are free to live in the good things mentioned in Galatians 5:22-23.  This is reality: you are free

The key is in Galatians 5:16.  God calls us to walk in the Spirit.  That is, as a matter of lifestyle, we are putting our bodies in the right places, seeing the right things, hearing the right things, eating the right things, and so on, while yielding to the Holy Spirit.    This is the key to staying filled with the Spirit.

You can make this happen, for example, by:

•    Setting a time in the morning to listen to God

•    Calling another brother or sister and saying let us get together to pray

•    Fasting with intense focus upon prayer

•    Asking God to lead you to a Scripture – study, memorize, act, receive revelation, and think upon it; journaling

•    Praying in your heavenly language all through the day

•    However the Spirit leads you

Ask God today to move upon your heart and make you zealous for Him.  Then, Walk in It.