Love never fails
1 Corinthians 13:8 NKJV
Here are five ideas for putting new life into your marriage. First, renew your commitment. Rough spots are normal in marriage. What else would you expect from two imperfect people? Decide, 'I'm going to win my mate again.' And start with an act of your will, not a feeling in your stomach. Say, 'I'll do what I need to do for the highest good of my mate.' Yes, it's tough when only one partner makes the commitment. But when you do, that gets you on track with the Lord and frees Him up to deal with your mate. Any marriage will work when two people say, 'Lord, tell us what to do.' God can make a difference in your marriage, but it takes work. The feelings will come back, but feelings can't be the determining factor in your decision. Second, start dating again. Nobody likes being taken for granted so adopt the attitude, 'I'm going to keep wooing and winning my mate.' Third, give up something for your mate. It sends the right signal when you say, 'Yes, I know I planned to do that, but I'd rather be with you.' Fourth, pay attention to little things. The little stuff gets forgotten too easily, like paying your wife compliments or buying her a card to say, 'I love you.' Or surprising your husband by wearing his favourite dress and making him a special meal. Finally, accentuate the positive. Anybody can be a critic. If you look hard enough you'll never run out of things that aren't perfect about your mate. Try looking that hard for something good, let them know what you find, and watch what happens!
Monday, March 29, 2010
Friday, March 26, 2010
Praise Your Way to a Breakthrough! By:Dr. Creflo A. Dollar
Do you need God to make a way out of no way? The swiftness and surety of your deliverance starts with how you respond to hard times and difficult situations. Hear me when I say that it is not just enough to thank God and honor Him only when you've received a blessing. God wants you to show the extent of your faithfulness and trust in Him even in the midst of going through a challenge. The power of your praise will determine the magnitude of your breakthrough.
Praise is not just clapping your hands or applauding God. It is showing respect, honor, and gratefulness using your whole heart, mind, spirit and body despite your circumstances. Paul and Silas didn't wait until they experienced a breakthrough to praise and thank God. In the midst of difficult circumstances, they praised God and received the breakthrough they desired.
Acts 16:25, 26 (New Living Translation) reveals, "Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off!"
Paul and Silas praised God even when their backs were bleeding and their feet and hands were in chains. Despite the pain and suffering they were going through, they praised God anyway; and as a result, God shook the very foundations of the prison, setting them free. God will shake the foundation of your prison; your bondage, your problem...if you make a decision to praise and give Him thanks, no matter what.
Praising God should become second-nature for all Believers. "This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which shall be created shall praise the Lord" (Psalm 102:18). We were created to praise God, and it becomes a natural expression of your love for the Father when you spend time in the Word and meditate on His goodness.
When you have a heart for God and you know He loves you, your confidence in His ability to deliver you soars. You know help is on the way and you eagerly anticipate it. First Thessalonians 5:16-18 encourages, "Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus" (NLT). God doesn't tell you to thank Him for negative circumstances; He says to thank Him while you're in the midst of them. Doing this shows that you trust Him to bring you out.
The storms of life are going to come; but don't let them disturb your peace and affect your thoughts and emotions. This will only move you into self-pity and frustration. Instead, maintain an attitude of praise.
Your first line of defense is the Word of God. Meditate on it and give it life by speaking it over your circumstances. If you need healing meditate on scriptures that reveal God's ability to heal. Receive that Word in your spirit and begin praising God for your healing.
The Word of God declares, "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:4-7, NIV).
When you are in a situation and there seems to be no way out, open your mouth and praise the Lord-and don't stop. Instead of crying and complaining, give God praise because you know He has a plan for you that includes deliverance, restoration and peace. Thank Him for His goodness because your praise will stop the enemy and move the hand of God
When your deliverance comes, continue to praise Him because He has more in store for you. Thank Him for breakthrough in your home, on your job and with your children. Through your authority in Jesus, place a demand on your breakthrough and watch God show up in your life in ways you would have never imagined
Praise is not just clapping your hands or applauding God. It is showing respect, honor, and gratefulness using your whole heart, mind, spirit and body despite your circumstances. Paul and Silas didn't wait until they experienced a breakthrough to praise and thank God. In the midst of difficult circumstances, they praised God and received the breakthrough they desired.
Acts 16:25, 26 (New Living Translation) reveals, "Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off!"
Paul and Silas praised God even when their backs were bleeding and their feet and hands were in chains. Despite the pain and suffering they were going through, they praised God anyway; and as a result, God shook the very foundations of the prison, setting them free. God will shake the foundation of your prison; your bondage, your problem...if you make a decision to praise and give Him thanks, no matter what.
Praising God should become second-nature for all Believers. "This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which shall be created shall praise the Lord" (Psalm 102:18). We were created to praise God, and it becomes a natural expression of your love for the Father when you spend time in the Word and meditate on His goodness.
When you have a heart for God and you know He loves you, your confidence in His ability to deliver you soars. You know help is on the way and you eagerly anticipate it. First Thessalonians 5:16-18 encourages, "Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus" (NLT). God doesn't tell you to thank Him for negative circumstances; He says to thank Him while you're in the midst of them. Doing this shows that you trust Him to bring you out.
The storms of life are going to come; but don't let them disturb your peace and affect your thoughts and emotions. This will only move you into self-pity and frustration. Instead, maintain an attitude of praise.
Your first line of defense is the Word of God. Meditate on it and give it life by speaking it over your circumstances. If you need healing meditate on scriptures that reveal God's ability to heal. Receive that Word in your spirit and begin praising God for your healing.
The Word of God declares, "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:4-7, NIV).
When you are in a situation and there seems to be no way out, open your mouth and praise the Lord-and don't stop. Instead of crying and complaining, give God praise because you know He has a plan for you that includes deliverance, restoration and peace. Thank Him for His goodness because your praise will stop the enemy and move the hand of God
When your deliverance comes, continue to praise Him because He has more in store for you. Thank Him for breakthrough in your home, on your job and with your children. Through your authority in Jesus, place a demand on your breakthrough and watch God show up in your life in ways you would have never imagined
Monday, March 15, 2010
Do You Really Believe It? By: Alan Riley
Dr. Howard Hendricks used to tell his Seminary students that when he listened to most preachers preach, he wanted to interrupt them and say, "You know, I don't think you really believe what you are preaching." He said when they assured him they did believe it, he would then keep on goading them until finally they cried out with great passion, "Yes I do! I REALLY do believe this with all my heart!!!"
Hendricks says then he would sit back down and say, "Great. NOW tell us about it!"
Dr. Hendricks makes a great point. Sometimes we come across as not fully believing what we proclaim. Sometimes we don't "practice what we preach" as my grandmother used to say.
We say that we speak for a God Who is over all and knows all and is in all, yet we frequently don't behave as if we are Children of the King. We say that our Father owns the cattle on a thousand hills, yet somehow His church has trouble coming up with operating expenses.
As we continue to hear depressing economic news every week, many of us have bought into it. Over the past year or so, I have heard a lot of church folks talk about how the crisis on Wall Street is affecting the way people are tithing and consequently the way churches are allocating funds. I've heard several conversations where people are scared that their ministry would fall victim to the hard times we appear to be heading toward.
Something doesn't add up here, folks.
I have a question for you: Has the current economic situation changed God? Is He less able than He was a few weeks ago? No! In fact, God knew this was coming. The drop in the Dow Jones average didn't catch God off guard. And I am certain there is no in Heaven, and that God will continue to provide for us to do what He guides us to undertake!
If we really believe what we have been preaching all this time, this is not a time for the church to fold under the economic realities of the day! If God is our Source - and He is - and if God is leading us to do something, then we need to know that He will provide for it.
We need to practice what we preach!
Hendricks says then he would sit back down and say, "Great. NOW tell us about it!"
Dr. Hendricks makes a great point. Sometimes we come across as not fully believing what we proclaim. Sometimes we don't "practice what we preach" as my grandmother used to say.
We say that we speak for a God Who is over all and knows all and is in all, yet we frequently don't behave as if we are Children of the King. We say that our Father owns the cattle on a thousand hills, yet somehow His church has trouble coming up with operating expenses.
As we continue to hear depressing economic news every week, many of us have bought into it. Over the past year or so, I have heard a lot of church folks talk about how the crisis on Wall Street is affecting the way people are tithing and consequently the way churches are allocating funds. I've heard several conversations where people are scared that their ministry would fall victim to the hard times we appear to be heading toward.
Something doesn't add up here, folks.
I have a question for you: Has the current economic situation changed God? Is He less able than He was a few weeks ago? No! In fact, God knew this was coming. The drop in the Dow Jones average didn't catch God off guard. And I am certain there is no in Heaven, and that God will continue to provide for us to do what He guides us to undertake!
If we really believe what we have been preaching all this time, this is not a time for the church to fold under the economic realities of the day! If God is our Source - and He is - and if God is leading us to do something, then we need to know that He will provide for it.
We need to practice what we preach!
Friday, March 5, 2010
Just Do It!
For he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven... by the wind...
James 1:6 NKJV
The Bible says, 'for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.' (James 1:6-8 NKJV)). This Scripture applies specifically to asking God for wisdom, then rationalising and vacillating when He gives you an answer. But the same principle applies to all of life. Have you ever seen anything more fickle than a wave? The wind that takes it one direction today, takes it in an entirely different one tomorrow. 'How does this apply to me?' you ask:
1) if you've grown up in a family where every decision was made for you 2) if you spent your life around people who made reckless decisions that left you feeling 'it's too easy to get it wrong and too hard to get it right' 3) if the bad decisions you've made in the past have sabotaged your confidence; then today's devotion is just for you!
James makes the point that none of us learn to hear from God without making mistakes. So don't be hard on yourself. Learn from your mistakes, correct the ones you can, and continue being decisive. Don't fall back into a pattern of indecision because you got it wrong a few times. Often you'll only know that you've done the right thing; when you do it! Devote a reasonable amount of time to waiting on God, and when necessary seek the counsel of others. But don't be afraid to act; make a decision and follow through with it. In other words, 'just do it!'
James 1:6 NKJV
The Bible says, 'for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.' (James 1:6-8 NKJV)). This Scripture applies specifically to asking God for wisdom, then rationalising and vacillating when He gives you an answer. But the same principle applies to all of life. Have you ever seen anything more fickle than a wave? The wind that takes it one direction today, takes it in an entirely different one tomorrow. 'How does this apply to me?' you ask:
1) if you've grown up in a family where every decision was made for you 2) if you spent your life around people who made reckless decisions that left you feeling 'it's too easy to get it wrong and too hard to get it right' 3) if the bad decisions you've made in the past have sabotaged your confidence; then today's devotion is just for you!
James makes the point that none of us learn to hear from God without making mistakes. So don't be hard on yourself. Learn from your mistakes, correct the ones you can, and continue being decisive. Don't fall back into a pattern of indecision because you got it wrong a few times. Often you'll only know that you've done the right thing; when you do it! Devote a reasonable amount of time to waiting on God, and when necessary seek the counsel of others. But don't be afraid to act; make a decision and follow through with it. In other words, 'just do it!'
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