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Assurance of Victory for Those Who Share Gospel of Kingdom (Insights in NT)

6/13/2013

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Here is the process of victory for those who share the gospel of the  kingdom in the world: 
1. Recognize how Satan destroys unbelievers
2. Know that people refuse repentance even after a third of mankind killed
3. Meditate on God's word
4. Recognize God's control to protect and empower to witnesses to perform miracles and share testimonies
5. Worship God knowing earthly kingdoms will become His kingdom to reign forever

Recognize How Satan Destroys Unbelievers 

The fifth angel sounded his trumpet and John saw a star fallen from the sky given the key to the shaft of the Abyss. After opening it, smoke came out like from a gigantic furnace, which darkened the sun and sky. Locusts came down and stung like scorpions for five months those without the seal of God on their foreheads. People sought death because of the agony. The locusts looked like horses prepared for battle with faces like human ones, teeth like lions and breastplates like iron whose king was the Destroyer angel (Rev. 9:1-11). Recognize how Satan destroys those without God's seal.

Know That People Still Refuse Repentance Even After Killing a Third of Mankind
Two other woes were yet to pass. The sixth angel blew his trumpet and a voice came from the horns of the golden altar before God to release the four angels and two hundred million troops. The horses' heads resembled lions' heads and out of their mouths came fire, smoke and sulfur to kill a third of mankind. The rest of mankind not killed by the plagues did not repent of the work of their hands, murders, magic arts, sexual immorality or thefts. They continued worshiping demons and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone and wood that could not see, hear or walk (Rev. 9:12-21). Know that people still refuse repentance even after God allows demonic power kill a third of mankind. 

Meditate on God's Word and Share Gospel of Kingdom
A mighty angel came down from heaven robed in a cloud with a rainbow above his head, face like the sun and legs like fiery pillars. He held a small scroll planting his right foot on the sea and left one on the land. John heard the voices of seven thunders, but a voice from heaven said to seal up what was said and do not write it down. The angel said the mystery of God would be accomplished as He announced to the His prophets after the seventh angel sounded his trumpet. The angel told John to eat the scroll as it would turn his stomach sour, but be sweet as honey in his mouth. He was told to prophesy again about many peoples, nations, languages and kings (Rev. 10:1-11). Meditate on God's word and share gospel of kingdom to the world.

Recognize God's Control to Protect and Empower Witnesses to Perform Miracles and Share Testimonies
John measured God's temple and the altar. He  counted the worshipers there, but not the outer court given to Gentiles. They trampled the holy city 42 months. He empowered His two witnesses to prophesy for 1,260 days in sackcloth. Two olive trees and two lampstands stood before the Lord. He protected them from harm, gave the witnesses power to stop rain while prophesying, turned the waters into blood and struck the earth with every kind of plague anytime they wanted. When they finished their testimony, the beast came up from the Abyss and killed them. Their bodies laid in Jerusalem  where their Lord was crucified. The earth celebrated by sending gifts because the two prophets tormented those on earth. Three and a half days after their death, God brought them to life and raised them to heaven in a cloud while their enemies watched. An earthquake killed 7,000 people and collapsed a tenth of the city, but the survivors gave glory to God (Rev. 11:1-14). Recognize God's control to protect and empower His witnesses to perform miracles and share testimonies. 

Worship God Knowing Earthly Kingdoms Will Become His Kingdom to Reign Forever
The seventh angel sounded his trumpet and a loud heavenly voice said the kingdom of the world became the kingdom of their Lord and His Christ to reign forever. The 24 elders seated on their thrones before God fell on their faces and worshiped God giving thanks to the Lord God Almighty who is and who was because they took His great power and began to reign. The nations were angry as His wrath came to judge the dead, rewarded His servants the prophets and those who reverenced His name and destroyed those who destroyed the earth. God's temple in heaven was opened to see the ark of His covenant (Rev. 11:15-19). Worship God knowing earthly kingdoms will become His kingdom to reign forever. 

Be assured of victory in sharing the gospel of the  kingdom in the world when you recognize how Satan destroys unbelievers and they refuse repentance even after a third of mankind are killed. Meditate on God's word and recognize His control to protect and empower to witnesses to perform miracles and share testimonies. Worship God knowing earthly kingdoms will become His kingdom to reign forever.


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Would You Like To See God Do the Miraculous? (Insights in Psalms)

11/8/2012

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"When God is going to do something wonderful, He begins with a difficulty.... When He is going to do something miraculous, He begins with an impossibility" (Charles Inwood). 

Would you like to see God do the miraculous in your life? Just observe nature through the rain, clouds and lightning. God commands the powerful lightning to strike at the exact spot where He directed. He causes floods to punish and rain to provide. God does this to get our attention so we stop our labor and get to know His work instead. 

Listen with Wisdom
The three men stopped answering Job because he was righteous in his own eyes and justified himself. Elihu became very angry with his three friends who condemned Job without refuting him. Elihu was the youngest and said a man's spirit gave understanding. He waited and listened to their reasoning, but none proved Job wrong or answered his arguments. Elihu was like bottled-up wine and spoke to find relief without flattery (Job 32:1-22). Listen with wisdom when someone justifies himself.

Pray for Purity
Elihu told Job that his words came from an upright heart. He heard Job say that he was pure without sin but God found fault with him. God spoke in dreams and visions while men slept to prevent pride and being killed in battle. A man may find constant distress as his flesh wasted away to nothing. If an angel acted graciously as a mediator, then his flesh was renewed like a child's. He prayed to God, found favor, shouted for joy and was restored to his righteous state. He told men that he sinned and God redeemed his soul from the pit to enjoy the light. Elihu wanted Job to be cleared  as he taught him wisdom (Job 33:1-33). Pray for purity so you are restored to righteousness.

Trust God's Fairness
Elihu asked the other wise men to discern and learn together what was right and good. Job said he was innocent but God denied him justice and inflicted an incurable wound. Elihu said God would not do evil but repaid a man what his conduct deserved. God sustained the life of everyone and showed no partiality to princes and did not favor the rich over the poor. He saw men's ways, punished wickedness and heard the cries of the needy. God kept the godless man from ruling and laying snares on the people. Elihu said Job should be tested for answering like a wicked man since he rebelled against God by multiplying words against Him (Job 34:1-37). Trust God's fairness to punish wickedness and not favor the rich. 

Pray for Wisdom and Relief
Elihu questioned Job's thinking that there was no gain in not sinning since it affected himself. Men cried under oppression but did not acknowledge God their Maker who gave songs in the night and taught wisdom. He would not answer men cries because of their arrogance. Elihu questioned Job's assertions that God did not punish or notice wickedness (Job 35:1-16). Pray for wisdom and relief from wickedness.

Repent of Evil

Elihu said God was just and mighty in His purpose and did not despise men. He gave the afflicted their rights, kept His eyes on the righteous, enthroned them with kings and exalted them forever. If men were bound with chains and held fast by cords of affliction, He commanded them to repent of their evil. If they obeyed and served God, they experienced prosperity and contentment. By not listening, they died without knowledge (Job 36:1-12). Repent of evil and obey God to experience freedom, prosperity and contentment.

Exalt God's Greatness
The godless of heart harbored resentment and did not cry for help. God was wooing Job from the jaws of distress to a spacious place free from restriction in the comfort of a table laden with choice food. Be careful not to be enticed with riches or a large bribe instead of affliction. Because God exalted Himself in His power, glorify His greatness and His works. Just as He spread out the clouds, scattered His lightning and commanded it to strike its mark, God governed the nations and provided food in abundance (Job 36:13-33). Exalt God's greatness and power as you look to Him for abundance and provision.

Stop Your Labor
Listen to the roar of God's voice when He unleashed His lightning and thundered with His majestic voice to hold nothing back. He did great things beyond understanding by telling the snow to fall on the earth and the rain shower to be a mighty downpour. He did this so all men would stop their labor and know His work. The breath of God produced ice, loaded the clouds with moisture and scattered His lightning through them. They swirled around at His direction and command to punish men or water His earth to show His love (Job 37:1-13). Stop your labor by reflecting on God's power in nature to punish men or show His love.

Revere God's Attributes
Elihu told Job to stop and consider God's wonders in hanging the clouds and making His lightning flash in perfect knowledge. Since humankind cannot do these things, what right do they have to tell Him what to do. Because God Almighty was beyond reach and exalted in power with justice and great righteousness, He did not oppress. Therefore, men revere Him as He regarded the wise in heart (Job 37:14-24). Revere God's attributes and do not tell Him what to do. 

How to see the miraculous occur in your life:
1. Listen with wisdom
2. Pray for purity
3. Trust God's fairness
4. Pray for wisdom and relief
5. Repent of evil
6. Exalt God's greatness
7. Stop your labor
8. Revere God's attributes


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Sustaining the Work of Preaching the Gospel (Insights in NT)

5/5/2012

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The mechanics of preaching the gospel involves the following: 
1. Begins with reliance upon God
2. Causes people to walk after living, Creator God
3.  Shows believers miracles of conversion to be encouraged to walk through tribulations 
To sustain the work of preaching the gospel, good theology and equipping believers is necessary as follows:  
1. Begin with the pure doctrine of grace without works
2. Energized by the free gift of God through the Holy Spirit for anyone who believes in Christ
3. Founded upon the foundation of Old Testament promises
4. Taught good theology of grace to other Christians
5. Expanded by encouraging and strengthening others to join you in the work
6. Followed God's direction for right ministry partner

Mechanics in Preaching the Gospel
Paul and Barnabas spoke in such a manner that many Jews and Greeks believed in a Iconium synagogue. The disbelieving Jews stirred up the minds of the Gentiles against the brothers. They spent a long time speaking boldly with reliance upon the Lord with signs and wonders bearing witness to the word. The city was divided and after being  mistreated, they fled to the surrounding region and continued preaching the gospel (Acts 14:1-7). Preaching the gospel faithfully with reliance upon God produces miracles and persecution.

A lame man began walking after Paul cried out when he saw his faith to be made well. Paul and Barnabas said they were just men who preached the gospel so people could turn from vain things to a living, creator God after the multitude called them by the name of their gods. They said God permitted nations to go their own ways but still gave witness by providing rains and fruitful seasons (Acts 14:8-18). Preaching the gospel causes people to walk after a living, Creator God instead of vain things. 

The Jews from Antioch and Iconium stoned and dragged Paul out of the city. The next day, he and Barnabas preached the gospel in Derbe, made many disciples and returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch strengthening the souls of the disciples while encouraging them to continue in the faith through many tribulations to enter the kingdom of God. They appointed elders in every church having prayed with fasting and commending them to the Lord. They reported to the church in Antioch of how God opened a door of faith to the Gentiles and spent a long time with the disciples (Acts 14:19-28). Preaching the gospel shows disciples how God opens the door of faith to unbelievers so they can walk through tribulations. 

Theology in Preaching the Gospel
Some men from Judea taught that you must be circumcised according to Moses to be saved. After Paul and Barnabas  debated them, the brethren decided they should go to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders concerning this issue. Both on their way to Jerusalem and after they got there, they described in detail the conversion of the Gentiles and all God did with them. Certain Pharisees said one must observe circumcision and the Law of Moses (Acts 15:1-5). Preaching the gospel requires the pure doctrine of grace without works.

After much debate among the apostles and elders, Peter said  God used his mouth so the Gentiles could hear the gospel, believe and receive the Holy Spirit. Since God made no distinction between Jew and Gentile cleansing their hearts by faith, why would you place a yoke upon them since everyone is saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus (Acts 15:6-11). Preaching the gospel demands no distinction since anyone who believes Christ receives the Holy Spirit. 

After the multitude listened to Barnabas and Paul relate the signs and wonders God did through them among the Gentiles, James shared how the Prophets wrote that God will rebuild the tabernacle of David so the Gentiles may seek the Lord. James also said they should not trouble the Gentiles who turned to God but urged them to only "abstain from things contaminated by idols and from fornication and from what is strangled and from blood" (Acts 15:12-21). Preaching the gospel is built upon the foundation of the God's promises in the Old Testament. 

Equipping in Preaching the Gospel
It seemed good to the apostles, elders and whole church to choose Silas and Judas to go along with Paul and  Barnabas to Antioch. They sent a letter to the brethren in Antioch, Syria and Cilicia from among the Gentiles saying that it "seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no greater burden than the essentials James suggested" (Acts 15:22-29). Preaching the gospel involves teaching other Christians good theology about God's grace.  

When the congregation at Antioch heard the letter, they rejoiced because of its encouragement. The prophets, Judas and Silas, encouraged and strengthened the brethren with the latter remaining there. Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch with many others teaching and preaching the word of the Lord (Acts 15:30-35). Preaching the gospel involves encouraging and strengthening others to join with you in the work.  

Paul said to Barnabas that they should visit the brethren in every city where they proclaimed the word  to see how they are. Paul and Barnabas separated from one another because the latter wanted to take John Mark. Paul said no because Mark deserted them in Pamphylia. Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and he traveled through Syria and Cilicia strengthening the churches (Acts 15:36-41). Preaching the gospel involves following God's direction for the right ministry partner. 

Which of the following mechanics of preaching the gospel encourages or challenges you the most? 
1. Begins with reliance upon God
2. Causes people to walk after living, Creator God

3.  Shows believers miracles of conversion to be encouraged to walk through tribulations 
Which of the following ways to sustain the work of preaching the gospel through good theology and equipping believers encourages or challenges you the most?   
1. Begun with the pure doctrine of grace without works
2. Energized by the free gift of God through the Holy Spirit for anyone who believes in Christ
3. Founded upon the foundation of Old Testament promises
4. Taught good theology of grace to other Christians
5. Expanded by encouraging and strengthening others to join you in the work

6. Followed God's direction for right ministry partner

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Trusting Idols or God (Insights in Psalms)

1/20/2012

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It's easy and tempting to put your trust in made-made idols instead of God. Money, position, possessions and status can easily make you forget Him. Those who serve, praise, exalt, trust, revere, thank, remember and love Him, will know that He rescues and provides for our needs.

All of the Lord's servants who serve by night in His house should bless Him. Lift up your hands in this holy place.  God who made heaven and earth will bless you (Ps. 134:1-3). Serve God as you glorify Him at night.


Praise the Lord who is good and lovely. He chose Jacob for Himself and Israel as His special treasure (Ps. 135:1-4). Praise God who chose you as His treasure. 

The Lord is great and above all gods. He does whatever He pleases in heaven and earth. He causes the vapors to ascend, makes lightnings for the rain and brings forth wind (Ps. 135:5-7). Exalt God who does whatever He pleases.

He killed the first-born of Egypt and sent signs and wonders upon Pharaoh. God killed many kings, including Sihon of the Amorites and Og of Bashan. Their land became Israel's possession. The Lord judges and has compassion upon His people. The nations' idols are silver and gold, the work of man's hands without breath. Those who make and trust in them will be like them  (Ps. 135:8-18). Trust God who performed miracles in Egypt and the wilderness and don't trust man-made idols.

Those who revere the Lord should bless Him. He dwells in Jerusalem (Ps. 135:19-21). Revere the Lord who dwells with you.

Give thanks to the Lord for His goodness and love. He is God of gods and Lord of gods since His love is eternal. He alone does great wonders. He made the heavens with skill, along with the sun to rule by day and moon & stars to rule by night (Ps. 136:1-9). Thank God for His goodness and love as you observe His creation. 

With eternal love, God brought Israel out of Egypt with a strong hand and outstretched arm after killing their first-born. He divided and made Israel pass through the Red Sea while overthrowing Pharaoh and his army. God led His people through the wilderness and killed mighty kings. He gave their land as a possession to Israel His servant (Ps. 136:10-22). Remember God's miracles in Egypt when He divided the Red Sea and gave land to His people. 

God remembered us in our low estate because of His love. He rescued us from adversaries. He gives food to all flesh because of His love (Ps. 136:23-26). Love God because He rescues and provides for you.

When you are tempted to worship an idol, remember God's miracles in your life so you praise Him.


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Ingredients in Living Under the Reign of God (Insights in Psalms)

10/25/2011

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Robert Webber, in his book, The Younger Evangelicals wrote, “The calling of the church in every culture is to be mission. That is, the work of the church is not to be an agent or servant of the culture. The churches’ business is not to maintain freedom or to promote wealth or to help a political party or to serve as the moral guide to culture. The church’s mission is to be the presence of the kingdom… The church’s mission is to be show the world what it looks like when a community of people live under the reign of God.” Psalm 105 explains the ingredients necessary for people to live under the reign of God. 

Intimacy
Thank, praise, speak and glory in His holy name and wonderful acts. Those who  seek the Lord and His strength continually will have glad hearts. Abraham's offspring will remember His judgments (Ps. 105:1-7). Gladness and knowing God's glory come by seeking the Lord and His strength. 

Covenant
God's faithfulness continues throughout all generations beginning with His covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. He promised Canaan as their inheritance when they were few in number. He protected their prophets, permitted no man to oppress them and reproved kings for their sakes (Ps. 105:8-15). Relying on God's covenant with Abraham protects and allows you to prosper. 

Wisdom 
When famine came, God sent Joseph who was sold as a slave and tested before being made ruler to teach his elders wisdom. God caused His people to be very fruitful and stronger than their adversaries (Ps. 105:16-24). Wisdom and strength comes from God through His called people.  

Deliverance
When hate came, God sent Moses and Aaron to perform miracles like sending darkness, turning waters to blood, causing fish to die, and a land swarming with frogs, flies, locusts and hail. Lastly, God killed all the first-born and first-fruits (Ps. 105:25-36). Deliverance through miracles comes from God mediated through His called people. 

Obedience
He brought them out with silver and gold. God spread a cloud for a covering and fire to illumine by night. They asked and He brought quail, bread of heaven and water from a rock. He remembered his promise to Abraham and gave them the nations' lands so they could take possession of the peoples' labor and observe His laws (Ps. 105:37-45). Obey God's word and receive His provision, guidance and inheritance of the nations. 

Consider how you are living under the reign of God:
1. I seek to know God intimately every day
2. I appreciate the protection and promises of the Abrahamic Covenant  
3. I am open to God's wisdom and strength in everyday life
4. I embrace God's deliverance through His miracles
5. I obey God's word and receive His provision, guidance and inheritance 

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Facing An Impossible Situation (Insights in Law)

7/20/2011

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Think of the most impossible situation you ever faced. Do you think God can handle it? Have you ever seen Him work when the odds were stacked against you? The children of Israel faced an impossible situation when they were backed in a corner next to the Red Sea and Pharaoh's army fast approaching to kill them. Let's see how they responded. 

Set apart the first-born of every womb in Israel since it belongs to God. Moses told people to remember how God's power allowed them to leave Egypt, the house of slavery. After entering Canaan, a land flowing with milk and honey, they would eat unleavened bread for seven days and observe a feast on the seventh day. They were to tell their children about the Lord's powerful deliverance. It would serve as a sign to their hand and reminder on their forehead (Ex. 13:1-10).
Remember and share deliverance from sin through the cross of Christ with your children.


The Lord passed over and redeemed the first-born male as it belonged to Him. Say to your children that "with a powerful hand the Lord brought us out of Egypt, from the house of slavery." When Pharaoh was stubborn, the Lord killed Egypt's first-born and redeemed Israel's first-born as a sign on their hands and frontlet-bands on their foreheads in  remembering God's deliverance (Ex. 13:11-16). Share Christ's victory over sin and the evil one with your children. 


God led them by way of the land of the Philistines so they wouldn't change their minds when they saw war and returned to Egypt. He led around through the wilderness to the Red Sea in martial array from Egypt. The Lord went before and led them in a pillar of cloud by day and pillar of fire by night to give them light (Ex. 13:17-22). God leads you into spiritual warfare to embrace His redemption daily.

God hardened Pharaoh's heart saying the wilderness blocked them so the Egyptians would know He is Lord. After discovering that Israel fled Egypt, Pharaoh had officers lead Egypt's chariots, including 600 select ones, to chase after them (Ex. 14:1-9). God uses peoples' hardened hearts and impossible situations to show He is Lord. 

When Israel saw Pharaoh's army marching after them, they became very frightened  and cried out to the Lord. The people complained that Moses wanted them to die in the wilderness, "Leave us alone that we may serve the Egyptians? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness." Moses said to not fear, but see the Lord 's salvation today. "The Lord will fight for you while you keep silent" (Ex. 14:10-14). The Lord fights when you face impossible odds.

The Lord told Moses to stop praying and tell the sons of Israel to go forward as he lifted his staff over the sea to divide it so Israel would walk on dry land. God hardened the hearts of the Egyptians to follow them so He would be honored and know that He is Lord. The angel of God and pillar of cloud moved behind them and between camp of Egypt and camp of Israel (Ex. 14:15-20). The Lord protects as you go forward against impossible odds. 

When Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, the Lord turned it into dry land and waters divided. Sons of Israel went through it on dry land with the waters like a wall on both sides. The Lord brought the Egyptian army into confusion by causing their chariot wheels to swerve. They saw the Lord fighting against them (Ex. 14:21-25). The Lord uses miracles to make a way in impossible situations.

When Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, it returned to its normal state and the Lord defeated the Egyptians in the midst of the sea. He saved Israel from the Egyptians who were dead on the seashore. When Israel saw God's great power, they feared and believed in the Lord and his servant Moses (Ex. 14:26-31). God saves and gives you victory over the world, flesh and devil. 

What is an impossible situation you are facing right now? Embrace the cross of Christ and let Him fight the battles. Go forward and trust Him to give you victory over the enemy, whether it's the world, flesh or devil. 

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How to Gain Confidence in God (Insights in Psalms)

6/27/2011

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Many times, we lose our confidence in God. By trusting in ourselves or what the world has to offer, we get distracted and forget the power of God. As we make Him a priority by connecting and engaging our faith, we grow more confident in Him. In Psalm 84-86, we learn how to gain confidence in God in at least eight ways.  

Divine Priority
My soul longs and yearns for the living God because His dwelling places are lovely in comparison to the world, flesh and devil (Ps. 83:9-12). Like birds finding a nest to lay their young, our home is centered upon praising "My King and my God" (Ps. 84:1-4). Making God your King provides equilibrium and well-being. 


Strength is not found in ourselves or the world, but in God. Your heart becomes the highways to Zion as you praise God.  (Ps. 84:5-7). Strength comes each time you praise God.

Nothing compares with spending time with God in prayer. He gives grace, glory and protection. God doesn't withhold anything from you (Ps. 84:8-12). God always provides good gifts to the righteous.

Divine Connection
Sin causes misery, bondage and affliction. Instead of receiving God's anger, He lifts you up in love to experience forgiveness of sin and total restoration (Ps. 85:1-7). God's forgiveness and restoration allow you to really live. 

God speaks peace to His people so His glory can dwell in the land. He is looking out for your best interests. God's love works in perfect tandem with His faithfulness and righteousness. He makes His footsteps into a way (Ps. 85:8-13). Your life is connected to God's story.

Divine Outworking
Admit your neediness and affliction to access God's life. Cry to Him all day long because He is a good God ready to forgive your sin. He loves you completely. He listens and answers your prayers. No other god will perform miracles like the one and only true God (Ps. 86:1-10). Be desperate and cry out to God continuously for His miracles. 

How do you stop wasting God's miracles? Ask for His leadership, walk in His truth, give thanks to Him and glorify His name continuously so He can deliver in every situation  (Ps. 86:11-13). Follow God's leadership in every circumstance.

Instead of human pride, choose God's mercy, grace, love and truth. Ask God boldly for a sign so you won't be ashamed in choosing Him instead of human strategies (Ps. 86:14-17). Ask God to show Himself strong so you become confident in Him.

Which of the following strategies will you apply to gain confidence in God:
1. Prioritize time with God (Ps. 84:1-4)
2. Find your strength in God (Ps. 84:5-7) 
3. Receive God's good gifts (Ps. 84:8-12)
4. Experience God's forgiveness and restoration (Ps. 85:1-7)
5. Connect your life to God's story (Ps. 85:8-13)
6. Cry out for His miracles (Ps. 86:1-10)
7. Follow God's leadership in every circumstance (Ps. 86:11-13)
8. Ask God to show Himself strong (Ps. 86:14-17)


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How God Connects Your Life to His Story (Insights in Law)

5/15/2011

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Most of you feel inadequate in discovering and doing what God wants. He is more interested in accomplishing His will in the world than you are. God equips, teaches you what to say, intervenes in overcoming obstacles, moves into your heart and performs miracles so people will believe you. Your ministry is not about you, but about God and His will in the world. Watch how God began His work in Moses' life so you can connect your life to His story (Ex. 4).

Then Moses was concerned people wouldn't believe or listen to him by saying, "The Lord has not appeared to you." Moses staff became a serpent after the Lord told him to throw it on the ground. Once he stretched out his hand and grasped the serpent by its tail, it became a staff in his hand so they may believe God appeared to you. Moses put his hand into his bosom and it became leprous like snow after he took it out. He put it into his bosom again and his hand was restored so they would believe witness of either sign. If not, the Lord instructed Moses to take water from the  Nile and pour it on dry ground to become blood (Ex. 4:1-9). God equips you to succeed in whatever He calls you to do.

Moses told the Lord that he was never an eloquent speaker.  He answered, “Who has made man’s mouth?” or made someone dumb, deaf, seeing or blind. “Is it not I, the Lord?” God reassured Moses that He would teach him what to say and got angry when he wanted someone else to speak. He would put His words in Aaron to speak for him to the people and tell Moses what to do even as he would be as God to Aaron (Ex. 4:10-17). God will teach you what to say and do as you carry out your ministry. 

Moses returned to Egypt with his wife, sons and staff in hand after learning that everyone who wanted him killed were dead. God told Moses to use his empowered staff  to perform signs before a hard-hearted Pharaoh who would not let the people go. God instructed Moses to say to Pharaoh, ‘Thus says Lord, ‘Israel is My son, My first-born. So  I say to you, 'Let my son go, that he may serve Me'; but you have refused to let him go. Behold, I will kill your son, your first-born.'"(Ex. 4:18-23). Because God loves His people so much, He will intervene to accomplish justice in spite of resistance from governmental authorities.

At the lodging place, the Lord met him and sought to put Moses to death. Zipporah cut off her son’s foreskin and threw it at Moses’ feet and said, “You are indeed a bridegroom of blood to me." So He let him alone because of circumcision (mark of God’s ownership) (Ex. 4:24-26). God moves to have complete ownership of your heart.

The Lord told Aaron to meet Moses in the wilderness. Moses told Aaron all the Lord's words and signs He commanded Moses to do, which he performed before the elders so they would believe him. When they heard the Lord was concerned and had seen their affliction, they bowed low and worshiped (Ex. 4:27-31).  God performs miracles so people will believe that your words are from Him.


Spend time with God and pray about the following: 
1. Consider the miracles God has performed in your life as clues for the ministry He wants to accomplish. 
2. Consider how God is moving in your heart to teach you what to say and do.
3. Consider what obstacles God is overcoming in spite of resistance.
4. Embrace the ministry God is calling you to and don't be like Moses and say, "Please, Lord, now send the message by whomever Thou wilt" (Ex. 4:13).

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How To Prepare for a Miracle (insights in Law)

9/15/2010

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All of us have heard the statement: God helps those who help themselves. It is a lie! God doesn't want our help. He wants our obedience. So many times, I have used my own resources or ingenuity on a home project, correcting my son or ministry assignment and failed miserably. If I submit to God and do what He tells me, the result is so much better. I often see miracles, God-incidents and convergences take over. Abram faced a thorny situation that lasted many years. Thirteen years passed after Ismael was born. 

God told Abram that He was the powerful or mighty one. It was frustrating to Abram that he  took matters into his own hands by having a son, Ismael, through his handmaid instead of trusting God. He assured Abram of physical descendants, but told him to walk in integrity and purity. He would reward Abram as the father of many nations and kings (Gen. 17:1-7). 
Walking close to God with integrity reaps the reward of spiritual descendants and kingdom fruitfulness. We become a difference maker in our sphere of influence. 

God commanded all male descendants to be circumcised as a sign or proof of the covenant. Disobedience caused excommunication or being cut off from the covenant (Gen. 17:9-11,14). It was humbling for Abram to obey God, but like him, our sacrifice allows us to benefit from covenantal blessings.

When God told Abram that he would have children, he laughed because of his age, 100, and Sarah's age, 90 (Gen. 17:17). God's promise and miraculous intervention overrule the laws of nature and science.  

God remained faithful to Ismael. He blessed Ismael and made him fruitful so he would bear a great nation and father 12 princes (Gen. 17:20). God works behind the scenes to fulfill the destiny of families and nations. 


We prepare for God's supernatural and miracle working power by obeying God. In Abram's case, he obeyed God by circumcising his family as an act of humility (Gen. 17:27). 

What is God asking you to do? He may be preparing you for a miracle. 






  

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Blueprint for Ministry in Uncertain Times (Insights from NT)

8/10/2010

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My parents divorced while I was graduating from college so have some understanding of family dynamics when trouble hits a home. Not only is divorce ravaging homes, many fathers abuse their children physically and emotionally. More stress comes when people lose their jobs in a poor economy. How do we minister in this climate of uncertainty? 

If you are like me, I would rather someone else get their hands dirty instead of casting out unclean spirits and healing the sick (Matt. 10:1). The word, heal, means to serve and attend to someone whose life has been destroyed. We "heal" someone by going through the following steps in proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom (Matt. 10:7-8):  
1. Heal the sick. Serve the interests of those who are sick, literally powerless, weak and without strength symbolized by the paralyzed person who was raised up supernaturally from his bed (Matt. 9:1-7). Provide vocational and basic life skills training for those who are poor economically (physical health) 
2. Raise the dead. Wake people up from being dead in sin. Preach the gospel so people become new creations in Christ as they are saved from the guilt and penalty of sin symbolized when Christ raised the synogogue official's daughter from the dead (Matt. 9:18,23-26) (spiritual health)
3. Cleanse the lepers. Disciple the outcasts of society (single moms, elderly, abused, disabled immigrants, economic poor, addicted, prisoners, etc.) so they grow in their relationship with Christ and purified from enslavement to power of sin. Christ stopped a woman's bleeding after 12 years when she touched Christ's garments, which symbolizes becoming intimate with Christ through discipleship (Matt. 9:20-22) (mental health)
4. Cast out demons. For discipleship to be effective, we must address sins of the past, destructive beliefs, emotional & spiritual pain and curses & oppression symbolized by the two blind men asking for mercy from Jesus (Matt. 9:27-31) (emotional health). 

We apply a flexible strategy looking for receptive people while trusting God to meet our financial needs (Matt. 10:9-13). 

We also apply a pragmatic strategy utilizing wisdom, fleeing hostility and not taking unnecessary risks (Matt. 10: 16-39). At the same time, we continue preaching and teaching being willing to lose our life in spite of persecution since God will reward our suffering (Matt. 10:26-28, 34-39). The mission of sharing the gospel of the kingdom is "crucial, shared, sustained, complex, strategic, demanding and Jesus-shaped" [i]

Our task as disciples is to serve the humble. Those who receive our message are actually receiving Christ Himself. We will receive eternal reward if we realize it's not about us (Matt. 10:40-42). 

Which of these four points (healing the sick, raising the dead, cleansing the lepers and casting out demons) most spoke to you? Where do you need to grow in your walk with Christ? How will you impart what Christ has given to someone else? 



[i]  The New American Commentary, pg. 167


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    Mark Pomeroy

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    My goal is to ignite the hearts of people by explaining God's word in the Law, Prophets, Psalms and New Testament consecutively, much like the experience of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:32,44). I have been a missionary in Lincoln, NE, for 13 years with Christ For the City Int. and Sync with God.
     

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