Taking Risks

What’s the biggest risk you’d like to take — but haven’t been able to?

Many of life‘s greatest achievement require going outside of your comfort zone. Whether it is overcoming shyness to perform on stage, or investing money to help a business grow.. Taking risks involve putting yourself out there. Which usually causes uneasiness of not knowing the outcome and potential failure.

Most people think of all the negative aspects ‘what if’s’ of a risk. But what if they think of the positives of the ‘what if’s.’

I would love to risk going on a missions trip, moving to another country. visiting far away places. I used to be the one who would do anything that I found of interest. I believed that if there was a will there was a way. I was a pretty free soul.

Today I just let God have the reigns. If He wants me to do something He will make a way and I will go. That’s what I plan on taking my biggest risks for. My biggest challenge is getting myself out of God’s way.

If I do it God’s way, then there’s no risk involved. Because He guides me.

How To Be Blessed By God

Plasm 1 gives us guidelines for being blessed, favored and multiplied by God. It’s a wisdom Psalm by David. It provides us with warnings that are important but usually misunderstood.

“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor sits in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the Lord and in his word he meditates day and night” -Psalm 1:1-2

Being blessed of God means a person enjoys God’s favor, approval and empowerment. Here are a few guidelines for enjoying the full blessing’s of God.

1. Saturate

Saturate yourself with the word of God. Fill up your thoughts, attitude, and conversations with things that are found in God’s Word. Let His Word dwell in your goals, you interactions and your daily conversations. Mediation involves hearing, reflecting and readjusting our lifestyle in obedience to God’s perfect will for your life. Avoiding anything that distracts you from filling your thoughts with what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, excellent, admirable or praise-worthy.

2. Situate

Situate yourself by the living word. Jesus said, “He who believed in me, from his inner most being will flow with living water” (John 7:38). When we mediate we are in communion with the Savior, Redeemer, Restorer and the Rebuilder. Spending time with God in His Word and prayer every morning before you walk out the frond door.

David wrote in Psalm 143:8, “Cause me ti hear your loving kindness in the morning, for I trust in you. Cause me to know the way in which I should walj, for I lift my soul to you.”

3. Satisfy

Satisfy yourself with God’s Word, His will and His way. It is not enough to merely think good thoughts but we find our greatest satisfaction completing His will for our lives through obedience to His will.

Jesus said in John 4:34, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent me.” And Matthew 5:8 He said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they will be satisfied.

4. Seperate

Separate yourself from the world. In Psalm 1 David warns us not to sit walk or stand with the ungodly. In 2 Timothy 2:22-26, The Apostle Paul wrote, ‘Fless and evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart; but refuse foolish and ignorant questioning, knowing that they generate strife. The Lord’s servant must not quarrel, but be gentle towards all, able to teach, patient in gentleness correcting who oppose him; perhaps God may give them repentance leading to a full knowledge of the truth, and they may recover themselves out of the devil’s snare, having been taken captive by him to his will.

5. Sanctify

Sanctify yourself in the truth, Jesus said, “Sanctify them in your truth. Your word is truth” (John 17:7)). Let the Word of God cleanse your thoughts, your motives and your perceptions.

6. Submit

Submit yourself to God. This is a hard one for most people, I used to say I would submit to no one. But when we follow Jesus, we have to realize that we need to continually relinquish our rights to the Lord. Ask the Lord to help you readjust your heart, soul, strength and mind to place the Lord in all respects so you may bear fruit in everything you do. This will allow you to be strengthened will all-over according to His glorious might.

Colossians 1:9-11 says, For this cause, we almost, since the day we heard this, don’t cease praying and making requests for you, that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding; that you may walk worthily of the Lord, to place Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all power according to the might of His glory, for all endurance and perseverance with Joy.”

7. Stand

Stand firmly on God’s promises. “Seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness through the true knowledge of His who calls us by His own glory and excellence. For by these He had granted to us His precious promise in order that by them you might escape the corruption that is in the world by lust.” (2 Peter 1:3-4). Know and be firmly sure that His promises will not fail you until all of God’s work is complete in and through you.

8. Succeed

Succeed through the power of His Word His Spirit and His will. “For he will be like a tree planted by the rivers of water. His leaf will not wither and whatever he does will prosper.” Psalm 1:5-6. The best way to succeed is to meditate on God’s Word for great growth in your obedience to His will. Then you can make your way prosperous and have good success.

9. See

When we see spiritual purposes in every situation, then every problem that we face can become an opportunity to draw upon the goodness if God. Instead of thinking that we ‘deserve’ utopia here on earth, the Lord allows spiritual maturity to overcome the hardships, dry times and disappointments of life. God allows those who meditate on His Word to have the mind of Christ. Ask the Lord to help you perceive life through the eyes of God’s perspective given to you by a Spirit-filled life.

“For the mind of the flesh is death, but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace; because the mind of the flesh is hostile towards God; for it is not subject to God’s Torah (Bible), neither indeed can it be. Those who are in the flesh can’t please God” – Romans 8:6-8

10. Stabilize

Stabilize yourself when you are worried, anxious or unsure about your direction. God told Isaiah, that “He will keep whoever’s steadfast in perfect peace because he trusts in you” (Isaiah 6:3) “In the world, you will have tribulation but be of good cheer for I have overcome the world” -John 16:21-33

These are guidelines to being blessed, and favored by God these things will be multiplied if we are in obedience to them. It is also a warning that it is equally important but often misunderstood.

Isaac And Ishmael- The Abraham Covenant War

The Abraham Covenant

I’ve been think about what’s going on in Israel. Here’s what’s I’ve learned about Bible Prophecy on the issues plaguing Israel right now.

In Genesis 18, we read about Abraham and Sarah. Sarah is barren unable to have a child. Even though God promised Abraham that a son will be born to Sarah they doubt God’s promise. After Sarah begins to age she believes her time to have a son is over.

She tells Abraham that he should take her handmaiden Hagar and have a child. She tells Abraham to have sex with Hagar so he can have a son to carry on his legacy.

Hagar bore Abraham a son and named him Ishmael. The story goes on to say Sarah becomes jealous and cruel towards Hagar and Hagar runs away into the wilderness. However, a angel of the Lord meets her and tells her to return to Sarah, and God assures her that she, too, will be a mother of a great nation.

Just as Isaac was to have a great nation as Abraham’s son Ishmael. So what was the promised to Abraham In God’s covenant?

The 3 Aspects of the Abraham Covenant are:

1. Land

2. Lineage

3. Lord

God promised Hagar that her son would never be a slave. He would be free like a wild donkey that would roam the desert in her world. God was promising that He would bless Ishmael and his descendants and they would become Nomadic and free.

God’s promises to Isaac were a continuation of the covenant that God made with Abraham, Isaac’s father. God promised to be with asaac and bless him and his descendants the land of Cannan, and promised to multiply Isaac’s offspring as the stars of heaven and make them a blessing to all nations.

God had promised Ishmael and Isaac both Land and Lineage.

Ishmael is mentioned in the Bible as having settled in the land of Paran, the land lying between Cannan and the mountains of Sinai. His descendants lived in the territory between Havilah and Shur which are east of Egypt on the way to Assyria.

Isaac is mentioned in the Bible as having settled in Cannan, the eastern side of the Mediterranean sea, at that point south of Gaza and extending from there up the coastline as far north to Euphrates river and Sea of Galilee.

Today Iran and the Palestine‘s are fighting for, as well as the Israelites.

1. Land

2. Lineage

3. Lord

Both people are fighting over who gets the Land.

Both people want to destroy as many people in the opposite lineage as possible and rule over the rest.

Both people have different God’s – Different Religions. Both parties are fighting over which Lord will get victory in the end.

The beginning of World War III.

If you have read the Bible you know who will be victorious.

What I’m Most Proud Of

What are you most proud of in your life?

I am proud of how my children have grown up. But, It has nothing to do with achieving something extraordinary or special.

I taught my children with the intention that they would grow up and be successful adults. They have qualities and attitudes that will take them far in life.

My pride in my children has come from constantly teaching them to be respectful. Informed adults. Their morals are good and they have the guts to stand up for what the believe in without disrespecting anyone’s differing beliefs.

I gave them the tools that they need to make it in a crazy society, and achieve whole happy lives and to overcome challenges that come their way.

“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it“. – Proverbs 22:6

Being a good parent is not for the weak hearted. It’s hard work, and can even send us to tears. All the sacrifices we make for our children, That is what puts them on the road for a successful future.

What Have I Been Working Towards

What have you been working on?

I’ve been working on my health.

About 4 years ago I was walking down a friend’s driveway and stepped on a water meter covered, much to my surprise the cover was not bolted down, the water company workers had not secured it.it was. My foot slipped into a 5 foot hole clear up to my waist. It took 3 people to get me out.

Arriving at the hospital emergency room, my entire leg was scraped up and bleeding. The fall into the hole had damaged my knee.

I have been putting off get surgery on it for a while. But it has been affecting my health. I think back to when I could walk 2 miles a day. I’m lucky if I can walk to the neighbors house without excruciating pain in my knee.

I knew surgery was imminent. Today I’m recovering from knee surgery. I didn’t realize how painful it would be. But hopefully I will begin to build up my muscles again and be on the road to a healthier life.

Releasing Fear

Have you ever felt trapped by fear? The fear of failure, not being good enough, or possibly not knowing enough? I know I have, and if we allow it, that fear can make you second guess our purpose causing us to miss out on walking entirely and confidently in every promise God has spoken over our lives.

It’s time you change your perspective on failure. No, it is not the end, but only the beginning. It is o longer what if I fail; it’s not what if I succeed? God desires us to do exceedingly, abundantly more than we can ever think.

It takes us releasing those fears and stepping out in faith. Seeing ourselves as the unique individual God created us to be and allow Him to strengthen us as we overcome the weights the world has on us.

I like when David in 1 Samuel 17:38 said when we went to fight Goliath. Saul tried to get him to wear his armor, but David said, “I can’t; it doesn’t fit.” God called you and equipped you just as you are for whatever “giants” are in front of you. Show up to the fight.

Laughter without fear of your future and do precisely what God has called you to do anymore (Proverbs 31:25) and remind yourself of Ephesians 2:10 says, for we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works.

Run Towards The Roar

Ready!

“Be sober! Be on the alert! Your adversary, the devil is prowling around, like a roaring lion, looking for someone he can devour” -1 Peter 5:8.

I have a relative the trains for marathon’s he tells me that before the marathon he gets pre-run anxiety. A variety or things come into his mind -whether or not he will finish, if he will have enough energy.

Set!

I once heard an analogy, that tells when male lions get old, their teeth will begin to rot, and they are unable to kill animals as easily. In order to get food, they recruit female lions and younger stronger makes to help them. When the lions get ready to hunt, the effective killers go hide on one side of the herd while the big old lion goes to the other side. Once he’s in position, he lets out a massive roar that send the herd running in the opposite direction…just where the female and younger male lions are.

According to Scripture, our enemy is like a “roaring lion.” But that says to me. He is a deceiver who has bad teeth, and a big roar. All he can do is lie to us, just like an old lion. And in fact, we would actually be better off running towards the roar -that very thing that frightens us – rather than away from it.

Over and over, Jesus told His followers “do not to fear.” It is one of His most popular commands. The Bible further tells us that any spirit of fear we experience is not from God at all (2 Timothy 1:7). While we should pay attention to what our fears communicate to us, that there is a need for caution, that we need to trust the Lord, that we need to pray. If we believe what God says in His Word, we don’t have to let those fears determine our direction.

Try to “towards the roar” and face what the enemy wants you to fear. You have God’s strength, power and victory locked in you already, so rest in knowing that He’ll take you beyond the empty threats of the enemy – that old, tooth decayed lion.

Go!

  • What scares you?
  • While some fear is of the Lord, much of it is from our enemy. Is it from God or from Satan?
  • What do you need to do in order to be able to “run towards the roar” today?

John 8: 42-48 (NIV). “I have not come on my own; if God were your Father, you would love me, because I have come to you from God. I am not here on my own; God sent me. Why is my language of clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me. Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I’m telling the truth, why don’t you believe me? Whoever belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear me is that you don’t belong to God.”

That’s a tough one to read. But, Jesus never mixed his words, he said it like it was.

Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT). Don’t worry about anything; Instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He does. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”

It’s A Secret

What’s something most people don’t know about you?

I can be friends with almost everyone I meet. They will be treated kindly and with respect. But I find trusting anyone, they have to prove themselves to be sometimes more than once.

I blame La vida loco (The crazy life) I’ve had. I’ve be screwed over more times than not. I learn by observation. Because I’m a quiet person I think more people think they can take advantage of me.

When I find someone who has screwed me over, I will do one of two things either tell them that I know about their distrust they’ve shown or what they have done, or I walk away and don’t let that person have a place in my life.

I generally have no patience for anyone I cannot trust.

Why Is Obedience To God Important?

From Genesis to Revelation the Bible has a lot to say about obedience. In the account of the 10 Commandments, we see just how important the concept of obedience is to God. Deuteronomy 11:26-28 sums it up like this: “ obey and you will be blessed. Disobey and you will be cursed.” In the New Testament, we learned through the example of Jesus, that believers are called to a life of obedience.

8 Reasons Why Obedience Is Important To God

1. Jesus Calls Us To Obey

In Jesus, we find the perfect model of obedience. As His disciples, we follow His example as well as His commands. Our motivation for obedience is love,

“If you love me, you will keep my Commandments” – John 14:15

2. Obedience Is An Act Of Worship

When the Bible place is a strong emphasis on obedience, it’s critical to remember that believers are not justified (made righteous) by obedience. Salvation is a free gift of God, and we can do nothing to Merit it. A True believer’s obedience flows from a heart of gratitude for the grace we have received from the Lord.

“Therefore, I urge you brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service” – Romans 12:1

3. God Rewards Obedience

Over and over again, we read in the Bible that God blesses and rewards obedience.

“And through your descendants all your nations of the earth will be blessed -all because you have obeyed me” – Genesis 22:18.

Jesus replied, “But even more blessed are all who hear the word of God and put it into practice” – Luke 11:28.

“Do not merely listen to God‘s word, and so deceive yourselves; anyone who listens to the word, but does not do what it says it’s like someone who looks at his face in the mirror; and after looking at himself, goes away, and immediately forget what he looks like; but whoever looks intently into the perfect law, that gives freedom, and continues in it not forgetting, what they have heard, but doing it they will be blessed in what they do” – James 1:22-25.

4. Obedience To God Proves Our Love

The books of John 1 and 2 clearly explain that obedience to God demonstrate love for God. Loving God implies following his commands.

“By this, we know that we love the children of God and obey His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments“ – 1 John 5:2-3. “Love means doing what God has commanded us, and He has commanded us to love one another, just as you heard from the beginning” -2 John 1:6.

5. Obedience To God Demonstrates Faith

When we obey God, we show our trust and faith in him.

“And we can be sure that we know Him if we obey His commandments. If someone claims, ‘ I know God,’ but doesn’t obey God’s commandments, that person is a liar, and not living in the truth. But those who obey God‘s word truly show how completely they love Him. That is how we know we are living in Him. Those who say they live in God should live their lives, as Jesus did” – 1 John 2:3-6.

6. Obedience Is Better Than Sacrifice

The phrase “obedience is better than sacrifice,” Has often perplexed believers. It can only be understood from an Old Testament perspective. The law required that Israelites to offer sacrifices to God, but those sacrifices and offerings were never intended to take the place of obedience.

But Samuel replied, “What is more pleasing to the Lord, your burnt offerings, and sacrifices, or your obedience to His voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fact of Rams. Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft, and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols. So because you have rejected the command of the Lord, He has rejected you as king” -1 Samuel 15:22-23.

7. Disobedience Leads To Sin And Death

The disobedience of Adam brought sin and death into the world. This is the basis of the term ‘ original sin.” But Jesus’s perfect obedience, restores, fellowship with God for everyone who believes in Him.

“For as by one man’s (Adam’s) disobedience the many were made sinners, so by one man’s (Jesus’s) obedience the many will be made righteous” – Romans 5:18

“For as in Adam, all die, so also, in Christ shall all be made alive” -1 Corinthians 15:22

8. Through Obedience, We Experience The Blessings Of Holy Living

Only Jesus is perfect, therefore, only He could walk in sinless, perfect obedience. But as we allow the Holy Spirit to transform us from within, we grow in holiness. This is the process called sanctification, which can also be described as spiritual growth. The more we read God’s Word, spend time with Jesus, and allow the Holy Spirit to change, us from within, the more we grow in obedience and holiness as believers.

We don’t learn obedience, overnight; It’s a lifelong process that we pursue by making it a daily goal.

Lazy Days

Do lazy days make you feel rested or unproductive?

Lazy days allow your brain to do nothing. It allows us to stop obsessing over the news, or social media.

Being lazy helps our exhausted minds slow down. It keeps us from experiencing both physical and emotional burn out. Having a lazy day actually improves strategic thinking..

Some people think that having lazy days is a bad think. But having a few days of laziness has some good benefits. Laziness resets our minds, and helps us create more ideas and actually improves our emotional intelligence. The idea is that laziness causes some financial problems can happen if we over indulge in too many lazy days which make us feel unproductive.

The key to anything in the world that is good is simply not to overindulge on it. Gambling is not a sin if you do it and don’t destroy your family life -unable to pay bills and feed your familie

. Drinking if done to much can destroy your life – if done in moderation doesn’t cause problems. 1 Corinthians 10;31 says, “So, whether you eat of drink, whatever you do, do all to the glory of God”

God told His followers to take a day of sabbath which means to cease or stop, so they could rest, refresh, and refuel.

Lazy days are not supposed to make us feel unproductive, but make us feel, rested up, refreshed, and refueled to we can focus on our jobs the rest of the week successfully and without burn-out.

Being Successful

When you think of the word “successful,” who’s the first person that comes to mind and why?

While ideals are subjective, the chosen act, and for filling lifestyle with which others, I disagree, can be considered a success.

Our particular criteria for success will closely relate to our social, political, educational, and religious values or ideology.

Success to me is when you’ve accomplished in my what you want to accomplish. After I pondered this question. in modern society, most peoples idea of success, having a college degree, and focuses from a business model.

For many people, success made reaching a goal, accomplishing a task, or other wise accomplishing what I’ve sent out to you.

With different perspectives on what it means to be successful. I could think of no one person that comes to mind. Whether I look at Warren Buffett Who struggled his way to get up being a young Farm boy, or Elon Musk, who has no college degree. They both set a goal, and that goal was accomplished. I think it’s about the goals you want to accomplish in life, that makes someone successful.

Crowns In Heaven

Scripture describes our eternal rewards in terms of a inheritance and responsibility. These rewards are symbolized as Crowns. Believers will be awarded crowns as their rewards for what we do on earth -waiting for Christ’s second coming to establish His Kingdom on earth.

The Bible says these crowns will be our badges of honor reflecting glory upon Christ, who worked through us to achieve the good works in their lives. believers will acknowledge His sovereignty by casting their crowns at His feet while they worship Him in heaven,

“And when the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, to Him who lives forever and ever.“ -Revelation 4:9

“The twenty-four elders will fall down before Him who sits on the throne, and will worship Him who lives forever and ever, and will cast their crowns before the throne, saying,“ -Revelation 4:10

“Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and we created.” – Revelation 4:11

Altogether, the Bible mentions five crowns promised to believers for their obedience to Christ while on earth.

5 Crowns

The Crown Of Life

“Blessed is a man who perseveres u dear trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord had promised to those who live Him” -James 1:12.

“Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about o cast some on you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life“ – Revelation 2:10.

At first glance, it will appear that the “crown of life” refers to eternal life. But, the scriptures contradict that. Scripture clearly state the eternal life comes by faith alone in Christ alone, and which is given as a gift and not by works (Ephesians 2:8-9). Instead, this crown is given to those who faithfully persevere trials the Lord puts them through. We only persevere such trials and tribulations by God’s power in us (1 Peter 1:5-7).

The Crown Of Righteousness

“In the future there is laid up from me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have lived His appearing” – 2 Timothy 4:8.

This verse does not refer to righteousness we achieve by works, as scripture makes it clear that our righteousness is found only in the imputed righteousness of Christ-Romans 5:19. Rather is award is given to those who eagerly await the appearing of the Lord. As believers, we should always be expectantly looking for the return of the Lord.

“This crown He employs in describing believers, who’s faith is strong, it will not permit their minds to fall asleep in this world, but will elevate them to the hope of the last resurrection. This means all who are so much devoted to the world, and who love so much this fleeting life, as not to care about the coming of Christ, and not to be moved by any desire of it, deprive themselves of immortal glory. Woe to their stupidity, that never think seriously about the coming of Christ,to which they ought to give their attention” – John Calvin

The Crown Of Glory

“Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the suffering of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is revealed” – 1 Peter 5:1

“Shepherd the flock of God among you,exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily according to the will of God; and not sordid gain, but with eagerness;“ – 1 Peter 5:2

This is a crown for the elders the Lord has placed in authority in His church. It’s an exhortation as well as an incentive for the elders to rule as the Lord had directed.

The Crown Of Rejoicing

“For who is our hope or joy or crown of exultation? Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming? For you are our glory and joy” – 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20.

“Therefore, my beloved brethren whom I long to see, my joy and crown, in this way stand firm in the Lord, My beloved” – Philippians 4:1.

This crown will go to those who have witnessed to others and who have built up the church by teaching.

The Crown Incorruptible

“Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one received the prize, Run in such a way that you will win” – 1 Corinthians 9:24.

“Every man who strives in the games exercises self- control in all things. Now they do it to receive to receive a corruptible crown but we an incorruptible” – 1 Corinthians 9:25.

“Therefore, I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air” – 1 Corinthians 9:26.

“But I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified” – 1 Corinthians 9:27.

This crown will be given to all believers who run the race to win. Who Discipline the flesh and make it their slave so they will be able to serve the Lord. We can only achieve this by the power of the Holy Spirit, so the crown is ultimately accomplished in God’s power, not our own.