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Times of Refreshing
We all need times of refreshing! Jesus gives us these drinks of water to quench that much needed thirst. I needed a drink of His restoration to be more effective in my life, my home, at work, and at church while leading worship. If I don't get this drink from God...I'll mess up everything. It's pure and simple. WORSHIP! I worship in order to be refilled with His spirit. Recently, I received a time of refreshing Monday,June 25, 2007 at the Friend of God Tour Concert featuring Israel & New Breed at Life Christian Center in Fenton, Missouri. It was about 9:45 p.m. when I left my flesh at the altar to be burned and purified for His glory again. The entire sanctuary of worshippers were being refreshed only If...they would let Him touch them. The weight of His glory ushered me to kneel down behind a bench with sleeping children and a weeping mother holding a young child. God let me know that He is holding me just like she's holding that child. I instantly began to weep and surrender. Worshipping Him in spirit and in truth...the way He likes us to! There was an hour or more of pure worship that I only can get when I'm alone in His presence. With the sea of worshippers all around...He was with me and them as well. I'm still in awe of His strength and power rushing to rescue me from myself. So, today I'm encouraged and in right standing with Him who gives me a times of refreshing.
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What's on your mind?
"For we walk by faith and not by sight." II Corinthians 5:7
"No matter what the situation looks like...just walk by faith and put your trust in GOD! It is truly better to put your TRUST in GOD than your confidence in man. I've learned somethings the hard way. Condemnation can cause you repeatedly not to forgive yourself for things that has happened in the past. If, you have repented about something...then God has forgiven you! Don't let the enemy use your mind as a battlefield. The enemy will cause you to relapse and waste time. Let's take the word "diabolos". The "diabolos" means delivish. The word "dia" means between and the word "bolos" means a knife or dagger, striking, or hurling. So, diabolos knows that his job is to come between you and your destiny by destroying your mind with accusations of condemnation. Ok? We as the people of God must move forward and press towards the mark! So, start today walking by faith and trust GOD!
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A Lifestyle of Praise & Worship
Has the burdens of this past week been heavy on your mind? If, so your mind can be renewed through reading the word of God and through worship. The word worship is defined as an act of reverence. The definition of the Greek word for "worship" is " to kiss toward." In ancient times when a person would enter the presence of a king he would kiss his hand towards the monarch as a gesture of reverence. Therefore to worship means to respond with reverence to the LORD. So, when you feel bound with a heavy load or even despair, just take the time to worship God. He already knows your situation...but, He wants to hear from you!
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SMILE!
Yes, smile even when you don't feel like it. God has been good to us in so many ways. I've felt like giving up sometimes and throwing in the towel...but, GOD has caused me to triumph over every obstacle. I have dreams, ministry goals and personal accomplishments to complete in this life's journey! During my times of frustration...I have learned to pray more and read the Bible more. I find that I'm spending more time in HIS presence...not asking but waiting to hear from Him. If it's just a steady stream of tears for hours as I lay before Him...then that's causing me to be broken and vunerable...to be used by Him. My relationship with God is so extravagant and intimate like the song written by Darrell Evans. It's true! I must confess as I write these words of encouragement. Sometimes I wonder why things have not happen for me yet...Am I still being tested for character, integrity, and faithfulness? Yes.
I have spiritual friends who always sharpen my iron as I sharpen theirs in times of need. God has blessed me each time to refocus when I tend to look at ours around me accomplish their dreams. Finances has been a obstacle for me in my personal life and ministry as well. TRUST is the keyword when I have dry spells in ministry. During this time He is making me into what He wants me to be. I'm reminded of the scripture "to be anxious for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." Philppians 4:6. So, with this encouragement by the spirit of God...I can receive what GOD has and you can too! Are you smiling yet?
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My Reservoir
In tough times we must draw from our spiritual resevoir. In July of 2006 came a very bad storm within the St. Louis area. We lost electrical power for many days. We also lost hundreds of dollars with of groceries and suffered in the intense heat of one hundred degrees or more. I really didn't feel like praying or reading my Bible at all but, my spiritual reservoir would encourage me to pray. My spiritual reservoir had been strengthen prior to this storm and when this happened my generator kicked-in. In this life there will be tribulations and tough times...but seek the LORD and He'll lead you to green pastures with a sweet spiritual reservoir.
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Learning to Surrender to God
Learning is the act or experience of one that learns. Surrendering to God knocks our will out of the way. God needs to be in full control of our lives. He can really bless us when we take our hands off. It is very foolish for us to plan without God being an intricate part of our personal lives, job or even ministry. When I plan for a service or for something pertaining to this ministry I always ask God. From past experiences I've found that doing things my way weren't always best. I have learned to surrender my will in exchange for His. Surrendering everything...everything! When you totally surrender to Him...you find that your walk, your decisions, and your entire world will be forever changed for the glory of God.
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Get up to meet Him...
Yeah, I said it. Get up to meet the Lord everyday. It's quiet. It's early. The sky barely has light. Your loved ones are snorring and your pets are too. So, this is the perfect time to meet Him. Don't ask Him for anything...just say Good morning and worship Him for His excellent greatness and for His mighty acts. Worship, read scripture, and pray intercessory prayers for this world and even your own concerns. If you do this daily...your life will never be the same.
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