We read in Ecclesiastes that there is a time for everything. We need to be ready. What is the time now? What is the hour we are living in? It's important to understand and move in the seasons of the Kingdom of God. All around us, we are hearing about change...about wars and rumors of wars...about earthquakes...about financial devastation. We are entering the "end time" before the Lord's return. And we know from reading Matthew 13:39, that "the harvest is the end of the age..." It's time to reap in the harvest. It's ripe. God has prepared the fields.
As God is our strength, we can step out confidently that He will guide our steps and our tongues. Won't you give Him something to work with? Fill your belly with His Word and let it spring forth as a gushing river. The fields are ripe, we need to be sure our Sword is sharp and ready to be wielded wherever we are going in a day. Be bold today...you are equipped as a Mighty Warrior for God! Just think...God is on your side...what can you lose?
Friday
Taking a look at words.
I heard someone talk about words and how they evolve over time. Some change altogether, others lose impact. Talking of words always reminds me of our time in Romania as missionaries. We always had to use an interpreter whenever we did Bible studies or a Sunday service. Sometimes we would all break out in laughter over the mix up of words or become frustrated because they lost their "punch" just at the moment you needed to make a major point. Something was lost between languages.
There's a powerful word associated with Communion that I want us to consider. To talk of Communion we need to look at the Cross. For life is in the "blood". Jesus gave all He had, so that we might live...eternally. The thief on the right asked Jesus to "remember him" and Jesus replied that that very day He would be with Him in paradise. Let's take a look at the word "remember". We think of it as "don't forget about me" or "recall me to memory". But, originally, it meant the opposite of "dismember"; to take apart or divide into parts. So, to re-member, meant to put back together. Whoa! That's powerful. The thief was saying, I know who you are (he called Him, "Lord") and although I am being pulled apart today, the breath being squeezed out from me, my bones being broken...Lord, would you re-member me today? Would you put me back together? Wow! Doesn't that just want to make you shout for joy?! For ONLY Jesus, can put you back together...after all the wrong choices, mistakes, wrong doings, past hangups and current addictions...only Jesus can "re-member" you. Only Jesus can put things in your life...back together.
At the Last Supper, Jesus broke bread with His disciples and said, "this is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me." Then He took the cup that represented His blood which was poured out for us. When we take Communion, Jesus wants us to re-member Him. To think upon what He has done for us in our place and in a sense "reassemble Him". For He still lives! His breath isn't squeezed from Him. He is no longer disjointed. You can't separate the body from the blood. That brings death. The re-membering of His flesh and blood brings life. He is whole and living and breathing. THAT is what He wants us to remember.
There's a powerful word associated with Communion that I want us to consider. To talk of Communion we need to look at the Cross. For life is in the "blood". Jesus gave all He had, so that we might live...eternally. The thief on the right asked Jesus to "remember him" and Jesus replied that that very day He would be with Him in paradise. Let's take a look at the word "remember". We think of it as "don't forget about me" or "recall me to memory". But, originally, it meant the opposite of "dismember"; to take apart or divide into parts. So, to re-member, meant to put back together. Whoa! That's powerful. The thief was saying, I know who you are (he called Him, "Lord") and although I am being pulled apart today, the breath being squeezed out from me, my bones being broken...Lord, would you re-member me today? Would you put me back together? Wow! Doesn't that just want to make you shout for joy?! For ONLY Jesus, can put you back together...after all the wrong choices, mistakes, wrong doings, past hangups and current addictions...only Jesus can "re-member" you. Only Jesus can put things in your life...back together.
At the Last Supper, Jesus broke bread with His disciples and said, "this is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me." Then He took the cup that represented His blood which was poured out for us. When we take Communion, Jesus wants us to re-member Him. To think upon what He has done for us in our place and in a sense "reassemble Him". For He still lives! His breath isn't squeezed from Him. He is no longer disjointed. You can't separate the body from the blood. That brings death. The re-membering of His flesh and blood brings life. He is whole and living and breathing. THAT is what He wants us to remember.
"Dare 2 Dream" May Event in Pittsfield MA
What a move of God! The music was awesome. The Presence of God was heavy. Kevin, a prophetic painter from VT, was outstanding. Even "Tilly" performed well. :-) It was an exciting night for sure. Many came forward for prayer about their dreams. As God plants dreams within us, at times they get misplaced. We need to come back and once again ask Him, "Lord, where are those dreams? Help me to get back on track." When we see the direction that God has for us, He wants us to get on track and stay there. To stay there, we need to stay focused. Write out the steps He reveals to you. THEN...do something every day...that moves you closer in the direction of your dream. As we DO something, it will help us stay focused...keeping our dream before us. That will motivate you...spur you on. It's not enough to stare up the stairs...you've got to step up the stairs!
Then, get around like-minded people who will also, keep you moving forward. You know...the ones that believe in your dream. The ones that speak positive words into your life. Those that will encourage you and even help you move forward with ideas. Words affect us so much more than we think! Positive brings forth positive. Negative brings forth negative.
Don't become anxious. Remember, the waiting period is a training period. Seek God for insight of the things He would have you doing while you wait for your dream to manifest in its fullness. As you hear Him, be obedient. For He has only GOOD plans for you. Present to Him a "thankful heart". You will surely see new things open up for you as you travel life's journey with Him. Go ahead, dare 2 dream. He has already called it into being...you just need to go for it...with Him. It takes 2...you and Him.
Then, get around like-minded people who will also, keep you moving forward. You know...the ones that believe in your dream. The ones that speak positive words into your life. Those that will encourage you and even help you move forward with ideas. Words affect us so much more than we think! Positive brings forth positive. Negative brings forth negative.
Don't become anxious. Remember, the waiting period is a training period. Seek God for insight of the things He would have you doing while you wait for your dream to manifest in its fullness. As you hear Him, be obedient. For He has only GOOD plans for you. Present to Him a "thankful heart". You will surely see new things open up for you as you travel life's journey with Him. Go ahead, dare 2 dream. He has already called it into being...you just need to go for it...with Him. It takes 2...you and Him.
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