How to Disable the Disablers

Ever want to introduce a new thought or idea but felt scared to share it? It's almost as though we get disabled just by the thought of it right? Our mouth opens, our words stay in, our heart beats 10 times faster and we want to pull a 180 and run as fast as we can. Being scared is a common response in this scenario but the question is why? Why or how can someone have such influence over us? It's as though we put them on this pedestal and whatever they say, whether positive or negative, is going to have that much of an impact on our lives that may alter it forever. We might perceive that to be true but it's not. Anything anyone says to us is just their opinion. It may be right, it might be wrong, it may even be hurtful, but in the end, it's just another persons opinion.

Before I listen to (Daily Audio Bible while I drive in the mornings) or read my morning devotions, I ask God to highlight something from what I read to stand out and speak to me.  It happens where God will grab my attention and I stop reading to sit and ponder on it throughout the day.  Today was another time of clear communication from God.
 
Genesis 25 is the account of Abraham's death and his family line down from his two sons Ishmael and Isaac.  Ishmael's account names his twelve sons and how those sons went on to become twelve tribes.  With Isaac, it describes how Rebekah could not have children but as a result of Isaac's prayer, at age 40 even, God blessed them with 2 sons named Esau and Jacob.
 
Today, I was listening to verse 21 (in the CEB, Common English Bible) it says, "Isaac prayed to the Lord for his wife, since she was unable to have children. The Lord was MOVED by his prayer...".  
That was my verse.  I didn't stop driving but the verse kept replaying in my head and I knew God had got my attention.  I love that! "The Lord was MOVED by his prayer"  In other versions it says that the Lord answered his prayer.

by Pastor Dale Aceron

Here in Canada, braving the cold to start our vehicles in -25C weather is not all that "fun".  Especially when you realize you slammed the door shut behind you, without a jacket and now have to run halfway around a rather large building to get back in. I would know.  I just did that today.  It was not fun at all.
 
This brings to memory all those times when God called out to me.  He pointed out ways for me to step out of my comfort zone, into the unknown and into what He has planned for my life.  Whether it was trying something new, something small or even something crazy, I usually get an impression from Him to just GO!  Often there were times where I couldn't go and try it out for awhile and if I didn't like it just come back.  No, it was more like go, slam the door behind me and don't look back.   

by Andy Krenz

His name was Arshad Mash. He was killed in 2005 when gunmen burst into a Sunday morning church service and opened fire in Wapda Town, Pakistan. Pastor Riaz carries Mash’s picture in his Bible as reminder that he carries the cause of Christ on the front line of the Kingdom.

What makes the “front line” the “front line?” The answer is profoundly simple. It is only the front line if physical or spiritual real estate can be won or lost. If no ground can be gained; or there is no risk of failure, it’s simply not the front line. It’s the place where the battle rages, and victory or defeat hangs in the balance.

by Pastor Steven Furtick

I have one piece of advice for you as we start out this New Year:

Don’t put Jesus first this year.

Yes, you read that correctly. Before you label me a heretic, let me explain.

I imagine that many of you are going through a similar process as me right now of setting and resetting your priorities. Personally, I love this time of year. I’m a very goal-oriented individual, and I’ve found that reprioritizing and recalibrating your life is an indispensable activity if you really want to actualize your potential.

And here’s what it usually looks like. We start by putting Jesus at the top. Then family. Then maybe career. And so on. So our priorities look something like this:

1. Jesus/God
2. Family
3. Career

Looks good. However, I’ve found that this isn’t very effective when you get down to the grind of everyday life. For example, what does it even mean to put Jesus before my family? Do I ignore my family to spend more time with Jesus? Or with your career, do you stop working to put Jesus first?

by Pastor Jonathan Krenz

The Gospel of John says, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us –that is, he moved in beside us.”

This is what is so exciting and awe-inspiring about Christmas. 

This is what the world passes to consider for even a few moments.  The almighty, all-powerful, transcendent living God has arrived in a form that is familiar – not only familiar but acceptable to us.  A baby.  We can see him, hear him, smell him and hold him.  He is in our hands and then in our hearts.  John continues in his gospel, “We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father full of grace and truth.”

by Pastor Dale Aceron

Just the other day I had a good discussion with one of my kids. 

And the reason why it was good was because I found out some information that I didn't know, but needed to know.  It wasn't a punishment or a discpilinary talk, it was more of an "open your heart" talk, which I recommend all parents do from time to time.  These are the times when I lean even more on God's guidance as a parent because He is the perfect parent.

by Pastor Jonathan Krenz

God is continually moving.  His word says so.
"God is always on the alert, constantly on the lookout for people who are totally committed to him..." (2 Chronicles 16:9 ESV)

Not only is He moving, but He is searching.  Searching for those who are sold out and committed to Him.  But what does that even mean or better yet what does that look like?