Power with Purpose!

2008 ended for me on a positive note. God brought me through some difficult times and allowed to learn and see things that give me hope for the future. Here is a quick entry that describes that direction.

It all started in a single moment of intense frustration in which I cried out to God, "Lord, deliver me from [this], or set me free to be destroyed!"

Please understand that I knew the gravity of that request. I had come to the point where I needed God to be real in my life otherwise I could not go on.

Yes, it was just that simple.

God has never failed me and this time was no exception. 2008 was preached as "The Year of New Beginnings," but what you don't hear is that the number 9 represents bringing an end, a conclusion, or a judgment.

Nevertheless, that is exactly what God has led me to.

In 2009, I will be leaving behind some old dreams, old sins, and old expectations. I leave them behind because I see them for what they are - the cart before the horse, the deceitfulness of satan and the world, and the realization that not everyone who calls themselves Christian has the desire to be like Christ.

In 2009 I am resolved to shore up the spiritual foundations in my life. Hence, this website. Here you can follow along as my friends and I embark on a quest for real discipleship and authentic community based on the Word of God.

I am excited about where God is leading and hope that you are tremendously blessed this year!

There are times when I need encouragement. Usually those times come when no one and nothing on earth can provide it. When that happens I turn to God. Okay, let's take it 'down' another notch. Sometimes my prayers don't seem to be getting past the ceiling. My faith falters and I wonder where God is. Well, His answer to me today is, "You must make it personal. It is between you an Me!"
So I did it. I made it personal - and it revived me! There is a small group that I have been in fellowship with for a few weeks now. We have been learning about The Miracle of Life Change with Chip Ingram from Living on the Edge in Atlanta, GA. One of the first things we learned was that the book of Ephesians is a wonderful place to start in the bible when a saint needs to be reminded of who God is and what He has done for us. Chapters 1-3 do just that: they tell us of what God has done for His people. Chapters 4-6 then tell us how we are to live.
Here's how I took Ephesians 1 and made it personal. Because God is a personal God and Jesus is a personal savior.
Sorry, no audio today but, please feel free to print this and put it where you can read it and receive encouragement. Then, take it back 'up' a notch and begin reading it aloud to yourself. It sure worked for me. God Bless You!

Ephesians 1 – Personal Edition

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the faithful in Christ Jesus: (Your Name Here!)

Grace be to me, and peace, from God my Father, and from my Lord Jesus Christ.

Blessed be the God and Father of my Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed me with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

According as he hath chosen me in him before the foundation of the world, that I should be holy and without blame before him in love:

Having predestinated me unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made me accepted in the beloved.

In whom I have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

Wherein he hath abounded toward me in all wisdom and prudence;

Having made known unto me the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:

That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:

In whom also I have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

That I should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

In whom I also trusted, after that I heard the word of truth, the gospel of my salvation: in whom also after that I believed, I am sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

Which is the earnest (down payment) of my inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession (me), unto the praise of his glory.

Wherefore Paul also, after he heard of my faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,

Ceased not to give thanks for me, making mention of me in his prayers;

That the God of my Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto me the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:

The eyes of my understanding being enlightened; that I may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to me who believes, according to the working of his mighty power,

Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,

Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:

And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,

Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

Sometimes, I just like the Word of God to speak for itself. Today I have for you a short word of encouragement. John has a wonderful way of weaving God's justice together with His grace and love to form a tapestry of edification. Listen to a small part of that here.

After a short time away from the microphone to work on other areas of responsibility, I came to realize this morning that time management is overlooked as a Christian virtue. I believe it is important that we commit ourselves and our resources to Kingdom building, and these resources include the time given to us and how faith and trust stand upon how we use (or misuse) what little we are provided. Hear the complete message. Thanks for listening!

Folks, believing in God is just the very start of your Christian walk. James 2:19 says the devil's believe and tremble. In my search to share something with you today I found that the beginning is always a good place to start, and sometimes go back to... Listen to today's installment of Bible Study NCS here.