June 25, 2005  WHAT YOU FEED GROWS; WHAT YOU STARVE DIES

What you feed grows; what you starve dies.

What kind of thoughts are you feeding? Are you feeding or starving your spiritual life? What relationships are you feeding?

What you feed grows; what you starve dies.

As someone once said, we don't neglect to feed our bodies at least three times a day, but many of us only feed our spirit one cold snack a week.

What you feed grows; what you starve dies.

Think only on those things that are of good report. (Philippians 4:8.) I have found this to actually be true, that if I allow myself to think UNlovely thoughts, my feelings about that situation deteriorate. But when I make a conscious effort to think about something the way GOD would think about it, my feelings follow suit and change.

What you feed grows; what you starve dies.

June 9, 2005  GOD'S WILL BE DONE

Jesus taught a prayer which we refer to as "The Lord's Prayer." I think just about everybody can quote it.

"Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name..." (The King James Version seems to be the most quoted.) "...Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven...."

Jesus told us to pray that God's will would be done on earth as it is in heaven. Why would we need to pray that His will would be done here on earth? Isn't God sovereign? Can't He do as He pleases, when He pleases? Why would Jesus tell us to pray that God's will would be done on earth as it is in heaven? Apparently, it is as John Wesley said, "It seems that God can do nothing for humanity unless someone asks Him to do it." For some reason, God has chosen to limit Himself in this way.

Or perhaps it is because God gave man dominion over the earth (See Genesis 1). Man, in turn, surrendered that dominion to the devil in the garden. Satan has a legal "lease" on this earth for a period of time. In Second Corinthians, Paul actually refers to Satan as the "god of this world." He has some temporary rights. BUT, Jesus gave US authority in His name. Now WE (Jesus-confessing children of God) have restored authority on this earth in JESUS' name. So when we open our mouths and proclaim His Word into this earth, we are saying, "Your will be done in this earth, Lord!" And He can legally get involved.

This also reminds me of Matthew 18:18-20, "Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." And, "if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together IN MY NAME, there am I with them."

These are the words of Jesus himself. This seems to be a principle he is trying to get across. We have authority in this earth. We must speak forth the will of God into the earth.* Our words allow God into our situation (or keep Him out)!

God's Word is the Bible. God's Word is His will. Even 1 John 5:14-15 says that when we pray according to God's will, we can have what we ask for. Find out what God's will is. Read the Bible. Then pray it. Speak it out. Say it. Believe it. Watch it come to pass.

(*Let me make clear that God has pre-set certain timelines and world events to take place, and these WILL be done with or without our prayers--the prophecies you read about in the Bible. What I am speaking about above is for everything else within those timelines that pertain to our lives.)

June 1, 2005  FORGET THE PAST AND MOVE FORWARD

A few days ago, I wrote here about forgetting the past--you know, "You can't look back and undo, but you can look forward and pursue."

Well, I received a comment about it (via email) that was so good, I wanted to share it. This comment comes from a person who experienced the pain of spousal abandonment and divorce:

"I believe that forgetting the past is a new lifestyle, kind of like losing weight--it takes a whole different diet. A change or a desire to change...It was hard for me to forget the past, but it is possible."

That is such a good point. At least, it should make sense to anyone who has ever tried to lose weight. If you want the weight loss to be permanent, you really have to change what and how you eat. And in order to change, you must really WANT to change.

Likewise, in forgetting the past, you must first WANT to move on. Then you must make lifestyle changes that facilitate moving on. I think one change of major importance is winning the battle of the mind--just don't go there. Don't go back. Stay in the here and now and prepare for the future as you live each day to the fullest, in daily obedience to God.

The parallel is priceless.