It's Good News!
The Good News!
I am, that I am - everything is within HIM!
I recently had a wonderful conversation with my dad about Salvation. He and I spoke about sin. He shared with me that that first reference to it in the bible implied "being without". My own research further revealed that in the latin languages it refers to "something missing, being without".
What a mindshift this understanding had brought.
In Sunday school class I was taught that -"Jesus died for your sins" - the focus is on the act of sin (missing the mark, breaking the law, etc) and the hopeless guilt and shame of it. This is certainly not condusive to a dymanic relationship with my Saviour as I the hopeless sinner will always sin.
BUT...
Understanding that sin means I am without or missing something that can be found in Jesus my Saviour - I immediately have hope and the journey of restoration can begin bringing with it a completeness and because of that little to no chance of a repeat offence.
...
Faith & Maybe?
Faith & Maybe
Faith & Maybe?
Does that even count? Let's take a look at this powerful posture of strong faith. When we give up our need for certainty we gain true confidence independent of circumstances.
When we sense God speaking to us about something there's an area of, "Oh, Lord, I don't know." We feel the responsibility before we have the supply.
This is where "works" jumps in, in response to the initial faith spark. Anyone can have an idea but until you put works into motion you'll never know the supply.
Once the initial faith sparks we add dry grass and small sticks to ignite the faith into a flame. We begin blowing softly on the flame til it bursts into fire. We then continue adding fuel until it becomes a bonfire, a force to be reckoned with.
Reading Hebrews 11 and 12 and other passages of faith in action we discover that they didn't have all the answers before forging ahead. As James says, "Show me your faith by your works as faith without corresponding...
The BIG Why?
It's better to know God than to know answers to everything.
The first question most children ask is "why." It doesn't take long for them to notice that things don't just happen. There's a system called cause and effect. When kids ask why, they are trying to figure out the system.
Sometimes we don't know why things happen, they just do. For example; it would seem that if you're a good person, only good would come your way. Yet, we know that bad things happen to good people. WHY?
In that same vein, it would seem that bad things would be the result of acts committed by people intent on doing harm. Yet, sometimes we see them get away with their deeds with no apparent consequences. And, sometimes they even prosper as a result of their actions. WHY?
"For examples of patience in suffering, look at the Lord's prophets. We know how happy they are now because they stayed true to Him then, even though they suffered greatly for it. Job is an example of a man who continued to trust the Lord...
It's time to make a decision
It's time to make a decision
What have you been waiting on in order to make a decision?
I'll never forget those words, "It's time to make a decision!" The printer and I were trying to come up with a title for my first little KAM tract way back in the day, for over an hour. Finally, in exasperation he stated, "Judy, it's time to make a decision." Our eyes locked and I said, "That's it. That's the title."
Thousands have found Christ since then, as a result of that booklet. Funny story but a profound truth. It's time to make a decision...the time is now. Now is the day of salvation. II Corinthians 6:2
Our salvation, deliverance, break-through happens once we make a decision to move, to apply corresponding action to what we believe. The longer we vacillate, the more double-minded we become. In that paralyzed state the Bible says we become unstable. James 1:8.
In effect we're acting in hypocrisy as we say we trust God and yet we don't forge ahead acting on faith that He will...
Overcoming the Hamster-wheel Syndrome - with Dr Judy Bauer
EPIC CONQUERORS PODCAST:
Overcoming the Hamster-wheel Syndrome - Ep.2
Choose wisely. Choose life in Him
Ahh, the hamster wheel. I'm mesmerized by the little creatures endlessly running on their wheel as a never ending treadmill when I go into pet shops.
They seem to enjoy the exercise and jump off when they tire of it. I've noticed for us humans, we too, can easily find ourselves on the "hamster wheel" of life, an endless treadmill of activity going nowhere.
However, we don't seem to figure out how to get off that never-ending cycle of hyper activity.
Watching myself and others over the years it appears that there are several factors that determine our need to stay on "the wheel." I want to address only one of them in this blog. It becomes addictive. We may not enjoy it any longer but now we are addicted to the cycle of continuous chaos and activity. It has become our new normal. We unconsciously or consciously choose to remain irregardless of the detriment to our health,...
Overcoming the Hamster-wheel Syndrome - with Chad Smanjak
Don’t get caught on the hamster wheel. A better future is in front of you.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)
It’s just another Monday until you realize that this moment has never happened, will never happen again, and anything is possible.
“The meeting of two eternities, the past and the future... is precisely the present moment.” – Henry David Thoreau
So often we get stuck on the hamster wheel, doing the same thing every day, yet we are believing for a different reality or outcome. Rather than getting caught up in the hamster wheel syndrome, learn to lean into the mystery of the moment, connecting the lessons of your past to the potential of your future. Embrace the joy of breath and life and opportunity. God is with us, expanding your chest as you live and breathe.
God is inviting you...
Overcoming Unhealthy Habits with Susan Ryan
EPIC CONQUERORS PODCAST:
Overcoming Unhealthy Habits- Episode 10
When the Lord looks at our hearts, what do you think He sees?
According to Psychology Today, breaking unhealthy habits requires identifying behavioral patterns and developing a plan for success.How many people, after a difficult day, head for the refrigerator, or to happy hour, instead of going for a walk, listening to good music or doing some deep breathing?Our behaviors can quickly develop into habits. To come up with a solution for change requires some investigation and digging, mostly into the depth of our hearts, to see the bigger picture.The unhealthy habit I want to talk about today is not taking time to carefully examine our hearts with the Lord. If our heart is full of gunk, we are likely to make many poor decisions. "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." Proverbs 4:23Who can truly know the human heart, but the One Who...
Overcoming Unhealthy Habits with Ray Wienand
EPIC CONQUERORS PODCAST:
Overcoming Unhealthy Habits- Episode 8
Sometimes the best thing was to speak to someone about it, to get the load off my shoulder.
I don’t think there’s anyone, saved or unsaved, that doesn't have a few unhealthy habits in their lives. I know I do. Fortunately, I don’t have as many as I used to. For me, this blog is a very personal one. I’ve seen the effects unhealthy habits can have in my own life. I’ve seen it in the lives of family and friends, and in the lives of people I don’t even know.There are so many possible unhealthy habits. Like many other things they can be physical, mental or spiritual. Sometimes we’re aware of them and sometimes we only realize it when someone points it out to us. The ones we know about, we kind of sweep under the rug and continue with. The ones that are pointed out to us, we get upset and jump into defensive mode. But the fact remains.They are...
Overcoming Unhealthy Habits with Jason Carver
EPIC CONQUERORS PODCAST:
Overcoming Unhealthy Habits- Episode 5
Constructing Destiny
Jason Carver has been in pastoral ministry for 20yrs and is the founder of Jason Carver Ministries where he travels the world teaching and preaching the message of hope and encouragement one can find in the power of realizing that your destiny is both still alive and active.Jason believes that no matter what has happened in your life, you can still walk in your Divine destiny. Jason also founded the Central Texas School of Supernatural Ministry in Waco, TX where he trained people in how to walk in the power that God has made available for them.Jason loves seeing people experience the fullness that is available as they tap into the love and power of God in their life.Jason is also a tennis teaching professional and teaches tennis classes at Baylor University. Jason lives in Waco, TX with his...
Overcoming Unhealthy Habits with Michelle Sim
EPIC CONQUERORS PODCAST:
Overcoming Unhealthy Habits- Episode 3
Michelle Sim is an apostolic pastor/teacher who focuses on the unconditional Love of Our Father toward His children, establishing a strong foundation on which people can recover from the harsh realities of life.Michelle has been married for 51 years to Ian, has 2 grown sons, including 48 year old Paul who is overcoming the challenging of a dual diagnosis – Autism Spectrum Disorder and accompanying mental health issues.Michelle lives in the Greater Toronto area, Ontario, Canada. Michelle is the creator of the Love Bomb which goes out each Mon – Fri morning.
