Mini-Series: Miracle Mornings

Reject, Receive, Replace

My Miracle Morning Routine - Here is the breakdown of the terms and then exactly how I use them, in order:
T - Thanks
A - Affirm
S - Surrender
K - Kill
S - Serve

SURRENDER
In Alcoholics Anonymous, the first and second steps are to admit powerlessness, and dependence upon a higher power. That’s called “surrender.” On my own, I’ll make a mess of my life. But, guided by and in alignment with God, I can be restored and thrive.

Jesus spoke to his followers about what I call “secrets of the universe.” One was the encouragement to visualize myself as a branch and God as the Vine (see John 15). The Vine is the life source. The branch is the beneficiary—reaching out into the world and producing fruit. Branches produce good fruit to the extent that they remain connected to—dependent upon—the Vine.

Detached branches are sticks. Trying to manufacture fruit apart from the Vine...

Mini-Series: Miracle Mornings

Reinforce and affirm the promises of God

Here is the breakdown of the terms and then exactly how I use them, in order:
T - Thanks
A - Affirm
S - Surrender
K - Kill
S - Serve

THANKS
Gratitude is the best place to start. The scriptures have been bullish on thankfulness for thousands of years. Our ancestors were whispering to us at every turn, “Give thanks to God for everything, all the time. It’s better this way.” Turns out, they were right. Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.-1 Thessalonians 5:18

Hear the whisper of the Lord: “Thankfulness is a royal road to draw near Me. A thankful heart has plenty of room for Me. When you thank Me for the many pleasures I provide, you affirm that I am God, from whom all
blessings flow. When adversity strikes and you thank Me anyway, your trust in My sovereignty is a showpiece in invisible realms. Fill up the spare moments of your...

Mini-Series: Miracle Mornings

Exciting. Miracles. Prayer. Outcomes.

A friend of mine, Caleb developed this morning miracle routine that has blessed my life. I’ve tweaked it to fit me and I encourage you to do the same.

Here’s the idea:
It’s made up of 4 main concepts:
Exciting. Miracles. Prayer. Outcomes.

Exciting
Exciting because every day is a gift and an adventure. When you’re connected to the Author of Life—the Master Storyteller and Maker of
the Universe—anything is possible, and you never know where a day might lead. Anything that tends to make you anxious is a growth opportunity.

Hear the Lord whisper: “Instead of running away from challenges, embrace them, eager to gain all the blessings I have hidden in the difficulties. If you believe that I am sovereign over every aspect of your life, it is possible to trust Me in all situations. Don’t waste energy regretting the way things are or thinking about what...

ATTITUDE OF AN OVERCOMER -Part 1

While His process is in process in our lives, these are the things that we need to know and do - it will lead us to our victory:

1. Our enemies are being defeated.

2. Our heart is being formed and fashioned

3. Bless others in midst of our trial

Reaction in Action

• How do you react to conflict?
• Difficult circumstances?
• Unjustified character attacks on yourself?
• People arguing?
• Confusing situations you can't control?

 These and more are all woven into every person's life. We can't escape what's happening around us.

The only thing we can control is our reaction.

Moses was definitely a reactionary.  (Exodus)

Whether it was an unfair fight between two men, dealing with complaints from the 2 million people he was commissioned to lead out of Egypt, a burning bush that wasn't consumed, his family and close advisors attaching his character, or a myriad of other issues...

Moses reacted.

God began to teach him to react wisely. God put Moses through the school of The Spirit. You and I are in that same schooling process.

God is working in us to become like Him in and through the various issues of life we face today. 

While meditating about Moses and his journey, an important principle began to take shape. His years...

God is my source. I cannot fail!

During one of Jeremiah's darkest times help came from an unexpected source...literally.

Here's what was going on...Jeremiah was obedient to deliver God's message to the people.

As a result of hearing God's words, the people were so upset (convicted) that they threw Jeremiah into a cistern.  They didn't like "that" message.

I've looked inside a cistern in Israel. There is no way of escape. You are stuck in every sense of the word.

Cisterns are HUGE containers, very dark, actually pitch-black inside. They are cavernous and used as reservoirs dug deep into the ground. Cisterns were used to store water, grains, etc.

This particular cistern was empty but the bottom of it was filled with muddy sludge. (Jeremiah 38:6)

An Ethiopian official in the kings ranks observed all that had transpired with Jeremiah. He privately went to the king and asked for the prophets life. 

He told the king that he was aware...

Be a Blessing

Paul wrote to Timothy giving him instructions for spiritual success. 

He warned him of things and people to watch out for and he gave him the head's up on things and people that would keep him strong in the Lord.

 I was captured by his wording regarding Onesiphorus. He had just described several people who deserted him while he was going through difficult trials and imprisonments.  II Timothy 1

Then he stated, "Nevertheless, so many times Onesiphorus was like a breath of fresh air to me and never seemed to be ashamed of my chains." 1:16

It's interesting that the name Onesiphorus means: 

• One who brings profit.
• Profitable
• Help-bringer

Paul then spoke a blessing over his life, "May our Lord Jesus bestow compassion and mercy upon him and his household...May Jesus, our Master, give him abundant mercy in the day he stands before Him." 1:16b and 18b

 Paul blessed him for he said that when Onesiphorus arrived in...

Poured Out

"Mary broke the jar of expensive perfume and poured it on Jesus' feet and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance (aroma) of the perfume." (John 12:3)

This natural act happened before the spiritual act of Jesus washing the feet of His disciples. (John 13:3-17)

Mary broke the hard container that housed her security/savings precious to her for her future.

Jesus broke open His humanity to serve His followers, who were precious to Him. 

Men's traditions are like that hard alabaster jar. Strongholds that keep us contained to take care of #1 first...me! Housed in stone; we hold on to traditions/possessions in an attempt to bring a sense of personal protection and security. 

 God's ways and man's ways are not the same. (Isaiah 55:8-9) Our man-made traditions/possessions cannot protect our future any more than our savings accounts.

 Jesus poured out the fragrance of the Holy Spirit in Him to wash and anoint...

Focus your lens

When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit. - Ephesians 1:13b

The Holy Spirit’s best work in people is seen in how He changes the way they relate to one another. You want the best parts of your character displayed in your kids. It brings us great joy when we see the positive qualities, actions and words manifesting through our children.

God's grace is so amazing, how can we ever not give that same grace to others that we come into contact with, fully knowing the price that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ paid for us on the cross. Once you receive the full grace of God and truly encounter the Holy Spirit, you could never intentionally not forgive others of their short comings....

We are reminded in the parable of the unforgiving servant of just how important the act of forgiveness is, and that the gift that is undeserving, yet given to us through grace, needs to be given as abundantly as possible...FORGIVE..FORGIVE..AND...