Go. Take on the Day!

“All this time Saul was breathing down the necks of the Master’s disciples, out for the kill.”
 
A couple thousand years ago, Saul was authorized to kill or imprison believers of “The Way”. Nothing much has changed. Why would it. The earth still exists and satan with his henchmen are still running rampage over the earth. The way I see it there are probably a few million evil ones doing their nasty deeds.
 
Is there any hope for the world? Sure! The hope is in knowing that after every storm there is sunlight. The evil ones of the world create suffering and God creates the light.
 
Suffering: “Down the road a way in Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha, “Gazelle” in our language. She was well-known for doing good and helping out. During the time Peter was in the area she became sick and died.”
 
Light: “Peter put the widows all out of the room. He knelt and prayed. Then he spoke directly to the body: “Tabitha, get up.” She opened her eyes. When she saw Peter, she sat up. He took her hand and helped her up. Then he called in the believers and widows, and presented her to them alive.”
 
As a believer, you are guaranteed suffering. The evil ones are alive and well. They are master manipulators of circumstance. They have had thousands of years to figure out how the human race works or doesn’t work. They have been watching you. They know your weakness and based on successful strategies in their past they know how to work
your weakness against you.
 
But as a believer who loves God, you are guaranteed by God’s personal Word that He will turn the bad in your life to good. I believe there are twice as many Godly angels at work kicking the evil ones in the mouth and preventing you harm. At the same time God is constantly stepping in and turning the bad that confounds you and creates good
that blesses you while bringing Him glory.
 
It is an incredible dynamic to consider. It is not all about you. It is all about what Jesus did for you on the cross. Now. Go take on the day, knowing that the forces for you are far greater than the forces against you. It doesn’t mean you won’t feel the sword pierce your heart. It does mean that ultimately the victory is yours through Jesus Christ.
 
So quit whining. Quit being a wimp. Be bold in Christ!
 
Side note: As I typed the above sentence, “Go take on the day”, my wife came out of the shower boldly proclaiming, “Go take on the day”. So, tell me. Is God’s Spirit alive and well? Does He communicate? Did you get the message? Listen!
 
Go! Take on the Day!
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God Spot Verified

From my friend Faith.  What a great name!

My Thoughts:
Jeremiah 10:6
No one is like you, O Lord; you are great, and your name is mighty in power.

So…most of you know that this last week was pretty intense for my family. I received the call Friday evening from my parents telling me that my mom had been having chest pains, had been to a cardiologist, and that she would have a heart catheterization (with stints or bypass) on Monday. My entire family rushed to Missouri to be with my mom and dad. My mom was having all the symptoms of a heart attack on Sunday and was taking nitroglycerin. On Monday, the doctor told us that my mom had some anomalies (defects) and 2 clogged and calcified coronary arteries. He told us that he was pretty sure that she was going to have a triple bypass. We rallied, prayed, and hoped for the best.

An hour passed and the doctor came out with a perplexed expression on his face. He said, “She’s fine. Actually she is better than fine. Her arteries have zero plague and no calcification. Being 65, she should have some but she doesn’t. Not only is she plague free, but the abnormalities on the CAT scan just aren’t there anymore. I cannot explain it, and I called 3 other doctors in to look…God must have performed a miracle.”

My mom went home that evening and has had no chest pain or any symptoms. My mom says that all her symptoms went away shortly before they wheeled her into the procedure room and that it was fascinating to watch the doctors freaking out because they didn’t see what they thought they would. They even checked to make sure they had the right CAT scan.

I am praising God because I truly believe He healed my mom…a mighty demonstration of His power. As you pray and listen to God this week, what is God demonstrating to you?

Pray without ceasing

Ever tried to pray without ceasing?  I have tried.  I couldn’t multitask good enough.  Good thing I wasn’t a brain surgeon.  It would not have been a pretty sight.

Setting my watch to beep every 60 minutes and remind me to pray has been wonderful.  Praying is something I like to do.  I like to know God is listening and has His ears perked up.  I know He is waiting to hear my praise, worship and yes, petitions for help.

Give it a try.  Set your watch to beep every 60 minutes.  Turn your mind to God and pray as God impresses.  I am expectant to see God’s response. 

My central theme has been healing.  I am praying for healing of others in every way possible, with an emphasis on healing marriages.  Maybe I’m praying for you…

Invoking the “where 2 or more” clause

8:00 beep n pray - 9:00 beep n pray – 10:00 beep n pray – 11:00 beep n pray – 12:00 beep, pray n eat – 1:00 beep n pray – 2:00 beep n pray – 3:00 beep n Daniel drops by.  Let’s pray!

Daniel prepares God for action.  He praises Him for His beauty and faithfulness.  I invoke the “where 2 or more” clause.  It went something like this.  “Father.  I invoke the power of God’s Word when you said, ”where 2 or more are gathered together and ask in my name, I hear and do!” 

I refuse to let the evil one break up a friend’s marriage.  I pray that God do whatever He has to do to prevent the collapse of this marriage.  I openly confess the power is in the blood shed on the cross for my sins and I make petition.  God, please forgive me and bless them with your love.  Amen.

4:00 beep n pray – 5:00 beep n pray – 6:00 beep,  pray and pick up pizza.  The watch keeps beeping.  I keep praying.  What will be the outcome?  Will God intervene?

James Harrison T-Shirt – What will you pay?

How much will you pay for an authentic James Harrison Superbowl record breaker T-Shirt?  I think this shirt may have been worn during the Super Bowl game and James made his record breaking touch down.  I think the guy that has this shirt stole it off his back while he was in the shower.

 Or possibly you’d like to bid on Aretha’s hat she recently wore at the Oh’Bama inaugeration.  She says she’s not sure if she is going to let the Smithsonian Institute have it.

 

And if nothing else you could always bid on Michael Swim Phelps’s hooka pipe.  He says he used bad judgement.  Probably thought the pipe was a bad fit for his teeth.

Or possibly my dirty socks. 

I don’t know.  I guess the Super Bowl brings out the best or worst in me.  Sigh…

 

Which item will bring the best price on ebay?

Bus Across America

My “Bus Across America” travel plans are coming together.  Surf to Bus Across America and read about.  Bookmark it and keep up with the God Spots.  Now, I just need to get my time off request approved.  I wonder if this qualifies as a mission trip.  After all, it is a chase for “ONE”. 

Start thinking and praying about joining me…

3 Alarm Fire in San Antonio

This is a BIG deal!  The fire is still burning but said to be under control.  It is not known if there are any fatalities. 

I remember a time when I had a fire in my life.  I think it may have been a 7 alarm fire or maybe a 37 alarm fire.  Anyway, it was a BIG fire.  It some ways it is still burning.  Have you had a similar fire in your life?

When the fire was in full bloom and everything of value seemingly being consumed, I had to choose.  Would I run to God or would I run from God.  It was a conscious decision that needed to be made.  The “evil one” makes it easy to hear his way.  The question is whether I would listen.

In the midst of the fire or battle for my soul, Cora wrote verses from the Word on index cards and gave to me.  I read the verses over and over.  With every reading, the intensity of the fire became to seem more distant and I could hear God better than the thoughts the evil one wanted me hear. 

The evil one still bites at my heals, but he is but an evil annoyance.  It is the voice of God I hear these days.  His voice of encouragement drives me on toward the high calling of Jesus Christ.   It is the voice of ONE that the world may know.  http://gpcdev.bravehost.com/videovault.html

I will be taking ONE on the road with me across America.  Read about the upcoming trip at http://www.isrv.org. 

archie

Worn 1/2 dollar and a promise

About 15 years ago, a friend and I tore a one dollar bill in half.  I put half in my wallet and he put his half in his Bible.  We covenanted to pray for each other whenever we ran across our half of the dollar bill.

We have been faithful to do this over the years, even though we have only talked once in as many years.  That’s what a covenant is.  A promise without reservations.

What was your covenant with God?  Have you kept it?

Be “One” for Jesus.

PS. Thanks Mike.

Read about the “Bus across America” opportunity.

Do you feel alone in the race?

“Do you remember that time Elijah was agonizing over … Israel and cried out in prayer?

   God, they murdered your prophets,
   They trashed your altars;
   I’m the only one left and now they’re after me!
   And do you remember God’s answer?
   I still have seven thousand who haven’t quit,
   Seven thousand who are loyal to the finish.

It’s the same today. There’s a fiercely loyal minority still—not many, perhaps, but probably more than you think. They’re holding on…”  Paul

As times wind down here on earth, there will be times  we think we are running the race alone.  We can see what the enemy has done, but not see the cloud of witnesses running with us. 

I guess this is why it so important to be running the race God has designed and picked instead of running someone elses race.  What good can come from running a race that you have not prepared for or suited to win?  Find the race God is in and join Him.  You will win everytime!

The Chain Gain. Work hard and die.

I grew up in California before the liberal way of thinking took over and the “Govenator” wasn’t even making movies, yet.  My daddy piloted wide load tractor trailer rigs over Donner Pass when he wasn’t preaching in the Odd Fellows Hall.  The town drunk sat on the steps some Sundays and sang along to the tune of “Just as I am” and “At the cross”.  Those were the simpler days.

I remember seeing the prison buses and men wearing stripes on the side of the road working with the “The Man” standing over with shotguns at the ready.  The price of freedom to smell the fresh air and stretch their bodies was to work hard.  Work hard and die.

But today breaths an opportunity of life.  Jesus died and took sin down with Him.  He beat death and came to life to bring God down to us.  We may all die a natural death.  But we will all live an eternal life.  The question is, “where will you spend eternity?”

“As long as you did what you felt like doing, ignoring God, you didn’t have to bother with right thinking or right living, or right anything for that matter. But do you call that a free life? What did you get out of it? Nothing you’re proud of now. Where did it get you? A dead end.

But now that you’ve found you don’t have to listen to sin tell you what to do, and have discovered the delight of listening to God telling you, what a surprise! A whole, healed, put-together life right now, with more and more of life on the way! Work hard for sin your whole life and your pension is death. But God’s gift is real life, eternal life, delivered by Jesus, our Master. ” Paul

PS.  Hey sis.  Say hi to RJ.