Month: August 2015

12 Common Practices of whole and healed people

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What does it mean to be whole and healed? To the best of my knowledge, I think the concept can be summarized in one word: “Full.” The Greek word for “full” – perissos, “has a mathematical meaning and generally denotes a surplus.” This is the kind of life God intended for us: A surplus of love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, self-control. This “full life” is a cup overflowing, a good measure, pressed down, running over. Spurgeon called the “Full Life” – “a matter of degrees.” He said, “Some have life, but it flickers like a dying candle, and is indistinct as the fire in the smoking flax; others are full of life, and are bright and vehement.” Those who have it, know the secret to it. Allow me to share a few secrets: 1. Whole and healed people make it a common practice: To pursue purpose. “The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.” ‭‭John‬ ‭10:10‬ ‭NLT‬‬. First and foremost the secret …

The Hero and the Coward

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The story of Esther is a story about seizing the moment, stepping , saving the day. It is a story about courage at its best. A story where reluctance meets courage. It’s the moment you realize that sitting on the sidelines is not where you want to be. It’s a story about a young wife who becomes a heroine by a timely act of courage. Speaking about heroes, Donald Miller said in Scary Close, at the beginning of every story, “heroes are almost always screw ups.” He insists that the strongest character in a story isn’t the hero, but the guide. Esther and Mordechai both bring this to light. Mordechai is not the hero, nevertheless he’s a strong character. Esther, on the other hand, is kind of green, unaware, unassuming, reluctant, cowardly, to a certain degree and most definitely afraid.  But something is awakened in her after she learns that a plot is in play to completely wipe out her entire race.  Somebody once said, “both the hero and the coward are afraid, but only one …

10 Greatest OT Speeches that Moved a Generation

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We’ve all been touched and moved by the words of others: A speech by our favorite political icon A sermon by our favorite preacher A lecture by our favorite professor Or, the charisma of our favorite actor. Their words captured our imagination, transported us to another world. Their words made us feel like we could change the world, even if it meant laying down our very lives. My personal favorite is Mel Gibson in Braveheart: They can take our lives, but they will never take our freedom. Similarly, when we look at scriptures, we find some incredibly moving rally cries. Defining moments that moved a generation. Here are my personal favorites. I hope you find them compelling as I do. Elijah Generation “Then Elijah stood in front of them and said, “How much longer will you waver, hobbling between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him! But if Baal is God, then follow him!” But the people were completely silent… Elijah the prophet walked up to the altar and prayed, “O LORD, prove …

Soar

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“Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, does not faint or grow weary; there is no searching of His understanding. He gives power to the faint and weary, and to him who has no might He increases strength [causing it to multiply and making it to abound]. [II Cor. 12:9.] Even youths shall faint and be tired.  Young men shall feebly stumble and fall exhausted. But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired.” [Heb. 12:1-3.] Isaiah‬ ‭40:28-31‬ ‭AMP‬‬ Have you ever been disappointed? Ever suffered a setback or fallen short of a goal? That can be a devastating kind of experience. And sometimes, no matter how sympathetic others are toward you, it seems …

Prayer Covering for Presidents and All in Authority 

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“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” 1 Tim. 2:1 When it comes to our attitude about those in authority, only three things are required: Supplication Prayers Thanksgiving When our protest is louder than our prayers, our influence is reduced significantly. When it comes to how God feels about our supplication, prayers, and thanksgiving for those in authority, three things are evident: It is good It is pleasing  It is desired Our disobedience to pray for those in authority is not only a mockery to him, but it also robs Him of a good and desirable pleasure. When it comes to the purpose for urging us to pray and his desired …