The negative voices in life is the birthing place of new ideas. You will have allot more negative voices in life than you do positive voices. If you will learn to listen (not be fed by), you will get your greatest ideas from unhappy people. It is simply the articulation of a problem that you are created to solve. Problems are the revealers of solutions. You can turn that problem into your promotion.
Your dominant gift will emerge out of your greatest dilemma. Goliath created a tremendous dilemna. He was in their face daring them to send someone to fight him, he even said I will rip them apart and feed them to the birds. David moved into what he was born for by answering the call to negative voices. Unfulfillment is the result of not listening to the negative voices around you.
There was a man who was a cook who worked in a high rise building as a janitor. He was unfulfilled and miserable so one day he went to his Pastor and asked why am I so miserable in what i am doing? The Pastor answered him by asking a question. What do people complain about down there? The man replied they complain about having to go out to get something for lunch. The Pastor then said, you are a cook, why don't don't you provide a service for them. He had a secondary gift which was cleaning but his dominant gift was cooking. The dilemna provided a opportunity for the real person to emerge. Today, he is fulfilled, happy and prosperous, doing what he loves.
Your city has a dilemna, your boss has a dielmna, your neighborhood has a dilemna. Instead of complaining about it, why don't you turn lemons into lemonade. Out of the greatest problem will arise the greatest solution which is in you. I wonder what is inside of you that no one has ever seen that has the power to change your city. What is in you, is not for you, it is for somebody, somewhere. But you keep running from the problem. People who are always avoiding problems will live a limited life. Every door of opportunity has a giant standing in front of it.
Remember your greatest success, fulfillment, and reward is locked up in your dominant gift. That's why Jesus said out of you will flow rivers of water (John 7:37). Rivers of creativity, rivers of wealth, rivers of expansion... In the garden of Eden which was a perfect place of total dominion, there were four rivers. These four rivers watered the garden. You have rivers in you that will water your garden (life). If you study the history of great men and women you will find out that they did not enjoy true success until they had proven themselves faithful in a place of using their secondary gifts, where character is developed. Once they proved themselves faithful, then they came into their season where their dominant gift emerged and they began to prosper.
The bible tells a story of Jacob (Gen. 26). See below.
Gen 26:1-33Genesis 26
26:1 Isaac and Abimelech
There was a famine in the land, besides the first famine that was in the days of Abraham. And Isaac went to Abimelech king of the Philistines, in Gerar. 2 Then the LORD appeared to him and said:"Do not go down to Egypt; live in the land of which I shall tell you. 3 Dwell in this land, and I will be with you and bless you; for to you and your descendants I give all these lands, and I will perform the oath which I swore to Abraham your father. 4 And I will make your descendants multiply as the stars of heaven; I will give to your descendants all these lands; and in your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed; 5 because Abraham obeyed My voice and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes, and My laws." 6 So Isaac dwelt in Gerar. 7 And the men of the place asked about his wife. And he said, "She is my sister"; for he was afraid to say, "She is my wife," because he thought, "lest the men of the place kill me for Rebekah, because she is beautiful to behold." 8 Now it came to pass, when he had been there a long time, that Abimelech king of the Philistines looked through a window, and saw, and there was Isaac, showing endearment to Rebekah his wife. 9 Then Abimelech called Isaac and said, "Quite obviously she is your wife; so how could you say, 'She is my sister'?"Isaac said to him, "Because I said, 'Lest I die on account of her.'" 10 And Abimelech said, "What is this you have done to us? One of the people might soon have lain with your wife, and you would have brought guilt on us." 11 So Abimelech charged all his people, saying, "He who touches this man or his wife shall surely be put to death." 12 Then Isaac sowed in that land, and reaped in the same year a hundredfold; and the LORD blessed him. 13 The man began to prosper, and continued prospering until he became very prosperous; 14 for he had possessions of flocks and possessions of herds and a great number of servants. So the Philistines envied him. 15 Now the Philistines had stopped up all the wells which his father's servants had dug in the days of Abraham his father, and they had filled them with earth. 16 And Abimelech said to Isaac, "Go away from us, for you are much mightier than we." 17 Then Isaac departed from there and pitched his tent in the Valley of Gerar, and dwelt there. 18 And Isaac dug again the wells of water which they had dug in the days of Abraham his father, for the Philistines had stopped them up after the death of Abraham. He called them by the names which his father had called them. 19 Also Isaac's servants dug in the valley, and found a well of running water there. 20 But the herdsmen of Gerar quarreled with Isaac's herdsmen, saying, "The water is ours." So he called the name of the well Esek, because they quarreled with him. 21 Then they dug another well, and they quarreled over that one also. So he called its name Sitnah. 22 And he moved from there and dug another well, and they did not quarrel over it. So he called its name Rehoboth, because he said, "For now the LORD has made room for us, and we shall be fruitful in the land." 23 Then he went up from there to Beersheba. 24 And the LORD appeared to him the same night and said,"I am the God of your father Abraham; do not fear, for I am with you. I will bless you and multiply your descendants for My servant Abraham's sake." 25 So he built an altar there and called on the name of the LORD, and he pitched his tent there; and there Isaac's servants dug a well. 26 Then Abimelech came to him from Gerar with Ahuzzath, one of his friends, and Phichol the commander of his army. 27 And Isaac said to them, "Why have you come to me, since you hate me and have sent me away from you?" 28 But they said, "We have certainly seen that the LORD is with you. So we said, 'Let there now be an oath between us, between you and us; and let us make a covenant with you, 29 that you will do us no harm, since we have not touched you, and since we have done nothing to you but good and have sent you away in peace. You are now the blessed of the LORD.'" 30 So he made them a feast, and they ate and drank. 31 Then they arose early in the morning and swore an oath with one another; and Isaac sent them away, and they departed from him in peace. 32 It came to pass the same day that Isaac's servants came and told him about the well which they had dug, and said to him, "We have found water." 33 So he called it Shebah. Therefore the name of the city is NKJV
Jacob was in a place of famine (dilemna) and his first tendency was to run somewhere else. God commanded him to remain in Gerar. He sowed in that land (was faithful in releasing what he had, made an exchange), in other words he exchanged his secondary gifts for a paycheck. In the midst of nothing, he released what he had and the bible says in the same year he reaped a hundredfold blessing. He began to prosper, continued prospering, and became very prosperous. Where did the prosperity come from. Did it come from the land (famine)? No, the land was in a time of famine. Jesus said it is not what enters from the outside that defiles man (Mark 7:20) but what comes from within. Meaning that the power to affect a atmosphere both positive and negative comes from within. Jacob by remaining in a negative environment released prosperity that was locked up inside of him, resulting in a changes environment. The prosperity was not in the land it was in him.
The story goes on to tell us that the wells of Abraham which had been stopped up with dirt, were redug and the waters of generational blessing began to flow again. There is a generational blessing waiting to be redug of you will face that dilemna and let whats in you change it. God will turn the famine into feast! I hear the Lord saying for somebody, your famine is over! You can break a negative cycle with the dominant gift that is in you. In conclusion, God trains you by putting you in a place where you operate out of your secondary gift doing something you don't like for the sole purpose of developing your character. Then He brings a dilemna into your life that is the door for you dominant gift to emerge. When you move into your dominat gift, propserity begins to flow through your life and the wells of potential are untapped. I have to be honest with you, this word is more for me than you. I can't get away from it. God let the real me come forth. Let the people that see me as my secondary gift be amazed by the dominant gift that is in me, to the point they begin to say, where did he get such things, where did he get this power? Where did he get this wisdom, power and authority. I will answer it came by me remaining faithful in my secondary gifts, while God was positioning me for the dominant gift to be revealed.
Where you are is not where you are going. I remember the religious leaders asking is he here or is he coming. Jesus said Elijah has come and he is coming. Meaning that your greatest day is here but it is also coming. We have learned to live in what is coming but we haven't learned to live in what is here now. When greatness shows up that is the point of manifestation but it was there all along waiting to be revealed.
Blessings,
Craig
Wednesday
"Two Kinds of Voices"
There are two kinds of voices in the world. Happy voices and negative voices. Happy voices are people you enjoy being around that build you up, encourage you and they see the best in you. Negative voices are those who see the problem and not the solution, who focus on what can't be done instead of what can be done. This is something I learned recently. The greatest ideas and solutions come from negative voices. When you learn to listen with a discerning ear you will get God ideas.
For example if you have parking issues because the people are walking too far, why not start using golf carts or shuttles to transport people. If people complain today because gas prices are going up and they remember the day that there was full service at Tom's gas station and for a few cents more you could have a friendly greeting, your windshield washed, and great service. Why not gather a team from the Church and talk to the gas stations about pumping gas and cleaning windshields as a act of kindness. If people complain about it raining and getting wet as they come in the Church, why not have world class greeters greet the people with umbrellas so they can keep their clothes from being soaked and wet.
The greatest inventions come from the greatest problems. Tomorrow we will discuss that every dilemma in your life is an open door for you to release the dominant gift (greatness) that is in you. The next time you hear a negative voice, don't be so quick to run, listen to see if there is a solution in that voice.
Blessings,
Craig
For example if you have parking issues because the people are walking too far, why not start using golf carts or shuttles to transport people. If people complain today because gas prices are going up and they remember the day that there was full service at Tom's gas station and for a few cents more you could have a friendly greeting, your windshield washed, and great service. Why not gather a team from the Church and talk to the gas stations about pumping gas and cleaning windshields as a act of kindness. If people complain about it raining and getting wet as they come in the Church, why not have world class greeters greet the people with umbrellas so they can keep their clothes from being soaked and wet.
The greatest inventions come from the greatest problems. Tomorrow we will discuss that every dilemma in your life is an open door for you to release the dominant gift (greatness) that is in you. The next time you hear a negative voice, don't be so quick to run, listen to see if there is a solution in that voice.
Blessings,
Craig
Monday
"Being a Positive in a Negative" Part 4
In studying scripture recently I have discovered that God will often complete His training in your life by putting you in a place where you are using a secondary gift and not a dominant gift. In other words you are doing something you tolerate but you are pretty good at, waiting for the thing you love. Most people only spend about 20% of the time in their dominant gift. It is a difficult thing to structure your life, family and career so that you can spend most of your time operating in your dominant gift doing what you love.
God will usually put you in an area where the secondary gift is functioning and develop the fruit of the spirit there. He will make you have self control right there, long suffering, peace... God trains you in your secondary gifts with the focus of developing character. he will put you in a place you don't like, with people you don't like, doing a job you don't like. Why? God wants to see if you can be in bad place but still be good. Can you be in a sad place but still smile? Can you be in a sinful place but maintain your integrity? Can you be in a negative environment and be a positive?
The reason some of you are experiencing great difficulty is because God is about to put you in the arena the real you can break forth!
Examples:
David could sing, play the harp, write Psalms but those were his secondary gifts, what was his dominant gift? He was a warrior. He had been faithful in my playing, songwriting, praise, taking care of the sheep and now this Goliath is my opportunity for the real me to show up! Your greatest problem is your greatest opportunity for the greatest you to be revealed! He looked at Goliath and didn't even hesitate or think about running. Why? He knew that there was something extraordinary in him, and Goliath was the door for it to come forth. The only way for this to happen was to engage his enemy and run to his greatest problem and cut it's head off.
Jesus was 30 before He stepped into His dominate gifting. He lived most of his life out of a secondary gift, he could build. In fact he didn't just build, he was so good at it that he took over his father's business and ran it. Then he walked into the temple picked up the scroll and said the spirit of the Lord is upon me and he has anointed me.... He then rolled up the scroll and said today, this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing. Because of his faithfulness in his secondary gifting, He now was being launched into his dominant gifting. And people said of him, where did he get this wisdom and authority? Is this not Joseph's boy? Is this not the son of a carpenter?
Most people have labeled you by your secondary gifting, but the real you is going to blow their world.
Moses was 80 years old before he would step into his dominate gifting. I believe that God is moving you into a place where you won't have to tolerate the present, but you will do what you love. The people around you haven't seen it but God is about to expose the greatness in you.
Tomorrow, "Your Greatest Treasure is in the Mouth of the Negative Voices".
Blessings,
Craig
God will usually put you in an area where the secondary gift is functioning and develop the fruit of the spirit there. He will make you have self control right there, long suffering, peace... God trains you in your secondary gifts with the focus of developing character. he will put you in a place you don't like, with people you don't like, doing a job you don't like. Why? God wants to see if you can be in bad place but still be good. Can you be in a sad place but still smile? Can you be in a sinful place but maintain your integrity? Can you be in a negative environment and be a positive?
The reason some of you are experiencing great difficulty is because God is about to put you in the arena the real you can break forth!
Examples:
David could sing, play the harp, write Psalms but those were his secondary gifts, what was his dominant gift? He was a warrior. He had been faithful in my playing, songwriting, praise, taking care of the sheep and now this Goliath is my opportunity for the real me to show up! Your greatest problem is your greatest opportunity for the greatest you to be revealed! He looked at Goliath and didn't even hesitate or think about running. Why? He knew that there was something extraordinary in him, and Goliath was the door for it to come forth. The only way for this to happen was to engage his enemy and run to his greatest problem and cut it's head off.
Jesus was 30 before He stepped into His dominate gifting. He lived most of his life out of a secondary gift, he could build. In fact he didn't just build, he was so good at it that he took over his father's business and ran it. Then he walked into the temple picked up the scroll and said the spirit of the Lord is upon me and he has anointed me.... He then rolled up the scroll and said today, this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing. Because of his faithfulness in his secondary gifting, He now was being launched into his dominant gifting. And people said of him, where did he get this wisdom and authority? Is this not Joseph's boy? Is this not the son of a carpenter?
Most people have labeled you by your secondary gifting, but the real you is going to blow their world.
Moses was 80 years old before he would step into his dominate gifting. I believe that God is moving you into a place where you won't have to tolerate the present, but you will do what you love. The people around you haven't seen it but God is about to expose the greatness in you.
Tomorrow, "Your Greatest Treasure is in the Mouth of the Negative Voices".
Blessings,
Craig
Saturday
"Being a Positive in a Negative" Part 3
Recently I hear something that provoked some thought on a new concept I am developing. I will just give you a appetizer on this thought.
"There is no promotion without an enemy." If you want to stay where you are in life, run from your problems (enemy). The moment you run up on a giant you are not willing to fight, your forward progress halts. Friends are there to comfort you (maintain) but your enemies are present to promote you.
The greatest hunger in man is not for sex, money or power, these are simple the benefits of discovering the one thing everyone is searching for and that is 'Purpose". Rick Warren wrote a book called the "Purpose Driven Life". He has not only sold millions of copies but they are putting this book in universities and corporations. Why? Because it answers the questions that everyone is asking.
Why am I here?
What do I have?
What am I supposed to do with it?
Who is to benefit from it?
Most people today are living a life of struggling to find why they exist. If you were to ask people in your job, church, family and university, how many of you are not doing what you love? How many of you are frustrated with the way your life is now? How many of you can tell me what it is that God has put inside of you that will bring fulfillment in your life? You would be amazed at the response.
The struggle we face is getting to the place in life where we are living out out of our dominant gift. This is the place where success, significance and fulfillment begin. Everyone has gifts (plural). We break these down to two area. Dominant gifts and secondary gifts. Most people are living out of their secondary gifts not their dominant gift. And the the dominant gift will always run parallel to your primary calling in life. If you discover your dominant gift, you will discover the path of success God has for you.
What is your dominant gift?
Are you living out of your secondary gifts resulting in you being frustrated?
How can you discern your season by understanding the difference between secondary gifts and primary gifts?
How do we move into the opportunity that God has for us? How do we recognize the door?
Come back tomorrow to find out.
Blessings,
Craig
PS - I will be ministering at Melody Christian Center in Live Oak Florida September 7th both morning and evening. I would love to meet you there.
"There is no promotion without an enemy." If you want to stay where you are in life, run from your problems (enemy). The moment you run up on a giant you are not willing to fight, your forward progress halts. Friends are there to comfort you (maintain) but your enemies are present to promote you.
The greatest hunger in man is not for sex, money or power, these are simple the benefits of discovering the one thing everyone is searching for and that is 'Purpose". Rick Warren wrote a book called the "Purpose Driven Life". He has not only sold millions of copies but they are putting this book in universities and corporations. Why? Because it answers the questions that everyone is asking.
Why am I here?
What do I have?
What am I supposed to do with it?
Who is to benefit from it?
Most people today are living a life of struggling to find why they exist. If you were to ask people in your job, church, family and university, how many of you are not doing what you love? How many of you are frustrated with the way your life is now? How many of you can tell me what it is that God has put inside of you that will bring fulfillment in your life? You would be amazed at the response.
The struggle we face is getting to the place in life where we are living out out of our dominant gift. This is the place where success, significance and fulfillment begin. Everyone has gifts (plural). We break these down to two area. Dominant gifts and secondary gifts. Most people are living out of their secondary gifts not their dominant gift. And the the dominant gift will always run parallel to your primary calling in life. If you discover your dominant gift, you will discover the path of success God has for you.
What is your dominant gift?
Are you living out of your secondary gifts resulting in you being frustrated?
How can you discern your season by understanding the difference between secondary gifts and primary gifts?
How do we move into the opportunity that God has for us? How do we recognize the door?
Come back tomorrow to find out.
Blessings,
Craig
PS - I will be ministering at Melody Christian Center in Live Oak Florida September 7th both morning and evening. I would love to meet you there.
Tuesday
Guest Blogger Tara Sloan
I had the privilege of reading Mark Batterson's new book, "Wild Goose Chase" prior to the release August 19th (today). For those of you who are not familiar wit Mark Batterson, here is a little about him: Mark Batterson is the lead pastor of Washington, DC’s National Community Church, widely recognized as one of America’s most innovative churches. NCC meets in movie theaters at metro stops throughout the city, as well as in a church-owned coffee house near Union Station. More than seventy percent of NCC’ers are single twentysomethings who live or work on Capitol Hill. Mark is the author of the best-selling In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day and a widely read blogger (www.markbatterson.com). He lives on Capitol Hill with his wife, Lora, and their three children.
Allow me a moment to say that I LOVED "In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day." Furthermore, I LOVED "Wild Goose Chase!" As a matter of fact, my husband Craig also loved it. The two of us fought over our copy constantly. I had to hide the "giveaway copy" so Craig wouldn't grab it. We both devoured the book in a little over a day! Craig posted some extensive revelation he got from the book... check it out here... As part of the Wild Goose Chase blog tour, I'm posting a brief review of the book below. A link to purchase Wild Goose Chase by Mark Batterson is below as well. As an added bonus, I have a brand new copy of "Wild Goose Chase" I will be giving away. To enter the drawing, simply leave me a comment below listing one of your life goals you plan to tackle as you "chase the goose." I will be drawing on Friday.
My Review... "Wild Goose Chase" (Mark Batterson) From the Introduction of Wild Goose Chase by Mark Batterson... "Most of us will have no idea where we are going most of the time. And I know that is unsettling. But circumstantial uncertainty also goes by another name: Adventure.” Wild Goose Chase asks the question, "Have we clipped the wings of the Wild Goose and settled for for something much less than what God intended?" “Celtic Christians had a name for the Holy Spirit–An Geadh-Glas, or ‘the Wild Goose.’ The name hints at mystery. Much like a wild goose, the Spirit of God cannot be tracked or tamed. An element of danger, an air of unpredictability surround Him. And while the name may sound a little sacrilegious, I cannot think of a better description of what it’s like to follow the Spirit through life." (quote from book)
According to Batterson, "chasing the Wild Goose causes us to experience circumstantial uncertainty, also known as adventure!" I was intrigued by the thought that our guardian angels may be sitting around yawning because our lives lack 'adventure' in our spiritual walk. In the chapter "Yawning Angels," the question "When was the last time you asked God to make you dangerous?" was asked. As I pondered that question, I took it a step further, "Whose lives are we NOT affecting by failing to chase the Wild Goose by living dangerously? Batterson goes on to discuss 'inverted Christianity' in which Christians invite the Holy Spirit to follow them rather than following the Holy Spirit. Such a backwards way of living leads to six cages that Batterson discusses which keep Christians from roaming free with the Wild Goose. Some of my favorite quotes from "Wild Goose Chase" are...
"Die doing what you love..."
"Pursuing God ordained passions isn't optional."
"Meet dangerous people."
"I want to see God do things through me only He can get the credit for."
" Passions are buried beneath responsibilities."
"Have the courage to come out of the cave."
"Find your own Calcutta." (Mother Theresa)
"If you are faithful in Babylon, God will bless you in Jerusalem."
"Getting where God wants me to be isn't nearly as important as becoming who God wants me to be."
"Sometimes the most spiritual thing you can do is just hang in there."
"If you lose everything else, don't lose your sense of humor."
"The size of our dreams is a measure of our spiritual maturity."
"Enjoy the journey at every stage."
"Play offense in life. Play to win."
"Live by design, not default."
"Dream God sized dreams. they will keep you an your knees and in absolute dependence on God."Last, but not least, make a list of Life Goals. This is one major reason to get this book. Batterson teaches you how and also offers a free download on
Mark’s 10 Steps to Setting Life Goals at www.chasethegoose.com. This study is a great tool for individual or group study. Through the use of Bible "goose chasers" and stories of others who risked everything to "chase the Wild Goose" Batterson is compelling and will provoke readers to abandon their cages and prepare for the chase of their lives. As I concude this review, I leave you with a last quote that Batterson includes in the "Wild Goose Chase..." "People are always blaming circumstances for what they are. I don't believe in circumstances. The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and, if they can't find them, make them." - George Bernard Shaw Purchase "Wild Goose Chase" by Mark Batterson here.... Don't forget to enter the drawing for a FREE copy of Wild Goose Chase!
Allow me a moment to say that I LOVED "In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day." Furthermore, I LOVED "Wild Goose Chase!" As a matter of fact, my husband Craig also loved it. The two of us fought over our copy constantly. I had to hide the "giveaway copy" so Craig wouldn't grab it. We both devoured the book in a little over a day! Craig posted some extensive revelation he got from the book... check it out here... As part of the Wild Goose Chase blog tour, I'm posting a brief review of the book below. A link to purchase Wild Goose Chase by Mark Batterson is below as well. As an added bonus, I have a brand new copy of "Wild Goose Chase" I will be giving away. To enter the drawing, simply leave me a comment below listing one of your life goals you plan to tackle as you "chase the goose." I will be drawing on Friday.
My Review... "Wild Goose Chase" (Mark Batterson) From the Introduction of Wild Goose Chase by Mark Batterson... "Most of us will have no idea where we are going most of the time. And I know that is unsettling. But circumstantial uncertainty also goes by another name: Adventure.” Wild Goose Chase asks the question, "Have we clipped the wings of the Wild Goose and settled for for something much less than what God intended?" “Celtic Christians had a name for the Holy Spirit–An Geadh-Glas, or ‘the Wild Goose.’ The name hints at mystery. Much like a wild goose, the Spirit of God cannot be tracked or tamed. An element of danger, an air of unpredictability surround Him. And while the name may sound a little sacrilegious, I cannot think of a better description of what it’s like to follow the Spirit through life." (quote from book)
According to Batterson, "chasing the Wild Goose causes us to experience circumstantial uncertainty, also known as adventure!" I was intrigued by the thought that our guardian angels may be sitting around yawning because our lives lack 'adventure' in our spiritual walk. In the chapter "Yawning Angels," the question "When was the last time you asked God to make you dangerous?" was asked. As I pondered that question, I took it a step further, "Whose lives are we NOT affecting by failing to chase the Wild Goose by living dangerously? Batterson goes on to discuss 'inverted Christianity' in which Christians invite the Holy Spirit to follow them rather than following the Holy Spirit. Such a backwards way of living leads to six cages that Batterson discusses which keep Christians from roaming free with the Wild Goose. Some of my favorite quotes from "Wild Goose Chase" are...
"Die doing what you love..."
"Pursuing God ordained passions isn't optional."
"Meet dangerous people."
"I want to see God do things through me only He can get the credit for."
" Passions are buried beneath responsibilities."
"Have the courage to come out of the cave."
"Find your own Calcutta." (Mother Theresa)
"If you are faithful in Babylon, God will bless you in Jerusalem."
"Getting where God wants me to be isn't nearly as important as becoming who God wants me to be."
"Sometimes the most spiritual thing you can do is just hang in there."
"If you lose everything else, don't lose your sense of humor."
"The size of our dreams is a measure of our spiritual maturity."
"Enjoy the journey at every stage."
"Play offense in life. Play to win."
"Live by design, not default."
"Dream God sized dreams. they will keep you an your knees and in absolute dependence on God."Last, but not least, make a list of Life Goals. This is one major reason to get this book. Batterson teaches you how and also offers a free download on
Mark’s 10 Steps to Setting Life Goals at www.chasethegoose.com. This study is a great tool for individual or group study. Through the use of Bible "goose chasers" and stories of others who risked everything to "chase the Wild Goose" Batterson is compelling and will provoke readers to abandon their cages and prepare for the chase of their lives. As I concude this review, I leave you with a last quote that Batterson includes in the "Wild Goose Chase..." "People are always blaming circumstances for what they are. I don't believe in circumstances. The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and, if they can't find them, make them." - George Bernard Shaw Purchase "Wild Goose Chase" by Mark Batterson here.... Don't forget to enter the drawing for a FREE copy of Wild Goose Chase!
Monday
"Wild Goose Chase" Mark Batterson Book Review
Tomorrow the second book for Mark Batterson is released nationwide, "Wild Goose Chase: Rediscover the Adventure of Pursuing God" I had the opportunity to review it early. My wife was given the opportunity to participate in the "Wild Goose Chase" blog tour. She is also giving away a FREE copy of "Wild Goose Chase" at her blog, Destiny Driven. Stop by and check out Tara's review of "Wild Goose Chase" and sign up for the drawing! It is a GREAT book. Mark Batterson has an unique way of communicating powerful truth's in a way that sticks. This book is one of those that is very hard to put down once you start reading it. I predict that Mark Batterson is going to be one of the nations top Christian Authors.
Here are the highlights fo a couple of my favorite chapters:
Chapter 1 Yawning Angels
* The theme of this book is chasing after the Holy Spirit, living an adventurous life of faith, making your life count.
* If you will chase the Wild Goose, he will take you places you could never have imagined going by paths you never knew existed.
* How many of us have clipped the wings of the Wild Goose and settled for something less than what God originally intended for us.
* Most of us are trying to figure God out. Intellectual analysis usually results in spiritual paralysis. The will of God is neither logical or linear. The truth is most of us have absolutely no idea where we are going most of the time. But if we will chase after the Holy Spirit we will live an life of adventure and fulfillment.
* A life without the Holy Spirit is boring. How many of us are bored with our lives because we are stuck in the routines of average. Better yet, how many of our angels who are assigned to us are bored?
* Inverted Christianity is when we think we are following the Spirit, but in reality we are expecting Him to follow us.
* I wonder of Churches do to people what zoos do to animals? How many of us live in the cages of responsibility, routine, assumptions, guilt, failure, and fear?
Chapter 6 "Sometimes It Takes a Shipwreck"
* This chapter deals with the fear of failure.
* In Acts 28:1-10, we find Paul experiencing a really bad day, he was both shipwrecked and bitten by a deadly viper. If these circumstances had never happened to Paul, the island of Malta would have never experienced a powerful revival and Publius and many others would have died instead of being healed. What seems to be a obstacle is really God's opportunity. Most of Paul's missionary journeys were not even on his itinerary but they were part of God's bigger plan.
* Closed doors are really detours to bigger and better doors. If God has closed a door it is bigger it was too small. Your worst day can become your best day.
* God wants to get you where you want to go more than we want to get to where we want to go. God is far more concerned about your future than you are. God wants to reveal His plans to you, more than you want to know them.
* If you think your mistakes can frustrate the providential plans of the Omnipotent one then your God is way too small.
* If you keep your motives pure and spirits sensitive, He will make sure you meet the right people at the right place at the right time.
* The wind (storm) blew Paul right where he was supposed to be. Chasing the wild goose is recognizing which way the wind is blowing and responding to it.
Revelation 3:17
God is about to open a door for you that no man can shut.
* The size of your dream is the measure of your spiritual maturity.
George Bernard Shaw said " People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. I don't believe in circumstances. The people who get on this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstance they want and if they can't find them they make them."
* Your failures were not setbacks they were setups and divine detours to get you to the right place. God is ordering your steps, trust Him and chase after Him and He will fulfill His plans for you. Let's chase after the wild goose.
To be continued...
Blessings
Craig
Sunday
"Highlights of the Week"
I have watched the Olympics all week. What a amazing event. Here are the highlights of my week
* Watching Tomescu Dita from Romania (38 years old) win the women's marathon. There are several things I noticed.
1. She won the race in stages. Some people start too fast, She paced herself understanding that big things come in small stages. There came a point when she broke away from the pack. This is called a moment of separation. There comes a time when you have to kick it in gear and separate yourself from everybody else if you are going to win.
2. Winners have to many times run alone. For many miles there was nobody even close to her. There are times you have to be able to encourage yourself and be confidant that you can win.
3. She never looked back (not even once). When you look back, this gives the people behind you confidence that they can catch you. It gives your opponent confidence. By keeping your focus on where you are going, your confidence increases.
4. The moment she could see the desired goal (stadium), a second wind (amazing energy) kicked in and though she was tired and pain gripped her body, she was able to finish. It is the ability to see your desired goal, that enables you to persevere and finish.
5. The most amazing thing was when she entered the stadium and the fans in the stands began to go crazy. It made tingles go up my spine. One day you will run into the stadium of eternity and the witnesses in the stands will cheer your ability to finish.
6. Celebrate your successes before you go onto the next thing. She didn't stop running once she won, she savored the moment by running victory laps. When God does something great in your life, you need to take a moment to celebrate. Why? Because it is in the celebration of the completion of one goal that gives you the strength for the next thing.
* Dara Torres winning two silver's. She is 41 years old. You are never too late to be great!
* U.S.A Basketball crushing Spain. A few years ago they kicked our butts. This time we focused on getting the job done. Every setback in your life is a set up for a comeback. Come back with a vengeance!
* Michael Phelps winning 8 gold medals. Two were won by a second or less. In a interview Michael stated that there was a piece of paper that him and his coach had before the Olympics began. It had listed on it, identically every goal that Phelps had. If you don't know where you are going, how will you know when you get there. 75% of success is determining your desired end and writing it down. If you shoot for nothing you are guaranteed to hit it every time. It was a honor to be part of history of seeing arguably the world's greatest athletic accomplishment. The thing is he expected to do it. What are you expecting? What are you aiming at?
Haley's 11th birthday arrived. Man, they grow up so fast. It seemed like yesterday that she was born prematurely as a tiny baby in Ft. Myers Florida. I held her in the palm of my hand she was so small. The chords had wrapped around her so they had to bring her out early. She was in the hospital for two months before we could take her home. Tara had to stay in for almost three months. The hospital bill was almost a million dollars. The hospital staff called her a miracle baby. She has been such a blessing to our family. She is my precious little girl.
People tell me all the time how excellent our 5 girls our. I can only attribute it to the glory of God. They all make A honor roll and represent the Sloan name very well. Haley, you are my champion. You never cease to amaze me with your maturity, giftedness, leadership ability, smile that lights up a room, pure heart. God's hand is on you, and you are going to do some amazing things. I can't wait to cheer you on, go for it, the sky is the limit.
* How precious life is. I prayed for a 47 year old man that has one week to live (cancer). I could smell the aroma of death and disease in his body. Man, do we get our priorities out of whack and take life for granted. It caused me to realize how precious my time is, and that material things mean almost absolutely nothing. The debate I had in myself was to I release him in peace to God, or do I speak life into his body and believe for a miracle?
Blessings,
Craig
PS - I have to go watch the Olympics. Go U.S.A
* Watching Tomescu Dita from Romania (38 years old) win the women's marathon. There are several things I noticed.
1. She won the race in stages. Some people start too fast, She paced herself understanding that big things come in small stages. There came a point when she broke away from the pack. This is called a moment of separation. There comes a time when you have to kick it in gear and separate yourself from everybody else if you are going to win.
2. Winners have to many times run alone. For many miles there was nobody even close to her. There are times you have to be able to encourage yourself and be confidant that you can win.
3. She never looked back (not even once). When you look back, this gives the people behind you confidence that they can catch you. It gives your opponent confidence. By keeping your focus on where you are going, your confidence increases.
4. The moment she could see the desired goal (stadium), a second wind (amazing energy) kicked in and though she was tired and pain gripped her body, she was able to finish. It is the ability to see your desired goal, that enables you to persevere and finish.
5. The most amazing thing was when she entered the stadium and the fans in the stands began to go crazy. It made tingles go up my spine. One day you will run into the stadium of eternity and the witnesses in the stands will cheer your ability to finish.
6. Celebrate your successes before you go onto the next thing. She didn't stop running once she won, she savored the moment by running victory laps. When God does something great in your life, you need to take a moment to celebrate. Why? Because it is in the celebration of the completion of one goal that gives you the strength for the next thing.
* Dara Torres winning two silver's. She is 41 years old. You are never too late to be great!
* U.S.A Basketball crushing Spain. A few years ago they kicked our butts. This time we focused on getting the job done. Every setback in your life is a set up for a comeback. Come back with a vengeance!
* Michael Phelps winning 8 gold medals. Two were won by a second or less. In a interview Michael stated that there was a piece of paper that him and his coach had before the Olympics began. It had listed on it, identically every goal that Phelps had. If you don't know where you are going, how will you know when you get there. 75% of success is determining your desired end and writing it down. If you shoot for nothing you are guaranteed to hit it every time. It was a honor to be part of history of seeing arguably the world's greatest athletic accomplishment. The thing is he expected to do it. What are you expecting? What are you aiming at?
Haley's 11th birthday arrived. Man, they grow up so fast. It seemed like yesterday that she was born prematurely as a tiny baby in Ft. Myers Florida. I held her in the palm of my hand she was so small. The chords had wrapped around her so they had to bring her out early. She was in the hospital for two months before we could take her home. Tara had to stay in for almost three months. The hospital bill was almost a million dollars. The hospital staff called her a miracle baby. She has been such a blessing to our family. She is my precious little girl.
People tell me all the time how excellent our 5 girls our. I can only attribute it to the glory of God. They all make A honor roll and represent the Sloan name very well. Haley, you are my champion. You never cease to amaze me with your maturity, giftedness, leadership ability, smile that lights up a room, pure heart. God's hand is on you, and you are going to do some amazing things. I can't wait to cheer you on, go for it, the sky is the limit.
* How precious life is. I prayed for a 47 year old man that has one week to live (cancer). I could smell the aroma of death and disease in his body. Man, do we get our priorities out of whack and take life for granted. It caused me to realize how precious my time is, and that material things mean almost absolutely nothing. The debate I had in myself was to I release him in peace to God, or do I speak life into his body and believe for a miracle?
Blessings,
Craig
PS - I have to go watch the Olympics. Go U.S.A
Thursday
"More Power Through You"
Mark 2:21-22 21 No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; or else the new piece pulls away from the old, and the tear is made worse. 22 And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; or else the new wine bursts the wineskins, the wine is spilled, and the wineskins are ruined. But new wine must be put into new wineskins." NKJV
The Church has been guilty of making the methods sacred and not the principles. We worship what man has created versus what God has created. I talked to a Pastor of one of the fastest growing Churches in America recently and when I tried to get him to tell me what they were doing that is causing their amazing growth (the secret), he told me the willingness to change and stay unpredictable. He went on to tell me that they are constantly changing their methods and way of doing things to keep it fresh and edgy. Ed Young said recently that when you become predictable you begin to disconnect from the people you lead. For some Church has become the most predictable hour of the week.
In the text we see that words new wine and new wineskin. The word new is not the same here. The word new in front of wineskin deals with quality. It would be the difference between a 2009 Lexus, and a 1985 Pinto. There is no comparison. The Lexus is far greater than the Pinto.
The word new in front of wine deals with quantity. When a 2009 Lexus is put on the lot, it is new but there are thousands of Lexus's just like it. It is new in quantity. We have focused in Church on the level of anointing of the preacher or person, or how great the anointing is in a particular Church service. We finish the service on a number 7 level (1-10). We then return after a long week of adversity, routines, and distractions, and we start the service off at level 2. We find ourselves never seeing exponential increase and every week we start again. This is not God's idea. What would happen if we could build each week on what God did last week. City, look out.
We should be building from one level to another seeing a continual increase of power and increase. What is the cause of this? We focus on the wine and not the wine skins. We define holiness as what we wear, what we do, how religious we are. Holiness is simply becoming like Christ. Jesus is telling us that God's desire is to pour out greater a quantity (dosage, measurement) of power but we are focused on the wrong thing. It is not that we need to run to a Benny Hinn meeting or that we need to have the next greatest preacher, or that we need to up the tempo of the music, or adopt the latest fad from a conference. Jesus is saying if you want more power, allow God to change you. We must refuse to keep coming to a Church conference, revival meeting to have a new experience only to go home to put it in an old habit or lifestyle. We attempt to put a new thing in an old thing. God is not impressed with you falling on the floor or you feeling something in a service (goosebumps). The real issue is when you get up off the floor will you still struggle with the same habit, go home and act like a cussing sailor. Will you be changed? Will your life change and will others know it?
My prayer is changing from Lord, give me... Or do this... No, it is Lord change me! Change the wineskin! Why? If God changes me, then God's power will increase in my life, and my needs will be met, my unsaved friends will see Jesus, there will be an increase of God's power flowing through my life. Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you. Seek to become more Christlike and you will see His power flowing through you. If you believe in me (become like me) then not only will you do what I have done but greater works will you do also (John 14:12). Those that know their God shall be strong and do great exploits (Dan. 11:32).
Pastors, stop worshipping your man made programs. The word of God (logos) reveals God's character. We see in God's character that we are to make disciples (Matt. 28:18-20). So we come up with the concept of Sunday School. Years later we are attempting to do the same thing, when the word Sunday School is not even in the bible. The principle is sacred but the methods change. It may be cell groups, tracks, bible study... Be open to change, try new things. The power is not in the programs it is in you. Be willing to let God change the wineskin, so that He can pour out new levels of wine. I say, God I don't care how you do it, just do it!
Blessings,
Craig
The Church has been guilty of making the methods sacred and not the principles. We worship what man has created versus what God has created. I talked to a Pastor of one of the fastest growing Churches in America recently and when I tried to get him to tell me what they were doing that is causing their amazing growth (the secret), he told me the willingness to change and stay unpredictable. He went on to tell me that they are constantly changing their methods and way of doing things to keep it fresh and edgy. Ed Young said recently that when you become predictable you begin to disconnect from the people you lead. For some Church has become the most predictable hour of the week.
In the text we see that words new wine and new wineskin. The word new is not the same here. The word new in front of wineskin deals with quality. It would be the difference between a 2009 Lexus, and a 1985 Pinto. There is no comparison. The Lexus is far greater than the Pinto.
The word new in front of wine deals with quantity. When a 2009 Lexus is put on the lot, it is new but there are thousands of Lexus's just like it. It is new in quantity. We have focused in Church on the level of anointing of the preacher or person, or how great the anointing is in a particular Church service. We finish the service on a number 7 level (1-10). We then return after a long week of adversity, routines, and distractions, and we start the service off at level 2. We find ourselves never seeing exponential increase and every week we start again. This is not God's idea. What would happen if we could build each week on what God did last week. City, look out.
We should be building from one level to another seeing a continual increase of power and increase. What is the cause of this? We focus on the wine and not the wine skins. We define holiness as what we wear, what we do, how religious we are. Holiness is simply becoming like Christ. Jesus is telling us that God's desire is to pour out greater a quantity (dosage, measurement) of power but we are focused on the wrong thing. It is not that we need to run to a Benny Hinn meeting or that we need to have the next greatest preacher, or that we need to up the tempo of the music, or adopt the latest fad from a conference. Jesus is saying if you want more power, allow God to change you. We must refuse to keep coming to a Church conference, revival meeting to have a new experience only to go home to put it in an old habit or lifestyle. We attempt to put a new thing in an old thing. God is not impressed with you falling on the floor or you feeling something in a service (goosebumps). The real issue is when you get up off the floor will you still struggle with the same habit, go home and act like a cussing sailor. Will you be changed? Will your life change and will others know it?
My prayer is changing from Lord, give me... Or do this... No, it is Lord change me! Change the wineskin! Why? If God changes me, then God's power will increase in my life, and my needs will be met, my unsaved friends will see Jesus, there will be an increase of God's power flowing through my life. Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you. Seek to become more Christlike and you will see His power flowing through you. If you believe in me (become like me) then not only will you do what I have done but greater works will you do also (John 14:12). Those that know their God shall be strong and do great exploits (Dan. 11:32).
Pastors, stop worshipping your man made programs. The word of God (logos) reveals God's character. We see in God's character that we are to make disciples (Matt. 28:18-20). So we come up with the concept of Sunday School. Years later we are attempting to do the same thing, when the word Sunday School is not even in the bible. The principle is sacred but the methods change. It may be cell groups, tracks, bible study... Be open to change, try new things. The power is not in the programs it is in you. Be willing to let God change the wineskin, so that He can pour out new levels of wine. I say, God I don't care how you do it, just do it!
Blessings,
Craig
Wednesday
"The Day God Kicked The Devil's Butt"
Isa 14:16-17
16 "Those who see you will gaze at you,And consider you, saying:'Is this the man who made the earth tremble,Who shook kingdoms, 17 Who made the world as a wilderness And destroyed its cities,Who did not open the house of his prisoners?' NKJV
There is a misconception in the Church today of Dualism. This thought teaches us that God and the devil are getting up each day and they are battling it out to see who is going to win and we are caught in the middle. Some Christians believe that we have a good God and a co equal bad devil.
The fact is there is no co equal with God. Jesus said I saw satan fall out of heaven like lightening (Luke 10:18). Now that was a short match. Jesus told the disciples this when they came back with the report that even the demons are subject are subject to us in your name. In other words when we take the power He has given us and enforce it in the workplace, neighborhood, marketplace, there satan falls like lightenting.
There was a movie out years ago called "The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia." The day Jesus went into Hades and took the keys of death, hell and the grave, and punched the devil's teeth in, was the night the lights went out in hell. In fact after this point the devil lost two things, 1) the keys to his own house, and 2) all authority. If Jesus said all authority on heaven and earth is mine, how much authority does the devil have? Nada, zilch, zero...
The devil has been thoroughly and completely defeated and there is nothing we can do to improve upon the victory. Your job is not to get up in the morning to beat the devil, or to try to not sin, your job is to enforce what Christ already forced. It is finished! Your battle is not to win, Jesus won! He said now occupy till I return. In other words Jesus purchased the right for you to overcome everything that would be a obstacle to your future, and to possess everything He has promised you. The major part of your battle is to change your perception of it. The devil is beat when you get up and when you go to bed, in fact he is beat all day long. Your perception of him either magnifies him (enlarges)(fear is steroids to the devil), or to minimize him by understanding what Christ accomplished at the cross. Perception is 75% of the battle. If you can view your God properly, you will view your enemy according to what He really is, defeated.
Here are some thoughts to meditate on:
* The life that wins is not attained but obtained.
* Victory should be our normal experience and defeat should be abnormal.
* Victory has nothing to do with you and everything to do with Christ.
* Victory is a reward of faith (1 Cor. 15:57).
* The law requires man to work for God, Grace is God working for man.
* Victory is I no longer living (subtraction) and Christ living in me (addiction)(Gal. 2:20)
* The first step to victory is to let go.
* A mountain and faith can't co exist, either the mountain is removed or faith is removed.
* True faith is believing in God even when our feelings, our experiences, and our environment around us tell us otherwise. If we hold fast to faith, our feelings, experience, and the environment around us will catch up to where our faith is. You are assigned to change your environment with your faith. That's why after Jesus spoke to the winds and waves and commanded them to cease, He rebuked the disciples for their lack of faith. He was saying what I did, you can do.
Do you fight your battles from victory or for victory? If you fight to victory, you will never succeed but if you fight from victory, you can never be defeated.
True victory is released out of rest (ceasing from straining, struggling, and striving). We see in 2 Samuel 7:1; 8:1, that is was while David rested (kept his focus on God), that he defeated the Philistines, Moab... The enemies job is to create scenerios in your life that will take your focus off God (Praise) and put it on the problem. It is while you focus on God (Praise) that God focuses on your problem. The hills melt like wax in the presence of the Lord. Praise also puts the chokehold on the enemy (Genesis 49:9). Praise is the hand that chokes the enemy and the hand that grabs hold of your promise. God says, I will even make a road in your wilderness (same word for tongue). In other words your miracle is in your mouth, and when you praise God for what He is about to do, God begins to make a way where there is no way!
Blessings,
Craig
16 "Those who see you will gaze at you,And consider you, saying:'Is this the man who made the earth tremble,Who shook kingdoms, 17 Who made the world as a wilderness And destroyed its cities,Who did not open the house of his prisoners?' NKJV
There is a misconception in the Church today of Dualism. This thought teaches us that God and the devil are getting up each day and they are battling it out to see who is going to win and we are caught in the middle. Some Christians believe that we have a good God and a co equal bad devil.
The fact is there is no co equal with God. Jesus said I saw satan fall out of heaven like lightening (Luke 10:18). Now that was a short match. Jesus told the disciples this when they came back with the report that even the demons are subject are subject to us in your name. In other words when we take the power He has given us and enforce it in the workplace, neighborhood, marketplace, there satan falls like lightenting.
There was a movie out years ago called "The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia." The day Jesus went into Hades and took the keys of death, hell and the grave, and punched the devil's teeth in, was the night the lights went out in hell. In fact after this point the devil lost two things, 1) the keys to his own house, and 2) all authority. If Jesus said all authority on heaven and earth is mine, how much authority does the devil have? Nada, zilch, zero...
The devil has been thoroughly and completely defeated and there is nothing we can do to improve upon the victory. Your job is not to get up in the morning to beat the devil, or to try to not sin, your job is to enforce what Christ already forced. It is finished! Your battle is not to win, Jesus won! He said now occupy till I return. In other words Jesus purchased the right for you to overcome everything that would be a obstacle to your future, and to possess everything He has promised you. The major part of your battle is to change your perception of it. The devil is beat when you get up and when you go to bed, in fact he is beat all day long. Your perception of him either magnifies him (enlarges)(fear is steroids to the devil), or to minimize him by understanding what Christ accomplished at the cross. Perception is 75% of the battle. If you can view your God properly, you will view your enemy according to what He really is, defeated.
Here are some thoughts to meditate on:
* The life that wins is not attained but obtained.
* Victory should be our normal experience and defeat should be abnormal.
* Victory has nothing to do with you and everything to do with Christ.
* Victory is a reward of faith (1 Cor. 15:57).
* The law requires man to work for God, Grace is God working for man.
* Victory is I no longer living (subtraction) and Christ living in me (addiction)(Gal. 2:20)
* The first step to victory is to let go.
* A mountain and faith can't co exist, either the mountain is removed or faith is removed.
* True faith is believing in God even when our feelings, our experiences, and our environment around us tell us otherwise. If we hold fast to faith, our feelings, experience, and the environment around us will catch up to where our faith is. You are assigned to change your environment with your faith. That's why after Jesus spoke to the winds and waves and commanded them to cease, He rebuked the disciples for their lack of faith. He was saying what I did, you can do.
Do you fight your battles from victory or for victory? If you fight to victory, you will never succeed but if you fight from victory, you can never be defeated.
True victory is released out of rest (ceasing from straining, struggling, and striving). We see in 2 Samuel 7:1; 8:1, that is was while David rested (kept his focus on God), that he defeated the Philistines, Moab... The enemies job is to create scenerios in your life that will take your focus off God (Praise) and put it on the problem. It is while you focus on God (Praise) that God focuses on your problem. The hills melt like wax in the presence of the Lord. Praise also puts the chokehold on the enemy (Genesis 49:9). Praise is the hand that chokes the enemy and the hand that grabs hold of your promise. God says, I will even make a road in your wilderness (same word for tongue). In other words your miracle is in your mouth, and when you praise God for what He is about to do, God begins to make a way where there is no way!
Blessings,
Craig
Tuesday
"Get in Position"
I learned last week that almost everything in life operates in 7 year cycles. Most Divorces happen between the 6th and 8th year. Seven is the number of completion, or the end of a cycle. I heard someone say that the economy operates in seven year cycles, television sitcoms enjoy about seven years of success before a downswing. Churches even operate in seven year cycles, meaning that though you may have enjoyed great success, if you don't reposition yourself before the end of the seventh year, the Church will hit a point of decline. You can never stand still, you are either positioned for increase or you are in position for decline. As Albert Einstein once said, the definition of insanity is to keep doing the same thing expecting different results.
Luke 19:1-10
Jesus Comes to Zacchaeus' House
Then Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. 2 Now behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. 3 And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd, for he was of short stature. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him, for He was going to pass that way. 5 And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, "Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house." 6 So he made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully. 7 But when they saw it, they all complained, saying,"He has gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner."
8 Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold."
9 And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; 10 for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost." NKJV
When I used to drive a truck for Pepsi (scary), I learned something very valuable. When you are coming into a turn, you can't wait till you get to the turn to start positioning yourself, you have to plan ahead and begin getting in position before the turn comes lest, you miss your opportunity. Those that fail to do this waste time, energy and resources, and contrary to popular opinion, the opportunity is not guaranteed to come again. Let's look at Zacchaeus to see what we can learn about getting in position for a coming blessing.
* As Bishop Tony has said often, The opportunity of a lifetime must be seized in the lifetime of the opportunity, the opportunity you get today, you may never get again. My desire is that today you will move into position for your moment.
* Zacchaeus was short of stature. Your smallness does not hinder God's ability to release Divine opportunities for increase. Zacchaeus didn't let his present condition keep him from his Destiny position. Through faith and expectation we can climb the tree of Grace to go to a level that is far beyond our present ability. What excuses have you let talk you out of getting position? Is it a lack of resources? Is it a lack of personal capacity? Have you let your present stature talk you out of a future opportunity? Consider the ant that though it is small in stature it can carry something of much greater weight.
* Zacchaeus had the ability to see a coming blessing (foresight) and the diligence to get in position for a future blessing. I call this being dressed for where you are going. It would be like you being dressed for a wedding, but you stop by the post office. You feel the need to explain why you are dressed in a tuxedo to the guy standing behind you in line. Why? Because you look foolish in your present because you are dressed for where you are going. Naomi told Ruth go down to the threshing floor and sit at Boaz feet until he tells you what to do next.
Ruth 3:1-4
Then Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, "My daughter, shall I not seek security for you, that it may be well with you? 2 Now Boaz, whose young women you were with, is he not our relative? In fact, he is winnowing barley tonight at the threshing floor. 3 Therefore wash yourself and anoint yourself, put on your best garment and go down to the threshing floor; but do not make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking. 4 Then it shall be, when he lies down, that you shall notice the place where he lies; and you shall go in, uncover his feet, and lie down; and he will tell you what you should do." NKJV
* Some of us need to wash ourselves of the past so that when we meet our Destiny moment, we won't meet our opportunity looking like what we have been through. Though we are not in that situation (abuse, addiction, sin) we still wear the residue of it (iniquity). Naomi told Ruth, you have been a beggar but you are about to meet your Boaz (Redemption). If you will get in position, Your Redeemer will tell you what to do next.
* While the world moves at the speed of light, the Church moves at a snail’s pace, although we are the ones who claim to be prophetic. Yet we are always a nickel short and a day late.
* You have to have confidence in your gifts, confidence in your God, confidence in your anointing.
You have to know when you walk into a room that they will be blessed because you are there.
You have to leave the interview knowing that I don’t need them, they need me. You have to understand that you are blessed, blessed are you when you come in… You have to know that that company is better off for hiring you.
Lastly, if there is a new company that is opening next year with 10,000 jobs with the lowest hourly wage at $25, you can't wait till next year, you have to get in position now.
* Go back to school, get that degree, eliminate that debt, invest in that stock...
Here is a prophetic word the Lord gave me today. Even as life operates in cycles, the economy is in a downward spiral cycle but for those who will get in position now, there will come seven years (a cycle) of tremendous prosperity. For those who have invested in real estate, I heard the Lord say buy the field, for there shall be a divine reversal! I see a time of great prosperity coming to those who are in position now, to those who have not watched the wind, but they have casts their bread on the water, it shall return in not many days. Boaz is coming, and even as Jacob's heart was revived when he saw Joseph (the promise), many will be revived because they shall see the thing that they thought was dead. Even as a the wind of the spirit came from the four corners of the earth and revived the dry bones, so shall my spirit blow across the land and what was once dead and scattered shall be revived into a army of God's great power.
The future president will not be the solution says the Lord, in fact he will be overwhelmed by the state of the economy and the beginning of new wars, but my Church shall rise even as the dry bones, and the marketplace that has been invaded by light, shall see a great uprising of righteousness and truth. Wherever the face of religion is represented there is a strong stronghold of poverty, but I will reveal my remnant and they will see the release of the wealth of the wicked into their hands.
Are you in position for a future blessing? Or are you watching the sign of the times, waiting to react? What can you do now, to climb your tree so that when it comes, it will bypass the crowd to come to your house?
Blessings,
Craig
Luke 19:1-10
Jesus Comes to Zacchaeus' House
Then Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. 2 Now behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. 3 And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd, for he was of short stature. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him, for He was going to pass that way. 5 And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, "Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house." 6 So he made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully. 7 But when they saw it, they all complained, saying,"He has gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner."
8 Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold."
9 And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; 10 for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost." NKJV
When I used to drive a truck for Pepsi (scary), I learned something very valuable. When you are coming into a turn, you can't wait till you get to the turn to start positioning yourself, you have to plan ahead and begin getting in position before the turn comes lest, you miss your opportunity. Those that fail to do this waste time, energy and resources, and contrary to popular opinion, the opportunity is not guaranteed to come again. Let's look at Zacchaeus to see what we can learn about getting in position for a coming blessing.
* As Bishop Tony has said often, The opportunity of a lifetime must be seized in the lifetime of the opportunity, the opportunity you get today, you may never get again. My desire is that today you will move into position for your moment.
* Zacchaeus was short of stature. Your smallness does not hinder God's ability to release Divine opportunities for increase. Zacchaeus didn't let his present condition keep him from his Destiny position. Through faith and expectation we can climb the tree of Grace to go to a level that is far beyond our present ability. What excuses have you let talk you out of getting position? Is it a lack of resources? Is it a lack of personal capacity? Have you let your present stature talk you out of a future opportunity? Consider the ant that though it is small in stature it can carry something of much greater weight.
* Zacchaeus had the ability to see a coming blessing (foresight) and the diligence to get in position for a future blessing. I call this being dressed for where you are going. It would be like you being dressed for a wedding, but you stop by the post office. You feel the need to explain why you are dressed in a tuxedo to the guy standing behind you in line. Why? Because you look foolish in your present because you are dressed for where you are going. Naomi told Ruth go down to the threshing floor and sit at Boaz feet until he tells you what to do next.
Ruth 3:1-4
Then Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, "My daughter, shall I not seek security for you, that it may be well with you? 2 Now Boaz, whose young women you were with, is he not our relative? In fact, he is winnowing barley tonight at the threshing floor. 3 Therefore wash yourself and anoint yourself, put on your best garment and go down to the threshing floor; but do not make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking. 4 Then it shall be, when he lies down, that you shall notice the place where he lies; and you shall go in, uncover his feet, and lie down; and he will tell you what you should do." NKJV
* Some of us need to wash ourselves of the past so that when we meet our Destiny moment, we won't meet our opportunity looking like what we have been through. Though we are not in that situation (abuse, addiction, sin) we still wear the residue of it (iniquity). Naomi told Ruth, you have been a beggar but you are about to meet your Boaz (Redemption). If you will get in position, Your Redeemer will tell you what to do next.
* While the world moves at the speed of light, the Church moves at a snail’s pace, although we are the ones who claim to be prophetic. Yet we are always a nickel short and a day late.
* You have to have confidence in your gifts, confidence in your God, confidence in your anointing.
You have to know when you walk into a room that they will be blessed because you are there.
You have to leave the interview knowing that I don’t need them, they need me. You have to understand that you are blessed, blessed are you when you come in… You have to know that that company is better off for hiring you.
Lastly, if there is a new company that is opening next year with 10,000 jobs with the lowest hourly wage at $25, you can't wait till next year, you have to get in position now.
* Go back to school, get that degree, eliminate that debt, invest in that stock...
Here is a prophetic word the Lord gave me today. Even as life operates in cycles, the economy is in a downward spiral cycle but for those who will get in position now, there will come seven years (a cycle) of tremendous prosperity. For those who have invested in real estate, I heard the Lord say buy the field, for there shall be a divine reversal! I see a time of great prosperity coming to those who are in position now, to those who have not watched the wind, but they have casts their bread on the water, it shall return in not many days. Boaz is coming, and even as Jacob's heart was revived when he saw Joseph (the promise), many will be revived because they shall see the thing that they thought was dead. Even as a the wind of the spirit came from the four corners of the earth and revived the dry bones, so shall my spirit blow across the land and what was once dead and scattered shall be revived into a army of God's great power.
The future president will not be the solution says the Lord, in fact he will be overwhelmed by the state of the economy and the beginning of new wars, but my Church shall rise even as the dry bones, and the marketplace that has been invaded by light, shall see a great uprising of righteousness and truth. Wherever the face of religion is represented there is a strong stronghold of poverty, but I will reveal my remnant and they will see the release of the wealth of the wicked into their hands.
Are you in position for a future blessing? Or are you watching the sign of the times, waiting to react? What can you do now, to climb your tree so that when it comes, it will bypass the crowd to come to your house?
Blessings,
Craig
Monday
"The Real Anointing"
Isa 10:27
27 It shall come to pass in that day That his burden will be taken away from your shoulder,And his yoke from your neck,And the yoke will be destroyed because of the anointing oil. NKJV
I was asking myself a question this evening. Why is it that most people who go to a prayer line get temporary relief but end up right back in the same condition. I read a while back that even in a Benny Hinn meeting that between 20% and 30% of the people in the meeting get healed and that is above average. I long for the day when everybody gets healed, gets delivered, gets the miracle they need. I ling for the day that the real anointing is released and everybody leaves transformed. How does this happen?
I believe the primary way is getting a real understanding of what the anointing is. Let's look at the word.
Anointing - Fatness (O.T)
The real translation is the yoke is destroyed because of the fatness. This is not referring to body weight, it is referring to spiritual weight. Back in the day when this was written, there were not tractors or modern day agriculture devices and machinery. The primary tool of agriculture was an oxen. These were monstrous creatures with unbelievable pulling power and strength. They were truly a beast!
The farmers knew that once a oxen had grown into its full potential, that they were uncontrollable. They would no longer be able to use the oxen to their advantage, so they would put a yoke on it when it was young with the purpose of shaping the oxen's life to the yoke. The oxen's future took on the shape of the yoke. That's why the devil goes after our children and youth while they are young. Media, Music, and the world culture seek to shape our children and youth causing them to make future shaping decisions at an age that they are not ready. The world influence pulls on them and puts them in situations to pull out the preconceived tendencies or momentum towards sin that is passed down through their bloodline. Exodus chapter 20 tells us that the iniquity of the father is passed down to the third or fourth generation. You now have children and youth doing things they hate but they feel powerless to change because of the sin of someone they have never met. This is why Jesus was borne of a virgin, the bloodline of Joseph which could be traced back to the first Adam (even David said I was conceived in sin (Iss. 53). By being borne of a virgin, the seed of Christ came from the Holy Spirit, therefore Jesus was borne without sin.
Lastly, the yoke is destroyed by the fatness of maturity that comes from within. It is the God nature on the inside of you growing , growing, and growing until it breaks everything that tries to hold you. You then don't have to live off a anointed service or a anointed preacher, a one time event, but it can be a lifestyle. To hell with just making God an event once a week, I'm ready for people to rise up and say I'm going to let the anointing grow inside of me. I don't somebody to touch me, what's in me is so fat, that I don't have to struggle with that addiction, pornography, poverty, depression no more!
I don't live by my situation but my revelation that greater is He (the anointing) than he that is in the world. What's in you is more powerful than anything the devil can conjure up. You don't have to live your life predicated to getting up in the morning hoping you can make it through another day still saved. It is not the Father's intention that you live from struggle to struggle but from Glory to Glory! You can be Christlike, that is you can dominate the enemy can win. Why because Christ won once and for all at Calvary, it is finished! There is no dualism between God and the devil, he was cast out of heaven like lightening. Jesus said I saw satan fall like lightening (Luke 10:18-19). Lightening strikes in a nano second. That is faster than you can blink your eyes. And even as Christ is, so are we in the world (I John 4:17).
27 It shall come to pass in that day That his burden will be taken away from your shoulder,And his yoke from your neck,And the yoke will be destroyed because of the anointing oil. NKJV
I was asking myself a question this evening. Why is it that most people who go to a prayer line get temporary relief but end up right back in the same condition. I read a while back that even in a Benny Hinn meeting that between 20% and 30% of the people in the meeting get healed and that is above average. I long for the day when everybody gets healed, gets delivered, gets the miracle they need. I ling for the day that the real anointing is released and everybody leaves transformed. How does this happen?
I believe the primary way is getting a real understanding of what the anointing is. Let's look at the word.
Anointing - Fatness (O.T)
The real translation is the yoke is destroyed because of the fatness. This is not referring to body weight, it is referring to spiritual weight. Back in the day when this was written, there were not tractors or modern day agriculture devices and machinery. The primary tool of agriculture was an oxen. These were monstrous creatures with unbelievable pulling power and strength. They were truly a beast!
The farmers knew that once a oxen had grown into its full potential, that they were uncontrollable. They would no longer be able to use the oxen to their advantage, so they would put a yoke on it when it was young with the purpose of shaping the oxen's life to the yoke. The oxen's future took on the shape of the yoke. That's why the devil goes after our children and youth while they are young. Media, Music, and the world culture seek to shape our children and youth causing them to make future shaping decisions at an age that they are not ready. The world influence pulls on them and puts them in situations to pull out the preconceived tendencies or momentum towards sin that is passed down through their bloodline. Exodus chapter 20 tells us that the iniquity of the father is passed down to the third or fourth generation. You now have children and youth doing things they hate but they feel powerless to change because of the sin of someone they have never met. This is why Jesus was borne of a virgin, the bloodline of Joseph which could be traced back to the first Adam (even David said I was conceived in sin (Iss. 53). By being borne of a virgin, the seed of Christ came from the Holy Spirit, therefore Jesus was borne without sin.
Lastly, the yoke is destroyed by the fatness of maturity that comes from within. It is the God nature on the inside of you growing , growing, and growing until it breaks everything that tries to hold you. You then don't have to live off a anointed service or a anointed preacher, a one time event, but it can be a lifestyle. To hell with just making God an event once a week, I'm ready for people to rise up and say I'm going to let the anointing grow inside of me. I don't somebody to touch me, what's in me is so fat, that I don't have to struggle with that addiction, pornography, poverty, depression no more!
I don't live by my situation but my revelation that greater is He (the anointing) than he that is in the world. What's in you is more powerful than anything the devil can conjure up. You don't have to live your life predicated to getting up in the morning hoping you can make it through another day still saved. It is not the Father's intention that you live from struggle to struggle but from Glory to Glory! You can be Christlike, that is you can dominate the enemy can win. Why because Christ won once and for all at Calvary, it is finished! There is no dualism between God and the devil, he was cast out of heaven like lightening. Jesus said I saw satan fall like lightening (Luke 10:18-19). Lightening strikes in a nano second. That is faster than you can blink your eyes. And even as Christ is, so are we in the world (I John 4:17).
Sunday
"Trash Talking"
Tonight I was watching the Olympics. France has been talking trash all week that they would beat team USA in the team relay race in the pool. France backed it up for most of the race but on the last lap USA surged ahead by a hair to win. I love it! The announcers couldn't belive it when team USA came from behind.
Goliath talked for 40 days, but David let God's power talk for him. If David had fell into Saul's game the rock would have never hit Goliath's head, and one small stone would have not been nearly enough to knock him down. But because David remained silent, God put all of heaven's power behind one small stone resulting in the knock out of one champion and the unearthing of another one.
When people talk, let them. When they tell you can't do it, remain silent and let your actions do the talking. Talk is cheap. Your success in fulfilling the impossible will silence every critic and naysayer. It was awesome to watch as the French were speechless as they lost. Success will silence every critic. Let the words that others say become the fuel for you focus and determination to win. In fact, when others talk trash, God enjoys putting his grace on display so that he can demonstrate the race is not given to the swift, or the battle to the strong. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord which He will give to you. God chooses the foolish things of the world to shut up the know it alls (my paraphrase).
1 Cor 1:27-31 27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; 28 and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, 29 that no flesh should glory in His presence. 30 But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God -- and righteousness and sanctification and redemption -- 31 that, as it is written, "He who glories, let him glory in the LORD." NKJV
Can you remain silent in the midst of opposition until God shows up? Can you trust God that he can turn your weakness into His strength?
List a time in your life when someone told you, you couldn't so something, or they put you down. How did you respond?
Meekness is strength under control. It is knowing when to be silent, and when to let God's strength be demonstrated through you. It is remaining under God's hand allowing Him to exalt you in due time.
Go Team USA
Craig Sloan
Goliath talked for 40 days, but David let God's power talk for him. If David had fell into Saul's game the rock would have never hit Goliath's head, and one small stone would have not been nearly enough to knock him down. But because David remained silent, God put all of heaven's power behind one small stone resulting in the knock out of one champion and the unearthing of another one.
When people talk, let them. When they tell you can't do it, remain silent and let your actions do the talking. Talk is cheap. Your success in fulfilling the impossible will silence every critic and naysayer. It was awesome to watch as the French were speechless as they lost. Success will silence every critic. Let the words that others say become the fuel for you focus and determination to win. In fact, when others talk trash, God enjoys putting his grace on display so that he can demonstrate the race is not given to the swift, or the battle to the strong. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord which He will give to you. God chooses the foolish things of the world to shut up the know it alls (my paraphrase).
1 Cor 1:27-31 27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; 28 and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, 29 that no flesh should glory in His presence. 30 But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God -- and righteousness and sanctification and redemption -- 31 that, as it is written, "He who glories, let him glory in the LORD." NKJV
Can you remain silent in the midst of opposition until God shows up? Can you trust God that he can turn your weakness into His strength?
List a time in your life when someone told you, you couldn't so something, or they put you down. How did you respond?
Meekness is strength under control. It is knowing when to be silent, and when to let God's strength be demonstrated through you. It is remaining under God's hand allowing Him to exalt you in due time.
Go Team USA
Craig Sloan
Saturday
"What is it you Want"
Neh 1:1-2:11:1 Nehemiah Prays for His People
The words of Nehemiah the son of Hachaliah.
It came to pass in the month of Chislev, in the twentieth year, as I was in Shushan the citadel, 2 that Hanani one of my brethren came with men from Judah; and I asked them concerning the Jews who had escaped, who had survived the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem. 3 And they said to me, "The survivors who are left from the captivity in the province are there in great distress and reproach. The wall of Jerusalem is also broken down, and its gates are burned with fire."
4 So it was, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned for many days; I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven.
5 And I said: "I pray, LORD God of heaven, O great and awesome God, You who keep Your covenant and mercy with those who love You and observe Your commandments, 6 please let Your ear be attentive and Your eyes open, that You may hear the prayer of Your servant which I pray before You now, day and night, for the children of Israel Your servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel which we have sinned against You. Both my father's house and I have sinned. 7 We have acted very corruptly against You, and have not kept the commandments, the statutes, nor the ordinances which You commanded Your servant Moses. 8 Remember, I pray, the word that You commanded Your servant Moses, saying,'If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations; 9 but if you return to Me, and keep My commandments and do them, though some of you were cast out to the farthest part of the heavens, yet I will gather them from there, and bring them to the place which I have chosen as a dwelling for My name.' 10 Now these are Your servants and Your people, whom You have redeemed by Your great power, and by Your strong hand. 11 O Lord, I pray, please let Your ear be attentive to the prayer of Your servant, and to the prayer of Your servants who desire to fear Your name; and let Your servant prosper this day, I pray, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man."
For I was the king's cupbearer.
NKJV
What is it you want? This question gets to the heart of passion. I am convinced that most of our problems are the result of not being able to answer this question. We don't know what we want. We have never taken the time to define our goals, values, or passions, so we are out of touch with our heart's desire. We have become busy with busy, spinning in circles but not really going anywhere. Nehemiah knew exactly what he wanted, a fire had been conceived in his spirit long before his opportunity arrived. Nehemiah had been thinking and praying about this question months before the king asked it.
Some insight:
* Passion was conceived when he received news of the destruction of Jerusalem. Passion is often triggered by the destruction of something. What causes you great pain? What moves you to tears? You are a solution to someones problem. You are the answer to someones question.
* Prayer makes us spiritual fertile. The more we pray on a desire the more fertile we become a dream seed, and the more that seed grows. In fact Jesus said whatsoever things you desire when you pray... (Mark 11:20-24). If your prayer doesn't light you, it won't light God. He wants to hear your desires.
* Favor is released as a result a passion. As you become obsessed with your desire, favor and provision will follow. The King not only asked what he wanted, he granted his request. There are some things that are not released till you are passionate about it. You are chosen to change what you care about.
* Nehemiah prayed as if it depended upon God, but he planned as if it depended upon him. Faith without works is dead. There must be corresponding action between your earthly desires and your heavenly provision. I should be able to see your daily activity to predict you destination in life.
* If you don't know where you are going, how will you know when you get there?
* After you pray, do something to move towards what you prayed about. Some people stay in the position of prayer and nothing happens. In fact there are some things you don't need to pray about. What you need to do is stop praying and start acting on your prayers.
Finish the Resume
Make the phone call
Set up the appointment
Go back to school
Find out your credit score
Have a plan
* Jesus said, these signs will follow them that believe. Signs follow your action. What can you do today that you have put off for tomorrow.
* Recognize it is in being faithful with the little (cup bearer) that positions you for the big. The king noticed his face was downtrodden because he had not been this way before. In other words, Nehemiah excelled at what he did, his attitude was so excellent that the King was willing to back him up. Take that job, Church, marriage, relationship and make it the one that everybody else wants. Preach to five like you are preaching to 5,000. If you do it with excellence and faithfulness you are setting up your future.
* Don't wait for the waters to part, step in and get your feet wet! Some are waiting for their miracle, instead of creating their miracle. Most significant miracles in the bible were the result of faith in action.
Red Sea - Raise the rod
Jordan - Step in at flood stage, and upstream in Adam...
Let the rock swing baby and watch your giant fall
Go to battle and when you get there sing and praise and the Lord will set ambushments...
Do as He says... And the water was turned into wine.
Jesus distributed the 5 loaves and 2 fish and as they gave it, it was multiplied.
Cast you net on the other side... And they got a ship sinking, net breaking catch!
As Moses was going up one side of the mountain (Isaac), the ram was going up the other side...
It's your move!
Blessings,
Craig
The words of Nehemiah the son of Hachaliah.
It came to pass in the month of Chislev, in the twentieth year, as I was in Shushan the citadel, 2 that Hanani one of my brethren came with men from Judah; and I asked them concerning the Jews who had escaped, who had survived the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem. 3 And they said to me, "The survivors who are left from the captivity in the province are there in great distress and reproach. The wall of Jerusalem is also broken down, and its gates are burned with fire."
4 So it was, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned for many days; I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven.
5 And I said: "I pray, LORD God of heaven, O great and awesome God, You who keep Your covenant and mercy with those who love You and observe Your commandments, 6 please let Your ear be attentive and Your eyes open, that You may hear the prayer of Your servant which I pray before You now, day and night, for the children of Israel Your servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel which we have sinned against You. Both my father's house and I have sinned. 7 We have acted very corruptly against You, and have not kept the commandments, the statutes, nor the ordinances which You commanded Your servant Moses. 8 Remember, I pray, the word that You commanded Your servant Moses, saying,'If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations; 9 but if you return to Me, and keep My commandments and do them, though some of you were cast out to the farthest part of the heavens, yet I will gather them from there, and bring them to the place which I have chosen as a dwelling for My name.' 10 Now these are Your servants and Your people, whom You have redeemed by Your great power, and by Your strong hand. 11 O Lord, I pray, please let Your ear be attentive to the prayer of Your servant, and to the prayer of Your servants who desire to fear Your name; and let Your servant prosper this day, I pray, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man."
For I was the king's cupbearer.
NKJV
What is it you want? This question gets to the heart of passion. I am convinced that most of our problems are the result of not being able to answer this question. We don't know what we want. We have never taken the time to define our goals, values, or passions, so we are out of touch with our heart's desire. We have become busy with busy, spinning in circles but not really going anywhere. Nehemiah knew exactly what he wanted, a fire had been conceived in his spirit long before his opportunity arrived. Nehemiah had been thinking and praying about this question months before the king asked it.
Some insight:
* Passion was conceived when he received news of the destruction of Jerusalem. Passion is often triggered by the destruction of something. What causes you great pain? What moves you to tears? You are a solution to someones problem. You are the answer to someones question.
* Prayer makes us spiritual fertile. The more we pray on a desire the more fertile we become a dream seed, and the more that seed grows. In fact Jesus said whatsoever things you desire when you pray... (Mark 11:20-24). If your prayer doesn't light you, it won't light God. He wants to hear your desires.
* Favor is released as a result a passion. As you become obsessed with your desire, favor and provision will follow. The King not only asked what he wanted, he granted his request. There are some things that are not released till you are passionate about it. You are chosen to change what you care about.
* Nehemiah prayed as if it depended upon God, but he planned as if it depended upon him. Faith without works is dead. There must be corresponding action between your earthly desires and your heavenly provision. I should be able to see your daily activity to predict you destination in life.
* If you don't know where you are going, how will you know when you get there?
* After you pray, do something to move towards what you prayed about. Some people stay in the position of prayer and nothing happens. In fact there are some things you don't need to pray about. What you need to do is stop praying and start acting on your prayers.
Finish the Resume
Make the phone call
Set up the appointment
Go back to school
Find out your credit score
Have a plan
* Jesus said, these signs will follow them that believe. Signs follow your action. What can you do today that you have put off for tomorrow.
* Recognize it is in being faithful with the little (cup bearer) that positions you for the big. The king noticed his face was downtrodden because he had not been this way before. In other words, Nehemiah excelled at what he did, his attitude was so excellent that the King was willing to back him up. Take that job, Church, marriage, relationship and make it the one that everybody else wants. Preach to five like you are preaching to 5,000. If you do it with excellence and faithfulness you are setting up your future.
* Don't wait for the waters to part, step in and get your feet wet! Some are waiting for their miracle, instead of creating their miracle. Most significant miracles in the bible were the result of faith in action.
Red Sea - Raise the rod
Jordan - Step in at flood stage, and upstream in Adam...
Let the rock swing baby and watch your giant fall
Go to battle and when you get there sing and praise and the Lord will set ambushments...
Do as He says... And the water was turned into wine.
Jesus distributed the 5 loaves and 2 fish and as they gave it, it was multiplied.
Cast you net on the other side... And they got a ship sinking, net breaking catch!
As Moses was going up one side of the mountain (Isaac), the ram was going up the other side...
It's your move!
Blessings,
Craig
Thursday
"Being a Positive in a Negative Part 2"
In the text 1 Samuel 16:2-3 I have been meditating on how to be a positive influence in a negative environment. The enemies job is to create a environment that contradicts the Destiny that God has placed in you. God empowered us to impact the world we live in not to remain in holy huddles in stain glassed rooms to worship a little God in a little corner. God has put enough power in you to light up New York City. The problem is we run from the challenge instead of embracing it as a opportunity for God to show off. If you are never in a position of dependency and insufficiency then God is not necessary. It is when you step into a contradiction and remain that God's power begins to manifest. Why has there been a lack of signs and wonders in the Church? It is because it is not intended for a four walled room, these signs shall follow those who believe. I don't know about you but I'm ready to turn my world upside down (Acts 17:6)
Some thoughts:
* David made himself so valuable that Saul couldn't stand to be without him. Saul was blessed because David was there. You can make yourself so necessary to that company that they can't fire you. They will shift you from part time to full time.
* Your value is determined by your worth. The world exchanges money for the ability to solve problems, not create them. When we talk about the problem, we become useless, but when we realize I'm the man for the job, I'm anointed to do it. You can walk into a place and get the job done when others have failed. The anointing makes you better than you really are.
* If you go into an environment and you are not anointed for it, you will become the environment. If you get up grumbling and complaining about your job, you are undressing yourself, therefore making yourself vulnerable to the job. If you are dressed for the job you can work in anthrax.
* You don't go to your job to be built up, you get built up before you get there. Otherwise you are asking something from your job it was not intended to give up. Quit going to that job to get friends, for the job to make you feel better, get some Pepto Bismol and do your job!
* God anoints you for trouble not from trouble. Sampson was at his best when the trouble showed up. Why? The anointing is activated by trouble. If there is no dilemma of Egypt hot on your trail and the Red Sea in front of you, then there is no power in the rod. It is the trouble that releases power out of the rod. I will win because God is with me! I'm anointed to advance not retreat! I'm qualified for this!
* Start your day with positive confession that activate your anointing. Then when you step into trouble your anointing will multiply. I just heard this! Whatever you put on will be multiplied in the trouble. if you put on a negative attitude, then it will be multiplied in trouble. If you out on the garment of praise, it will be multiplied in trouble.
* God inhabits your praise (sets up his operations) and the devil inhabits your complaining.
* People who can't work with difficult people can't work with them because they are trying to be fed by the people they work with. Disappointment is the result of expecting something from someone they are not designed to give you.
* Know the nature of people and you can predict their behavior (John 2:23-24). Behavior follows the nature of something. The nature of critics is to criticize something they don't understand, so because I know their nature I'm not disappointed by them. The nature of a economy car is to get great gas mileage so I don't put a expectation on it to go from 0-60 in 30 seconds. The nature of a Porshe is to go from 0-60 in 40 seconds so I don't expect it to give me good gas mileage.
* My expectation is in God, in him I live move and have my being! If I put my expectation in you, then I empower you to hurt me. Jesus was not surprised when sinners sinned. Why? The nature of sinners is to sin.
To be continued...
Blessings,
Craig
Some thoughts:
* David made himself so valuable that Saul couldn't stand to be without him. Saul was blessed because David was there. You can make yourself so necessary to that company that they can't fire you. They will shift you from part time to full time.
* Your value is determined by your worth. The world exchanges money for the ability to solve problems, not create them. When we talk about the problem, we become useless, but when we realize I'm the man for the job, I'm anointed to do it. You can walk into a place and get the job done when others have failed. The anointing makes you better than you really are.
* If you go into an environment and you are not anointed for it, you will become the environment. If you get up grumbling and complaining about your job, you are undressing yourself, therefore making yourself vulnerable to the job. If you are dressed for the job you can work in anthrax.
* You don't go to your job to be built up, you get built up before you get there. Otherwise you are asking something from your job it was not intended to give up. Quit going to that job to get friends, for the job to make you feel better, get some Pepto Bismol and do your job!
* God anoints you for trouble not from trouble. Sampson was at his best when the trouble showed up. Why? The anointing is activated by trouble. If there is no dilemma of Egypt hot on your trail and the Red Sea in front of you, then there is no power in the rod. It is the trouble that releases power out of the rod. I will win because God is with me! I'm anointed to advance not retreat! I'm qualified for this!
* Start your day with positive confession that activate your anointing. Then when you step into trouble your anointing will multiply. I just heard this! Whatever you put on will be multiplied in the trouble. if you put on a negative attitude, then it will be multiplied in trouble. If you out on the garment of praise, it will be multiplied in trouble.
* God inhabits your praise (sets up his operations) and the devil inhabits your complaining.
* People who can't work with difficult people can't work with them because they are trying to be fed by the people they work with. Disappointment is the result of expecting something from someone they are not designed to give you.
* Know the nature of people and you can predict their behavior (John 2:23-24). Behavior follows the nature of something. The nature of critics is to criticize something they don't understand, so because I know their nature I'm not disappointed by them. The nature of a economy car is to get great gas mileage so I don't put a expectation on it to go from 0-60 in 30 seconds. The nature of a Porshe is to go from 0-60 in 40 seconds so I don't expect it to give me good gas mileage.
* My expectation is in God, in him I live move and have my being! If I put my expectation in you, then I empower you to hurt me. Jesus was not surprised when sinners sinned. Why? The nature of sinners is to sin.
To be continued...
Blessings,
Craig
Wednesday
"Being a Positive In a Negative"
Last week I ministered a message called "Being a Positive in a Negative Environment". Most people get up each day and go into a negative environment, and if you are not prepared, you will become the environment you are assigned to change. I used 1 Samuel 16.
1 Sam 16:14-23
14 A Distressing Spirit Troubles Saul
But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and a distressing spirit from the LORD troubled him. 15 And Saul's servants said to him, "Surely, a distressing spirit from God is troubling you. 16 Let our master now command your servants, who are before you, to seek out a man who is a skillful player on the harp. And it shall be that he will play it with his hand when the distressing spirit from God is upon you, and you shall be well."
17 So Saul said to his servants, "Provide me now a man who can play well, and bring him to me."
18 Then one of the servants answered and said, "Look, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, who is skillful in playing, a mighty man of valor, a man of war, prudent in speech, and a handsome person; and the LORD is with him."
19 Therefore Saul sent messengers to Jesse, and said, "Send me your son David, who is with the sheep." 20 And Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread, a skin of wine, and a young goat, and sent them by his son David to Saul. 21 So David came to Saul and stood before him. And he loved him greatly, and he became his armorbearer. 22 Then Saul sent to Jesse, saying, "Please let David stand before me, for he has found favor in my sight." 23 And so it was, whenever the spirit from God was upon Saul, that David would take a harp and play it with his hand. Then Saul would become refreshed and well, and the distressing spirit would depart from him. NKJV
Here are some highlights.
* The evil spirit was from the Lord (4x's), not meaning that the Lord is a evil spirit, but God knows and is in control of every evil spirit that is coming against you. If it is there, God has a purpose for it to work all things together... If God allowed it, it is for your advancement, promotion. Don't run from it, but run to it. Why? You have the power to change it, and it is only there as a door to your next level. If there is no giant, then there is no giant killer. The very fact the giant is there is an indicator you are about to become a champion!
* Saul's problem was the door for David's promotion. Many of us complain about the problem, curse the problem, rebuke the problem, try to pray away the problem. But the reason it is there is its pain is going to position you to birth something that is presently unseen to your eye. Pain is the unveil of potential. Potential is nothing more than your future locked up in the present. Pain is the key that unlocks greatness in you.
* David had quite a resume. Notice he didn't talk about how good he was, Saul's servant's advertised for him. Why? When you are really excellent, everybody will see it and say it. All you have to do is to define your gift, perfect your gift, and release your gift and your gift will make room for you.... In other words the room of greatness is determined by the release of your gift.
* David was good at more than one thing. If you are really going to excel in the technological age, you will have to be good at more than just preaching, singing.... If not you will be a flash in the pan, a one hit wonder. Everyone of us has a gift cluster inside of us (combination of 3-4 gifts) that we must maximize.
* David was with the sheep. There are some people who are right now with the sheep, promotion is on the way. You are anointed but you have been faithful with the little (Luke 16) which is going to release the big thing. Diligence is doing a little thing a long time till a big thing happens. Can you be anointed for a big thing but remain faithful with a little thing?
* David didn't comment on the problem, he change it. The moment we comment on a problem, we prolong it, empower it, and multiply it. Saul's servants commented, David changed it. Are you allowing the people on your job to influence you ate the water fountain with negative information, or are you going to talk back. Some of us allow them to talk negative because we want to keep them as friends, lose them, they are nothing but negative. You are snared by the words of your mouth. Many are locking themselves in the present because of their words. You are giving life to your problem.
* Just like with a car battery that is dead, you can not have a positive and a positive, but you must have positive and a negative for their to be power. Some people are so holy, they never get in a negative environment (christian job, christian friends, christian clubs). Power is only released when you are a positive in a negative.
* Don't let the environment change you, you change it. Learn to be silent till it is time to shout. The silence gives power to the shout. It was not the shout that made the walls of Jericho fall, it was 7 days of silence. Most of us are shouting for 7 days then silent.... Can you be still and know that He is God? In quietness and confidence shall be your strength.
More later...
Blessings,
Craig
1 Sam 16:14-23
14 A Distressing Spirit Troubles Saul
But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and a distressing spirit from the LORD troubled him. 15 And Saul's servants said to him, "Surely, a distressing spirit from God is troubling you. 16 Let our master now command your servants, who are before you, to seek out a man who is a skillful player on the harp. And it shall be that he will play it with his hand when the distressing spirit from God is upon you, and you shall be well."
17 So Saul said to his servants, "Provide me now a man who can play well, and bring him to me."
18 Then one of the servants answered and said, "Look, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, who is skillful in playing, a mighty man of valor, a man of war, prudent in speech, and a handsome person; and the LORD is with him."
19 Therefore Saul sent messengers to Jesse, and said, "Send me your son David, who is with the sheep." 20 And Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread, a skin of wine, and a young goat, and sent them by his son David to Saul. 21 So David came to Saul and stood before him. And he loved him greatly, and he became his armorbearer. 22 Then Saul sent to Jesse, saying, "Please let David stand before me, for he has found favor in my sight." 23 And so it was, whenever the spirit from God was upon Saul, that David would take a harp and play it with his hand. Then Saul would become refreshed and well, and the distressing spirit would depart from him. NKJV
Here are some highlights.
* The evil spirit was from the Lord (4x's), not meaning that the Lord is a evil spirit, but God knows and is in control of every evil spirit that is coming against you. If it is there, God has a purpose for it to work all things together... If God allowed it, it is for your advancement, promotion. Don't run from it, but run to it. Why? You have the power to change it, and it is only there as a door to your next level. If there is no giant, then there is no giant killer. The very fact the giant is there is an indicator you are about to become a champion!
* Saul's problem was the door for David's promotion. Many of us complain about the problem, curse the problem, rebuke the problem, try to pray away the problem. But the reason it is there is its pain is going to position you to birth something that is presently unseen to your eye. Pain is the unveil of potential. Potential is nothing more than your future locked up in the present. Pain is the key that unlocks greatness in you.
* David had quite a resume. Notice he didn't talk about how good he was, Saul's servant's advertised for him. Why? When you are really excellent, everybody will see it and say it. All you have to do is to define your gift, perfect your gift, and release your gift and your gift will make room for you.... In other words the room of greatness is determined by the release of your gift.
* David was good at more than one thing. If you are really going to excel in the technological age, you will have to be good at more than just preaching, singing.... If not you will be a flash in the pan, a one hit wonder. Everyone of us has a gift cluster inside of us (combination of 3-4 gifts) that we must maximize.
* David was with the sheep. There are some people who are right now with the sheep, promotion is on the way. You are anointed but you have been faithful with the little (Luke 16) which is going to release the big thing. Diligence is doing a little thing a long time till a big thing happens. Can you be anointed for a big thing but remain faithful with a little thing?
* David didn't comment on the problem, he change it. The moment we comment on a problem, we prolong it, empower it, and multiply it. Saul's servants commented, David changed it. Are you allowing the people on your job to influence you ate the water fountain with negative information, or are you going to talk back. Some of us allow them to talk negative because we want to keep them as friends, lose them, they are nothing but negative. You are snared by the words of your mouth. Many are locking themselves in the present because of their words. You are giving life to your problem.
* Just like with a car battery that is dead, you can not have a positive and a positive, but you must have positive and a negative for their to be power. Some people are so holy, they never get in a negative environment (christian job, christian friends, christian clubs). Power is only released when you are a positive in a negative.
* Don't let the environment change you, you change it. Learn to be silent till it is time to shout. The silence gives power to the shout. It was not the shout that made the walls of Jericho fall, it was 7 days of silence. Most of us are shouting for 7 days then silent.... Can you be still and know that He is God? In quietness and confidence shall be your strength.
More later...
Blessings,
Craig
Tuesday
"How Do You Know You Are Called?"
Today I had a young man who is called to ministry but is going through a time of uncertainty, ask me a simple but powerful question. He said, "How do you know you are called to ministry"?
First let me say that everyone is called to ministry. In the book of Acts on the day of Pentecost people from every nation experienced the outpouring of the Holy Spirit releasing them into ministry causing entire cities to be impacted. There was a Exponential rate of growth in the Church as God added, added greatly, multiplied, and multiplied greatly. Power was demonstrated outside the four walls of the Church. Businessmen such as Phillip and Stephen become mighty ministers of God's miraculous power.
Why is it, that we show up once or twice a week to see a power demonstration so we can get our latest fix, and hopefully be sustained till the next Church service? We go to Church to get power when power was already given in Acts 2 not understanding that we don't go to Church, we are the Church. Because of our addiction to convenience and comfort, we have attributed Church to four songs, a sermon and an altar call, when it is not that at all. All that is is a dress rehearsal for the real thing. Church is when we go into the marketplace and turn our place of assignment upside down and inside out be demonstrating along with Godly character a spirit filled life. the greatest hour of the Church is yet to come. It will be when the anointing is flowing from the pew (corporate Church) and not the pulpit (idols, icons, one man shows). It will be when the extraordinary (Benny Hinn) becomes ordinary and the rare becomes common. It will not be uncommon in that day for blind eyes and deaf ears to be opened in the market place (on the job). And entire wings of the hospital will be cleared out because the saints are walking down the halls. In fact the corporate anointing (Bride of Christ) will be so strong that miracles will take place wherever the believers are. I see a day when CNN will have news reports simultaneously breaking all over the US as they that know their God do great exploits (Dan. 11:32)
Sunday at Church I heard the Lord say, many are waiting by the pool for the angels to come down and stir the waters, not realizing what Jesus meant when He said "Out of you will flow rivers of living (life giving) water (rivers being plural). The water that is stirred is inside of you, and God intends for you to become the pool of miracles and signs and wonders not on Sunday but on your job, in your neighborhood...
How do you know you are called? I will answer this with what has enabled me to continue in the ministry in times of great questioning and uncertainty.
1) The stories of those who have been impacted by God's power and words through me. There is nothing more meaningful to me than when someone tells me how I have made a difference in their lives. Every letter, card, email, gift gives me Popeye power at the lowest times. It is and always will be about changed lives.
2) What is in your heart? What do you love? What do you hate that you are a solution to? What moves you to tears? What do you dream about? If money was not a factor what would you do with your life?
3) What is in your hand? What are you great at? What gives you the greatest sense of fulfillment after you have completed a task? What do people draw from you? Silver nor gold I do not have but what I have I give to you. People will see what is in you and make a demand on it. Your gift will make room for you and bring you before great men. Favor and Increase will follow what is in your hand.
4) Go back to when God first called you. I will never forget when I was thirteen one Sunday after Church when I was making a peanut and jelly sandwich, God called me to preach. The best part is I called my best friend who had the same visitation at the same time making the same thing. We are both doing what God has called us to do.
5) Someone over you will point you out. Jesus was anointed as a child but he was not released into His ministry till someone pointed him out. Someone over you will see your gift and point you out for greatness. Listen to Mentors, those who truly love you, they know you. I'm not talking about your critics.
Blessings,
Craig Sloan
First let me say that everyone is called to ministry. In the book of Acts on the day of Pentecost people from every nation experienced the outpouring of the Holy Spirit releasing them into ministry causing entire cities to be impacted. There was a Exponential rate of growth in the Church as God added, added greatly, multiplied, and multiplied greatly. Power was demonstrated outside the four walls of the Church. Businessmen such as Phillip and Stephen become mighty ministers of God's miraculous power.
Why is it, that we show up once or twice a week to see a power demonstration so we can get our latest fix, and hopefully be sustained till the next Church service? We go to Church to get power when power was already given in Acts 2 not understanding that we don't go to Church, we are the Church. Because of our addiction to convenience and comfort, we have attributed Church to four songs, a sermon and an altar call, when it is not that at all. All that is is a dress rehearsal for the real thing. Church is when we go into the marketplace and turn our place of assignment upside down and inside out be demonstrating along with Godly character a spirit filled life. the greatest hour of the Church is yet to come. It will be when the anointing is flowing from the pew (corporate Church) and not the pulpit (idols, icons, one man shows). It will be when the extraordinary (Benny Hinn) becomes ordinary and the rare becomes common. It will not be uncommon in that day for blind eyes and deaf ears to be opened in the market place (on the job). And entire wings of the hospital will be cleared out because the saints are walking down the halls. In fact the corporate anointing (Bride of Christ) will be so strong that miracles will take place wherever the believers are. I see a day when CNN will have news reports simultaneously breaking all over the US as they that know their God do great exploits (Dan. 11:32)
Sunday at Church I heard the Lord say, many are waiting by the pool for the angels to come down and stir the waters, not realizing what Jesus meant when He said "Out of you will flow rivers of living (life giving) water (rivers being plural). The water that is stirred is inside of you, and God intends for you to become the pool of miracles and signs and wonders not on Sunday but on your job, in your neighborhood...
How do you know you are called? I will answer this with what has enabled me to continue in the ministry in times of great questioning and uncertainty.
1) The stories of those who have been impacted by God's power and words through me. There is nothing more meaningful to me than when someone tells me how I have made a difference in their lives. Every letter, card, email, gift gives me Popeye power at the lowest times. It is and always will be about changed lives.
2) What is in your heart? What do you love? What do you hate that you are a solution to? What moves you to tears? What do you dream about? If money was not a factor what would you do with your life?
3) What is in your hand? What are you great at? What gives you the greatest sense of fulfillment after you have completed a task? What do people draw from you? Silver nor gold I do not have but what I have I give to you. People will see what is in you and make a demand on it. Your gift will make room for you and bring you before great men. Favor and Increase will follow what is in your hand.
4) Go back to when God first called you. I will never forget when I was thirteen one Sunday after Church when I was making a peanut and jelly sandwich, God called me to preach. The best part is I called my best friend who had the same visitation at the same time making the same thing. We are both doing what God has called us to do.
5) Someone over you will point you out. Jesus was anointed as a child but he was not released into His ministry till someone pointed him out. Someone over you will see your gift and point you out for greatness. Listen to Mentors, those who truly love you, they know you. I'm not talking about your critics.
Blessings,
Craig Sloan
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