Discipleship at LIFE Church and Training Center

This lady has great insight on healing and God's Word.

Discipline The Mind Prayer and Fasting

 This piece will cover two topics. 

The first topic is meant to reiterate what Brother Josh spoke about on Sunday, September 16^th.  The topic was disciplining ones mind to be mindful of God.  If you were not present you should get a recording because it was very good. 



The other topic is going to be about the national day of prayer and fasting scheduled to take place on Saturday, September 29^th, 2012.  The two topics are tied closely together, and what is important to understand is that prayer and fasting will not be effective without the diligence that Josh spoke of.

 Brother Josh gave a very relevant and timely word on Sunday.  I would be shocked if anyone hearing that message was not inspired to do better.  To summarize, he spoke about training one’s mind to spend time with God and in His Word.  Josh compared this to training a child to stay in time out.  When one’s mind wonders from time with God, one must stop it and take it back to what it is supposed to be doing, much like putting a child back in time out when it gets up without permission.




For most of us, spending time with God is a choir.  We find ourselves falling asleep, our mind wonders, or we allow ourselves to be distracted by other things.  





Then, to make matters worse, we give in to sleep and distractions and do not complete our time with God.  When we do this, we are letting Satan know that all he has to do is distract us and we will leave our time with God, missing out on what he had for us.  This needs to change.  No one is going to be faulted for their mind wondering, but when it does, it needs to be caught and put back in its place.  No matter how many times it happens.  Eventually, like a child, the mind will learn not to wonder.  When the mind stops wondering, a person’s time with God will be more productive, and they will receive more revelation from God.

This relates to the national day of prayer and fasting in that Christians are going to need to be discipline not only on 9/29/12, but in the days leading up to it as well.  
I have been meditating on the date quite a bit, and God has revealed some things to me concerning the affect the day can have on the rest of eternity.  I will not get into what those thing are, but what it has done is help me to understand how important that day is.  A day of this important, with the sort of impact that it can have, needs to be approached with preparation and expectation.  The worst thing that the Body of Christ can do is treat 9/29 as another exercise.  If the day is not approached with seriousness by Christians, the day will be lost and it will not be taken seriously by the world.  I would encourage all believers to be in prayer now and in the days to come about how God would have you prepare for the day.

Disciplining one’s mind is a worldly exercise that takes time and training.  Most of us fall short of the discipline that it takes to kick start a national move of God.  God’s grace can supernaturally step in as a substitute for the discipline we lack in the natural.  That grace will allow us to focus on His will during this time of prayer and fasting.  There are certain things that God is having me do that will bring his grace upon me and my family.  Part of that grace is the focus and discipline that is needed to make that day a success for His Kingdom.  Christians need to be in prayer now regarding what God would have them do to ignite that grace.



What are you doing to prepare for this national day of prayer and fasting?  Do you believe that this date can change the course of this nation?  If you have not started to prepare, use these questions in your quiet time with God to figure out what He would have you do.  Force yourself to give God your undivided attention until the Holy Spirit speaks to you, and do not resist the assignment that God gives you.  As the Body of Christ we cannot afford to take this day lightly.  Remember, one will put a thousand to flight, two will put ten thousand to flight.  Just think of what and entire nation of believers can do.

Change

Change is Good.

As we approach our church wide day of prayer on September 29^th .   I have been examining myself for areas where God wants me to make changes.  The basis of this is really wanting a closer relationship with God. Growing up, I had always heard change was a bad thing. I developed the mindset that resisted change.

Recently, I heard a story of a snake that escaped its cage at a local school. Despite efforts by school officials and the animal control agency to find the snake, it was nowhere to be found.  Someone decided to leave the cage door open and turn the heat rock back on. The snake returned.  Many times, we behave the same way. We find a comfort zone and park ourselves there. We may venture out but usually return to what is familiar or comfortable.

The Bible teaches us that God wants us to change to be like Him.

Ephesians 4:22 – 23 says : That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;  And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;  And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

 The word renewed in verse 23 means to “renovate”.   I have to examine the way I think, my beliefs and behaviors. If they don’t line up with the Word of God, I am are required to change.  That is serious renovation or change.

So how did I begin the process? During Sunday church service we were told to routinely say,” I believe God, I belong to God, I serve God”  I also added “ I love God.”  We were also instructed to start saying, “Without Him, I can do nothing, know nothing, have nothing.”

I began to say those things, then I would ask God to show me where I had pride in my life that would prevent me from seeing areas that needed renovation.  I would sit quietly and listen for instruction.  God started showing me where I needed to change. 

 Changing a lot of times is simply saying, God you’re right, forgive me, I repent of that. Instead of that wrong behavior or belief,  I replace that with Your Truth and the power of your Holy Spirit then I move on. 

The change brings peace, freedom, and a closer relationship with Him, the Creator of the universe. All because He loves us and gave His best for us.

He wants us all to be more like Him.  Let’s step out of our comfort zone, and live recklessly for God.

                                   

God's Kingdom

“Keep thy heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life.” (Proverbs 4:23).

          

  Being an effective part of God’s Kingdom takes diligence.  

It’s not a once a week commitment. 

                                                                                    It's not even a once a day commitment.  

Being an effective part of the Kingdom of God is a constant thing that you must train yourself to do.

Recently, Pastor Mitch has been talking about being doers of the Word, knowing the names of God, and knowing what the Holy Spirit does.  He has been on these three things for quite some time now.  He talks about drilling himself about the names of God and repeating over and over what the Holy Spirit does when he comes.  Why does he do this?  Because that is the diligence it takes to get to know the things of God.

Think of learning math equations in school.  Did you look at them once and understand them?  Even if you had the rules in front of you, could you pass the tests without practicing them and studying them first?  Of course not.  The rules of algebra had to be explained to all of us before we understood them.  Then we had to be diligent to practice and study them before we felt comfortable enough to apply them during a test.

Well, it is the same thing with the Word of God. 

At church and through teachings are a couple ways we have God’s Word explained to us.  Then it is up to us to take that Word home to study and meditate on.  Once we have meditated on the Word, it is then our responsibility to apply what we have been taught.  Applying the Word is our test, and much like school knowledge, Kingdom knowledge builds upon itself.  You can’t learn algebra without knowing how to add, subtract, multiply, and divide.  This is why it is important to constantly apply the Word and to not allow any aspect to be thrown to the way side.

I think that most people will agree that it is not easy to constantly meditate on and apply the Word of God.  This is where diligence comes in.  Diligence is characterized as a steady, earnest, and energetic effort.  Apply that to Proverbs 4:23 and we are instructed to be steady, earnest, and to have an energetic effort to keep our hearts.  This is the complete opposite of a once a week sermon in which most people turn their brains off and are fortunate if they retain the five to seven percent that is expected.  Diligence is not only giving that sermon one’s undivided attention, but then reviewing that sermon throughout the week and meditating on how God would have one apply it to their life.  As one applies the Word, not only does it become the issues of one’s heart, but it pushes out worldly ways.  This is how a person goes about the Father’s business.

When a Word is brought forth there is a transfer of responsibility.  If our pastor fails to teach on something God told him His people needed to hear, then our pastor will have to answer for that, but once he preaches the Word, we are responsible for it.  If we fail to do anything with it, we have allowed God’s Word to return void, and we will have to answer for that.  Don’t allow God’s Word to return void.  Be diligent in the things of God’s Kingdom and apply His Word to your life.

As a young adult pastor....

For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. (Romans 8:19 KJV)

God has been revealing more and more to me as my relationship with Him grows and prospers. This is not unusual seeing as we should be moving from faith to faith

. As a young adult pastor it’s important that I move from faith to faith and glory to glory. I need to prosper in my releationship with God so I have something to give out to others. The lost and dying depend on us to take our relationship with God seriously and to make His name known to them.

Each and everyone of us are called out and set aside to do something for the kingdom of God. You have a purpose, no matter who you are, God wants to use you! I used to ask myself “Is what I’m doing really helping anyone?” “Am I really accomplishing anything for the kingdom?” I can say with assurance now YES! No matter what lies satan tries telling me I can always be assured I’m manifesting God in what I do.

How can I be sure of this? Simple, being successful in kingdom work is not based on what you do. It’s based on your willingness to listen and obey the Holy Spirit. it’s not based on works it’s based on obedience. So no matter what God has called you to don’t lightly esteem it, or think its not important! Don’t compare it to what other people are doing. But instead measure your success on if you are listening and being obedient.

Passion For Christ

How to Keep Your Passion for Christ

     Has your spiritual life been boring or dull? Has the getting into the Word of God been a struggle?

 I think for a lot of Believers this has been or is a reality in their lives. We can sit in Church and listen to a sermon, and maybe be excited about it for a couple of days or so. Although after a couple of days we seem to slip back into a rut with our relationship with Christ.

The reason for this is gaining knowledge without application is unfulfilling and boring. 

The Word of God is supposed to be absorbed THEN applied! 

That is how God designed it. We can know all there is to know about the Word, but if it’s not applied then it’s rather pointless. 

Think of it like this. If I was given a task to make a sandwich and I read the sandwich bible, went to sandwich seminars, I absorbed all there is to know about making a delicious sandwich, the ingredients and the tools I needed were all provided for this task.

But be ye doers of the Word… James 1:22

Now if I just did nothing with all that information I got, I would look pretty ridiculous not to mention sandwichless. 

You see God is looking for someone to produce and bear fruit. 

John 15:8 says “Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.” Don’t just hear the Word, but do it and produce with it! 

Then you’ll be excited not only to spend time with God but to see Him be glorified through you!

Do You Pick and Choose

Do You Pick and Choose?

When I say to a wicked man, ‘You will surely die,’ and you do not warn him or speak out to dissuade him from his evil ways in order to save his life, that wicked man will die for his sin,and I will hold you accountable for his blood. But if you do warn the wicked man and he does not turn from his wickedness or from his evil ways, he will die for his sin; but you will have saved yourself.

“Again, when a righteous man turns from his righteousness and does evil, and I put a stumbling block before him, he will die. Since you did not warn him, he will die for his sin.The righteous things he did will not be remembered and I will hold you accountable for his blood. But if you do warn the righteous man not to sin and he does not sin, he will surely live because he took warning, and you will have saved yourself.”

Ezekiel 3:18-21

Have you ever left out part of God’s Word or sugar-coated it so the person you were talking to would not feel bad?                                                      

I know I have and then the Lord began to work on me. If I believe God, then I must know His Word and if I know His Word I must speak it as Truth – all of it! 

He does not say, oh it is okay if you add to my word here and say don’t worry about it God will forgive you. God may forgive them but you are commanded to tell them what His Word says. Then it is their decision to continue in the sin or follow His Word. 

I don’t know about you but I don’t to be held accountable for the blood of someone I did not tell the Truth to. I believe that is why so many churches are asleep today, why we are not seeing the power God says we have. 

This is not an easy step to take but with God’s help we don’t have to worry or fret because He will give us His Words at the right time and He will protect us. 

““I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him. Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. “I tell you, whoever acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man will also acknowledge him before the angels of God. But he who disowns me before men will be disowned before the angels of God. And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. “When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.” Luke 12:4-12

But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. II Thessalonians 3:3

I can profess to know God, to have faith in His Word but am I walking my talk? 

Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. James 2:18-19

Demons believe but they do not fear the one True God so they keep sinning, ignoring the Word of God. We as believers, walking in faith, are called to know God’s Word, when we know God’s Word and have a relationship with him (making the changes we need to make during our lifetime) we are able to help others grow in their faith and show it by their deeds. 

Satan is pretty slick, he will come in and say ‘everyone is doing it, even those in the church, so why should you lose out on the fun?’ 

The Bible is pretty clear on what God hates, this is just one passage of many.

When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures,  idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division,  envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God. Galatians 5:19-21  

Now I don’t know about you but I have had to repent of several of these things and more than once! That is why I believe we are to tell the Truth in love. We are not to beat them over the head and neither are we to tell them  it’s okay because their circumstance is different (if  it’s in the Bible it’s not okay!). 

Too many believers want people to feel sorry for them so their ‘sin’ is lost in the emotional.

They talk bad about another person, telling things they should not be telling and usually leaving out the part they played in it. They have the poor me syndrome and that is not from God! We are anything but poor once we have accepted the Lord as our Savior, repented of our sins and started on our faith journey.

But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ. I Corinthians 15:17

I know this will seem harsh to some of you, but if you are believers you can’t pick and choose what you want from God’s Word.

 I want to speak the Truth in love, and then it is up to them to make the choice according to what God says. Neither I nor you can make that choice for anyone, not our husbands, our parents, our children, our friends….but we can search God’s Word and ask Him for wisdom on how we are to act and speak so they will be drawn to God. 

So make sure when the Lord has you speak to someone, write about something, whatever He tells you to do – make sure you are doing it with God’s love, with a true concern for them to know what God has to say.

Whatever God says to do or not to do something, He will always give you the strength and the way, we are never alone.

How many times have I not spoken Truth to someone, or shared my faith. Now to listen to God and see how to do this in love, not in fear, not in Bible beating, but in genuine love because you want to see them blessed by their Father. Because you have your Father’s heart to see them saved and not suffer the consequences for a bad decision – a sin.

If you get attacked, let it go and trust God, love them and pray for them.  It could be the Holy Spirit working on them, making them uncomfortable and you are just an easy target. Again, love them and pray for them. 

Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up      Luke 18:1

I’m grateful for the people that spoke truth to me and never gave up praying. 

It’s never too late to repent  -  Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death 2 Corinthians 7:10
 Let Jesus release you from those chains!

   By: Christena Hammes

             Blessed and Fit