Category: Radical Faith

Never Forget The Amazing Power of Prayer

Posted on | by Kim Carroll

Never Forget The Amazing Power of Prayer

Mark 11:24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. 

Have you ever said this to someone, “I will be praying”. Someone shared a situation they were concerned about and you said, “I will pray for you”. 

If I was to ask for a show of hands how many believe in prayer, the majority of people would raise their hand and say, yes. Even those who don’t go to church would say they believe in prayer. There have been times I have prayed with people who would probably admit they were not Christians, yet asked for prayer. It’s surprising how many do not realize the amazing level of faith they are moving in when they pray. 

This word prayer is thrown around in Christian circles until it has become a Christian buzzword. Many well intended people say they will pray but forget to follow through. I have been guilty of this myself. That’s why I try to do it right away so as not to forget. However, keeping our minds renewed in how powerful prayer is will help keep us on track. Many do not realize the level of faith they are moving in when they pray. Let’s review and look at your faith when you say, I will pray. 

  1. You believe Jesus, even though completely invisible, is right there present with you when you begin to ask, yet you cannot see Him or have you ever seen Him. That takes faith. When I get up in the morning to pray, I believe Jesus is there with me. That’s an amazing level of faith.
  2. You actually believe He hears you, that is, you personally, your individual self. This means you believe this invisible God which you cannot see and have not ever seen is literally right there listening to you as if you are the only one present talking to Him. That is an amazing level of faith.
  3. You actually believe He cares and wants to intervene in the affairs of your life, that He wants to concern Himself with you and He really does care about you, and your situation or circumstances that are affecting your life at this moment, out of 7 billion people on earth. You believe this even if you are asking for someone else which doesn’t concern you. You believe he still wants to help you with your request only because you asked. Your words in asking actually have the power to get God to do something. This is an amazing level of faith. 
  4. You believe He not only hears you personally but will answer your request, by literally changing the physical world around you. He will change people and physical events based on you asking Him. That He can and will from an invisible, heavenly realm come and move things surrounding you, others, and events in the natural physical realm. You are believing this invisible God can move and change physical, visible events you are involved with right now, just because you asked. Again, this is an amazing level of faith. 

To believe these four things takes faith. When we pray we are moving into a realm of extraordinary faith. To believe in and practice prayer you are stronger in your faith than you might have thought. Remind yourself what you believe. It’s not just some nice Religious thing you are supposed to do, or it’s not just what Christians do, a buzzword you throw around. Instead remember, your faith believes it is an invisible, all powerful God who is right there ready to move on your behalf. 

Jesus welcomes us to come and ask. He states by prayer, that is you asking, He will do the impossible things on your behalf. Praying connects you into the very power of God, who will move heaven and earth for you personally. So go ahead and ask, never forgetting the faith you are truly representing. 

Psalms 66:19 ‘but God has surely listened and has heard my prayer. ‘

Proverbs 15:29 ‘The Lord is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous. ‘

Mark 11:22-25 ‘ “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” ‘

1 John 5:14-15 ‘This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him. ‘

Matthew 6:6 ‘But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. ‘

John 15:7 ‘If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. ‘

Luke 11:9-10 ‘ “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. ‘

Set Your Mind

Posted on | by Kim Carroll

Set Your Mind

‭Colossians 3:1-2 

[1]  IF THEN you have been raised with Christ [to a new life, thus sharing His resurrection from the dead], aim at and seek the [rich, eternal treasures] that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. [Ps. 110:1.] [2]  And set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth. AMPC

Mindset: a fixed state of mind, a habitual or characteristic mental attitude that determines how you will interpret and respond to situations

Those who study the neuroscience of the mind and its thinking process, state we either have a fixed mindset or a growth mindset.  Whether there are two or possibly more, when examined, they generally fall under a fixed or growth mindset. 

When we are left to think on anything, it’s amazing what our minds can dwell on and how long we can stay in a fixed thought process. 

Usually we see this more prevalent in older people. They have already made up their mind and are not going to change for anyone or anything. Even though at times this can be good, the majority of the time we find it limits or completely stifles any growth. 

When a person has a fixed mindset, they have decided or “they have made up their mind” and will never venture past this view. They have a set of parameters by which to think, which has worked for them for many years and this is where they live their life. It’s where they feel comfortable. 

This is not just limited to older people. Many times we find younger adults are no different. They have formed a mindset they like or have adopted, and so they decide this is where they will sit and generally with an attitude of “I know” and which feels comfortable to them. 

It’s interesting how often this concept of comfort plays such a significant role in our mindsets. Many times we don’t want to admit it but all of us, young or old, have a comfort zone and a fixed way of thinking no matter what comes our way in life. The important question for all of us, do we have a fixed mindset or a growth mindset?  

As a christian we should have a mind fixed on Jesus. He is now the author and finisher of our faith, which means there is always room to improve and grow. Of course author, meaning He is the one writing our story. If we let Him He will be in charge of our continual growth. Age has no barriers on this. There is always room to grow and keep growing until we see Him as He is, in His throne room, face to face.

This scripture at the start can be translated, “fix your thoughts or thinking on the things above”, “make the decision to focus on the things above. To  “deliberately think or set your mind on the things above”. It is to decide, to make a choice. This scripture reveals the individual has the ability to do so. They can have a fixed mindset on the things above. 

I know it almost seems like an oxymoron. However, we can have a fixed mindset which can continually grow based on how we set our minds on the right thoughts. To set our minds on the things above will cause us to grow in the right direction. It will allow us to expand who we are and how we respond.  

Set: To fix firmly; to make fast, permanent, or stable; to render motionless; to give an unchanging place, form, or condition to.

Like putting a post in the ground, you want to set it so as to never move. You want it to be strong and sturdy like putting a pillar into concrete, one you do not want to move.You deliberately set your mind with one way of thinking. It’s a fixed state of mind, where and how Jesus wants us to set our mind. 

‭

1 Corinthians 2:16 ‬

[16] …. But we have the mind of Christ [to be guided by His thoughts and purposes]. AMP

As I stated before, it is amazing what our minds can dwell on at different intervals of the day.  We can become so fixed on certain aspects of ourselves and the life surrounding us, yet if trained right, our mindset can cause us to grow everyday. It can be a self supporting base of power, keeping us filled with faith as God’s hands on our lives. 

The wrong form of fixed mindset can be like a steel trap door, shutting and not letting go of its catch. We end up continually going over and over with a negative view.  Things may or may not happen, yet we play them out as if they will. Sometimes we are dwelling and replaying something that has already happened as if we can go back and change it, which we cannot. A wrong mindset can keep us focused on a negative view of ourselves and dwelling in this area keeps us locked in to a wrong view of life.

The basics of our thoughts are conversations we are having with ourselves. We may say “I am thinking about it”. The reality of this is we are talking to ourselves, mulling over in words we call thoughts. In fact we are always talking to ourselves. The clinical term is called “self talk”. If we are thinking about something, whether we are aware of it or not, we are talking to ourselves and will run it by where our mind is set in our thinking. This will be the baseline of our thinking. In reality we are conversing with our judgements, and these are based where we have set our mind. These include our feelings, desires, and fears. We think we are engaging with the reality of what’s happening in our lives but the truth is we are really just having self conversations. We are examining how we think it should play out. We are going over different scenarios on what has been presented to us.

Again, these conversations are not based on reality, yet. Here is where we need to ask ourselves if  we were approaching the subject full of faith, setting our minds on the right things, or was it negative. This is also where we can see how our mind thinks or the basic mind-set we use. So what is your mind-set? 

Again, our mindset is the platform we springboard off of when we think about something. It is our standard or baseline from which we  think and then make decisions. We start there with our self-talk. 

Now, does our self talk include God? Does our thinking, our self conversation ask for God’s wisdom? What is our mind-set, what do we dwell on? Is our self talk negative or positive when we think about ourselves? Does it talk to us of something that has already happened, or negatively going to happen.

Setting our minds right requires faith. Faith is seeing the unseen things which come from above. We either look at things which have not happened with God’s view or our negative view. It all comes down to our mind-set. What we set our mind on when we think or dwell on anything will keep us growing or will stifle us and make us complacent. Are we looking at things, rehearsing them in our mind as if they are real as if they have happened? Did they happen with God or just yourself?

We are of course rehearsing in our mind what we perceive as reality. However, is it  God’s reality? What He says is always going to be reality, and we need to set our minds there. A good question to ask is how much of God is in your thinking. We need to check ourselves and look at how much of our thinking are God’s thoughts and how much are not. Go ahead and evaluate yourself as to the mindset where you live each day. The good news of the Bible is the Lord tells us where to set our minds, how to think, what we should be talking to ourselves about. 

Training ourselves to practice a positive, faith filled, Godly mindset is our duty as a Christian.  To think on anything should come from our foundation of His Words first. If it is not reality yet, then we need to talk to ourselves about what we would like to see happen which His Words teach us is possible, this is a Godly mindset and a growth mindset. These Words are like writing a story which hasn’t happened yet. We must train ourselves to write everyday the story of abundant life, after all this is the story He writes everyday. 

He wants our mindset to be so alive in Him, creating possibilities which keep us in a faith filled positive growth mindset. We are writing and setting up chapters in our story with Christ. 

Jesus has never written a negative story. His stories are about us, others, and circumstances. Anything is possible for us in our life with Jesus leading. What does Jesus want to write today? We need to keep practice talking to ourselves this way, the way the Lord would want it done starting right now. This is what is so powerful about our thinking process, we can change immediately and think differently by setting our minds in the right place. With Jesus being the writer and us learning to read His script, and coming from a mind set on the things above, our actions will follow.

So what is your predominant mindset? Here are a few principles to help with your thinking before you say, “my mind is made up”. 

It’s Fluid

Always remind yourself, reality is fluid, circumstances or problems and such so often seem locked in, set in concrete, or as they say, written in stone, and cannot or will not change. However this is so far from the truth, things really are fluid. Just like water can be diverted and change its flow instantly, so can our mindset. Things as we know them change. They change all the time. With the right mindset we can change how we view life everyday. We need to talk about how things can change for the good. If you have lived any length of time you know things around us change all the time. Scripture states the natural is temporary and the Spiritual is eternal. 

2 Corinthians 4:18

because we don’t focus our attention on what is seen but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but the unseen realm is eternal. TPT

Think of how many things in your life have changed for the good which you honestly didn’t think would. The longer we live the more changes we have seen. Many times I have caught myself saying, “I didn’t see that coming”, meaning I had a preconceived mindset on what I thought the outcome would be, but was genuinely surprised by what did happen. You may also say what about those things that haven’t changed? This doesn’t mean they won’t. 

Look at your self talk, what are you telling yourself about these situations? Are you following the Lord’s script, or  dwelling on things as if they may never change. We cannot set our mind to dwell this way, it will keep us in a negative mindset. 

So the outward natural circumstances can change and will change, nothing remains the same, everything will change given enough time, or you change by deciding to let it go and not let your mind dwell there anymore. Of course things that happened in the past will not change but you can.

 Negative outlook of future events may or may not change but I can. We can grow and mature in our mindset by training ourselves to think properly with the Lord’s thoughts using His Words. Our thinking process is fluid and can change instantly, changing our reality. We can do this immediately.

 Thoughts are fluid. Don’t wait, start thinking the right way and set your mind on how He wants you to think. Take control NOW.  

Control

The energy of control always belongs to you and you make it grow in the right direction. You are in charge of how you want to think and what you want to dwell on mentally. You are and can stay in complete control. Think of your thoughts like a supercomputer. Your mind works on the parameters which you set, of which you and only you are in complete control. All minds work the same, they work on the set of parameters you give them. Set the right parameters. You are the only one who is in control of this. Does not matter what is happening around you, you and only you control what you set your mind on, what you are going to dwell on. 

‭Philippians 4:8-9 TPT‬

[8] Keep your thoughts continually fixed on all that is authentic and real, honorable and admirable, beautiful and respectful, pure and holy, merciful and kind. And fasten your thoughts on every glorious work of God,  praising him always. 

‭Philippians 4:8 AMPC‬

[8]  For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them].

‭Philippians 4:8 AMP‬

[8] Finally, believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart]. 

‭Philippians 4:8 MSG‬

[8] Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. 

Past is Past

You must train yourself to, at all times, let go of negative past events as soon as your mind tries to dwell on them. The second you start to think this way tell yourself immediately, let it go. Let things go. If it is past negative thoughts, stop them right away, do not let yourself dwell on them. Dwelling on these wrong thoughts keeps them growing in your thinking. Quit bringing them up and reliving them by rehearsing them over and over. They are not happening any more so quit dwelling on them as if something will change, it will not. You must move on. Circumstances do not matter now, all circumstances are actually in the past, even up to a second ago is still in the past.  The reality of the past is, it really has passed. It’s gone, and whether good or bad cannot be changed. Remind yourself it’s only what’s now that matters. The stronger we adjust and accept this, the greater the now will influence us and the more the past remains powerless. Check yourself as to what you are dwelling on, if it’s the past then let it go.

Eyes Which See

Train yourself to look for solutions and not the problem. Stop focusing on the problem. Problems will come and go but look for solutions and not just dwell on the problem. Setting our mind by dwelling the wrong way on a problem will only magnify it. Even if its  beyond your control, focus on how to look at it right now, today. 

Put your faith in His ability to give you eyes that see the answers today. The Lord always has an answer, He always has a plan. Teach your mind to think this way. Purposefully look for how His Spirit will lead and guide you away from the situation. This is looking for the solution. He is with us, living with us, He knows the next step. He always knows the right direction. He doesn’t want you sitting around continually dwelling on the problem or situation.  

‭Proverbs 4:18 TPT‬

[18] But the lovers of God walk on the highway of light,  and their way shines brighter and brighter until the perfect day.

Image

Your self talk is connected, of course, to how you see yourself. If you follow the path of these first four then your image will stay healthy. What you think about yourself is huge to mastering your thought life. Poor self image and insecurities are always a result of negative self talk. It’s you having a conversation about how you see yourself. If your mindset is negative then your image will be as well. Don’t tear yourself down. Set your mind on the right things. 

Remember, it can be changed right now. Instead talk about how Jesus sees you, why He saved you. Talk about all the positive things He said about being with Him. Be overwhelmingly thankful for all you do have. Think about all the positive things you have already seen and know to be from the Lord. Let your inward thinking (self talk) be about His love, goodness, grace, mercy, power, and as many attributes as possible which reveal how He sees you right now. 

Do not put words in His mouth about yourself. His image is your image. Let His Words be your predominant mindset.  As stated before, let Jesus do the writing. Let Him do the talking and allow yourself to rest from wrong words you may be dwelling on. It is the healthiest way to think and sure to keep you healthy. This is how we stay close to Him and this is where He truly can lead and guide us into His image for our lives. Let Jesus Words be the only guideline for your mind to set upon. Let your self talk be what your image is supposed to be and what He says it is to look like. 

‭Colossians 3:10-11 

[10] For you have acquired new creation life which is continually being renewed into the likeness of the One who created you; giving you the full revelation of God. [11] In this new creation life, your nationality makes no difference, nor your ethnicity, education, nor economic status—they matter nothing. For it is Christ that means everything as he lives in every one of us! TPT 

‭2 Corinthians 5:17 

[17] Therefore if anyone is in Christ [that is, grafted in, joined to Him by faith in Him as Savior], he is a new creature [reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit]; the old things [the previous moral and spiritual condition] have passed away. Behold, new things have come [because spiritual awakening brings a new life]. AMP

You are either Growing or Dying

Posted on | by Kim Carroll

If you are not Growing, then you are Dying

Having had the privilege over the years to teach, preach, minister, and travel here in the States, multiple countries, and in various kinds of churches, you do learn a few things. You see patterns of the same truths prevalent no matter how different the church structure, culture, or age may be. I have noticed these truths, no matter the background, these truths seem to enable a person to grow in their walk with the Lord. These truths also seem, if they are not applied in one’s life, to hold them back. Yet, if understood and applied to their lives properly, their spiritual man thrives. 

Growth is a fundamental which should always be happening in a Christian’s life. Since the goal is to be like Jesus, then none of us are able to say they have arrived and display the perfect example of Christ. Everyone has room to grow and mature toward His image. We should always be growing, if we are not growing then we are dying.

The following are principles I have seen, which hopefully, will help in a person’s journey of growth. Now I am not saying these are the only ones, but these are definitely worth examining in your life as you pursue continued growth to be like Him.

I title these, First Things First Principles. These will help a person check themselves on their personal growth with Jesus.  

1.Faith

Absolutely nothing can happen or grow without faith. Our start and eventually our finish is all based on our faith in Christ. It’s so important to keep our faith growing. We should always learn and grow in our faith with God. Do all you can to keep faith moving progressively forward, even if it’s just baby steps.  In our walk with Jesus our faith should always be increasing. It does not matter if you are new to the Christian faith or have been around for years,  always be thinking and acting on your faith, and take the necessary steps to grow in your faith. Never, ever let go of your faith. Four areas that serve as a gauge to check your faith are; Thoughts, what we think on, and are we thinking right? Speech, what do we let come out of our mouths, is it positive or negative? His Words, are they still the standard of absolute truth, which we hold onto and stand on as solid ground? Actions, do our actions line up and reflect faith in God? Continually evaluate your faith, never fear checking yourself, are you still believing everything with a radical passion for Jesus? Has your faith grown this past year? 

‭Galatians 2:20.  [20] I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. NIV

‭1 John 5:4  [4] For everyone born of God is victorious and overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has conquered and overcome the world—our [continuing, persistent] faith [in Jesus the Son of God]. AMP

‭2 Thessalonians 1:3 [3] We feel a personal responsibility to continually be thanking God for you, our spiritual family,  every time we pray. And we have every reason to do so because your faith is growing marvelously beyond measure. The unselfish love each of you share for one another is increasing and overflowing. TPT

2. Take Responsibility, for all aspects of your life in every area. Make No excuses, none, not one, do not give yourself any room to excuse yourself. You are not a victim, refuse to have excuses. Even if something happened to you beyond your control, refuse to stay a victim.  Work on any area to get past whatever happened. Take control of your life. There may be reasons and good reasons but do not let them become excuses for your life, and no blame shifting,  take full and total responsibility for yourself. Remember, this is your only life, don’t live by excusing away things and just holding onto them year after year. Taking responsibility for the life you have been given is a privilege, and a reward. Never fear taking ownership of your life. It matters what you believe about yourself. So take charge and do whatever is necessary to get rid of anything you are using to excuse yourself. 

Mat.25:14-30

3. Resist the Devil

We, as Christians, are to always, (always, always), resist the devil, always. I cannot emphasize this enough.  You must be aware of his schemes, which are to devour, steal, kill, and ultimately destroy you, so resist him. Never let your guard down and forget his one and only existence is to diminish your faith in God. The devil wants to weaken it and eventually take you away from believing. 

‭James 4:7 AMP‬  [7] So submit to [the authority of] God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him] and he will flee from you. 

‭James 4:7 TPT   ‬[7] So then, surrender to God. Stand up to the devil and resist him and he will flee in agony.   

Refuse to stay weak in any area of your life where the devil has had the upper hand. Resist the devil, and keep resisting till you have the victory.  The devil does not have another plan. So neither should you. 

Next principle goes hand and hand with this thinking and is probably the number one area the devil works his greatest plot against a person.

4. Forgiveness.  

As a minister for over 40 years, it still amazes me what people will hold on to. Some will hold onto things for years. They stay hurt and bitter with what happened in the past, usually never realizing it only affects them. It holds them back from living life to its fullest. As stated in #8 and #7, the past is past, be extremely grateful for what you have now. Do what you need to do to release forgiveness. Examine and check out these 4 areas to make sure you have a clear and whole heart. 1. Know, without any doubt, God Forgives you.  He not only forgives you but releases and forgets. 2. Did you truly receive forgiveness? Many know God forgives but have never felt released because they didn’t think they were worthy and so did not receive His forgiveness. 3. Forgive others. This is very important. We must do whatever it takes to forgive others. Do not hold onto any resentment, bitterness, or unforgiveness toward others. This doesn’t mean they didn’t hurt you, however you still need to forgive. Jesus is the greatest example of forgiveness.  Ask for God’s help and let it go. 4. Forgive yourself, too many feel they have to earn it, so they inflict a form of self punishment on themselves. Again, God almighty, Lord of heaven and earth, King of all, forgave you, therefore  you need to forgive yourself.

5.  Quit limiting yourself. With Jesus you can do all things. Take the limits off yourself. The question to ask yourself is are you truly free to be yourself, the self God created you to be, or do you have self imposed boundaries? Are there areas in your life you do not push past to improve for whatever reasons? Some will say I’m just not good at that or I’m just not gifted in that, but did Jesus asked you to do it, then you can do it! You should be free to do all Jesus calls you to do. Do not fear the things you do not feel comfortable doing. 

Understanding our individuality, the individual self God wants us to be is so important. God wants to use the real you, the genuine you. He knows who you are and what you’re capable of doing. This is all part of how He grows His Kingdom. God made you an original. He created you different from everyone else to be used and contribute your uniqueness in His Kingdom. 

Think of it this way, God’s world is a gigantic picture and we get to paint in it. Every true artist has his or her unique style which distinguishes them, sets them apart from other artists. God wants you to add certain brush strokes to His painting. You get to paint in God’s living picture of His Kingdom here on earth. We get to leave our unique brush strokes, flair, and our personality in this painting if we want, but not if we limit ourselves. 

He has never created anyone like you and never will. You are totally and completely unique and He wants to use your distinctive thumb print in the progressive advancement of His Kingdom here on earth. At this time in history He wants to call on you to do whatever He asks of you, to leave your mark in His history,  because He sees you are the one to do it and with Him you can. 

‭Ephesians 2:10 AMP‬.  [10] For we are His workmanship [His own master work, a work of art], created in Christ Jesus [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, ready to be used] for good works, which God prepared [for us] beforehand [taking paths which He set], so that we would walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us].

‭Ephesians 2:10 TPT‬. [10] We have become his poetry,  a re-created people that will fulfill the destiny he has given each of us, for we are joined to Jesus, the Anointed One. Even before we were born, God planned in advance our destiny and the good works  we would do to fulfill it! 

When people were surveyed at the end of their lives, one major regret they had was they didn’t feel they were true to themselves. They limited themselves. They put the limits on what they did, and said they couldn’t do this or that and so they never tried. They let the world around them tell them what they should or shouldn’t do. They let fears or others’ expectations tell them who they should be, and never really felt free to be themselves. In shrinking back they set borders, boundaries, limits, and quit trying to be themselves. They stunted their own growth and in doing so never went past these self imposed limits. They limit their own true self. However the good news is right now, anyone can break past these limits and do everything Jesus is asking of them. 

It’s never too late, with Jesus, to take the limits off of yourself and start painting in His picture.  You must set yourself free and trust Him to do the work in your life He created you to do. He wants to use you, the you He created, the true self you have always desired to be. 

This means do not be afraid of new things or of failing the first time you decide to move past your comfort zone. If you try to do something by breaking past your self imposed boundaries and fail, this is still progress. Get up, brush yourself off, laugh it off and tell yourself how liberating that felt to try. Now, do it again and again till you have what you are trying for, this is true freedom. 

Do not fear failure, it’s the path of freedom if we do not quit and give up. Have zero tolerance for accepting failure. You cannot not fear this, and you cannot stay there either, you are going to make mistakes at times, You will fail at times, “so what” get up and go after it again and again. Never quit trying to be all God has called you to be.

6. Take the initiative to think ahead. If it needs to be done then go ahead and do it. Don’t wait to be told to do it especially if you see it needs done.  Don’t wait for someone to hold your hand. So many people just sit around waiting to be told what, when, and how to do something and If this doesn’t happen then nothing gets done. 

Initiative is willing to take action. It is  that first step toward getting something done. It’s to move forward progressively without being told what to do. However, not in an arrogant way as if you know and nobody else does or you’re the only one that can do it.

 Initiative will always create a path of growth.  A person with initiative matures and spiritually grows. People who think ahead and take initiative stand out and others are usually willing to follow them. 

7. Live with Jesus today. Ask Him, what can I do for you today? What can I do to follow you as close as I can, today?  The past is gone. Dump it and let it go as fast as you can. The past does not exist anymore unless you allow it and decide to live there instead of living for today. Do all that is necessary to forget it and live with the ever present Christ, today.

 Look to move forward-don’t ever look back-this doesn’t mean we cannot learn from the past or from what has already happened by  applying it to forward progress. 

Progress is progress and victory is victory no matter how small as long as you keep it and look at what’s next in moving forward from there. Even if it’s small baby steps you are moving forward, it doesn’t matter what others think about your progress and don’t compare your progress to anyone else’s.  Focus on today, and refuse to listen to yesterday’s faults, flaws, mistakes, failures or hurts. Do whatever it takes to get past them.

‭Philippians 3:12-13 TPT‬.  [12] I admit that I haven’t yet acquired the absolute fullness that I’m pursuing, but I run with passion into his abundance so that I may reach the purpose for which Christ Jesus laid hold of me to make me his own. [13] I don’t depend on my own strength to accomplish this;  however I do have one compelling focus: I forget all of the past as I fasten my heart to the future instead. 

‭Philippians 3:13 NIV‬. [13] Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 

Image, image, image. Never stop striving to be more like Jesus, “Everyday”. Conforming to His image is every Christian’s goal, to mature and be like Him in every way. Do not stop growing. Learn to hear His voice, to communicate with Him, to talk to Him and listen as He talks back to you. 

Get past yourself, maybe even get over yourself. This is part of being His disciple. You must die to self, and pick up His image. Ask yourself, and be ruthlessly honest, do I have a healthy self image or am I still plagued by insecurities, feelings of inadequacy, unworthiness, nobody caring, or not measuring up, then you need to get over yourself. Get past this and take up His image. This is where the adventure begins and  this is where life truly takes off for you.  Keep Jesus’ image as your standard. To be like Him in every way, every day. Live for Jesus today, forgetting the past. 

8. Be Extremely Grateful. Always, always giving thanks to God and anyone else for what they have done for you. There is always something you can be thankful for. Willfully practice this. Go over and above in saying thank you and showing a genuine, grateful heart. It is one of the most liberating principles to engage in everyday. This type of practice will keep you free from so much baggage.

‭Ephesians 5:20 AMP‬.  [20] always giving thanks to God the Father for all things, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; 

‭Ephesians 5:20 TPT‬.  [20] Always give thanks to Father God for every person   he brings into your life in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

9. Always be ready to expand the picture of God’s Kingdom for others, don’t let these opportunities go by. Never pass up an opportunity to give away from yourself in serving someone. This is sowing your life and scripture teaches us this is where you find true life. Train yourself to look for opportunities, willfully seek them out, and give of your life. Look to sow, continually practice being generous with your life, this doesn’t necessarily mean giving money, although that’s part of it. It means giving of your time, energy, and other resources, which are all part of sowing your life. Sow your life into the building up of someone else’s life. 

In Conclusion

If you are not growing then you are dying. Evaluate yourself with these and be honest as to where you can improve to keep growing to fulfill all He wants of you. What areas do you need to challenge yourself in? Then challenge yourself. Tell yourself you want to paint for Him. “I want all of Christ and I want to be free to be the Person He knows and wants me to be!”

Importance of Renewal

Posted on | by Kim Carroll

The Importance of Renewal

(translations in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Romanian)

2 Cor 4:16

16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. NIV

2 Cor 4:16

yet our inner self is being [progressively] renewed day after day AMP

2 Cor 4:16

our inner man is made new day by day. BBE

2 Cor 4:16

where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. MES

2 Cor 4:16

Our inner being is renewed every single day.  TPT

Life is a gift everyday, living it is a choice.

We have this power everyday if we choose. 

It is such an amazing truth that every day we live here on earth, the Lord Jesus Christ is bringing us more and more into His image. Every day he is renewing us from the old and giving us new. As Christians, we truly need to see the importance of this truth. It is something we can have and enjoy every day. From the second we wake up, His power, and His Spirit are making things new. There is no old in this, just new. As good as yesterday may have been, there is more today in Him. Look at the various ways to understand this term renewed. 

Renewed: Simply–to make new again, which means–Today we have the image of Jesus being made new in us again. We are receiving a daily increase of light and life from God, so that we may grow more like Him. We are being continually fed with fresh waves of His grace.

For Jesus to renew us, there has to be something new each and every day being brought to us to be renewed. It has to be newer than what already exists. Without Him doing this we remain the same. We have no ability to do this on our own. Renewal, although invisible, is a very real process from the Spirit of Jesus changing us into His image. The inner man is being acted upon by an outside power, the supernatural power of God. He causes our image to become new and better or superior than the quality previously. The quality of newness you had yesterday has been made better today. Our inner being is continually being changed into a newer quality of His life which we did not have before, or it would not be new. 

So here are seven aspects which take place everyday Jesus is renewing us. 

  1. Renewal is the supernatural power of God, it indicates our inner man is being acted upon by an outside power, the supernatural power of God, It takes His power to mold and shape us into the right image and likeness.
  2. Renewal brings us closer, and every day we can experience fresh and anew the overwhelming power of God’s love
  3. Renewal always means there is more. His life can become better, we can keep growing, and learning, 
  4. Renewal aligns us, Keeps us in the right mind and heart. His renewing process is always centering us on Him and His life.
  5. Renewal always brings us into the “Now”, it gives us fresh faith for today. 
  6. Renewal protects us by revealing the old and giving us new, lifts us away from the old life which is corrupt, lifts us from the pressures of this world and all its darkness
  7. Renewal is how God continually reminds us He is right here with us, that we belong to Him and we can now be with Him everyday.

So let’s believe for and receive from Him with our faith to be made new again, today and every day we are here on this earth. 

Scriptural references: 2Cor.5:17, 4:16-18, Rom.12:2, Ps.51:10, Eph.4:22-24, Titus 3:5-7, Col.3:10-14

La importancia de la renovación

Español

2 Corintios 4:16

16 No desmayemos, pues. Aunque por fuera nos consumimos, por dentro nos renovamos de día en día. NVI

2 Corintios 4:16

pero nuestro interior se renueva [progresivamente] día tras día AMP

2 Cor 4:16

nuestro hombre interior se renueva de día en día. BBE

2 Cor 4:16

donde Dios está haciendo vida nueva, no pasa un día sin que su gracia se despliegue. MES

2 Cor 4:16

Nuestro interior se renueva cada día.  TPT

La vida es un regalo cada día, vivirla es una elección.

Tenemos este poder cada día si escogemos. 

Es una verdad tan asombrosa que cada día que vivimos aquí en la tierra, el Señor Jesucristo nos está trayendo más y más a su imagen. Cada día nos renueva de lo viejo y nos da lo nuevo. Como cristianos, realmente necesitamos ver la importancia de esta verdad. Es algo que podemos tener y disfrutar cada día. Desde el segundo que despertamos, Su poder, y Su Espíritu están haciendo las cosas nuevas. No hay viejo en esto, solo nuevo. Tan bueno como ayer pudo haber sido, hay más hoy en Él. Mira las varias maneras de entender este término renovado. 

Renovado: Simplemente–hacer nuevo otra vez, lo que significa–Hoy tenemos la imagen de Jesús siendo hecho nuevo en nosotros otra vez. Estamos recibiendo un incremento diario de luz y vida de Dios, para que podamos crecer más como El. Estamos siendo continuamente alimentados con olas frescas de Su gracia.

Para que Jesús nos renueve, tiene que haber algo nuevo cada día que se nos traiga para ser renovado. Tiene que ser más nuevo que lo que ya existe. Sin El haciendo esto nosotros permanecemos igual. No somos capaces de hacerlo por nosotros mismos. La renovación, aunque invisible, es un proceso muy real del Espíritu de Jesús cambiándonos a Su imagen. El hombre interior esta siendo actuado por un poder exterior, el poder sobrenatural de Dios. El hace que nuestra imagen se vuelva nueva y mejor o superior a la calidad que tenia antes. La calidad de novedad que tenias ayer se ha hecho mejor hoy. Nuestro ser interior esta continuamente siendo cambiado a una calidad mas nueva de Su vida la cual no teniamos antes, o no seria nueva. 

Así que aquí hay siete aspectos que tienen lugar cada día Jesús nos está renovando. 

Renovación es el poder sobrenatural de Dios, indica que nuestro hombre interior esta siendo actuado por un poder exterior, el poder sobrenatural de Dios, Toma Su poder para moldearnos y formarnos a la imagen y semejanza correcta.

La renovación nos acerca, y cada día podemos experimentar de nuevo el poder arrollador del amor de Dios.

La renovación siempre significa que hay más. Su vida puede mejorar, podemos seguir creciendo y aprendiendo, 

La renovación nos alinea, nos mantiene en la mente y el corazón correctos. Su proceso de renovación siempre nos centra en Él y en Su vida.

La renovación siempre nos trae al “Ahora”, nos da una fe fresca para hoy. 

La renovación nos protege revelando lo viejo y dándonos lo nuevo, nos aleja de la vieja vida que es corrupta, nos aleja de las presiones de este mundo y de toda su oscuridad.

La renovación es la forma en que Dios nos recuerda continuamente que Él está aquí con nosotros, que le pertenecemos y que ahora podemos estar con Él todos los días.

Así que creamos y recibamos de Él con nuestra fe para ser hechos nuevos otra vez, hoy y cada día que estemos aquí en esta tierra. 

Referencias Bíblicas: 2 Corintios 5:17, 4:16-18, Romanos 12:2, Salmo 51:10, Efesios 4:22-24, Tito 3:5-7, Colosenses 3:10-14.

A importância da renovação

Português

2 Cor 4:16

16 Portanto, não desanimemos. Embora exteriormente estejamos nos definhando, interiormente estamos sendo renovados dia a dia. NVI

2 Cor 4:16

contudo, o nosso interior está sendo [progressivamente] renovado dia após dia AMP

2 Cor 4:16

nosso homem interior se renova dia a dia. BBE

2 Cor 4:16

onde Deus está dando nova vida, não passa um dia sem que sua graça se desenvolva. MES

2 Cor 4:16

Nosso ser interior é renovado todos os dias.  TPT

A vida é uma dádiva todos os dias, mas vivê-la é uma escolha.

Temos esse poder todos os dias, se quisermos. 

É uma verdade incrível que, a cada dia que vivemos aqui na Terra, o Senhor Jesus Cristo está nos transformando cada vez mais em Sua imagem. Todos os dias, Ele nos renova do velho e nos dá o novo. Como cristãos, precisamos realmente ver a importância dessa verdade. É algo que podemos ter e desfrutar todos os dias. Desde o segundo em que acordamos, Seu poder e Seu Espírito estão fazendo coisas novas. Não há nada velho nisso, apenas novo. Por melhor que tenha sido o dia de ontem, há mais hoje Nele. Veja as várias maneiras de entender esse termo renovado. 

Renovado: Simplesmente – fazer novo novamente, o que significa – Hoje temos a imagem de Jesus sendo feita nova em nós novamente. Estamos recebendo um aumento diário de luz e vida de Deus, para que possamos nos tornar mais semelhantes a Ele. Estamos sendo continuamente alimentados com novas ondas de Sua graça.

Para que Jesus nos renove, é preciso que haja algo novo a cada dia que nos é trazido para sermos renovados. Tem de ser mais novo do que o que já existe. Sem que Ele faça isso, permanecemos os mesmos. Não temos capacidade de fazer isso por nós mesmos. A renovação, embora invisível, é um processo muito real do Espírito de Jesus que nos transforma à Sua imagem. O homem interior está sendo influenciado por um poder externo, o poder sobrenatural de Deus. Ele faz com que nossa imagem se torne nova e melhor ou superior à qualidade anterior. A qualidade de novidade que você tinha ontem se tornou melhor hoje. Nosso ser interior está sendo continuamente transformado em uma qualidade mais nova de Sua vida, que não tínhamos antes, ou não seria nova. 

Portanto, aqui estão sete aspectos que ocorrem todos os dias em que Jesus está nos renovando. 

A renovação é o poder sobrenatural de Deus, indica que nosso homem interior está sendo influenciado por um poder externo, o poder sobrenatural de Deus.

A renovação nos aproxima, e todos os dias podemos experimentar de novo o poder avassalador do amor de Deus

A renovação sempre significa que há mais. Sua vida pode se tornar melhor, podemos continuar crescendo e aprendendo, 

A renovação nos alinha, nos mantém na mente e no coração certos. Seu processo de renovação está sempre nos centralizando Nele e em Sua vida.

A renovação sempre nos traz para o “Agora”, nos dá uma nova fé para o dia de hoje. 

A renovação nos protege revelando o velho e nos dando o novo, nos livra da velha vida que é corrupta, nos livra das pressões deste mundo e de toda a sua escuridão

A renovação é a maneira pela qual Deus nos lembra continuamente que Ele está bem aqui conosco, que pertencemos a Ele e que agora podemos estar com Ele todos os dias.

Portanto, vamos acreditar e receber Dele com nossa fé para sermos renovados novamente, hoje e todos os dias em que estivermos aqui nesta Terra. 

Referências bíblicas: 2Cor.5:17, 4:16-18, Rom.12:2, Sal.51:10, Ef.4:22-24, Tito 3:5-7, Col.3:10-14

Importanța reînnoirii

română

2 Corinteni 4:16

16 De aceea nu ne pierdem inima. Deși în exterior ne pierdem, în interior ne înnoim zi de zi. NIV

2 Corinteni 4:16

dar interiorul nostru se înnoiește [progresiv] zi de zi AMP

2 Cor 4:16

omul nostru lăuntric este făcut nou zi de zi. BBE

2 Cor 4:16

acolo unde Dumnezeu face viața nouă, nu trece o zi fără ca harul Său să se desfășoare. MES

2 Cor 4:16

Ființa noastră interioară este reînnoită în fiecare zi.  TPT

Viața este un dar în fiecare zi, trăirea ei este o alegere.

Avem această putere în fiecare zi dacă alegem. 

Este un adevăr atât de uimitor că, în fiecare zi pe care o trăim aici pe pământ, Domnul Isus Hristos ne aduce tot mai mult după chipul Său. În fiecare zi, El ne reînnoiește din cele vechi și ne dăruiește altele noi. Ca și creștini, trebuie să vedem cu adevărat importanța acestui adevăr. Este ceva ce putem avea și de care ne putem bucura în fiecare zi. Din clipa în care ne trezim, puterea Lui și Duhul Său fac lucrurile noi. Nu există vechi în acest sens, ci doar nou. Oricât de bun ar fi fost ziua de ieri, astăzi există mai mult în El. Priviți diferitele moduri de a înțelege acest termen reînnoit. 

Înnoit: Pur și simplu… a face din nou nou, ceea ce înseamnă… Astăzi avem din nou imaginea lui Isus fiind făcut nou în noi. Primim o creștere zilnică de lumină și de viață de la Dumnezeu, pentru ca noi să devenim tot mai asemănători cu El. Suntem hrăniți continuu cu valuri proaspete ale harului Său.

Pentru ca Isus să ne reînnoiască, trebuie ca în fiecare zi să ni se aducă ceva nou pentru a fi reînnoiți. Trebuie să fie ceva mai nou decât ceea ce există deja. Fără ca El să facă acest lucru, noi rămânem la fel. Nu avem capacitatea de a face acest lucru pe cont propriu. Reînnoirea, deși invizibilă, este un proces foarte real din partea Duhului lui Isus care ne schimbă după chipul Său. Omul interior este acționat de o putere exterioară, puterea supranaturală a lui Dumnezeu. El face ca imaginea noastră să devină nouă și mai bună sau superioară calității de dinainte. Calitatea de noutate pe care o aveai ieri a devenit mai bună astăzi. Ființa noastră interioară este schimbată continuu într-o calitate mai nouă a vieții Sale, pe care nu o aveam înainte, altfel nu ar fi nouă. 

Iată așadar șapte aspecte care au loc în fiecare zi în care Isus ne înnoiește. 

Reînnoirea este puterea supranaturală a lui Dumnezeu, ea indică faptul că omul nostru interior este acționat de o putere exterioară, puterea supranaturală a lui Dumnezeu, Este nevoie de puterea Lui pentru a ne modela și a ne modela după chipul și asemănarea potrivită.

Reînnoirea ne apropie și în fiecare zi putem experimenta din nou și din nou puterea copleșitoare a dragostei lui Dumnezeu

Reînnoirea înseamnă întotdeauna că există mai mult. Viața Lui poate deveni mai bună, noi putem continua să creștem și să învățăm, 

Reînnoirea ne aliniază, Ne menține în mintea și inima potrivită. Procesul Său de reînnoire ne centrează mereu pe El și pe viața Sa.

Reînnoirea ne aduce întotdeauna în “Acum”, ne dă o credință proaspătă pentru astăzi. 

Reînnoirea ne protejează prin dezvăluirea celor vechi și oferirea celor noi, ne îndepărtează de viața veche care este coruptă, ne ridică de presiunile acestei lumi și de tot întunericul ei

Reînnoirea este modul în care Dumnezeu ne amintește continuu că este aici cu noi, că Îi aparținem și că acum putem fi cu El în fiecare zi.

Așa că haideți să credem pentru și să primim de la El cu credința noastră pentru a fi făcuți noi din nou, astăzi și în fiecare zi în care suntem aici pe acest pământ. 

Referințe din Scriptură: 2Cor.5:17, 4:16-18, Rom.12:2, Ps.51:10, Efes.4:22-24, Tit 3:5-7, Col.3:10-14

Groundhog Day

Posted on | by Kim Carroll

Moving On With Life

“Do not remember the former things, Nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it?….Is.43:18‭-‬19 NKJV

19 I am going to do something new. It is already happening. Don’t you recognize it? I will clear a way in the desert. I will make rivers on dry land. GW Isa 43:19

From these scriptures God was explaining, through Isaiah, all the things He had done in the past for them. Miraculous and amazing things which they witnessed. However, His point in mentioning the past was not to get them looking at the past but to understand He was the same God today, right now, as he was back when He did those awesome works on their behalf.

 If you have been a Christian for any length of time you could do the same, you can look back at all you know God did on your behalf. You might even use the statement “remember when”. But even like we read in Isaiah, God was trying to get His people, you and I, to see what He is doing now, not back then. As good as yesterday with Jesus was, there is the good He is and will be today because He is the same. 

There is an event in February called Groundhog day. It is a superstition started back as far as 1600  when the groundhog comes out from hibernation and if he sees his shadow it means six more weeks of winter. It has also become a phrase used in situations in which a series of unwelcome, tedious events seem to stay the same as they are repeated over and over, recurring in exactly the same way. 

There was even a movie done many years ago entitled Groundhog Day. It’s about a person who gets caught repeating the same day over and over. He wakes up to the same scene day after day and tries to convince others of what is happening, but no one believes him. So he starts to adopt an “I don’t care anymore” attitude. He thinks since he repeats each day the same, what does it matter? He’s stuck. So he does as he pleases. However he slowly starts getting conscious as to who he really is inside and starts to make himself a better person. Each day he learns new things to improve himself. Now, of course like most movies he is doing it to win over a girl. So each day he sees his wrong motives and eventually does get his motives right.

Well as a pastor for many years I believe there is a Christian version of Groundhog Day. Where many Christians get stuck in the same cycle of being a good Christian, doing the right things over and over again and eventually losing track of where they are in their walk with Jesus. They are doing these Christian things and do not see the person they have become inside. Their version of Christianity becomes rote, tradition, nothing different, nothing new. They don’t really feel the life or passion in what they do, they just do it. Now I am not saying they are bad people, they are still good people, its just they are not experiencing Jesus Christ the way they did when they first met Him. 

Think with me for a bit, if we truly look at Jesus, the author of Life, Resurrected Lord of all, we have to ask ,”how can this be so”? How can life be the same over and over again with the Lord of all creation? Yet if many were truly honest about their routine, they could say  it was the same as always, and could do it blindfolded. They get so used to it they really have no other thoughts. They just do, and that’s it, that’s all there is to it. They remain good Christians, and nothing wrong with that. They go to church, again, nothing wrong with that. But it is almost as if they are doing it robotically or asleep, yet awake. Nothing new, nothing different. 

So here is the question, how new is Jesus today, right now to you? Is He the same ”old” Lord? I mean scripture does state “He is the same yesterday, today and forever”. Or, is He new and alive today just like He was yesterday. The difference is just like the Lord was saying through Isaiah, His newness is springing up right now, can’t you see it? Sadly though, many do not look because they have allowed the same things over and over to speak to them and have gotten comfortable with the routine, and this is life. They experience it again and again and slowly fall into a habit or pattern of Groundhog day. 

Every day, every single day you wake up with Jesus you have the ability for new life to come forth bringing you new things,  that is if you are looking for them. We need to take the time to check our lives and evaluate how fresh and new Jesus is to us today. It could be you are in need of His life flooding your life today. His new life is happening right now.

2 Cor 4:16

16 So we do not give up. Our physical body is becoming older and weaker, but our spirit inside us is made new every day. NCV

16 So we’re not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. MES

So no wonder we don’t give up. For even though our outer person gradually wears out, our inner being is renewed every single day. TPT

Therefore we do not become discouraged (utterly spiritless, exhausted, and wearied out through fear). Though our outer man is [progressively] decaying and wasting away, yet our inner self is being [progressively] renewed day after day. AMPC

Remember the day His salvation came into your life, you knew Him and how alive you were in Him and how real His presence in your life was. He is still that same amazing life giving God today.  Ask yourself how exciting is my life with Jesus? You want to say I’m okay, but make sure this is not from your state of comfortableness, being used to nothing changing, everything the same as yesterday. 

Well I believe there is a life with Jesus inside every Christian wanting and even trying to burst forth with new things, a new spiritual revelation, changing their environment to something full of what He says is abundant life every morning they wake up. We need to realize as Christ centered beings what that really entails. We can live a life that is truly alive with Christ. Every day we can be touching the living Lord of all creation. If it’s new, then it has the ability to produce life.  If it’s not new, then it is what you had yesterday and as good as that may have been it does not produce new life today.  Jesus wants you to experience the new life He has for you today. Today He is still saving you. 

Again, every day we have the ability to reach out and enjoy the fullness of being saved with Jesus. On a daily basis all of His life, joy, strength, and blessings are available. Daily we can experience new growth in our relationship with him, in our faith, and in our revelation from His Words. The  possibilities are unlimited. We just have to agree to not get caught in the grind of life but instead be renewed in the freshness of His life. Every day we are seeking out the amazing treasure of life found only in Him afresh and anew this day. He is the Extraordinary, Exceptional, and Enjoyable God.

Now Is “Timeless”

Posted on | by Kim Carroll

“Now” faith is the assurance (title deed, confirmation) of things hoped for (divinely guaranteed), and the evidence of things not seen [the conviction of their reality–faith comprehends as fact what cannot be experienced by the physical senses]. Heb 11:1 AMP

“Now” faith brings our hopes into reality and becomes the foundation needed to acquire the things we long for. It is all the evidence required to prove what is still unseen. Hebrews 11:1 TPT

“Now” faith is the certainty of things hoped for, a proof of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1 NASB2020

Just like the Word of God, (Heb.4:12) time is also like a two edged sword. One side cautions us about using our time wisely and responsibly, while the other side encourages us to seize the moment. Too often we take such cautions we never seize the moment. 

Of course we need to understand there is only one entrance point to time. This entrance would be now, right now. So here is a statement to muse on, “You only have now” and “You always have now”. Is there anything wrong with being responsible? Absolutely not. We should use our time to be productive. However, we should not let this be our safe zone for not seizing the moment. 

Right now, at this very instant, we can seize the moment to use all of the gifts, blessings and power that Jesus secured for us. When? Right now! Now, will always be our starting point. Right now, all of what Jesus’ death and resurrection has given us is available. All of His presence, power, and promises can be accessed right now.  

It doesn’t matter how old you are or how young you are. It doesn’t matter how long you have been a Christian, whether you are new at walking with God or you’ve been doing it for years because now, right now is always your starting point. So even if you’re unsure of your next steps then take small ones, baby steps, or maybe it’s time to take a big step, even jump toward where you believe God is leading you. 

No matter where you are, as a Christian in life’s journey, taking a step with Jesus is always going to be now, right now, you need to take the step. What is it you are hoping for or desire to see happen in your life? Now is your starting point to exercise your faith. Right now start praying, believing, and speaking what you want to see God do for you. If things need to change then make the decision to do something now to change it. 

Don’t wait but seize the moment right now to start. When can you pray, when can you be blessed, when can you forgive, when can you hear and talk to God, when does God heal, when can a person get saved, when does a person have abundant life, the answer is always “NOW”. 

Remember, “Now” is your only entrance point to time. Do you want something new and exciting? Do you want to break up the status quo? Don’t let the past dictate your time right now, yesterday is gone, and don’t be so caught up with what may or may not happen tomorrow that you do not take fresh steps today. So answer the question of when, with NOW!! Right NOW. NOW is the entry point to all God has for you.

Expectations

Posted on | by Kim Carroll

What Do You Expect

Has someone ever said to you “well what did you expect”, or “what did you think was going to happen”? Usually these statements are heard when something negative occured. There are probably countless times throughout your life you have heard these spoken by someone observing what happened either to you or to someone else. You may have even told someone this yourself.  

A decision was made to go forward with something questionable which turned out wrong or bad, and then you say to yourself, “I knew that would happen”, “what did I expect”. Obviously you were expecting something completely different. Truthfully you were questioning moving forward and you were already thinking a negative outcome could happen, but hoping it wouldn’t. You honestly had a lower expectation of results. 

Even now thinking back on raising my children I wonder how many times I said, “What did you expect”?. It’s funny to think of how many things if done a certain way, the right way, you know what to expect. Then there are those times you take an easier way, a short cut, and it doesn’t work, and inwardly you didn’t expect it to but you were hoping. 

The actual definition of the word “expect” means you are considering the outcome  with certainty behind it. You may even be anticipating or looking forward to the occurrences that are about to happen because you expect what will happen. 

Now let me ask this, what do you expect from God? Do you expect Him to be faithful ? Do you expect Him to do what He says or are you just inwardly hoping?  Yet, how many times throughout the Bible and through our lives have we seen God do exactly what He said He would? As a Pastor when people have asked for prayer, we pray and it happens according to our prayers and people seem surprised. The reason for this is they honestly were not expecting any result from the prayer offered.

I mean think with me here, “What Do We Expect”?. Did we get what we expected? You are wanting God to do various things and you were truly hoping, but it didn’t happen, you were sort of expecting it wouldn’t. You had wrong expectations of the Lord. You were not expecting the Lord to do what He said He would. Look at the following story from scripture.

Matt 8:5-13

5 When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help. 6 “Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed and in terrible suffering.” 7 Jesus said to him, “I will go and heal him.” 8 The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 10 When Jesus heard this, he was astonished and said to those following him, “I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith..” …….13 Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go! It will be done just as you believed it would.” And his servant was healed at that very hour. NIV

I am sure you have heard sermons on this story. It reveals the power of His Word, what the centurion believed about Jesus. However, what I want to point out here is where the centurion put his expectations. He expected when Jesus spoke the word of healing it would work. Jesus even states “it will be done just as you believed it would”. Jesus agreed with what the centurion was expecting. The soldier didn’t demand Jesus heal his servant but instead revealed what he expected would happen and how it would happen, and it did.

We just went through the year 2020 where not a whole lot happened on the entire earth. It was called a pandemic, where no one was allowed to do anything. Even the church was declared non essential, only essential commerce was allowed to stay open.  (Just a side note, amazing how  liquor stores were seen as essential) So much happened or really didn’t happen and pretty much everyone knew what to expect. This chipped away at our expectations, getting us to lower them.  

Then things slowly began to lift, you ventured out to the store wearing your mask and making sure you didn’t come too close to anyone and not touching anything including doors unless absolutely necessary. Whenever you made your way out, you took your hand sanitizer and made sure to kill any germ that came came near you. As more and more restrictions were lifted, enabling us to do more and engage in more things outside of being locked in our homes, we learned to expect a little more. Then things opened up,  no more face masks! We are even spending time in gatherings, and dare I say shaking hands instead of touching elbows or fist bumps and yes even hugging people!

In painting this picture I am trying to get you to see how our expectations work. So I want to come back to the question, what are you expecting from God? Did your expectations go down or up? What do you think He will do? 

Here is an amazing fact, God did not change one bit through 2020. We need to be willing to evaluate our expectations of Him and make sure our expectations were not lowered. We need to expect the same and more every year no matter what happens. In fact let’s look at where we can raise our expectations of Him for this year. 

What does scripture teach us? Read the following scripture and the various words used in the different translations as they describe how we should view Him.

Eph 3:20

20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us NIV

20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, NKJV

20 Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams] —AMP

20 Now glory be to God, who by his mighty power at work within us is able to do far more than we would ever dare to ask or even dream of-infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, or hopes. TLB

20 Never doubt God’s mighty power to work in you and accomplish all this. He will achieve infinitely more than your greatest request, your most unbelievable dream, and exceed your wildest imagination![a] He will outdo them all, for his miraculous power constantly energizes you. TPT

Now let’s take a look at God. 

We know God expects us to believe Him and I mean believe what He says. As I stated before we know He is faithful. We know He is always honest and only speaks the absolute truth. He is always willing to forgive. He is always loving you, and brings you life and life abundantly. We know He is always bringing light so that we may see the truth. We know He is able to save anyone, anywhere, anytime. He is the one who strengthens us and He gives us rest. He stands with us, beside us, protects our back, and lives inside of us. We know He causes our growth. He is our vindicator. He is our righteousness. He gives the increase. We know He wants to be with us always, and He is a good, good  Father to us. He is always for us, never ever against us.

This list could go on and on and I do not know if you could come to an actual end with the list. We know the truth about who He is. So here is the question again, What Do You Expect From Him? He who did not spare His own Son but joyfully, willingly gave Him up for us so that we can expect Him to be everything He said He would be for us. 

Rom 8:32

32 For God has proved his love by giving us his greatest treasure, the gift of his Son. And since God freely offered him up as the sacrifice for us all,[a] he certainly won’t withhold from us anything else he has to give.

32 Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? NLT

32 He who did not withhold or spare [even] His own Son but gave Him up for us all, will He not also with Him freely and graciously give us all [other] things? AMP

32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? NKJV

32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all — how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? NIV

What Do You Expect From Him!!!

Matt 7:9-12

9 “Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! NIV

how much more will your Father Who is in heaven [perfect as He is] give good and advantageous things to those who keep on asking Him! AMP

won’t your Father in heaven even more certainly give good gifts to those who ask him for them? TLB

how much more ready is your heavenly Father to give wonderful gifts[b] to those who ask him?” TPT

What Do You Expect From Him!!!

Galatians 6:7‭-‬10

Make no mistake about it, God will never be mocked! For what you plant will always be the very thing you harvest. The harvest you reap reveals the seed that was planted. If you plant the corrupt seeds of self-life into this natural realm, you can expect to experience a harvest of corruption. If you plant the good seeds of Spirit-life you will reap the beautiful fruits that grow from the everlasting life of the Spirit. And don’t allow yourselves to be weary or disheartened in planting good seeds, for the season of reaping the wonderful harvest you’ve planted is coming! Take advantage of every opportunity to be a blessing to others, especially to our brothers and sisters in the family of faith! TPT

Let’s look at our expectations and properly evaluate them and if they need raising then let’s raise them. It doesn’t matter where you are with the Lord right now,  I believe there is always room to raise your expectations of what Jesus Christ can and will do for you today, right now. Do you expect to reap the right fruit if you sow the right seeds of a Spiritual life? Let us go out and raise our expectations and plant the seeds of His Spirit expecting to see the spiritual fruit He promises.

Hearing & Obeying

Posted on | by tomahawk

Jeremiah 13

13 This is what the Lord said to me: “Go and buy a linen belt and put it around your waist, but do not let it touch water.” 2 So I bought a belt, as the Lord directed, and put it around my waist.

3 Then the word of the Lord came to me a second time: 4 “Take the belt you bought and are wearing around your waist, and go now to Perath[a] and hide it there in a crevice in the rocks.” 5 So I went and hid it at Perath, as the Lord told me.

6 Many days later the Lord said to me, “Go now to Perath and get the belt I told you to hide there.” 7 So I went to Perath and dug up the belt and took it from the place where I had hidden it, but now it was ruined and completely useless.

8 Then the word of the Lord came to me: 9 “This is what the Lord says: ‘In the same way I will ruin the pride of Judah and the great pride of Jerusalem. 10 These wicked people, who refuse to listen to my words, who follow the stubbornness of their hearts and go after other gods to serve and worship them, will be like this belt—completely useless! 11 For as a belt is bound around the waist, so I bound all the people of Israel and all the people of Judah to me,’ declares the Lord, ‘to be my people for my renown and praise and honor. But they have not listened.’

“A call to listen intently on the Lord“

The Lord will speak to you in any situation if we can listen. Just as Jeremiah had a dynamic relationship with the Lord, God desires the same with us. What would be the outcome to Jeremiah if he ended just with the waistband? 

Ask yourself this, God tells you to go out and buy a car. It is not a question of finances or payment because you have enough faith to do what the Lord asked of you. It is not just any car but the finest car you can think of. Spotless all that the specs offer, everything that the dealer would throw at you, you take. God tells you, don’t wash this car because it has the finest polish on it and it just shines. So you go and get the car and you are driving around town. A week passes and then God tells you to go downtown to the worst part of town. Get out of the car, open the doors and walk away. At what point would you start to question what the Lord told you to do. If Jeremiah stopped at the wearing of the waistband he would have been just a guilty as Judah and Jerusalem, not only that but he would have declared the waistband more important than God. God gives us the Call to Listen to Him. What are the things in our lives that keep God’s word from coming in and what are we doing to overcome these things before they consume us?

We are the waistband of the Lord.

God desires that we adhere to Him just as a waistband adheres to the waist of a man. We are for the Lord. We are His praise, His Glory and His renown. Everything that we do should be a call to the weight and power of who God is. The waistband during this time was a symbol of wealth and prestige, it showed class and status. Jesus says “You are the light of the world, a city on a hill.” Jesus is the status and the class that is to be shown. It is important to remember that the most important part of evangelism is our relationship with the Lord. If we speak of repentance and salvation and don’t have the relationship with God, we are going to show whoever it is we speak to that it is ok to not listen to the Lord and thus become worthless to the call.

Stubbornness Kills the called.

What Jeremiah received in revelation was a wake up call to God’s chosen, You are to be a waistband for me but you did not listen and thus became worthless. And now I am going to release you to the very things that blinded you. You will walk thinking that you are in light but in darkness.

2 Timothy 4:3-4

But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.

They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over weak-willed women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, always learning but never able to acknowledge the truth. Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these men oppose the truth—men of depraved minds, who, as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected. But they will not get very far because, as in the case of those men, their folly will be clear to everyone.

Paul’s Charge to Timothy

You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

So what is the call for us men today? It doesn’t change. We are to stand our ground and listen to the Lord no matter what the situation is. It may be a difficult request from God and it might not be, but the reward and the relationship that follows is the Kingdom of God.