Mood:  amorous

I have always made it a practice to set specific, measurable goals for the future. The things we want to accomplish certainly will not happen by accident. Instead, we should be diligent planners as we seek the Lord's guidance on what He wants us to achieve. And as He reveals these godly goals to us, we must continually test them to guarantee that they are truly of Him, and not simply our own earthly ambitions.

Whenever a new goal comes to my mind, the first thing I asks is, Will I be a better person for setting and accomplishing this goal? It is extremely important to think of the long - term consequences! Too often, we want something because it will make us happy in the short term. Believers need to think months and years down the road. Doing so will allow us to see whether our goals will contribute to the overall growth God desires in us.

Consider your personal goals. What is the motivation? Is it money, power, or prestige? There's nothing inherently wrong with these things. They, too, can be used for God's glory. But will money make you a better person? No. Will influence or notoriety? No. These may be indirect consequences of achieving godly goals, but they are not the goals themselves.

Remember, the Lord is much more interested in your long - term development than in your short - term comfort. If your goals don't increase your spiritual maturity, then you must question whether or not they are truly of God. And if they are not, then be wise, and ask Him for the strength to let them go.

Posted by Prophecies Of Revelation at 1:39 PM CST

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Mood:  happy

Some people believe goal setting undercuts trust in God. Many others refuse to be goal - oriented because they are lazy or fear failure. To be successful in the Christian life, we must accept that we will occasionally fail. Then, we must decide to get to work anyway. The alternative is to let fear or laziness dictate our actions. That would lead to one of three results: waste, drifting, or mediocrity.

It is extremely important to plan wisely, and then, to follow through on whatever steps that preparation calls for. For instance, we have to build time into our schedule for ourselves and our families. Otherwise, our day can easily be gobbled up by work and wasted time.

Refusing to set goals means we'll be acting without purpose. We will have spent time, money, and energy, and lack productivity. What will be, will be is unscriptural thinking that causes a believer to "drift."  We have the privilege of planning our life according to God's guidance.

Throughout the Bible, the Lord directs His servants in setting goals, and then He provides the strength to achieve them. A life lacking goals is mediocre at best. Without ambitions to work toward, we have no opportunity for success. And if we never experience the thrill of achieving a long sought - after goal, we will be very disappointed with our life.

No one wants a mediocre existence of waste and apathy. A believer should never settle for less than GOD's BEST. The indwelling Holy Spirit offers each of us the great potential to be a godly goal setter.

Posted by Prophecies Of Revelation at 10:36 AM CST

Updated: Saturday, 27 January 2007 10:42 AM CST

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Mood:  hug me

Verse after verse of Scripture encourages believers to trust God for their needs. Some people, including church leaders, think those passages indicate believers should not set their own goals. To them, setting goals indicates a lack of confidence in our heavenly Father. But, this interpretation fails to acknowledge trust as an important discipline and turns it into apathy.

Goal setting helps us determine where to focus our energy to accomplish the work the Lord has for us to do (Ephesians 2:10). It is also scriptural. In Genesis 6, we learn Noah built an ark with God's instruction. In chapter 24 of Genesis, Abraham sent a servant out to find a wife for his son Isaac. And in Genesis 41, Joseph stockpiled food to supply Egypt through a famine. In Philippians 3:10 - 14, the apostle Paul sought deeper knowledge of Jesus Christ.

As any of these wise men could confirm, reaching for a goal increases faith. Stretch a rubber band wide, and - when allowed to relax - it will be slightly larger. Faith works the same way. When we decide to do something that requires more resources than we have, we must depend upon God to do the work through us. And if we rely on Him for the wisdom to set right goals, then we can trust Him to enable us to achieve them.

Setting goals is the most basic step toward achieving anything worthwhile. If we are to succeed, we must be purposeful in deciding how to live. Any wise man or woman knows the only way to be sure of a goal's value is to rely on the Lord's guidance in setting it.

Posted by Prophecies Of Revelation at 8:14 AM CST

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Mood:  amorous

The Scriptures contain many examples of men and women who had misplaced priorities. Often, they are otherwise godly people who had a momentary lapse in judgment. This should serve as a warning for every believer to consider the importance of holding onto wrong thoughts and desires.

For good purposes or bad, we set priorities in one of three ways: 1) by evaluating which things ought to carry the most importance; 2) by giving in to pressure and letting people or circumstances dictate how we should prioritize; or 3) by drifting into habits and modes of thinking that become a way of life.

Drifting should be avoided by wise believers because it can lead to a life that feels meaningless. Priorities should be in place before we face challenging circumstances and people. That way, we can be firm in our commitment. The only practical choice, then, is to prioritize on purpose. We do that by setting a goal to live according to God's purpose and plan. The priorities we choose are determined by what we value.

But sometimes, "putting first things first" can be frustrating since there are so many things to distract us. If we have a right relationship, with God is our highest priority, then those actions and thoughts that strengthen our connection with Him will be the most important. We need to be disciplined in following our goals because living purposefully is seldom easy. The good news is that God knows our heart, and He will honor our sincere attempts to put Him first.

Posted by Prophecies Of Revelation at 8:35 AM CST

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Mood:  amorous

The Lord's parable of the foolish, wealthy man is a study in misplaced priorities. Believers today can learn from three mistakes he made: 1) he provided for himself, not for others; 2) he provided for his body, not for his spirit; and 3) he provided for this life, not for the life to come. There is always a penalty for misplaced priorities. This foolish man passed away with no opportunity to enjoy his goods. Even worse, he died with a bankrupt soul.

Serving the Lord and His kingdom is the key to setting proper goals. When believers make service for God a priority, they'll use a lens of righteousness to order their priorities. The question we should be asking is not "What shall I do?" but rather "Lord, what would You have me do?" The answer should be prayerfully sought and biblically evaluated. It dictates which things we must put first in order to achieve God's purpose for our life.

Life is not something that simply happens to people. Where we are today is largely determined by the way we prioritize our concerns in previous months and years. This means we can positively impact our future by organizing our priorities according to biblical guidelines. Then, unlike the rich, foolish man in Jesus' parable, we will learn the eternal value of providing for others so our own soul is fed. More than that, we will obey Jesus' command from Matthew 6:20, "Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal."

Posted by Prophecies Of Revelation at 10:51 AM CST

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Mood:  amorous

The Lord has only good plans in store for your life. (Jeremiah 29:11) You may go through difficult times, but God promises to use every trial to build "good" into your life. (Romans 8:28) When Satan tells you to worry, God has the opposite in mind. He wants you to trust Him and to experience His peace on a daily basis. How do we gain and retain the true peace of God?

*  Recognize your dependence is on God. The heart that finds its identity in Jesus Christ is a heart of peace. The person who rushes here and there to solve his own problems quickly can become a person of strife and worry. Take responsibility for your actions, but let God have the reins to your life.

* Pray. The enemy cannot defeat you when you are on your spiritual knees before God in prayer. This is the true pathway to unshakable peace.

* Trust God. When thoughts of fear invade your mind, tell the Lord what you are feeling and claim His presence as your protection and shelter. David prayed, "Strengthen my arms so I can bend a bow of bronze." In other words, "Strengthen my faith, Lord, so I won't doubt your goodness."

*  Focus only on God. Don't cling to negative thoughts. Set the focus of your heart on God and His possibilities. When God views your life, He sees only potential. You can live life to the fullest because Christ is alive in you and all things are under His feet.

Posted by Prophecies Of Revelation at 10:19 AM CST

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Mood:  on fire

The Gospel writers carefully recorded the events during and after Jesus' life on earth. Because of their efforts, we know God's plans for His disciples. On the day Jesus called Peter, Andrew, James, and John into ministry, they did not know any of this. Still, these men went on to preach the Good News that offers redemption to the world.

These four disciples, along with other faithful followers, would be the foundation of Christ's church. Peter, in particular, would be a leader among leaders. But as the four men repaired nets and discussed the day's catch with their coworkers, they knew none of this.

Jesus' words were simple: "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." All Peter, Andrew, James, and John knew was that He was asking them to leave their jobs, alter their relationships with loved ones, and adjust their religious beliefs to follow a radical preacher claiming to be God's Son. (Matthew 4:18 -19; 16:16 -17) And they did.

Jesus did not give His disciples many details in their first meeting. Nor does God typically offer an explanation when He wants us to make changes in our lives. Only later do we see the effects of our obedience.

The Bible says the Lord has an awesome purpose for every believer. Any adjustment He calls for is intended to guarantee the fulfillment of His plans for us. (Jeremiah 29:11) Those of us who adjust thoughts, words, and deeds - according to God's guidance - remain in the center of His will. Our reward for accepting the Lord's challenge to change and grow is an awesome opportunity to serve and to be blessed with His best.

Posted by Prophecies Of Revelation at 3:25 PM CST

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Mood:  celebratory

"Ask and you will be given what you ask for. Seek, and you will find. Knock and the door will be opened. For everyone who asks, receives. Anyone who seeks, finds. If only you will knock, the door will be open" (Matthew 7:7,8).

We were conducting a Bible study on the subject of prayer when Amy, a professing Christian most of her life, said, "God never answers my prayers. In fact, I cannot recall a single prayer of mine that God has answered specifically."
Several others in the group chimed in and said, "Neither can I." So we turned to this passage and discussed it together. Would God lie to us? Is His Word trustworthy? Or is prayer an exercise in futility? Are we simply talking to ourselves and each other, or is there a God who hears and answers? If so, why have these not had their prayers answered?

First of all, we had to review the qualifications for prayer. Jesus said, "If you abide in Me and My Word abides in you, ask what you will and it shall be done unto you." The Scripture also says, "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me." So if we expect to have our prayers answered, Jesus Christ must be the Lord of our lives. There must be no unconfessed sin in our lives and we must be filled with the Holy Spirit.

Further, 1 John 5:14,15 reminds us: "If we ask anything according to God's will, He hears us and answers," so we must be sure that we are praying according to the Word of God. As we pray, the Spirit of God impresses upon us certain things for which to pray specifically, such as the salvation of a friend, the healing of a body or a financial need. If the prayer is offered with a pure motive and according to God's will, we can expect an answer to it.

And we cannot pray casually. We must enter into an expectant spirit of prayer, knowing that, when we meet His conditions, God will hear and answer us. Within a matter of weeks everyone in that Bible study, especially Amy, was inspired by the exciting challenge of prayer. God had truly heard, and again and again, they were able to point to specific answers.

 I shall review my spiritual walk to be sure I am meeting God's conditions: (1) Christ is Lord of my life. (2) I am filled with the Holy Spirit. (3) There is no unconfessed sin in my life. (4) I am praying according to God's Word. And (5) I am praying specifically. As a result, I expect my prayers to be answered because God promises they will be.

Posted by Prophecies Of Revelation at 8:45 AM CST

Updated: Saturday, 20 January 2007 8:58 AM CST

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Mood:  a-ok

"For we have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin" (Hebrews 4:15, KJV).

"In your opinion, who is the greatest person who ever lived, and who has done more good for mankind than anyone else who ever lived?" I asked a student who was both an atheist and a card - carrying Communist.

There was an awkward silence. Then finally came this reluctant reply, "I guess I would have to say Jesus of Nazareth."

How could an atheist and a Communist, who had been reared in another religion, give such an answer?

Jesus has done more good for mankind than anyone else who has ever lived. He is the greatest person of the centuries, because it is a fact. Compare Jesus, even as a man, with any other person - Muhammad, Buddha, Confucius, Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, anyone else in any country at any time in history - and it would be like comparing a giant with a midget.

Though he lived 2,000 years ago and changed the course of history, though He was the greatest leader, the greatest teacher, the greatest example the world has ever known, He is infinitely more than these. He is God.

The omnipotent Creator God visited this little planet earth and became a man, the God - man, Jesus of Nazareth. He was perfect God and perfect man, and as perfect man He understands our weaknesses, since He had the same temptations we do - though He never once gave way to them and sinned.

Do you believe that Jesus ever had the temptation to lie, to lust, to steal or to be immoral? Make a list of your temptations, all your weaknesses, all your failures, and then, as suggested in the verse following our reference, "Let us come boldly to the very throne of God and stay there to receive His mercy and to find grace to help us in our times of need" (Hebrews 4:16).

Since Jesus is my high priest and knows everything about me, having been tempted as I am and yet without sin, I will come boldly into His presence today and every day. I will come to receive His mercy and grace to live a supernatural life, which will enable me to live victoriously and to be fruitful for the glory and praise of His matchless name.

Posted by Prophecies Of Revelation at 7:45 AM CST

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Mood:  amorous

Everyone faces temptation. Even the Son of God was tempted by Satan to turn away from God. But Jesus saw through the enemy's schemes and remained firm in His love and devotion to the Father. (Luke 4:1 - 13)

One of the reasons Jesus came was to personally identify with our needs and struggles. He understands how you feel under the weight of temptation. He has faced the tempter and overcome the darkness and adversity associated with Satan's fiery trials.

When you face temptation, know that you do not face it alone. Jesus is with you, and He provides the strength you need to say no to every dark thought or evil imagination.

In times of temptation, when the enemy whispers lies to defeat and discourage, take your stand against him by clothing yourself in the mighty armor of God. (Ephesians 6) Also know that you can never disappoint God. He knows exactly what you are doing even before you do it, and He loves you still.

Temptation is not a sin. Sin is the result of our acting on the temptation. God provides the strength we need to steer clear of temptation. You can say no to all evil because Jesus lives in you, and He has given you the Holy Spirit to lead you into all truth and knowledge. Therefore, take your stand as a child of God and claim His strength and victory!

Posted by Prophecies Of Revelation at 9:32 AM CST

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Mood:  amorous

"If a child asks his father for a loaf of bread, will he be given a stone instead? If he asks for fish, will he be given a poisonous snake? Of course not! And if you hardhearted, sinful men know how to give good gifts to your children, won't your Father in heaven even more certainly give good gifts to those who ask Him for them?" (Matthew 7:9).

Roger interrupted our Bible study on this passage of Scripture to say, "I guess I have trouble believing God is a good God because my earthly father was a tyrant. He hated me, and I hated him. I do not recall a single experience in my life where he encouraged me. I want to believe that God is good, but I have difficulty. Please help me."

Unfortunately, there are multitudes of men and women who are relatively new Christians and who have come from similar backgrounds where there was no love, no compassion, no concern, and their view of God is therefore distorted. They somehow equate the loving, forgiving God with their own tyrannical fathers. When such is the case, only the Holy Spirit can heal these deep wounds and remove these scars. So, I assigned Roger a special project. I asked him to make a list of all the attributes and qualities of God recorded from Genesis to Revelation. The project lasted several months, but in the process a transformation took place in Roger's life.

Are you having difficulty trusting God because of an unfortunate early relationship with your father or mother? If so, I encourage you to do what Roger did. Saturate your mind with the attributes of God - His love, sovereignty, wisdom, grace, compassion, power and holiness. As you do, the Holy Spirit will use the Word of God to cleanse your mind of all the memories that weigh you down, and you will be able to say with Roger, "I can trust God for anything, because I know He is a loving God who cares for me."

Posted by Prophecies Of Revelation at 9:06 AM CST

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Mood:  celebratory

"All who listen to My instructions and follow them are wise, like a man who builds his house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents, and the floods rise and the storm winds beat against his house, it won't collapse, for it is built on rock. But those who hear My instructions and ignore them are foolish, like a man who builds his house on sand. For when the rains and floods come, and storm winds beat against his house, it will fall with a mighty crash"  (Matthew 7:24 - 27).

What a wonderful promise for supernatural living to know that no matter what happens - the greatest tragedies, adversities or losses - your house will stand. You will not only survive, but mature, grow and become more like Jesus.

As you listen to and follow His instructions, you will observe that He has been speaking to the multitudes in what is frequently referred to as the Sermon on the Mount. Review chapters 5, 6 and 7 of Matthew. List all the things that He commands us to do, and then by faith claim those instructions in your life. For there is nothing that God ever commands that He will not enable us to do if we seek His help.

Remember, too, His promise recorded in Matthew 22:37 - 40, that all of the commandments in the sermon on the Mount are fulfilled when we love God with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength, and when we love our neighbor as ourselves. So the instructions that He is giving are not difficult, for He who gives the command will enable us to build on a sure foundation of solid rock.

Note, however, the admonishment for those who ignore His instructions! For those foolish people who build their houses on sand, collapse of those houses is the certain consequence. One need only look around to see evidence of the fulfillment of God's warning in the lives of numerous loved ones, neighbors and friends. God loves us, and He wants to bless us, but He cannot if we ignore Him.

Are you following the instructions of the Lord Jesus Christ? If not, I encourage you to begin today, with the assurance that He will bless you, your family and all who are dear to you.

Posted by Prophecies Of Revelation at 9:10 AM CST

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Mood:  lyrical

Recently we have spent a good bit of time studying meditation. Now, you may be thinking, So what? How will meditating have a positive effect on my life? Consistent meditation has a number of benefits for the believer. Greater intimacy with the Lord is a key advantage of renewed devotion to seeking His will. But on the eve of a brand - new year, we want to emphasize one particular benefit: a changed perspective.

When we focus on knowing God - on spending time with Him and getting to know the way He thinks - something happens in our hearts and minds. Over time, we discover that our point of view begins to shift. We think about ourselves less and less. Instead, we place greater priority on God's goodness and the concerns of others. Our prayers tend to become God - focused rather than self - focused. And, they reveal a much more intimate relationship with our heavenly Father.

As the new year begins, our prayer is that you will seek to develop spiritual eyes. As the apostle Paul wrote in Ephesians chapter one, we pray "the eyes of your heart may be enlightened" so you will perceive more clearly the riches found only in Christ. But how do you get these "enlightened eyes"? They develop as a natural result of your time with the Lord - through your solitude, silence, and surrender.

Do you need to recommit to know God better? Meditate regularly on His Word, and claim 2007 as your year of greatest spiritual growth yet.

Posted by Prophecies Of Revelation at 6:18 AM CST

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Mood:  chatty

Previously we explored three essentials of effective meditation. Today, let's round out the list by adding three more. Here are essentials four through six:

Silence is a key to meditation that many of us struggle with. How often do you sit down to pray and then do all the talking yourself? In Isaiah 30:15, the prophet reminds us that "in quietness and trust is your strength." However, we're not often quiet in prayer, are we? Sometimes we go on and on with our petitions and never actually give the Lord an opportunity to respond. How can we ever truly know His heart unless we stop and listen to Him in silence?

The fifth essential to meditating is self - control. This simply means admitting that you need to deal with some things in your life. God is continually refining us and shaping us into the men and women He wants us to be. As we surrender more and more to His will, we will have to bring these areas of our lives under His control.

The sixth, and final, essential is submission. Believers must submit to God. All of the prayer and meditation in the world will not make a difference in your life if you have a rebellious spirit. He desires to know you, use you, and mold you according to His best plan for you. This cannot happen if you do not intentionally submit to His work in your life.

Meditation can be hard work. But as with exercise, the rewards are well worth the effort. Ask the Holy Spirit's help, and make a commitment to start meditating today.

Posted by Prophecies Of Revelation at 8:49 AM CST

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