Year: 2020

Opportunity Walks Alongside Challenge

John Maxwell had this quote to share today on his Minute with Maxwell:

“We are all faced with a series of great opportunities brilliantly disguised as impossible situations.” –Chuck Swindoll

Every opportunity comes from a challenge. How we perceive a situation or circumstances can either blind us to the opportunity in hopelessness, or it can set our eyes upon God’s promises and His ability to accomplish mighty and amazing things even in seemingly impossible situations.

Yes, our own strength and ability had limits. You are wise to not expect that you could overcome everything that you face on your own. But what is impossible for man is possible for the Almighty.

What does scripture tell us?

fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Behold, all who are incensed against you shall be put to shame and confounded; those who strive against you shall be as nothing and shall perish. You shall seek those who contend with you, but you shall not find them; those who war against you shall be as nothing at all. For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.” Fear not, you worm Jacob, you men of Israel! I am the one who helps you, declares the Lord ; your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel. Behold, I make of you a threshing sledge, new, sharp, and having teeth; you shall thresh the mountains and crush them, and you shall make the hills like chaff; you shall winnow them, and the wind shall carry them away, and the tempest shall scatter them. And you shall rejoice in the Lord ; in the Holy One of Israel you shall glory. When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue is parched with thirst, I the Lord will answer them; I the God of Israel will not forsake them.
Isaiah 41:10‭-‬17 ESV

The Lord is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him.
Exodus 15:2 ESV

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
James 1:2‭-‬4 ESV

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Psalms 23:1‭-‬6 ESV

Lord, may we trust in you fully. Trust in your faithfulness. Trust in your plan. Trust in YOU. Amen.

Breathe

The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.
Job 33:4 ESV

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
1 Corinthians 6:19‭-‬20 ESV

Michael W. Smith released “Breathe” in 2001 that was written by songwriters Liam Howe, Tahliah Barnett, and Timmaz Zolleyn. With lyrics like “I’m desperate for you”, “Your holy presence living in me”, and “Your very word spoken to me” — it’s clear that this song is about something much deeper than church attendance, quoting scripture and following a moral compass for day to day living.

This song is about intimacy with God. It is about an abiding relationship that generates a fire in our bones and a thirst for closeness with our bridegroom, Christ Jesus.

That might sound very odd and peculiar to both the rigid religious practitioner and the wild lost rebel, but that is what sets The Way apart from “religions”. Others might choose wise men with wise words and advice that are long ago dead and turned to lifeless dust in the ground — but our Lord not only overcame death and sin and rose again in both body and spirit — He lives in us. Not just metaphorically in our memories (like a lost friend or relative), but truly as a companion, teacher, and a close friend.

I don’t ask you to join my religious organization. I don’t ask you to send your money. I don’t ask you to abide by my guidelines. I don’t even ask you to call me teacher. I’m telling you about THE TEACHER that you can know for yourself personally and closely and intimately. I’m telling you about a breath of life that can be breathed into you by Almighty God to bring you into a life abundant with the fruit of His Spirit that tastes of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control. I’m telling you about a miracle where men and women are born again to lives of purpose, of service, of building up and encouraging others instead of tearing them down — and a life free from shame and guilt and treating their own selves down anymore.

Yes, it sounds crazy at face value. What’s the angle? Where’s the catch? What is this fool trying to sell me? What is He going to ask me to do?

It is free. Free free free free.

I know you hear that from commercials and advertisements these days and or is always a lie and a marketing attempt to eventually separate you from your money or your time.

I’m not here to convince you. I’m just here to tell you that it is true. I know what Jesus has done for me, and I just have to celebrate and praise Him for it. I know some might hear and believe and be changed, and I know that some will refuse, and that’s between you and God.

I just have to praise and worship, and if you want to listen, sing along, or join me in worship — deep, personal intimate worship of the Lord God Almighty who is worthy of praise and honor and glory — you choose to do what you are drawn to do. God bless you and yours, and glory be to God! Amen!

Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, Thus says the Lord God : Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.” So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived and stood on their feet, an exceedingly great army.
Ezekiel 37:9‭-‬10 ESV