Good morning everyone,
According to Ephesians 2:10, we (you and I) are the result of His handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. If you are struggling with your purpose, let me suggest that you write that Scripture down and input your name in place of we and us; example-Paul Allen Hicks is the result of God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God created in advance for Paul Allen Hicks to do. Before He created you and I, He had already determined that we could be used to carry out His work! Do you still not think you are that important in the scope of the big picture? Psalm 139:14 tells us we were knit together in our mother's womb. When He knit us inside our mother's womb, the definition reveals that He formed or created, joined closely and firmly, and He wonderfully made us! Your game plan was already decided before you were even born so that there would be no confusion. Being connected to the Source is the most important key to determining whether that can be carried out. Plug in today to the Power so that you can find out how He wants you to carry out the game plan that He has for you. The Holy Spirit is waiting to guide and direct your actions and make them His own!
Your brother in Christ,
p
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Thursday, August 9, 2012
How important are you? Luke 12:6-7; Psalm 139:13-16
Good morning everyone,
Have you forgotten how important you are? Luke 12:6-7 reminds us by saying, 'Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.' The intricacy of how God created the hairs on each head is amazing. For instance, the average adult blonde has approximately 140,000 strands of hair, brunettes average 108,000 and redheads average 90,000 (more brainpowet though-hee hee). The scripture reminds us that God numbered every hair on your head. Yet, we seem to forget the exact detail that He put into our makeup! God didn't make junk so be very careful when you compare yourself to your neighbor and wish that you looked like them. Even if you don't consider yourself the next 'top model,' He does! See, your worth is so much more than your appearance. How you take care of that appearance is a different battle. Many of you may struggle with self-esteem. Psalm 139:13-16 reminds us and tells us how we were made: 'For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be.' Folks, if you read that scripture and still wish that you were somebody else, we need to talk! Ask God to inject in you the definition of beauty and ask Him to give you a real sense of how He looks at you. I think you will begin to see yourself in a whole new light!
Your brother in Christ,
p
Have you forgotten how important you are? Luke 12:6-7 reminds us by saying, 'Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.' The intricacy of how God created the hairs on each head is amazing. For instance, the average adult blonde has approximately 140,000 strands of hair, brunettes average 108,000 and redheads average 90,000 (more brainpowet though-hee hee). The scripture reminds us that God numbered every hair on your head. Yet, we seem to forget the exact detail that He put into our makeup! God didn't make junk so be very careful when you compare yourself to your neighbor and wish that you looked like them. Even if you don't consider yourself the next 'top model,' He does! See, your worth is so much more than your appearance. How you take care of that appearance is a different battle. Many of you may struggle with self-esteem. Psalm 139:13-16 reminds us and tells us how we were made: 'For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be.' Folks, if you read that scripture and still wish that you were somebody else, we need to talk! Ask God to inject in you the definition of beauty and ask Him to give you a real sense of how He looks at you. I think you will begin to see yourself in a whole new light!
Your brother in Christ,
p
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Is humility really necessary? Psalm 149:4; Proverbs 11:2
Good morning everyone,
As I sit in the stillness this morning listening for signs of life, I'm reminded that God gives us the quiet times to really hear Him! Before you get busy and as you try and clear the fogginess out of your brain, make sure that you take the time and give God the 10% percent that He deserves. See, He doesn't just want you to donate 10% of your earnings; He wants 10% of you and that includes every facet of your life! Is it easy making those changes when the demands of life are so high? I don't think so unless it becomes your number 1 priority. The first thing that is required is sometimes one of the hardest but it unveils the highest payoff! I'm referring to the act of humility. Psalm 149:4 says that the Lord takes delight in His people; He crowns the humble with victory. If we are to ever expect to build our relationship with the Father, we have to be willing to make the investment. Proverbs 11:2 tells us that when pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. The opposite of pride is humility and being humble shows that you are strong and not weak! May God richly Bless each of you as you seek His face. As you begin the transformation, you will see that there are many things that He will start to unveil to you. Let us enjoy the journey together!
Your brother in Christ,
p
As I sit in the stillness this morning listening for signs of life, I'm reminded that God gives us the quiet times to really hear Him! Before you get busy and as you try and clear the fogginess out of your brain, make sure that you take the time and give God the 10% percent that He deserves. See, He doesn't just want you to donate 10% of your earnings; He wants 10% of you and that includes every facet of your life! Is it easy making those changes when the demands of life are so high? I don't think so unless it becomes your number 1 priority. The first thing that is required is sometimes one of the hardest but it unveils the highest payoff! I'm referring to the act of humility. Psalm 149:4 says that the Lord takes delight in His people; He crowns the humble with victory. If we are to ever expect to build our relationship with the Father, we have to be willing to make the investment. Proverbs 11:2 tells us that when pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. The opposite of pride is humility and being humble shows that you are strong and not weak! May God richly Bless each of you as you seek His face. As you begin the transformation, you will see that there are many things that He will start to unveil to you. Let us enjoy the journey together!
Your brother in Christ,
p
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
No one else will do! Isaiah 33:22; Galatians 3:22
Good morning everyone,
When others judge you, size you up, tear you down, or mess with you, relish on what Isaiah 33:22 says: "For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our king; it is He who will save us." No one can take away what He has promised us. Many people intimidate because they don't understand what grace is all about. They intimidate because they are scared and they want to be in control. If they are not in control, they feel as though they have lost the battle. He tells us to give control over to Him so that He can use us according to His plan. Galatians 3:22 reminds us that scripture has locked up everything under the control of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe. Once folks realize that they were made for so much more than their current situation, then they can release the things that control them. If you have trouble letting go, it is time to dive in with your whole self. It is impossible to let go of something that is going at warp speed and try and grab it back. Yet, much of the time, that is what people try and do. Their whole world is wrapped up in intimidation and manipulation. Bitterness becomes their god and before they know it, it becomes their life. Something that festers needs to be dealt with before it becomes the fabric of who you are. If you have a problem with someone who you love, please don't let that problem become a tragedy. Many times, relationships are ruined by too many issues that become major because they are never worked out. As you start this day, ask God to replace those areas that have become hardened with His love and mercy!
Your brother in Christ,
p
When others judge you, size you up, tear you down, or mess with you, relish on what Isaiah 33:22 says: "For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our king; it is He who will save us." No one can take away what He has promised us. Many people intimidate because they don't understand what grace is all about. They intimidate because they are scared and they want to be in control. If they are not in control, they feel as though they have lost the battle. He tells us to give control over to Him so that He can use us according to His plan. Galatians 3:22 reminds us that scripture has locked up everything under the control of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe. Once folks realize that they were made for so much more than their current situation, then they can release the things that control them. If you have trouble letting go, it is time to dive in with your whole self. It is impossible to let go of something that is going at warp speed and try and grab it back. Yet, much of the time, that is what people try and do. Their whole world is wrapped up in intimidation and manipulation. Bitterness becomes their god and before they know it, it becomes their life. Something that festers needs to be dealt with before it becomes the fabric of who you are. If you have a problem with someone who you love, please don't let that problem become a tragedy. Many times, relationships are ruined by too many issues that become major because they are never worked out. As you start this day, ask God to replace those areas that have become hardened with His love and mercy!
Your brother in Christ,
p
Monday, August 6, 2012
When you are empty, He fills you up! Philippians 1:6
Good morning everyone,
This past weekend I felt as though I only had time to take care of the immediate need; no time to really just relax and enjoy the moment. Even in the midst of chaos, there is joy if we allow Him to fill those chaotic moments! Sometimes life goes so fast that you don't know how you are going to take your next step. Somehow, you just pull yourself up by your bootstraps and trust that God will provide the ability. After all, He tells us to trust Him through it all. If it were all a cakewalk, why would we need Him? As I flew back to Arkansas on Sunday, I sat on the plane contemplating the events that had just taken place. I got home late on Friday night, had a Christian men's conference on Saturday morning, a date Saturday night with my wife, church on Sunday morning, lunch with Deborah and Ariel, and then back to the airport for a flight back to Arkansas. Through all of I that, I had developed a head cold and I felt as though my tank was completely empty. When we have exhausted all of the resources that He has provided us with, He will carry us across the finish line and smile because He knows that we did all we could. Philippians 1:6 tells us that He who began a good work in you will carry it out to completion. Folks, that completion for all intensive purposes may and probably will not be the way that you envisioned. It doesn't matter! Just remember, when you are faithful with the little you have, He is ready and able to make it count for so much more!
Your brother in Christ,
p
This past weekend I felt as though I only had time to take care of the immediate need; no time to really just relax and enjoy the moment. Even in the midst of chaos, there is joy if we allow Him to fill those chaotic moments! Sometimes life goes so fast that you don't know how you are going to take your next step. Somehow, you just pull yourself up by your bootstraps and trust that God will provide the ability. After all, He tells us to trust Him through it all. If it were all a cakewalk, why would we need Him? As I flew back to Arkansas on Sunday, I sat on the plane contemplating the events that had just taken place. I got home late on Friday night, had a Christian men's conference on Saturday morning, a date Saturday night with my wife, church on Sunday morning, lunch with Deborah and Ariel, and then back to the airport for a flight back to Arkansas. Through all of I that, I had developed a head cold and I felt as though my tank was completely empty. When we have exhausted all of the resources that He has provided us with, He will carry us across the finish line and smile because He knows that we did all we could. Philippians 1:6 tells us that He who began a good work in you will carry it out to completion. Folks, that completion for all intensive purposes may and probably will not be the way that you envisioned. It doesn't matter! Just remember, when you are faithful with the little you have, He is ready and able to make it count for so much more!
Your brother in Christ,
p
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Don't just listen to it! Do it! James 1:22; Psalm 78:7-8
Good morning everyone,
We all like to hear good things. Our minds and hearts have a way of hearing what they want to hear and discarding things that most likely are good for us. In James 1:22, we are told to not merely listen to the Word, and so deceive ourselves. We are to do what it says. God gives us instructions and yet much of the time we don't carry those instructions out to fruition. Why? We are a stubborn people because we hear good things but we do what we want to do. Many hours of anguish are the result of doing things our own way! He is the great Perfecter and if He said it, then it is a good thing that we carry it out. He tried to keep things simple; we make things difficult. Psalm 78:7-8 gives us a great comparison of obedience vs being stubborn: 'Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget His deeds but would keep His commands. They would not be like their ancestors--a stubborn and rebellious generation, whose hearts were not loyal to God, whose spirits were not faithful to Him.' The 'Blueprint' of all blueprints should be our instruction manual, yet most people use them as a paper weight to collect dust. A worn out bible is usually owned by someone who is not! Are you using your Bible (the inspired Word of God) for what it was intended? Do you read Scripture and write down your thoughts of what you read? The more we read Scripture, the more we can recall those promises to share with folks when battles and situations arise! Instead of turning on something or someone when you first wake up, turn open the pages of His Word and ask Him to show you His promises so that you can have hope to share with others!
Your brother in Christ,
p
We all like to hear good things. Our minds and hearts have a way of hearing what they want to hear and discarding things that most likely are good for us. In James 1:22, we are told to not merely listen to the Word, and so deceive ourselves. We are to do what it says. God gives us instructions and yet much of the time we don't carry those instructions out to fruition. Why? We are a stubborn people because we hear good things but we do what we want to do. Many hours of anguish are the result of doing things our own way! He is the great Perfecter and if He said it, then it is a good thing that we carry it out. He tried to keep things simple; we make things difficult. Psalm 78:7-8 gives us a great comparison of obedience vs being stubborn: 'Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget His deeds but would keep His commands. They would not be like their ancestors--a stubborn and rebellious generation, whose hearts were not loyal to God, whose spirits were not faithful to Him.' The 'Blueprint' of all blueprints should be our instruction manual, yet most people use them as a paper weight to collect dust. A worn out bible is usually owned by someone who is not! Are you using your Bible (the inspired Word of God) for what it was intended? Do you read Scripture and write down your thoughts of what you read? The more we read Scripture, the more we can recall those promises to share with folks when battles and situations arise! Instead of turning on something or someone when you first wake up, turn open the pages of His Word and ask Him to show you His promises so that you can have hope to share with others!
Your brother in Christ,
p
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Bigger than what you see! Psalm 119:114
Good morning everyone,
When you do something, do you have a habit of looking at your own needs? Do you see the bigger picture or do you see the 12" screen of your own life? When I prepare to travel on a weekly basis, I usually try and leave on Monday morning (not too early) and return on Friday evening (not too late) so that I can have a nice weekend with my family. In most situations, that formula doesn't hold up. So traveling gets to be tiring and it feels as if it is constant. Sometimes, it makes more sense staying at a location rather than traveling home on the weekend. That leads to frustration and bouts of loneliness. Solving the problems on my end don't necessarily solve the problems for the people counting on me to be home. I'm learning to trust Him more and more because the bigger picture He can see whereas I see the very little picture. Instead of clinging to my frustration and loneliness, I've traded them in for His love and compassion! When you take your eyes off your immediate dilemma, you can see much clearer what He wants you to see! Psalm 119:114 says, 'You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in Your word.' When we place our heart in His hand, we make choices that go beyond what we can see! When someone needs you to be their for them next time, rethink your needs for their needs. God can reveal a much bigger picture for you to see than the little picture you have been seeing!
Your brother in Christ,
p
When you do something, do you have a habit of looking at your own needs? Do you see the bigger picture or do you see the 12" screen of your own life? When I prepare to travel on a weekly basis, I usually try and leave on Monday morning (not too early) and return on Friday evening (not too late) so that I can have a nice weekend with my family. In most situations, that formula doesn't hold up. So traveling gets to be tiring and it feels as if it is constant. Sometimes, it makes more sense staying at a location rather than traveling home on the weekend. That leads to frustration and bouts of loneliness. Solving the problems on my end don't necessarily solve the problems for the people counting on me to be home. I'm learning to trust Him more and more because the bigger picture He can see whereas I see the very little picture. Instead of clinging to my frustration and loneliness, I've traded them in for His love and compassion! When you take your eyes off your immediate dilemma, you can see much clearer what He wants you to see! Psalm 119:114 says, 'You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in Your word.' When we place our heart in His hand, we make choices that go beyond what we can see! When someone needs you to be their for them next time, rethink your needs for their needs. God can reveal a much bigger picture for you to see than the little picture you have been seeing!
Your brother in Christ,
p
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)