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Vested Interests
“When Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became angry and was greatly incensed” (Neh 4:1). Leaders who attempt something greater than themselves will always get attacked and it often comes from those who have a vested interest in what you are changing. Nehemiah was rebuilding the ancient wall of Jerusalem. It was
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Listening To The Father’s Heart
Many of life’s situations can cause you to despair, my son. However, you can have peace even in the most difficult crisis, because with each challenging situation, I extend a measure of grace which allows you to navigate those deep waters. Look at these words from Psalm 107:28-30: “Then they cry out to the Lord
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Mixing Faith With Commerce
“‘Your servant has nothing there at all,’ she said, ‘except a little oil.’” 2 Kings 4:2b Her husband had died. There was no way to fulfill her debts. Her creditors decided to take her two sons as slaves for payment of the obligations that still remained. She pleaded for assistance with the only man of
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Seeing Thorns as Blessings
“To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me”(2 Cor. 12:7). Have you ever had something in your life you wish was not there? If God gave you one wish, perhaps it would be to change
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Listening To The Father’s Heart
Son, I am teaching you to walk based on covenant, not contract. Living your life based on contract means you will do things based on whether others fulfill their part of the agreement. But I am a God of covenant. When I say I will do something, regardless of the cost to myself and my
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Rejected for Christ
“And they took offense at Him….” Matthew 13:57 Jesus taught in the synagogue in the community He grew up in. He was raised as a local carpenter’s son. No one saw any miraculous powers in this young boy’s life. But something changed as He became older. “Where did this man get this wisdom and these
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Miraculous Signs
“The apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meettogether in Solomon’s Colonnade” (Acts 5:12). When is the last time you saw a miracle in your workplace? Perhaps you prayed for a co-worker and they were instantly healed. Perhaps you prayed for a co-worker’s financial problem and
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Listening To The Father’s Heart
Son, if you want to have influence in the lives of others and your community and even your nation you must be a source of blessing. You must solve problems where there appear to be no solutions. When my Son’s disciples needed food for the 5,000, he simply instructed them to give them something to
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Blameless
“For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does He withhold from those whose walk is blameless.” Psalm 84:11 If you were running for political office, what approach would your opponent take against you? If he wanted to launch a smear campaign, would there be
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Things I Cannot Understand
“Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know.” Job 42:3b If there was any one man on earth who had reason to question God’s love, it was Job. He lost his family, his health, and his wealth – all at the same time. His friends came to
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Listening To The Father’s Heart
Son, it is important for you to realize you live in a war zone. Every day I see casualties of this war. Many of my sons and daughters live as if they are tourists instead of soldiers. If you only knew how much the enemy of your soul wants to destroy you and your destiny.
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The Poor and the Marketplace
When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not wholly reap the corners of your field, nor shall you gather the gleanings of your harvest. And you shall not glean your vineyard, nor shall you gather every grape of your vineyard; you shall leave them for the poor and the stranger: I am
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Listening To The Father’s Heart
Son, sometimes obedience is costly for my followers. I may ask you to walk a narrow path laden with pitfalls before the light can break through. My Son’s obedience cost him his life, and in time each of his disciples paid the same price. When you follow me there is a cost. My son Moses
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Confirming Decisions
“Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed” (Proverbs 15:22). Confirming major decisions through the counsel of others is one way God protects us from poor decisions. This process is designed to confirm direction for which we are seeking confirmation. Paul was sensitive not to get too heavy-handed in the confirmation
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The Faithfulness of God
“The Lord is faithful to all His promises and loving toward all He has made. The Lord upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.” Psalm 145:13b-14 Have you ever had a relationship with someone who was faithful? You knew you could depend on that person to do what he
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Listening To The Father’s Heart
Son, when it seems like I am most absent, I am doing some of my greatest work in and through you. My promise to never leave you nor forsake you did not mean you would always feel I am there. You must recognize that the enemy of your soul seeks to convince you that I
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Business as Ministry
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” Colossians 3:23-24 The Bible is very clear that the purpose for our work life
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God Speaks through Circumstances
“As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things” (Eccl 11:5). God will often use circumstances in our lives to direct us in making and confirming decisions. I have often discovered
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Reflecting His Glory
“They will tell of the glory of Your kingdom and speak of Your might, so that all men may know of Your mighty acts and the glorious splendor of Your kingdom.” Psalm 145:11-12 How do you measure your effectiveness in God, or should you even be thinking like this? The early Church turned the world
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Listening To The Father’s Heart
Son, when you hurt, of course you want the hurt to be removed. You want to feel better. And I desire you to seek me for all of your needs, especially when you are hurting. However, there is a higher place to go in your pain than just toward the removal of it. Your real
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How Would Jesus Impact Your Wedding Party?
“Dear woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My time has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you” (John 2:4-5). In Bible times, a Jewish wedding was a special celebration that could last seven days. It was a time of joy and celebration on behalf of the
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God’s Timing
“Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cured. Jesus sent him away at once with a strong warning: ‘see that you don’t tell this to anyone’” (Mark 1:42-45). Have you ever had a problem keeping a secret? Especially if that secret involves good news. I have certain friends who can’t keep a secret like
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Waiting on God
“Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; He rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for Him!” Isaiah 30:18 Have you ever noticed that God is not in a hurry? It took 40 years for Moses to receive his commission to lead
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Listening To The Father’s Heart
Son, I sent my own Son to earth for an assignment no one but me understood. From everyone’s perception but mine, the outcome of his life was a disaster. The disciples’ hearts were broken and they each died tragically for their faith in my Son. However, his life accomplished my purpose. The call I place
