2 Corinthians 9:8

Scripture

“And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have abundance for every good work!”

 Observation

When we sow finances with an ungrudging, ready and willing heart, we can be confident that God will make sure we have sufficiency for all our needs and abundance left for every good work.

His GRACE is fundamental. The grace to give speaks of something that comes from God that is underserved and un-earned. At the conclusion of our giving we have nothing to boast about because God was in the middle of it. To understand this keeps our motives pure, our appreciation high and our faith strong. This is certainly not the type of giving that is full of our own importance, pride and self-satisfaction.

 Application

When we have cooperated with God in giving we can expect to have sufficiency for all things and abundance for every good work. As soon as selfishness becomes our motive for giving we miss it. We don’t have to twist God’s arm by either “works” or by “complaining”.  God’s grace is evident in the giving and the receiving. I give because of Him and I receive because of Him. I am the beneficiary of being in union with God.

 Prayer

Thank you for this promise that all grace will abound towards me. I know You will fulfil your word because of the abundance of grace I have already received. Lord, I am standing with confidence that all grace will abound towards my children, my wife and those in the church and those in our ministry around the world. Help me to recognise the good works You are doing and that You want to do through us. Once I see them I can go ahead in faith and give.

    (Vision) The Ship – through the storm and getting ready to catch a strong wind

• Preparation for strong winds
• Weights – released, let go
• A strong wind behind us – fresh > becoming strong

Double (increased) anointing – prophetic and healing and supernatural – Go for it!

We will be astonished at what God will do – thru’ available people

• Jeremiah 33:3 (King James Version) Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.

The church needs to continue to pursue in the area of the miraculous

• Dreams, visions, angels, words, healing

Expectancy – that this same grace will also permeate into our daily lives, the church and ministry beyond Liberty – mission trips etc.   

Hope – many tormented, broken hearted, depressed, emotionally broken, mental-breakdowns

Extra Emphasis on “LAST DAYS” / “END TIMES” and the “RETURN OF JESUS”

Opportunities – increasing

Back on Track – There has been sidelining as a result of other distractions (storms) that have been happening in the church.

The Prayers of Paul – importance of praying for one another

• Keys to revival
• Speaking in Tongues

Love and Power working together

• Acts of power
• Acts of Love – kindness

New Songs Psalm 40:3 – “He has put a new song in my mouth – Praise to our God; many will see it and fear and will trust in the Lord.”

“Rest” – important to enter into rest of the Lord

 We are going to see more new people coming into Liberty through salvation than we have seen in quite a while. It will not be the result of a concerted focus on evangelism but the natural result of a deeper revelation for many in our church of God’s love for them inspiring them to reach out to others.        

Community – A building sense that God is restoring the concept of community (family) to a church that (like the world) has become very individualistic / marriage and family disintegration

• The church to become the place people feel “at home”
• Open to all types
• Change from a place of judgement/guilt/performance TO a place of acceptance/grace/love and belonging

The Return of the Prodigals – Backslidden, beaten, condemned and lonely people who were once in church

The Revelation of the Father

                                                   i.     Father heart of God

                                                 ii.     The Trinity

                                               iii.     The Bride

What will 2011 be like for you? What will it be like for me? Will it be similar to last year? Will it be better or worse?

So much will depend on our ATTITUDE. It will depend on how we “SEE” things and how we RESPOND to whatever is happening around us.

We can ALLOW circumstances, feelings, fears and our past history to determine our attitudes in 2011 or we can CHOOSE to allow the TRUTH to determine our attitude – and thus determine what our year will be like.

We can DECIDE what attitudes we will take on board and develop.

We need to realise that ”Negatives are developed in the dark-room of fear, doubt and unbelief: and Positives are developed in the light of God’s Word and Spirit.”

“This year will be a year of opportunity for transformation for many who have lived in despair, depression, fear and negativity. There is an abundance of grace available and an increasing revelation of the abundance of grace. Determine personally to STEP OUT OF the prison of dark and foreboding thoughts and STEP INTO the liberty and light of God’s revelation knowledge.”

When Dianne and I were at Bible College we learnt the importance of keeping a “good attitude”. Keeping a good attitude was fundamental, not only to the teaching of the college, but in determining how much we enjoyed the experience. We learnt then and from years of ministry experience since then that you CAN’T keep bad attitudes and make it through life and ministry successfully.

Bad attitudes are “weights” and “sins” that can easily ensnare us and prevent us running the race God has set before us.

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us…” Heb 12:1

We actually DECIDE to have BIBLICAL ATTITUDES and then DETERMINE to KEEP them.

We have the Word of God to decide what they are and the grace and power of God to enable us to do them. Biblical attitudes are based upon God’s Word and His character. They are based on the TRUTH not our changeable feelings, emotions, opinions or situations. The peace of God is tied to our attitudes. Bad attitudes “grieve the Holy Spirit” and good attitudes delight Him.

Biblical attitudes are characterised by the fruit of the Spirit . They are characterised by such things as LOVE, JOY, PEACE, GENTLENESS, GOODNESS, KINDNESS, PATIENCE, FAITHFULNESS and SELF CONTROL. 

Because of God’s unconditional, unchanging love for us, the blessed and eternal hope that lies before us and because of the faith-building words of God that have been planted in us, we can be positive about the future. There are certain Scriptures and prophetic words that God gives us throughout our life.

We need to stir up these words regularly and not forget the sensational salvation we have received.

Where we “live” or “dwell” in our thought-life – really matters. Who we “listen to”, what we “look at”, and where we “receive” our advice – really matters. As Di has shared, “there are some rooms we should not enter” and conversely there are some “rooms” into which we should regularly go.

How do you you see OPPORTUNITYNOWHERE?

Do you see opportunity NOWHERE of opportunity NOW HERE? It all depends on how you look at it!

The person who KEEPS their attitudes “right” and  REALISES that they were called and empowered to demonstrate God’s LOVE and FAITH in this world and give HOPE to the hopeless, will see opportunities EVERYWHERE. That person realises that it is for these reasons we live in this world.

For those of you who for many varying reasons have been “ensnared” by negativity, resentment, unforgiveness and other “weights” and “sins”, now is the best time yet to realise that you don’t have to ”live” there in 2011. There is no better time to ”put on” the new man and to think and live like the child of God that you are and to “put off” the old man and stop thinking and living like one who is lost.

We have a GREAT God, we have a GREAT FUTURE, we are loved GREATLY by this GREAT God, and He has given us GREAT OPPORTUNITIES to activate His love and power within us in a world of such GREAT NEED.

Christmas is a great time to demonstrate the kindness of God to those we meet. While Christmas can be a really happy time for some, it can be a really lonely and miserable time for others. As Christ’s ambassadors of kindness we should be on the LOOKOUT for those who need a little kindness in their life.

Kindness can be a Christmas card with kind words; an encouraging phone call; a small gift; prayer for someone who is sick; visiting a house-bound invalid or someone in prison or in hospital.

For the church (the individual members of the church) to truly be Christlike it must demonstrate kindness as a way of life. To be kind means we will need to stop thinking about ourselves and start thinking about others. We musn’t wait till someone has first been kind to us. We need to start the ball rolling.

The Lord’s kindness towards us caused Him to leave heaven and come to earth to die for people who were His enemies. Christ-like kindness causes us to even bless our enemies. This may require us to change the way we think. However it is worth it and it what we were born to do.

The First Miracle
by Francis Frangipane

Life. It is the most unique commodity in the universe and inconceivably rare. As far as we can verify, in a cosmic sea of vast, immeasurable emptiness, earth alone is blessed with life.

But what is life? The answer I seek is more profound than a mere catalog of what life contains; it is more fundamental than identifying the joys and sorrows of earthly existence. I am asking, what is the substance we call life? We are so completely ingested into life itself that we cannot appreciate its actual substance; we do not esteem the singular glory found in this teardrop from the eye of God.

Some will argue that life is plentiful on planets throughout the universe.

I ask you, what planets?

For all the interesting possibilities science fiction has put before us, these imaginative writers have done us a disservice. They have convinced us we are just one of many civilizations in a universe brimming with alien societies. Yes, their speculations widen our imaginations, but they have also caused us to devalue the spectacular rarity of life in our own world.

And life is rare.

We imagined it could be found on Venus. But, according to NASA, the temperature of Venus is over 800 decrees, hot enough to melt lead. The equatorial winds on Venus blow a constant 220 mph and its atmospheric pressure is 90 times that of earth. We expected to find life on Mars. But Mars has almost no atmosphere. Its temperature drops to a frigid minus 130 degrees at night. It is a barren, lifeless planet.

Of the one thousand stars nearest earth, not one has an orbiting planet, much less life itself! In the farther reaches of space, NASA has found 421 stars with a combined total of 500 planets. Yet earthlike planets, zero. http://planetquest.jpl.nasa.gov

Astronomers have scrutinized the celestial heavens, peering at stars thousands of light years away. A light year is the distance light travels in a year speeding at 186,000 miles per second (or 6 trillion miles a year). They’ve searched from points above and beneath the equator in every direction, but no planet with the capacity to support life has been found.

My point is that this substance we call life, while plentiful on Earth, is utterly rare in the cosmos. By way of perspective, imagine Planet Earth at the center of a huge circular orb tens of trillions miles in diameter. The area inside the orb represents the reach of scientific exploration through the use of satellites, optical and radio telescopes. The only place of verifiable life within that immense realm is the Earth. From the planet outward in every direction all that exists is the incomprehensibly vastness of blazing stars and lifeless space.

There may indeed be extraterrestrials, but to reach us they will have had to discover a different means of space travel, one that is not linear. Otherwise, they will have had to travel thousands of years through space to find our tiny world.

The fact is, at least within the sphere of our explored universe, we remain starkly alone, one tiny bluish dot of life in a vacuum of deep darkness and unfathomable emptiness.

A View From Space
In 1968 a unique opportunity was granted humanity. For the first time we were given a chance to step outside our world and look at life from the universe. The day was Christmas Eve. It was the first lunar voyage of the Apollo 8 crew. From the surface of the moon they gazed upon the earth. The following is NASA’s account.

“First, they showed the half Earth across a stark lunar landscape. Then, from the other unfogged window, they tracked the bleak surface of the Moon. “The vast loneliness is awe-inspiring and it makes you realize just what you have back there on Earth,” said Lovell. The pictures aroused great wonder, with an estimated half billion people vicariously exploring what no man had ever seen before.

“For all the people on Earth,” said Anders, “the crew of Apollo 8 has a message we would like to send you.” He paused a moment and then began reading: “In the beginning God created the Heaven and the Earth.”

After four verses of Genesis, Lovell took up the reading: “And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night.”

At the end of the eighth verse Borman picked up the familiar words: “And God said, Let the waters under the Heavens be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear; and it was so. And God called the dry land Earth; and the gathering together of the waters He called seas; and God saw that it was good.”

So here we are on the good Earth, each summoned to the most exquisite adventure: we are alive! How shall we spend our precious days? Watching television? Or living in fear or anger? Let us not squander our wondrous opportunity!

Finally, allow me to answer my initial question: What is Life? To all on Planet Earth it is a gift from God to be cherished and protected; it is the first of His many miracles.

What we make of it is our gift to Him.

Many years ago a pastor shared with me some words that I have never forgotten. They are words that convey a couple of important truths that can help us to live a highly effective Christian life right to the end.

The words are, “I may not be a big shot; I am just a little shot that keeps on firing.”

Most people are not “big shots” who are known throughout the world for their great words and deeds. But then “big shots” don’t necessarily impress God. He seems to like working with those unknown warriors who don’t need the acclaim of man and are happy to be pleasers of God and lovers of ordinary people.

Some people are waiting till they get their “big” opportunity to do something significant. Most don’t make it and as a result never do much at all. Don’t wait till that “big day” arrives. Don’t wait till that “big door” opens up for you.

Our opportunity is NOW. Every day we can do something to make a difference in someone else’s life. Today I can prayer for someone, encourage someone and be kind to someone. Today I can praise God and be thankful for His grace and mercy.

Most truly great lives are made up of a whole lot of little acts of love, courage and kindness, rather than one big special deed.

Determine to use the opportunities that you have today and to “keep on firing” until you have finished your “race” here on earth. God’s grace is always sufficient for today.

I wouldn’t be surprised if every time we come to “H” in our Faith-Builders I write about humility. It is that important.

It was characterised and demonstrated most clearly and deeply by Jesus.

Philippians 2:3-8 (NIV)

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, ⁴ not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:  ⁶ Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; ⁷ rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. ⁸ And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!

We often confuse humility with timidity. Humility is not having an attitude of self-abasement or self-denigration. Humility is maintaining a realistic and balanced attitude about who we are, about our achievements, about our worth – but without arrogance.

It’s about a quiet confidence that does not need to boast of our position or abilities.

It’s about being content to let others discover the layers of our talents.

David Packard, the co-founder of Hewlett-Packard is quoted as saying: “You shouldn’t gloat about anything you’ve done; you ought to keep going and find something better to do.”

1Peter 5:5(b) “God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble”

Humility says, “I need God.”

Humility attracys God’s favour. Pride pushes it away.

Humility says, ‘Lord, You’ve done it all.’

Humility says ‘I need other people.’

Humility admits our own shortcomings and congratulates others on their successes.

Humility is developed in the presence of God.

The mark of a leader who practices humility is his or her treatment of others. Such leaders treat everyone with respect regardless of position.

It has been said that the sign of a gentleman is how he treats those who can be of absolutely no use to him.

Here are a few more suggestions on practicing humility as a leader:

1. Stop talking and allow the other person to be in the limelight.
2. Be willing to say “You are right” and “I am wrong” whenever it is the case.
3. Seek others’ input. Ask: “How am I doing?” It takes humility to ask such a question. And even more humility to consider the answer.
4. As a leader share credit for your successes with others who are on your team; and personally accept the responsibility for mistakes made by you and your team.

Humility is an attitude. It is a choice.

Scripture - Luke 4:38-39

“Now He…entered Simon’s house. But Simon’s wife’s mother was sick with a high fever, and they made request of Him concerning her. So He stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. And immediately she arose and served them.”

Observation

Jesus demonstrates how he deals with sickness. He deals with the fever by speaking to it. This is typical of Jesus and the New Testament approach to healing the sick. Jesus doesn’t pray to God to heal His mother in law. He uses His authority and rebukes the fever. The result is immediate.  The fever leaves and she is free to serve her guests.

Application

We are discovering that Jesus’ way is the way. Rather than long prayers to God, interspersed with Scriptures, and our efforts to make something happen, we just do it the Jesus way. We are discovering that simply commanding sicknesses to go in Jesus’ name gets the results.

Prayer

Lord, help me to remember to keep it simple, be open for opportunities and to do it!

Scripture – Micah 5:4-5a “And He shall stand and feed His flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord His God, and they shall abide for He shall be great to the ends of the earth. And this One shall be peace.”

Observation – This is a prophecy concerning the Lord Jesus Christ. He has made a stand and does feed His flock with the strength of God. His flock shall and does abide (John 15) with Him forever. He is known and is great to the ends of the earth. Multiplies millions throughout the earth know His name. Many have and do speak of bringing peace, but He is the only one who shall bring peace because He is Peace.

 Application – We can trust God’s word. It shall come to pass. As many words were fulfilled regarding Christ first coming and we can be just as sure at He shall fulfil every word of prophecy concerning His final coming. We can also be confident that He is our Shepherd and feed us with His strength and that we shall abide with Him forever. He saves to the uttermost (Hebrews 7:25) and He lives forever to make intercession for us.

 Prayer – Lord, thank You for being my always faithful, life giving, abiding Shepherd. Only You bring the peace that passes understanding. I shall abide in You and Your words shall abide in Me. I am saved to the uttermost and shall be with the Lord forever. I am indeed very blessed. You are my peace!

Scripture – Hebrews 6:12 “That you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.”

 Observation – We are being exhorted to continue on in faith with a full assurance of hope until the end. Obviously some who ‘had tasted the heavenly gift…’ had fallen away from the faith.

There is a danger that when we grow lazy, we can open a door to unbelief. There can be a long time between the receiving of the promise and inheritance or ‘actual’ fulfilment of the promise. Abraham is a good example of someone who needed faith and patience before the promise came. His example in Romans 4:17-25 is a good one. “He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but strengthened himself in faith, giving glory to God.”

 Application – Abraham becomes our mentor when it comes to inheriting the promises through faith and patience. We need to stop looking at our natural feelings and circumstances but be proactive in giving thanks for the promise and ‘seeing’ it by faith. Just because we haven’t seen it yet in the natural realm doesn’t mean we haven’t got it in the spiritual realm.

 Prayer – Lord, I want to thank You for Abraham and his example. I will continue to thank You for all the promises that You have made and that are mine in Christ Jesus. Some I won’t see until the end but I believe in them. They are certain. Help me to continue in faith and patience to receive all Jesus died and rose to give us.