Tag Archives: Savior

What’s Your Story?

Posted on by
Reply

I have had this title going off inside me for some time now. I hope that by the end of this post, you will be on the right path to finding your story.

I want to ask you a question – WHAT IS YOUR STORY? I’m sure this question prompts many different thoughts. We all have a story and each story will vary because no one path in this life is the same. But I want us to not look at our story as defined by the life we have lived; but instead, by the one life that was given.

1 Peter 2:9 (AMP) “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a dedicated nation, [God’s} own purchased, special people, that you may set forth the wonderful deeds and display the virtues and perfections of Him Who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”

Now, let me ask you again after reading this scripture – WHAT’S YOUR STORY? Our real story starts as a YES. The very simple answer to a life-changing question. Do you believe?

We, as believers, have been chosen and set apart. We are designated for something great; royal above any royalty this world has ever seen. If we dig into the deep meaning of this word, “chosen” we find: “to pick, gather, picked from among the larger group for special services or privileges”. If you go back and reread the scripture now with this meaning and see it as God speaking personally to you, then you will see and know your true story. Your story is uncommon and there will never be another like yours. So live like it, and do it all to the glory of God!

Just a heads up, my next blog post is a kick-off on Kingdom Relationships.

CHANGE

Posted on by
3

change 4-9-15

“The one consistent thing about life is change.”
Dr. James Zirkle

When we think about change, most of the time it is not something that one looks forward to OR it’s for fear of something that could happen. Even the very definition “to become different, to make (someone or something) different, to become something else” can spark fear if it is not put into proper perspective.

2 Timothy 1:7 (AMP) “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control.”

Just knowing that change is needed is not enough, we must implement it. Honestly, we ALL have areas that must receive some type of change and in this post I am going to focus on one that hit home for me. It’s in the area of health and fitness. (Just an FYI, a Health and Fitness page will soon be coming to the http://www.kingdomthinking.org site and I have some awesome contributing editors that have a wealth of wisdom in this area!)

My wife, Debbie, and I have really tried to implement a cleaner eating and healthier lifestyle over the last few years. As you incorporate change, you will find one of two main reasons why someone decides to make a change. The first area brings us back to fear of what could be or even might be. Fear and faith cannot dwell together and fear will zap everything if we allow it in. The next area is one that is defined in a quote I read yesterday from Charlene Johnson, “In my 20’s I forced myself to workout – and my every effort was focused on getting a better body. Now in my 40’s the physical side effects are just a bonus. Now I see my fitness as a gift that helps my mental wellness, my quality of life, creativity, patience, strength, confidence and longevity. Funny how the wisdom and experiences change our perspective.” That quote pretty much summed up why we are making the life changes we are, but for those doing it in fear, you’re fighting a losing battle. It’s like trying to drive a car with no motor.

“Fear creates powerless pursuit.”
Keith Spanberger

I’m going to end this post here, but only for NOW! I want you to take a piece of paper and pen and write down the areas where you have allowed fear to take over. Now give these areas to God and walk away from them and NEVER look back. Last, destroy the paper and step into the peace of God that surpasses ALL understanding.

It’s time for YOU to live a fearless life, so live it on purpose with purpose!

When you feel like God’s not listening…..

Posted on by
3

God-is-waiting

“The chief cause of failure and unhappiness is trading what you
want most for what you want right now”
Zig Ziglar

Have you ever had one of those days that makes you feel like God is just not up there hearing what you have to say? (Now this is NOT the time to get a holier-than-thou attitude and say, “Oh no, not me,” but instead, just be real.) WELL, “I” have been in this place and it’s not a good place to be in!

For most people, it’s hard to find joy in waiting, as we are a society that wants everything NOW. We teach our children to have patience, but when it comes to us and God and our prayers, we think we must have an instant miracle, move, and/or manifestation, or something must be wrong. We bounce back and forth between “is it me or is it you God, who is delaying this”? We track the response time as if the answers to our prayers are on a travel schedule. I believe that one of the secret recipes to a joyful Kingdom in life is finding joy in the moment. Now I will be the first to admit that this is NOT always easy. I have learned that in those times, the best thing I can do is reassure myself of God’s promises by daily diving into His Word. Here are a few anchor scriptures that I cling to:

Deut 31:6 (NKJ) “Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.”

1 John 5:14 (AMP) “And this is the confidence (the assurance, the privilege of boldness) which we have in Him: [we are sure] that if we ask anything (make any request) according to His will (in agreement with His own plan), He listens to and hears us.”

Mark 11:24 (AMP) “For this reason I am telling you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe (trust and be confident) that it is granted to you, and you will [get it].”

You see, the truth is that God never leaves us, He always hears us, and He never withholds from His kids. Even before we gave our life to Christ, He knew us and through the power of choice we either let Him in or keep Him at bay.

So how do we overcome?
1. Don’t let the situation change who you are. (I stole that from my wife!!!) – You see, we can’t let a temporary circumstance create a change in us, but instead, we must create a change in it.
2. Don’t give up! His Words in Mark 11:24 are powerful words to hang your prayers on. Make those three words your battle cry in tough times. I have my own three-word battle cry and it is “SUCK IT UP”. (CLICK to read “SUCK IT UP” post)
3. Continually fill yourself with the Word and don’t stop when things get good, but instead, make it your lifestyle. I like how Tony Robbins says that “leaders are readers,” but I take it one step further with what you put in you is what comes out during those tough times. A good business book can give you insight into certain techniques and processes, BUT nothing that truly pertains on how to live and thrive in His Kingdom. So get a good balance on what you are filling yourself up with, but always focus on the Word.
4. Stand no matter what! 1 John5:4 (AMP) “For whatever is born of God is victorious over the world; and this is the victory that conquers the world, even our faith.”

Those are just a few thoughts that will help you in your daily life. I hope in some way you have been encouraged by this post and would ask that if you know someone else that could benefit from this, to please forward it to them.

QUESTION: How do you handle the season of WAIT?

I look forward to your response.

Gear Up! (Part 8) “The Game Changer”

Posted on by
Reply

20130407-132106.jpg

Have you ever been watching a sporting event and suddenly something shifts and becomes a game changer? Life is full of game changers; a raise at your job or a new client with your business. There can be a game changer knocking at your door as you are reading this.

Jesus became our game changer for every area of life. He is the breath of life for a dead marriage. He is a healing touch in the midst of a physical storm. He is the breakthrough that hits right at the perfect moment. He’s everything!!! No matter what, Jesus is the game changer of all game changers.

When I step out to fulfill my dreams, He is the game changer that opens the doors that need to be opened and shuts the ones that need to be closed. We must realize He already knows the answer before we ever even ask the question.

But nothing changes until you become a citizen of the Kingdom. In John 3 we see Jesus saying that unless you are born again, you will never see the Kingdom of God. All your game changers are in His Kingdom. So make the choice today to be a citizen of the Kingdom and make Jesus the Lord of your life.

So with a new week just a matter of hours away, get your head in the game and focused on the game changer. He has put everything in order so that you can live your dreams and make a difference in other’s lives.

So eyes up and gear up for the best is right at hand!

What game changers have you seen Him do for you? Please feel free to write your answers below along with any prayer requests, and/or praise reports.

Kingdom Thinking Recap – Week 13

Posted on by
Reply

Another week has come and gone, but the posted Kingdom Thinking thoughts from it are nuggets of Kingdom wisdom you can always use.

Please forward them to others you know, because we can always use a touch of the Kingdom!!

Monday: Kingdom Thinking: Life is about lifting others and not ourselves.

Tuesday: Kingdom Thinking: What is your character saying about you?

Wednesday: Kingdom Thinking: Watch who you allow into your life.

Thursday: Kingdom Thinking: Wise council is simply that, WISE!

Friday: Kingdom Thinking: Pure thoughts bring pure actions!

Well that’s it for today, but another week is just around the corner…. So eyes up and gear up to take this new week gladiator style. Rule and dominate every second to it’s fullest and end each day with not a single regret!

Gear Up! (Part 7) “Outside The Wire”

Posted on by
1

20130324-204810.jpg

I’m sure most have heard the military term “outside the wire”. You might have heard it from family, friends, in a movie or on the news. In the military world, it means leaving the protection of base camp; which in today’s war, base camp is not necessarily always a safe place either, with the weapons that are out there. But, you get the picture….

We have soldiers from every branch, daily going outside the wire to protect your’s and mine’s freedom. They put their lives on the line for those they don’t know. Even with Fire/Rescue, EMS, & Law Enforcement, they have a zone which to them is outside the wire or also called the hot zone, where they put their lives on the line in the very same way.

You might be reading this and have never been in the military, or part of Fire/Rescue, EMS, or Law Enforcement, but you daily still find yourself outside the wire in life. However, this is not God’s design.
God created a perfect Kingdom with no war, lust, sickness, disease, or any other such thing. He created a Kingdom that was truly perfect in every way. It was a place which for a lack of better words, was “inside the wire”.

Now Christ came and died (John 3:16) and put restoration back in the Kingdom for you and I. BUT we still are in a world that is fighting for its darkness. We are surrounded by evil people who really don’t understand they are fighting a lost battle. No matter how many die or how many wrong government decisions are made, the evil that’s around will not ever prevail.

Just like our soldiers, we are daily to go outside the wire and into a world that does not want us to succeed. It does not want us to fulfill our dreams. It wants to beat us down and try and make us give up. But life does not have to win and being beyond the wire does not have to be a fearful place. The war zone of life is a battle field of loss only for the weak. The strong, not by physical strength, but those with a burning desire to please the Father and a unrelenting trust in His love for us, will win. It is true that only the strong survive, but the strength for survival can’t be our own, it must be Kingdom strength.

So leave last week where it belongs – in the past! It’s a new week with a fresh start. Determine that whichever side of the wire you are on, you are there living in victory and not trying to make it a destination.

So eyes up and gear up for you are standing in what could be the best day of your life yet. It’s up to you!

Please feel free to leave your comments, praise reports and/or prayer requests below.