Thursday, November 18, 2010

Aware of the New

Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. (Isaiah 43:18-20 NIV)

I find it amazing that we attempt to control our spiritual journey facing giant issues and expecting the Lord to respond to us while we keep doing the same old thing the same old way! It’s like we have actually convinced ourselves that if we keep doing the same thing we'll get new results. If we get into a routine relationship with the Lord where we limit who He is, we may miss the new thing He's trying to do in our lives. Sometimes we go through the motions, just doing something out of habit but missing out on the passion. It's like someone who eats at the same place, having the same meal every weekend. They tired of the same food, but are too timid to try something new. The mundane is not what Jesus had in mind for us.

Our God is a creative God who can create out of nothing and cannot be limited. And when we expect that from God, we begin to journey a spiritual adventure filled with passion, hope, encouragement, and clear direction! The choice is not to limit our God! To see change take place, we will have to trust Him and follow the word. "As for God, His way is perfect! The word of the Lord is tested and tried; He is a shield to all those who take refuge and put their trust in Him." (Psalm 18:30 Amplified Bible) We trust the Word and keep our eyes on Him, preparing for what comes our way. Be prepared for a new business idea, promotion, new friendships, or new understanding. If God gave the idea, He'll see it through. New things may cause us to break some old molds and walk into the new. Get ready for His best to come our way! “Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know." (Jeremiah 33:3 NKJV) Friends I pray we make the choice to recognize we won't get extraordinary results from doing the same old thing!

Blessings,
Joel & Terri

Saturday, November 6, 2010

You're Invited...

Matt 14:28-30 "Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water." "Come," he said.  Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!"

This journey we call life is all about change going on all around us but the most important change is what is going on inside! Our character—who we really are, what lies within us—comes out in crisis, emerging from the classroom of life, standing out for everyone to see. Character is developed, it just does not happen. We will face ups and downs but knowing He is working in us maturing us thru those tough times (Ephesians 3:10). This is a place that is uncomfortable and the crazy part is that we forget our God is more than capable of directing our steps and guiding me! Powerful place to be because we have chosen to leave what is safe to us and trust Him and allow Him to work in us. Not living in fear and constantly reacting and being disappointed with what we do and say but choosing to make changes from the inside out and let character have its way. Then let us take the step out of the boat we think of and established as our security and walk to Him and He will transform us!

Matthew 14:31-33 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?" And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."

Blessings,
Joel & Terri