Profitable Hearing.

PLEASE PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT YOU HEAR!!!

He said to them, "Take heed what you hear. With whatever measure you measure, it will be measured to you, and more will be given to you who hear. Mark 4:24 NKJV

This is a very important word. “Take heed what you hear.” The things we hear enter into our hearts and become part of our being; they give form and color to our character. Infinite blessings have come from the printing-press and people who have spoken life into our hearts over our lifetime. For me I can reflect back on the diversity of people that have spoken a good word that I missed because I was too busy talking and explaining rather than listening. In the same way many opportunities come to hear words that are not life giving but rather filled with and anger and with poison and spread like a wild weed attempting to choke off the hope we have. With all this good and bad, it is vitally important that we pay attention to what we hear. We would not eat poisoned food so why should we allow poison words inside of us?

With all the stuff going on around us we must recognize that we must stop and ask God to  weed out those things that have taken root and have dampened our hope. Remember, we were not forced to listen—it is our choice. Our minds are like a computer when virus-free they operate at maximum but once a virus gets in all kinds of difficulties take place. Sometimes those viruses land accidentally, sometimes by choice, and others by entering the wrong places. The same is true for our minds.

My prayer is, “cleanse my mind, Lord.” One of the biggest battlefields we face is our own minds!

Our minds need to be washed clean with the Word of God. "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 2:5 NKJV Why?  Because if we allow our minds to get cluttered with un-useful junk like an attic or garage, it eventually won't be able to be used for its real purpose! Our eyes and ears take in so much each day, that before we know it, things are getting stored in our minds that we didn't know about.

Many ruined lives can trace their downfall to the moment when an impure word was whispered in a listening ear. On the other hand, every beautiful life has been made beautiful by what it has heard. We are saved by words. Pure, true words are transforming.

The Bible is simply a book of words; but every word contains a revelation of some beautiful thing in character or accomplishment which we should strive to reach. We should always choose to hear the words of God gladly because they are always safe and beneficial to us. We must not forget the Master's other counsel, “Be careful therefore how you hear.” Luke 8:18 NKJV We should hear thoughtfully, respectfully, obediently, letting the good words of God into our heart, that they may transform our lives.

Please let’s you and I apply this to our life today. Is it time to exchange some virus and hopelessness for a healthy mind filled with hope, life and wholeness?

You are a leader and together we are making a difference in the lives of others for the cause of Christ!

Love you and thanks for partnering with Terri and I.

Blessings,

Stand Strong!

Have you ever heard this line “You can experience God’s best in your life”? But you feel like you don’t qualify. I remember going to a game show years ago. I lined up to see if I would be chosen to be on the show. The line was long. I was feeling like I would never get on the show. “I don’t know anybody. It must be fixed. People have been planted to make it look like the line is real…” I thought. Then we apply that thinking to not slight God and him letting us win on a game show.
In life how do you battle through the feelings of inadequacy and insecurity to live in a dimension where there is so much more that God has ordered for you to walk into.

Not just every once in a while.
Not just a few special times a year.
But today and every day moving forward!

Scripture calls it favor, and it belongs to you! But you must decide something first...

Are you going to settle for where you are? Or are you going to stand and believe that His everyday favor can take you places you never dreamed possible? It IS possible to settle for mediocrity, whether your life and circumstances are good OR bad.

Some of you may be going through difficult circumstances. You may be going through financial issues. Or you may have been given a bad report on your health. Or you have been dealing with relational problems that you just can’t seem to fix. No matter what is going on in your life, you can trust God today.

Look at the promise from the Bible in Jeremiah 29:11. I love how it reads in The Message translation. God says, “I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out — plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.”

God’s word promises that He will take care of you, not abandon you, and give you an amazing future. But it requires something from you. You’ve got to decide you’re not going to settle, that you’re going to believe for His best—His favor in your life.

Today, start declaring that you are more than a conqueror and that God will provide for your needs. And remember, nothing is impossible with God.

If you do this, I promise you that you’ll begin to see God change your circumstances. You will see His favor unleashed on your life.

God is going to take you places that you’ve never thought possible.

Remember, we serve a good God — a God who wants you to receive His best for you each and every day. When you believe this and live it out, your life will never be the same and you’ll live at a whole new level of blessing and favor!

Stand strong,
Joel & Terri