The most powerful Christian force on earth should be the lives we live through Christ. When asked what the greatest commandment was, Jesus replied by telling them to love him with all their hearts and to love their neighbor as themselves. As Christians, our mindset has to be the following: "We do not talk great things, but we live them."
Acts chapter 9 beginning in verse 36 gives an account of a woman named Tabitha, who lived great things. She didn't just give money to the poor, she actually spent time and energy making coats and garments. She connected with these people beyond just an offering. She became a part of their lives. It wasn't her great beauty, musical ability, eloquent speeches or family name that made her beloved to the people around her. We can see from scripture that they loved her deeply because she loved God and that love flowed out like water into the thirsty lives of others.
Scripture tells us that she became sick and died. These men and women of Joppa felt such a loss that they didn't even proceed with her burial. They had heard that Peter was nearby and maybe.....................just maybe a miracle was in store. By faith they sent someone to get Peter and without any explanation Peter went to Joppa with them. I am convinced it was the leading of the Holy Spirit. God had used Peter to heal the sick, but Tabitha was dead.
Upon his arrival, Peter tells everyone to leave the room where she lay and he cries out to God. An incredible miracle is performed that day and many turn to Christ.
God used this woman's life to:
1. Glorify His name.
2. Make a difference in her community.
3. Increase the faith of his disciple, Peter.
4. Bring many to believe in him.
Isn't that what we want our lives to do!! Then we have to purpose to stop talking about the needs we see and start meeting them. Look for opportunities to use your gifts for his kingdom. You will be blessed beyond measure when you become a blessing!! So............................start living it!!
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Here is the notes from Word Walkers that I promised to post. Hope they are helpful to you!
An Undivided Heart
Word Walkers
February 13, 2012
Introduction: If we were honest with ourselves we have all experienced a time of duplicity. A time when if we were honest with ourselves there is an area of our lives that we simply don’t feel our “whole heart” is in it anymore. We don’t want to look at ourselves, our husband, our children, church people, or our co-workers to name a few, because it reminds us of a weakness in our lives. Hopefully you have come to a time in your life when you are no longer willing to look aside, but face it head on.
Psalm 12:2 says They lie to one another; they speak with flattering lips and deceptive hearts. Deceptive or deceptive hearts in Hebrew is literally “with heart and heart” or what the King James version calls “a double heart”. You might picture it like this: the two chambers of our hearts trying to split off from one another and beat the competing drums facing different directions. It leaves the whole system out of sync and unauthentic.
What happens if we continue with this life of duplicity? We get a life of instability. James 1:7-8 tells us that this unstable, double hearted person can’t expect to receive anything from the Lord. Certainly no one wants that!
Scripture Reading Genesis 19:1-26
The cause:
1. The wrong thing captured her attention
1 John 2:15-17
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world — the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life — is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.
The lights, sounds, beautiful clothes, crowds all drew her in. The feeling of being somebody. A woman of influence. No doubt she was part of the women’s club, maybe even the president. She had the finest home, decorated with the best. Now in and of themselves there was nothing wrong with these things. The problem was the wickedness surrounding all of these things. The fact that she could become comfortable in the wickedness in order to have these things.(the wickedness of these people should have been revolting to her. Not even 10 righteous people could be found)
NKJV
James 1:14-15
4 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.
NKJV
2. She was hanging around the wrong people
Prov 12:26
26 The righteous should choose his friends carefully,
For the way of the wicked leads them astray.
NKJV
I must choose my friends wisely. Certainly the way of the wicked had led her astray. We tell our children to watch who they befriend, but many times we don’t follow the same advice. I am not saying that you should have no unsaved friends, what I am saying is you must have godly friends who will be willing to keep you in check. I have to have friends that are encouraging me to do the right thing even if it makes me mad and I don’t want to hear it. A true friend tells you the truth in order to save you from falling prey to the enemy.
3. She wasn’t totally surrendered to God
1
a : to yield to the power, control, or possession of another upon compulsion or demand <surrendered the fort> b : to give up completely or agree to forgo especially in favor of another
2
a : to give (oneself) up into the power of another especially as a prisoner b : to give (oneself) over to something (as an influence)
Rom 12:1-2
And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice — the kind he will accept. When you think of what he has done for you, is this too much to ask? 2 Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is.
NLT
She believed the warning from the angels, she even responded. Life and salvation were waiting her up ahead and death was pressing in on her, yet she lingered. Reluctantly she began to go, but……………….she looked back. The wrong was not so much in the physical act of looking back, but what it indicated. She was still in love with Sodom even though her feet were turned from it. Her divided heart would be her downfall.
The Cost:
1. It robbed her of Joy
Eccl 2:25-26
25 For who can eat or enjoy anything apart from him? 26 God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy to those who please him. But if a sinner becomes wealthy, God takes the wealth away and gives it to those who please him. Even this, however, is meaningless, like chasing the wind.
NLT
There is nothing more miserable than knowing what you should be doing and not doing it. Conviction is a powerful thing!! She knew the ways of God and you will never convince me that she was truly a joyful person. A divided heart creates all kind of inner turmoil and robs us of our joy.
2. Slowed her forward progress
Genesis 19:26 ………………but his wife looked back from behind him………….
The word behind is translated from the Hebrew “achar” which suggests considerable distance. The divided heart cripples our walk. It weakens our power, diminishes our prayer life, stagnates our devotion time until eventually we can’t possibly keep up. She couldn’t move forward to what God had for her because she was grasping for what was behind.
3. Her life
Luke 17:32-34
32 Remember what happened to Lot's wife! 33 Whoever clings to this life will lose it, and whoever loses this life will save it.
NLT
In short she died way before her time. Her disobedience was more than looking back, it was outright rejection of God. Jesus says in Matthew 5:13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. She became an example of what not to do. So sad!!!
The Cure:
Gal 5:16-26
16 So I advise you to live according to your new life in the Holy Spirit. Then you won't be doing what your sinful nature craves. 17 The old sinful nature loves to do evil, which is just opposite from what the Holy Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are opposite from what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, and your choices are never free from this conflict. 18 But when you are directed by the Holy Spirit, you are no longer subject to the law.
19 When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, your lives will produce these evil results: sexual immorality, impure thoughts, eagerness for lustful pleasure, 20 idolatry, participation in demonic activities, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, divisions, the feeling that everyone is wrong except those in your own little group, 21 envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other kinds of sin. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.
22 But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. Here there is no conflict with the law.
24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. 25 If we are living now by the Holy Spirit, let us follow the Holy Spirit's leading in every part of our lives. 26 Let us not become conceited, or irritate one another, or be jealous of one another.
NLT
Things to consider: She perished even though she was warned of danger, she knew exactly what God had said he would do, she perished even though she made an effort to be saved, she was separated from the Godless but she was still lost, she perished even though she was given clear direction.
Isaiah 33:6a He is your constant source of stability.
What is important is where you are going, not where you have been!
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Continuation of Look Up!!
Psalm 44:25 For our soul is bowed down to the dust...................
Psalm 119:25-28 My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word. I have declared my ways, and thou heardest me: teach me thy statutes. Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wonderous works. My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word.
Yesterday we talked about being bent over. Certainly there are plenty of things in this world to bow us down. Jesus warned us that in this world we would have trouble, but..........................he has overcome the world. So, it is through him and his word that you and I will over come. I wanted to share a couple of scriptures with you to hold on to during this time in your life until you see God move. If needed write them on a post it note and place it where it can be seen throughout the day.
Psalm 145:14 The Lord upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down.
Psalm 146:8 The Lord openeth the eyes of the blind: the Lord raiseth them that are bowed down: the Lord loveth the righteous.
You have the assurance that this will pass!! HOLD ONTO IT!!
Psalm 119:25-28 My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word. I have declared my ways, and thou heardest me: teach me thy statutes. Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wonderous works. My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word.
Yesterday we talked about being bent over. Certainly there are plenty of things in this world to bow us down. Jesus warned us that in this world we would have trouble, but..........................he has overcome the world. So, it is through him and his word that you and I will over come. I wanted to share a couple of scriptures with you to hold on to during this time in your life until you see God move. If needed write them on a post it note and place it where it can be seen throughout the day.
Psalm 145:14 The Lord upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down.
Psalm 146:8 The Lord openeth the eyes of the blind: the Lord raiseth them that are bowed down: the Lord loveth the righteous.
You have the assurance that this will pass!! HOLD ONTO IT!!
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Look Upward!!
Luke 13:10-16 Now Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. And there was a woman there who for eighteen years had had an infirmity caused by a spirit. She was bent completely forward and utterly unable to straighten herself up or to look upward. And when Jesus saw her, He called her to him and said to her, Woman, you are released from your infirmity! Then he laid his hands on her, and instantly she was made straight, and she recognized and thanked and praised God. But the leader of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, said to the crowd, There are six days on which work ought to be done; so come on those days and be cured, and not on the Sabbath day. But the Lord replied to him, saying, you playactors! Does not each one of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or his donkey from the stall and lead it out to water it? And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath Day? (Amplified Bible)
In this particular passage her condition of being "bent over" was physical; however, I have met many woman that are emotionally and spiritually "bent over". One reason could be that for years they have been told they are not good enough and will never measure up. Another reason could be one failure after another has set in motion a pattern of bad choices. Sometimes the burdens that we are bearing just seem to bend us over. Whatever the reason there, are women in our churches, just like this woman, that need to receive the healing that is available to them.
I have noticed a common factor in most of these women is in conversation they don't make eye contact. They look down or to the side of the person to whom they are speaking. So bent over that as in this scripture they are unable to look up. I don't know how many times she had been to church, but this ordinary trip to church was going to turn extraordinary. Jesus was there. The one who was paying the ultimate price for our healing, freedom and redemption. She received a supernatural touch that day and immediately she stood upright!!
Notice that Jesus doesn't call her by name, but a daughter of Abraham. The people might not have seen her as important, but Jesus did. This woman was entitled to all the covenant blessings that had been promised to Abraham because she was part of his family yet, she was living beneath them. So.........how does that apply to us.
Today we are not just children of Abraham but of Christ himself and heirs according to: Gal 3:26-29
For you are all sons/daughters of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
NKJV
Remind yourself today exactly who you are in Christ. I don't have to be "bent over", but I can stand confident in the promises of God. Today whom the son has set free is free indeed!!!!! Turn your back on the lies of the enemy and walk in the freedom that has been purchased for you. Look Up!!!!!!
In this particular passage her condition of being "bent over" was physical; however, I have met many woman that are emotionally and spiritually "bent over". One reason could be that for years they have been told they are not good enough and will never measure up. Another reason could be one failure after another has set in motion a pattern of bad choices. Sometimes the burdens that we are bearing just seem to bend us over. Whatever the reason there, are women in our churches, just like this woman, that need to receive the healing that is available to them.
I have noticed a common factor in most of these women is in conversation they don't make eye contact. They look down or to the side of the person to whom they are speaking. So bent over that as in this scripture they are unable to look up. I don't know how many times she had been to church, but this ordinary trip to church was going to turn extraordinary. Jesus was there. The one who was paying the ultimate price for our healing, freedom and redemption. She received a supernatural touch that day and immediately she stood upright!!
Notice that Jesus doesn't call her by name, but a daughter of Abraham. The people might not have seen her as important, but Jesus did. This woman was entitled to all the covenant blessings that had been promised to Abraham because she was part of his family yet, she was living beneath them. So.........how does that apply to us.
Today we are not just children of Abraham but of Christ himself and heirs according to: Gal 3:26-29
For you are all sons/daughters of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
NKJV
Remind yourself today exactly who you are in Christ. I don't have to be "bent over", but I can stand confident in the promises of God. Today whom the son has set free is free indeed!!!!! Turn your back on the lies of the enemy and walk in the freedom that has been purchased for you. Look Up!!!!!!
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Introduction
Suprise, I actually figured out this blog spot all by myself. My determination was fueled by several people that said I couldn't figure it out. It is true that technology is not my strong point. For those of you who don't personally know me I am enclosing the following recommendation:
I have known Brenda over the past 12+ years. I met her at the West Florida District Women's Ministries, where we shared the pulpit in preaching! This, I believe, was her first time to share her testimony and declare the work of the Lord! Unbelieveable, and we all realized God's hand was upon this young handmaiden of His. She was transparent, sincere and very honest about what the Lord has done in her life.
Over the years I have watched Brenda grow and make great strides in the Lord. She knew all along, there was no hesitation about the call of God on her life, and therefore did as Paul admonished Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:15. She viewed every challenge as preparation for the great plan of God on her life, and has applied it as such in her local church where she effectively ministers along side her husband, Pastor LaVon Pettis.
I totally support Brenda in her every endeavor and strongly recommend her minsitry for churches to invite her as a speaker. Beyond measure anointed when it comes to the ministry of the hurting and down cast! Brenda is vibrant, energetic and sincere in her delivery as well as very well prepared!
I am honored to call her my friend, and by her own admission as a mentor of hers. I know she will bless you and your church!
Rev. Anne Bosman
SpiritWind Ministries
I believe that it is very important to "check out" the people that you are reading after. I hope in the days to come that this blog will be helpful to you in your christian walk. Beginning tomorrow 2/1/12 I will start posting! If you would like to hear an audio of my speaking you can go to evangelonline.net and click on media. Committed to the Direction is the title of my sermon.
I have known Brenda over the past 12+ years. I met her at the West Florida District Women's Ministries, where we shared the pulpit in preaching! This, I believe, was her first time to share her testimony and declare the work of the Lord! Unbelieveable, and we all realized God's hand was upon this young handmaiden of His. She was transparent, sincere and very honest about what the Lord has done in her life.
Over the years I have watched Brenda grow and make great strides in the Lord. She knew all along, there was no hesitation about the call of God on her life, and therefore did as Paul admonished Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:15. She viewed every challenge as preparation for the great plan of God on her life, and has applied it as such in her local church where she effectively ministers along side her husband, Pastor LaVon Pettis.
I totally support Brenda in her every endeavor and strongly recommend her minsitry for churches to invite her as a speaker. Beyond measure anointed when it comes to the ministry of the hurting and down cast! Brenda is vibrant, energetic and sincere in her delivery as well as very well prepared!
I am honored to call her my friend, and by her own admission as a mentor of hers. I know she will bless you and your church!
Rev. Anne Bosman
SpiritWind Ministries
I believe that it is very important to "check out" the people that you are reading after. I hope in the days to come that this blog will be helpful to you in your christian walk. Beginning tomorrow 2/1/12 I will start posting! If you would like to hear an audio of my speaking you can go to evangelonline.net and click on media. Committed to the Direction is the title of my sermon.
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