One sided relationships

As I was enjoying a site on the computer where people connect and communicate. I was about to comment on a site, when I had a thought ...


"Why would you write on their site, they don't know you."

Now this was true they did not know me. But thoughts provoke other thoughts. So my first thought gave birth another.

"That is right, they do not know me, but they should get to know me, they might like me."
"We might be able to help one another, we might be powerful together."

You may think that was a bit conceited, but I consider it rather confident.

Then I thought: "Hum, they don't know me, but I know them."

You see, I knew because they were an internationally known personality.
I was honored to have been in their meetings (giving of my time and finances to be there).

I had heard them talk (and listened with the intent of doing).
I had purchased their CD's and Books partaking of their ideas, opinions, wisdom and knowledge, as well as their humor.

I knew where they lived and their means of transportation.
I had learned what they liked and didn't like.
I knew about their spouse, children, grandchildren and even parents before them.
I knew where they liked to eat and shop.
I knew their values.

I knew them ... but they did not know me.

How could I have known so much about them, and they not know anything about me?

I invested in them. I had chosen to get to know them. I valued them. I loved them and desired to participate in their life as much as possible, without them personally participating in mine.

But they did not know me.

They had not invested in me, they had not chose to get to know me ... they did not even know to put my face with my name.

They had no idea about my opinions or values. I was just another face in the crowd.

Then this lead me to think:
"This is sort of like God."

He invest in our lives. He knows all about us. He values us enough to listen to us. He knows where we live. He knows our likes and dislikes. He knows our family. He knows where we have been, where we are, and where we desire to go.

He has chosen to see us ... to hear us ... to invest in us! He has loved us!

Just as I had looked into the life of this great personality and knew them; Just as I had chosen to hear them, to invest in them and love them. God has done the same concerning us. And He sees us as great personalities with great potential. We are on the stage of life, invest in us. He knows us!

The question is ... "While He has chosen to know us, have we chosen to know Him?"

It is not until two personalities invest equally in one another that they can they walk together in the fullness of relationship.

How are your relationships?

Are you expecting others to invest in you, and yet failing to invest in them?

Are you wanting to walk in the fullness of relationship with God and others and yet living one sided?

Take time to get to know God.
Take time to get to know people.
You will find it powerful!

Don't Miss Your Day of Visitation

Many will miss their day of visitation if they are not sensitive to the Holy Ghost. Some believe a day of visitation is visible angels, thundering audible voices or open visions of Jesus.

Visitation that comes from God can not be boxed into the spectacular. People with these boxed in mentalities may miss their divine appointments.

• When Peters day of visitation came it was Jesus in the form of a carpenters son ... yes it was Jesus, but in the form of man, and the same for the other disciples.

• When the Eunuchs day of visitation came, it was through a man named Philip, who adjoined himself to his chariot.

• For Paul his appointment was with a lady named Lydia, [a retailer].
  

• For the Prison guard it was a couple of prisoners.

What about a bleeding woman, a blind man, a convulsive son, a vexed daughter, a centurion with a sick servant. All of these, allowed Jesus to minster to them in the form of man.

• If Peter had not recognized his visitation, he would never have walked on water.

• If the Eunuch had rejected Philip (not given him a chariot ride), he would have missed a divine appointment that resulted in salvation.

• What if Paul had been prejudice, or stuck in traditional bondage believing that God did no use women in ministry, he would have passed by Lydia, who was at the very center of a previous vision.

• And if the prison guard would have refused the voice a couple of prisoners, his life and his family's lives would not have been spared.

Visitation ... Dreams, Visions, Angles, Audible Voices, Spectacular events ... yes, these can all be visitations from God, however, if we box God in to this formula, we may miss our greatest appointments, that result in the miraculous.

Allow Walls To Fall

So many people are isolated by walls. Walls of insecurity, walls of jealousy, walls of anger, walls of hatred, walls of prejudices, walls of pride ... you get the point.

People want connections, but are dis-connected by fears and flesh barriers, leaving them as Islands in the stream. People passing every day without joining allies or making friends. Jesus knew the need to connect, to adjoin himself to others, and for others to do the same.


When Jesus was ready to step out into ministry, he begin to call out people. He begin to connect, to join forces, to build relationships. He did not just walk past people on the beach, he connected with people on the beach.

Jesus did not only connect with people on the beach, he also looked for people to connected with, John 1:43 expresses to us that Jesus went into Galilee and FOUND Philip.
"The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me." Then Philip found Nathanael and connected him to Jesus.

These connections created an inner core of people upon which Jesus built His Church. After a period of growing in relationship those people stemmed out to connect to other people in other places ... enlarging their territory and His.

The church will never be successful until successfully learning to connect with people, and remain connected. According to the Napoleon Hill Group most successful people have long term relationships; connections made and maintained. Paul and Silas connected and stood together through thick and thin. They also connected to a prison guard and his family winning them to Christ. Barnabas and John Mark connected and stayed connected during transitional times.

If the enemy can keep the Body of Christ divided, he has gained strength through our lack of assembly. If he can keep the church members off in little clicks instead of adjoining together as a whole, again he keeps them from making longer strides.

Jesus connected ... He connected with Lazarus, Mary, Martha, the disciples; He connected in the synagogues, the temples, and the streets. He connected with tax collectors, fishermen, publicans and harlots. He connected with rich, poor, male, female, old, young, military and religious leaders.

People who think they can only connect to one little group of people are near sighted and will not have a very broad vision. Jesus offered people the opportunity to befriend him. He offered to walk with them, gave them opportunity to eat with him, to come see where he lived, and visited with them. He made time for them, and did not fear them, or prejudge them.


Don't you think it is time for us to act like Jesus?

Aren't you ready to take down walls and build bridges?

Don't you believe it is time to enlarge by Connecting!

How to Handle Dominating Emotions / Part 2

In the past two blogs we have talked about our Emotions and the need to manage them. Today we will talk about some ways to deal with our emotions healthily.

The Word of God talks to us about not giving the devil a place. In this we must understand that the devil can get a place in our lives through our soul (mind, will, emotions). Thus we must know how to keep our mind; yield our will; and control our emotions, This is the only way to keep the devil from gaining a place in our lives.

Many times people think they can live any way they want and then just rebuke the devil and things will be okay. That is deception.

If we study Eph. 4:27 where the text: Neither give place to the devil, comes, we will see that there is much talk about the mind, will, emotions and choices.


Eph. 4:17-32

17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,

18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart (mind, will, emotions):

19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. (past feelings here means: to be empty headed and without understanding of God)

20 But ye have not so learned Christ;

21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:

22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; (notice here, YOU put off wrong speaking that is corrupt)

23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;

24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. (YOU put on the New Man / Choice and willful action)

25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.

26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:

27 Neither give place to the devil.

28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.

29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:

32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.


Here we can see much responsibility on our part. When we want to say ugly things because our emotions are ruffed up, we are to contain our emotions and speak only that which is acceptable. This is done by casting down wrong imaginations and taking thoughts captive. And then putting those imaginations and thoughts into alignment with God's Word which brings Life, Health, Joy, Peace, Prosperity and all lasting Success.


Children are taught by fire marshals what to do should they catch fire. They tell them to: STOP, DROP AND ROLL.

When learning to deal with our emotions, we must understand how to deal with our tongue which is a little member that can set BIG fires. Therefore, before allowing the tongue to tag team with emotional thoughts, Stop (take a breath), let Drop (anything that which would harm you or others), and Roll off the tongue only that which edifies.


When the emotion of anger arises, we are to manage it, and not sin. We are to deal with the problem by coming up with an effective solution, and be sure to do it before bed time. This is done through prayer, meditation, forgiveness and proper communication. Don't let anger lay around through the night, gaining strength and causing other problems.


If you do not deal with anger, like any other loose emotion it will end up dominating you. It will burn in your mind, ulcerate your stomach, disturb your sleep and cause a series of other mental and health problems, not to mention how it will effort your relationships with others.


Any time we do not deal with our emotions, by putting them into subjection to the Word and Spirit we are opening ourselves up to the devil. We are giving him a place. And if we give him a place, we can not then rebuke him and expect him to leave.


If we give the devil/adversary a place, he has a right to be there. Until we shut the door and hang a no soliciting sign by taking proper actions he will not pay any attention to our rebukes. We can wear out our rebuker and still not have the results we desire.


Emotions are not necessarily good or bad. Emotions are simply neutral until something gets them going.


Love which is one of the key emotions in our lives, can be a good thing if it is steered properly. But it can be bad if it is lust that dresses it's self up as love and causes one to do something harmful to themselves or others.

Anger as we discussed previously is not a sin, it is a normal emotion that can be a healthy part of life if handled properly, but left without restraints can cause serious problems.


We have to understand that life is to be lived in balance. And to live a fully balanced happy and safe life we must learn how to walk self controlled. We must learn how to deal with our emotions.

How to Handle Dominating Emotions / Part 1

Many times people find out that Emotions are not suppose to control them. They hear that they should not be allowing their emotions to lead them from high to low and back again. But they remain powerless over them.

It is not enough to know that we are not to be emotion or flesh dominated, we must gain insight in how to handle our unruly flesh nature which is subject to the sense realm.

We live in a world that is sight oriented and sense ruled.

• If we see it we want it.
• If it feels good we do it.
• If it smells good we have to have it.
• If it is nice to the touch we desire it.
• If we hear something is good we run after it.

Dominated and controlled by the senses!

A lady sitting on her couch may suddenly see a pizza commercial on the TV at nine o'clock at night, and under the impulse she dials the pizza parlor. The next day, she is upset and complaining of being overweight.

A man at home alone, suddenly FEELS the need for companionship. He moved by feelings is off to find the first warm body available, or clicks the TV to a porn network to try to appease his flesh. But come the next day, he is still alone.

A Woman goes by a counter in the Mall, she smells the sweet aroma of colognes, soon she must have new cologne ... although she may already have three bottles at home and her budget tells her NO! It is not a necessity it is a flesh desire, that has overridden wisdom principle.

I could give examples to ever sensual impulse, but you get the idea. Senses draw away our affections to flesh desires and work to remove us from God's best for our lives. Remember from yesterdays' blog ... the word emotion in Latin origin means ex-movere, meaning to move away. Satan would love for us to follow our emotions and carry us away, he would like to get us over into carnal feelings and move us away from God.

We should be Spirit led, and not Sense Fed.

If we are led by the Spirit, we put the flesh under, we mortify it's deeds. However, as long as we feed our sense realm anything it reaches out for, we will not only fail to train and develop our human spirit, but we will never walk in wisdom that is principle for success. We will also be on continual emotional roller coaster ride all our life.

On the inside of every born again believer lives a controlled balanced Spirit ... (The Holy Spirit/The very Spirit of the Lord Jesus Christ) ... the Spirit who now lives within you, and makes His home there. This Spirit man desires to help you, and to lead you into a self controlled and successful life.

Many people confuse the soul with the spirit. The spirit is the very essence of man, while the soul consist of the mind, will and emotions of man. We also hear people say we are body, soul and spirit ... when actually we are first Spirit ... we have a soul (mind, will and emotions) and we live in a physical body.

The body is a covering for the living spirit that you and I are. If you don't believe that visit a funeral home and take a look at the empty shell (body) left behind. The living spirit is gone, and only the covering remains. So we need to understand that ... We are first a Spirit, we have a soul (mind, will and emotions) and we are living in a (physical) body.

We are not to give the body nor the soul dominance, we do not listen to what the body says, or what the soul says, we listen to the inner (born again) spirit man, the Holy Spirit. Once we are saved, the human spirit yields to the Holy Spirit and is changed, and as we grow spiritually our emotions and body will experience renewal (change) as well. Through these changes our living situations get better. Our health is changed, our financial standings are changed, our relationships change, and our life styles are better.

If we go through life allowing our soul to dominate, always allowing our Emotions to rule, our lives will be filled with woes. Woe defined is to be filled with grief, distress, regrets and lamenting. It is to be left unhappy, poverty stricken, sick and stressed. This is not what God intended for born again believers.

Jer. 29:11 tells us that God has a plan for us ... and it is a plan to give us hope and a future. It is a plan to prosper us, and cause us to walk totally fulfilled and successful. Many believers are not walking in the benefit of this God plan, and the major reason is a lack of knowledge and/or effort of handling dominating emotions.

Now that we have some nuggets of truth concerning the three dimensional person that we are, we can move on to learning how to develop the human spirit in order to dominate those overbearing emotions and flesh desires.

In part 2 of "How to Handle Dominating Emotions" which will be our next posting, we will gain the insight needed to master our emotions!

Watch Out For Those Emotions!

Emotions ... excitement or disturbance, either way can be a hindrance to walking in God's best for your life.





Feelings (emotions) are fickle and people who are led by them are wishy washy. One day they will buddy up to you because they like the way things are going, the next day they will turn and run to someone else to buddy up to because they want someone to side with them and their bullying companion "emotions."

Jesus was not led by his emotions. He was Spirit Led ... even when the Spirit led him to places uncomfortable on the flesh. Jesus was not led by his emotions in Gethsemane, but rather was putting them under. He was not being led by his feelings when we walked out into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil, and just for the record He did not give place to the devil either.

Ro 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

We are joint heirs with Jesus as born again believers and being born of the Spirit we should walk in and after the Spirit. The Spirit of God never changes, is never wishy washy and never bullies us around like emotions will.

Emotions will drive a person, the Spirit will lead a person. Emotions leave a person empty, the Spirit will fill a person. Emotions will take a person off course, while the Spirit will goad us back on course if we veer off.

The root source of the Word emotions according to Webster is Latin and reads as ex-movere, meaning to move away. Satan would love for us to follow our emotions and carry us away, he would like to get us over into carnal feelings and move us away from God.

There are times when the Holy Ghost may be dealing with us to do something or go someplace and someone will unconsciously try to detour us because they are soul led. Paul was a good example of this when God was dealing with him to go to Rome. The people got all emotional and tried to sway him not to go to Rome. They were carnal and operation mainly from the arena of the soul instead of the Spirit.

Siding with Emotions or those who are Emotional
will not help them fulfill God's Will.

In this same account, the prophet told Paul what would happen if he went to Rome ... he would be bound and taken captive. I am sure at that point Paul's own emotions rose up. But it was his desire to do the will of God, not fulfill the lust of the flesh. The Will of God would have never been fulfilled through Paul had he decided to take the counsel of his own emotions or had he allowed others to pet him and sway him off course.

God or his prophets will not always tell you what your flesh wants to hear.

Romans 8:5-8

5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

We can see by these text that if we cater to our emotions we cannot please (satisfy) God. He will not accept loose emotional actions. God will always love us, but he does not feed our flesh. People who do, are not Spirit led. They may be well meaning, but they are actually only accompanying you as you walk away from God's Best.

Way back in the Beginning we have an account of Cain. He was upset with his brother Abel because what Abel was offering to God was pleasing and what he offered was rejected. God had to refuse flesh offerings. And flesh not dealt with will end up standing on the outside of Gods best plan.

Our lives should be set on course and held steadily in place by the Spirit of God. To yield to any other voices ... will steer us down a road of demise. To listen to people who side with the emotions is to allow them to draw you into a convey of disaster.

If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
Gal. 5:25

Prophecy by Lynne Hammond

In light of our last blog: His presence; Your choice. I decided to follow through with a prophecy by Lynne Hammond. I trust it will speak to your life and leave you hungry for His Presence.

TIME FOR A CHANGE
Lynne Hammond

I said, you'd be changed in My presence, saith the Lord. if you have not experienced change in your life, if your old ways are still prevailing, if your old man is still in evidence, you have not spent the time with Me that I desire. It isn't a matter of self control or disciplining your flesh with no help from Me, saith God. If you'll spend time in My presence, you will be changed. Your pattern of life will be changed. Your old man will begin to pass away. Your new man will begin to rise in the image of My Son. Your life will begin to bear much fruit. The evidence of your walk with Me will change as a result of spending much time in My presence.

If you're having trouble getting rid of an old habit, if you're having trouble with your marriage, if your family relationship aren't changing, you're not spending the time with Me, that would enable that change to come to pass. Your desire and the motivation of your heart to walk uprightly before Me is a product of becoming so close to Me that you do not want to bring hurt to Me.

In natural relationships, when you love someone, you want to do the right things for them. You don't want to hurt them. Well, as you spend time with Me, saith God, as your spend time in My presence, we'll develop a relationship that is closer than any earthly relationship. It will shape the pattern of your living. You'll want to conform your ways to My Words simply because it's the desire of your heart. your life will change; but it will be a product of your spending time with Me. 2/7/93



My sincere thanks to Sister Lynne Hammond for all of her years of service offered after spending time in His presence.
This copied prophecy is an insert within the pages of her book entitled: THE MASTER IS CALLING and can be purchased at: www.mac-hammond.org.

His Presence, Your Choice

While some enjoy God at a distance, others experience His presence.


His life, His peace, His joy and all His Glory.



People who enjoy God from a distance are those who hear about the life, peace, joy and blessing while living on the outside edges. Much like Moses who experienced only the back side of God … He watched as God passed by … Ex. 33:12-23.

Enoch, on the other hand did not watch as God passed by … He walked with God. He lived everyday in the presence of the Lord. He enjoyed liberty and fullness of joy everyday ~ Gen. 5.

We have a choice today, whether we will live in the passing Glory, or in the omnipotent presence of the Lord. We can came to church and the glory can pass through. We can enjoy it for a small frame of time … but just as a fog lifts, so will that passing glory. One must make a choice decision to live everyday in God’s presence if they want to experience His Best.

To live in the presence of the Lord is to live a life that is daily saturated by the Word of God. It is a life lived in sweet communion through the Holy Spirit.

To live in the presence of the Lord, is to live in the arena of spiritual awareness. Knowing that He is forever with you, and living a life worthy of that truth.

It is to have an unspeakable joy, and a peace that is not understandable. It is to rest in the midst of storms, and to trust the invisible when everything around you is shaking.

It is to sit in a crowd, or all alone and be totally fulfilled. It is to be content with what you have, where you are, while ready to step into a future that has not be presently engraved with every detail.

It is to lay down and sleep sweetly; to rise refreshed and ready for each new day. It is knowing that God's Glory will lead you wherever you go, and that nothing by no means can harm you.

To live in His presence is to be loved, to live loved, and to give love!
His presence, Your Choice!

All about Me!

We continue today from yesterday's blog when we spoke of "Turning in our running shoes." Today we are giving up our "All about Me pants."


When we quit running away from life, and stop demanding that life repay our hurts and failures, we will soon find ourselves on route to a very healthy and prosperous future! To demand a payment is to say that Jesus blood was not enough for a healthy, prosperous life.


It is unfortunate that we have became a very demanding people. Demanding much more than asking? And yet we are told in God's word that we "have not" because we "ask not" ... or we "ask" with wrong motives.

When people demand in prayer, they forget who they are talking to. Prayer is communications with God (who is the supreme authority).

While to demand, is to ask for something with authority. People have often times misunderstood the use of delegated authority.

God is pleased with faith that knows delegated realms of authority. However, to go to God in prayer in a demanding fashion is an attempt to make God do what you want Him to do. It takes on the idea that you are the supreme authority and God lives in the realm of delegation. God is the one who delegates, we are the ones that have been given authority through him.

To demand the enemy to take his hands off of something that belongs to you is the right place to use demands, because you have been delegated power over all the power of the enemy. You are to live and reign in this life by faith, using that delegated authority. But when it comes to asking God ... you ask knowing that he is Lord. You ask in the sense of standing in the presence of one that reigns over you, not under you.

The Devil is under you, Our Heavenly Father whom we have access through Jesus Christ, is Lord, and reigns over You. However, when wearing our "all about me pants" we can go to extremes such as these, and walk into the throne room with the posture of Lording it over God himself, and this should not be, and will not be effective.

Example:
A child goes to a parent and says, "I demand you to give me all your money right now so that I can go buy what I want with it! Give it to me now! Do you hear me give it to me now!"

That is out of order and is unreasonable. And if a parent has any principle about them will not respond favorable to such demands.

Another Example:
An employee goes to an employer and tells him, "I am here to tell you that you are gonna give me an additional four weeks vacation. I work hard here and two weeks a year is not enough. I demand you to give me two extra weeks whether you like it or not! And if you don't, I quit!"

Any employer with good sense will tell that employee that they may as well go ahead and put in their resignation, because their work benefits are set, and if they don't want to work for that, then they are free to walk.

The "all about me pants" cause one to feel entitled to what they want, when they want it, and at any cost. They push their way to the front instead of allowing God to sit them in position. They jump into the limelight, instead of allowing God to place his light on them. They want the first piece of pie, and the largest sandwich half. They do not understand the concept of less is more. And they never even try to understand, and operate in rank. Submission to them is not a consideration, because they always see themselves as dominate.

When it comes to us being the head and not the tail in life is to speak of our power over the enemy ... over Satan. It is not speaking of doing away with order and boundaries in life.

If everyone took on the notion that they were the head of every organization what a mess the world would be in. Flow chart order in organizations is set to keep order, and to cause a company to operate safely and successfully. God himself requires order. He set order over a brooding chaos in the very beginning of earth endeavors.

The "all about me pants" will cause a person to become very angry if someone else gets a promotion that they did not get. It can even cause a person to take on a murderous spirit like Cain did when he slew Able. Instead of being his brothers keeper, he wants to get rid of the brother so he can be the key player.

The "all about me pants" will cause a person go to bed angry, refusing to release a person of an offense. And they will never admit their error if they have actually been the offender.

People want favor in life. They want to be successful, healthy, prosperous and happy. And yet they often live defeat lives because they refuse to change their outfits. They are so busy making sure they get what belongs to them, that they don't live life and abundance that is offered them through Jesus Christ just for the proper asking.


Eph. 6:10-18 tells us clearly how we should dress.

10 ¶ Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

In this passage we do not see any place we are told to put on the "all about me pants." All about me people live in the dark, while God wants us living in the light. So, let's give up our all about me attitudes. Let's burn that wardrobe and allow God to give us beauty for the ashes.

Turn in your Running Shoes

Lately the Holy Spirit has quickened some things in us. One of them has been: "Will you turn in your running shoes?" People who are insecure tend to run every time they come to a rough place, or to a place that requires strong commitment.

I have watched as people have leaped from one church congregation to another because of requirements. I have seen people go from one relationship to another all their lives, never attaining long term friendships.

People divorce every day because they have reached a place in their marriage that is difficult. People who don't know who Christ is in them ... or who they are in Christ ... Run! Running from people to people, job to job, church to church, marriage to marriage, or from choice drug to choice drug. And do kid yourself ... drugs I speak of here are very broad scope. From work, food, to smokes, to liquor, to prescription meds, to street drugs.

So many people try to find happiness in things, others in work and more often far to many expect other people to make them happy. None of these will do. Happiness is an inward state of being, that comes from Christ alone. When Christ resides on the inside of you, you like Paul can think yourself happy. Ac 26:2 I think myself happy, king Agrippa ...

Ro 14:17
For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

Here we see that neither righteousness, peace or joy come from things without. They come for the Kingdom of God. And the Kingdom of God is within us ... near us ... even in manifestation by Word.

Our lives are each byproducts of the Words we have spoken in our yesterdays. But it is:
easier to run than to communicate; easier to run than dig your heels in and refuse to be moved until you get the results desired.

It is time to turn in the running shoes! Time to get to know Christ Jesus through the Word of God and through prayer communications.

It is time to find out who you are in Christ! Time to recognize that happiness is not going to be found in jobs, drugs, material things or other people. Happiness will be found when you stop running and face the truth.

Once you stop running and face the truth that is found in Gods Word you will be free ... free to be happy and free to succeed in life! You will be free of inner turmoil. Turmoil that cause conflicts with people and leaves you open to devastating circumstances. Turmoil that will leave you sleepless, moody, listless, hopeless, sick, broke and broken.

Jesus was the truth manifest in the flesh. He was the Word living among us for a little while. He was the expression of God to us in human form. He is the truth that sets us free!

Joh 8:32
And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
Joh 8:36
If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

Jesus is the one who frees us to Stand still and see the salvation (deliverance, safety, health, and preservation) of God! Within the deliverance is liberty from poverty and lack, sickness and disease, anything the enemy could throw your way.

So turn in your Running Shoes and get rooted and grounded in Gods Word! Begin Now! Don't wait another day. Do it now. Do it for you and your future!

Tomorrow we will discuss:
Giving up our "All about me pants."
Don't miss it!

Protocol and Amazing Faith Results

Many people in the Body of Christ are having lots to say about their Faith. They talk about it as if they are some faith giant, and yet their character screams "Not So". But men like Joseph and Joshua were men of Character and their actions shouted, "Here is Faith".

James knew this and displayed it for us as he penned these words:

James 2:14-22
14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? 17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. 19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? 22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?

Faith is so much more than just lip service. Faith is action. Faith is obeying the Word of God, which if filled with codes of etiquette; codes of behavior; and Guidelines (principles).

Protocol:

• A code of etiquette
• A code of behavior
• Guidelines

Protocol is key to amazing faith results.

People who understood rank and order were those whom God commended and promoted. Joseph knew how to hold on to what God spoke to him. He knew how to operate according to protocol in spite of who was standing in positions over him.

Joseph was ditched (literally) by his brothers when he was put in a pit. Later he was sold out by his brothers (literally), when he was pulled from the pit, but only to and for their advantage, and was sold for a price to the Midianite Merchantmen.

Later he found himself serving in one of the lowest seats know to man, a servant to those of influence. Not to mention that while in this position, was solicited and striped of his own cloak; lied about and imprisoned.

While in the prison he was required to organize and administrate it. Laboring for free in a place that was chaotic and with a group of people whom lacked integrity.

In each of these places, Joseph held on to his dream of being promoted to a higher rank. The rank that God had spoke to him about. A place that exceed his brothers and his father too.

His Father had put him in the place where his brothers grew to hate him, He definitely wanted to be seated higher than that in wisdom. His brothers were slothfully in service and took out their anger on others, because of bitterness within them that refused to take personal responsibility. Joseph endeavored to walk in higher levels of integrity than this.

Joseph continue to follow proper codes of etiquette, behavior, and guidelines. He did not break protocol no matter what was handed him, and because of it was promoted to second in command of an entire Nation.

Joshua was another man promoted after holding fast to protocol. He walked with murmuring, complaining people, and with Moses (his leader) who was given to bouts of anger, and yet he kept an excellent Spirit. Because Joshua obeyed God and kept protocol He was offered Moses position and was able to take a people further than Moses could.

And the Last person I will mention is The Centurion who came to Jesus. In Matthew Chapter 8.
The Centurion came to Jesus requesting help for his sick servant. And as he did, he explained to Jesus that he made himself of no respect in his presence, understanding that he (Jesus) was a man of greatest stature in lines of protocol.

The centurion understood protocol; the responsibility and power that came with it. Once the centurion expressed his knowledge of these things ... he was commended by Jesus and his request was granted.

People who understand protocol and follow it, end up with amazing faith results and find themselves soon promoted.