Ps 42:1-2
42 As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God.
2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? –NIV
An ongoing desire to know God more fully is a prerequisite to maintaining a current experience of God’s presence and power in our life. As believers we are called to a task that we are unable to accomplish on our own. We are dependant upon God and He desires to meet with us if we will call upon Him.
Matt 5:6
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. -NIV
As believers we are expandable. No matter where we are on our spiritual journey there is the ability for more expansion, more growth, more experience. We are capable of receiving more and God is capable of giving more. Listen to the words of the Apostle Paul in the twilight of His ministry…
Phil 3:10-13
10 I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection…12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on…-NIV
There are many things God desires to do IN us and THROUGH us. Works of God that will not be fulfilled without seeking Him. We must be cautious not to allow our selves to become full with this world or we will lose our appetite for God. On the contrary, if we will feast on God He has already given us His promise…
Ps 34:8
8 Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. –NIV
How do you increase your hunger for God?
*Ask God – there are some prayers that God loves to hear
*Make Room – it is hard to be hungry for God when you are full of the world
*Taste & See – commit to seeking God in a renewed season of prayer and fasting.
*Join with Others – seek out fellowship with other believers hungry for more of God
One final promise from God’s Word…
Prov 8:17
17 I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me. – NIV
Blessings,
Darren
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Monday, October 25, 2010
A New Thing
Isa 43:19
19 See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland. – NIV
Are you looking to the past or the future for your spiritual strength? When the past is brighter than the future we are in danger spiritually. All of us should look to our past for direction, wisdom, encouragement but BEWARE…anytime our memories become greater than our dreams we will experience a loss of motivation, passion and strength for TODAY!
The Lord reminded Jeremiah very clearly what His thoughts were about the future…
Jer 29:11-12
11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. – NIV
God has plans for our lives YET fulfilled! Unreached destinies, new destinations, untapped resources, giftings to be discovered and good works to accomplish.
Eph 2:10
10 For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. - NIV
God is a FORWARD moving God. I encourage you today to look forward. What does the future hold? What NEW thing is God speaking to you? God wants to speak NEW life, NEW passion, NEW direction into our lives as we look forward in anticipation and faith. Hear the passion of the Apostle Paul after serving God for many, many years…
Phil 3:13-14
13 Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. –NIV
I encourage you today to KEEP PRESSING FORWARD. Thank God for the past but look to the future. God is not through with you yet! The best is yet to come!
Blessings,
Darren
19 See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland. – NIV
Are you looking to the past or the future for your spiritual strength? When the past is brighter than the future we are in danger spiritually. All of us should look to our past for direction, wisdom, encouragement but BEWARE…anytime our memories become greater than our dreams we will experience a loss of motivation, passion and strength for TODAY!
The Lord reminded Jeremiah very clearly what His thoughts were about the future…
Jer 29:11-12
11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. – NIV
God has plans for our lives YET fulfilled! Unreached destinies, new destinations, untapped resources, giftings to be discovered and good works to accomplish.
Eph 2:10
10 For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. - NIV
God is a FORWARD moving God. I encourage you today to look forward. What does the future hold? What NEW thing is God speaking to you? God wants to speak NEW life, NEW passion, NEW direction into our lives as we look forward in anticipation and faith. Hear the passion of the Apostle Paul after serving God for many, many years…
Phil 3:13-14
13 Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. –NIV
I encourage you today to KEEP PRESSING FORWARD. Thank God for the past but look to the future. God is not through with you yet! The best is yet to come!
Blessings,
Darren
Monday, October 11, 2010
Open Our Eyes!
With God you are always in the majority.
The King of Aram, weary of the prophet Elisha, sent his army to surround the city of Dothan. When morning came the servant could only see one thing…that in the middle of the night the enemy had surrounded them! The prophet on the other hand saw something different…
2 Kings 6:15-16
15 When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. "Oh, my lord, what shall we do?" the servant asked. 16 "Don't be afraid," the prophet answered. "Those who are with us are more than those who are with them."
In the midst of their enemies Elisha and the servant were not alone. The servant needed his eyes opened so that he could see that they were surrounded by the power and protection of God.
17 And Elisha prayed, "O Lord, open his eyes so he may see." Then the Lord opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. – NIV
The most frequent promise in the Bible is “I will be with you.” God spoke to Joshua a promise for every believer, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” and before Jesus left He reminded us of this great promise…
Matt 28:20
And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." – NIV
You are not alone today. I encourage you to do as the prophet Elisha. Next time you are challenged or burdened, face difficulty or feel surrounded by your enemies…PAUSE and PRAY a simple prayer…
“O Lord, open my eyes so that I may see what I can not see… that your power and protection surrounds me. I am not alone, you are with me.”
Remember, with God you are always in the majority!
Blessings,
Darren
The King of Aram, weary of the prophet Elisha, sent his army to surround the city of Dothan. When morning came the servant could only see one thing…that in the middle of the night the enemy had surrounded them! The prophet on the other hand saw something different…
2 Kings 6:15-16
15 When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. "Oh, my lord, what shall we do?" the servant asked. 16 "Don't be afraid," the prophet answered. "Those who are with us are more than those who are with them."
In the midst of their enemies Elisha and the servant were not alone. The servant needed his eyes opened so that he could see that they were surrounded by the power and protection of God.
17 And Elisha prayed, "O Lord, open his eyes so he may see." Then the Lord opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. – NIV
The most frequent promise in the Bible is “I will be with you.” God spoke to Joshua a promise for every believer, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” and before Jesus left He reminded us of this great promise…
Matt 28:20
And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." – NIV
You are not alone today. I encourage you to do as the prophet Elisha. Next time you are challenged or burdened, face difficulty or feel surrounded by your enemies…PAUSE and PRAY a simple prayer…
“O Lord, open my eyes so that I may see what I can not see… that your power and protection surrounds me. I am not alone, you are with me.”
Remember, with God you are always in the majority!
Blessings,
Darren
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
LOOK AGAIN!
Luke 1:41
41 When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. -NIV
John the Baptist and Jesus were second cousins. Mary, the mother of Jesus, and Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist, were cousins. While pregnant Mary visited her pregnant cousin Elizabeth and scripture records that Elizabeth’s baby, John, recognized Jesus as Lord and leaped for joy.
Fast forward…over 30 years have passed. John has grown up and is preaching the anticipation of the coming Messiah, “repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand.” John was around Jesus, but did not perceive what he had recognized as a baby in his mother’s womb. Years of interacting with Jesus…family reunions, social gatherings, every day events. Jesus, my second cousin. UNTIL one day, John LOOKS AGAIN…
John 1:29-30
29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! - NIV
In a moment, in an instance John saw again what he had seen before…Jesus! That fresh revelation changed everything. No longer Jesus, second cousin, but Jesus, Savior !
John 1:34
34 I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God." – NIV
Sometimes we just need to LOOK AGAIN. It is easy to get so busy, so caught up, so comfortable with all the religious and church activity around us that we can quit seeing Jesus for who He is. A name, a prayer, a song sung, an event attended, t-shirt worn, another service, another lesson to teach…
When we see Jesus for who He really is everything changes. Renewed love, refreshed desire, rekindled passion. Take some time today and LOOK AGAIN, you may see what you haven’t seen in awhile!
"Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! – NIV
Blessings,
Darren
41 When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. -NIV
John the Baptist and Jesus were second cousins. Mary, the mother of Jesus, and Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist, were cousins. While pregnant Mary visited her pregnant cousin Elizabeth and scripture records that Elizabeth’s baby, John, recognized Jesus as Lord and leaped for joy.
Fast forward…over 30 years have passed. John has grown up and is preaching the anticipation of the coming Messiah, “repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand.” John was around Jesus, but did not perceive what he had recognized as a baby in his mother’s womb. Years of interacting with Jesus…family reunions, social gatherings, every day events. Jesus, my second cousin. UNTIL one day, John LOOKS AGAIN…
John 1:29-30
29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! - NIV
In a moment, in an instance John saw again what he had seen before…Jesus! That fresh revelation changed everything. No longer Jesus, second cousin, but Jesus, Savior !
John 1:34
34 I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God." – NIV
Sometimes we just need to LOOK AGAIN. It is easy to get so busy, so caught up, so comfortable with all the religious and church activity around us that we can quit seeing Jesus for who He is. A name, a prayer, a song sung, an event attended, t-shirt worn, another service, another lesson to teach…
When we see Jesus for who He really is everything changes. Renewed love, refreshed desire, rekindled passion. Take some time today and LOOK AGAIN, you may see what you haven’t seen in awhile!
"Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! – NIV
Blessings,
Darren
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