Have any of you champions out there faced opposition? Opposition is a contrary view, an opposing idea or thought. Opposition surfaces when the champion is making headway or taking territory. The Word says in Matthew 5: 11-12, "Blessed are you when men cast insults at you and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely on account of Me. Rejoice, and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you."
The Bible also reminds us in Matthew 6: 1, "You are the salt of the earth." You women of God out there are the champions of flavor and truth! So what if a little persecution comes our way? We are just salting the earth and bring in the light of Christ!
Today why don't you click on the comment button at the end of this post and share with all of us an experience in which a situation of opposition in your life brought forth the "saltiness" within and revealed the light of Christ to others!
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Women Champions - 3
What does the story of Joseph show us about being a champion? Well first, we see that this champion had an inner knowing that God had a purpose for him. Secondly, his very nature was one of a winner, as it brought him favor everywhere he went. God, Who knows all things, was guiding and leading each situation, but Joseph was also doing his part by walking in integrity and honor. He was not lazy but rather diligent, faithful, and consistent. In the end, Joseph's godly virtues led him to success and to saving a nation from famine.
Champions have many common characteristics. They know how to love their enemies and overcome hurt. Seeing the world through God's love, champions make excellent decisions, perceive things positively, and make good choices.
Champions sometimes find themselves having to make difficult decisions. I am sure Joseph thought about the possible consequences of his "no" to Potiphar's wife, but he also realized a man without virtue is no man at all.
Each of us is, or has been, in a place of making tough calls. Sometimes our choices can cause pain to someone else, but the decision must be based on the honorable thing before God. Decisions can create division, and yet champions are called on by God to make those choices. The Pharisees did not like Jesus because of the choices He made. No champion is developed or fashioned without having to make the tough calls.
How about you? What tough calls have you made where you know those decisions developed your championship character? Please feel free to share with us how God helped groom the champion in you through making tough choices.
Champions have many common characteristics. They know how to love their enemies and overcome hurt. Seeing the world through God's love, champions make excellent decisions, perceive things positively, and make good choices.
Champions sometimes find themselves having to make difficult decisions. I am sure Joseph thought about the possible consequences of his "no" to Potiphar's wife, but he also realized a man without virtue is no man at all.
Each of us is, or has been, in a place of making tough calls. Sometimes our choices can cause pain to someone else, but the decision must be based on the honorable thing before God. Decisions can create division, and yet champions are called on by God to make those choices. The Pharisees did not like Jesus because of the choices He made. No champion is developed or fashioned without having to make the tough calls.
How about you? What tough calls have you made where you know those decisions developed your championship character? Please feel free to share with us how God helped groom the champion in you through making tough choices.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Women Champions - 2
One of my favorite champions is Joseph. Here is a young man, his father's favorite, who has a dream in which he sees his family paying homage to him. By telling his family the dream, it stirs up jealousy, hatred, and murder.
His brothers plot to destroy him and end up throwing him into a pit to die. Eventually he is found and sold to Midianite traders into slavery and taken to a foreign land to serve an Egyptian officer named Potiphar. Joseph became a personal assistant and overseer to everything Potiphar owned.
There in Egypt Joseph's championship nature starts to bring him favor. He is successful at everything given to him to do. In fact, the Scriptures say Potiphar left everything he owned in Joseph's charge and with Joseph there, Potiphar did not concern himself with anything except the food that he ate.
Joseph had become to Potiphar a champion overseer. But Potiphar's wife decided SHE wanted Joseph's assistance as well, only NOT in a godly way! She tempted Joseph, trying to seduce him and get him to betray his master. Champions in the making often face choices that reveal their character. However, Joseph was not going to lose his integrity for a moment of sexual pleasure. I wonder how many lose their potential blessing because they fail when they are similarly challenged?
To be a champion requires champion thinking, and Joseph knew his integrity was at stake. He chose integrity and ended up in prison. Sometimes when I think about the people in our prisons today, I wonder if there are many Josephs behind those bars -- champions who choose integrity and therefore loss for a season.
Champions never stay down, though, and even in prison, Joseph rose to leadership, becoming a helper to the chief jailer. Eventually Joseph interpreted dreams for two men. Those dream interpretations led Joseph to the Pharoah and finally into a championship role as second in command.
What "pits" have you found yourself in that later proved to be just stepping stones because of the championship character you exhibited in those situations?
His brothers plot to destroy him and end up throwing him into a pit to die. Eventually he is found and sold to Midianite traders into slavery and taken to a foreign land to serve an Egyptian officer named Potiphar. Joseph became a personal assistant and overseer to everything Potiphar owned.
There in Egypt Joseph's championship nature starts to bring him favor. He is successful at everything given to him to do. In fact, the Scriptures say Potiphar left everything he owned in Joseph's charge and with Joseph there, Potiphar did not concern himself with anything except the food that he ate.
Joseph had become to Potiphar a champion overseer. But Potiphar's wife decided SHE wanted Joseph's assistance as well, only NOT in a godly way! She tempted Joseph, trying to seduce him and get him to betray his master. Champions in the making often face choices that reveal their character. However, Joseph was not going to lose his integrity for a moment of sexual pleasure. I wonder how many lose their potential blessing because they fail when they are similarly challenged?
To be a champion requires champion thinking, and Joseph knew his integrity was at stake. He chose integrity and ended up in prison. Sometimes when I think about the people in our prisons today, I wonder if there are many Josephs behind those bars -- champions who choose integrity and therefore loss for a season.
Champions never stay down, though, and even in prison, Joseph rose to leadership, becoming a helper to the chief jailer. Eventually Joseph interpreted dreams for two men. Those dream interpretations led Joseph to the Pharoah and finally into a championship role as second in command.
What "pits" have you found yourself in that later proved to be just stepping stones because of the championship character you exhibited in those situations?
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Women Champions - 1
Everyone loves a champion. We have champions in history, sports, civil rights, and more. Champions are defined as people who have won a race, been victorious through an obstacle, conquered in battle, or overcome a hurdle. Champions are looked up to, emulated, and talked about -- some for centuries, others just momentarily.
A few years ago my father-in-law went home to be with the Lord. He was 84 years old, and to all our family members, he was a bona fide champion. He spent a lifetime helping people in all sorts of capacities. His funeral was attended by all ages, from young children to senior citizens, each with a story to tell of how this man had touched their lives. He had shoveled walks for the elderly never taking a dollar for his services, brought food to the hungry, and provided jobs for the unemployed. This champion had invested his life in others.
Most certainly we can find champions in the Scriptures. Their stories were included in God's Word to encourage us and serve as role models for developing our own spiritual lives. Joshua, called to march into the Promised Land, was told to be strong and courageous. He couldn't be a champion if he feared the giants in the land.
Moses withstood the pressures of a king, a culture, and a rebellious people that we might see him bring deliverance to a people in bondage. Gideon felt he was the least in Manasseh and the youngest in his father's house. Yet God called him to be a champion. This champion asked for favor and signs to prove God was talking to him (Judges 6). He did not feel like a champion, but he was called to be one.
What other Bible characters can you think of who demonstrate championship in their lives? I'd love to hear how their exploits have helped you press on!
A few years ago my father-in-law went home to be with the Lord. He was 84 years old, and to all our family members, he was a bona fide champion. He spent a lifetime helping people in all sorts of capacities. His funeral was attended by all ages, from young children to senior citizens, each with a story to tell of how this man had touched their lives. He had shoveled walks for the elderly never taking a dollar for his services, brought food to the hungry, and provided jobs for the unemployed. This champion had invested his life in others.
Most certainly we can find champions in the Scriptures. Their stories were included in God's Word to encourage us and serve as role models for developing our own spiritual lives. Joshua, called to march into the Promised Land, was told to be strong and courageous. He couldn't be a champion if he feared the giants in the land.
Moses withstood the pressures of a king, a culture, and a rebellious people that we might see him bring deliverance to a people in bondage. Gideon felt he was the least in Manasseh and the youngest in his father's house. Yet God called him to be a champion. This champion asked for favor and signs to prove God was talking to him (Judges 6). He did not feel like a champion, but he was called to be one.
What other Bible characters can you think of who demonstrate championship in their lives? I'd love to hear how their exploits have helped you press on!
Monday, May 4, 2009
Dreamers
Are you dreaming the impossible dream? When we look at all the dreamers in the Bible, we begin to see a pattern of men and women who had special desires placed in their hearts by God. Sometimes God would have to give them an extra nudge or two, but they were able to press through eventually and fulfill their dreams.
The wise men had a dream of following a star to a king. They finally found Him and were able to fulfill their purpose for the King. They brought Him gifts to use in His journey to Egypt and they honored Him. They were gifts fit for a king.
When we follow our goals are we prepared to bring our gifts to the King? The wise men could have ignored that star. They could have betrayed Jesus and told Herod where He was, but they listened to that inner voice and followed it.
Listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit talking to you today. Follow His way and bring Him the gift of yourself. Don't go back to "the Herod's" in your life but follow the Lord.
The wise men had a dream of following a star to a king. They finally found Him and were able to fulfill their purpose for the King. They brought Him gifts to use in His journey to Egypt and they honored Him. They were gifts fit for a king.
When we follow our goals are we prepared to bring our gifts to the King? The wise men could have ignored that star. They could have betrayed Jesus and told Herod where He was, but they listened to that inner voice and followed it.
Listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit talking to you today. Follow His way and bring Him the gift of yourself. Don't go back to "the Herod's" in your life but follow the Lord.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Dreaming God's Dreams
We have been talking about dreams...good dreams and bad dreams. In Genesis 28:10 -17 we read about Jacob's dream. He sees a ladder with angels ascending and descending. Jacob has left home and is alone in a field when God visits him.
If you and I evaluated this, we would probably say he didn't deserve an encounter with God. But evidently there was more to Jacob than what we can see. God had a plan for his life and Jacob needed to know the true God, the One his parents and grandparents knew. He could no longer say he didn't know Him.
I believe this encounter began to work adjustments in Jacob's heart. He eventually ended up wrestling with God until his whole nature surrendered to the Lord. Dreams have a way of working inside us to change us. Have you had a dream that has been working in you? Have you changed due to your dream?
I'd love to hear about those dreams!
If you and I evaluated this, we would probably say he didn't deserve an encounter with God. But evidently there was more to Jacob than what we can see. God had a plan for his life and Jacob needed to know the true God, the One his parents and grandparents knew. He could no longer say he didn't know Him.
I believe this encounter began to work adjustments in Jacob's heart. He eventually ended up wrestling with God until his whole nature surrendered to the Lord. Dreams have a way of working inside us to change us. Have you had a dream that has been working in you? Have you changed due to your dream?
I'd love to hear about those dreams!
Friday, May 1, 2009
Keep Dreaming!
Dreaming the impossible dream is a fascinating subject for us all. Almost everyone we read about in Scripture had a dream. Joseph had a dream, Jesus had a dream, and the apostles had dreams.
We also read in Genesis 11 where the people had a dream to build a tower into heaven. To them it was a fantastic dream, but to God it wasn't. We realize from this story about the tower of Babel that the people had the ability to dream a big dream. They didn't lack in the size of their dream nor in the influence they had as a result of their dream. They had all the people involved in their dream.
Interestingly the word for tower is also a word for pride. Just maybe it was their pride that led to their problem!
When it comes to our dreams, it is most important to ask God first.....is this His dream or ours? When the dream is birthed in pride, confusion can follow. It is of utmost importance to dream His dreams and follow His ways.
We also read in Genesis 11 where the people had a dream to build a tower into heaven. To them it was a fantastic dream, but to God it wasn't. We realize from this story about the tower of Babel that the people had the ability to dream a big dream. They didn't lack in the size of their dream nor in the influence they had as a result of their dream. They had all the people involved in their dream.
Interestingly the word for tower is also a word for pride. Just maybe it was their pride that led to their problem!
When it comes to our dreams, it is most important to ask God first.....is this His dream or ours? When the dream is birthed in pride, confusion can follow. It is of utmost importance to dream His dreams and follow His ways.
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