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!
Thursday, May 14, 2009
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.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Dreaming the Impossible Dream
I remember the song "Dream The Impossbile Dream" when I was growing up. It was inspiring and motivating even as a child. Little did I know that one day God would put dreams in my heart that would feel impossible.
How many of you have thought of dreaming the impossible? When my daughter got married in Uganda she was at the "introduction" meeting with all her new Ugandan relatives when a song came on the radio saying, "God will make a way when there seems to be no way."
Here she was in a foreign land marrying an African man she met the year before. When looking at all the obstacles they had to face, they both wondered if there was any way to survive and thrive in this third world country. Yet here was God making a way where there seemed to be no way. They even have gone on to make dreams come true for street children in that part of the world.
How many Bible characters wondered if they could make it, yet God said, "Dream the impossible dream. I will make a way."
That is our word from the Lord today. Dream the Impossible dream. He will make a way where there seems to be no way!
How many of you have thought of dreaming the impossible? When my daughter got married in Uganda she was at the "introduction" meeting with all her new Ugandan relatives when a song came on the radio saying, "God will make a way when there seems to be no way."
Here she was in a foreign land marrying an African man she met the year before. When looking at all the obstacles they had to face, they both wondered if there was any way to survive and thrive in this third world country. Yet here was God making a way where there seemed to be no way. They even have gone on to make dreams come true for street children in that part of the world.
How many Bible characters wondered if they could make it, yet God said, "Dream the impossible dream. I will make a way."
That is our word from the Lord today. Dream the Impossible dream. He will make a way where there seems to be no way!
One Possible Flaw in Women?
Women have strengths that amaze men.
They bear hardships and they carry burdens,
but they hold happiness, love and joy.
They smile when they want to scream.
They sing when they want to cry.
They cry when they are happy
and laugh when they are nervous.
They fight for what they believe in.
They stand up to injustice.
They don't take "no" for an answer
when they believe there is a better solution.
They go without so their family can have.
They go to the doctor with a frightened friend.
They love unconditionally.
They cry when their children excel
and cheer when their friends get awards.
They are happy when they hear about a birth or a wedding.
Their hearts break when a friend dies.
They grieve at the loss of a family member,
yet they are strong when they think there is no strength left.
They know that a hug and a kiss can heal a broken heart.
Women come in all shapes, sizes and colors.
They'll drive, fly, walk, run or e-mail you to show how much they care.
The heart of a woman is what makes the world keep turning.
They bring joy, hope and love.
They have compassion and ideas.
They give moral support to their family and friends.
Women have vital things to say and everything to give.
HOWEVER, IF THERE IS ONE FLAW IN WOMEN,
IT IS THAT THEY FORGET THEIR WORTH.
Please take time to let all your women friends and relatives
know just how amazing they are!
They bear hardships and they carry burdens,
but they hold happiness, love and joy.
They smile when they want to scream.
They sing when they want to cry.
They cry when they are happy
and laugh when they are nervous.
They fight for what they believe in.
They stand up to injustice.
They don't take "no" for an answer
when they believe there is a better solution.
They go without so their family can have.
They go to the doctor with a frightened friend.
They love unconditionally.
They cry when their children excel
and cheer when their friends get awards.
They are happy when they hear about a birth or a wedding.
Their hearts break when a friend dies.
They grieve at the loss of a family member,
yet they are strong when they think there is no strength left.
They know that a hug and a kiss can heal a broken heart.
Women come in all shapes, sizes and colors.
They'll drive, fly, walk, run or e-mail you to show how much they care.
The heart of a woman is what makes the world keep turning.
They bring joy, hope and love.
They have compassion and ideas.
They give moral support to their family and friends.
Women have vital things to say and everything to give.
HOWEVER, IF THERE IS ONE FLAW IN WOMEN,
IT IS THAT THEY FORGET THEIR WORTH.
Please take time to let all your women friends and relatives
know just how amazing they are!
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Memories
Monday we were praying for our up and coming conference on Passion. All of a sudden out of no where I really had a moment of sorrow as my mind went to a long lost friend who died a few years ago. She and I in times past had so much fun getting the themes for the conferences by prayer and seeking God on who to speak and how to make the conference flow well, etc.
As the women prayed at the prayer meeting I was at, I found myself remembering my friend's voice, her mannerisms, her prophetic abilities, and I felt alone, sorrowful, and just a lot of grief. Funny how she died over four years ago and Monday night my mind and heart wanted to cry as I was really missing her. Grief is like that. It can show up when we least expect it. No one else knew my pain at that moment but God.
That night I just had a little visit with the Lord, telling Him how I miss my good friend and our times of loving on Him, sharing insights, and talking about the Holy Spirit. I felt the Lord knew my sadness and could identify with that feeling of loss.
Just as I was deep in my thoughts the leader of prayer meeting called me over to pray for me. Little did she know how deep my grief was at that very moment. The prayer lifted my spirits, encouraged my soul, and pulled me out of that sinking moment.
I wonder if any of you have had a moment like this where you really felt grief come up when you least expected it or just an overwhelming feeling of loss triggered by an event? How did you get through the moment or the circumstance?
I wonder how Jesus felt when He went to the cross all alone after three years of fellowship with His friends? He must have had a few moments of grief and sadness remembering the good times they had together. I wonder what the disciples went through once Jesus was gone and what grief they must have felt.
This Easter season is a good time to remember our friends and encourage those alone. Hopefully you are in good spirits today and not feeling alone. Be assured someone is lifting you up in prayer right now. I am. Please hit the "comment" button at the end of this post and tell me how you got through your personal times of "unexpected grief." God bless, Pastor Sharon
As the women prayed at the prayer meeting I was at, I found myself remembering my friend's voice, her mannerisms, her prophetic abilities, and I felt alone, sorrowful, and just a lot of grief. Funny how she died over four years ago and Monday night my mind and heart wanted to cry as I was really missing her. Grief is like that. It can show up when we least expect it. No one else knew my pain at that moment but God.
That night I just had a little visit with the Lord, telling Him how I miss my good friend and our times of loving on Him, sharing insights, and talking about the Holy Spirit. I felt the Lord knew my sadness and could identify with that feeling of loss.
Just as I was deep in my thoughts the leader of prayer meeting called me over to pray for me. Little did she know how deep my grief was at that very moment. The prayer lifted my spirits, encouraged my soul, and pulled me out of that sinking moment.
I wonder if any of you have had a moment like this where you really felt grief come up when you least expected it or just an overwhelming feeling of loss triggered by an event? How did you get through the moment or the circumstance?
I wonder how Jesus felt when He went to the cross all alone after three years of fellowship with His friends? He must have had a few moments of grief and sadness remembering the good times they had together. I wonder what the disciples went through once Jesus was gone and what grief they must have felt.
This Easter season is a good time to remember our friends and encourage those alone. Hopefully you are in good spirits today and not feeling alone. Be assured someone is lifting you up in prayer right now. I am. Please hit the "comment" button at the end of this post and tell me how you got through your personal times of "unexpected grief." God bless, Pastor Sharon
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