Distorted View

Some time ago I used to study Art and Design. Whenever I would draw a portrait or some other thing it would turn out misproportioned or elongated. Since I was looking at it so closely and sitting down at the table when I was drawing, I could only see from a limited perspective. But once I stood the picture up, I could see what it actually looked like. And it usually was never how I had intended for it to be all the while I was drawing it. I hadn't seen the bigger picture . Sometimes it's like that in life. When we look to closely we miss things. But ask GOD for guidance, then take a step bak and stare at your own life from a different perspective. Then, you will see the bigger picture.

(By the way, what did you see in the picture above? An old woman or a young woman?) Try looking at things from a new perspective. Remember, GOD's ways are higher than our ways. (Isaiah 55:9)

He is watching us

So remember, no matter where we are, we are always under His watchful eye. He cares for you. (1 Peter 5:7)



We need Refocusing

When you focus on Jesus, all else is restored to it's righful proportions. Thanks to Jesus we can do this through the empowerment of His Holy Spirit, who leads us in all truth and places all things under His authority and loving control. With Jesus at the very core and centre of our lives we are less likely to shift focus. What's your lense fixed on?

Sometimes like a camera lense we can shift our focus so much that our lives are out of whack. But if we just reposition our focus to the Almighty One everything will become clear. Just focus your gaze on Jesus and He will lead the way.

Goodbye guys. Don't be afraid to change your view if you have to.

Ready, Set, Go!

Hebrews 12
 ¹ Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. ² Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

When you run a race, you go through extensive training. It may not be pleasant (at first) but it reaps a harvest of benefits. So my advice to you is joyfully pursue the LORD while He may be found (Isaiah 55:6). Spiritual fitness is key to spiritual growth and even more key to running the race that is set before us, with endurance (Hebrews 12:1).

Now let's look at that second verse.

² Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

When doing any physical training, in the presence of pain and tiresome hard work it is easy to forget why you are doing it unless you continuely set that goal before your eyes. You know what you want, that goal, that slim new figure, or that pay cheque at the end of the month, or those marriage vows, they keep you going. You fall but you keep on going because you remember WHY YOU ARE DOING IT.

  So it is with the spiritual life. If you don't remember your purpose or the One whom you favour with it can be easy to give into the sin that enslaves us and so easily tempts to lead us astray. But we must, we need to stay focused ON CHRIST! He, Himself with give us strength. He is our portion, the strength of our life, our stronghold, our Protector. He is able to keep us from falling and He will do it. He fulifills all of His promises (Psalm 145:13-14).

How does that verse go, in Philippians, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." And again in Romans 8- "If GOD is for us who can be against us."

Focus on Christ Jesus. He will keep you going. He and He alone can help you to stand. It is in Him that you are saved. He is "the author and perfecter of our faith," and He "for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." He did all this in order to bring about our redemption.

The Christian life is very much like a race. Sometimes you feel worn down and like you can go on. You feel dehydrated until you drink a nice cold bottle of refreshing water and leaves you feeling revived.

So don't get tired and don't give up, just take a long drink from the Fountain of Life. My Jesus. He can keep you til the end.

Watch this video and you'll know what I mean.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGqvnUSlQxw

The father in this video clip is much like how our heavenly Father looks after us when we fall. He is there to say "Don't worry my child. I'll wait for you. Just don't give up. We'll finish this together. I will never, ever leave your side. Keep going. I'm not going anywhere. I love you, my precious child."

Jesus said of Himself “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, ¹⁴ but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

There are many comparisons of the Christian walk to a race, in the Holy Bible. It is much like a race. But GOD is there.

Galatians 5

⁷ You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth? ⁸ That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. ⁹ “A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.”

2 Timothy 4

⁷ I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. ⁸ Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

1 Corinthians 9:24-27

The Need for Self-Discipline

 ²⁴ Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. ²⁵ Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. ²⁶ Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. ²⁷ No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

There can be no passive Christians. You are either here or there, hot or cold, ready or not ready for Christ to come immediately and takes us to Heaven.

Are you ready?

 

More Videos

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qItFZNKPP_U&feature=fvst

A time to die

Ecclesiastes 3 may be a comfort to those who have mourned or grieved the loss of a loved one. It reminds you that there is a time for everything and 'to everything there is a season'; a 'time for every purpose under heaven. This includes life and death. Sure enough, most people get uncomfortable around the subject of death and some even fear it. It becomes an obsession in their life. But the Bible (GOD's Word) assures us that we are not to worry. If you are "in Christ", then you have absolutely nothing to worry about. Your life belongs to Jesus and you are kept by Him until the very very end. Don't worry about your future if you have surrendered your life to Jesus. You have the full assurance of salvation and the absolute certainty that you will be with Him when you die. If you have lived "in Christ" then you will live again. When you accept Jesus Christ into your life, you enter into a relationship with Him that will never end.

If you have not received Jesus Christ as personal Lord and Saviour in your life, do so now.
Why? you may ask. The answer is because He was GOD in the flesh, and He came down for this very purpose: TO DIE FOR YOUR SINS, TO BRING YOU CLEANSING AND HEALING AND FOR YOU TO ENTER INTO A RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD THE FATHER THROUGH HIM. ALL TO THE GLORY OF GOD THE FATHER.

All glory be to GOD the Father in Jesus Christ' name. Our Mediator. Thanks be to GOD I am saved.

In Season and Out of Season

A word spoken out of season can have devastating affects and consequences. Similarly, a word spoken in the context of GOD's Word, at the right time can be absolutely life-changing. When a Christian speaks the Word of GOD into a situation which needs or calls for it, this can mean GOD breaking through into someone's life and changing the course of history for that person and many others alike. This will most certainly set off a never ending chain or rather domino effect which will echo right into eternity.

I challenge you today to start using your words wisely. Remember, the power of life and death is in the tongue. It is a fire and a world of evil among the members of the body and sets the whole course of a man's life on fire. (James 3:6) Jesus said that a time will come when all men will give an account for every careless word they have spoken.

What have you said today?

In Touch with Dr. Charles Stanley‏

Hey guys, here's something for today. I got this from my email address. Dr Charles Stanley is a really good preacher.

November 15
Perspective for Challenging Times
Ephesians 3:19-21
There are many ways we can fail to reach the goals that the Lord has for us. Today, I would like to focus on how our perspective can impede fulfilling His best for our lives.
For one thing, our thought process during times of difficulty can be detrimental to our success. In the midst of adversity, it is easy for our trust to flounder and for our eyes to drift from Jesus to the problem. Once our focus shifts away from God, the problem becomes magnified. Negative thinking can overwhelm faith and extinguish courage. Then we may be tempted to quit, which obviously thwarts God’s plan for our good.
What’s more, we tend to see the obstacle in terms of our own strength and resources rather than God’s. The apostle Paul clearly understood this, because he said, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Phil. 4:13). The Lord’s ability and love are unlimited. Everything that we need, He will provide.
Too often, we miss God’s best because we view the obstacle as a problem instead of an opportunity. Realize that roadblocks are a way for the Lord to demonstrate His awesome power and grow our faith.
What happens when our focus shifts to a godly perspective on difficulties? Gloom turns to gladness, and we experience joy.
When God gave Joshua instructions, He revealed that Jericho would be defeated. But He doesn’t always show the whole picture; sometimes He reveals it little by little. Why? So we will learn to rely on Him daily—He desires that we look to Him for guidance today and trust Him with tomorrow.

For more biblical teaching and resources from Dr. Charles Stanley, please visit www.intouch.org.