Yes, it's been too long since I've posted a blog.
So, where have I been?
I've had surgery, went through recovery, went back to work, back to the hospital, held our annual Mother's Day Breakfast, the Debt Free Seminar with special guests Harold and Bev Herring of the Debt Free Army, attended Senior Day activities, held a graduation party, and graduated my youngest daughter! Whew!! And those are just the things that I can remember off the top of my head!
Our lives are full, busy, hectic... not to mention at times things are stressful, frustrating, tiring, messy, dirty, and the list could go on and on.
But you know what?
"I can do all things through Christ, who gives me strength!"
There are people that are dealing with so much more than me.
There are people that don't know the Lord and are trying to cope with the stresses of life on their own.
Why get stressed?
Everybody is going through something.
Why get mad?
Does it really serve any purpose to get mad, angry, bitter, hold onto grudges and unforgiveness? Nope!
You know what the old saying is about unforgiveness don't you?
It's like taking a poison pill and expecting the other person to die.
Does frustration try to set in?
Sure it does, but you've got to do like King David did... encourage yourself!
I've never seen a person that gives to others and of themselves... depressed.
Let go of all negativity and people that suck the life out of you!
Surround yourself with God's creations, beautiful living things like fresh flowers, plants and kind people!
Live your life on purpose, with purpose and passion.
"If you knew you only had one-year to live, what would you do?" Or... If you had a family member or loved one who only had one-year left to live, what would you do?"
I want to ask you that question today to get you to thinking. If you knew that by this time next year, someone you love the most will not be here, how differently would you engage in those relationships? What a thought, right?
We waste so much time on petty issues, grievances and arguments, being angry about things that don't really matter.
If you're like anybody else, you would try to fix the things you have done wrong, reconcile and spend lots of time with that person. We live in so much fear by not telling the people we love how much they mean to us, or never even revealing to them that we love them, or that we're sorry for acting so foolishly.
You don't want something to happen to the person you love and not have had to have a chance to fix it. Or, for something to happen and you let that person go to the grave not knowing they were truly loved. That type of guilt can be overwhelming to your emotions and spiritual well being.
So take some time today to mend some fences and make peace. Give some love and forgiveness. Learn how to cut each other some slack. In the grand scheme of things in life, is what you're mad about really all that important?
Why continue to let evil thoughts and behaviors run over your emotions and have you acting out. As a child of God, hey, let's try acting like Jesus is really in our hearts! God is love. Love is long-suffering, patient, kind.
God is also forgiveness, newness of life, beginning again and the God of a second-chance!
Even if you try and the other person doesn't want to hear it, you will rest better knowing that you tried to fix it, that you tried to share it. Just knowing you tried... is enough to give you peace.
This life is short, way too short.
No man knows the day or the hour when he shall meet the Lord face-to-face.
Don't let another day go by without reconciling yourself, first to God and then to others.
What are your thoughts towards God today? Have you even thought about Him?
Have you ever slowed down enough to just stop and think/meditate on the fact that: we are always on God’s mind and Jesus is always interceding for us.
While we are all so busy with our lives, jobs, relationships, etc. and can never find time to sit down and just be quiet… God, the creator of all heavens and earth, is always thinking about us.
Have to come to a place in life, that when your emotional stability is not rooted in people’s acceptance of us, love, support and/or care for us nor what they say or do to us. People are sometimes mean, rude and crude. They can do hurtful things, sometimes on purpose, but you absolutely cannot let that affect your walk with God.
Sure there are unsaved people in church! Sure people are going to gossip about you. So what, is it going to kill you? Of course not so always remember to keep your emotions in check and let some stuff go. Some things are not worth responding to.
People go through all kinds of trips, so don’t let them take you anywhere you don’t want to go. Let them trip all by themselves, Amen!
In these last days, you must be rooted in the word of God! People are falling away from God like never before.
But I believe what God says more than what the world says; more than what the symptoms, fear and doubt says... I believe the Word!
The word is first place and last place in my life. The longer you live, the more you know that the Lord has to be more real in your life than what the circumstances of life throws at you.
Please don't allow yourself to faint or draw back. I see people draw back more and more every day and it’s so subtle, they don’t even recognize it themselves. So many people sit in church every Sunday, Wednesday, etc. and are backslidden and don’t even know it!
Every day you have situations, circumstances, and dealings trying to draw you further away from a close relationship with the Lord. And so many of you fail. How so? By making bad choices; by making the wrong choices; by letting other people dictate your choices to you!
I pray you will be able to withstand and stand firm and not be pushed off or shoved off your walk with Him.
Tell the devil no!
Don’t allow yourself to get off course.
The word has to become first place and must be more important that anything else that comes up against you. In Matthew, Chapter 24 it talks about the signs of the coming of Christ, and in Ephesians, Chapter 6 it talks about putting on the whole armour of God so that you may be able to stand against all the fiery darts of the wicked one; and then having done all to stand, stand therefore firm in the Word of God.
The written word of God IS the spoken word of God…so get in agreement with it.
Get in agreement with what God has already said about you!
You’ve got to be fully persuaded in who you are in Christ.
Let go of those old religious ways of thinking, acting and living and let the fire the Holy Spirit came alive in your spirit again!
Get to the point where you can boldly say: "my emotional stability is not rooted in people, but in God!"
What would happen if for just one day (or one week) that we didn’t focus so much on self, but on that of others? What if we prayed for others needs like they were our own?
This is just one way of changing self-interests, selfish ways and self-centeredness. By praying for others needs, interceding for someone to come back to the Lord, seek divine guidance about who to bring to church, call and witness to, and pray for somebody else’s healing miracle.
Ah yes, prayer assignments, that’s what I’m talking about. Can God use you this way? Sure He can!
Okay grab a notebook or your regular prayer book/journal.
One day this week, I want you to pray heaven down for somebody else. Yes, pray for that which the Lord will put on your heart. Pray in English (out loud), say prayer confessions over the situation and pray in the spirit, in tongues. And watch God work mightily in that situation.
Remember, for just one day this week, pray only for that situation of someone else, not yours.
And while you’re at it, jot down your needs and leave them there. I guarantee you that God has somebody interceding for you too!
Scripture focus: Ephesians 6:8 “what you make happen for others, GOD will make happen for you!”
You were created to walk in intimacy with God… and you will never be satisfied until you do.
It’s doesn’t matter how beautiful, wealthy or successful you are. It doesn’t matter how successful you are in relationships; it doesn’t matter how successful you are in business; it doesn’t matter how successful you are in ministry.
Until you have an intimate relationship with the Lord, you will never be satisfied, never.
You will always feel and always be, unfulfilled.
Before Jesus returns there will be a great falling away. Why? Because more and more people don’t desire to know God in a personal way. The passion of every believer should be how I can get closer to God, not living life the way you desire and incorporate God when it’s convenient for you. Nothing else can satisfy will satisfy you.
Not shopping, not designer clothes, purses or shoes!
Not your man, not your woman!
Not church attendance!
Not money.
Not sex.
Even though things may be going okay with you, if you are honest, you know that feeling of emptiness is there.
On the other hand, things may be so disheartening right now in your life, that you just can see how things will ever change.
Living your life for Jesus Christ is the only thing that will fill the void and emptiness.
A simple, but heart-sincere prayer can change all that: “Dear Jesus, I believe you are the son of God, Come into my heart, be my savior and lord, Do something with me life, I give it all to you, Amen.”
Only what’s in you is what will come out! Ever heard that? When the love of God is in you, it can’t help but come out. Selfishness is concerned only with… self. Not surprising right. Selfishness is concerned with only self, without regard for others. Self-centered, self-absorbed people are typically insensitive to the needs of others.
You know selfishness always wants the attention focused on them. People always want to be stroked, or are setting up situations that draw attention to them. When one is self-willed, it’s hard to follow Jesus and submit/obey the Word. They can hear the Word and even see the Word working in the lives of others, but just doesn’t think it applies to them. Selfishness is also often associated with high-mindedness, thinking others are beneath you or you are better than others.
Sometimes selfishness hides itself in the form of “shyness.”
Oftentimes that’s the underlying reason why people don’t share Jesus with others. Not because they are shy (and some people really are shy), but because they have not developed their love walk and really don’t have a burden for the lost. It’s kind of like saying: “I’m trying to make it myself, doing the best I can so you better do the same for yourself.”
It’s been said that the church is highly developed in selfishness and lowly developed in love. But hearing the Word of God causes us to change! We must think about be a blessing to others, showing the love of God, helping our neighbors, etc.
In order to grow in the Lord, you must die to self and your own selfish will.
Stop letting selfishness will rob you of enjoying life.
Get back in the game, the game of life. Sure life has its ups and downs, but either learn how to get along with people or learn to live a miserable, lonely life.
Don’t be selfish… share your life. Engage in relationships with old friends. Reunite with family.
Stop being mean & nasty, stop being judgmental… starting loving, start helping, start living!
Compassion and Love are connected. Compassion flows out of love.
There are two kinds of compassion. There’s human (regular) compassion which is based on feelings only; it’s temporary.
Then there’s divine (Godly) compassion, which also can be temporary, but continues to go on after feelings have gone away, it is long suffering.
Compassion has pity, has feelings for misfortune of others and the desire to aid them in the time of need. When we talk about misfortune, Godly compassion is present no matter what or how the misfortune happened. Must be mindful not be judgmental while showing compassion. The word of God tells us to be quick to hear and slow to speak.
Jude 22 says having compassion will make a difference is the lives of others, often times those you don’t know personally.
It releases the grace of God, which is un-merited favor.
And remember, when compassion is shown to you, don’t reject it.
Make up your mind to day to be a compassionate person. This is something that’s missing, not only in the body of Christ, but the world in general.
Let's spend some time soul searching, talking about what's going well in your life, what's not going so well, what's missing.
I'd like to share some things about how to walk out your faith, how to really live the life of a victorious believer.
Do you often find yourself being more courteous and nicer to friends and coworkers than to your own family, or if you are more demanding and less forgiving with those closest to you... then some adjustments need to be made.
Have you ever noticed that the easiest place to remain self-centered is at home? There's an incentive to be lovely with others, but with your family you are tempted to allow yourself more selfish privileges as if it didn't count there.
If you have made Jesus Lord of your life, then you've probably read First Corinthians Chapter 13 about the love walk (Pastor Ernest is currently teaching a series on Lord, I Love You - Teach Me How to Love). There is always room to grow and increase the love walk and walk in forgiveness at a higher level.
At WOFFC, we talk a lot about strife and how it cuts off your faith, stops prayer results; which invites satan to bring strife, envy and every other kind of evil work to paralyze the power of God in your life. Don't allow the enemy in!
So let's continue in our discussions.
So we'll talk more about self-centeredness & selfishness, being a lone ranger for the Lord, unforgiveness and bitterness, and how we have to get past these self destructive behaviors and move into a happier, more victorious life in the Lord!
The article below is from the Kenneth Copeland Ministries - From Faith to Faith - daily devotional. It was such a good article, I could not have said it any better myself, so please continue on reading through the article and know that Yes You Can... Tithe with Joy!
"And it shall be, when thou art come in unto the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee for an inheritance...That thou shalt take of the first of all the fruit of the earth...and shalt go unto the place which the Lord thy God shall choose to place his name there."
(Deuteronomy 26:1-2)
Tithing. Most Christians aren't very excited about it. But they should be and they would be if they understood how to do it properly.
Scriptural tithing stirs up faith. It activates the power of God in our lives when we do it in gratitude and joy, expecting our needs to be met abundantly.
In Deuteronomy 26:8-9, God told the Israelites exactly what to say when they brought their tithes. He instructed them to acknowledge the fact that He had brought them out of the bondage of Egypt and to say: The Lord brought us forth out of Egypt with a mighty hand, and with an outstretched arm, and with great terribleness, and with signs, and with wonders: And he hath brought us into this place, and hath given us this land, even a land that floweth with milk and honey.
What does that have to do with you and me? God has done the same thing for us! He's brought us out of a life of bondage and poverty into a life that flows with the abundance of God.
So when you bring your tithe to the Lord, follow the example set by the Israelites. Make it a time of rejoicing! Make it a time of realizing anew the wonderful things Jesus Christ has done for you.
Thank Him for delivering you from a land of darkness and scarcity and bringing you into His promised land of plenty. Thank Him that it is a land of mercy, a land of joy, a land of peace and a land of prosperity.
Tithe in faith, expecting the rich blessings of that land to be multiplied to you. You may soon find it to be one of the most exciting things you can do.
What if it's true... that just going to church does not get you to heaven? What if it's true... that being a good person is not the way to get into heaven? What if it's true... Jesus is the only way to eternal life in heaven with God? What if it's true... your prayers are hindered because of unforgiveness in your heart? Well my friends, all of the above questions/statements are true. Know that religion and religious people do not like to mention hell. New Age religion will tell that "old hell, fire and brimstone" teachings are outdated. Please know that the bible is never out of date and never goes out of style!
There are many religions that teach many things, but what is needful is the truth; and truth can only be found in the Word of God.
Don't let yourself think that everything is "okay" because you're a decent person and will get to heaven without Jesus. Nothing could be farther from the truth. You have know that truth, so you can make your decision based on all the facts. Jesus is the Son of God. God is real. Heaven is real. Satan is real. Hell is real.
The reason why I'm so hard on "religion" is because religion most often does not teach you about a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Religion teaches good works and tells you to be a good person, but not much about accepting Jesus as Savior and Lord.
I've met many people who are religious, go to church occasionally, but don't know much about Jesus or living the life of a born-again believer. Many church going people don't even understand what being born-again means. Most people you know at work or meet on the street that never darken the door of a church will tell you they are going to heaven when they die... and know nothing about Jesus, his sacrifice for them on the cross. That is simply not true. The only way to heaven is through Jesus Christ.
Don't let the lies of the devil, the hardness of your heart, or just plain ignorance of what the bible says, keep your from heaven. It is true that if you do not accept Jesus in your heart, you will be forever separated from God and your eternity will be in hell.
How Do You Get Saved or Born-Again?
A simple prayer of asking Jesus to come into your heart, askign forgiveness of your sins, accept Jesus as Savior. It's as simple as that. It changes the inside of you, it creates a new spirit, a born-again spirit of God on the inside of you.
The next step is tell someone you accepted Jesus!
Pick up your bible and began to read it. A good place to start is the Gospel of John.
Then go to church (a good bible believing, bible teaching church) to learn more about new life in Jesus Christ.
I extend my personal invitation for you to come to Word of Faith Fellowship Church... a good bible-believing, bible-teaching church of love.
The most important question you will ever be asked in your life is… “What did you do with Jesus?” You might have already guessed that this question will be asked by God, asking you upon your entry to heaven. Yes my friend, heaven is a real place and hell is a real place.
When we leave this earth, when we die, we don’t just sit in a grave. We are spirit beings that have a soul, and live in a body while on this earth. Our spirits are eternal, just like God. So when we die, our spirits live on forever and ever… either with God in heaven or in a place made for Lucifer/Satan and his demon cohorts which is hell.
For Real? Yes, for real. Satan was once an angel in heaven and when he got beside himself and wanted to usurp God’s authority… he was summarily kicked out. Hell was not created for man. Satan wants as many to suffer eternally as he can possibly get.
Jesus, the Son of God, came and died on the cross so that we could be reconciled back to God. Without Jesus, there is no way mankind can get to heaven. So you see, it is vital to your eternal life that you believe on Jesus Christ as savior, asking Him to come into your heart and you will be saved, born-again and have a reservation in heaven!
Satan will try everything to keep you self-centered, indifferent and uninterested in the truth of the word of God. How? Mostly through religion and ignorance.
Religion tells you that you can go to church, be a good person and you will go to heaven. But that is not what God says.
You see, ignorance kills even faster than religion does. Ignorance keeps one in darkness of the light of the word, keeps one thinking they are okay and that religion is for weak people. Besides, many say they don’t want to give up sin because it’s too much fun! But God’s word says something all together different.
These mindsets will not get you to heaven. Only through Jesus can one have eternal life. Simple and true… there is only one way to heaven and that is through accepting Jesus Christ into your heart as savior and lord.
Tomorrow is not promised to you or anyone.
Religion will tell you that it doesn’t take all that.
People with hardened hearts will say you don’t need to go to church to be saved.
My question to you today is, what will you do with Jesus?
What a time to be living the Blessing of the Lord. We have just finished our annual 21-Day Fasting and Prayer! Jesus Is Lord in our lives, we live our lives for Him, and He is faithful!
Pastor Ernest has been teaching on "Lord, I Love You" and how to walk more fully in the knowledge of our love of the Lord, how we must lay aside old religious ways, come to know the Lord in a more personal way than we have every before and how we can truly have a personal relationship with the Lord... by removing all IDOLS from our lives.
So many times we have set up idols before the Lord and don't even know it.
ANYTHING WE PUT BEFORE THE LORD IN OUR LIVES IS AN IDOL!
Some people worship their jobs... meaning their jobs dictate what they do, when they come to church, etc.
Others have set up their very own children or spouse as an idol... putting the kids first, when that place is reserved for Jesus; or putting the husband or wife first, letting them tell you when or where to go to church (when they don't even go themselves). But did your spouse die for your sins? Is your job going to come into that hospital room, pray for your healing? Did the kids that you are catering to first and foremost going to pay the price for you to have eternal life?
What about money? Sex? Partying?
What ever you place *BEFORE* your relationship with God Almighty... will ultimately be your downfall. Don't let that happen to you.
I thank God that we have no idols, nothing separating us from the love of God. I encourage you to make it a point to put JESUS FIRST! I want you to have the absolute best that God has for you.
It was a powerful message Pastor Ernest preached on Sunday (January 24). if you would like to have a free copy of this message, simply email me and I will send it to you... no cost. It's just that important for you to get it right with God and get your priorities in line with the Word.
You are not limited to just living life in the natural realm as an average Christian that just goes to church. Jesus has already paid the price for us to have life, and life more abundantly (John 10:10). If you want to have an excellent life, you start by finding out what Jesus has done for you. You have to search the scriptures to find out "who you are in Christ."
Don't settle for just mere existing... when you can have an excellent life!
We are supposed to excel. God himself lives within us and all His power. Has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness... the ZOE kind of life which means the GOD KIND of LIFE (II Peter 1:2 )
Dare to believe the word of God. It has transforming power!
There is growth process that must take place. You must renew your mind with the word of God. More often than not, people get born-again and don't stay at church long enough to learn how to live their new life as a Christian or to be discipled. You've got to know and learn about what has taken place in your spirit when you get born again, and what the next steps are to living a new life in Christ.
It is unfortunate that born-again Christians just have 'fire insurance' so to speak... they just want to miss hell and not take full advantage of their covenant rights paid for by the blood of Jesus.
Transforming begins by putting God first and His Word must have final authority! An excellent life in Christ agrees with the Word of God and is not merely a hearer, but must also be a doer of the Word.
Let 2010 be a transformation of your meager, average life into the great, powerful, life of excellence God has purposed for us!
I want to share some foundational thoughts and truths to help guide you in your life's journey. I wish I would have had someone in my life to tell me these things are a much younger age. You know, you don't have to learn everything the hard way!
You should always leave loved ones with loving words… it may be the last time you see them.
No matter how good a friend is, they're going to hurt you every once in a while, and you must forgive them.
Sometimes seasons in life can be hard… you can keep going long after you think you can't.
We are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel.
You may have the right to be angry, but it doesn't give you the right to be mean or cruel.
Our background and life experiences may have influenced who we are… but we are responsible for who we become.
You shouldn't be so eager to find out a secret… it could change your life forever and it may not be for the better.
Credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.
Copyright 2010 Word of Faith Fellowship Church Word of Faith Fellowship Church, 16112 Foster, (3 Blks West of Metcalf & 161st), Overland Park KS 66085 913-851-WORD (9673)
SUNDAY WORSHIP - 10am 
