godsworshippers’s posterous

Walk This Way, Please.
I would rather walk with God in the dark than go alone in the light. ~Mary Brainard
Today's Word
When Enoch had lived 65 years, he fathered Methuselah. Enoch walked with God after he fathered Methuselah 300 years and had other sons and daughters. Thus all the days of Enoch were 365 years. Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him. ~Genesis 5:21-24
Today's Thought
Enoch was a little-known-about man from the Bible who gives us a wonderful picture of what it means to walk with God day by day.
Psalm 37:23-24 says, "The steps of a man are established by the LORD, when he delights in his way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the LORD upholds his hand." We see such a great example in Enoch of a man whose steps were established by the Lord!
We also see in Enoch a man who walked in agreement with God every day. This is such a great encouragement and challenge for you and me as believers.
To walk with God like Enoch did means to agree with God about how you spend your time. It means agreeing with God about how you spend your money. It also means you agree with God about how you run your business, how you treat your family, and how you support your church!
So let me ask you: Are you in agreement with God in every area of your life?
It's such a wonderful day when you realize that God is leading you... that you can trust in Him... and that He will open doors that you don't have to bash down. This day comes about when you begin to just show up for duty! Think of it like this: 90% of success is just showing up and being faithful.
You know, there are a lot of Christians out there who stress about if they are or aren't growing in their relationship with Christ. Or they worry if they'll become the kind of spouse or parent they need to be. The great thing to remember is that God doesn't want you or me to project ourselves into the future like that. He's called us to walk with Him today... and let tomorrow worry about itself!
So, spend quality time with God today... even if it's just five minutes. Then spend time with Him again tomorrow. (Commit to reading Selah everyday!) Over time, those minutes and hours will add up... and one day you'll look back and see how you've grown as a person and in your relationship with Him!
GOD HAS CALLED YOU TO WALK WITH HIM TODAY--SO LET TOMORROW WORRY ABOUT ITSELF!
Today's Prayer
Father In Heaven; I confess I don't know what to do next. But I Know what to do Now! I will read Your word, I will Pray, I will spend time with You. I will work to KNOW the Guide and worry less about guidance. I will show up! I will Trust You! In Jesus Name. ~Amen.

Loading mentions Retweet

Overcome
Each Act Of Obedience Shortens The Distance To Any Miracle You Are Pursuing.
Today's Word
You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. ~I John 4:4
Today's Thought
Are you facing a situation today that seems impossible?
Even if you don´t see how things will work out, remember, you are created to overcome.  As a child of the Most High God, the Greater One lives on the inside of you. There are seeds of faith planted in your heart, and the way you activate those seeds is by stepping into Obedience in any area of your life where you are in disobedience. Begin exercising faith and believing what God has declared in spite of present circumstances.
Begin to declare, "God is bigger than this problem. I am created to overcome. I am destined to live in victory because the Greater One lives inside of me."
Friend, when you start speaking like that, all of heaven hears you and gets behind what you are saying. That´s why it´s so important to stir up the fire that God has placed on the inside of you. Don´t just sit back and be passive.
That obstacle may look impossible, but God wouldn´t have allowed it in your life if He didn´t already know that you could overcome it! Quit looking at your difficulties as obstacles that are going to hold you back and start looking at them as opportunities that are going to push you forward into the live of victory He has in store for you!
Today's Prayer
Father in heaven, thank You for Your promise of victory. Fill my heart with Your peace and joy today and help me to stay focused on You. Help me to walk in Obedience so that I can talk Faith with Power & Confidence. In Jesus Name. ~Amen.

Loading mentions Retweet

Possibilities
Stop thinking in terms of limitations and start thinking in terms of possibilities.
Today's Word
For Abraham, human reason for] hope being gone, hoped in faith that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been promised, So [numberless] shall your descendants be. He did not weaken in faith when he considered the [utter] impotence of his own body, which was as good as dead because he was about a hundred years old, or [when he considered] the barrenness of Sarah's [deadened] womb. No unbelief or distrust made him waver (doubtingly question) concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong and was empowered by faith as he gave praise and glory to God, Fully satisfied and assured that God was able and mighty to keep His word and to do what He had promised. ~Romans 4:18-21
Today's Thought
You can make a positive difference.
You can move forward from this point on.
It doesn't matter who you are or what you have been or what you have done in the past. Though the past indeed has lingering consequences, we understand the waves of yesterday's disobedience will splash on the shores of today for a season, but those things cannot prevent you from moving forward when you're determined and committed to do so.
Nothing can pull you down when you refuse to let it -- not any other person or group or situation or challenge. People just like you have overcome obstacles that truly would appear insurmountable even to the most optimistic person. People just like you have achieved things no one would have thought possible in their wildest dreams.
There are an infinite number of directions in which you can journey from where you are right now. Some will certainly be more challenging, and yet those will also be much more fulfilling. The choice of direction is entirely up to you. So envision your ideal future and then set out to make it happen.
Today's Prayer
Father In Heaven; Forgive me for Doubting. Forgive me for Small-Thinking. Forgive me for being Focused on My failures instead of Your Forgiveness. I will move forward Today. I will achieve what You need me to DO TODAY! In Jesus Name. ~Amen.

Loading mentions Retweet

Living Like A King!
You will never reach the palace talking like a peasant.
Today's Word
And the free gift is not like the result of that one man's sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brought justification. For if, because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ. Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. ~Romans 5:16-18
Today's Thought
Do you know you can live like a king in this world? I know it may be hard to imagine when you look around at the sin in our world today, but God offers us redemption and grace that allow us to live like kings through Him.
When you read the news or turn on the television, do you feel bombarded by the evil that has engulfed our world? You probably do! Many people are looking for the answers to why this evil exists and how to overcome it... but often in all the wrong places.
You see, we can only find why the human condition is the way it is in God's Word. What happened in the Garden of Eden started the decline of our world. And because of Adam's sin, we all were born into sin and death reigned over us.
Today's "Word" tells us that "the judgment following one trespass" ... Adam's trespass... "brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brought justification. For if, because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ."
That's good news, my friend! That's the hope we have! Jesus has made it possible for you to live like a king.
That is the best news you can have in a world filled with sin and death!
If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior, you are no longer ruled by death, but instead you can reign in life through Christ our Lord!
YOU CAN REIGN IN LIFE THROUGH JESUS CHRIST!
Today's Prayer
Father In Heaven, help me to Remember & Realize that I am a Child of God! By adoption I have inherited certain privileges and responsibilities. Show me how to walk in the Fullness of that Promise. I want to Reign Today! Not get Rained on. I want to Rule not be Run over. I will walk in Victory, In Jesus Name. ~Amen.  

Loading mentions Retweet

Stronger!
Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experiences of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired and success achieved. ~Helen Keller
Today's Word
The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree... ~Psalm 92:12
Today's Thought
Have you ever seen a palm tree in the midst of a great storm or hurricane? That tree may be bent so far over that it's almost touching the ground, but when the wind finally stops, that palm tree bounces right back up. And do you know that while that palm tree is hunched over under the pressure of the storm, it is actually growing stronger?
The reason God said we'd flourish like a palm tree is because He knew there would be difficult times. He knew things would come against us to try to steal our joy and victory. God said, "You're going to be like a palm tree because the storms of life will come, the winds will blow, but you are going to come right back up again stronger than before."
Nothing can hold you back! No weapon formed against you will ever prosper. No matter what's happening in the world around you, keep standing. Keep praying. Keep believing. Your brightest days are right out in front of you, and God's plan is to bring you blessing and victory all the days of your life.
Remember: The more you care, the stronger you can be.
Today's Prayer
Father in Heaven, thank You for making me strong in You. I trust that You are working in my life, even in the midst of the storms. I know You will bring me out stronger, wiser, and better off than ever before. In Jesus Name. ~Amen.
    

Loading mentions Retweet

Fear

The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.

Today's Word

Fear not [there is nothing to fear], for I am with you; do not look around you in terror and be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen and harden you to difficulties, yes, I will help you; yes, I will hold you up and retain you with My [victorious] right hand of rightness and justice. ~Isaiah 41:10

Today's Thought

I am certain that my fellow Americans expect that on my induction into the Presidency I will address them with a candor and a decision which the present situation of our Nation impels. This is pre-eminently the time to speak the truth, the whole truth, frankly and boldly. Nor need we shrink from honestly facing conditions in our country today. This great Nation will endure as it has endured, will revive and will prosper. So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself - nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance. In every dark hour of our national life a leadership of frankness and vigor has met with that understanding and support of the people themselves which is essential to victory. I am convinced that you will again give that support to leadership in these critical days:  ~Inaugural address, 4 March 1933 ~ Franklin Roosevelt

The Great Depression began with the Wall Street Crash of 4 October 1929, and Roosevelt's wonderful and uplifting speech marked America's recovery point.

In the summer of 1921, when he was 39, Roosevelt was stricken with a paralytic illness, thought to be poliomyelitis, but now considered to be Guillaine-Barre Syndrome. He refused to be an invalid and hid his illness.

In 1932, while the recession had damaged President Hoover, Roosevelt's efforts to combat it as Governor of New York had enhanced his reputation and he was elected Democratic President, the first of four terms. By the time of his inaugural address in 1933, there were 13,000,000 unemployed, and most banks were closed. Roosevelt faced the greatest crisis in American history since the Confederate States seceded, but his 'New Deal' and interventionist actions revived the American economy.

Today's Prayer

Father In Heaven; can I be honest? .... (Oh! Yeah I forgot You already know everything) It is really hard to "Not be afraid" right now. Times are tuff. Leadership seems not to have solutions. If I'm honest I have allowed Fear to control my plans, and some of my habits, and even my giving! Help me to Trust and Turn this around. In Jesus Name! Remind me..the only thing we have to fear is fear itself - nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance.

Loading mentions Retweet

Today's Thought

Everything you know is based on what has already happened in your life. And yet, your only influence right now is over things that have not yet happened. The things that have already happened have gotten you to where you are right now. What you need to be concerned with, however, is where to go from here.

Because you're so intimately familiar with your own past, it may seem that you have no choice but to continue moving in the same direction as before. But that is not true. Your future does not equal you past. Right now, there are an infinite number of paths which you can take. The one you're currently on is only one of them. Any of the rest are available to you.

If you're completely satisfied with where you're going, then by all means keep on going that way. But there is no reason in the world why you have to keep following that same path if it is not bringing you full and lasting fulfillment.

Every moment you have a choice, regardless of what has happened before. Choose right now to move forward, positively and confidently into your incredible God designed future.

We advance on our journey only when we face our goal, when we are confident and believe we are going to win. And why Not? God is on our side!

Today's Prayer

Father In Heaven; help me to get my life, my thinking, out of Reverse and into Drive. I will stay connected to your GPS system (The Bible & Prayer)... Teach me to make Spiritually healthy choices. With Your help I know I can even hit OVERDRIVE!! ~Amen. 

Loading mentions Retweet

Direction?
If Columbus had turned back, no one would have blamed him. Of course, no one would have remembered him either.
Today's Word
We should make plans - counting on God to direct us. ~Proverbs 16:9
Today's Thought
It's said that when Columbus set out he didn't know where he was going, when he arrived he didn't know where he was, and when he returned didn't know where he'd been. From time to time we all need help knowing which direction to go; whether or not to relocate, take a certain job, or commit to a relationship.
Before making his decision "David asked [of the Lord]" (2 Samuel 2:1). That's always a wise move! The Bible says, "We should make plans - counting on God to direct us." So how does He lead us? Through:
1. His Word: "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom" (Colossians 3:16). One author writes: "The Bible is to God what a surgical glove is to a surgeon. He reaches through it to touch deep within you." But that requires reading it, personalizing it, and acting on it.
2. Prayer and listening for His voice: Jesus said, "My sheep listen to My voice; I know them and they follow Me" (John 10:27). And Isaiah adds, "Whether you turn... right or... left, [you]... will hear a voice behind you, saying, 'This is the way; walk in it'" (Isaiah 30:21). That's the kind of assurance you need. So, "Instead of worrying, pray" (Philippians 4:6).
3. Wise counsel: others have sat where you're sitting, so "Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith" (Hebrews 13:7). Is your business floundering? Talk to a successful businessperson. Are you experiencing mid-life crisis? Before doing something you'll regret, ask for help. Solomon said, "The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice" (Proverbs 12:15).
Today's Prayer
Father In Heaven; Teach me to USE these Tools You have blessed us with. I want to make wise choices. I will Read Your Word & Apply it! I will Pray "before" the decision not after. I will Humble myself and ask others. I want to Know where I am going. Help me Father, In Jesus Name. ~Amen.  
For "MORE" on the subject of "Direction & Guidance" check out our Blog & Study Guide @  www.NewLifeCt.Blogspot.com

Loading mentions Retweet

How To Get People To Listen To You     
By: Rick Warren
Today's Word
The tongue of the wise utters knowledge rightly, but the mouth of the [self-confident] fool pours out folly. ~Proverbs 15:2
Today's Thought
One of the most common problems in the workplace, or in the home, is poor communication. Even your best ideas, plans or suggestions are worthless if you can't communicate them effectively. Every year companies lose billions in potential profits because they ignore outstanding ideas or suggestions from employees.
 Communication is not automatic. Just because someone is hearing you say something doesn't mean they are really listening. Fortunately, there are seven skills all of us can develop that can help to ensure that people will listen to us when we speak. Interestingly enough, these simple, yet profound - and amazingly contemporary - guidelines are presented in the pages of the Bible:
1. CHOOSE THE RIGHT TIME! Timing is the first key in effective communication. You may be ready to talk, but is your audience ready or even willing, to listen? Never drop a bomb - a startling, unexpected statement or announcement - that your hearers are not prepared to receive. "There is a right time and a right way to do everything" (Ecclesiastes 8:6).
2. PLAN YOUR PRESENTATION. Carefully think through what you intend to say first. When what you need to communicate is critical, take the effort especially to plan your introduction and supporting illustrations. Don't begin what you are going to say with cumbersome details that could obscure your primary objectives. Take a hint from TV, where directors move from the long shot to the medium shot to the close-up. "Intelligent people think before they speak. What they say is then more persuasive" (Proverbs 16:23).
3. BEGIN WITH HIS OR HER (YOUR HEARER'S) NEEDS. A listener is always asking questions like, "Why should I listen to this?" and, "How will it benefit me?" If you can answer these two questions at the outset, you will have your audience's undivided attention - they will understand why what you have to say is significant to them. "Speak only...according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen" (Ephesians 4:29).
4. LISTEN FIRST! We usually get into trouble when we make assumptions, especially when trying to communicate important information. Before you concentrate on what you intend to say, be willing to listen to the other side first and gain their perspective. "Be quick to listen and slow to speak" (James 1:19).
5. SAY IT POSITIVELY. No one likes to hear bad news. Learn to be both realistic and optimistic at the same time. You are never persuasive when you are abrasive, or negative! If you have bad news, say it up front in a factual, non-personal way. Then quickly move into a more positive, constructive mode. "The mature person is known for his understanding. The more pleasant his words, the more persuasive he is" (Proverbs 16:21).
6. CLARIFY YOUR CONCLUSIONS. Summarize and recap what you've said to make certain that you have been properly understood. Be specific. Restate what you have decided on - and what you haven't - to ensure agreement. "Agree with each other in the Lord" (Philippians 4:2).
7. END WITH AN ENCOURAGING WORD. Exit lines - your closing words - are important. Even if the discussion was heated and both sides took some heavy shots of criticism, try to end on a positive, affirming note. "A word of encouragement does wonders!" (Proverbs 12:15).
Today's Prayer
Father In Heaven; teach me to be a better communicator, with You First, then my Family, and at work. Help me to Listen, First. Remind me that there was a reason You designed us with Two ears and One mouth. I realize how important this one skill is to my success or failure in all that I do, so again I humbly ask...Will You help me Lord. ~Amen.

Loading mentions Retweet

Word Power
The "Workings" Of God In Your Life Are Not Proportionate To Your Need Of Him, But Of Your Knowledge Of Him.
Today's Word
Your Word Have I Laid Up In My Heart, That I Might Not Sin Against You. ~Psalm 119:11
Today's Thought
God has given us His Word as a guide for our life. However, His Word won't help us if we don't study it, know it, and live by it. Therefore, we must diligently study and apply God's Word if we wish for it to have an impact on our lives.
Knowing God's Word will keep you from sin, or sin will keep you from knowing His Word.
Jesus promised, "If you abide in My word ..., you are truly My disciples. And you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free" (John 8:31-32,). That's a promise that if we Live & Dwell in His Word, we will know the Truth, because His Word is the Truth.
So it makes sense that God told the Israelites, "Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful" (Joshua 1:8).
Joshua later repeated a similar instruction: "Be careful to obey all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, without turning aside to the right or to the left" (Joshua 23:6).
Why is it so important to follow God's Word? Because His Word keeps us from turning aside to the right or to the left; it keeps us on the straight and narrow path that leads to life. The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide. Psalm 37:31 (see also Matthew 7:13-14).
So how about it, do you want to stay out of trouble? Then Live in His Word, because His Word will keep you from sin.
Today's Prayer
Father In Heaven; Teach me to hide Your word in my heart and make application of it in my everyday life. Help me to understand Your word more. I will be guided by what You say and not by what I feel or think. In Jesus Name. ~Amen.

Loading mentions Retweet