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Monday, March 19, 2007

Lifebit

FreshOutlook Magazine

Attitudes are contagious…

is yours worth catching?
Hebrews 1:9

Laugh a Little...

FreshOutlook Magazine

Blessed are they who can laugh at themselves for they shall
never cease to be amused.

One day, Joe, Bob and Dave were hiking in a wilderness area when they came upon a large, raging, violent river. They needed to get to the other side, but had no idea of how to do so. Joe prayed to God, saying, "Please God, give me the strength to cross this river."

Poof! God gave him big arms and strong legs, and he was able to swim across the river in about two hours, although he almost drowned a couple of times.

Seeing this, Dave prayed to God, saying, "Please God, give me the strength and the tools to cross this river."

Poof! God gave him a rowboat and he was able to row across the river in about an hour, after almost capsizing the boat a couple of times.

Bob had seen how this worked out for the other two, so he also prayed to God saying, "Please God, give me the strength and the tools, and the intelligence, to cross this river."

Poof! God turned him into a woman. She looked at the map, hiked upstream a couple of hundred yards, and then walked across the bridge.

Think on These...

FreshOutlook Magazine

With each passing day, I realize more and more the impact our attitude has on our life.

Attitude is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company ...a church ...a home.

The remarkable thing is we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past; we cannot control how other people will act or react. The only thing we can do is make a choice ~ choose life or death ~ and that is often determined by the attitude we choose to have. I believe that life is 10% of what happens to you and 90% of how you react to it. I also believe that it is often our attitude that gives God the door in to work on our behalf or our attitude that keeps that same door closed. Today, choose your attitude carefully – it will determine your outcome.

Worry, or Worship?

Joel Osteen

Today's Scripture
"We have no power against this large army that is attacking us. We don't know what to do, so we look to you for help." (2 Chronicles 20:12)

Today's Word from Joel and Victoria
The enemy would love to get you worrying instead of worshiping God. When the devil brings you thoughts of worry, anxiety and fear, let them be a reminder for you to thank God that His answer is on the way. Say, "Devil, thank you for reminding me," and then say, "Father, I thank You that You are at work on my behalf." That's what King Jehoshaphat did. The people of Judah were surrounded by three major armies. It didn't look like they had a chance. This godly king was probably bombarded with thoughts of fear and anxiety. But he gathered the people together, lifted his eyes toward heaven, and prayed the simple prayer in today's verse. Jehoshaphat's prayer was answered. God told the people to march right in to the enemy's camp, singing and shouting praises on their way. Notice, they weren't worrying—they were worshiping—and God delivered them. Do you need a victory in your life? Then learn to worship instead of worry!

A Prayer for Today
God, You are truly the great God who is the Provider of everything we need, and much more. I want to be a worshiper instead of a worrier, so today I claim Your promise of deliverance from thoughts of fear or anxiety. Thank You for giving me the victory. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Habits That Will Change Your Life - Part III

Joyce Meyer

Do you desire more joy, peace and a greater sense of accomplishment? These inspiring teachings include some of the building blocks you will need to begin a whole new way of life.

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Stand Against the Devil's Strategies!

Kenneth Copeland

"Leave no room or foothold for the devil give no opportunity to him." (Ephesians 4:27, Amp)

If you give the devil place, he will take it. You have to stay alert and keep your shield of faith high because if you don't, he'll turn around and steal back from you the ground you just took.

There have been people who have received their healing and have fallen back into their old thinking patterns of sickness. They let their faith down and gave the devil an opening. When he came along with an old symptom, they weren't ready for him. They fell victim to his counterattack.

You can stand successfully against the devil's strategies! But before you do, you're going to have to make three quality decisions.

First, you must make the Word of God the final authority in your life. Line up your thinking with whatever the Word says.

Next, you must decide to live your life by faith in what God has said. The Bible says, "Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God."

Finally, you must decide to live by the love of God because faith works by love. Without love, your faith won't function. Without the Word, you can't have faith. So don't try to make one of these decisions without the other two. You need to make all three of them. This lifestyle of the Word, faith and love keeps you in a place of resistance to the devil!

I suggest you get alone with God and pray:

In the Name of Jesus, I commit myself from this day forward to live by the Word of God, to live by my faith, and to live by the love of God.

Decide today to give the devil no place!

Scripture Study: John 15:7-12

Sunday, March 18, 2007

Nothing to Be Afraid Of

Gloria Copeland

"He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me." (Hebrews 13:5-6)

Self-consciousness is a major problem in the Body of Christ today. It keeps us from doing the things God tells us to do. Instead of simply obeying Him, it makes us start to wonder, "Now what will people think of me if I do that? What if I command that person to get out of the wheelchair and he doesn't get up? What if I start believing for prosperity and go broke? What about that, God? I won't look too good, will I?"

If you've ever been through that, let me tell you something: It doesn't matter how you look! It's obeying God that counts. When it comes to obeying God, your own reputation doesn't count; and the sooner you forget it, the better off you'll be.

But you know what's ironic? Once you do that, your reputation gets better. It's a funny thing. When you lose that desire to protect your image, your image will improve. Why? Because then when people look at you, instead of seeing that puny little image you have of yourself, they'll see the image of the Lord Jesus coming through.

So put aside that old self-consciousness and develop God-consciousness instead. Stop being dominated by the fear of man and start being motivated by faith in what Jesus can do.

After all, He has promised He will never leave you or forsake you. Grab hold of that. Believe it. Act on it. Once you do, you'll realize there's really nothing to be afraid of anymore!

Scripture Study: Romans 8:29-39

Friday, March 16, 2007

Raising Politically Incorrect Christians - Part 2

JoJo Tabares

"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear." -1 Peter 3:15

As we discussed in part one of this series, our Christian children are going to face opposition to their faith, both in college and in their career. How should our Christian teens respond when their faith is questioned, when their beliefs are mocked, when their rights are trampled upon? Sometimes it is easier to look at a question in reverse, so let's start with how Christians should not respond. Here are a few items that occurred in the past year that will help illustrate.

Rosie O'Donnell told The View audience, "Radical Christianity is just as threatening as radical Islam." This comment was illogical and inflammatory, and I am certain Miss O'Donnell does not really believe that a large, organized group of Christians exists who are blowing up innocent people. Miss O'Donnell lives a lifestyle in opposition to some of the Judeo-Christian values of the Bible, and certain laws she would be in favor of would not pass if Christians had their way. So it seems what she really meant to say was that Activist Christians would be a threat to the laws she would like to see passed. A very different comment than the one she made, and it doesn't pack the same punch.

Many Christians were highly insulted and either asked for or demanded an immediate apology. Some called for her resignation. I asked a different question that I would like you to consider: What would bring Miss O'Donnell to say something like this that was obviously not true?

I believe what fuels the fire for accusations such as hers are those who call themselves Christians but who do not behave in a very Christ-like manner. Each time someone calling himself a Christian speaks out in anger, it only serves to inflame. Unfortunately, the mainstream news media is only too willing to run their stories because they make Christians look like intolerant wackos.

This brings us to another story. A Christian guest on the Hannity and Colmes show stirred up some controversy after the Amish school shooting last fall when she expressed the opinion that the five little Amish girls killed at that school had so angered the Lord with their sins that He had them murdered. Apparently, no other sinners walking the earth that day deserved God's wrath. Two other things kept running through my mind as she spoke. 1) If she really believed that the Amish and our country are on the wrong path, wouldn't it have been more persuasive and Christ-like to share those opinions in love and with respect? 2) As it stands now, the only thing she succeeded in communicating is that she is a Radical Christian Wacko. You know, like the kind Miss O'Donnell warned you about!

"A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle." –Proverbs 18:19

Another incident of a Christian responding inappropriately occurred not too long ago when a secular band released a new CD that was explicitly anti-Christian in its content. It shouldn't surprise us when these types of groups use Satanic hype in order to rally fans and sell CDs. It has been going on for decades in the music industry. These are usually lost souls, ignorant of the truth. They are caught up in things that, for the most part, they do not fully understand. As Christ said, "They know not what they do."

I came across a website on which people were discussing the new CD. Most of the comments were, as you might expect, primarily the rantings of young teens cheering the band on using foul language and very little intellect. Most entries made fun of Christians or denounced any responsibility in life. Some comments were from kids who just did not want to answer to anyone. Life was one big funfest to them and Christians were raining on their parade! However, one comment in particular caught my eye. It was posted by a woman claiming to be a Christian. I was deeply disappointed and saddened to find that her comment was harsh and hateful as she told the band to, "burn in hell." Here was a Christian's chance to speak up and defend the faith or plant a seed for Christ, but she failed to do either. As we might expect, the responses to her comment were even angrier and more focused than the original comments. When you respond in anger, it only turns the level of anger up a notch. What it almost never does is raise the level of persuasion!

Does the Lord really want the members of this band to burn in hell? No, He wants them to come to Him! But would you come to someone whose followers told you to "burn in hell"?

"Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man." -Colossians 4:6

These are extreme examples and situations in which most Christians may never find themselves. However, there are many other ways to respond that are also less than Christ-like. Have you ever replied to an e-mail or an online comment out of anger or disrespect? Has your son or daughter ever been upset by something someone said and spoken out in a harsh tone? Each and everything we say and do communicates something to those around us. If we call ourselves Christians, we must be careful to speak in love and with grace and respect. Anger only begets anger. Comments that bring anger may elicit the thought, "If that's a Christian, I sure don't want to be one!"

The fact that we are right about something doesn't give us the right to hit someone over the head with it. It also doesn't make it an effective way to persuade someone of something. If we respond in anger or with disrespect, we are only doing what I call screaming in a deaf man's ear Screaming does not help a deaf man understand you better. It only serves to make him certain that he does not want to!

As Christians, we should also not respond to others with an attitude of judgment, condemnation, scorn or arrogance. These also cause others to turn a deaf ear. Nobody wants to be told he is an awful person or that he is wrong. No one enjoys having his beliefs attacked. Most people who are treated this way will not be receptive. What might happen is that they will be far less inclined to listen to anything else about Jesus. This does not mean that we have to be "tolerant" of everything that people do. However, we would be wise to remember the old saying, "Hate the sin, love the sinner." We can speak the truth, but we should do it with a spirit of love and grace.

Instead of getting angry and defensive when someone makes a rude comment, we should train our children to "bless those who curse us." Instead of firing off a rude or mean-spirited response, they should share, in a spirit of love, what they know about Jesus. We need to teach our children to be Christ-like in their reply even when they are attacked or mocked for their beliefs.

The Bible tells us to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. While silence is not an answer, the Lord asks us to love our neighbor and turn the other cheek. He tells us to respond with gentleness and respect. The reason He tells us to respond in this manner is that God knows the hearts of men He knows that when we respond with anger, condemnation, disrespect, judgment, sarcasm, hurt or arrogance, we will not be effective witnesses for Him.

"He that loveth pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend." –Proverbs 22:11

The Lord doesn't want any of His children to perish, but wants all to come to Him and be saved. That is the message we need to share with non-Christians. When the Lord deems it time, He will come to judge. But right now there is still time to share God's love, grace and mercy with the lost. Condemnation will not turn a soul's ear toward Christ; it will only lead it further away. Those who continue to speak up for their beliefs by telling others to "burn in hell" or by becoming angry or judgmental are actually enabling Satan to lead others away from the saving grace of Christ Jesus.

So before your daughter rattles off a response to Aunt Jenny, before your son types that e-mail response, teach them to take a look at the tone of their communication. Is it respectful? Does it share God's love? Is it something that is going to make the other person listen with an open heart or is it merely designed to make your child feel better after his or her beliefs have been attacked?

By sharing our beliefs in a spirit of love, we can have a far more positive impact on those around us than if we react with hostility, anger or scorn. Let's work now to raise up a generation that will speak out boldly for the cause of Christ, sharing the light of His love in the darkness of the world.

---------

JoJo Tabares holds a degree in Speech Communication. Her Christian and humorous approach to communication skills has made her a sought after speaker. She is the author of the Say What You Mean communication curriculum, and has had articles published in various homeschool magazines and websites. JoJo and her husband live in Southern California where she homeschools their two children. For more information, please visit www.ArtofEloquence.com

Habits That Will Change Your Life - Part III

Joyce Meyer

Do you desire more joy, peace and a greater sense of accomplishment? These inspiring teachings include some of the building blocks you will need to begin a whole new way of life.

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Train Your Senses

Kenneth Copeland

"For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil." (Hebrews 5:13-14)

You're spiritually "grown up" or mature when, through practice, you have trained your senses to discern between good and evil. You've practiced walking in the Spirit and renewing your mind by the Word of God until even your flesh habitually goes God's way instead of the world's way.

Stop and think for a moment. Aren't there some things your old flesh used to pressure you to do before you made Jesus Lord of your life that you don't even want to do anymore?

There are for me. For example, I used to smoke tobacco, and I felt sorry for all those Christians who couldn't. But you know what? Now that I'm a believer, I have no desire for tobacco anymore. It is not even part of my thoughts much less my lifestyle.

That's the kind of thing that happens as you feed and renew your mind on the Word of God. It doesn't necessarily happen quickly or easily. Your flesh may fight and buck for a while because it's been trained to go the way of the world so long. But if you stick with the Word and keep growing, your flesh can develop the habit of righteousness just like it developed the habit of unrighteousness.

Don't starve your spirit by trying to get by on just a little spiritual milk now and then. Develop the habit of feeding on the solid food of the Word every day and find out what real maturity is all about.

Scripture Study: Hebrews 5:11-14, 6:1-3

Thursday, March 15, 2007

Habits That Will Change Your Life - Part II

Joyce Meyer

Do you desire more joy, peace and a greater sense of accomplishment? These inspiring teachings include some of the building blocks you will need to begin a whole new way of life.

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Wednesday, March 14, 2007

Habits That Will Change Your Life - Part I

Joyce Meyer

Do you desire more joy, peace and a greater sense of accomplishment? These inspiring teachings include some of the building blocks you will need to begin a whole new way of life.

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