CROSSROADS - DECISIONS - I'M ALL IN!

Team:

Following this message is a message from Pastor Adrian Rogers. He explains the meaning of the Cross.

There are also Crossroads in our life when we have to make decisive decisions and take ACTION.

Which way do I go? RIGHT or LEFT?

When we have a MAP to our DESTINATION our JOURNEY is a lot EASIER with much less stress.

CROSSROADS - DECISIONS - I'M ALL IN!

When we map out our goals and decisions before we hit the CROSSROADS of life we can make DECISIONS with PRECISION, CLARITY and CONFIDENCE whether it is SPORTS, CAREER, RELATIONSHIPS, TEMPTATIONS, ect...

The MAP is the PLAYBOOK the BIBLE!

"In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing you can do is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing." --

Theodore Roosevelt

The better we KNOW the PLAYBOOK the easier it is to DO THE RIGHT THING!

CROSSROADS - DECISIONS - I'M ALL IN!

Have you ever heard a coach say, "you have to play a perfect game to win?" "Are you sure you are doing this the right way? We can't afford a mistake."

This causes Players to FREEZE!

Sometimes as parents we also do this. This puts handcuffs on our kids and Players CREATIVITY and CONFIDENCE!

When we make that mistake early on in the Game (and we will) we are finished! It's like having this HUGE ROCK on our SHOULDERS for the rest of game.

There is nothing a coach or parent can say at halftime to come out of this.

Why?

Because, for a whole week the coaches have been BRAINWASHING the players to think they have to be perfect. So the intensity and criticism throughout the week skyrockets.

This idea of perfection causes us to FREEZE UP and get STIFF. It causes our MIND to SPIN out of control saying,

"Oh no am I doing this perfect?"

"Am I going to get yelled at and ridiculed by the coach?"

"Are they going to APPROVE?"

"Do I ever do anything right?"

At first the players Shut Down and eventually lose Trust in the Coach or Parent because they feel the Coach or Parent doesn't Trust them. After this there is either Depression Anger and Resentment.

Friends, We can't PLAY the GAME that way! We need to Play to Win! Roosevelt made mistakes but he always WENT FOR IT ALL OUT! His ATTITUDE was LET'S GO! I'M All IN!!

CROSSROADS - DECISIONS - I'M ALL IN!

On 11-30-74 USC was losing 24-6 to rival Notre Dame. At halftime Coach John McKay used a little humor to lighten up the Stress.

McKay said, "Gentlemen, we're behind." And two guys who were math majors put up their hands and said, "Yeah, that's right."

McKay went on say, "if Davis can run back the 2nd half kickoff we will Win!"

Davis ran back the Kickoff 100 yds for a Touchdown and SC went on to WIN the Game. This is one of the Greatest Comebacks in the History of Sports.

MCKAY TAlKED ABOUT POSSIBILITIES AND SOLUTIONS NOT PERFECTION!

We will make mistakes! It's how we RESPOND to the mistakes that determine the outcome of the game!

This goes for Coaches, Teachers, Parents, Pastors, Me ect...

CROSSROADS - DECISIONS - I'M ALL IN!

REMEMBER: We will make mistakes and that is all part of God's Plan as well. Jacob made many mistakes but God always TURNED THINGS AROUND because Jacob had the right heart.

READ GOD'S AGREEMENT in Romans 8:28
THIS IS A WIN WIN CONTRACT!

CROSSROADS - DECISIONS - I'M ALL IN!

God PROMISES to CAUSE ALL things and circumstances to turn in our FAVOR. There are some requirements on our part for this agreement to be Valid so check it out.

In every aspect of our life we can have UNWAVERING CONFIDENCE and ACT with PRECISISION!

"God's Perfect Love for us will Cast out all Fear."

JUST GO! STAND TALL - WIN THE DAY!

ATTACK THE GAME PLAN - EXECUTE!

CROSSROADS - DECISIONS - I'M ALL IN!

FIGHT ON!

Rick
 
January 26
What Is Your Cross?

"And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after Me, cannot be My disciple." Luke 14:27

The cross not only saves us, but it continues to sanctify us. Have you read where Jesus said, "Whosoever will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me" (Mark 8:34b)?

Many people think that this means that our "cross" is a sickness, an unsaved spouse, or a cruel boss. However, a cross is not something that is forced upon you, over which you have no choice. A cross is something you willingly take up.

Jesus willingly laid down His life. He calls us to do the same. Your cross is when you willingly die to yourself. You do this by saying no to sin and self, and yes to Christ.
 
For more from Love Worth Finding and Pastor Adrian Rogers, please visit www.lwf.org.

THE TEST OF SUFFERING

Team:

Have you ever been Tested? God allows us to go through many Tests in our life.

In this part of Genesis we see Jacob being Tested over and over again. He was Tested when he escaped to Bethel after he stole his brothers blessing.

Jacob was Tested when his father in law made him work 7 years for his daughter Rachel only to be deceived. His Father in Law Laban gave Jacob Leah instead of Rachel.

Jacob was Tested when his sons mass murdered the people from Shecuum.

Jacob's Faith was Tested when he wrestled with God.

Jacob's Self Reliance was Tested when he dislocated his hip. Now Jacob would have to fully Trust God.

Jacob's commitment was Tested when he lost his wife and son in the span of three years.

Sometimes in the process of life we suffer for things we didn't do. On the other hand sometimes we suffer and cause others to suffer by the decisions we make.

No matter how we got in the situation we are in God can always turn things around. The Bible often talks about how God turns evil to good.

The enemy wants to whisper things like, "you brought this pain on yourself. Now you have to pay the price. You don't deserve anything from God. God is through with you!!!!"

When God wrestled with Jacob, Jacob was confused, full of guilt and doubt. He stayed up all night. The Lord let Jacob wear himself out. Jacob was very determined and wouldn't let go of all the negative thoughts and plans to cover up all the mistakes.

God dislocated Jacob's hip to get his attention and so he had no choice but to rely on God.

GOD CRIPPLES US SO WE RELY ON HIM!

It is hard to Trust God when we are in the middle of the Storm. We tend to see the Storm and not Him.

God prepared Esau's heart and everything turned out OK. All that worrying for what?

I don't know about you but I get trapped in my thoughts all the time just like Jacob.

Instead of playing out in my mind the positive I play out the negative. It is natural to do this. The enemy likes to trap us.

Time passed on and Jacob was very old. A famine was coming and the family had very little resources.

Jacob sends his sons to Egypt as a last resort. Now Jacob only has Benjamine. The boys came back and said the man in charge of the food supplies of the whole world demanded to see Benjamine.

Now Jacob is right where he started. He is alone and crippled with no one.

However Good News was about ready to be unveiled. All of the suffering and strife was about to end.

The whole point to this story is for us to realize we need to come to the end of ourselves for God to work Miracles in our lives.

Here Jacob is informed that his son Joseph is ALIVE!

God Spoke to Jacob after Jacob was informed of the Great News that his son was Alive. The Lord told Jacob not to be worried but to trust Him. He said, "Joseph will close your eyes. Joseph will be with you when you pass away."

WHEN GOD GOVERNS WE REJOICE!

"I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us." Romans 8:18

Jacob must have been overwhelmed with Excitement and Joy.

"Then Joseph prepared his chariot and went up to meet Israel his father in Goshen. He presented himself to him and(AD) fell on his neck and wept on his neck a good while. Israel said to Joseph,(AE) "Now let me die, since I have seen your face and know that you are still alive." Gen 46:29-30

Notice how the Lord changes Jacob's name back to Israel. Joseph must have remembered his early years with his dad when his dad told him the story of how he got his name. Israel means, God Governs.

WHEN GOD GOVERNS WE REJOICE!

The story of meeting God at Bethel when he was very stressed out and how Jacob saw angels going up and down a ladder to heaven. (In John Chapter 1 Jesus tells Nathaniel that He is the ladder in Jacob's vision)

Joseph may have remembered how his father had incredible faith. Then Joseph's mother died and three years later Israel thought Joseph died.

After this Israel went back to his old name Jacob. Jacob was a very depressed sorrowful man for many years. He lost his Spouse and Son in three years.

Friends, life is full of ups and downs. The disciples were also worried about their future. Jesus said, "let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in me! I have a great future for you. My Dad has a Mansion for you. Yes life is tough so focus on me not the circumstances of life."
John 14

WHEN GOD GOVERNS WE REJOICE!

When God Governs we Rejoice because we know all is good. Yes things and situations throw us for a loop. Israel lost the two most important people in his life in three years. Israel went back to Jacob as he lost all hope.

Now at last God brings everything together and Jacob becomes Israel again.

WHEN GOD GOVERNS WE REJOICE!

God also wants to Govern our Life.

Just Go!!

Rick

Jan 23 Readings - GENESIS 46:1-47:31 | MATTHEW 15:1-28 | PSALM 19:1-14 | PROVERBS 4:14-19

Fw: Staying Focused

Team:

Last week we talked about the importance of planning. Here is a Great Message by Coach Rogers.

Remember the 5 P'S?

PROPER PLANNING PREDICTS POWERFUL PERFORMANCE!

Stay Focused!
Don't Hesitate - Just Go!!

Rick
------ Email ------
Staying Focused on God's Plan for Your Life by Adrian Rogers.

BIBLE MEDITATION:   "I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:14

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT: The devil would love to get you distracted and get you off the course on which God has placed you. God has something He wants you to do and you had better not substitute the good for the best. Find out what God wants you to do and refuse to be distracted by the devil. You need to say as the apostle Paul said, "This one thing I do!" Know what it is that God wants you to do and do it with all your strength for His glory!

ACTION POINT: Take a few minutes to write out a mission statement focusing on "that one thing" (TOT) that you think God has called you to do. Then, post the letters TOT everywhere to remind yourself to stay focused on the calling of God in your life.

    Devotions taken from the messages of © 2011 Love Worth Finding Ministries | PO Box 38300 - Memphis, TN 38183-0300

Fw: ENDURANCE PAYS OFF!

Team:

Have you ever fought through something till the end even though things were not going your way?

ENDURANCE PAYS OFF!

Have you ever been treated unfairly but still followed through to the end?

When it was over and you knew you gave your best you felt great didn't you?

ENDURANCE PAYS OFF!

Why did you feel like you accomplished something great? Because you knew no matter how unfairly you were treated you didn't give up!

"Don't Give Up, Don't Ever Ever Give Up"

Jimmy Valvino Head Coach NC State Basketball - Fought Cancer

I'm sure all of us have had situations where for whatever reason we wanted to throw in the towell and say, "no mas!"

The enemy will always try to trick us into quitting and giving up. Why? Because he knows we will lose our confidence.

When we stick it through to the end and Finish Strong we get Stronger for the next Challenge.

ENDURANCE PAYS OFF!

The enemy wants to take us out of the game by discouraging us so we quit. Here in Genesis we see how Endurance Pays Off in the end.

ENDURANCE PAYS OFF!

Joseph had some tough times leading up to this next verse.

Beat up and thrown into a Pit.

Sold as a Slave.

Falsely accused of attempted rape.

Thrown into prison... ect..

Joseph had to Endure!

"Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you. You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you." Gen 41:39-40

Joseph had Perseverance and Endurance and stayed the course. Joseph was Discerning and Wise because He was in the Playbook daily getting closer and closer to God.

Finishing is the key! In Fox's Book of Martyrs we see a different angle to Victory. These great people of faith were all killed for what they believe in.

ENDURANCE PAYS OFF!

In order to Finish Strong under such circumstances the Prize had to be big.
The Prize was their ability have Endurance in very difficult situations. Their Bravery set the stage for generations to come and their Love brought them through.

When we have Endurance and go all the way to the Finish Line we get Stronger and Faster.

ENDURANCE PAYS OFF!

"I firmly believe that any man's finest hour, the greatest fulfillment of all that he holds dear, is the moment when he has worked his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle - victorious."

Vince Lombardi

"Run in such a way that you may win. Don't you realize that everyone who runs in a race runs to win, but only one runner gets the prize?" 1 Corinthians 9:24

The Ultimate Victory in the Universe was when God was Murdered for our sins. He Finished Strong with Persistence and Endurance.

"...because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame..." Hebrews 12:2

The Award was the Joy of being with us for Eternity.

What is it that gives us that Drive to see it through? For Jesus it was His Love for us. For Joseph it was his Love for God and the Hope he may see his family again.

What about you and I?

What is the motivation for a dad to get up everyday and work 12 hours?

LOVE - for his family.

What is the motivation for a mom to work 24-7 providing for 8 children?

LOVE - for her family.

What is the Motivation to Stay in School and Work hard at your career?

LOVE - for your future family.

What is the Motivation to Endure through Conflicts in a marriage?

LOVE - for God which will lead to Love for our family.

What is the Motivation to Finish Strong in everything? For Jesus it was His Love for us and His Hope that we will be with Him in the ages to come.

LOVE IS THE GREATEST POWER IN THE UNIVERSE!

ENDURANCE PAYS OFF!

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths." Proverbs 3:5-6

You may have had a string of bad luck like Joseph did. Just remember when all else fails:

LOVE CONQUERS ALL! ENDURANCE PAYS OFF!

Just Go! Don't Give Up, Don't Ever Ever Give Up!

Rick

Jan 20 Readings - GENESIS 41:17-42:17 | MATTHEW 13:24-46 | PSALM 18:1-15 | PROVERBS 4:1-6

Fw: WHAT GOOD CAN COME OUT OF THIS?

Team:

Do you ever wonder what could possibly be good about the situation that I am in?

How can God turn this situation into a good thing?

Today we see Joseph sold by his brothers into slavery.

Just like Jacob stole the blessing from Esau now Jacob's blessing "Joseph" was stolen and sold away from him.

WHAT GOOD CAN COME OUT OF THIS?

"So when the Midianite merchants came by, his brothers pulled Joseph up out of the cistern and sold him for twenty shekels[b] of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took him to Egypt." Genesis 37:28

Wow! The favorite son or "The Blessing" was sold away.

WHAT GOOD CAN COME OUT OF THIS?

Then the sons lied to their dad and said he was killed by a wild animal.

Jacob is now feeling totally whipped and wiped out. Lucifer was probably whispering in his ear negative thoughts of how he deserved this and brought this on himself. "You haven't been a good leader as a father and husband. Your daughter was involved in an illicit relationship with the Prince of Schecum. Your sons are murderers. Your wife stole her fathers gods and was dabbling in witchcraft, oiji boards and sorcery ect... Jacob you are a looser!"

Jacob had lost all hope. Everything seems to be going wrong. Satan is reminding him of all his shortcomings.

Have you ever felt that way?

Pretty soon everything we do and say has this in mind: "Its not if - it's when I lose everything."

Are you paranoid about the future? Are you saying "my family is being torn apart ect.... ? "

GOOD NEWS - THERE IS HOPE!
Please read on - it will be worth it.

The last time we saw Jacob he was wrestling with God. Jacob was frustrated. This time Jacob is in Grief and Sorrow.

LUCIFER AND HIS HELPERS USE EMOTIONS TO TRY TO CONTROL US

God is working behind the scenes orchestrating events to take place on Jacob and Joseph's behalf.

The events might seem unconventional at first.

Sometimes God does things in mysterious ways.

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. Isaiah 55:8

WHAT GOOD CAN COME OUT OF THIS?

Remember when Abraham was older and didn't think he could have kids? Sarah his wife thought it was her fault. So she said, "here take my handmaiden and have relations with her. Maybe she will have a son for you."

Abraham had a son though Hagar named Ishmael. After Ismael got a little older Sarah regretted her encouragement for Abraham to have relations with Hagar.

After Isaac was born Sarah demanded that Hagar and Ishmael leave. They left and went to Egypt. Sarah and Abraham raised Isaac and Isaac had Jacob and Jacob had 12 sons and a daughter.

It appears that having Ishmael was a big mistake. This is not so. God loved Ishmael and used his offspring to help save Joseph and the family of Jacob or Israel.

There is a reason God allowed Joseph to be thrown into a Pit, Sold as a Slave and later thrown into Prison.

God uses tragedy, and unfortunate circumstances in our life to do something Great.

That Pit was the beginning of Hope. The Prison was the place that gave him access to the King. God uses these type of situations so when He bails us out we give Him all the credit.

You see, Joseph was stuck in a Pit and Joseph's Dad was stuck in his Thoughts.

Sometimes we are also STUCK!

HOW DO WE ESCAPE?

This next part is amazing and shows God Orchestrating events way into the future.
God had a plan for Ishmael before time began.

Who bought Joseph and brought him to Egypt? That's right it was Ishmael.

Ishmael was kicked out by Joseph's Great Grandfather Abraham. Now Ishmael's Grand Children are rescuing Joseph.

If Ishmael was never born Joseph would have been sold to someone else.

WHAT GOOD CAN COME OUT OF THIS?

Friends, we don't know what the future holds but God does. Joseph probably had his doubts but he always saw God's Hand in everything.

Joseph lived a life of HOPE and EXPECTATION his Dad Jacob lived a life of despair and paranoia.

Obviously Jacob and Rachel taught Joseph from an early age how to see God in every situation.

When Joseph lost his mom I'm sure he was the one that lifted his dad up.

Remember the coat of many colors?

Maybe Jacob was responding to the HOPE his son Joseph brought to the family?

Maybe the many colors like a rainbow was a reminder of God's promise to never flood the earth again.

Maybe the coat represented a FUTURE and HOPE for his family? Jeremiah 29:11

God used the situation with Hagar and Ishmael to save the family of Jacob and the future of Israel. God knew the famine was coming and God did the impossible. The Lord orchestrated events that would promote Joseph to Vice President of Egypt.

You see if we are available and willing to be God's instrument and See God's Hand in everything the Lord will orchestrate events to take place that will put us in a position of influence just like Joseph.

In John, Nathaniel said, "what good thing can come from Nazareth?"

Jesus said, "Nate, you are going to see angels ascending and descending on me. I'm the ladder that Jacob had a dream about in Genesis. I'm the ladder to Heaven. I'm the one that will fill the void in your life!" Nate was amazed!

YOU TOO WILL BE AMAZED!

The Word tells us our eyes are the windows to our soul.

"LEARN TO SEE GOD'S HAND IN EVERYTHING!"

We don't have all the info. The Playbook tells us to walk by Faith and not by Sight.
LEADERS KNOW THINGS HAPPEN FOR REASON AND KNOW THAT GOD HAS A PLAN. Romans 8:28

Just Go! Don't Hesitate!

Rick

Jan 18 Readings - GENESIS 37:1-38:30 | MATTHEW 12:22-45 | PSALM 16:1-11 | PROVERBS 3:27-32

I remember growing up my momma would always say God will make something good come out of this situation.

In my mind I would say, "no way! It's the end!" You know what? God always came through just like she said. When the situation was over I would always look back and see God's hand in it.

"Oh.....that's what God was doing!"

Fw: LEADERS LET GOD GOVERN THEIR LIFE!

Team:

Have you ever wrestled with decisions? Have you ever been fearful of an outcome one way or another? Do you ever feel all alone? Do you ever feel like you are avoiding or running away from something?

Have you ever done something in the past that you knew would haunt you in the future?

LEADERS LET GOD GOVERN THEIR LIFE!

Today we see Jacob wrestling with decisions of the past as well as the future. Jacob was literally wrestling with God. Most scholars believe this was a Theophany or Jesus Christ.

"So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. 25 When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob's hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man. 26 Then the man said, 'Let me go, for it is daybreak.'"
Gen 32:24-26

Friend, You are not alone. Jacob struggled over the same things we struggle over every day.

LEADERS LET GOD GOVERN THEIR LIFE!

Just like Jacob was all alone sometimes we feel all alone.

God has to bring us to a point where we are all alone with Him so He can Reach us.

Jacob was very stubborn (in a good way) he was not going to let go of God until God Blesses him.

Early on Jacob deceived his father when his father was weak and ready to die. Jacob lied to his dad so he could get the "Blessing."

Now Jacob realizes God's blessings are not for sale. You can't trick or manipulate to get God's Blessing.

Jacob felt insecure then and now. He was regretting the decision he made when he stole the blessing that was intended for Esau. Now all kinds of thoughts are going through his mind. "Why did you do that? Here comes your brother to kill you. You stupid fool!" Over and Over and Over.

Now Jacob is at the end of his rope with no way out wrestling with the decisions he made in the past and now for the future.

As the daybreak came Jacob would not let go of God so the Lord dislocated Jacob's hip. Now Jacob was crippled. He was doomed!

Sometimes we need to let go of a situation or circumstance and give it over to the Lord. When we hold on too long we get crippled.

The secret to Jacob being blessed was to let go. It is scary to let go of something so familiar.

It may be a situation, a relationship, an addiction, drugs, an abusive situation, bitterness, strife, unforgiving ect..

The longer we Hold On the more crippled we become.

LEADERS LET GOD GOVERN THEIR LIFE!

Then God did Something Amazing. God blessed Jacob and changed his name to Israel. Israel means God governs my life.

The Lord was way ahead of Jacob. God was preparing Esau's heart to receive Jacob.

God has it all worked out. We just need to LET GO!

So Jacob went from deceiving and manipulating to letting God govern his Life.

Friends, are you at the end of your rope? Are you trying to figure out how to cover yourself in every situation? Are you Wrestling with decisions in your life? Be like Jacob and let God govern in your life.
Let Go of whatever your into and LET GOD take over.

LEADERS LET GOD GOVERN THEIR LIFE!

"Jacob prayed to be delivered from Esau, but his greatest need was to be delivered from himself."

Just Go! Let Go!

Rick

Jan 16 Readings - GENESIS 32:13-34:31 | MATTHEW 11:7-30 | PSALM 14:1-7 | PROVERBS 3:19-20

LEADERS LET GOD GOVERN THEIR LIVES!

Team:

Have you ever wrestled with decisions? Have you ever been fearful of an outcome one way or another? Do you ever feel all alone? Do you ever feel like you are avoiding or running away from something?

Have you ever done something in the past that you knew would haunt you in the future?

LEADERS LET GOD GOVERN THEIR LIVES!

Today we see Jacob wrestling with decisions of the past as well as the future. Jacob was literally wrestling with God. Most scholars believe this was a Theophany or Jesus Christ.

"So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. 25 When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob's hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man. 26 Then the man said, 'Let me go, for it is daybreak.'"
Gen 32:24-26

Friend, You are not alone. Jacob struggled over the same things we struggle over every day.

LEADERS LET GOD GOVERN THEIR LIVES!

Just like Jacob was all alone sometimes we feel all alone. God has to bring us to a point where we are all alone with Him so He can Reach us. Jacob was very stubborn (in a good way) he was not going to let go of God until God Blesses him.

Early on Jacob deceived his father when his father was weak and ready to die. Jacob lied to his dad so he could get the "Blessing."

Now Jacob realizes God's blessings are not for sale. You can't trick or manipulate to get God's Blessing.

Jacob felt insecure then and now. He was regretting the decision he made when he stole the blessing that was intended for Esau. Now all kinds of thoughts are going through his mind. "Why did you do that? Here comes your brother to kill you. You stupid fool!" Over and Over and Over.

Now Jacob is at the end of his rope with no way out wrestling with the decisions he made in the past and now for the future.

As the daybreak came Jacob would not let go of God so the Lord dislocated Jacob's hip. Now Jacob was crippled. He was doomed!

Sometimes we need to let go of a situation or circumstance and give it over to the Lord. When we hold on too long we get crippled.

LEADERS LET GOD GOVERN THEIR LIVES!

Then God did Something Amazing. God blessed Jacob and changed his name to Israel. Israel means God governs my life. J
So Jacob went from deceiving and manipulating to letting God govern his Life.

Friends, are you at the end of your rope? Are you trying to figure out how to cover yourself in every situation? Are you Wrestling with decisions in your life? Be like Jacob and let God govern in your life.
LEADERS LET GOD GOVERN THEIR LIVES!

"Jacob prayed to be delivered from Esau, but his greatest need was to be delivered from himself."

Just Go!

Rick

Jan 16 Readings - GENESIS 32:13-34:31 | MATTHEW 11:7-30 | PSALM 14:1-7 | PROVERBS 3:19-20

GOD HAS A PLAN FOR YOU!

Team:

Did you know that God had a Plan for you way before you were born?

Aunt Robin forwarded me this story this morning.

Remember, Your Mother loves you with an Everlasting Love just like the mother you are about to read about. Mothers are the God's Special Treasure to Transport your life to this earth. Psalm 139

Dad

Here's one to think about when thinking about WHAT
THE CREATOR DOES !!!!

In a recent email, I read about a woman named Pam,
who knows the pain of considering abortion. More than 24 years
ago, she and her husband Bob were serving as
missionaries to the
Philippines and praying for a fifth child. Pam contracted
amoebic dysentery, an infection of the intestine caused by a
parasite found in contaminated food or drink. She...
went into a
coma and was treated with strong antibiotics before they
discovered she was pregnant.

Doctors urged her to abort the baby for her own
safety and told her that the medicines had caused irreversible
damage to her baby. She refused the abortion and cited her
Christian faith as the reason for her hope that her
son would be
born without the devastating disabilities physicians predicted.
Pam said the doctors didn't think of it as a life, they thought
of it as a mass of fetal tissue.

While pregnant, Pam nearly lost their baby four times
but refused to consider abortion. She recalled making a pledge
to God with her husband: If you will give us a son, we'll name
him Timothy and we'll make him a preacher.

Pam ultimately spent the last two months of her
pregnancy in bed and eventually gave birth to a
healthy baby boy
August 14, 1987. Pam's youngest son is indeed a preacher. He
preaches in prisons, makes hospital visits, and serves with his
father's ministry in the Philippines.

He also plays football.
Pam's son is TIM TEBOW

http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/t/tim-tebow.htm

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GREAT LEADERS PLAN!

Team:

The 5 P's

PROPER PLANNING PREVENTS POOR PERFORMANCE!

OR

PROPER PLANNING PREDICTS POWERFUL PERFORMANCE!

GREAT LEADERS PLAN!

"Have a plan. Follow the plan, and you'll be surprised how successful you can be. Most people don't have a plan. That's why it's easy to beat most folks."

- Paul "Bear" Bryant, football coach, University of Alabama's Crimson Tide.

GREAT LEADERS PLAN!

One of the Keys to Billionaire Donald Trump's success is his planning. He writes down his plan down for the next day minute by minute with no time to meander aimlessly with nothing to do.

He does this right before bed so it is the last thing he thinks about and the first thing when he gets up.

GREAT LEADERS PLAN!

Yes it's ok to take a power nap to re-energize. Just get up in 15-20 and get moving.

He also writes the future reward for his minute by minute schedule at the Top and the Bottom. "When I do this it will add up to a new Real Estate Deal."

YES HE WRITES IT DOWN.

Trump has figured it out. Why not follow these easy steps and the day takes care of itself. Before you know it you will accomplish anything God puts on your Heart.

GREAT LEADERS PLAN!

Why does Trump do this? Because if he doesn't the Day Owns Him Instead of Him Owning the Day.

The Enemy wants you to be a Slave to his plan. When you take Ownership of your plan you get ahead of worry and anxiety and the opportunity for idle time.

GREAT LEADERS PLAN!
 
Just Go!! Own Every Minute of Everyday. Plan it out or it will plan for you and you will become it's Slave.

Just Go! Own Your Schedule!

Dad

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Today

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GREAT LEADERS HAVE A PURPOSE!

Team:

Have you ever felt all alone? Have you ever felt like you had nowhere to turn?

Sometimes in life we go through these times.

When we have given all we can give with everything we have and are still stuck in the ship in the storm it can wipe out our confidence.

GREAT LEADERS HAVE A PURPOSE!

I bet Noah had some doubts. He was just like us. However Noah was committed to God no matter what and was willing to go down with the ship if that's what it took to Honor God and Save his family.

GREAT LEADERS FEEL ALL ALONE SOMETIMES!

"But God remembered Noah and all the wild animals and the livestock that were with him in the ark, and he sent a wind over the earth, and the waters receded."
Genesis 8:1

Friends, God Remembered Noah! And God Remembers You! The Hebrew word for remember means God never forgot about you.

GREAT LEADERS HAVE A PURPOSE!

The Playbook says that God knew us and chose us to be on His Team before the foundations of the earth. Eph 1:4

GREAT LEADERS HAVE A PURPOSE!

God had Big Plans for Noah and God has Big Plans for You! In sports it's called a draft. When a player is drafted the Owner and General Manager of the Team do a lot of research to make sure the player they are drafting is the real deal.

You are the Real Deal!

God wants you to play a major role on His Team!

GREAT LEADERS HAVE A PURPOSE!

Noah was Faithful to God and his dream to the end. Noah could have had doubts and said, "does God even remember I'm out here all alone with my family on this boat?"

When everyone made fun of Noah he could have fallen to Peer Pressure but he didn't. Why? Because He had a Purpose!

When we have a Purpose we have a Powerful Instrument.

GREAT LEADERS HAVE A PURPOSE!

What is your Purpose?

A Purpose is something so important you will do whatever it takes to accomplish it.
"I am here for a purpose and that purpose is to grow into a mountain, not to shrink to a grain of sand. Henceforth will I apply ALL my efforts to become the highest mountain of all and I will strain my potential until it cries for mercy."
      
Og Mandino

Just Go! Own the Day!!

Rick

Jan 04 Readings - GENESIS 8:1-10:32 | MATTHEW 4:12-25 | PSALM 4:1-8 | PROVERBS 1:20-23
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GREAT LEADERS KNOW THE WORD!

Team:

The Beginning

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters." Genesis 1:1-2

GREAT LEADERS KNOW THE WORD!

God (Elohim) Created (Bara) something out of nothing.

The term Elohim is Plural. In other words a Compound Unity. (1x1x1) Here we see the Trinity creating the Universe. We see the Father the Son and the Spirit.

GREAT LEADERS KNOW THE WORD!

Joshua said, " God is One." Deuteronomy 6:4. Why would he say this? Because the people were confused about the nature of God. So Joshua was clarifying the oneness of God.

John 1 says the Word (Jesus) created everything. Jesus was not a created person. Jesus was the Creator of the Universe in Genesis 1.

When someone knocks on our door and tries to deceive us with their cult we need to understand and be able to articulate the nature of God.

It is important to know the Word.

GREAT LEADERS KNOW THE WORD!

Just Go! Own the Day!!!

Rick

Jan 01 Readings - GENESIS 1:1-2:25 | MATTHEW 1:1-2:12 | PSALM 1:1-1:6 | PROVERBS 1:1-1:6