Focus on, Listen to and Rely On...

Hello Friends!

Here's some practical wisdom to consider as you face every decision, every trial, every circumstance...

As you seek to live your life for Him and walk with Him daily...

Focus on God: Not Your Problems
Listen to God: Not Your Insecurities
Rely On God: Not Your Own Strength

Blessings!

rlk

(If interested, you can download the full size image here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/tgy49uz9pesdmp2/FocusOnListenToRelyOnGOD.png) (PNG format)

Your Words Matter!

"A Tongue has no bones but it is strong enough to break a heart. Be careful with your words!" -Unknown

Have you heard that old saying, "Sticks and stones may break my bones but works may never heart me."? Well, the idea is that words shouldn't hear you but you and I know they do and they are harder to set right and takes longer to heal from than a broken bone!

Here's What James has to say about our tongue/how strong our words really are:
"If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things."

"How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so." -James 3:3-10  (ESV)

 
Our words and actions are powerful and our words have the ability to breathe life or breathe death, they have the power to be a blessing or a curse. 

As people who follow the Lord and are called according to His purpose - we ought to breathe life especially in this often discouraging and dark world. We need to be a light and encouragement to others. Furthermore, we should receive encouragement and not rush past a moment because our schedules stress us out or we perceive it's not of value...

Whatever the case may be, may we seek to share life giving words and not tear ourselves or others down anymore. Amen?!

In Christ,

rlk

Growing Closer to God

It's time for a healthy dose of self-evaluation and planning...

Here's a quote I saw recently and wanted to share it with you: "Everyday, do something that will lead you closer to God." -Unknown

So the question and the challenge is this, what are you going to do today and planning on doing tomorrow and each day going forward to grow closer to God?

Any relationship takes work and especially your relationship with God takes commitment an investment of time for it to grow!

My prayer for you and I is that we'll keep seeking The Lord and seeking to grow in our relationship with Him each day finding at least that 1 thing that will allow you to grow still more for His Glory and your good!

Here are some Helpful Keys for growing in your relationship with God:

1- Regularly get into and stay in His Word - Study His Word!

2- Seek Him through prayer! - Communicate with Him!

3- Serve Him!

4- Live a Spirit-filled and Spirit-Led life for by taking God's Word and actively living it out!

Have a great week ahead and may you actively seek Him will all of your heart, soul, mind and strength!

Blessings,
rlk

Walking in the Spirit

Here's Wisdom for all of us: 

"Instead of using "I'm Human" as an excuse to walk in the flesh, try using "I'm Saved" as a reason to walk in the Spirit!"

Boom! Can I get an AMEN!? Are you going to join me in rising to the challenge of striving to walk in the Spirit and no longer allowing our humanity to be an excuse for not doing so?

Let's pray for each other! You can do it with the help of God's Holy Spirit!...one step at a time brothers and sisters...one step at a time! Just keep walking!!

In Christ,

rlk 

For Freedom, Christ Has Set Us Free!

Had to share this encouragement with you! 

For Freedom, Christ Has Set Us Free! 

Check out this brief Scripture Video: 


For Freedom, Christ Has Set Us Free from Harvest Bible Chapel 1 on Vimeo.

Blessings and love in Christ,

rlk

Bear Fruit!

Here are two questions for your Wednesday: #1- Are you bearing fruit? & #2- What kind of fruit are you bearing?

Let's pray for each other that #1- we'd bear fruit & #2- that we'd be found bearing good fruit for His Glory, our good and for the good of others!!

Blessings,

rlk

The Mind of Christ

We're called to put on the Mind of Christ!...and we need the Holy Spirit's help to do so! 

Take a look at the below brief word from Max Lucado on this and then let's pray for each other that we'll receive the help we need to put on His mind and live our lives as He wants us to! Amen!?

I can say that most days, it's very hard to put on the Mind of Christ yet, we're not alone and not left to do it on our own! We have the Holy Spirit and other believers in our lives to help us along the way which I'm thankful for!

Jesus is transforming us each day! Praise God that He is!
 
Please see the below!

Blessings in Christ,

rlk

________________________________
The Mind of Christ
by Max Lucado

The heart of Jesus was spiritual. Our hearts seem so far from His.  He is pure.  We are greedy. He is peaceful; we are hassled. He is purposeful; we are distracted. How could we ever hope to have the heart of Jesus?

Ready for a surprise? You already do.  You already have the heart of Christ. Would I kid you?  One of the supreme promises of God is simply this:  if you’ve given your life to Jesus, Jesus has given Himself to you.

The Apostle Paul explains it in 1 Corinthians 2:16: “Strange as it seems, we Christians actually do have within us a portion of the very thoughts and mind of Christ.”

The same one who saved your soul longs to remake your heart. His plan is nothing short of a total transformation. Let’s fix our eyes on Jesus. Perhaps in seeing Him, we will see what we can become!

http://us2.campaign-archive1.com/?u=bed511e434184985961d50fcb&id=539708e415

Walk Your Faith

Read:

2 Corinthians 5:7, Philippians 2:12 and Matthew 17:20

Walk Your Faith

By Randolph Koch

Is your faith real?

I often wonder if in the midst of all the conveniences we have that our "faith" walk has just become something for when it's "convenient".

Think about it, when was the last time you did something that was a sacrifice of your time in service to the Lord and others?
 

When was the last time you sat in service, which is the typical and only once a week activity many Christians "engage" in, and you didn't check your watch/phone to see when it would be done so you could go on to what you really wanted to do that day?
 

When was the last time you didn't just attend church once a week and decided to actually serve as well and plug into a ministry you believe you're called to serve in? I know life is busy but you do need to serve!
 

When was the last time you served someone with no strings attached, meaning with no expectations of receiving anything in return?
 

When was the last time you invested in others period, through building relationships and ministering in a small group or other ministry?
 

When was the last time you gave sacrificially of your finances each payday or toward a specific mission or ministry need? 

I could make a huge list here but I think this list provides plenty for all of us to chew on for a while. :-)

As those who are a part of the Lord's family we need to make sure that our faith is real and we need to walk it out each day! 

It’s about sacrifice. It’s about service. It’s about putting The Lord first and helping others do the same.

 
Note, it’s a walk, not a run. It’s a daily picking yourself up and walking with The Lord.
 
May you be encouraged and challenged today to step up your faith walk and ask the Holy Spirit to help you not just live a "convenient faith" but a real faith!

If you've been "walking" in convenience let me encourage you to seek The Lord, repent of complacency and start walking your faith out today!

Have a great day!

In His Strong Love,

Your Brother and Servant,

rlk