Articles

the wisdom to define your future

Sun, 20 Jun 2010 04:42:00 GMT

When we think about someone being wise, we usually think of a person who has given us a perspective we haven’t ever considered before. That person’s perspective hits particularly close to home for us if it includes a personal interest in our own situation.

Godly wisdom brings us a biblical perspective about issues we’re facing or deciding in our own lives. An idea can dawn on us that we hadn’t before seen, which then later turns out to be the very thing God wanted us to understand. It is by this wisdom from God that we can see how to apply the knowledge we have. Knowledge alone isn’t usually enough to make decisions. We may know a lot about the issue at hand but not have the perspective we need. It takes godly wisdom to see through the issues and find the right path.

So wisdom gives us the ability to understand how knowledge can apply to our situation. It is for this reason that wisdom and knowledge are coupled so closely together throughout the Proverbs of Solomon.

Solomon is the primary author of the books of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes and is considered to be the wisest man in history. Throughout his writings are insights that provide us with wisdom for life.

As a young man who was about to become king in Israel, God spoke to Solomon in a dream, saying, “… Ask! What shall I give you?” (2 Chronicles 1:7).

Solomon’s answer was amazing, and it pleased God. Solomon didn’t ask for wealth, for victory over his enemies, or for personal health. He asked for wisdom to lead God’s people.

Notice God’s response to Solomon’s request:

…“Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked riches or wealth or honor or the life of your enemies, nor have you asked long life — but have asked wisdom and knowledge for yourself, that you may judge My people over whom I have made you king — wisdom and knowledge are granted to you; and I will give you riches and wealth and honor, such as none of the kings have had who were before you, nor shall any after you have the like” (2 Chronicles 1:11, 12).

Because Solomon chose to pursue what was most important, God blessed him not only with the wisdom and knowledge he had asked for, but also with the wealth and honor he could have pursued. Solomon had discovered what we all must come to realize — that wisdom is our primary need and can be found only in God’s Word. Everything else pales in the light of God’s wisdom for living.

This is why the pursuit of godly wisdom must be at the top of our priority list. Solomon stated this truth clearly in Proverbs 4:7–9 (TEV): “Getting wisdom is the most important thing you can do. Whatever else you get, get insight. Love wisdom, and she will make you great. Embrace her, and she will bring you honor. She will be your crowning glory.”

In sharp contrast to godly wisdom is wisdom from the world’s point of view. You hear this type of wisdom touted all of the time, such as strategies for becoming a millionaire, beating the systems, building a successful business, or being an influential person. Although many people have certainly demonstrated that the world’s wisdom can bring successful results in areas such as money or status, that kind of wisdom will always fall short. The person seeking truth for godly living will be left feeling empty, still standing on the outside of God’s best for his life.

As believers, we shouldn’t accept the typical definitions for success. We have God’s Word, and His wisdom in that Word redefines true, lasting success. When God’s wisdom redefines our lives, we can see beyond human reasoning and recognize the bigger picture. This godly perspective helps us see how someone can have wealth or status in society and still fail at life. Thus, like Solomon, we are on a continual quest for more of God’s wisdom so we can experience true meaning and fulfillment in our walk with Him.

Wisdom from above creates a sense of direction and opportunity. It continually points us to the path that will bring us the greatest results and the deepest sense of fulfillment. Without this godly wisdom, everything begins to seem vague and pointless. We may be making progress, but we still don’t know where we’re going.

Inner strength to stay the course of God’s plan for us comes when we receive His wisdom and then apply that wisdom to maintain a clear future goal. The inner strength comes from the Holy Spirit as He supplies all we need to rise above the clamor of the conditions or conflicts we may be facing and to continue our forward progress on the path God has laid out before us.

We can see an example of this in Jesus’ life. When Peter first heard Jesus describe that He would be arrested and killed, Peter declared, “We won’t let that happen to You, Lord!” (see Matthew 16:21–23).

Of course, Peter spoke first and thought later. He certainly spoke out of his deep love for Jesus and his desire to protect Him. Yet Peter’s feelings ran completely opposite to God’s ultimate plan. Jesus was to die for all of mankind. Peter saw only from his own limited point of view and not from God’s perspective at all.

Peter’s words were a temptation to Jesus, so Jesus quickly rebuked Satan. Then Jesus said in response to Peter’s words: “…You stand right in my path when you see things from man’s point of view and not from God’s” (Matthew 16:23 Phillips).

Let me give you another example from my own experience as a young man. For approximately eight months, I wasn’t clear about the steps I needed to take toward the ministry God had called me to fulfill. Vikki and I had been youth ministers at a powerful church in southern California, and I knew beyond any doubt that God wanted me to minister His Word to people for the rest of my life. However, I just wasn’t clear about the direction I should take after leaving my position as youth minister.

Shortly after resigning from that position, I leased a fastfood restaurant that was a part of a chain primarily located in southern California. I threw myself into learning the business and began to do quite well. The store I leased from the company was a training store where new management personnel could learn the system and then move into a more lucrative store.

When I first took this store, it had been producing an income deficit for many months as the result of previous managers who had left the store in trouble. But within three months, I had the store making a profit again. I had learned the system and worked hard, and I was watching my efforts begin to pay off. The company had also been carefully watching my performance to see if I was qualified for promotion to a better position in the company.

It was during this time that Vikki and I became convinced that we had to pursue our calling to ministry. After eight months in the fast-food business, we had the opportunity to move to Texas and take positions with Kenneth Copeland Ministries. We knew that this was God’s open door.

I let the company know that I was planning to make this change and would not be continuing to work for them. My direct supervisor was stunned. He told me that I was slated to be the manager of a new store that was opening in a very upscale part of southern California and that the store income would immediately be triple that of my current store. Consequently, my own income would be dramatically increased as well.

This placed me at a huge crossroads in my life — and there was another twist as well. Just across the street from my fastfood store was a privately owned frame shop. The owner came to me one day with an amazing proposition. He said he had been watching me and the attention I was giving to my store. He added that he was getting older and had no children to whom he could give his business. The man offered to train me in his store with the intention of giving it to me later when he was ready to retire.

I was flattered that someone — actually, two different “someones” — had prospects of a good future for me. They had seen qualities that impressed them and could therefore envision my future success as I used these qualities.

These opportunities to make much more money and pursue a successful career either with a company behind me or with a store of my own gave me more paths to consider at that juncture of my life — and each of these options could have been the right one. So I looked at the three paths that had been placed before me. I could have served God in any of those positions and been successful. Certainly God raises up business people, store owners, and workers on every level to serve Him and fulfill His purposes. Any of the options could have been opportunities for me to live a blessed life.

But there was only one option that matched the deep desire of my heart and the direction I had received from God. That meant there was only one path for me. God’s wisdom settled my decision, and Vikki and I were on our way to Texas. Although many people may have looked at those options from the sidelines and questioned the wisdom of our choice, it was godly wisdom that defined our decision and, consequently, the direction and the ultimate destiny of our lives.

For Vikki and me, this was the step we needed to take to set us on course to fulfill our calling. It will be the same for you as well. Godly wisdom will illuminate the path before you, and your faith will enable you to take the step.

From a purely “dollars and cents” perspective, our decision to move to Texas was not the right move. We were stepping away from financial success and, in the natural, it looked like we were putting our future in jeopardy. After all, what kind of future is there for a young, inexperienced person who desires to become a minister?

There was nothing inherently right or wrong about any of the possibilities I had before me at that time in my life. God could have blessed me in business or in ministry. But Vikki and I needed to know God’s wisdom and to see His will for our lives from His perspective. We knew our strength and direction had to come from the deposit of His Word and His Spirit within. We were looking for the wisdom from above.

Notice how James describes this wisdom: “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace” (James 3:17, 18).

Isaiah 33:6 describes God’s wisdom this way: “Wisdom and knowledge will be the stability of your times, and the strength of salvation; the fear of the Lord is His treasure.”

There was a wellspring of wisdom deep within Vikki and me that brought peace. That was all we needed. When we locked in to God’s plan, we had His wisdom to see all the other paths presented to us from His perspective. For us, only one path radiated with His light. The other good possibilities had no attraction. We could see that they were only distractions. We knew that we knew God had given us His wisdom and knowledge about the matter. We were stable and sure-footed on His path for our lives.

Job sums it up this way: “You will also declare a thing, and it will be established for you; so light will shine on your ways” (Job 22:28). This is the way God defines true success for us as believers. As we discover and then declare God’s wisdom, we establish His will in us, allowing His light to illumine our path and keep us moving toward His destiny for our lives.

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture references are taken from the New King James Version of the Bible.

Don’t Observe the Wind

Tue, 01 Jun 2010 17:24:00 GMT

Dr. Dennis Burke

In recent weeks, more than one trillion dollars was lost on Wall Street in a single day. The staggering losses in the financial markets that day in September 2008 sent shock waves around the world.

The financial meltdown was catastrophic¾historically the largest loss of dollars in the market in a single day. Yet this has only been one of many crises for the year. Various military conflicts have threatened stability around the world. Reports of out-of-control pollution, an impending energy crisis, and dwindling sources of pure water have spread around the world over cable news broadcasts.

All these natural calamities seem totally unrelated, yet they do have one common thread: They exist to influence and control you. Let me explain how that could happen.

The world’s problems, and even our personal problems, are very real and serious. There is no hiding the fact that trouble surrounds us. But there is an even bigger issue we must address: Trouble and problems exist to work their way into us. There actually is a worldwide conspiracy to use the events and crises of the day to gain control over us.

This is not the conspiracy of a secret society hidden away from the public eye. It is the strategy of the kingdom of darkness, designed to paralyze our faith and absorb our strength.

The Body of Christ is the only true threat to Satan’s kingdom. He will do anything he can do to take your attention off of God’s promises and provision for you. Satan’s goal is to weaken you and to keep you from gaining ground against his plans.

Your life of victory represents the only force that will stop Satan’s ultimate goal in the human race. He has come to steal, kill, and destroy in every way possible (John 10:10). You are here on this earth to show that God’s plan, which includes a superior quality of life and abundant provision, is available and attainable to anyone who will take Him at His Word.

Over my years in the ministry, I’ve observed that two primary factors are vital for experiencing this kind of successful Christian life. People who have a grasp of these two truths set themselves apart from typical believers.

I. The Power of Our Focus

The first factor is the power of focus. Ecclesiastes 11:4 says it best:

“He who observes the wind will not sow, and he who regards the clouds will not reap.”

The most effective Christians have come to understand the power of focus. They have learned that the thoughts or ideas that capture their attention will direct their thinking and determine their direction. A person will ultimately move in the direction of his or her dominant thoughts.

When contrary winds blow or it looks like the storm clouds are gathering, the established believer is not concerned. Instead, he continues to live in faith that the seed he sows will create a harvest of increase in his life.

The winds of resistance that blow against us are not God’s guidance system for us. We are not to be led by the circumstances surrounding us or the opinions of people close to us. We are to be led by the Spirit of God within.

The Apostle Paul had many opportunities to learn the power of focusing on God’s power to perform His promises. Paul found himself in a variety of turbulent storms, most of them originating with the religious people living in the cities to which God sent him. One account in Acts even describes the way Paul dealt with a literal storm while he was aboard a ship at sea (see Acts 27).

Paul was a prisoner bound for Rome when his ship sailed straight into a violent, dangerous storm. Earlier he had warned the helmsman that they shouldn’t leave the harbor, but Paul’s caution was ignored. After all, the helmsman probably reasoned, what does a preacher know about sailing the high seas?

But once the ship was at sea, the calm winds in the harbor were replaced with a huge storm that began to tear the vessel apart. As the storm raged and the crew quaked in fear for their lives, Paul began to pray. Acts 27:22-25 tells us what Paul declared to the others on board after hearing from the Lord:

“And now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve, saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me.”

As a result of Paul’s faith in God’s word of divine direction to him, not one member of the entire crew was lost.

Even if you do find yourself in the midst of a terrible storm in life, you can deal with it the same way the Apostle Paul did. In the midst of the most dangerous of circumstances, Paul said, “Take heart¾it will be exactly like God has shown me!” You can be confident of the same thing¾that it will be just as God has said to you.

In Second Corinthians 5:7, Paul said, “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” Throughout the Bible, you can find examples of God delivering people who were not moved by what they saw. In the same way, you can decide that you will not be changed or moved by a storm of circumstance or trouble. You can choose not to observe the winds.

This is not to say we’re to pretend that nothing bad is happening. Faith in the Word is not the same as denying that a problem exists. Denial can be deadly. But when we’re standing in faith, the truth of God’s Word gives us the strength to face the storm.

That’s the example Jesus set for us in the last days of His life. He was betrayed by Judas. Later a multitude hunted Him down to arrest and ultimately murder Him. Yet even as Jesus faced this darkness, He spoke words of faith in the midst of the storm. He said, “Be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world” (John 16:33)¾even though at that moment, it didn’t look as if Jesus had overcome anything.

II. Living by God’s Law of Sowing and Reaping

The second necessary factor in the lives of successful believers is that they have grasped the law of sowing and reaping.

God’s Word describes this fundamental and inescapable law of His Kingdom. Galatians 6:7 (Phillips) says it so well:

“A man’s harvest in life will depend entirely on what he sows.”

We each hold our future in our own hands. Our future is not in the hands of world leaders. No matter how insignificant we feel or how lost in anonymity, each one of us is a person of destiny.

To observe the wind and the clouds is to look to the natural conditions around you to determine whether or not you are going to sow. But your future and the harvest you will receive tomorrow depend on what you sow today. Whenever you sow the Word in faith through acts of love or through the giving of your time or money to the work of God’s Kingdom, you will reap a harvest.

This is the entire design of the Kingdom in which you live. Whatever seed you sow, you will receive a corresponding harvest.

One day Jesus’ disciples asked Him to increase their faith (Luke 17:5). They realized they weren’t at a place spiritually to believe God for the miracles they were witnessing.

In answer to His disciples’ request, Jesus began to teach them that faith was like seed. Seeds are not big and impressive, yet they sustain life. They grow when they are planted. Similarly, when the seeds of God’s Word are planted, they will sustain your life. Faith doesn’t come by asking God for more¾it comes by the Word being sown.

Faith is designed to increase, but not by our asking God for faith. Prayer can never replace the law of the Kingdom that says every seed produces fruit. The seed of God’s Word must be sown in faith. When this sowing takes place, faith increases.

In these troubled and perilous times, you must continue to sow the seeds of God’s Word by speaking the truths that agree with what God has said. This is how you sow to the Spirit. You sow the Word with your words. Your agreement with God begins in your heart and changes what comes forth from your life through your thoughts, words, and conduct.

You also sow in faith when you give your offerings to the work of God’s Kingdom in faith. This is not the time to pull back! This is the time to stay the course, keep your focus on God and His Word, and continue to sow in faith.

When trouble comes¾sow the Word.

When your relationships are threatened¾sow the Word.

When your bills are piling up¾sow the Word.

Your deliverance is in your hand and in your mouth as you sow the Word with the words of your mouth and with corresponding actions of faith. Your harvest in life depends on your sowing.

With the heart you believe. Then with your words and actions of seed-faith, you step into the delivering power of God’s Word.

So don’t observe the winds, and don’t regard the clouds. Fix your focus on God and His Word, and continue to sow in faith. As you do, you will continue to reap a harvest of increase in your life, no matter what is going on in the world around you.

You Are Not Defined by the World

Mon, 24 May 2010 21:07:00 GMT

Dennis Burke

There are thoughts in God’s mind about us that can change everything we have ever believed about ourselves. That divine perspective is so important that it was part of Jesus’ prayer for His disciples and for us in one of His last acts before His crucifixion. In His prayer, Jesus revealed that we can see ourselves in the same way He saw Himself as He walked on this earth.

In John 17:16 (Message), Jesus said, “They are no more defined by the world than I am defined by the world.”

It is easy to believe that Jesus was not of the world’s system or confined within its limitations. In everything He did or said, Jesus revealed life as it could be lived outside the boundaries of people’s typical experiences. Jesus wasn’t limited by lack, disease, or politics, nor did He react to threats or accusations from people. He lived above it all—and now He expects us to live above it all as well.

God’s life-changing power within us can lift us to a higher level of living when we learn the secret of how to define ourselves now that we are in Christ. But first, we have to answer this question: What really does define us as people?

There are a variety of ways to answer this question, but we can start by looking at the dictionary meaning of the word “define.” To define something is to mark its limits; to set clear boundaries; or to identify it. Limits, boundaries, and identity are all aspects of defining ourselves.

Look at Jesus’ words again in John 17:16 (Message) with these ideas in mind. We are not defined by the limits, boundaries, or identifying marks of the world. From God’s point of view, we are not of the world, nor are we to be governed by its limits and boundaries.

One day when Jesus was walking with His disciples, He asked them a question:

“…‘Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?’ So they said, ‘Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’ He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Simon Peter answered and said, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God’” (Matthew 16:13-16).

Peter had an answer that was completely different from all that the disciples had heard other people say about Jesus. Here is the point: Jesus expected His disciples to have a different answer.

Jesus expects each of us to think and act differently—to have very different experiences than the world and to expect different results. Why? Because we are different; we’re no longer living in the same system as the rest of the world. We are now living in God’s Kingdom—His system.

In a different situation, Jesus asked His disciples another question to get their response and help them examine their own limited thinking. This account is found in John 6 and Matthew 14, where Jesus fed the 5,000. Actually, many more than 5,000 people were in the crowd that day when women and children are included in the number. Bible scholars estimate that between 15,000 to 30,000 people came to that mountainside to hear Jesus teach.

It was then that Jesus asked His disciples a question: “Then Jesus lifted up His eyes, and seeing a great multitude coming toward Him, He said to Philip, ‘Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?’” (John 6:5).

Philip and Andrew both answered Jesus’ question—and in both responses, we can see how their thinking was held inside the boundaries of their own experience. The disciples’ faith and expectations were defined by their limited thinking.

First, let’s look at Philip’s reply to Jesus in verse 7 (CEV): “Philip answered Him, ‘Don’t you know that it would take almost a year’s wages just to buy only a little bread for each of these people?”

Philip’s response was defined by the need they were facing. He could not see beyond the people’s need. They needed more food than could have been bought with nearly a year’s wages of an average worker. Philip didn’t answer Jesus’ actual question that asked where they could buy bread. Instead, Philip immediately became overwhelmed by the vast need.

The same thing can happen to us when we’re faced with a need that is beyond our natural ability to meet. When we allow our thoughts to be governed by our own perception of the need we face, it is difficult to see by faith the supply God promises to provide.

Andrew also replied to Jesus, saying, “There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two small fish, but what are they among so many?” (v.9). Andrew made the same mistake Philip did; he couldn’t see beyond his own limited thinking. Andrew saw the lack of adequate bread and couldn’t seem to imagine what else could be done.

When our thinking focuses on what we can do to solve a problem or meet a need, we can forget about how big God is. As a result, we risk missing out on what He wants to do to bring His supernatural provision into our situation.

The disciples were earthbound in their thinking. They were still defined, limited, and confined to the way things happen in this natural realm. Jesus intended to expand their ability to receive by multiplying the loaves and fish in their own hands.

Jeremiah 17:5,6 tells us exactly what happens when we stay focused on the world’s system: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart departs from the Lord. For he shall be like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see when good comes, but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land which is not inhabited.”

This person doesn’t even see when good comes. He is focused on the wrong source of supply, and it affects the way he views everything.

Surrounded by thousands of people, Jesus went on to perform one of His greatest miracles. In fact, this is the only miracle detailed in all four of the gospels. There are several things that leap out at me in this account that are vital for each of us to understand so we can change our thinking and expand our capacity to receive from God.

First, Jesus directed His disciples to bring the loaves and fish to Him (Matthew 14:18).

In order for God’s people to see great miracles, they must first give Him something to work with. Time after time, God directed people to give first and then to watch Him work. For example, Elijah told the widow to make him a cake with her last little bit of meal. When she gave to the prophet, God released an abundant supply (see 1 Kings 17:9-16). Another example is the time Jesus directed the servants at the wedding in Cana to bring Him water in six large pots. When they did what Jesus asked, He turned the water into the finest wine (see John 2:1-10). These are just two of the many scriptural examples of this principle.

According to that same principle, God directs us to give our tithes and offerings, as well as our lives. As we give Him something to work with — our offerings and our faith — He said He would pour out His blessing upon our lives beyond what we are able to contain (Malachi 3:10). Our natural act of giving God something in faith unlocks His supernatural supply of abundance beyond what is even needed.

Second, Jesus had all the people sit down on the hillside (v. 19).

Sitting is a position of rest, and God wants us enter a place of rest in Him. Faith rests in His presence, His promises, and His provision. There is an inner calmness that comes when we are resting in Him and puts us in a position to better receive from Him.

Third, Jesus took what had been brought to Him and gave thanks (v. 19).

Our gratitude toward God for all He has already done for us keeps our heart right to receive more from Him. Thankfulness is an expression of our faith, and it is a powerful force. We are to be thankful for what we have and for all God has done. In addition, we are to be thankful for the blessings we know God has promised to provide, even if we don’t see them yet.

Thankfulness is also the expression of a humble heart. We thank God to express that we are content in Him. We are at peace with the place we are in Him. That doesn’t mean we are to be complacent or apathetic about change. But we are to acknowledge that we appreciate what God has already provided and that we value what we have.

Fourth, Jesus distributed the loaves and fish to the disciples (Matthew 14:19). The disciples handled each loaf and each fish that God multiplied. Every bit of His supernatural provision passed through their hands.

Today God wants to use each and every one of us who are His disciples as distributors of His provision. We are made for abundant living and abundant giving.

Provision was certainly abundant that day for the crowd who had come to hear Jesus. Every person present ate as much as they wanted. It was a feast for a multitude, and everyone left satisfied.

Finally, we see in this miracle that far more provision remained after the crowd had eaten their fill than the five loaves of bread and two small fish they had started with.

God doesn’t think in terms of supplying just barely enough to meet a need. He thinks in terms of abundance, overflow, more than enough, and far beyond what is needed!

Jesus was teaching His disciples an important lesson that day, and it’s the same lesson He wants us to learn today. He wants to redefine our lives by creating in us a new way of thinking.

So ask yourself this question: Are you defined by lack and need — or by God’s abundant supply? If you can’t answer that question the way you want to right now, make the decision from this point on to stop allowing yourself to be defined by or identified with the world. You don’t have to stay confined within the limitations of lack, past failures, need, sin, weakness, or fear. Jesus is the One who defines you now!

No matter what problem or need you might be facing now or in the days to come, you can use that challenge as another opportunity to redefine your life by God’s Word. Just give Jesus your own “five loaves and two fish,” and then keep your eyes and your faith focused on Him. As you do, you will release His supernatural power into your situation to bring you more than enough of the supply you need.

Change Your Thinking and Change Your Life

Wed, 26 May 2010 22:19:00 GMT

Dr. Dennis Burke

Many years ago, a London newspaper reported the strange death of a woman who, the article stated, had been “killed by 30 years of thought.” Thirty years ago when she was a little girl, this woman had watched in horror as her mother suddenly died from a heart attack while sitting in a dentist chair. Severely traumatized by that tragic experience, the little girl grew to adulthood refusing dental treatment. Even the suggestion that she should go to a dentist struck a deep note of fear in her. On a rational level, this young daughter knew that the visit to the dentist wasn’t the cause of her mother’s death. Nevertheless, for the next 30 years she couldn’t bring herself to have any dental treatments.

Finally, the woman couldn’t put off a visit to a dentist any longer. Despite her terror, she desperately needed dental work. Before she would agree to make a dental appointment, however, she insisted that her physician accompany her.

Still consumed with fear, the woman went to the dentist’s office along with her physician. But as she sat down in the dentist chair, the unthinkable occurred. Just as her mother did 30 years before, the woman suffered a massive heart attack and died right there in the dentist’s office! There was nothing her physician could do to help.

Thirty years of fearful thoughts killed that woman. Just think of how different her life would have been if she’d had 30 years of faith-filled thinking and believing!

There’s an important lesson we can learn from this account: The way we see ourselves and our future plays a very powerful role in the reality we actually experience.

Let me point out someone else’s experience that has a very different and happy ending. It happened 200 years after Joshua had led the families of Israel out of the wilderness and into the land God had promised them.

Joshua had led Israel into the Promised Land to conquer and possess it. But 200 years later, this victorious nation had turned into a nation of victims. Israel was being ravaged by an Arab tribe called the Midianites. The attacks were so severe that many Israelites were living in caves, just trying to scratch together enough food to feed their families. The relentless oppression threatened to destroy Israel’s very existence.

The Israelites were crying out to God as a nation. They were in terrible trouble and distress. And as God always does, He answered His people’s cry. In this case, He sent an angel to the one He had appointed to be Israel’s deliverer—a young man named Gideon.

The angel had some good news for Gideon, straight from the throne of God: “…The Lord is with you, you mighty man of valor” (Judges 6:12). A mighty warrior? A strong and courageous man? Gideon didn’t believe a word of this message from God, even though an angel had declared it!

Gideon isn’t the only one who has ever made the mistake of not believing what God says about him or her. Christians do that all the time. They’ll read scriptures where God declares certain truths about them, but they won’t truly believe and act upon those truths.

Take time to review what you truly believe. You can change your life by changing your thinking, and you can do it one day at a time.

Once Gideon finally did take hold of God’s point of view, it empowered and changed him. He became the mighty man God said he was. He went to battle in the power of God’s might, embracing God’s plan and acting in faith on what God had told him. As a result, Gideon saw God’s power deliver the entire nation of Israel from the Midianites.

Gideon created a future that was different from anything he had previously believed. How did he do it? By changing his thinking and his perception of himself. Once he knew how God viewed him—as a mighty and capable champion—Gideon knew what to believe about himself. He took God’s ideas and made them his own—and as a result, Gideon turned his life into one of the greatest success stories in history.

The ‘As for Me’ Principle

Through the centuries, there have been many other people who, like Gideon, had to drastically change their thinking about God and about themselves in order to be mightily used for the Lord’s purposes. Once God made His thinking clear to these individuals, He expected them to see themselves and the challenges they faced from His point of view.

One example can be found in the life of Noah:

“Then God spoke to Noah and to his sons with him, saying: ‘And as for Me, behold, I establish My covenant with you and with your descendants after you’” (Genesis 9:8,9).

It was clear that God was ready and willing to work with Noah and to establish his family through His covenant. In response, Noah believed God and embraced His covenant. Noah’s decision to accept God’s point of view changed him forever and saved his entire family from being destroyed.

In Genesis 17:4, God spoke essentially the same words to Abram: “As for Me, behold, My covenant is with you, and you shall be a father of many nations.”

Abram took his place as the father of faith because he believed God was able to perform what He had promised (Romans 4:21). Abram changed his thinking, his name—and, ultimately, he changed history.

When God said, “As for Me…,” He clearly stated His own position and gave a glimpse into His heart. He had settled what He would do and with whom He would do it. Those divine words “as for Me” represent the very thing our hearts should be listening for as we seek to follow God’s will in our lives. When He gives us His way of thinking about a matter, it becomes clear what our response should be: “As for me, I receive it!”

That was the faith response of both Noah and Abram. Their actions after receiving God’s “as for Me” to them indicated that they had changed their thinking to embrace God’s point of view. And as a result, they saw God’s power manifested to bring His promise to pass in their lives.

This was also Joshua’s declaration. Joshua established his entire family in a covenant relationship with God with this one statement of commitment: “…As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15).

That same principle is to be applied in every area of our lives. For example, when God says in essence, “As for Me, you are made whole,” He expects our thoughts and words to immediately come into alignment with His as we declare, “Then as for me, God has made me whole!”

Everything God has said becomes a point of change in our thoughts. That means we must learn to declare in every situation: “As for me, whatever God has said is true for me!”

As for me, Jesus is my Shepherd.
As for me, I lie down by still waters.
As for me, Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
As for me, I am loved with an everlasting love.
As for me, I am strong in the power of His might.
As for me, I am a mighty champion!

You can see how powerful it is to declare truths like these every day. As you do, you will cause God’s higher thoughts to become settled and established in your own way of thinking.

In conclusion, I want to share five habits you can begin to develop today that will change your thinking. If you’ll make a practice of doing these five things, you will set each day on the right course so it can be filled with God’s power and presence. You can turn your life around—one day at a time.

1. Imagine the good things God wants for the day. Events are largely the result of faith-filled thoughts. Therefore, a positive concept of this day will have a strong impact on how it plays out.

2. Pray in faith, and receive God’s blessing on the day. Psalm 118:24 says, “This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” Declare it: “As for me, I make a choice to rejoice!” Then determine that you will receive the best of God’s goodness throughout the day.

3. Plan a good day. It has been said many times: Plan your work, then work your plan. Put some thought into what will make this day fulfilling and successful. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you think His thoughts.

4. Be grateful. Thank God in advance for His blessings, for health, for prosperity, and for His guidance. Thankfulness is your faith in action.

5. Sow the right seeds. Your thoughts, words, attitudes, and actions are all seeds that will set a course. Don’t give in to carnal emotions. The fruit of the spirit within will bring self-control to the surface and override your feelings, filling you with God’s joy and peace.

You can change your feelings, your attitude, your future, and your life. You are empowered to be changed when you begin to think like God thinks and to see yourself and the situations you face from His point of view.

What Determines the Course of Your Life?

Wed, 26 May 2010 22:20:00 GMT

Vikki Burke

Although all the blessings of God belong to every one of His children, many Christians continue to live defeated lives, never receiving what He has promised them. Why is this? Because they haven’t made God’s Word the final authority in their lives. If they had, they would keep the Word before their eyes and in their ears until it became firmly rooted in their hearts. Only when the Word is anchored in their hearts will God’s people develop the capacity to receive His blessings.

Along this line, Proverbs 4:20-24 tells each of us what we must do.

“My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen carefully to my words. Don't lose sight of them. Let them penetrate deep into your heart, for they bring life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body. Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. Avoid all perverse talk; stay away from corrupt speech.”

Did you catch it? The course of our lives is determined by whatever penetrates our hearts! It’s no wonder God instructs us “above all else” to guard what our hearts are exposed to. Whatever we expose our hearts to will either direct us toward or detour us from God’s plan for our lives. Even our health is determined by what fills our hearts. If we want our lives to reflect everything God has promised us, we must purposefully and diligently expose our hearts to His promises. On the other hand, if we allow things to fill our hearts that are contrary to God’s Word, those things will detour us from the course He has planned for us.

Verse 24 tells us how to avoid detours and remain on course with God’s plan: We must watch our tongues! However, that doesn’t mean we’re supposed to continually bite our tongues to avoid saying something negative. Avoiding negative words isn’t the goal. When we say things like, “I know I shouldn’t say this, but…,” it reveals our confusion about the real purpose behind God’s command to watch our words. That purpose is only realized when we fill our hearts with God’s Word until we believe it more than outward circumstances. Then, despite circumstances, we will automatically speak from the reservoir that fills our hearts— and our words will always be in compliance with God’s plan.

James tells us what a controlled tongue will achieve: “…Those who control their tongue can also control themselves in every other way” (James 3:2). Notice the picture James paints: “We can make a large horse go wherever we want by means of a small bit in its mouth” (v. 3).

This analogy hits home for me because my horse weighs about 1,200 pounds, which is more than a thousand pounds heavier than I am. She clearly overpowers me in both weight and size—but when I put a small bit in that powerful animal’s mouth, I make her go wherever I desire. Even though I weigh significantly less than my horse does, the bit empowers me to determine my direction.

On the other hand, an uncontrolled horse can run away with its rider, taking the rider wherever it wants to go. In the same way, an unrestrained tongue will produce an out-of-control life.

James continues his illustration, saying: “And a tiny rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot wants it to go, even though the winds are strong” (James 3:4). If you have ever been on a ship, you understand just how huge it is. Yet a very small part of the ship—the rudder—steers and turns the ship wherever the pilot desires. The similarity is clear: The tongue is a small part of your body. But when it is controlled by God’s Word, you can direct your life wherever you desire—even though the opposing winds are strong.

There are dangerously strong winds blowing these days! Winds that threaten our economic stability. Winds predicting epidemic diseases. Winds of rising unemployment, extreme debt, and runaway federal spending. But we don’t ever have to be swept off course by any contrary wind as long as we maintain a fixed setting, anchored in God’s Word.

If we go through life unanchored, those powerful winds will push us far off course until shipwreck looks unavoidable. Venting our feelings when a strong wind is blowing is one example of a dangerous habit that can pull us off course. Another is watching hours of bad news, which only serves to contaminate us with the world’s hopeless perspective. Eventually the gloom and doom that enters our hearts will mold and shape our perspectives. Spending an hour or two with God on Sunday morning cannot neutralize the effect of so much bad news.

Jesus rebuked one of His closest disciples for having the wrong perspective, saying, “…Out of my way, Satan! You stand right in my path, Peter, when you look at things from man’s point of view and not from God’s” (Matthew 16:23 Phillips). We will only see from God’s perspective when our hearts are filled with His Word. Then His thoughts will become our thoughts, and His ways will become our ways. We’ll use our voices to declare what God has promised instead of what the media or politicians predict. With the Word controlling our tongues, the direction and pathway to our destiny will become as clear to us as it is to the Lord! As the psalmist declared: “Your road led through the sea, your pathway through the mighty waters—a pathway no one knew was there!” (Psalm 77:19).

This simple poem by Ella Wheeler Wilcox further describes the significant role our tongues play in reaching our destination:

One ship sails East, and another West,

By the self-same winds that blow,

'Tis the set of the sail, and not the gale,

that tells the way we go.

Like the bit and the rudder James talked about, the set of our sail (our tongue) governs the course of our lives, not the gale-force winds that blow. We set our sail by proclaiming the promises of God that will carry us to our destination.

The Apostle Paul tells us that the Word should steer each of us as we navigate our course through life: “All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching the faith and correcting error, for resetting the direction of a man’s life…” (2 Timothy 3:16 Phillips). This unfailing navigational tool will ensure that we reach our destination. And if we do get off course, our route can be reset. We just have to allow God’s Word to act as our personal “GPS” (Global Positioning System), giving us the wisdom we need to make adjustments and get ourselves back on course.

Much like a pilot sets the instruments of his aircraft to maintain a designated course, so we set our course in life by speaking God-inspired Scriptures. Throughout the flight, a pilot must make adjustments as unexpected winds blow the aircraft slightly off course. Should he fail to make those necessary adjustments throughout the flight, he won’t arrive at his intended destination. Instead, the wind will continue to push him further and further off course throughout the journey until he loses his way. In the same way, when our tongues are set on the God’s promises, we may encounter unexpected winds that blow us slightly off course, but we can get right back on course by making adjustments as the Word directs.

When we use our tongues to set our life’s course, we begin to live offensively rather than defensively. What does this mean? It means we can stop many attacks before they ever get to us, instead of reacting to every attack that comes our way. Rather than getting sick and then desperately praying for healing, we can spend time every day building up our spiritual immune system by declaring what God says about divine health. Before getting in financial trouble and crying out to God for a miracle, we can build a reserve account in Heaven by giving tithes and offerings and then declaring that God rebukes the devourer on our behalf and that we reap a harvest from our giving. We can experience this pattern of victory in every area of our lives as we live in compliance with God’s Word and avoid the costly price of defensive living.

I’ve purchased products from a company that has shown me what it means to be compliant. This company is required to abide by the regulations of the Food and Drug Administration regarding the claims they make about their products. Consequently, the company has a staff of attorneys who review every piece of written material, every DVD, CD, or news briefing that the company releases to make absolutely sure every word is in compliance with the FDA requirements. Anything that is not in compliance with the FDA regulations must be removed—period!

This explanation of compliance is an excellent illustration to help us learn how to control our tongues. If what we say isn’t in compliance with God’s Word, we should cut it out of our vocabulary—period! When we make a steady daily habit of speaking only words that are in agreement with God, our lives will begin to reflect His blessings. We are responsible for enforcing this discipline upon our tongues ─ keeping our words in compliance with God. David made this decision when he said: “…I am determined not to sin in what I say” (Psalm 17:3).

Changing lifelong habits are not always easy and they certainly don’t happen overnight. Yet it is a process that the Holy Spirit is willing and able to help us with. We can invite Him to prompt us whenever we’re about to say something that is “out of compliance.” He is our Helper, and He lives within us to help us in any areas in which we are weak (Romans 8:26). We can call on the Lord just as the psalmist did, who said, “Post a guard at my mouth, God, set a watch at the door of my lips” (Psalm 141:3 Message). Notice he didn’t put this guard at the door of his lips only during his prayer time; he did it 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Speaking the Word is not something we do only during prayer. If we are to live in continual blessing, our conversation must comply with the Word continually. When we speak God’s Word during prayer but talk about our problems the rest of the time, the seed we planted during prayer will be uprooted.

Many people are speaking about their mountain instead of to their mountain! But that isn’t what Jesus said would get results. He said, “For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says” (Mark 11:23 NKJV).

As we use God’s Word to speak to our mountains, we must not get discouraged if our lives don’t turn around overnight. Too often we expect problems that have been brewing for twenty years to turn around in twenty minutes. Yet Jesus said the Word will produce change in our lives the same way a seed grows: “…first a leaf blade pushes through, then the heads of wheat are formed, and finally the grain ripens” (Mark 4:28).

As you sow God’s Word with the words of your mouth, you are planting seeds for a later harvest of His blessings. So begin speaking in compliance with God’s promises throughout the day, and let the process of change begin!

Staying in the Shade of God’s Influence

Wed, 26 May 2010 01:50:00 GMT

Dr. Dennis Burke

There is a deep satisfaction that comes from knowing we are in a strong relationship with God that cannot be broken by the daily conflicts we might face or the problems that arise. In fact, if we are willing to pursue that kind of relationship with the Father, we’ll find that it’s possible to enjoy a life filled with true contentment and freedom—one that is capable of withstanding and overcoming every storm that life may throw at us.

Psalm 91:16 sets the target for us. God said of the person who will pursue Him: “With long life I will satisfy him, and show him My salvation.”

God’s promise of long life isn’t merely referring to living a long time. Multitudes of people become disappointed with life and, as the years pass, grow old and bitter. They may have lived a long time, but they have also been miserable and most likely have made those around them miserable as well. In contrast, God’s promise is not only for a long life, but one that is full, peaceful, and contented as well.

There is an art to living contented—one that the Apostle Paul discovered in his own walk with God. Paul could be rich or poor, living in comfort or in less-than-comfortable conditions—yet through it all, he remained content. How did he do it? He learned an important truth: Contentment isn’t a product of our surroundings or circumstances—it’s a product of our position in Christ and our perspective.

Paul’s strength to maintain the right perspective was the result of his decision to keep God’s Kingdom at the center of every experience and God’s promises in view every time things got tough. Paul said it this way: “I have learned the secret…I have the strength to face all conditions by the power that Christ gives me” (Philippians 4:12-13 TEV).

Contentment is a powerful force. On the other hand, so is discontentment—capable of robbing us of both energy and joy. So where will we live—in the tent of contentment or the tent of discontent? It’s our choice. True contentment is not the result of the conditions around us but of the condition within us—and the fruit of true contentment is joy, confidence, and strength.

The journey into lasting contentment begins right where we would think—in the presence of the Almighty God.

Psalm 91:1-2 describes it best:

“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him I will trust.’”

Dwelling “in the secret place of the Most High” is our invitation to intimacy with God Himself. In Christ we now have private access to God’s presence. Prayer time should therefore become a joy-filled time of true communion, fellowship, and conversation with the Lord. In the process, the “secret place of the Most High” becomes our ongoing dialogue with Him.

The psalmist provides a powerful picture of what this process accomplishes. He states that we will “abide [or remain] under the shadow of the Almighty.” In other words, we will live every moment in such a close, intimate place with God that His influence will be felt and will affect us in every situation.

The picture of abiding under God’s shadow makes me think of standing under an umbrella. Historically, the umbrella was first designed to protect a person from the sun. The Latin word for “shade” is umbra—the word from which the umbrella derived its name.

Think about it—we are carrying around our own personal umbrella of God’s influence! Everywhere we go, we have His “shade” of influence surrounding us, as well as all the situations we’re involved in. Staying under His influence will empower us to stand strong in the face of conflicts, negative reports, threats to our well-being, or any other move Satan may make against us.

Psalm 91:2 gives us a key concept for maintaining that strong stance. It says, “I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him I will trust.’” If we will fix our eyes on God as our place to run for refuge and protection, He will surround us with His protection from threats and attacks of every kind.

The first epistle of John adds a very powerful promise in this regard: “The God-begotten are also the God-protected. The Evil One can't lay a hand on them” (1 John 5:18 Message). The enemy can’t lay a hand on us as long as we stay in the “shade”!

The psalmist also gives us another important insight along this line. He makes it clear that this is something we say. It is more than a thought or something we know. God’s power is released by the words we speak—in our prayers, our declarations of faith, and our daily conversation.

God is our Refuge, our Fortress, and our Protector. He guides and keeps us, and we follow His lead.

There is something so powerful in saying just what God’s Word says about us. In the beginning of Scripture, God Himself created everything with His spoken words. Throughout the first chapter of Genesis, the Bible declares: “God said, let there be…and there was….” In fact, for each of the first six days of creation, everything that came into existence was the result of God’s spoken word.

Now we find the same principle in operation on our behalf. Our words set God’s power into action and become our means of abiding under the shade of His influence.

There is power in your spoken words when they come from a heart of faith in God’s Word. When your words totally agree with the promises God has given to you, you have taken the strongest position of faith possible—and faith moves God.

Those words, “I will say of the Lord,” can be your declaration preceding every promise God has given to you in the entire Bible. You can declare with confidence: “I will say of the Lord that He is my Protector. He is my Provider. He is my Healer. He delivers me from the hand of my enemies. He is my righteousness, my shield, my joy.”

We can find out in the Word who God says He is and boldly declare that He is that to us. In fact, Jesus is to us only who we say He is. He is our Savior only when we declare that He is. He is our Healer only when we say He is. He is our Baptizer in the Holy Spirit only when we say He is. We are the ones who establish how much of Jesus’ influence He can bring into our lives.

Who is Jesus to you, and what are you saying of the Lord? Are you consistent in what you say? Are you letting the problems you encounter in life dictate what you believe about God’s promises? The answers to these questions will unlock a great deal of understanding if you’re not receiving God’s blessing on the level you desire.

Begin saying of the Lord who He is in your life. Then watch Him rise up within your heart and your life to be all you have declared!