Showing posts with label 7 Ways. Show all posts

Wednesday, November 15, 2017

Fire in My Bones: 7 Ways the Holy Spirit Transforms You - J. Lee Grady Charisma News

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Last week I was preaching in Canada, and my hotel was only two miles from the host church. But it took almost 30 minutes to drive that short distance because road construction crews in Toronto had blocked all but one lane in a major intersection. Orange traffic cones were everywhere. Traffic was at a standstill.

It was especially frustrated because no workers were on site. I wanted to roll down my window and yell at the traffic cones. The lanes were blocked but nothing was happening! The delay was pointless!

When I finally got to church I was annoyed, and it took me a while to enter into worship. That's when the Lord gently corrected me. He showed me I was as impatient with Him as I was with the road crews. I had to repent for my bad attitude. And I had to surrender my life afresh to God's dealings.

Many times God creates roadblocks in our lives because He's working on us. We may not understand what He's doing, but we must trust Him anyway and accept whatever delays He is causing. The delays are always for our good.

He may be widening our capacity to love others, or removing a serious obstacle in our character. The Holy Spirit knows what we need. Our job is to surrender to His work in our lives. He is God. We are not!

The whole experience of sitting in that traffic in Canada made me ponder the work of the Holy Spirit in my life. He is working 24/7 to make me like Jesus. He is doing the same for you. I hope you appreciate the different ways He is transforming you:

He is rebuilding you. Just as Nehemiah rebuilt the ruined city of Jerusalem, the Holy Spirit reconstructs your life. Nehemiah actually means "Comforter," a name Jesus used to describe the Spirit. You are under construction, and He has strategically placed orange cones and roadblocks in areas of your life. Let Him rebuild all your broken places!

He is teaching you. The Holy Spirit, who is called "the Spirit of truth" (John 16:13), knows how to bring us to maturity. He shines His supernatural light on the Bible and opens our minds to understand His truth. He allows us to hear His still, small voice inwardly. He reveals His mysteries so we can know Him intimately.

He is refining you. The Holy Spirit is a fire, and He wants to burn up anything that does not resemble Christ. Like a smelter of gold, He melts us, skims off the toxic alloys and melts us again to remove all impurities. Don't be afraid when the Spirit turns up the heat.

He is testing you. One man builds with gold, silver and precious gems; another builds with wood, hay and stubble (see 1 Cor. 3:12-13). Both might look good on the outside, but the testing of the Lord proves what a man is made of. The Spirit's relentless fire will test what you are building for God so that only He will get the glory for it.

He is renewing you. Titus 3:5 mentions the "renewing of the Holy Spirit," and we can be thankful that He offers such a blessing. He does not anoint us once and then leave us to live on one jar of oil. The Spirit sends fresh anointing when we are tired, poured out or discouraged. He opens up bottles of new wine and fills us with new joy. He pours the fresh oil of heaven on those who are desperate for more of His presence.

He is subduing your flesh. We don't have to grit our teeth or trust our own willpower to overcome sin in our lives. We have the indwelling power of the Spirit to help us live holy lives. Romans 8:13 says we can put to death the deeds of the body "by the Spirit." He is like a warrior who plunders the enemy in our lives. We may feel weak in the face of temptation, but He has defeated the power of sin once and for all.

He is revealing His glory in and through you. The apostle Paul reminded us that because we have the Spirit inside us, we are now beholding the glory of the Lord "as in a mirror." And the result: We "are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory." Don't focus on your flaws. Fix your eyes on Jesus. When you focus on yourself, you will be disappointed; when you focus on Him, you will be transformed.

J. Lee Grady was editor of Charisma for 11 years before he launched into full-time ministry in 2010. Today he directs The Mordecai Project, a Christian charitable organization that is taking the healing of Jesus to women and girls who suffer abuse and cultural oppression. Author of several books including 10 Lies the Church Tells Women, he has just released his newest book, Set My Heart on Fire, from Charisma House. You can follow him on Twitter at @LeeGrady or go to his website, themordecaiproject.org.

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Thursday, February 4, 2016

7 Ways to Know God's Calling You by Tricia Goyer - IDENTITY NETWORK

7 Ways to Know God's Calling You by Tricia Goyer

IDENTITY NETWORK

If you're waiting until you have enough time or more money to answer God's call, read this.

There is a myth today that says we must get our life organized and in order before we follow God's call. Our kids must have adequate time with us. Our debt must be paid down. Our days must have space ... and peace.

After all, how can we do great things for God when we don't even have time to spend 10 minutes in prayer? How can we give from an empty well? How can we spare what we don't have, whether it be time, money or energy? Yet God's call never waits for us to unclutter our lives. In fact, He usually calls us when we have nothing to spare. Why?

When we don't have anything to give, we look to the Giver.

When we have no time, we must readjust our priorities and set things according to God's schedule.

When we feel foolish and inadequate, we'll look to God's wisdom.

When we feel wrung out, we'll look to His strength.

And in the midst of following Him, we'll find Him.

When John and I were busy with careers and older kids, God called us to adopt. When I was a busy homeschooling mom and writer, He called me to help start a crisis pregnancy center.

When our family was settled in Montana, God called us to Arkansas - and to an inner city church.

When I had not a moment to spare with book deadlines and kids, He's continued to call me to serve and inspire teenage moms through our Teen MOPS support group.

Even last week, when I had family visiting and a book deadline, God called John and me to help a teen mom move her and her kids. She was blessed. We were blessed too.

And what Have I Discovered?

More time? (Not really.)

More energy? (I wish!)

Instead, I've discovered that when I do God's work, He takes care of mine (the deadlines get met, the kids get cared for).

Yes, the words for the books and blogs come when I'm too tired to think. And my children are trained on what following God looks like.

Something else happens too. Lives are transformed. Children without a home find one. Young women who don't know what being a mother means are mentored. Some of these young women in crisis even bow their heads and pray for salvation. (I got to experience that recently!)

How Do You Know what God's Calling You to Do?

(Notice I didn't say IF He's calling.) Here are seven ways:

There's a burden on your heart you can't shake.
There is a specific person you know of who needs your help.
The Scripture passage that you read encourages you to have faith and step out.
When you pray, you have a sense that God is asking you to act.
You don't have time, but you have a seed of faith.
God brings someone into your life to encourage your calling (your spouse, your pastor, a godly friend.)
You feel as if you can't do it alone.

There are many things that can occupy our time - there always will be. There are good things we can devote our lives to, but the most important things are the God things.

When you do decide to step out, your schedule won't automatically clear. It never does. Instead, God will show up. He will give you extra wisdom, energy, resources and strength. But mostly He will give you Himself!

And when you have Him, you have everything. And when you give others the knowledge of Him, they can have Him too. And when lives around you are transformed, all the stuff you were busy with doesn't seem as important any more.

And God is glorified because it'll be clear to everyone that it's Him doing the work!

How about you? What do you feel God calling you to? What are you doing about it?

Prayer

Father God, You have blessed me with so much. Thank You for the unique life You have given me. Help me manage my time and resources wisely. Guide me as I look to what You are calling me to do and give me the strength and wisdom to fulfill my purpose.

Tricia Goyer

www.triciagoyer.com

Go here to read more articles by Tricia Goyer.

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Wednesday, December 23, 2015

7 Ways Hitler Was a Type of the Antichrist - TROY ANDERSON CHARISMA NEWS

Adolph Hitler was a type of the Antichrist. (Wikipedia )

7 Ways Hitler Was a Type of the Antichrist

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An endless number of books, movies and documentaries have been made about Adolph Hitler, a "charismatic end times monster bent on creating a 'master race' of perfect, German people," Geoffrey Grider writes.

"But did you also know that in many ways, his life and exploits almost match perfectly with how the Bible says the Antichrist will be when he arrives on the scene in the days after the rapture of the church?" Grider asks.

These are the seven ways that Hitler was a type of the biblical Antichrist:

1. The Antichrist will be a powerful speaker with a fierce countenance.

"In the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors have reached their limit, a king will arise, having a fierce countenance, skilled in intrigue. His power shall be mighty, but not by his own power. And he shall destroy wonderfully and shall prosper and practice his will and shall destroy the mighty men and the holy people" (Dan. 8:23-24).

2. The Antichrist is all alone when he finally comes to his inglorious end.

"He shall pitch the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the beautiful holy mountain. Yet he shall come to his end, and no one shall help him" (Dan. 11:45).

"The Bible tells an amazing story of how the Antichrist will rise to control the entire world and command an army of tens of millions of people all doing his evil bidding," Grider wrote. "Yet, when it is all said and done, Daniel says that the Antichrist comes to his end alone with no one else willing or able to help him in his final hours. This is exactly how Adolf Hitler came to his end."

#3. The Antichrist will receive worship as if he were the Messiah.

"... Who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or is worshipped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself as God" (2 Thess. 2:4).

"The Antichrist is not content to merely rule over the people, he must be seen as very God to them as well, and receive the worship that is meant for God alone," Grider wrote. "That Hitler had a massive messiah complex is well-documented, but what is more intriguing is how the German people indulged him in it."

#4. The Antichrist uses women but does not regard them in any meaningful or natural way.

"He shall regard neither the gods of his fathers, nor the desire of women, nor regard any god; for he shall magnify himself above them all" (Dan. 11:37).

"Many Bible commentators have read the passage in Daniel that says the Antichrist does not 'regard the desire of women,' and have taken that to mean that perhaps he will be a homosexual," Grider wrote. "On one hand this makes sense because we know the Bible says homosexuality is an abomination, and the Antichrist is often referred to as the 'abomination of desolation.' But when we look at the life of Hitler and the women he was involved with, we see a man who while he uses them, he clearly has no regard for them or for their desire for him."

#5. The Antichrist will be a military genius and hold himself in high regard.

"By his cunning, he shall cause deceit to succeed under his hand, and he shall magnify himself in his heart. He shall destroy many in a time of peace. He shall also rise up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken, not by human hands" (Dan. 8:25).

"They worshipped the dragon who gave authority to the beast. And they worshipped the beast, saying, "Who is like the beast? Who is able to wage war with him?" (Rev. 13:4).

"The Bible says that the Antichrist amasses a huge, world-wide army, and proceeds to make war," Grider wrote. "Adolf Hitler attempted to do exactly that. He started in 1936 with the taking of the Rhineland, and it ended in 1943 with his attempt to take Russia after having successfully captured Poland, Czechoslovakia and France just to name a few."

#6. The Antichrist's number is 666.

"Here is a call for wisdom: Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast. It is the number of a man. His number is six hundred and sixty-six" (Rev. 13:18).

"As we have been showing you here, Adolf Hitler was not 'the' Antichrist, but rather a type picture of what the actual Antichrist will be like when he does finally show up. It is well and widely known that the Biblical number of the Antichrist is 666, featured in countless horror movies and end times depictions."

#7. The main thing that the Antichrist comes to do is to kill the Jews.

"These are the words that the Lord spoke concerning Israel and Judah. For thus says the Lord: I have heard a sound of trembling, of fear, and not of peace. Ask now, and see, can a male labor with child? Why do I see every man with his hands on his loins, as a woman in labor, and all faces turned pale? Alas! for that day is great, so that no one is like it; it is even the time of Jacob's trouble, but he shall be saved out of it" (Jer. 30:4-7).

"The Bible is filled with dozens and dozens of verses showing that the main object of the Antichrist's wrath will be the Jewish people," Grider wrote. "Jesus, in Matthew 24, says that the Jews will be forced to flee to the red rock city of Selah, Petra when the Antichrist comes calling during the time of Jacob's trouble. The death of God's chosen people is his main mission. This is exactly what drove Adolf Hitler as well, an overwhelming and quite irrational hatred of a single ethnic group of people, the Jews."

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Thursday, December 3, 2015

7 Ways to Bless Immigrants Instead of Bashing Them - J. LEE GRADY CHARISMA NEWS

How does your church show love to strangers? (iStock photo )

7 Ways to Bless Immigrants Instead of Bashing Them

12/3/2015 J. LEE GRADY CHARISMA NEWS

This morning when I bought a newspaper in the Orlando airport, the man who rang up my purchase greeted me with a bashful smile. The name on his employee badge was "ZIAD." I always try to guess where people are from, but his name wasn't familiar. Was he from Lebanon? Jordan? Egypt?

Ziad finally solved the mystery. "I am Palestinian, sir," he said.

"Welcome, Ziad," I told him, "Let me be the first person to tell you today that I'm glad you are here in the United States!"

"That makes be very happy, sir," he replied.

I've been going out of my way to say kind words to immigrants these days—not just because Donald Trump has been offending them with his "all Mexicans are rapists" comments but also because I believe Christians have a responsibility to be hospitable to foreigners.

I understand the fear that has gripped our country in this age of ISIS terror. In the last month around 130 people died in the Paris attacks, 43 were killed in Beirut and 224 died in the Russian airliner that was allegedly bombed by radical jihadis. In response to the violence, 30 U.S. governors have announced that Syrian refugees aren't welcome here—even though they are fleeing to America to escape terrorists.

What I don't understand is how Christians in this country can be so heartless when it comes to showing kindness to the very people Jesus told us to love. We have allowed our fear—as well as our cherished Republican Party values—to nullify God's Word. (Note to critics: I'm a Republican, but I'm a Christian first.)

The New Testament calls us to love not only the people who look like us but even those who are considered enemies. Hebrews 13:2 says: "Do not forget to entertain strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unknowingly." Meanwhile Christian leaders are exhorted in 1 Timothy 3:2 to be "hospitable"—and this is not simply a reference to hosting a meal. The word is in the Greek philoxenos, which means "love of strangers."

So how can you and your church obey this biblical mandate and show love to the strangers who live near you? Here are a few suggestions, offered just in time for the holiday season:

1. Say something nice. I often tell immigrants I'm glad they are in the United States—and most of them say they've never received a compliment like that before. Many of them are lonely—and they feel unwelcome, especially when Mr. Trump and other disrespectful Americans complain about foreigners as if they carry a disease.

2. Find out their story. You might be surprised to learn that the "Muslim" living in your neighborhood is actually a Middle Eastern Christian. Or that the Somali refugee who attends your child's high school fled to this country to escape a war. All you have to say is: "I'd love to hear how you came to live in America." Then listen.

3. Invite them to church. Never assume that immigrants are hostile to your faith. When I spoke recently in South Dakota, I met a Muslim girl from Uzbekistan who has been attending church for months out of curiosity. She finds love and friendship among Christians, even though she struggles to understand why Jesus died for her.

4. Offer legal help. Americans often complain about illegal immigrants without bothering to realize that many of them are eager to comply with our laws. They actually need help navigating our complicated system, which is snarled by delays and unfair to people from certain countries. Recruit lawyers in your church to provide free seminars or other legal assistance to immigrants in your area.

5. Prepare a Christmas meal. Foreigners who move to the United States are curious about the meaning of our Christmas holiday—and they won't understand it by visiting a local mall or by watching Elf. Invite international students or an immigrant family into your home and let them experience your family traditions.

6. "Adopt" a refugee family. Aside from the displaced Syrians who are waiting to come to the U.S. today, refugees from Africa and other nations are probably already living near you. Most of them have been traumatized by war, poverty or persecution—and they are lonely and insecure. Contact one of the Christian organizations working with refugees (such as World Relief) and volunteer to provide meals, babysitting, Christmas gifts or mentoring.

7. Become an English instructor. There are more than 1 million internationals studying on U.S. campuses in 2015. (The majority come from China, India, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Canada, Japan, Taiwan, Vietnam, Mexico and Brazil.) These students would love an American friend to help them with their English. Offer to be a language coach by contacting your local college or university.

While the immigrant-bashers talk of building a wall to keep immigrants out, we are called to build bridges of friendship. Let's remember that Jesus—who lived as a refugee in Egypt during His infancy—wants the church to love foreigners.

J. Lee Grady is the former editor of Charisma. You can follow him on Twitter at leegrady. He is the author of several books including 10 Lies the Church Tells Women, 10 Lies Men Believe, Fearless Daughters of the Bible and The Holy Spirit Is Not for Sale. You can learn more about his ministry, The Mordecai Project, at themordecaiproject.org.