It's Christmas

All I Want

All I Want 
Michael W. Smith

All i have in this world
Is fire from above
All i have in this
World is you
All the journeys
I have walked
I know you’ve walked
Them too
All i want is to be faithful
All i want is you

All i have is a love
That set my world on fire
Let it fall, let it burn in me
Oh to be a friend of god
Is all that i desire
All i want is to be faithful
All i want is you

All i have in this world
Is fire from above
All i have in this
World is you
All the journeys
I have walked
I know you’ve walked
Them too
All i want is to be faithful
All i want is you
All i want is you

One Last Christmas

This is the video my new Christmas song - "One Last Christmas." This song is inspired by the true story of the Locke family and their son Dax.

At just thirteen months old, little Dax was diagnosed with a rare form of Leukemia. He was given two bone marrow transplants as a part of emergency treatment; one from each of his parents. The doctors then told his parents that Dax would most likely not make it to see Christmas.

This song is about the love of a family, and the coming together of an entire community to make sure that this little boy could have one last Christmas. His dad, determined that his son would see Christmas, put up the decorations early. The neighborhood caught on, and did the same. The whole town soon followed suit. A website was built telling his story. Soon, pictures were sent from all over the world of Christmas decorations that had been put up in his honor.

Dax did lose his battle with Leukemia, but not before he got to see one last Christmas. Today, this little boy's legacy lives on, and his parents are making sure it does. They were so touched by the care they received from St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, that they now have a desire to raise enough money to run the entire hospital for one day in honor of their son, Dax. The total cost to run St. Jude's for one day is $1.6 million dollars. Already, they have raised a quarter of a million dollars.

This Christmas, it is on my heart to join forces with the Locke family, and help them in their cause. I would like to encourage you to join us in raising money that will go to an amazing cause in St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital that cares for so many children each year.

You can now get this video by donating at:
http://www.matthewwest.com

Together, we can reach this goal -- and fund St. Jude's for an entire day in Dax Locke's memory!
 -Matthew West

God's Wisdom

But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. [James 3:17]

Whatever the reason, God doesn't like violence or disturbing; what HE wants is '..on earth as in heaven...' All kinds of differences that exist in this world is with the permission of HIM, including differing views & our thinking.. HE only provide us with a brain to think & a heart to love; and also give us a FREE WILL to choose.. Live how we want to fill our brains, whether by our own thoughts or thoughts of others that we think are clever / knowledgeable / great / holy etc or.. with the wisdom that from Him by opening our heart for Him first. . All of that is our choice..
Use our free will wisely.




Tetapi hikmat yang dari atas adalah pertama-tama murni, selanjutnya pendamai, peramah, penurut, penuh belas kasihan dan buah-buah yang baik, tidak memihak dan tidak munafik. [Yakobus 3:17]

Apapun alasannya, Tuhan itu tidak suka kekerasan atau yang meresahkan; yang DIA inginkan adalah 'diatas bumi seperti di dalam Surga.' Segala macam perbedaan yang ada di dunia ini adalah atas seizin-NYA, termasuk perbedaan pandangan & pemikiran kita.. DIA hanya membekali kita dengan otak untuk berfikir & memberi kita FREE WILL untuk memilih.. Tinggal bagaimana kita mau mengisi otak kita, apakah dengan pemikiran kita sendiri atau pemikiran dari orang lain yang kita anggap pintar/tahu/hebat/suci dll atau.. dengan hikmat yang dari pada-NYA dengan membuka hati kita untuk-Nya terlebih dahulu. Semua itu adalah pilihan kita.. 
Gunakan free will kita dengan bijaksana. 

 God Bless Us all..

Slow Fade

Should listen to this song.. young generation.. dad/husband.. mom/wife.. be careful with our choice..

A God Like You

There is no god like our God.. There is no one like You..!!
 

Lean Upon Him

Do not rely on the power of human thought.. particularly with regard to the power of God.. Lean upon Him.. He can prove them wrong..

Jangan mengandalkan kekuatan pemikiran manusia.. khususnya yang berhubungan dengan kuasa Allah.. Bersandarlah pada-Nya.. Dia dapat membuktikan mereka salah..



Remembering the story & miracles that happen with my second son. My Premature Baby

How it Used to Be - Kirk Franklin

How it Used to Be
Kirk Franklin

[Verse I]
I ain't gonna lie
I can't even count the days
Or the many nights I tried living here alone
A heart full of pride
And couldn't see the enemy was me
I was blind and thought my second chance was gone

[Verse II]
A ship without a sail
Battered by a ranging sea
Taking any love I can to try and stop the pain
while waiting to exhale
I finally got on my knees
I know it's been a long time; do You still remember my name?

[B Section]
Can I go back in time?
Can I have another try?
But I can't change yesterday

[Chorus]
Oh, I can't take another day without You
'Cause this heart don't beat the same without
I forgot who was, got caught up in this world
Jesus, I apologized
I should've lost my mind without You
Not another sleepless night without You, Jesus
I'm sorry and I'm asking please make us how we used to be

[Verse III]
I try and try too keep my mind on You trouble keep calling me
Every time a wound heals, something else take the healing away
And even when I've gone too far, You knew there would come a day
Momma said what you love let it go and if it comes back, then it's back to say
You already knew i belong to only You
I run to Your arms and say

[Chorus]

[Bridge]
Never knew a life so cold
I thought that things could fulfill my soul
Tried to find love on my own
It was hard to admit I was wrong
No money, no cars, no fame, no lies, no games, my life please take it

[Breakdown]
Now it comes to the break (hey)
Tell what you gon' say, you go say (I know I know)
I'll get my life right but (you know) you ain't promised tonight
Baby girl (Without You) [2X]

[Chorus 2x]

Redeemer

Prayers Have an Impact

by Rick Warren ~ Purpose Driven Life

“God hears us whenever we ask Him and we know also that He gives us what we ask from Him.” 1 John 5:15 (GNT)

Prayer works because God is in control. The basis of all miracles is God's sovereignty.

Do you ever wonder if prayer really works? You’re praying about something and Satan whispers to you, “This is a waste of time. Forget it! Who do you think you are? What do you think you’re doing? God is not listening. Don’t waste your time.”

Prayer works because God is in control. The basis of all miracles is God’s sovereignty. Why does He do one and not another? Because God is in control. We have to trust His wisdom and His goodness.

Ephesians 3:20 says, “God is able to do far more than we would ever dare to ask or even dream of, infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts or hopes.” (LB)

Prayer can do whatever God can do. His resources are available to you. Twenty times in the New Testament it says, “Ask.” It’s encouraging to know that things that are out of my control are not out of God’s. I may not be able to change a situation, but I can pray and God can change it.

Jesus Redeems Us With Outstretched Arms

by Tom Holladay ~ The Purpose Driven Life

Taking bread, he blessed it, broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, given for you. Eat it in my memory.” He did the same with the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant written in my blood, blood poured out for you.” Luke 22:19-20 (Msg)

"The blood on the door posts in Egypt -- now it's fulfilled in Jesus who sacrificed his life for us, who poured out his blood to set us free from our sin and guilt."

The third cup in the Passover meal is the cup of redemption. Redemption means to buy somebody's freedom. Jesus bought your freedom with his life on the cross. At the Last Supper, which was a Passover meal, Jesus said, “This third cup, I want to give it new meaning. This is the promise of a new covenant between you and God, a new promise of freedom that comes through my blood.”

He was saying, “I'm going to go to a cross and my life blood is going to be poured out for you.” He was saying, “I want you to take this cup of redemption and see it from now on as a representation of the fact that I'm pouring out my blood for you. And I want you, together, to take this and drink this and to remember me.”

Jesus is the fulfillment of everything in the Passover meal. He’s the bread of life. He is God's promise in our lives. The blood on the door posts in Egypt -- now it's fulfilled in Jesus who sacrificed his life for us, who poured out his blood to set us free from our sin and guilt. The Bible says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23 NLT)

Jesus sets us free from ourselves; he sets us free from our fears; and he sets us free from our sin and our guilt. This is why we celebrate Easter!

Jesus Sets You Free Forever

by Tom Holladay ~ Purpose Driven Life

You’ve no idea how much I have looked forward to eating this Passover meal with you before I enter my time of suffering. It’s the last one I’ll eat until we all eat it together in the kingdom of God.” Taking the cup, he blessed it, then said, “Take this and pass it among you. As for me, I’ll not drink wine again until the kingdom of God arrives.” Luke 22:15-18 (Msg)

"The picture that some people have of heaven, that it is a boring place, but there will be parties in hell, that's the exact opposite of the real picture."

There is a fourth cup in the Passover meal that I don't believe Jesus drank with his disciples during the Last Supper because he says, essentially, “I'm not going to drink this with you again until we drink together in the kingdom of God.”

This cup is full with promise because one day you and I are going to drink together with Jesus in the kingdom of God -- in eternity, in heaven. One day there will be what is called the great wedding supper of the Lamb. That's quite a picture, isn't it? It's really a picture of Jesus Christ having a party with us for all of eternity; that we get to be with him and celebrate with him for all eternity.

So even that night before his death, Jesus says, “There is still promise.” There is the promise of how he sets us free. He sets us free from ourselves, he sets us free from tears and fears, and he sets us free from our sin and our guilt.

And this fourth cup is a reminder that Jesus sets us free forever. This isn't a temporary freedom; it is forever. Jesus says, “One day we're going to celebrate together forever.” The picture that some people have of heaven, that it is a boring place, but there will be parties in hell, that's the exact opposite of the real picture. That's one of the greatest lies of Satan because Hell is the boring place.

Hell is a place of loneliness for all eternity. Heaven is a place of connection with God for all eternity and it is a celebration connection. We will be celebrating in ways that you and I cannot even imagine.

And on the night before he died, Jesus, along with his disciples, looked forward to this celebration. Jesus says even today, “I'm going to set you free forever.”

Jesus Sets You Free To See

by Tom Holladay

"This cup of sanctification is a picture of our sanctification, the way that Jesus sets us apart and frees us to be who we were meant to be."

“I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. I will free you from being slaves to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment. I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God.”
Exodus 6:6-7a (NIV)

Passover is all about how God sets his people free and, in the Passover meal, we see the four promises that God makes to set his people free. Easter is a celebration of God’s promises, that through Jesus, God sets us free: “So if the Son sets you free, you are free through and through.” (John 8:36 Msg)

The Passover meal begins with the first cup called the cup of sanctification. You would recite a blessing: “Blessed be the God, the maker of the universe and the creator of the fruit of the vine.” And then you would drink from the cup.

This prayer, the Kadaysh, and this cup reminded people that they were sanctified, meaning they were set apart for God's purposes, set apart for God's love, set apart because of what he wants to do in our lives.

God set the people of Israel free, set them apart and freed them from slavery. Jesus wants to set you free; he wants to set you apart too: “I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. May God himself, the God who makes everything holy and whole, make you holy and whole.” (1 Thessalonians 5:23a Msg)

Holy means set apart -- God wants to make you holy and he wants to make you whole. If you look at your life this last week, this last month, this last year and you think there is nothing in me that could connect with God, God says, ‘No, I want to set you apart to be person I want you to be. I want to free you for the purposes I made you for.’

Now, I get it. I understand. You look at your life and you get frustrated. I do too. ‘Why can't I do what I want to do when I want to do it?’ ‘Why do I find myself doing what I don't want to do when I don't want to do it?’ That’s why Jesus wants to set you free – not only to begin in a new life, but also to set you free from the guilt from your faults and failures.

Jesus says if you'll come to me, you'll be free through and through. This cup of sanctification is a picture of our sanctification, the way that Jesus sets us apart and frees us to be who we were meant to be.

How to Recognize God's Voice

Source: Daily Hope ~ Purpose Driven Connection

How do I know it’s not my own desire or even a lie from Satan?
The answer is clear in 1 John 4:1 – I must test it to find out.

“Don’t believe everything you hear just because someone says it is a message from God; test it first to see if it really is!” 1 John 4:1 (LB)

There are 7 (seven) tests form a filter for recognizing God’s voice and we need to make sure that the idea we are testing passed all the seven of them.

1. Does it agree with the Bible?
2. Does it make me more like Christ?
3. Are there other people who can confirm what I believe God is saying to me?
4. Is it consistent with how God shaped me?
5. Does it concern your responsibility?
6. Is it convicting or is it condemning?
7. Do I sense God’s peace about it?

When it does, you can have absolute confidence that the idea is from God.

The First Test
Does it agree with the Bible?
By Rick Warren

God will never contradict his written word. Luke 21:33 says, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away” (NIV). God’s truth is consistent. He is not going to tell you one thing in the Bible and then tell you something different in an impression.

And as Proverbs 12:19 says, “Truth stands the test of time.” How does this apply as a filter? For example, the Bible tells us to pay our taxes when it says “give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s” (Matthew 22:21 NIV). So if you feel God telling you not to pay your taxes this year, that thought isn’t from God. It would be a contradiction of his Word.

There are also many verses in Proverbs that say God will bless your business if you have integrity and if you are honest and fair in all your business dealings. So if you get an idea that you could make more money and increase your profits by being dishonest, that idea is not from God.

The vast majority of God’s will for your life is in God’s Word. So if anyone ever comes up to you and says you need the Bible plus another book to find truth, they are wrong. Galatians 1:8 says, “Even if an angel comes from heaven and preaches any other message, let him be forever cursed” (NLT).

That may sound harsh, but God’s truth does not change. If you want to know God’s voice, the only book you need to read is the Bible. You need to memorize it, study it, and meditate on it.
When you know God’s Word you will not be fooled by lies. But you will always get into trouble when you doubt the Bible.

"God's truth is consistent. He is not going to tell you one thing in the Bible and then tell you something different in an impression."

The Second Test
Does it make me more like Christ?
By Rick Warren

“In your lives you must think and act like Christ Jesus.” Philippians 2:5 (NCV)

God’s number one purpose in your life is to make you like Jesus. He is the standard for your life in how you think, act, feel and speak. That’s why the second test to determining whether an impression is from God or not is to ask this question: “Does it make me more like Christ?”

God is never going to tell you something in your mind that would cause you to do something that’s un-Christlike. If it is not like Jesus, believe me, you didn’t get the idea from God.

What is Jesus like? James 3:14-17 gives us some specifics that are a good measure for testing an idea: “If you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition … such ‘wisdom’ is of the devil. The wisdom that comes from God is pure, peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy, impartial and sincere” (NIV).

First of all, this passage tells us two things God’s wisdom is not. It will not be motivated by bitter envy or selfish ambition.

These verses instead give seven things to test if an idea that comes into your mind is from God:

• Is it pure? If any thought is impure, God didn’t give it to you.
• Is it peace-loving? If the idea is from God, it will promote harmony and reconciliation, not conflict.
• Is it considerate? Any idea that would hurt or harm someone, even though it may benefit you, is not from God because he cares about the effect it might have on others.
• Is it submissive? If you get an idea from God, you must be open to having it tested by other people, asking them what they think about it. If you are hesitant and don’t feel like letting other people test the idea, then it didn’t come from God because it isn’t leading you to submit to others’ feedback.
• Is it full of mercy? An impression from God will make you more gracious and forgiving. It won’t make you judgmental or critical.
• Is it impartial and sincere? When you get an idea that’s from God, you don’t use it to manipulate people to get your own way.

Any idea that encourages these seven qualities in your life is an idea that will make you more like Christ.

The Third Test
Are there other people who can confirm what I believe God is saying to me?
by Tom Holladay

“God’s intent is that through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known.” Ephesians 3:10 (NIV)

God has not meant for anyone to go through life alone. He made us to live in relationship with other people. So when it comes to hearing God’s voice, you need to listen to the people around you. You need a church family and a small group to confirm whether what you sense God directing you to do is true or not. This is the third test question: Are there other people who can confirm what I believe God is saying to me?

If God has genuinely spoken to you, he will confirm it through other mature believers. This idea that we have to do everything on our own is an American idea, not God’s. He wants you to share your idea with others for confirmation and listen to their feedback.

And if you feel resistance to the thought of even asking somebody else about your idea, that should be a huge red flag that the idea did not come from God.

The reason God tells us to get advice is because he wants to save us from a lot of things. As it says in Proverbs 11:9, “The wisdom of the righteous can save you” (GNT).

Advice from other mature believers can save you time wasted doing the wrong thing. It can save you from wasting money. It can save your reputation. It can save you from making mistakes.
One of the main reasons people mess up their lives is that they have no godly friends to give them feedback. That is why it is so important to be in a small group with fellow believers who can hold you accountable and give you advice.

The Bible says, “In the multitude of counselors there is safety” (Proverbs 11:14b KJV). If you are not in a small group, you are skating on thin ice and you don’t know when you might fall through.

"One of the main reasons people mess up their lives is that they have no godly friends to give them feedback."

The Forth Test
Is it consistent with how God shaped me?
By Rick Warren

“We are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)

The fourth test for confirming a word from God is to ask yourself, “Is it consistent with how God shaped me?”

At Saddleback Church, we use the acronym SHAPE to describe the collection of a person’s Spiritual gifts, Heart, Abilities, Personality and Experiences. These five things make you unique from everyone else in the world. They also reveal your purpose in life.

A lot of people ignore their SHAPE and end up wasting millions of dollars going after pipe dreams, starting businesses and making plans they weren’t shaped to do. God will never lead you a way that is inconsistent with your SHAPE. If you have a musical ability, you should use it. But if you’re tone deaf and can’t carry a tune, you shouldn’t try out for American Idol.

Romans 12:6 says, “God has given each of us the ability to do certain things well” (LB). So ask yourself, “What do I love to do that I’m good at doing?” Note that I didn’t just say, “What do you love to do?”

Before I became a pastor, I was a worship leader. I played guitar and loved to sing, but nobody liked hearing me. So I learned pretty quickly that while I had a passion for music, I didn’t have the talent for it. I loved it, but I wasn’t good at it.

You discover a lot of God’s will simply by looking at what you are good at. And if you get an impression that makes you wonder if it’s from God, but it leads you completely contrary to your SHAPE, then it’s not from God. You can know that for a fact. God is not going to ask you to do something he hasn’t given you the ability to do.

Learn more about your SHAPE through S.H.A.P.E.: Finding and Fulfilling Your Unique Purpose for Life by Erik Rees

Get ready for your Decade of Destiny: Are you going to go through the next ten years just like you did the last ten years, or do you want a new level of blessing in your life?

"A lot of people ignore their SHAPE and end up wasting millions of dollars going after pipe dreams, starting businesses and making plans they weren’t shaped to do." Rick Warren

The Fifth Test
Does it concern your responsibility?
By Rick Warren

“We will all be judged one day, not by each other’s standards, or even our own, but by the judgment of God … it is to God alone that we shall have to answer for our actions.” Romans 14:10, 13 (PH)

If something is not your responsibility, why should God talk to you about it? Wouldn’t he just talk directly to the person it concerns? This is the fifth test to consider when you wonder if an idea or impression you have comes from God – “Does it concern your responsibility?”

In John 21, Jesus told Peter that he would die a martyr’s death. Peter’s response was to glance at John, who was standing nearby, and ask Jesus, “Lord, what about him?” (John 21:21 NIV). Peter wasn’t satisfied with God telling him what was going to happen in his life. He wanted to know about John’s future as well.

Jesus responded by saying, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me” (John 21:22 NIV).

“What is that to you?” My wife, Kay, calls that the WITTY principle. We get ourselves in so much trouble when we start comparing ourselves to others. But when we do this, God says, “What is that to you?” He wants our focus to be following him, not worrying about other people.

Have you ever heard someone say, “God told me to tell you”? My response to that is, “Are you sure about that?” All believers have a direct line to God. And God doesn’t have to tell someone else to tell you. He can talk to you directly.

Now, does God ever speak to others through another person? Of course he does. But there are three guidelines you need to follow if feel God is using you to speak to someone else.

1. Be patient and pray. Give God a chance to speak to that person directly.
2. God will typically use you to confirm in someone else’s life what he’s already told them. So when you share your words with someone it won’t be a big surprise if it’s really from God.

God will usually use you without you being conscious of it. If God is going to speak through you to others, he will often do it in a way that you don’t even realize it was God speaking through you. But the person on the receiving end will recognize its truth.

"We get ourselves in so much trouble when we start comparing ourselves to others. But when we do this, God says, “What is that to you?” Rick Warren

The Sixth Test
Is it convicting or is it condemning?
By Rick Warren

“There is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:1 (NLT)

When you get an idea and you are wondering if it is from God, the sixth question to ask yourself is, “Is it convicting or is it condemning?” If it convicts, then it is from God, but if it condemns then it is from Satan.

A lot of Christians live under condemnation, or constant guilt, and they think it is from God. It isn’t. Condemnation comes from Satan. But conviction comes from God.

Here’s the difference between the two: The purpose of conviction is to correct you on a specific issue in order to bring a change in your life, and it is motivated by God’s love. Because God loves you, when he sees an area in your life that needs change – a relationship, a habit, an attitude – he will nudge you and say, “You need to work on this thing that’s out of whack in your life.”

The purpose of condemnation is to criticize and make you feel guilty, usually in a vague way. If you’ve ever felt guilty but you couldn’t point to anything specific, or if you’ve ever had a feeling of worthlessness, that is condemnation from Satan.

But Romans 8:1 says, “There is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus” (NLT). God will never attack you; he will never say you’re worthless or unlovable. In fact, in Revelation 3:19 God says, “Those whom I dearly and tenderly love, I tell their faults and convict and discipline. So be earnest and repent (changing your mind and attitude)” (AMP).

As soon as you start to confess and change, you will no longer feel any conviction. It’s short-term.

But condemnation is Satan’s way of making you feel worse and worse. It doesn’t go away even after confession. It’s like the American court system. First there is the conviction of a crime in the court; then comes the condemnation, or sentencing which can last for years.

But God doesn’t work that way. In God’s justice system the Holy Spirit convicts us of what’s wrong in our life and we admit it. Jesus pays the condemnation. He serves the punishment for our sin through his death on the cross. And we are free to live the way God created us to live, to live the way Jesus enables us to live. That’s the grace of God.

"If you’ve ever felt guilty but you couldn’t point to anything specific, or if you’ve ever had a feeling of worthlessness, that is condemnation from Satan." Rick Warren

The Seven Test
Do I sense God’s peace about it?
By Rick Warren

“[God’s] peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7 (NIV)

The final test in recognizing God’s voice is to ask yourself, “Do I sense God’s peace about it?” If you think you’ve heard from God, it measures up to God’s Word, you’ve gotten advice from other people and passed the other tests, but you still feel confused or anxious, then it doesn’t pass the seventh test.

Why? “God is not the author of confusion” (1 Corinthians 14:33 NIV). So you wait and remain patient until you sense God’s peace.

God is a perfect father. Parents don’t want their kids to feel worried or pressured when they ask them to do something. No, they want their children to feel encouraged. That’s the same way God wants to relate to you. He doesn’t want you to feel anxiety in anything he asks you to do.

The only time a sense of pressure is legitimate is when you keep saying no to God. That is a relational pressure that comes from holding God at arm’s length.

Satan wants to drive us compulsively in the things we do, but God doesn’t work that way. God wants to draw us compassionately. He’s the shepherd who wants to lead the sheep. He doesn’t drive us; he guides us. And, as sheep, we need to listen for his voice.

Philippians 4:6-7 describes the attitude you should have when you listen to God’s voice. “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus” (NLT).

It’s not just a matter of hearing God’s voice; it’s also a matter or responding. Hearing is not enough. You have to act as well.

The Bible says that God speaks to people who do three things. “Listen to this wise advice; follow it closely, for it will do you good, and you can pass it on to others” (Proverbs 22:17 LB).

God speaks to those who listen to what he says, follow it closely, and then pass it on to others.

"The only time a sense of pressure is legitimate is when you keep saying no to God. That is a relational pressure that comes from holding God at arm’s length." Rick Warren

God Wants to Give You Freedom

by Rick Warren

"So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed" (John 8:36 NIV).

"Real freedom is freedom from fear, where you're truly free from guilt, from worry, from bitterness, and from death."

The world defines freedom as a life without any restraint—'I can do anything I want to do; say anything I want to say, without anybody telling me what to do.' Everybody else may get burned by you, but you get to do it your own way. The world says you can have your freedom, but only by being totally selfish.

Yet, the Bible says the only way to true freedom is through Jesus: "If the Son sets you free, then you will be really free" (John 8:36 TEV).

Real freedom is freedom from fear, where you're truly free from guilt, from worry, from bitterness, and from death. You're free to quit pretending because you're free to be yourself.

How do you get rid of those kinds of fears? By letting God love you! The apostle John teaches that, "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear . . ." (1 John 4:18 NIV).

When you realize how much God loves you, you'll begin to live in true freedom. In fact, you worship God when you recognize that "God is love." It is an act of worship to agree that he is a loving, caring, generous God and that we can "rely on the love God has for us" (1 John 4:16 NIV).

Expand Your Skills to SUCCEED at Work

by Rick Warren ~ Purpose Driven Collection

Do yourself a favor and learn all you can; then remember what you learn and you will prosper. Proverbs 19:8 (TEV)
If you want to succeed in life, your education cannot end when you graduate. All leaders are learners, and you need to continue learning the rest of your life. Because the moment you stop growing, your contribution to your company stops growing also.

Here is the next letter in our SUCCEED acrostic:

Expand Your Skills to SUCCEED at Work -

1. Start working enthusiastically.
2. Understand who you really work for.
3. Concentrate on building your character.
4. Care about the people you work with
5. Exceed what is expected of you
6. Expand Your Skills to SUCCEED at Work

Ecclesiastes 10:10 says, "If the ax is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed, but skill will bring success" (NIV). It's important to work smarter, to sharpen your ax. You waste less time when you do this.

How do you sharpen your ax? By filling your head with learning - read a book, listen to a seminar, take a class, attend church. If you keep learning, then God can continue to expand your horizons.

"Do yourself a favor and learn all you can; then remember what you learn and you will prosper" (Proverbs 19:8 TEV). The solution to most of life's problems is training. So learn all you can.

That's why I encourage my congregation to take notes during my sermons. Did you know that if you don't, then within 72 hours you'll forget 95 percent of what you hear? So you may look real spiritual, but you're not real bright.

I can say this because it's a lesson God taught me when I was younger. One day I was reading Matthew 7:6 which says, "Don't cast your pearls before swine" and the Lord said to me, "Rick, who do you think the pigs are?" I thought it had to be the Pharisees, but God said, "No, you're the swine. You don't care enough to write down the things I say to you." And it was true because for many years, I never took notes in church. Every Sunday the pastor was throwing out pearls of wisdom and they were just bouncing off my head, going in one ear and out the other.

Learn all you can and remember what you learn and watch how God blesses your work.

"It's important to work smarter, to sharpen your ax. You waste less time when you do this."
Rick Warren

Believe You Are Who God Says You Are

by Buddy Owens ~ Purpose Driven Life Collection


“And we … are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” 2 Corinthians 3:18 (NIV)

"God is asking you to believe he is who he says he is, believe you are who he says you are, and then live like you believe those things."

This week’s devotionals are by Buddy Owens, teaching pastor at Saddleback Church and author of ‘The Way of a Worshiper’.

I want to help you learn to confess your faith, and then let that confession lead to life change so that it demolishes your old way of thinking and gives you a new way of thinking about life, God, yourself, hardship, your family and your world.

And here’s how to do it: Stop confessing lies. Confess your faith! Say the same thing God says about you. Let it change the way you think . . . and it will change the way you live.

Here are some things the Bible says about you that need to become things you say about yourself. Start every day by confessing these truths --

My Faith Confessions

• I am crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. (Galatians 2:20)
• The Son has set me free. I am free indeed! (John 8:36)
• My body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. (1 Corinthians 6:19)
• I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:13)
• He who began a good work in me will be faithful to complete it. (Philippians 1:6)
• There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:1)
• Nothing can ever separate me from the love of God in Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:38-39)
• In all things God works for the good of those who love him. (Romans 8:28)
• God is faithful. He will not let me be tempted beyond what I can bear. (1 Corinthians 10:13)
• God has not given me a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7)
• My light and momentary troubles are achieving for me an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. (2 Corinthians 4:17)
• He is able to do immeasurably more than all I ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within me. (Ephesians 3:20)
• God is for me! Who can be against me? (Romans 8:31)

When you say what God says (confession), you begin to think what God thinks (repentance). So let this be your confession of faith. And let it be the foundation on which you build your new life.

This is not the power of positive thinking. It’s not your good thoughts that will turn your life around. God’s power will turn your life around. He’s just asking you to believe he is who he says he is, believe you are who he says you are, and then live like you believe those things.

Does that mean bad things will stop happening? No. But it does mean you will experience many more victories than losses because the Word of God is at work in you.