Eternity?

Eternity?

Luke 13: 23 ¶ Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them,
24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.

Mt 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

So many claim, a greasy grace, a sloppy agape, that Jesus loves us, no strings attached. That we cannot do anything to add to the finished work of Jesus on the cross, so why stress ourselves out with trying to do good works?

Yes, it is true:
Eph 2: 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

In one of his sermons, A.C. Dixon told of an incident that took place in Brooklyn, N.Y. A detective who had been looking for a local citizen finally tracked him down in a drugstore. As the man began to make his purchase, the officer laid his hand on the citizen’s shoulder and said, “You’re under arrest; come with me!”
Stunned, the man demanded, “What did I do?”
The detective calmly replied, “You know what you did. You escaped from the Albany penitentiary several years ago. You went west, got married, and then came back here to live. We’ve been watching for you since you returned.”
Quietly the man admitted, “That’s true, but I was sure you’d never find me. Before you take me in, could we stop by my house so I can talk to my family?”
The officer agreed. When they got to his home, the man looked at his wife and asked, “Haven’t I been a kind husband and a good father? Haven’t I worked hard to make a living?”
His wife answered, “Of course you have, but why are you asking me these questions?” Her husband then proceeded to explain what had happened and that he was now under arrest. He apparently had hoped that his record as an exemplary husband and father would impress the officer. Even so, he was still an escaped criminal. Though he was “right” with his family, he was all wrong with the state of New York.
Source Unknown.

Truly, it is by faith that we are saved, not by works. It is a finished work that Jesus performed upon the cross, that we cannot earn or deserve. Salvation is a free gift, that can only be believed, received, and accepted, by faith. Jesus died for our sins, rose from the dead, and He ever lives to bear witness of that fact: yet, read the next verse:

10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

2Co 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

Our faith will produce good works! He Himself, Jesus, the risen God the Son, will prepare these works, for us to walk in them, if we are striving to serve Him.
God has a work for each of us to do, and I am endeavouring to grow in my gift, my calling, and the wonderful works He allows me to do.

The mighty apostle Paul, who wrote this verse, began his life as the chief of apostles, and yet, as the Lord dealt with him, over his life, he realized that although salvation is a free gift, walking it out, takes everything, as God deals with us throughout our life.

2Ti 2:21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.

Notice, who does the purging here: the man!

God expects us to receive His grace, and He will judge us, on what we do with what He gives us:
Re 22:12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
Php 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
There is a work of salvation to be worked out, in each of our lives. I cannot do it for you, you cannot do it for me.
Let’s pray:
Father God, anywhere I have strayed from the straight and narrow way, please correct me, and bring me back on track, now! I ask you for grace to perform the good works you have for me to walk in today, in your name I pray Lord Jesus, Amen’

https://chrisaomministries.com/2016/08/06/the-purpose-of-this-blog/

Empty Enemies

Empty Enemies

1 John 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

And so we see the enemies of God: This worldly impersonal organized system devoid of love and life – the world, the Bible calls it.

Organizational structures that are sterile, void of care, concern, compassion, yet strong enough to endure generations. This is why we know the letter of the law kills, it is the spirit that brings life. If we build these empires, organizationally and administratively clean, yet without care and concern for the people these structures are supposed to serve and help, the very people we create these to serve, become crushed beneath their weight, the tyranny of unfulfilled expectations, that places people on a treadmill like a hamster: ever running, but going nowhere, making no difference, living and dying as fuel for the machine, blind to the rule of the one behind it, the god of this world, satan himself. The Nazi’s had order – just no love, nor life in their system.

Then there is the lust of the flesh: The savage passions for promotion, power, possessions, people, places and things, that can never be satisfied. Fallen flesh, that is ever hungry for more. More what? More money, more food, more power, more sex, more entertainment, more friends, more stuff, more knowledge. Always hungry, never satisfied: lust. No matter how much you feed it, it leaves a painful empty ache each time you indulge it, because you know that you fed the wrong thing, and your true hunger, for God, for intimacy, for purpose, for passion, for peace, for honor, for love, for holiness, was never met, no matter how much you indulge carnal appetites.

Is 55;1 ¶ Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
2 Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.

There is that which will fulfill our deepest thirsts! Come to Jesus!

Then there is the pride of life: Look at me, look what I can do, look at my house, my status, my company, my associations with the right people. Beautiful wife, beautiful life, empty, void of life. Spending time and money to impress people who neither understand nor care about you, or who you really are, For what?

Satan was Lucifer, the chief worship leader in heaven, closest to the throne before he fell. Why? He became proud. Those who are blinded by him, become like him – proud, selfish, screaming for entitlement, power and control. Love serves….

Joh 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

Have you discovered the emptiness of life yet? Have you run hard enough on your little treadmill of work, relationships, activities, pleasures that leave you dry, weary, poured out and cored out – a hollow shell of who you are created to be? It may take some time to learn how to feed on that which truly does satisfy – to begin to feast on bread of life and things of eternal glory, but is is worth obeying that deeper nudge…that itch that has never been scratched by worldy pursuits, for you are created for much more than this world can offer. He created the universe – and is the only One big enough to fully satisfy and understand the complexity that is you!

It is Jesus who alone can satisfy the thirst and deepest hungers in your heart. Let all these enemies of God and you, die, slain at the cross, that you, like Jesus, might experience the resurrection life, found only in Him.

He is more than enough…

It has been said: ‘When the student is ready, the teacher appears…’ Are you ready yet? He is waiting, still, with loving heart, and open arms. He knows, He cares, and He waits, until you are ready to receive Him…

Let’s pray:
‘Father, I see the tyranny of the world: The hardness, the severe toughness, of the daily rough and tumble of the world. It has left a coldness, hardness, and meanness deep within my soul. How well, I know see the foolishness of my own passionate pursuits, that have left me empty, dry, hungry for what truly satisfies. So I have fallen into the comparison trap, the competitive need to impress people I barely know, nor care about. My own self will, determined to do my own will, against you. Forgive me Father, and have mercy. Meet with me, and show me why I exist, Your highest and best for me and my life. Fill me with Your Spirit, for I hunger deep inside, and nothing satisfies me…help me Jesus. Amen’

Giving Jesus MY ALL – Today!

Giving Jesus MY All, Today!

Mar 14:9 Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.

The woman with the alabaster jar, poured out her life, her offering, in such reckless abandon upon the feet of Jesus, that He, King of the Universe, deemed that her act become an eternal memorial of her.

Ever thought that we can live in such radical obedience, passion, brokenness at His feet in love, that our lives might be written as eternal memorials to our sacrifice?

Mal_3:16 Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.

There is a book being written in heaven, that will be an eternal best seller. The book of remembrance of the acts of the saints, forever recorded, for the glory of Jesus, the testimony of the saints.

Let’s live in such a way today, they we cause heavenly scribes to have to pick up the pen on our behalf, writing headlines in heaven, angels to rejoice, Jesus to smile, and the great cloud of witnesses to be on their feet, peering over the balconies of heaven, as our life, our testimony, our radical passion for Jesus, our sacrifice, and poured out consecration for Him!

Let’s Pray:
‘Father, burn like a fire in me, blazing bright to this generation. Jesus! I come to your feet, and pour out my love, my life, my passion, my all for you, today. May I live in such a way as to make headlines in heaven, eternal record of my love for you, that you might smile, as you receive, through me, the reward of your suffering. Amen’

Redeem YOUR Time – Eternity is Counting on it!

Redeem your time

How to make an Eternal Impact with your Life!

 

‘As if you could kill time without injuring eternity’

Henry David Thoreau.

Is Jesus Lord of your time?

Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

 

Today we are going to talk about the Lordship of Jesus in our personal lives. We see here that making Him Lord, is a condition for salvation. Over the next few weeks, we are going to look at the Word of God, to see how well each of us are doing in this area. If Jesus is the Lord, He must be our Lord. If His is our Lord, we must do what He says.

 

I have spoken about establishing the  Lordship of Jesus in our personal lives. I have shown how the first commandment, commanding us to love God, precedes service.

I have spoken about seeking first the kingdom of God, before doing anything else. Making Jesus our personal Lord. I have shared about ACTS, as a simple method of placing Him first, and how we have used this acronym for a season in our family devotion.  What does ACTS stand for?

 

ACTS

Adoration:

Praise and Worship

Confession:

Confess God’s Word back to Him, expecting Him to perform it in your life.

Thanksgiving:
Thank Him for your life, your family, His Word, for answered prayer, for this church.

Supplication:
Ask Him for those things you need that day. Wisdom, strength, courage to make changes in your life, to talk to others about Him. For your daily needs.

Okay, today we are going to look at another aspect of Jesus Lordship. Today we are going to see from the Word of God if Jesus is Lord of our time.

 

Romans 13:11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.

 

2 Corinthians 6:2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)

 

Do you realize that this age, the church age, is the greatest season any person serving God has ever seen upon the earth?

God is not just for us, but lives in us. Our bodies have become His temple. When He decides to act in the earth, He has obligated Himself to work through one of us.

 

Ephesians 5:16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

 

Jesus has redeemed us, is redeeming us, and will redeem us. At the cross, He said “It is finished.”

 

Yet Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

 

He is redeeming us. Changing us, molding and making us into His image and likeness.

 

Soon, whether by way of the grave or with the triumphant shout of an archangel, we will see Him face to face. He will redeem us.

 

Yet in this verse it clearly states that we are to redeem our time.

It has been said that the average Canadian spends 2-1/2 hours each day watching Television.

 

80% of Hollywood executives think there is a link between TV violence and real-life violence.

– 91% of children say they feel upset or scared by violence on television.

– 12 medical studies since 1985 link excessive television-watching to increasing rates of obesity.

– 202 junk food ads are generally aired during four hours of Saturday morning programming.

– TV-Free America

 

– 200,000 – the number of violent acts the average American child sees on TV by age 18; 16,000 – the number of murders witnessed by children on television by age 18.

– 10% of youth violence is directly attributable to TV viewing.

– 73% of Americans believe TV and movies are responsible for juvenile crime.

– TV-Free America

 

2-1/2 hours per day. That is 912.5 hours, or 38 days every year, laying there in front of the TV. There are only twelve months in every year. That means that Canadians spend over one month of every year, feeding their flesh. Now, if every Canadian were watching two and half hours a day of good anointed television ministry, what a difference we would see!

What about Social Media? Yes, it is an incredible tool to stay connected with people, and to share our faith, but how much time is wasted watching cat video’s, and reading tabloid type articles that are a total waste of productive kingdom time.

Yet,

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

 

If what you are watching is not true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of a good report (the news is not generally a good report), full of virtue (not lies), does not cause you to praise God, do not watch it.

It is not bringing life to you, but is taking life from you. It is sucking the anointing, joy, fruitfulness, and prosperity of God out of you, like a giant leach. Killing your dreams, desires, vitality and polluting your mind. Kill it, before it kills you.

 

I asked my congregation at one point, for all of us to take a television fast. To spend our daily TV time in the Word, job hunting, volunteering, taking a course, reading our Bible (what a concept), or telling someone about Jesus. How many did it?

To give God a tithe of our most precious resource, our time! To spend 2-1/2 hours each day, actually praying, reading the Bible, feasting our souls upon good Christian ministries, to see what God would do for our lives.

For those of us who did, and are still doing this, incredibly great things happen, as inner hungers and passions get legitimately met by Jesus, and His living waters – there comes that peace that passes all understanding, and a true spirit led life that is powerful, with eternal impact upon this generation.

https://chrisaomministries.wordpress.com/2014/02/06/not-by-works-its-all-about-love/

 

If you seek Him first, and 1 Peter 5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:

 

So, you have made Jesus your Lord, you are praying every morning, seeking Him, craving Him, diligently reading His Word and seeking to do what it says. Your due time is coming. He will exalt you.

Now, we need to do something. You must act. Now!

 

“If you wait for perfect conditions, you will never get anything done.” – Eccl. 11:4 (NLT)

 

Proverbs 14:23 In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.

Confession alone will not bring godly success, we must do what we confess. We need to begin the do’s of the gospel.

 

The most important thing we can do is to share the gospel. Only the gospel has the power to turn men from darkness to light. To separate them from hell to turn towards heaven.

 

In Reinhard Bonnke’s book ‘Time is running out” he makes this statement:

 

“If 10,000 people live near your church, according to statistics, four of them die every week. Is it satisfactory then, if only one of the 10,000 is saved every month, or even every week? I find it is impossible to exaggerate the urgency of sharing the gospel! The greatest work on earth is to preach the good news, and the greatest need in the world is the need of the gospel.”

 

We believe in healing around here, but Jesus taught, preached and healed. First of all he went.

Here is a very easy way for you to go, today. Simply cut and paste this link on a friends email, or social media, who you know needs Jesus:

https://chrisaomministries.wordpress.com/2014/11/10/the-gospel-the-power-of-god/

 

We believe in financial prosperity around here, yet the power to get wealth is ‘to be my witnesses.’ In the earth.

 

We must use our time to win souls for eternity.

 

This life is but a dressing room for eternity.

 

People we know are going to die. We could of shown them the love of Jesus, fed, them clothed them, served them, given them money, even healed them, yet if they are not born-again they will go to hell. Hell is not some theological concept but a very real place.

 

We are called with a purpose. We are redeemed. Yet, there is a time to grow up, and recognize our responsibility to the family business. Our Father in heaven is in the redemption business. Everything we are or hope to be must revolve around that.

 

Mike Murdock states that the secret of successful people is in their daily routine. Stephen Covey, a leadership expert talks about 7 Habits of Sucessful People. The secret of your success is in your daily routine.

 

Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

Psalm 90:12

https://chrisaomministries.wordpress.com/2014/12/17/teach-us-to-number-our-days/

 

Matthew 25:15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.

 

God uses people according to their ability.

https://chrisaomministries.wordpress.com/2016/01/26/increase-your-ability-before-investing/

 

1 Peter 4:11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

 

Yet abilities can change. You take a night course to improve your ability. You deliberately find someone gifted in a certain area, and ask them to teach you what you need in that area.

 

What is you daily schedule? Do you just get up and let things happen? Or do you deliberately decide that this week is going to be different, that you are going to make changes for the better.

 

 

In summation: Win souls. Get involved with something that actually presents the gospel to an unsaved person.

 

Improve yourself. Apply for a better job. Take a night course. Improve your ability. If you want a change, you need to make a change. https://chrisaomministries.com/2016/05/09/set-yearly-goals-and-work-them/

 

Question: What are you going to do with your time tomorrow? How are you going to use it to affect eternal result and reward?

Let’s Pray:

‘Father, I look to heaven, to Your throne, to You Jesus, to fully embrace the purpose for which I am created, that I not shrink back, become distracted, or compromised, in that critical purpose. Today, please rule and over-rule all of MY thoughts and plans, and become actually, the Lord of my time. May I manage the days and minutes, accurately, intimately led by You Holy Spirit – that I might make HIStory visable to this hurting world. Amen’

Set Yearly Goals and work them!

Set Yearly Goals and work them!

I am a disciple of Jesus Christ! The word disciple, means: ‘disciplined one’. My aim, my passion, my destiny, my calling, is to fully obey Him, and make a radical, eternal impact upon this world, through my obedience and love….

I read this quote, and it encourages me today:

“Time is the inexplicable raw material of everything. With it, all is possible; without it, nothing. The supply of time is truly a daily miracle, an affair genuinely astonishing when one examines it. You wake up in the morning, and lo! your purse is magically filled with twenty-four hours of the unmanufactured tissue of the universe of your life! It is yours. It is the most precious of possessions… No one can take it from you. It is not something that can be stolen. And no one receives either more or less than you receive. Moreover, you cannot draw on its future. Impossible to get into debt! You can only waste the passing moment. You cannot waste tomorrow; it is kept for you. You cannot waste the next hour; it is kept for you.

You have to live on this twenty-four hours of daily time. Out of it you have to spin health, pleasure, money, content, respect, and the evolution of your immortal soul. Its right use, its most effective use, is a matter of the highest urgency and of the most thrilling actuality. All depends on that. Your happiness — the elusive prize that you are all clutching for, my friends — depends on that.

If one cannot arrange that an income of twenty-four hours a day shall exactly cover all proper items of expenditure, one does muddle one’s whole life indefinitely. We shall never have any more time. We have, and we have always had, all the time there is.”

Arnold Bennett, Bits & Pieces, March 4, 1993, p. 18-20

We are now beginning 2017! New years resolutions, or many of us actually put together a battle plan to get where we need to be. Thought today might be a great day to reflect on where we are at, and to perhaps rethink if we are spending time doing the critical, or have we allowed ourselves to become so busy, that we have drifted off course from our dreams and God given vision?

I see this here in Pauls letter to the Corinthian church:

1 Cor 16: 6 And it may be that I will abide, yea, and winter with you, that ye may bring me on my journey whithersoever I go.
7 For I will not see you now by the way; but I trust to tarry a while with you, if the Lord permit.
8 But I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost..

Notice here Paul was planning out his year, scheduling what he would do, and what he would not…

Proverbs 16:9

A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps.

Jer 10:23 O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.

Time is the coin of your life. It is the only coin you have, and only you can determine how it will be spent. Be careful lest you let other people spend it for you.
Carl Sandburg.

In Jan, I pray, fast, and set yearly goals for the next 12 months. So far, so good, the Lord has honored my faith, and I am on track pretty much for what I set out to accomplish in 2016. Truthfully, I missed a couple fitness goals, because I did not rest enough…and so we learn, adjust, implement, and move forward.

Jesus is welcome to change any of my plans or schedule at any point, but for now, I am walking out, and working towards my goals, trusting Him to do the impossible, daily. It has been said, that it is better to shoot for the stars, and only hit the moon, than to aim at nothing, and hit nothing.

Or, you can shoot for the moon, overshoot, and land among the stars…

Set measurable concrete goals, now. Plan your work, and work your plan, daily reviewing your plan, to keep yourself on track.

https://chrisaomministries.wordpress.com/2013/10/31/thoughts-words-and-deliberate-deeds/

Then, each time I complete a project, or portion, I can go back to the blueprint for the year, and begin focusing on the next level of excellence I need to achieve.

Millions long for immortality who do not know what to do with themselves on a rainy Sunday afternoon.
Susan Ertz.

As if you could kill time without injuring eternity.

 Henry David Thoreau

How well I have learned the truth of these verses:

James 4:

¹³ Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain:

¹⁴ Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

¹⁵ For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.

When we began our company, we produced a 400 page business plan, on what we thought we would do with our business. For grins and giggles, 2-3 years into it, we would read it for humor. What we actually HAD to do, to feed our families daily, was a far cry from our fantasy dream. Then, we produced a 60 page business plan birthed in prayer and real life experience. It worked, and our company grew from doing 150K a year, to 550K in a couple years.

Then we studied, my business partner took his business degree, and we had a team of MBA students do a competitive business analysis on our company, and they produced a 300 page booklet for us, that was awesome, setting a realistic path to grow us to 5 million/year over the next 5 years. We grew it to 1.1 million over the next two years, (that took us almost 8 years to accomplish)  then at my office one night, I had an ‘open-heaven’ experience, where Jesus clearly called me to walk away from the company to do this full-time, and I have obeyed. Yet, I am convinced, that had we continued on the business plan we set out, we would have made it to the 5 million/year mark, as long as we, the leaders, were willing to continue to grow and learn how to survive and effectively manage the growth.

Yet the principal remains: In order for our organizations to grow, we must grow! We must always be bigger on the inside than whatever challenges life throws at us, and this takes faith!

I would love to say this was my idea, but I heard it taught both at Victory, and again in Tom Leding’s meetings.

Faith, without works, is dead.

Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
Psalm 90:12

Let’s Pray:
‘Father, you have a perfect plan for each of us this year. Please show us clearly what that is, and help us to align ourselves with what you desire for us, then stay the course, and faithfully work at what you have shown us to do, in your name I pray Lord Jesus, Amen’

https://chrisaomministries.com/2016/02/09/timing/

If you do not yet know Jesus, then here is how to begin your journey with Him:https://chrisaomministries.wordpress.com/2014/11/10/the-gospel-the-power-of-god/

The Discipline of Kings…

Kingly Discipline

Rev 1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

So we see that when Jesus rose from the dead, when we received Him into our born-again spirit, we were positionally raised from the dead with Him, and granted royal rank and privilege before His throne.

Well, Romans 5:17 reads:
Amplified Bible (AMP)
17 For if because of one man’s trespass (lapse, offense) death reigned through that one, much more surely will those who receive [God’s] overflowing grace (unmerited favor) and the free gift of righteousness [putting them into right standing with Himself] reign as kings in life through the one Man Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).

While He is forever Lord and King of the Universe, He is King of all kings (that would be us) and Lord of all lords (again, that is us, his royal family)

Job 36: 7 He withdraweth not his eyes from the righteous: but with kings are they on the throne; yea, he doth establish them for ever, and they are exalted.
8 And if they be bound in fetters, and be holden in cords of affliction;
9 Then he sheweth them their work, and their transgressions that they have exceeded.
10 He openeth also their ear to discipline, and commandeth that they return from iniquity.
11 If they obey and serve him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures.

I’ve read that when Edward VI, the king of England in the 16th century, attended a worship service, he stood while the Word of God was read. He took notes during this time and later studied them with great care. Through the week he earnestly tried to apply them to his life. That’s the kind of serious-minded response to truth the apostle James calls for in today’s Scripture reading. A single revealed fact cherished in the heart and acted upon is more vital to our growth than a head filled with lofty ideas about God.
One step forward in obedience is worth years of study about it.
Chambers, Our Daily Bread, March 4, 1993.

In my last little devotion, I spoke about the blessing that will come to a household when we obey God.

Yet, as I reread this passage, so I saw a leadership lesson, whereby God can allow pain to become a wonderful instructor.

One of my friends, a brilliant scholar is known to laughingly point out, in our Bible discussions, “CONTEXT!”

Killed many a good bunny trail that was departing from the cell lesson, or more importantly, the overall truth of any particular passage of Scripture.

In Exegesis, hermenutics, one of the rules of Bible interpretation is: In what context was the verse written? What is the overwhelming theme of the whole chapter a particular verse is found in: what is it’s context?

This verse, that promises prosperity and pleasurable years, is actually the result of the discipline of kings. Since we are all kings and priests in this life, destined to rule and reign in Jesus, could it apply to us?

De 8:5 Thou shalt also consider in thine heart, that, as a man chasteneth his son, so the LORD thy God chasteneth thee.

Pr 13:24 He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.

Heb 12:6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

Heb 12:7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?

Chastening is generally done with words, and careful instruction. Think about our children:

When we correct and instruct them, it is normally in loving correction, and instruction with tender words.

Unless they disobey.

Then what?

There comes a prompt rebuke: “Stop that!”

Still, the correction is in words.

What if they directly defy us as parents?

Then our correction is no longer in just words, is it?

It may be a time out, a spanking, or loss of priviledges, depending on the nature, or repetition of the offense.

Well, if we as humans, love our children, and want the best for them, therefore we instruct and correct them, to raise them to be people of excellence, honor, dignity, respect, and obedience. Seems all the lessons in obedience root them in truth, simply preparation, for the day they spread their wings and fly into the arms of God, to obey Him.

Well, God is Holy, and I have been to the woodshed a few times over the years, recognizing His love, but all the well, knowing His fear. Paul, a leader, with a clear revelation of heaven and hell, wrote:

2Co 5:11 Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.

When we accept the responsibility to lead in this generation for Jesus, eternal realities can become truth or consequences, and the consequences can be severe.

Dr. B.J. Miller once said, “It is a great deal easier to do that which God gives us to do, no matter how hard it is, than to face the responsibilities of not doing it.”
Today In The Word, November, 1989, p.11.

Mic 6:8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

Makes us humble, and careful to obey, and this trembling obedience will produce our days in prosperity, and our years in pleasures.

Let’s just say, I’m liking the loving instruction, and gentle course corrections, a whole lot better than the stern rebukes, or trips to the woodshed. How about you?
We are called for the kingdom, and are being trained for eternity. The disciplines He places upon us, are for our good, and the good of all those around us. Embrace the process!

Let’s pray:
‘Father God, I come to you now, knowing my need. Reveal your love and your instruction to my life, and in any area that I have missed it, please show me, so I can quickly correct myself. In area where my disobedience has placed me in bondage, please openeth also my ear to discipline in your name I pray Lord Jesus,Amen’

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Teach us to number our days….

Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

Psalm 90:12.

Redeem your time!

I guess I could subtitle this article as ‘How to make an Eternal Impact with your Life!’

Is Jesus Lord of your time?

Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

Today we are going to talk about the Lordship of Jesus in our personal lives. We see here that making Him Lord, is a condition for salvation.  If Jesus is the Lord, He must be our Lord. If His is our Lord, we must do what He says.

Previously, I have talked about the Lordship of Jesus in our personal lives. We saw how the first commandment, commanding us to love God, precedes service. We talked about seeking first the kingdom of God, before doing anything else. Making Jesus our personal Lord. We ended with ACTS, as a simple method of placing Him first. What does ACTS stand for?

ACTS

Adoration: Praise and Worship

Confession – Confess God’s Word back to Him, expecting Him to perform it in your life.

Thanksgiving – Thank Him for your life, your family, His Word, for answered prayer, for this church.

Supplication – Ask Him for those things you need that day. Wisdom, strength, courage to make changes in your life, to talk to others about Him. For your daily needs.

Again, this is not a legalistic formula, the question is simply one of the heart: Are we seeking first Jesus and His will for our lives, today?

Okay, today we are going to look at another aspect of Jesus Lordship. Today we are going to see from the Word of God if Jesus is Lord of our time.

Romans 13:11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.

2 Corinthians 6:2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)

Do you realize that this age, the church age, is the greatest season any person serving God has ever seen upon the earth?

God is not just for us, but lives in us. Our bodies have become His temple. When He decides to act in the earth, He has obligated Himself to work through one of us!

Daniel 11:32 (AMP)

³² And such as violate the covenant he shall pervert and seduce with flatteries, but the people who know their God shall prove themselves strong and shall stand firm and do exploits [for God].

 That would be you and I!

Ephesians 5:16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

Jesus has redeemed us, is redeeming us, and will redeem us. At the cross, He said “It is finished.”

Yet Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

He is redeeming us. Changing us, molding and making us into His image and likeness.

Soon, whether by way of the grave or with the triumphant shout of an archangel, we will see Him face to face.

He will redeem us.

Yet in this verse it clearly states that we are to redeem our time.

It has been said that the average Canadian spends 2-1/2 hours each day watching Television. Probably, here in the United States it is greater, because of the internet, and the availability of programming.

80% of Hollywood executives think there is a link between TV violence and real-life violence.

– 91% of children say they feel upset or scared by violence on television.

– 12 medical studies since 1985 link excessive television-watching to increasing rates of obesity.

– 202 junk food ads are generally aired during four hours of Saturday morning programming.

– TV-Free America

– 200,000 – the number of violent acts the average American child sees on TV by age 18; 16,000 – the number of murders witnessed by children on television by age 18.

– 10% of youth violence is directly attributable to TV viewing.

– 73% of Americans believe TV and movies are responsible for juvenile crime.

– TV-Free America

Proverbs 23:7

For as he thinks in his heart, so is he….

2-1/2 hours per day. That is 912.5 hours, or 38 days every year, laying there in front of the TV! There are only twelve months in every year. That means that Canadians spend over one month of every year, feeding their flesh.

Sure it gets cold outside, but there are tons of winter activities that are fun, good fitness, and free!

This message was originally preached while we pastored five years in Canada. Where temperatures often hit -30C, where there was often two feet of snow on the ground. Yet, here, in Tulsa, clearly people still spend hours in front of the screen, and this time could surely be spent more profitably for the kingdom of God.

Now, if every Canadian were watching two and half hours a day of good anointed television ministry, what a difference we would see.

For it is written: Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

We had this verse framed on our wall for many years…It is still true, 25 years later!

If what you are watching is not true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of a good report (the news is not generally a good report), full of virtue (not lies), does not cause you to praise God, do not watch it.

It is not bringing life to you, but is taking life from you.

Even one of our favorite family activities, Facebook, can quickly become an electronic tabloid, broadcasting what satan is doing in the earth, instead of glorifying God. Yes, our Social Media need to bow to the Lordship of Jesus!

Psalm 101:3(KJV)

 I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me

It is sucking the anointing, joy, fruitfulness,presence and prosperity of God out of you, like a giant leech.

Killing your dreams, desires, vitality and polluting your mind.

Kill it, before it kills you!

I asked my congregation at one point, for all of us to take a television fast. To spend our daily TV time in the Word, job hunting, volunteering, taking a course, reading our Bible (what a concept), or telling someone about Jesus.

If you seek Him first, and 1 Peter 5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:

So, you have made Jesus your Lord, you are praying every morning, seeking Him, craving Him, diligently reading His Word and seeking to do what it says. Your due time is coming. He will exalt you.

Now, we need to do something. You must act. Now!

Faith is an act!

“If you wait for perfect conditions, you will never get anything done.” – Eccl. 11:4 (NLT)

Proverbs 14:23 In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.

NOW faith is, and His name is I AM! Our ever-present help in time of need!

Confession alone will not bring godly success, we must do what we confess. We need to begin the do’s of the gospel.

The most important thing we can do is to share the gospel. Only the gospel has the power to turn men from darkness to light. To separate them from hell to turn towards heaven.

In Reinhard Bonnke’s book ‘Time is running out” he makes this statement:

“If 10,000 people live near your church, according to statistics, four of them die every week. Is it satisfactory then, if only one of the 10,000 is saved every month, or even every week? I find it is impossible to exaggerate the urgency of sharing the gospel! The greatest work on earth is to preach the good news, and the greatest need in the world is the need of the gospel.”

We believe in healing around here, but Jesus taught, preached and healed.

If you want some simple ways to share the gospel, you are reading this on-line. Here are some articles I wrote to allow you to simply cut and paste these links, to share eternal life, the power of God in speaking in other tongues, or the message of divine healing. You must know someone on-line, you can share one of these with, NOW!

https://chrisaomministries.wordpress.com/2014/11/10/the-gospel-the-power-of-god/

https://chrisaomministries.wordpress.com/2014/11/27/is-speaking-in-other-tongues-of-god/

https://chrisaomministries.wordpress.com/2014/10/30/be-healed-jesus-wants-you-strong/

First of all he went.

Perhaps all God would have you do today is cut and paste one of these articles, or one of the links above to one of your friends, that you know needs eternal life…

Honestly, are you comfortable with them going to hell?

This can affect your finances, as you get involved in God’s work, He gets involved in your business.

Deuteronomy 8: (KJV)

¹⁸ But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day

Acts 1:(KJV)

⁸ But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

We believe in financial prosperity around here, yet the power to get wealth is ‘to be my witnesses.’ In the earth.

We must use our time to win souls for eternity.

This life is but a dressing room for eternity.

People we know are going to die. We could of shown them the love of Jesus, fed them clothed them, served them, given them money, even healed them, yet if they are not born-again they will go to hell. Hell is not some theological concept but a very real place.

Acts 4:12

Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

We are called with a purpose. We are redeemed. Yet, there is a time to grow up, and recognize our responsibility to the family business. Our Father in heaven is in the redemption business. Everything we are or hope to be must revolve around that.

I heard a minister state that the secret of successful people is in their daily routine. Stephen Covey, a leadership expert talks about 7 Habits of Sucessful People. The secret of your success is in your daily routine, the daily disciplines that create incredible realities over time.

Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

Psalm 90:12.

Matthew 25:15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.

God uses people according to their ability.

1 Peter 4:11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Yet abilities can change. You take a night course to improve your ability. Take a college course, or take a course on-line through one of the great Bible schools in the earth:

http://www.vbctulsa.com/

http://www.rbtc.org/

http://www.elim.edu/

You deliberately find someone gifted in a certain area, and ask them to teach you what you need in that area. When I ran our construction companies, I deliberately cultivated relationships with skilled mentors.

Do  like me, endeavor to read a new book every week…All that college taught me is how to learn, to research, to grow…face the truth: we are all students for life!

What is you daily schedule? Do you just get up and let things happen? Or do you deliberately decide that this week is going to be different, that you are going to make changes for the better.

Are you seeking First Jesus and His Kingdom? Nothing else works unless He is our personal Lord!

There are several great books written on the power of daily disciplines. May I recommend just two? ‘The Slight Edge’ by Jeff Olsen, and ‘The Compound Effect’ by Darren Hardy. I do not know if these guys know Jesus, but they have sure figured out the secrets of daily disciplines that produce success!

In summation:

Win souls!

Get involved with something that actually presents the gospel to an unsaved person.

Proverbs 11:30

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he that winneth souls is wise

Think Harvest thoughts! I have learned that everything in the kingdom of God revolves around the harvest. If you are spending your life reaching people with the love of God and the gospel, you will see the presence and power of God daily, and your life will be blessed of heaven.

Improve yourself. Apply for a better job. Take a night course. Improve your ability. If you want a change, you need to make a change. The second commandment is to love your neighbor as yourself. If you don’t take time to develop yourself, your neighbor is in trouble!

Don’t know how to start? PRAY!

John 16:13

Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come..

God will show us things to come! You have specific, unique fingerprints – and a specific, unique destiny and calling upon your life. As you seek Jesus, He will lead and guide you, to maximize your impact in this life, for eternity – yet, always remember, that He walks with you in the journey, His joy is relationship – He is drawing you to Himself, in the incredible pilgrimage of life, and life more abundantly – you were never designed to be alone, nor to do life alone.

John 3:27  John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.

Question: What are you going to do with your time tomorrow? How are you going to use it to affect eternal result and reward?

Let’s pray:

‘Father, teach me to number my days right. Make my life count for eternity! Use me today to make a difference in someone’s life. Deliver me from time-wasters! I ask, knowing I am heard, for I ask in Your name Lord Jesus, Amen!’

If you enjoy my thoughts on leadership, from a Biblical perspective, read my book:

http://www.amazon.com/Parable-Sower-Kingdom/dp/1491207825/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1418750194&sr=8-1&keywords=parable+of+the+sower+a+kingdom+parable

Or, If you are a Christian Leader, here are some articles that I will use in my next book: Feel free to preach, teach or use them as you see fit:

https://chrisaomministries.wordpress.com/2015/07/09/leadership-bullets/

For prayer, comments, or to donate online:

Email: chris.aomministries@gmail.com

Donate on-line:https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=95XHSDDXDS7MC

Give in faith!

1 Corinthians 9:11 If we have sown [the seed of] spiritual good among you, [is it too] much if we reap from your material benefits?

1 Corinthians 9:14 [On the same principle] the Lord directed that those who publish the good news (the Gospel) should live (get their maintenance) by the Gospel.

Paul goes on to say, that he did not use his position as a minister of the gospel to take up offerings, rather he worked, making tents, to support himself. You might notice here, that Paul was not married, nor did he have children. Family responsibilities take time, and just as you bust a move on your job to provide for your family, I work every bit as hard, doing this, faithful to the Lord in prayer and the ministry of His Word, to you.

I will never charge for this: it my responsibility to God, my calling. Freely I have been given, now, I freely give…

As you give, hear Holy Spirit what to give, and honestly expect God to reward you for your giving.

Matt 10: 41 He who receives and welcomes and accepts a prophet because he is a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward, and he who receives and welcomes and accepts a righteous man because he is a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward. 42 And whoever gives to one of these little ones [in rank or influence] even a cup of cold water because he is My disciple, surely I declare to you, he shall not lose his reward.

I am a five-fold ministry gift and office – this is my life – I pray, I hear, I write, and wonderful things happen. You have your job description, I have mine – this is mine….

I have ‘see through’ faith for you, in this: Gal 3: 9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.

I believe I have a responsibility before God to be like Jesus, in every offering I receive. I receive it with thanksgiving, just like Jesus did the little boys lunch.

Then, because I walk and live by faith according to the blessing of Abraham, I believe that God will take your seed sown, and multiply it, according to what the blessing of Abraham promises:

Genesis 22:17 In blessing I will bless you and in multiplying I will multiply your descendants like the stars of the heavens and like the sand on the seashore. And your Seed (Heir) will possess the gate of His enemies

It has been a joy to me, to see the hand of the living God act in the lives of those of you who have supported us this year!

Many have seen tremendous blessing come into your households, and for this we give thanks, and give Jesus all the glory!