Can I just tell you how great my God is? This week has been a true overflow of God's blessing and presence in our lives.
Even in this tough economy, our company did well enough last year to be able to pay out bonuses this week and they contributed matching funds to our 401K as well. God promised that in times of despair in the world, His children would have overflow to share. I know this extra income is because we have been faithful to sow seeds into God's Kingdom and this is our harvest. I also know it is because of God's blessing on me and my company. (Galatians 3:14, 29)
But that's not all.
My husband has been taking a physics class which is REALLY tough. The instructor takes pride in flunking people if that gives you any idea of how bad it is. We have been praying together about the class and believing God to help him. Out of 28 people in the class, my husband just got the highest grade in the class on this week's test. With 15 people failing the test, that is huge. Perhaps even more amazing is that my husband said he still doesn't understand the stuff. There was no way he could have passed on his own. It had to be God who helped him through it. Neat, eh?
It gets better!
We finished our taxes this week and found that we will be getting a lot of money back. More overflow right from God!
We also received a check from my husband's company this week to reimburse him for a class that he took.
The favor even extends to the things that seem minor. I used to tease my mom because she would pray for a good parking spot but now I find myself doing it . . . and it is awesome! I pray that God will perfect my path and have just the perfect parking spot for me when I arrive. I prayed for that on two occasions this week and both were prime spots.
The Bible tells us that if we give it will be given to us, good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over and that you won't have room to receive it. That is exactly how I feel this week. I feel like God just keeps pouring His blessing on us and there is so much it is running over everywhere. I even sense that we have pleased God through our simple gratefulness and our acknowledgement that it was all from Him. He doesn't want or need our money. He wants our hearts. The Bible says where your money is your heart will be also. We have shown that our money goes first to God and that shows where our heart is. Isn't that what every parent wants?
I heard Keith Moore say that he had a similar experience of overflow and he told God something like "That's more than than I need." And God responded by saying "I know, isn't it cool?" He is extravagent but not wasteful. God not only takes pleasure in supplying our needs, He also takes pleasure in giving us above and beyond.
One reason is because we are His kids and He likes to "spoil" us. I also believe it is because through this amazing overflow we see just how big our God really is. He can move mountains. He can do above all that we could ever think or ask and that is the key that we need to keep working on. Nothing is impossible with God. However, He is limited as to how much he can do in our lives based on our low expectations. If we don't think He can supply a pair of socks, we certainly can't imagine that He can provide two brand new cars . . . one for us and one for us to give away. We need to raise the level of our expectations so that we can let God demonstrate His wonder working power in our lives. And through this, others will see how great our God is too!
Have a Blessed Weekend!
Christy
Instead of maintaining multiple blogs, I've been focusing my time on the blog on my website. My website is
www.OverflowLiving.com.
Hope to chat with you soon!
Christy
Here's a good one to meditate on that I heard from Creflo Dollar.
"Faith is a practical expression of your confidence in God and His Word."
When you sit in a chair you have confidence that the chair will support you. You EXPECT it to support you or in other words, you have faith in that chair. We express our confidence in God by stepping out in faith on the promises in the Word. This practical expression can be through our words or our actions. When you expect something to happen you don't hestiate. We need to boldly declare our healing, freedom, prosperity, and all of the other wonderful promises guaranteed to us in the Bible.
Hebrews 11:1
NOW FAITH is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses].
To read more about faith that sees results, click this link:
If you don't like the trees that are growing in your life, stop and look at the seeds that you planted to get those trees. If you would like to see different trees, plant the seeds that coincide with the trees that you want. You can't plant apple seeds and expect to see corn growing in July. The same holds true with our lives. The only person that can prevent you from reaching your destiny is you.
Proverbs 18:20-21
A man's [moral] self shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth; and with the consequence of his words he must be satisfied [whether good or evil]. Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they who indulge in it shall eat the fruit of it [for death or life].
Galatians 6:6-8
Let him who receives instruction in the Word [of God] share all good things with his teacher [contributing to his support]. Do not be deceived and deluded and misled; God will not allow Himself to be sneered at (scorned, disdained, or mocked by mere pretensions or professions, or by His precepts being set aside.) [He inevitably deludes himself who attempts to delude God.] For whatever a man sows, that and that only is what he will reap. For he who sows to his own flesh (lower nature, sensuality) will from the flesh reap decay and ruin and destruction, but he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.
www.OverflowLiving.com
1. We are going to be held accountable for EVERY action on the Day of Judgement. Make sure that your vote is something you will stand behind in front of God.
2. Prayerfully consider how Jesus would view each option on the ballot.
3. Don't vote for the person who is most eloquent or most liked. Vote for the one who will allow our country to function the way God intended.
4. Vote the Bible.
5. Don't be short sighted. Make sure you understand the full impact of each candidate's position and where they are trying to take our country.
6. Remember that the Bible tells us to work dilligently as unto the Lord. God does not believe in hand outs. We are to work hard to fulfill our God given assignment and HE will supply all of our needs. No politician can do that.
7. Don't be swayed by the media. They are only telling us what they want us to hear.
8. Your vote matters! If you have to stand in line for a long time, sow it as seed to God. He will make the time up to you.
Last thought . . . For those who think Obama is going to give you a bigger tax cut.
You may see a break in your taxes but businesses are going to incur the cost. As a result, they are going to have to turn around and pass that cost on to you in the price of goods. Or, those business owners (the ones who pay your salary) may decide it costs too much to run a business under Obama's plan and close shop. You may have saved a few dollars on your taxes but you are going to be out a lot more money if you lose your job or the price of food and clothing shoots up. Please keep the big picture in mind when deciding if the immediate benefit of a few dollars savings in taxes will outweigh the BIG expense of losing a job. There is no such thing and redistributing wealth. If you tax or penalize the rich, they are going to pull back on their investments and that means companies are going to close. We want the rich to keep investing their money in our companies so that we have jobs.
I had the opportunity to visit Bill Winston's church yesterday. He said that people are picking candidates based on who they think can fix the system. But the system isn't the problem. The problem starts in the unseen realm of the spirit. We need to bind the strongman and evil spirits that are controlling the world's economic and policitical systems. The problems go deeper than any political party or candidate. The spirit realm is where the battle needs to occur and God has equipped us with the tools and authority to fight and win!
Do you remember when the disciples and Jesus were in the boat and the storm arose? The disciples were concerned about the waves but Jesus first addressed the wind. He told the wind to be still. The wind was the unseen force behind the storm. Only Christians can see and fight in the unseen world so we have a responsibility to stand strong against the enemy's attacks. I had never seen the significance of that situation and I just wanted to share.
1. Pray that God's mighty angels would surround and protect our nation in these perilous times.
2. Pray for unity among the body of Christ as we intercede for our nation and our world.
3. Pray that America's leadership will seek godly wisdom as they face critical events in the weeks and months ahead.
4. Pray for the Holy Spirit to sweep across the globe, preparing the hearts to accept Jesus and enter God's Kingdom before tragic events unfold.
5. Pray for God to change the hearts of leaders in Russia, Iran and other nations who wish to harm Israel.
6. Pray that God will turn things around in Michigan and that she will get her voice back.
7. Pray for our elections that God would put godly leaders of His choice in office.
Pat Robertson recently sent out a letter that explained the grave situation in the Middle East and shared his belief that within 90-120 days the situation would erupt with potentially tragic results. This could seriously affect the US. His perspective is very eye opening and definitely a must read. I was particularly curious to find out that they are waiting until after our elections to start the "battle." This makes it even more important that we elect a godly man for the job.
I encourage you to take a few minutes to read the letter which you can access with this link.
I received this recently and thought I would pass along with the election approaching.
You couldn't get a job at McDonalds and become district manager after 143 days of experience. (Well, maybe you might)
You couldn't become chief of surgery after 143 days of experience of being a surgeon.
You couldn't get a job as a teacher and be the superintendent after 143 days of experience.
You couldn't join the military and become a colonel after a 143 days of experience.
You couldn't get a job as a reporter and become the nightly news anchor after 143 days of experience.
BUT....
From the time Barack Obama was sworn in as a United State Senator, to the time he announced he was forming a Presidential exploratory committee, he logged 143 days of experience in the Senate. That's how many days the Senate was actually in session and working. After 143 days of work experience, Obama believed he was ready to be Commander In Chief, Leader of the Free World....143 days.
We all have to start somewhere. The senate is a good start, but after 143 days, that's all it is - a start.
AND, strangely, a large sector of the American public is okay with this and campaigning for him. We wouldn't accept this in our own line of work, yet some are okay with this for the President of the United States of America? Come on folks, we are not voting for the next American Idol!
In contrast, John McCain’s 26 years in Congress, 22 years of military service including 1,966 days in captivity as a POW in Hanoi now seem more impressive than ever. At 71, John McCain may just be hitting his stride.
I'm not moved by what I see in the media. My God, who created the universe, is bigger than the situation in front of us. I believe He can change the hearts of men and remove the blinders from their eyes so that they can see the Truth.
Don't give up hope or skip voting because you think it's over. This election isn't over until the end of Nov 4 and your vote could be the deciding factor. Don't miss the opportunity to bring positive change to our country!
God Bless America!
I've always enjoyed taking a nap on a warm summer afternoon when the fresh breeze is blowing through the windows. There's something so peaceful about that to me. Recently, I was sitting in my tattered rocking chair by our big front window enjoying one of those afternoons. I started focusing in on how peaceful it was. No stress. Deep breaths of fresh air. Isn't that how life with God should be?
I then started thinking about Hebrews 4:9-10.
9So then, there is still awaiting a full and complete Sabbath-rest reserved for the [true] people of God;
10For he who has once entered [God's] rest also has ceased from [the weariness and pain] of human labors, just as God rested from those labors peculiarly His own.
This rest comes when we have fought the good fight of faith. What are we fighting? We are fighting human reasonings that contradict God's Word. The thoughts that tell us "I'll believe it when I see it" rather than "I walk by faith and not by sight."
It's fighting the reasoning that says "You've been struggling with headaches for 10 years. You're never going to see your healing manifest" and replacing it with "By His stripes I was healed 2000 years ago and I receive my healing now in Jesus Name."
How do we know when we have won the fight?
We know we have won the good fight of faith when our thoughts line up with the Word. We know we have won when we have revelation knowledge about the promises of God. We know that we have won when circumstances don't move us. We know that we have won when we set aside our human labors to succeed on our own and trust God to provide for us. We know that we have won when we have a peace deep in our hearts that says "I know everything is going to be ok."
It's when we win that war do we enter into God's rest. It's at that point when we can breath deeply the fresh air of life and enjoy that comforting peace every single day. I believe that is the good life..a life of abundance and overflow... mentioned in John 10:10. Have you found that ultimate resting place in God?
John 10:10
10The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).
"Learning to live life in abundance, to the full, until it overflows!"
So the other night I was reading in Luke where the leper was healed. What stood out to me was what he DID to get healed. I realized that he didn’t go through his big checklist. You know the one . . .
Spent 1 hour with God ... check
Went through my list of daily confessions . . . check
Studied my Bible for 1 hour . . . check
Interceded for friends and family . . . check
Did five good deeds today . . . check
Of course, I’m not saying any of these things are bad. My point is that he simply RECEIVED it because of who Jesus was and what Jesus could do. Now really, can it be that easy? Well of course it can!
The leper didn't fast for a week. He didn't stand in countless prayer lines. He didn't feverishly work his checklist. He hadn't been saying faith confessions for a year in preparation. Sometimes I get sooo caught up in doing the right things (studying, confessing, etc) that I forget the key point is to simply receive by faith through grace what Jesus did. I think my struggle is that I know that I have a responsibility in the covenant to do my part. However, it's tough sometimes to know where the line is between fulfilling your responsibility and becoming works minded. I think the key to remember is that studying, confessing, etc are important actions that plant the Word seeds, pump the well, keep the weeds out and raise my faith but ultimately it’s God, and only God, who makes it grow. If that stays in the forefront of your mind I think that helps to keep the right perspective.
Has anyone else ever encountered this?
"Learning to live life in abundance, to the full, until it overflows!
Aussiegirl mentioned that she read some stories on my website with tears in her eyes and I realized this one wasn't listed. It's one of my favorites so I thought I would post here. For those who haven't seen this elsewhere, you may need a tissue . . .
After a few of the usual Sunday evening hymns, the church's pastor slowly stood up, walked over to the pulpit and, before he gave his sermon for the evening, briefly introduced a guest minister who was in the service that evening. In the introduction, the pastor told the congregation that the guest minister was one of his dearest childhood friends and that he wanted him to have a few moments to greet the church and share whatever he felt would be appropriate for the service.
With that, an elderly man stepped up to the pulpit and began to speak, "A father, his son, and a friend of his son were sailing off the Pacific Coast," he began, "when a fast approaching storm blocked any attempt to get back to shore. The waves were so high, that even though the father was an experienced sailor, he could not keep the boat upright and the three were swept into the ocean as the boat capsized."
The old man hesitated for a moment, making eye contact with two teenagers who were, for the first time since the service began, looking somewhat interested in his story. The aged minister continued with his story, "Grabbing a rescue line, the father had to make the most excruciating decision of his life: to which boy he would throw the other end of the life Line. He only had seconds to make the decision. The father knew that his son was a Christian and he also knew that his son's friend was not. The agony of his decision could not be matched by the torrent of waves. As the father yelled out, 'I love you, son!' he threw out the lifeline to his son's friend. By the time the father had pulled the friend back to the capsized boat, his son had disappeared beneath the raging swells into the black of night. His body was never recovered."
By this time, the two teenagers were sitting up straight in the pew, anxiously waiting for the next words to come out of the old minister's mouth. "The father," he continued, "knew his son would step into eternity with Jesus and he could not bear the thought of his son's friend stepping into an eternity without Jesus. Therefore, he sacrificed his son to save the son's friend. How great is the love of God that He should do the same for us. Our heavenly Father sacrificed His only begotten Son that we could be saved. I urge you to accept His offer to rescue you and take a hold of the lifeline. He is throwing out to you in this service."
With that, the old man turned and sat back down in his chair as silence filled the room. The pastor again walked slowly to the pulpit and delivered a brief sermon with an invitation at the end. However, no one responded to the appeal. Within minutes after the service ended, the two teenagers were at the old man's side. "That was a nice story," politely started one of the boys, "but I don't think it was very realistic for a father to give up his only son's life in hopes that the other boy would become a Christian." "Well, you've got a point there," the old man replied, glancing down at his worn Bible. A big smile broadened his narrow face, he once again looked up at the boys and said, "It sure isn't very realistic, is it? But I'm standing here today to tell you that story gives me a glimpse of what it must have been like for God to give up His Son for me. You see... I was that father and your pastor is my son's friend."
"Learning to enjoy life in abundance, to the full, until it overflows!"
Have you ever been offended? I would wager a guess that everyone could answer with a big "yes" on that one. Well, our pastor spoke on offenses today which is such a good reminder. I think we often see offenses as something big that happened. But every day we have opportunities to get offended over little things.
Someone pulled out in front of me. Didn't they see me coming?
Someone took my parking spot. Didn't they see me waiting "patiently" for it?
The waitress wasn't as nice as I expected her to be.
Why do people have to call to try and sell me something? If I wanted it I would go buy it.
Do people not realize I can't hear what the pastor is saying about offenses over their screaming kids? (Yes, this happened to me
this morning as I listened to the message. Ironic, eh?)
All of these situations bring choices before us. Do we choose to forgive, TRULY forget, and then move on or do we hold onto it? Do we choose to "nurse and rehearse" how bad or unfairly we were treated? Do we dwell on the situation all day long? Do we let it affect our attitude? Mood? Energy? Outlook on life? Do we use it as an excuse for our own actions?
God is love and He instructed us to walk in love with all people at all times. If we choose to allow ourselves to become offended, we step out from the flow of God's love. I don't mean that God doesn't love us anymore. What I am saying is that if we choose to walk in the flesh (which is getting angry and resentful at what someone did to us) then we aren't walking in love. If we aren't walking in love, then we aren't walking with God.
I am so excited that God is in the process of working on making me better every day. However, I know that I need to be just as aware that if I get offended, I just go "off" and "end" the process that He started. I don't know about you, but I need to see God's promises manifest in my life. As a result, I need to make sure I stay in love so that I can stay connected with God and His plan for me.
May The Blessing of Abraham be upon you and your family!
"Learning to enjoy life in abundance, to the full, until it overflows!"
Here are some verses on hope and why we can expect to see God's Word manifest in our lives.
Colossians 1:27
Titus 1:2, 3:7
Acts 23:6-7
Galatians 5:5
Romans 5:2
Titus 2:13
I Thessalonians 5:8
Ephesians 1:8, 4:4
Romans 15:13
Isaiah 55:11
Isaiah 40:31
Matthew 7:7-8
Hebrews 6:13-19
Hebrews 11:6
I John 5:14-15
Jeremiah 29:11-13
Psalm 116:1
Hebrews 4:16
Hebrews 10:23
Have you ever heard someone say "We are just little 'ole sinners saved by grace."
Yes, we have been saved by the grace of God but our identity is no longer as a sinner. We are now the righteousness of God in Christ and have been redeemed from the curse of the law. All things have been made new. We have the mind of Christ. We hold His thoughts and attitudes. We can come boldly to the throne of God without shame or blemish knowing that we have been washed clean by the Blood of the Lamb.
Did you know that God is insulted when we refer to ourselves as little 'ole sinners or unworthy? Think about Jesus. He went through all of that pain and suffering to save us and we still go around saying "woe is me." God wants us to come boldly to Him and put Him in rememberance of His Word. He looks at us as children not as slaves.
Remember the story in the Bible where the prodigal son came home? He had planned to tell his father that he didn't deserve to live as his son and would simply ask to be as one of his workers, a servant to the family. The son couldn't even get the words out of his mouth because the father wrapped him in his arms and welcomed him home . . . as SON. Not as slave or servant. He forgave the son's sin because of his love and put a robe on his back, a ring on his finger and had a feast prepared to celebrate his return.
That was an example of how God looks at us. He doesn't see us as sinners. First, He can't because we are IN Christ. He only sees us through Christ so we are spotless. Second, His great love for us surpasses anything we may have done wrong. He is so excited to regain relationship and fellowship with His children. As we begin to change our identity to line up with how God sees us, our actions will soon follow. We will then start to see change in our life because of who we are in Christ and not what we have done.
Click the following link for a list of verses on who you are in Christ and what you have in Christ. Be blessed!
More Posts
Next page »