Weekly Motivation by Omekongo Dibinga

Ladies and gentlemen, it is time that we stop and take a real good look at our children. Are we raising children who are going to be entrepreneurs and world leaders or criminals and dropouts? Are we preparing our children for success or failure? Do we want the best for our children or do we want them to not do better than we did? Lastly, do we look at our children as gifts from above or tax deductible expenses?

In these tough times, we need to make sure that we are continually investing in our children. We may lose a job or a home, but we must make sure that the psyche of our children is being protected from negative forces and that could often mean ourselves. If you are regularly feeding children fast food or junk food for their diet; are playing music laced with curses and hatred towards women when you drop them off at school in the morning; or if the language you use to communicate with your child is negative, then you are not creating a successful future for your child.

On the other hand, if you feed your children a healthy diet and do not depend on schools to feed them properly; if you play them positive motivational messages and uplifting music to affirm their greatness; and if you speak to them daily affectionately and affirm them, then you will truly be aiding in their growth and success. Think about our new president. When asked if his mother would be surprised about his nomination, he said that she wouldn't be. Can you say that about your child? Are your expectations so low that you get surprised at the smallest achievement or do you believe that you are raising a president in progress?

You must remember that children are the messages that we send to a future we cannot see. When the future answers the phone, you are the one who will determine what message it hears from your child. Don't be afraid of the challenge, cherish it!

http://christophjenkins.blogspot.com/

Daily Word: Will you allow God to fulfill his promise?

At some point in life, we may find that our hearts have grown cold toward God. And if that's the case, then that's exactly when we need Him the most. Only God can restore life to something that has died. It doesn't matter how many good deeds we perform or how much we tithe. It's futile to try and bring life back ourselves...we are not able. It's not our activity, but our relationship with God that brings life! And if God has initiated something in our lives, only He can sustain or revivie it. However, He does want us to intercede with Him so that "He" might . Jesus said that He Is Life! Therefore, it's unnecessary for us to remain spiritually lifeless when God has promised vibrant, abundant life...if we will claim it.


Habbakuk 3:2
O Lord, I have heard Your speech and was afraid; O Lord, revive Your work in the midst of the years! In the midst of the years make it known; In wrath remember mercy.

Daily Word: Are you blocking your blessing?

One thing that can block us from hearing a word from God is "us." Our own knowledge can lull us into thinking we have sufficient wisdom to meet any challenge. We allow our so-called wisdom to delude us into thinking that we should take on the role of teacher rather than student. Believing we know it all causes us to evaluate the shortcomings of others, yet be unaware of how much growth is still required in us! It's been said that "a little bit of knowledge can be dangerous." Knowledge can easily lead to pride and pride impedes us from seeking God. We begin to feel as though we already know what God is thinking, so we don't look to Him for guidance. We think we don't need Him because we know what's best. And that can be a very costly mistake. Do not allow the limited knowledge you have now to blind you to the great truths God still wants to reveal to you.


Luke 10:24: "For I tell you that many prophets and kings have desired to see what you see, and have not seen it...and to hear what you hear, and have not heard it."

Daily Word: God knows what tomorrow will bring.

For various reasons many of us are opposed to "change." Either we are comfortable the way we are and would rather stay that way. We like the old and familiar. Or we fear the unknown. But in all honesty, none of us knows what each day will bring anyway! Sure, we may have an agenda and make plans to do certain things. But only God knows what tomorrow will bring. We may be resistant to change and not like when we're thrown a curve ball, but God knows what's coming and He is fully prepared for it. He goes before us. He will never lead us down a path that is too dangerous or arduous that He cannot help us. Our unknown future is secure in the hands of our all-knowing Father. He knows our limits...He knows the way. All we have to do is follow.

John 10:4

When he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them...and the sheep follow him.

Daily Word: His forgiveness is the door to a new beginning!

Myspace Quotes Graphics

Though many of us are struggling to make ends meet these days, there are still just as many, if not more, of us who have sold out. The lure of wealth, power, prestige, position security, style or the approval and praise of others has caused some of us to barter away God's riches...choosing instead the so-called "high life," Some of us want it all, want it now and will do anything to have it. That's so sad. Even through all the back biting, greed and selfishness, God still forgives us if we go to Him. The past cannot be undone, but His forgiveness is the door to a new beginning. Our Father can give us opportunities to show how we have truly repented of the decisions of the past. He will not only forgive us, He will set us on a new path. God will give us a place to begin again...to love, to serve, to touch others profoundly and eternally...for His sake.

Hebrews 12:15-16
Looking carefully...lest there be any profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright.

Daily Word: His strong and comforting presence!

When the going gets tough, that's when we find out who our "real friends"
are. When we're facing opposition or going through an uncertain time in life,
we often find ourselves all alone. It's natural to experience fear and
apprehension during troubling times. However, it's exactly when we're in the
midst of our trials, that the Lord will reveal His character to us in ways we
never knew. We will experience His strong and comforting presence. And we will
learn that God will remain long after "everyone" else has abandoned
us! God is with us through thick and thin, through the good and the bad times.
We will see Him more clearly as He guides us through the dark times. And we
will experience Him in ways we had previously only heard about from others. 
God is our best friend...all day, everyday.
Job 42:5
I have heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you.

Daily Word: We need to get our priorities straight!

It's easy to become so busy that we are oblivious to those in need. Our schedules can become so full of accomplishing " good things " that we are of no help the people around us. God is at work in the lives of our friends, our neighbors and our family members. Sometimes He may ask us to interrupt our day long enough to join Him as He ministers to them. And there is nothing on our agendas, no matter how pressing, that's reason enough to ignore the voice of God when He tells us to "stop" and "help." If we have become too busy to care about others or listen to the voice of God as He guides us in helping them, then we need to get our priorities in order. Otherwise we will miss out on opportunities to serve our Father, as we should.

Daily Word: GOD IS THE WAY OUT!

These days, many of us find it hard to relax. Granted it isn't easy to relax when your rent/mortgage is due & you don't have a job. Or when you have to decide whether you're going to pay the utility bill or buy groceries, because you can't afford to do both. Many poeple are hurting physically, mentally, financially, emotionally and spiritually these days. And when we can't see a way out, we start to worry that there is no way out. Here's the "gotcha" GOD IS THE WAY OUT! IN FACT HE IS THE WAY...PERIOD! I know some of us find it hard to genuinely trust God for the outcome of life's trials. Totally trusting God means submitting and surrendering ourselves completely to Him...and that's what scares us. I don't have all the answers, but I do know this, God knows the future and we are safe in His hands.

Psalm 46:10

Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!

Reggie Bush inspires many by inspiring one!

I browse different blogs from time to time and came across a blog post that Bossip.com posted today that I found very inspiring. The title of the post was just as intriguing as the pictures; "Bush has a new BFF." The little girl in the picture with Bush is a 5 year old, named Anna, who is battling cancer. It's just amazing to me because it almost always seems like the people suffer the most have the most joy. Reading and seeing things like this takes me to a place of humility and contentment. The pastor of my church preached and taught on "The Secret of Content." Very powerful and inspiring!

Bossip.com wrote:
Reggie Bush teamed up with St. Jude’s Cancer Research Hospital to do a TV spot and gained a new best friend. Her name is Anna and she’s battling cancer at the age of 5.

Here’s what Reggie Tweeted:
"It’s very humbling to see a little 5 year old girl with so much pride and joy at a tough time in her life! She definitely taught me a lot!"

Hopefully, Reggie keeps in touch with Anna because it seems that she made more of an impression on him than he did on her.

Daily Word: Our Way VS. God's Way

When we try to understand the spiritual realm within the limitations of the physical world, things sometimes become distorted. We can end up exagerating the minor things and minimizing the important things...all because we're looking at things "our way" instead of "God's way." The New Testament often addresses the distortion that results when worldly ideas become more important than what God says. All human attempts to explain God are inadequate. Our priorities are distorted, our thinking is confused and our understanding of the spiritual life is flat. In order to avoid distorting God's truth, we must rely on "His" power rather than "our" wisdom. 1 Corinthians 2:5 Your faith should not be in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

Daily Word: Don't Quit!

One day I decided to quit...I quit my job, my relationship, my spirituality. .. I wanted to quit my life.I went to the woods to have one last talk with God.
"God", I asked, "Can you give me one good reason not to quit?"His answer surprised me...."Look around", He said. "Do you see the fern and the bamboo?"
"Yes", I replied."When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care of them.
I gave them light.
I gave them water.
The fern quickly grew from the earth.
Its brilliant green covered the floor.
Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo..In the second year the Fern grew more vibrant and plentiful.And again, nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo. He said."In year three there was still nothing from the bamboo seed.
But I would not quit.In year four, again, there was nothing from the bamboo seed. I wouldnot quit." He said."Then in the fifth year a tiny spr out emerged from the earth. Comparedto the fern it was seemingly small and insignificant. ..But just 6months later the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall.It had spent the five years growing roots. Those roots made it strong and gave it what it needed to survive.I would not give any of my creations a challenge it could not handle."He asked me. "Did you know, my child, that all this time you have been struggling, you have actually been growing roots".
"I would not quit on the bamboo.
I will never quit on you.""Don't compare yourself to others."
He said.
"The bamboo had adifferent Purpose than the fern.
Yet they both make the forest beautiful.""Your time will come", God said to me.
"You will rise high""How high should I rise?"
I asked."How high will the bamboo rise?" He asked in return."As high as it can?" I questioned."Yes." He said, "Give me glory by rising as high as you can."I left the forest and brought back this story.
I hope these words can help you see that God will never give up on you.Never, Never, Never Give up.For the Christian Prayer is not an option but an opportunity.Don't tell the Lord how big the problem is,tell the problem how Great the Lord is!

You never know when GOD is going to bless you!! Good things happen when you least expect them to. Put your life in God's hands

Daily Word!: "His Word Is Perfectly Clear!"

God's Word is not difficult to understand, nor is His will hard to discern. He has given us the Scriptures, which reveal His will. And He has placed His Holy Spirit within us to guide us to His perfect will in every situation. The problem is we find it hard to commit to His will "obediently." God's Word is often too strict for us, so we try to find loop holes. We say things like, "I'm a good person, but nobody's perfect." Or we re-invent the interpretation of God's Word to fit our lives. Nowhere in Scripture does God excuse disobedience because His instructions were too vague. His Word is perfectly clear! We know exactly what God wants us to do and we know what we should do. It just doesn't match what we want to do, so we try to find a way around it. In truth, there's only one way...God's way. He never said it would be easy. If it were everybody would be doing it. But His way is the right way and we ought to do our best to follow Him...His way, not ours.

Deuteronomy 30:11
For this commandment which I command you today is not too mysterious for you, nor is it far off.

Watch The Company You Keep

Not everyone you encounter is your friend. Even if someone does something nice for you, that does not mean that they have your best interest at heart. You can't teach, reach, lead everyone. There will be a few that you will just have to keep in prayer and pray that they come to the truth.

In saying that, please don't entertain foolishness. Just because it's not a sin doesn't mean it's good for you. There is a thing called a weight, weights bring you down. Remember that God can use you to bless anyone and He can also use them to bless you. Like I say in my email signature, "If you walk away feeling you've learned absolutely nothing, know that you've taught someone something!" That simply means not all lessons are for you.

God can give you something that is sooo small to you but mean the world to someone else. He brings people in our path for us to teach and learn from, just as He does for others. So don't think that you are to reach everyone. He reaches them, you just do your duty and spread the good news and stay away from the weights and wrong doers. Two people on opposite sides of the fence can not share the same space for long and still have opposing views. At some point one will rub off on the other.

If it is meant for you to entertain foolishness, GOD will call you to do so. He must call us to do certain things otherwise we will fall into the traps of satan.

Only a few can go to the clubs to find and save souls, only a few can stand and preach the gospel on the corner, only a few can do missionary work in Iraq. We cannot choose ourselves.

Let Him lead you. He will tell you if you should play with dirt, otherwise it will only get into your eyes.

Reflections on 8 promises for you in 2008

At the end of 2007 God called me to travel to a foreign land and seek him wholeheartedly. I left everyone and everything behind to experience God, for real. I was at a point in my life where God had to come and remove me from situations I had no business in. God had a different plan for my life. A plan for me to me the victor and not the victim. A plan so great far beyond my imagination that I had no choice, but to submit to God's will for my life. It was at this point that God was starting to take back control of my life, so I can start to see the blessings that he had for me, but I could not receive them until I submitted to him.

At the beginning of 2008 I started to seek God by fasting, praying, studying his word, and just spending sometime with him. He started challenging me by praying for others, praying for myself, ministering to others, and sharing my testimony, so that someone else could be healed and set free. I was also able to do some missions work. I am blessed that God has allowed me to start seeing the promises he has for me unfold before my eyes. He has showed me that, if I live a life pleasing to him and according to his will that he has a life for me that is much more than I can think, dream, or imagine. His plans for us is for good and not evil and our best days are right in front of us all we need to do is go and get it.

I received these 8 promises for you in 2008 from Paula White in February and today I re-read them and I have watched all of these promises unfold this year. I am so blessed that so much has changed in my life within this past year. I am so excited about 2009 and all that God has for me and called for me to do.

I challenge you to read these 8 promises and see how God has moved in your life within this past year.

1. This will be the year of new beginnings in your life.

2. This will be a year that yokes will be broken off of your life.

3. This will be a year of production.

4. This will be a year of "coming out".

5. This will be a year of "the call".

6. This will be a year of salvation.

7. This will be a year of intimacy with God.

8. This will be a year that we walk in destiny!

God has called us to be bold in our walk with him and to share with others about his goodness.

Sometimes all we need to do is be still and know that he is God.

Where you are right now is no surprise to God.

Much Love,

Natarsha

Examine Yourself

Time For a Check Up?
Alan Riley

Can you believe it is already December? This year has gone by in a blur! It seems like just yesterday we were ringing in 2008, and now there are just four weeks left in the year!

Our awareness of the passing of time provides us with an strong incentive to look back and evaluate where we are. Have I reached my personal, professional and spiritual goals for the year? Where am I in my development in those areas? What do I need to do differently to see more progress in these areas between now and the end of the year?

Sponsor AdA few weeks ago I had my annual medical checkup. It's not a pleasant experience, especially for someone who just plain doesn't like going to the doctor. But I have seen the sometimes tragic results of NOT catching a medical problem early, so I choose to subject myself to the inconvenience and the discomfort of a medical examination because it is ultimately very important to my health.

Likewise, it is often not a pleasant experience to go through a spiritual checkup, either. None of us likes to take a critical look at ourselves, much less to ask trusted friends or accountability partners to tell us what they see. But I have seen far too many times the tragic results of NOT catching a spiritual problem early, so I choose to subject myself to the inconvenience and the discomfort of a "spiritual examination" because it is ultimately very important to my spiritual health and to my effectiveness as a leader.

In both of Paul's letters to the church at Corinth - a church that had its share of problems and challenges - he stresses the need for an honest self examination. In 1 Corinthians 11:28, the Apostle says that we should carefully examine our lives before we partake of the Lord's supper to be sure that we do not sin against the body and the blood of Christ and bring condemnation upon ourselves. Then in 2 Corinthians 13:5, Paul says: "Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you-unless, of course, you fail the test? And I trust that you will discover that we have not failed the test." (NIV)

Have you had a spiritual check up lately?

© Alan Riley all rights reserved.

I Can See

This is from Today's word with Joel and Victoria Osteen's Daily Devotional

“I don’t know whether he is a sinner,” the man replied. “But I know this: I was blind, and now I can see!” (John 9:25).

Jesus healed a blind man and the religious crowd got all upset. They started arguing over why he was healed, and how he was healed, and who was to blame for him being blind in the first place. They were hounding the man with questions. Finally, the man said, “Listen, guys. You all are confusing me. I can’t answer all of your questions. All I can tell you is this; I was blind, but now I can see.” He was saying, in effect, the proof of the pudding is in the eating. He was saying, “You can argue all day long, but I know the reason I can see is because of God’s healing in my life.”

There are people today who don’t think we are supposed to be blessed. They don’t think that God wants us to prosper and live in victory. But it’s too late to convince me because I’ve already experienced His blessing. He’s already prospered me. He’s already opened up supernatural doors. And a person with an experience is never at the mercy of a person with an argument. Some people don’t believe that God can still heal. But it’s too late to convince me. I’ve already seen how God healed my mother of terminal cancer in 1981. Some people don’t think that your dreams can come to pass. It’s too late to convince me. I see people live their dreams every day. I’ve seen God do more than I could even ask or think. And I believe He will do the same for you!

It's all in your mind

by Dr. Creflo A. Dollar

Your mind holds tremendous creative ability. That's why God gave you an imagination--so that you could create mental pictures, add faith to them and see those pictures manifest in your life.

Once you have an image in your mind of something you want to do or become, nothing can stop that image from coming to pass. Whatever you meditate on will become the blueprint for your reality. Too often, though, Christians suffer from "stinking thinking." They give the devil control of their minds by meditating on thoughts that do not line up with the Word of God. Then they reap the results of the curse because their carnal mindset produces the fruit of the flesh described in Galatians 5:19-21.

To keep the devil from gaining a foothold in your life, you must develop a sound mind that is completely controlled and directed by the Holy Spirit. In other words, you must renew your mind with the Word of God. Romans 12:2 says, "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." When you become born again, your spirit instantly changes; you are recreated in Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:17). Yet your mind is not recreated. You must conform your thinking continually and on purpose; it is not an overnight, one-time event. Renewing your mind to God's Word every day is vital. By reading the Scriptures and meditating on them thoroughly, your thinking will be transformed to line up with the mind of Christ. And when you have the mind of Christ, you can do anything!

When you set your mind on the Word of God, you'll also experience soul prosperity and peace (3 John 2). The Bible says that the issues of life flow out of the heart (Proverbs 4:23). The word heart in this scripture actually refers to your soul--your mind, your will and your emotions. If you can control your mind, you can control your destiny. But it will take a quality decision on your part to dedicate your life to changing the way you think.

First Thessalonians 5:23 says, "And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." It is God's will that your mind, will and emotions be whole, with nothing missing or broken. As a Believer, you can receive a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). It is then up to you to enforce and maintain soundness of mind by keeping your thoughts and imaginations in line with God and His Word (Isaiah 26:3).

When your mind is focused and directed by the Word, you will position yourself for success. You'll have wisdom, discernment, insight and the ability to accomplish anything. A renewed, Word-controlled mind guarantees abundance and prosperity in every area of your life. Don't let another day go by without a daily dose of meditation. Set your mind on the Word of God and let it become the focal point of your life and purpose!

© Creflo Dollar Ministries all rights reserved.

Networking

Bishop E. Earl Jenkins

"Each part... helps the other parts grow." Ephesians 4:16 (NLT)

Next time you're walking in the woods, imagine what's taking place under your feet. As the roots of trees come into contact with one another they form an underground support system. One has access to water, another to nutrients, another to sunlight, etc. A networking is taking place that strengthens them all. This is what Paul had in mind: "[Under His direction], the whole body is fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love." Some of us independent types have difficulty when it comes to networking. We fly solo, until we crash and burn! Eventually our pain, not our brain, shows us our need for things like:

(1) Mercy. "Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others" (Col 3:13 NLT). What motivates us to show mercy to others? God's mercy to us. You'll never be asked to forgive someone else more than God has already forgiven you.

(2) Understanding. "Be sympathetic ...kind...gentle, and patient" (Col 3:12 GWT). Sympathy meets two fundamental human needs we all have: the need to be understood and the need to have our feelings validated. The problem is we're in such a hurry to fix people that we don't have time to sympathize with them. We're too preoccupied with our own hurts. Self-pity dries up sympathy for others.

(3) Encouragement. "I want us to help each other with the faith we have. Your faith will help me, and my faith will help you" (Ro 1:12 NCV). All of us are strengthened in our faith when others walk with us and encourage us. So today, practice networking!

© Bishop E. Earl Jenkins all rights reserved.