Blooming Fruit

I drive past some type of purple tree/bush each day...it was blooming one day and done the next. The flowers are the same way...here one minute gone the next. Made me think about John 15. How are we like fruit? Do we bear fruit just in season or should we always have the fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22)? Obviously we can't bear fruit on our own, only as we remain in Christ... so does that mean He has a time for us to bear fruit? Is it a one time deal, like an annual, or a yearly thing like a perennial? Last year I remember the phlox in my front garden blooming early, freezing, then blooming again. I know I want to bear fruit that will last...so I better get to loving! Read all of John 15:1-17....it's good!
Eccl 3:11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.

Trust

So...trust is something that God is working on in me right now! He has been for quite awhile...but I keep getting in the way! I read this verse in the message and it totally caught my attention.....Here it is in AMP:
Therefore thus says the Lord God, Behold, I am laying in Zion for a foundation a Stone, a tested Stone, a precious Cornerstone of sure foundation; he who believes (trusts in, relies on, and adheres to that Stone) will not be ashamed or give way or hasten away [in sudden panic]. Isaiah 28:16 AMP The NIV says: the one who trusts will never be dismayed. And the message version that caught my attention says: a trusting life won't topple.

I say that I trust God and that I trust others in my life (husband, family, friends) but I've been shown this week that I really don't!!!! If I am not trusting and respecting my husband, then I am not honoring and trusting God. If I am don't have love I am nothing...and love always trusts (1 Corinthians 13)

random notes

For the past few weeks I have been listening to different teaching podcasts while I work...I have taken some notes...they are random!



Change your why to what! (Why is this happening?...to What can I learn from this?)

We can choose to be people that trouble stops, or people that trouble propels!



Ezekiel 11:19 (Amplified Bible)
And I will give them one heart [a new heart] and I will put a new spirit within them; and I will take the stony [unnaturally hardened] heart out of their flesh, and will give them a heart of flesh [sensitive and responsive to the touch of their God]



God may send what we need in a package we don't want.



What you can't stand, you may be called to fix.



There is a treasure in this trial.

Get the strife out of your life!!! Strife opens the door to confusion(James 3-4)

We spend way too much time trying to figure out way too much stuff...that we're never going to understand...so let's just enjoy our lives and God be God and love Him for who He is and not what He does. (Deuteronomy 8)

Persecution is from people, affliction is from circumstances....the enemy uses both against people when they come into the light.

We may sometimes loose a battle...but We WIN the war!

Prophetic Living-How to live like a winner

Hebrews 12:2
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Jesus didn't think about the pain of Friday...He thought about the joy of Sunday! The promise to get Him through was Psalm 16:10-11 (see Acts 2:31). We need to focus on the prize, not our circumstances. Faith looks at the finish line, not at the race.

Two life perspectives: We can choose to live either photographically-seeing things as they are right now (never get better= discouragement, overwhelmed, bitter) or we can choose to live prophetically and be a winner. We need to learn to live like Jesus so we don't get discouraged and give up. Don't get trapped-look ahead. God has a promise, He's not going to let me be overwhelmed, things are going to get better! We need to focus on the promises God has given us! God lives in the supernatural and we must worship Him in spirit.

The nature of living prophetically: It is thinking that considers present circumstances with faith in God's invisible presence, His supernatural power, and His personal love and promises for every area of my life.

Three principles to live prophetically:
1. Live by faith-don't be controlled by what you see or fell. Beleive what teh Father has promised:JOY! Do not fear-don't beleive your eyes, listen to the Spirit. Prophetic living:the spirit telling the mind what is reality.
2. Live in God's promises. Every problem has a promise from God's Word-get in the Bible! 2 Corinthians 1:20 tells us the promises are Yes in Christ! One on my favorites in Psalm 30:5-joy comes in the morning!
Healing Promises: Psalm 103:2-5, Isaiah 53:5
Promises for your future: Jeremiah 29:11, Hebrews 13:5
Promises for Finances: Philippians 14:19, 2 Corinthians 8z;8
Promises to overcome fear of failure: Isaiah 54:17, Philipians 4:13
Promises about death: John 1:25
3. Live in prophetic faith
(30% of Bible is prophecy!) Encouraging!

Lord, I am chosing on this day to trust your promises! You have a plan and will work all things out for my good and your glory. I will trust you even when I don't understand because I know your ways are higher than my ways. I will focus my thoughts on you and not my circumstances. Thank you for showing me a new perspective and filling me with the power of your Spirit so that I can live out the promises. I praise you Lord!

(these are my notes from Pator Charlie's message this morning)

Focus on the Family: James Dobson on Parenting

Check out this podcast on iTunes:

http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=261059112

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Prayer

Don't get into works of the flesh. Prayer is God's design to work in partnership with people- it's a mystery. God wants to work through us.
James 4:1-4 ask if its not in his will you won't get it!
Matthew 7:7
Ephesians 3:20
when you feel worried or frustrated PRAY!
John 14:12-14
when we pray In Jesus name we present all that he is.
James 1:8 5:16

Stability

You may have a vision but God can't release ability until you have stability. Dependability.

However many people you can help you can hurt. Kids need stability. Manage our emotions

1 Chronicles 12:33
Prov 25:28
Stable people win war
Just because you feel a certain way doesn't mean you have to act that way. You can help it if you want to, think about how you would change if pastor showed up. We can control ourselves even with our family!

Philippians 1:28-29
If we remain peaceful the devil knows his day is almost over and God knows we are trusting him. Suffering in flesh when we remain stable we want to have a fit. Get your growth in the hard times.Uncontrolled high emotions can cause trouble too

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Moses

When Moses struck the rock for water that was symbolic for when Jesus was struck to provide living water. When Moses struck the rock twice (Numbers 20)those were not his instructions and it symbolized that we can't crucify Jesus twice. Now all we do for some water is pray
We don't need to get into works of the flesh or do things just because that's the way they've always been done.

Estate

Ever seen children fighting over the possessions their parents left behind?
Romans 8:17
Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory

1 Corinthians 2:9
However, as it is written:
"No eye has seen,
no ear has heard,
no mind has conceived
what God has prepared for those who love him

Make sure to read your copy of His will. We don't have to fight over it!
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Comparing

Galatians 6:4
Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else

2 Corinthians 10:12
We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise.