10.20.11

How much understanding do we need in order to obey?

Most of us know about Proverbs 3:5-6.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not trust in your own understanding. Agree with Him in all your ways, and He will make your paths straight."

Proverbs 20:24 says, "A man’s steps are decided by the Lord. How can anyone understand his own way?"

Why do we insist on understanding everything, before we will be fully engaged?

Picture, if you will a parent and a two year old, and the parent doing all that they can to explain to their child that they should share their toy with their playmates. Get the picture? We've almost all been there. The child doesn't understand, and yet we know it's the best for them. Even better, the child says, "I don't want to put my coat on." Parent: "But honey it's cold outside." Child: "I don't care, I don't want to put my coat on." Ever been there?

The question is simply, who knows best?

We know what God has promised (Jer 29:11, Matt 6:33, John 10:10, Psalm 84:11). But many times we are "stuck" because we "don't understand."

Here's a thought; "lose your mind" for just a moment and see if maybe, just maybe, God knows better.

Make an appointment today.

"Do two walk together except they make an appointment and have agreed?" Amos 3:3 amp

JUST A THOUGHT!

Have a blessed day.

PMT

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Create in me a clean heart O Lord, and renew a right spirit in me. I will rejoice in this day, because you have made it. You have made me for this day, and may I be in such close "harmony" with you that your thoughts and my thoughts are one. May I walk close enough to you today to hear you even when you whisper.  I love you Lord - What an awesome God you are! What an awesome friend you are!

9.26.11

Back home from Asia. Great to be out early on the pond, cool temps are a blessing. So good to breathe fresh air.

Woke up this morning thinking about perspective. How I/we view things. My prayer this morning is that I would view life as He desires for me to view life. Each one of us has been placed on this planet for a purpose. We have been "born for such a time as this." I believe we have been positioned by Him to see and to do His will.

I talk quite a bit about "worldview" and "eternal perspective." This morning after traveling half-way around the world, I sense the need even more to gain His perspective.

As I begin this new series on "Favor," I sense just how much our Father wants to give us His favor, and how much He wants us to be in the right place, at the right time, doing the right thing, so that He may show us His favor.

Today, why don't you join me in believing for His favor? Let's look for His blessing, so that we may be an even greater blessing to others.

Just a thought! 

"So shall you find favor, good understanding, and high esteem in the sight [or judgment] of God and man." Proverbs 3:4 amp

Blessing
PMT 

 

How often are we really peaceful?

So often, we think of being somewhere peaceful as the key. Most of us would rather quickly admit that we wish we were peaceful more often.

It's interesting to me how we have to come to think of peace as a rare and sacred moment, rather than a way of life. These following scripture promises indicate that peace is not a moment in life, but rather the way we are to live our lives.

Isaiah 26:3
  You will keep in perfect peace
all who trust in you,
all whose thoughts are fixed on you!

2 Corinthians 13:11
Be joyful. Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you

John 14:27
“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”

John 16:33
I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]

May we take these truths and embrace them in our lives today.

If you would like to hear more on peace and related topics, then join us this weekend at Life Church of Bartlesville as we share on "Fresh."
 

PEACE
PMT    

 

 

So often we use the phrase Amazing Grace, but I was struck with the thought of "Amazing" describing the character and goodness of God. Recently I was overwhelmed by His Faithfulness. At other times in my life by His mercy. Today, by His Love. There may be other words that you might use, but Amazing and Awesome so often come to my mind.

It is so difficult for me to understand why anyone would choose to live their own life's plan, when His is so much better. I often wonder if anyone is truly living apart from His plan. It seams to be an extended form of existing, not really living. From the familiar scriptures of John 10:10 and Jeremiah 29:11, to the thousands of promises of His acceptance, forgiveness, mercy, love and grace, comes a flow of life that is truly Amazing!!

Today, let's give honor to the "Life Giver" by really living and not just existing. Find your purpose, your place and flow in His Amazing Grace! Live the life of peace and joy that He has given us, and let others know that they can make that divine connection, just as you have.

LIFE IS FOR LIVING!! 

PMT

 

A great early morning on the pond. It's going to be a warm one today and with the Oklahoma wind. It's like a convection oven. Early is the only way to get to enjoy the outdoors.

I was thinking about the scripture, "I will keep you in perfect peace....." I found that the New Living Translation of Isaiah 26:3 gave me even a better understanding. "You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!”

The key for me at least is the phrase "trust in you." I can try to keep "positive" scriptures in my thoughts, but they get pushed out by the "issues" of the day. It's when I really get to the root issue, that those great promises sesm to stick. The root issue is trust.

Why is it that we seem to have such difficulty trusting? I understand it as it relates to other people, but not trusting God? 

The One who promised "I will never leave you or forsake you," and He never has. The One who promised "to meet our every need," and He always has. The One who "has a plan for us that is altogether good," and as we discover our destiny, we discover what He said is true.

Today, let's focus on our trust, and then I believe that our thought life will be much easier to manage. It will still take some discipline, but even doing that is part of a promise.

"I can do all things through Christ."

Enjoy this great day that He has made for you.

Enjoy His promises.

Enjoy the life He has promised.

Blessings
PMT

 

Feelings are so interesting. Certainly God gave them to us. We love them when things are going well, and not so much when they're not. So, how are you doing today? How are your feelings? I'm in So Cal today and it may be my last real visit here as my son and his family are moving to North Carolina. No offense to N.C., but So Cal is one of my all time favorite locations.

I had my last walk with my grand-dog Mac around the lake. I pray that it wasn't my last "In and Out" (now there's one in Dallas). But things change. Life goes on and our feelings run the gamut from "sad to glad."

I have had to deal with other feelings as well, as the aging process continues. Others of you deal with the various seasons of life that you are engaged in. Starting the child-raising issues to the "empty nest." It's all good and we all need to enjoy every season of our lives, but sometimes the feelings get in the way.

I have worked through the years to develop a life based on faith; a life that ultimately trusts God, no matter what. I don't dislike my feelings, but I know from both His Word and my life experiences, that they will change and that if left unchecked they can overly influence my perspective on life and my attitude.

As I encourage myself today, may I also encourage you. Don't suppress your feelings, but don't let them dominate you either. Scripture encourages us to "Walk by faith and not by our feelings." Let's purpose to enjoy the day, enjoy the seasons of life and enjoy that God's plan for us is all good. 

Blessings,

PMT 

5.24.11 A beautiful morning on the deck - (like So Cal) - Easy to forget the issues people are dealing with. What a day we are living in. Volcanos - Tornados - Earthquakes - Tsunamis. Then there are the "issues" closer to home. Marriage problems, Life threatening diseases, loss of employment. The care and issues of raising a family in this environment. Perspective is so important. What I believe about life determines how I perceive life, which determines what I receive from life. Believing --> Perceiving --> Receiving ! Life is not always easy and it certainly isn't always fair. The key will always be our attitude toward life. Often times it is also our attitude or perspective toward God. It's important to remember; God is God! God is Good! God Loves You! God's plans for you are Good! God's grace is always more than enough to see you and me through any and every situation. Today I chose to believe God's plan for me is good. I chose to believe His grace will take me through the day. I chose to believe His will is not for me to be a victim, or even a survivor, but a believer (one who trusts in God) who will over come. His Word is true and when I believe it and speak it over my life it is powerful and will work on my behalf. Be encouraged today, God is on your side. Remember your believing will impact your perception and enable you to receive. Every child of God can defeat the world, and our faith is what gives us this victory. 1 Jo 5:4 cev

Blessings
PMT
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 ¹ O Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth!
      Your glory is higher than the heavens.
 ² You have taught children and infants
      to tell of your strength,^[b]
   silencing your enemies
      and all who oppose you.

 ³ When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers—
      the moon and the stars you set in place—
 ⁴ what are mere mortals that you should think about them,
      human beings that you should care for them?^[c]
 5 Yet you made them only a little lower than God^[d]
      and crowned them^[e] with glory and honor.
 ⁶ You gave them charge of everything you made,
      putting all things under their authority—

Just got off a 14 hr flight from LAX and there it was (almost a Starbucks) a Caribou Coffee shop right next to our gate to Manila.
How Great Is Our God! - Seriously keep us in prayer as we head to The Philippines for ministry and follow a major Typhoon.
Blessings
PMT