Discouragement...we've chatted about this recently in this blog. I just ran across some more good thoughts on this topic....
There are basically four factors that can facilitate discouragement in our lives: fatigue, frustration, failure and fear. Fatigue is just simply being tired and not getting the necessary refreshment and rest we need. Frustration is about the hindrances and roadblocks that can interrupt or delay the results of our efforts. These can very well be engineered by God for our best and it is important to discern what God is up to. Anytime there is fatigue and frustration, it is easy for us to conclude that we are going to fail. Failure is something we all encounter. If we view it improperly, it can harm us. But like so many things, it's not failure, but how we respond to it, that can make such a difference. Fear is the debilitating emotion that can paralyze us. Much in our lives can send messages that generate fear. Those messages need to constantly be challenged by the Truth of God's Word to keep us in the center of Faith and not fear.
Seeing these four elements has provided for me a checklist that is so practical. I hope you will find them useful too.
Have a great week! Thrilled about what is yet to come!
Blessings,
Mitch
Monday, January 29, 2007
Monday, January 22, 2007
A Great Day!
We're thankful for the confirmation of Jeff Powell and his family as our next pastor. Sunday was a good day and defining moment for Fellowship. More information is to come about when the Powell family can actually make their move and be on the field here. Continue to pray that all the pieces that need to come together, will do so quickly and that as this process unfolds, we will have "favor from God" at every turn.
As you have questions, don't hesitate to ask any member of the search team, deacons or the staff. We'll do our best to get answers for you.
Looking forward to all God will do in '07.
Blessings,
Mitch
As you have questions, don't hesitate to ask any member of the search team, deacons or the staff. We'll do our best to get answers for you.
Looking forward to all God will do in '07.
Blessings,
Mitch
Thursday, January 18, 2007
Prayer...
E. M. Bounds is known for his life of and writings on prayer. When you begin to browse the volumes he has written on this vital and imperative discipline you begin to realize how very little you know about it yourself .
Let me pass on to you a quote of his. I trust that it encourages and exhorts you as it does me.....
"Great praying, is the sign and seal of God's great leaders. Each leader must be preeminently a person of prayer. Their heart must greaduate in the school of prayer...no learning can make up for the failure to pray. No earnestness, no diligence, no study, no gifts, ministry tools, creative ideas or innovative courses will supply its lack. Talking to men and women for God is a great thing, but talking to God for men and women is greater still. We will never talk well and with real success to people for God if we have not learned well how to talk to God for people."
"...They prayed...and the place was shaken...." Let's be people of prayer so that God can be God among us regardless of our philosophies, vision or ministry perspectives.
Father, rend the heavens and come down....
Blessings dear ones,
Mitch
Let me pass on to you a quote of his. I trust that it encourages and exhorts you as it does me.....
"Great praying, is the sign and seal of God's great leaders. Each leader must be preeminently a person of prayer. Their heart must greaduate in the school of prayer...no learning can make up for the failure to pray. No earnestness, no diligence, no study, no gifts, ministry tools, creative ideas or innovative courses will supply its lack. Talking to men and women for God is a great thing, but talking to God for men and women is greater still. We will never talk well and with real success to people for God if we have not learned well how to talk to God for people."
"...They prayed...and the place was shaken...." Let's be people of prayer so that God can be God among us regardless of our philosophies, vision or ministry perspectives.
Father, rend the heavens and come down....
Blessings dear ones,
Mitch
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Something We All Need...
Everything God tells us to do will, at some point, require us to stand against seemingly impossible odds. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. Indeed, in order for our faith to mature it needs situations where faith alone can sustain us...consequently we'll go through times when we must trust Him in spite of how things appear.
True faith takes courage! Faith without courage will soon falter. When Jesus healed people, He often told them to "take courage"...offering them strength to focus their faith on the God-potential that was at hand. In the fray of human struggle, courage must walk as a companion and expression of our faith, confidence in God!
That is why we need encouragers in our lives and in the church today. Discouragement is everywhere. Discouragement is the absence of courage. There is much that would take our courage...the current world system, our enemy and the relentless struggles with our flesh. We need to be encouraged and have our courage renewed moment by moment.
In those times of struggling in the face of negative reality, true faith can arise, appropriate courage and lock onto the integrity of God's Word...His promises, rising to the occasion, releasing the supernatural and ultimately touching the heard of God.
A great verse: Hebrews 11:33-34 says: men /women of faith, conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight...and it goes on and on...check it out.
This is a great word for us all in a new year anticipating new things. So...hear His words to you, let faith arise, be courageous in it...be wary of the things that can dis - courage and purpose / choose to be renewed / en - couraged. While we still have time and this life, lets join the Hall of Famers in Hebrews 11 and do the greater works Jesus said we can do.
Adapted from This Day We Fight by Francis Frangipane
Bless You all,
Mitch
True faith takes courage! Faith without courage will soon falter. When Jesus healed people, He often told them to "take courage"...offering them strength to focus their faith on the God-potential that was at hand. In the fray of human struggle, courage must walk as a companion and expression of our faith, confidence in God!
That is why we need encouragers in our lives and in the church today. Discouragement is everywhere. Discouragement is the absence of courage. There is much that would take our courage...the current world system, our enemy and the relentless struggles with our flesh. We need to be encouraged and have our courage renewed moment by moment.
In those times of struggling in the face of negative reality, true faith can arise, appropriate courage and lock onto the integrity of God's Word...His promises, rising to the occasion, releasing the supernatural and ultimately touching the heard of God.
A great verse: Hebrews 11:33-34 says: men /women of faith, conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight...and it goes on and on...check it out.
This is a great word for us all in a new year anticipating new things. So...hear His words to you, let faith arise, be courageous in it...be wary of the things that can dis - courage and purpose / choose to be renewed / en - couraged. While we still have time and this life, lets join the Hall of Famers in Hebrews 11 and do the greater works Jesus said we can do.
Adapted from This Day We Fight by Francis Frangipane
Bless You all,
Mitch
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Perspective...
It doesn't take a big person to be used of God, but it does take all there is of him!
You don't need a five-foot pipeline to irrigate a garden. You can do it with a quarter inch hose, assuming an adequate source, a connection between the source and the hose, and an uncluttered channel.
The only ability God requires is availability.
The resources are His - and they are unlimited. In His providence He pours resources through human channels who are willing to be used.
Actually, human ability can be a liability. The able person trusts his own adequacy, resources and talent - and fails to draw upon God.
The power is God's. The grace is God's. The love is God's
His power, grace and love are ready to pour through anyone who is available, who connects himself to Christ and refuses to let sin clutter his life.
"I tell you the truth," Jesus said, "anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these..."
Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work in us, to Him be glory" (Eph. 3:20)
Copied from No Greater Power, by Richard Halverson
You don't need a five-foot pipeline to irrigate a garden. You can do it with a quarter inch hose, assuming an adequate source, a connection between the source and the hose, and an uncluttered channel.
The only ability God requires is availability.
The resources are His - and they are unlimited. In His providence He pours resources through human channels who are willing to be used.
Actually, human ability can be a liability. The able person trusts his own adequacy, resources and talent - and fails to draw upon God.
The power is God's. The grace is God's. The love is God's
His power, grace and love are ready to pour through anyone who is available, who connects himself to Christ and refuses to let sin clutter his life.
"I tell you the truth," Jesus said, "anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these..."
Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work in us, to Him be glory" (Eph. 3:20)
Copied from No Greater Power, by Richard Halverson
Monday, January 08, 2007
An Encouraging Word...
In reading II Timothy 1:6-14, the Lord spoke to me about the new year to come. I've camped here for a few days. I'd encourage you to read this as you can. I'm sure as you do, the Lord will speak to you. Feel free to share these insights with me. In the translation I'm now reading, these are some thoughts I've enjoyed....
Paul says, stir into flame the gift of God in you...for the spirit God has given us is not a weak, timid, declining or fearful one, but rather strong and advancing. He is God of the "crescendo" who inspires strength, courage, power, love and self-discipline. Know that you can face this life with the strength His Spirit gives. This dedicated life that He has called us to and blessed us with, is ours because of grace, not merited or to our credit. He has broken the power of death and brought life to us through the Gospel and we have no reason to be ashamed or inadequately resourced for this life. He continues...I am a herald, apostle and teacher of this Gospel and am not ashamed but rather confident of His power to keep safe all He has given me to do and He will keep it until the great Day! So, guard this treasure with the help of the Holy Spirit dwelling in you.
May the depth of the riches of His Glorious Gospel be visibly manifested, and His ever increasing Spiritual Crescendo seen and heard through your life...to the glory of God in '07.
Blessings,
Mitch
Paul says, stir into flame the gift of God in you...for the spirit God has given us is not a weak, timid, declining or fearful one, but rather strong and advancing. He is God of the "crescendo" who inspires strength, courage, power, love and self-discipline. Know that you can face this life with the strength His Spirit gives. This dedicated life that He has called us to and blessed us with, is ours because of grace, not merited or to our credit. He has broken the power of death and brought life to us through the Gospel and we have no reason to be ashamed or inadequately resourced for this life. He continues...I am a herald, apostle and teacher of this Gospel and am not ashamed but rather confident of His power to keep safe all He has given me to do and He will keep it until the great Day! So, guard this treasure with the help of the Holy Spirit dwelling in you.
May the depth of the riches of His Glorious Gospel be visibly manifested, and His ever increasing Spiritual Crescendo seen and heard through your life...to the glory of God in '07.
Blessings,
Mitch
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