Category: leadership

Our Father’s Business

 

Luke 2:49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?

At such a young age, Jesus was disciplined and exemplified great leadership skills by being about our Father’s business. Being about our Father’s business means giving up some of the things that may be consuming too much of our time and zoning in on what really matters to God. Jesus knew that He had a world to change and that it was nothing to play around with. He didn’t allow Himself to get consumed and distracted by the things of the world, where it would stray Him away from His purpose of saving lives.

Right now in my life I have an excellent opportunity to really stand up and be about my Father’s business. I attend Calvary Christian Center, a ministry in Ormond Beach, FL. We are currently preparing for our Easter Service at the Ocean Center where we are reaching out to our community in so many ways to share God’s Love. I pray that as God allows me to witness to people that people will see just that, “The Love of God”. 

I just want to encourage everyone to be about our Father’s business and to do it with diligence, love and real leadership.

Peace, 

Random

Some of the things Ripka talks about in his book, “God Out of The Box” definitely parallels to some things I’ve gone through and am currently going through; especially patience and being obedient. God will not just give us patience or obedience but he will create opportunities for us to face the situations and learn to develop these characteristics in our lives. That can be a challenge.

Sometimes I also struggle with making decisions. I can be very indecisive at times. I also like things to be in order and all mapped out. When it seems like things are off course or going in a totally different direction my mind can get all jacked up. That’s why it’s so important to just stay focused on God and the word. Applying these principles will always bring clarity to what God is directing anyone to do. In Proberbs 3: 5-6 it reads, ” Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path. We just have to let go and let God do His thing.

Ripka also mentions in his book that when God opens a door it is our job to walk through it. God knows the correct path for our lives. He knows which doors to open and which doors needed to be closed. Ask, Seek, Knock — Matthew 7:7 says “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”

I am learning that following the Lord’s path can sometimes take me to a place I’ve never expected or imagined. It can also force me out of my comfort zone. Being uncomfortable doing things for God is one way to know I am growing in Him and that God is trying to do something fresh in my life. It also allows me to put my faith into action like never before.

As long as we follow God, we can never go wrong.

God Out of The Box

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This is an amazing read! The Author, Chuck Ripka, explains Just that in this book — taking “God Out of The Box”. Ripka explains how we limit ourselves and what God can do in our lives. One of the main reasons we limit ourselves is through a lack of obedience. When we can fully and truly trust God and obey Him, He will then be able to do the extraordinary in our lives.

The author also talks about how as we go through the process of earning God’s trust with the smaller things, he will then open doors for the larger things. Here are some of the principles that are covered in this book:

• Above all else, God desires our obedience.

• When we obey God, He takes care of the bottom line.

• Stop praying only for others. Start praying with them.

• When God opens a door, our job is to walk through it.

• Get Comfortable being uncomfortable for God.

• You can run but you can’t hide from God.

So far this book has been a great inspiration. I will let you know more as I progress through the chapters.

Peace!

Laughter

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A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones. Proverbs 17:22

Laughter is one of the great gifts God has given us. We often take life and things way too serious. Truth of the matter is, there is a time to be serious and a time to Just have fun but I just wanted to encourage everyone to be happy and laugh a little. Even in our difficult times we must rejoice in the Lord always. Don’t let the daily stresses of life take your joy.

The joy of the Lord is our strength!

Peace!

overcoming

We all know that the enemy is out to destroy us and our destiny. The last thing he wants us to do is to go to a higher place in God. He will boldly lie to us. He will temp us. He will cause fear and try to rip apart our passions. He will try to convince us to just be comfortable where we are in life or to even step back a little bit, because we have so many responsibilities. Sometimes the enemy’s approach is not always so evident. It can be a slow and steady process, like carbon monoxide. It seeps into our bloodstream, and before we know it, we are asleep and now numb to God.

Jesus will always give us the grace to make the right choices in life. We may be hurting or discouraged, but His hand is always available and reaching out to us, to guide us through the difficult times. We just have to stay focused and keep our eyes on Christ by spending more time with Him.

If you are reading this and are struggling with any issues whether past or present, be encouraged that there is nothing too difficult for God. In the pass, there are some things that the mercy and grace of God has broken from my own life. We can not let sin distract us from the amazing plans God has for us. In Christ, we have the power to change.

Scriptures that have encourged me…

Luke 1:37: For with God nothing is ever impossible and no word from God shall be without power or impossible of fulfillment.

Romans 8:37: Yet amid all these things we are more than conquerors and gain a surpassing victory through Him Who loved us.

1 John 4:4: You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

Isaiah 54:17: No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.

Be encouraged!

More than Just Noise

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if i have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. 1 Corinthians 13: 1-2

Today when I arrived home from dance rehearsal, I was just thinking about the how talented people are in the world. From athletes to artist, singers, actors and of course, the dance crew “HYPE” 🙂 There are so many talented people out there, but it is so much more to it than just being a gifted individual. It is important for us to be filled with the love of God. To walk with a pure heart and mind. We can possess so many talents and be so great at what we do, but without God’s love, we are nothing.

God I thank you for the talents you have blessed me with. I pray that your love will continue to grow stronger in all of your children’s lives so that we will be much more than just a clanging cymbal.

MIME IS NOT A SILENT ART. IT IS THE ART OF TOUCHING PEOPLE        – Marcel Marceau

Miming is the ability to be able to control and deliver the non-verbal language of telling a story by using only your body and facial expressions. Modern European mime began in the early 1700’s. The best known European mime artist is the phenomenal Marcel Marceau. He has portrayed many different characters, but his most famous is called “Bip”.

Today, this form of drama has swept churches across the nation in an amazing way. Who would have ever thought that ministry, through this form of art, would be embraced. We are talking totally non-traditional here. And as history has shown, things that are non-traditional have mountains to climb, simply because breaking “tradition” takes people out of their comfort zones. I am so thankful to be a part of a church that tries not to keep God in a box. What the ministry of mime has done is expand the horizons of the means by which we spread the Gospel. God uses what He sees fit to make His presence known in the land. An integral part of that picture is now mime.  Mime ministries bring the lyrics of Gospel songs to life through creative depiction with the use of expressive choreographed movement and dramatic storylines.  

This ministry is my heart. It’s life changing. Not only does it have an impact on the people God is using me to minister to but it is also inspiration to my own life. This is another way of how I express my love and passion for God. If you or someone you know would be interested in this form of ministry, I encourage you to get involved. It’s an incredible experience!