I Doubt It

Given November 7, 2006
Have you ever met a person who was negative? Boy, I have! They complain about everything, speak gloom & doom, and find fault in the best of situations. "Hey, is it going to be a good day?" - "I doubt it." "Are you going to get that job?" - "I doubt it." There's not much faith there, if any, and they don't receive much from God.

Jesus said, (paraphrased), "...whosoever shall say... and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe ... he shall have whatsoever he saith. Mark 11:23". Believing or doubting is important to our prayers being answered. If we believe what the Word of God says about our situation and don't consider that there is another alternative, Jesus said, we will have what we say; what we pray.

But if we are not fully persuaded as Abraham was, we'll be like this guy: "But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. James 1: 6-8".

"Are you going to get well?" - "Yes, by His stripes I'm healed!". "Are you going to Heaven?" - Yes, whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved". "Aren't you in some trouble?" - "Yeah but God told me He'd be with me in trouble; and He'd deliver me". There's no doubt about it!

Dream Big

Given June 2, 2007

While traveling to an out-of-town wedding recently, I noticed a sign on a mobile home sales lot. The sign said, "Come in and find your dream home." That set me to thinking. Now, there's nothing wrong with living in a mobile home; I purchased and lived in one myself for several years. They are good, basic, living quarters for those on a limited budget, as we were.

But a "dream home"? I think that says something about our dreams. "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us. Ephesians 3:20". One of the greatest limitations to our lives is who we think we are and what we think we can accomplish. The enemy puts thought of mediocrity in our minds and if we don't push beyond that, we will never rise to what God has planned for us. We need to dream big, imagine unthinkable accomplishments, and not limit God by our small thinking.

Jesus said, "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. John 10:10". While you're living in that mobile home, working in a low-paying job, or quietly serving God, dream of a big house on a hill, a job where you can have enough for yourself and others, or have a major spiritual impact on others. And by faith, thank God for it! He loves a big dreamer; just ask Joseph, Genesis 41:41-43.

Prayer Reminder

Given June 2, 2007
There is a friend who goes to my church who has been through, and continues to go through, a very rough time medically. He has several medical problems and we have been praying for him a lot. God is at work in his life, we know that. "for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. Hebrews 3:5".

This friend drives a yellow car and every time I see a yellow car, I think of him. The Holy Spirit quickened me that I should pray for him whenever I see a yellow car. So I do; probably 10-15 times a day, when I see a yellow car. It's just a short prayer but there are a lot of yellow cars.

The revelation is that this can work for anyone or anything we need to pray for. In your mind, think of someone or some situation you need to pray for and assign a visual or other reminder to it. A lost loved one - when you see a red roof, a situation you need favor in - when you see a medicine commercial on TV, someone who needs healing - when you send an email. Your daily routine dictates what you see often and you do want to pray often. "Being glad in hope, quiet in trouble, at all times given to prayer. Hebrews 2:12". There's a yellow car, "Freddy, be healed in Jesus name!"