We cannot ask too much of God. He cares about every detail. Noting is too small or too large for Him. And when we ask according to His will, we can trust that it will be done.
After all, He created heaven and earth, and He can make all things come to pass. He tells us, “Do not hesitate to call on Me.”
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Sunday, June 22, 2008
There Is No Recession in the Kingdom
Every day the headlines ratchet up news of worsening economic distress. The economic downward spiral began with mortgage failures, followed by oil prices soaring to all-time highs. Then food prices—tied closely to the fortunes of oil in terms of transportation costs and the increasing demand for biofuels—increased, followed by rising unemployment rates. Then historic flooding in the U.S. Midwest, the nation’s bread-basket, resulted in an estimated $3 billion in crop losses. Meanwhile the transport of corn, coal, and steel along the Mississippi River came to a standstill. Like a house of cards, the first card fell hitting the second card, which hit the next one, and so they continue to fall in on themselves.
Avoiding Knee-Jerk Responses
As the economic reality of the headlines filters into daily life, the knee-jerk response is to cut back on spending and to prepare for the hard times. As an avid news watcher, that was certainly my natural response. But as often happens, the natural response is not God’s response.
As believers, we are in the unique position of walking both on earth and in the Lord’s Kingdom—and, in the Kingdom, there is plenty, not want. God is unaffected by human affairs; and, in fact, the Kingdom economy prospers regardless of earthly events. And we are His agents on earth charged with advancing the Kingdom during our time here. That means that even in times of recession or depression, all we need will be provided from His vast storehouses to advance the Kingdom purposes.
We’re reminded to not see ourselves as being swept up in the tide of human events, but to see ourselves being solidly planted in the Kingdom.
Look at God, Not at the News
In short, God says to look at Him, not at the news. God will make all things right according to His divine purposes and in His time.
Advancing the Kingdom is the focus. When we think of recession and depression, the natural response is to think of our own current and potential needs. Life as we know it is changing, sometimes dramatically, but we have to remember that the Kingdom does not change. As we think about our needs, it’s important to know that He is faithful to provide.
And more important, we know that our needs are not separate from the work of advancing the Kingdom. In other words, there are not two sets of priorities—our priorities and God’s priorities. There is only one set of priorities—the priorities of the Kingdom. There is only one purpose in heaven and on earth—that the Father’s will be done. And when we focus on Kingdom priorities, then there are blessings aplenty to go around.
If we focus on earthly events, we can easily lose sight of the work of advancing the Kingdom. I did that, but the Lord reminded me to stop thinking of want and to start thinking of prosperity. He is able, He told me again, to provide for everything because He is the Creator of the universe. All things are in His control—and there is plenty, not want. Limitless. Infinite. Abundant.
As each of us work in our own way to advance the Kingdom, we should dream big Kingdom dreams and ask God to supply all that’s necessary to bring those dreams to reality.
We limit ourselves, and we limit God, when we think that there is not enough.
Avoiding Knee-Jerk Responses
As the economic reality of the headlines filters into daily life, the knee-jerk response is to cut back on spending and to prepare for the hard times. As an avid news watcher, that was certainly my natural response. But as often happens, the natural response is not God’s response.
As believers, we are in the unique position of walking both on earth and in the Lord’s Kingdom—and, in the Kingdom, there is plenty, not want. God is unaffected by human affairs; and, in fact, the Kingdom economy prospers regardless of earthly events. And we are His agents on earth charged with advancing the Kingdom during our time here. That means that even in times of recession or depression, all we need will be provided from His vast storehouses to advance the Kingdom purposes.We’re reminded to not see ourselves as being swept up in the tide of human events, but to see ourselves being solidly planted in the Kingdom.
Look at God, Not at the News
In short, God says to look at Him, not at the news. God will make all things right according to His divine purposes and in His time.
Advancing the Kingdom is the focus. When we think of recession and depression, the natural response is to think of our own current and potential needs. Life as we know it is changing, sometimes dramatically, but we have to remember that the Kingdom does not change. As we think about our needs, it’s important to know that He is faithful to provide.
And more important, we know that our needs are not separate from the work of advancing the Kingdom. In other words, there are not two sets of priorities—our priorities and God’s priorities. There is only one set of priorities—the priorities of the Kingdom. There is only one purpose in heaven and on earth—that the Father’s will be done. And when we focus on Kingdom priorities, then there are blessings aplenty to go around.
If we focus on earthly events, we can easily lose sight of the work of advancing the Kingdom. I did that, but the Lord reminded me to stop thinking of want and to start thinking of prosperity. He is able, He told me again, to provide for everything because He is the Creator of the universe. All things are in His control—and there is plenty, not want. Limitless. Infinite. Abundant.
As each of us work in our own way to advance the Kingdom, we should dream big Kingdom dreams and ask God to supply all that’s necessary to bring those dreams to reality.
We limit ourselves, and we limit God, when we think that there is not enough.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Favorite Books and Web Sites
It has been a good while since I added new articles to the blog. In that time life has included writing three new books, the passing of our Mother in April, and a variety of new challenges. And in every situation and challenge, the Lord has been faithful to His promise to never leave or forsake me.
I want to share a few of my favorite recent “discoveries” with you.
...Charlotte...
I want to share a few of my favorite recent “discoveries” with you.
- Prayer: Finding the Heart’s True Home, by Richard J. Foster. This is a book to savor, to read slowly and to contemplate with the Lord as you read. In his tradition of insightful teaching, Foster, bet-selling author of “Celebration of Discipline,” guides readers through 21 inward, upward, and outward prayers with rich historical background and incisive insight. I highly recommend this book.
- The New Temple and the Second Coming. This book is written by TBN host and best-selling author, Grant R. Jeffrey, offers a combination of Biblical prophecy and the latest research in recovering lost artifacts from the ancient Temple. Jeffrey documents the search for Temple treasures that will be key for use in the new Temple worship, discoveries made in Jerusalem, progress toward recreating sacred Temple vessels, and more. Jeffrey packs the book with historic background and facts that make this book a page-turner.
- And for those who follow the progress toward building the new Temple, be sure to visit The Temple Institute Web site that has fascinating updates, images, and videos on all aspects of the Temple.
...Charlotte...
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