What's your motive in giving to God? by Mike Fletcher
Rush hour commutes, soccer practice for the kids, extra work from the office and the everyday demands of live in a culture awash in activities and time demands is posing a serious dilemma for churches across the country.
People are so busy that they simply don't have time to serve on church committees or work in church service projects.
How much do you care about the church?
About God’s people? How much of your time is spent helping… giving…praying for your church? A lot of people give money to the church but much less give themselves.
There are a lot of reasons that move people to give to the church. I know that some people give as a write-off so that they will get a break on the taxes they pay to the government. If that is your only motive for giving, it is not a proper one.
A tax write-off is just not enough. That is not going to help you any with God.
Some people give to the church to gain a reputation for giving.
The Bible truth of the matter is that God really isn't interested in our money. Oh, don't get me wrong. The Bible says we are supposed to give. But it's our heart condition that God is most interested in.
In fact, even more than money, he wants us to give our time, our prayers and our service to the institution he's created to be his hands and feet on this earth: The church.
There are Bible stories galore about the consequences of not supporting the church.
It is striking that the very first death recorded in the church occurred when a couple, Ananias and Sapphira, decided they would gain a reputation for giving that they did not really deserve.
In the fifth chapter of Acts we read that other people were giving property. This couple thought they would get in on the honor and prestige that was being heaped on those who generously gave, so they gave some of the proceeds from tome land they sold. But they pretended that they gave all of it when they really did not.
When the Holy Spirit dealt with that hypocritical kind of giving he dealt very severely with it.
Some people give because they were afraid of dying and they want to make Brownie points with God.
There have been people who give hundreds of thousands of dollars because they felt it would help them in their standing before God at the judgment seat. But they were not giving to help the cause of God or the church. They gave because they thought they could buy God’s favor.
All these are wrong motives.
When it comes to giving, motive is more important than the amount.
God is not so interested in how much you give the church, but why you give. Do you love the church? That’s the example we have from Christ.
More than 24 million seniors collectively volunteer 6 billion hours each year in the United States. Researchers at the University of Michigan recently discovered that the survival rate of seniors who volunteered 40 or more hours a year for a single cause was 40 percent greater than that of non-volunteers.
"Seniors who volunteer say it improves their health, life satisfaction, and social well-being," says Donna Thurmond, director of Senior Services for Volunteers of America.
So helping others and serving as Jesus commands us to do is not only a good thing to do, it's good for us.
In fact, we were all created with a desire to serve. That's why it feels so good when we do so, because it's what we were made to do.
But the real reason we serve is because that is what Jesus did. That's the example he left us in the Bible.
We know it as the Golden Rule: Do unto others as you'd have them do to you.
You can read more at the Faithful Christian evangelism portal. The author publishes Online Christian Shopper an church resource site specializing in Christian T-Shirts and Christian clothing.
Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com
Showing posts with label prayer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label prayer. Show all posts
Saturday, February 24, 2007
Friday, February 23, 2007
The Second Key To Getting What You Want
The Second Key To Getting What You Want by Rob Marshall
His mind was racing and he just couldn't believe what was happening. The father had brought his son to the disciples so that they could heal him, but not only had his son not been healed, the disciples were now arguing with the teachers of the Law. He kept thinking, "Wait a minute! This isn't right. What about my son? Who is going to heal my son?"
As all of this was going on, Jesus returned. The people quickly ran to Jesus and the father burst through the crowd and cried out to Him, "Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not." (Mark 9:17)
When reading this story in the Gospel of Mark it's interesting that the first thing Jesus does is to reprimand the disciples for their lack of faith. When the father cries out and says, "But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us." Jesus looked at the father and said, "'If You can?'" He pointed out that the problem wasn't what Jesus could do, but what the father could believe. He told him, "Everything is possible for him who believes." (Mark 9:23)
It is safe to assume that the father had come to Jesus' disciples expecting that his son would be healed. He had come in faith, but when things went terribly wrong, his faith had faded. And when Jesus came, there was probably nothing left except questions and doubts.
There may be a lot of people who say, "I know what I want in life, but I just can't seem to get it." Like this father, we come to God hoping that He will help us, but things don't go as we had planned and we find ourselves full of questions. God tells us that everything is possible if we will believe, but all we can say is: "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!" (Mark 9:24)
When we decide to go for the things we want in life, one of the first things that will happen is nothing. It's at that point that most people will scratch their heads and wonder if they've made a big mistake. We often fail to get what we want in life simply because we don't really believe that we can get it. So when things go wrong, we give up.
God isn't expecting us to have a huge amount of faith. What He does expect is that we have enough faith that we won't give up when things seem to go wrong. He wants us to have enough trust in Him that we don't question His ability and willingness to answer our prayers, even when it seems like nothing is happening.
If the father in this story had given up, his son may never have been healed. But because he went to Jesus and admitted that he was struggling, Jesus helped him overcome his doubts and unbelief, and his son was healed.
When it comes to faith I like say, "If there is no room for doubt, there is no room for faith." Our faith is not strong because we have no doubts; it's strong because we continue to look to God in spite of those doubts.
In order for us to get what we want, we first have to know what it is. Once we know what it is, we have to be willing to hold on to our faith, continue to believe that God will hear us and answer our prayers, even when we still have questions.
The second key for getting what we want is developing the kind of faith in God that doesn't crumble when things go wrong. It's the kind of faith that continues to believe in God's abilities no matter what happens, and that gives us the confidence to expect an answer from God even when we are struggling with our doubts.
Rob Marshall is the author of "Taking On Goliath - How to Unleash the David in All of Us." Learn how you can unleash your faith and overcome any "Goliath" that may stand between you and your dreams. Get two free chapters from "Taking On Goliath" when you sign up for our free newsletter. Just visit:
http://www.TakingOnGoliath.com
Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com
His mind was racing and he just couldn't believe what was happening. The father had brought his son to the disciples so that they could heal him, but not only had his son not been healed, the disciples were now arguing with the teachers of the Law. He kept thinking, "Wait a minute! This isn't right. What about my son? Who is going to heal my son?"
As all of this was going on, Jesus returned. The people quickly ran to Jesus and the father burst through the crowd and cried out to Him, "Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not." (Mark 9:17)
When reading this story in the Gospel of Mark it's interesting that the first thing Jesus does is to reprimand the disciples for their lack of faith. When the father cries out and says, "But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us." Jesus looked at the father and said, "'If You can?'" He pointed out that the problem wasn't what Jesus could do, but what the father could believe. He told him, "Everything is possible for him who believes." (Mark 9:23)
It is safe to assume that the father had come to Jesus' disciples expecting that his son would be healed. He had come in faith, but when things went terribly wrong, his faith had faded. And when Jesus came, there was probably nothing left except questions and doubts.
There may be a lot of people who say, "I know what I want in life, but I just can't seem to get it." Like this father, we come to God hoping that He will help us, but things don't go as we had planned and we find ourselves full of questions. God tells us that everything is possible if we will believe, but all we can say is: "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!" (Mark 9:24)
When we decide to go for the things we want in life, one of the first things that will happen is nothing. It's at that point that most people will scratch their heads and wonder if they've made a big mistake. We often fail to get what we want in life simply because we don't really believe that we can get it. So when things go wrong, we give up.
God isn't expecting us to have a huge amount of faith. What He does expect is that we have enough faith that we won't give up when things seem to go wrong. He wants us to have enough trust in Him that we don't question His ability and willingness to answer our prayers, even when it seems like nothing is happening.
If the father in this story had given up, his son may never have been healed. But because he went to Jesus and admitted that he was struggling, Jesus helped him overcome his doubts and unbelief, and his son was healed.
When it comes to faith I like say, "If there is no room for doubt, there is no room for faith." Our faith is not strong because we have no doubts; it's strong because we continue to look to God in spite of those doubts.
In order for us to get what we want, we first have to know what it is. Once we know what it is, we have to be willing to hold on to our faith, continue to believe that God will hear us and answer our prayers, even when we still have questions.
The second key for getting what we want is developing the kind of faith in God that doesn't crumble when things go wrong. It's the kind of faith that continues to believe in God's abilities no matter what happens, and that gives us the confidence to expect an answer from God even when we are struggling with our doubts.
Rob Marshall is the author of "Taking On Goliath - How to Unleash the David in All of Us." Learn how you can unleash your faith and overcome any "Goliath" that may stand between you and your dreams. Get two free chapters from "Taking On Goliath" when you sign up for our free newsletter. Just visit:
http://www.TakingOnGoliath.com
Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com
What If God Is Late?
What If God Is Late? by Rob Marshall
Have you needed an immediate answer from God, but no matter how much you prayed, even begged or pleaded with Him, God's answer was late? There is an old saying that God is seldom early, but never late; but that statement begs the question: How do you define late?
In the Old Testament book of first Samuel we find the story of how King Saul found himself in a situation like that and, because of the bad decisions he made, he lost his kingdom. This story teaches us some two important lessons we must learn so that we can avoid Saul's mistake.
In 1 Samuel 13:1-15 we read that Saul's son Jonathan had attacked their enemies, the Philistines, and had really stirred up the proverbial hornet's nest. The Philistines got really mad and gathered their army to attack Israel. The Israelites were completely outnumbered, and Saul's soldiers were so scared that they were running away.
Saul was desperate. The prophet Samuel was supposed to come and help Saul seek God's guidance and blessings, but Samuel was late. Saul felt that he had to do something, so he broke God's commandments and offered a sacrifice without Samuel being there.
In the Sunday school class I'm teaching, we were discussing this story. We realized that Saul wasn't that much different from us. We each recognized that we had all been in circumstances that seemed impossible, and that out of desperation we had made bad decisions. But unlike Saul, we had not lost everything because of them.
So what was the difference? Why had Saul's actions had such severe consequences when our mistakes had been costly, but had not ruined our lives?
In 1 Samuel 13:10 it says, "Just as he (Saul) finished making the offering, Samuel arrived, and Saul went out to greet him." In other words, Saul had just finished making a big mistake when Samuel arrived. If Saul had just waited a little longer, Samuel would have come and the problem could have been avoided. So why was Samuel just a little bit late?
The first lesson we learn from Saul is based on one of my favorite verses, Psalm 139:23, which says, "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts." There is probably one thing, one "test," in life that will reveal our anxious thoughts faster than anything else, and that's when God seems to be running late.
Samuel was late because it created a test that revealed something in Saul's heart, something that is in all of our hearts, it revealed his doubt and fear.
One of the hardest and most valuable lessons we each must learn is patience, also known as perseverance. In James 1:4 we read, "Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
I wonder how many times I have ended up lacking things simply because I had not had the patience to wait just a little longer for God's help. The promise in James is that our faith will be complete, and that we will lack nothing, if we simply let perseverance, patience, finish its work in our hearts. By revealing our doubts and fears, God gives us the chance to face them, and overcome them, through the promises in His word.
The other important lesson we learn from this story comes from Saul's answer to Samuel. Samuel asked Saul what he had done, and he said, "When I saw that the men were scattering, and that you did not come at the set time, and that the Philistines were assembling at Micmash, I thought, 'Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the LORD'S favor.' So I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering."
When we look at Saul's answer we see something that is basic human nature, blame shifting.
We will all face desperate times, and most of us, probably all of us, will make bad decisions. We will do things out of fear and doubt rather than faith, and that may lead us through some hard times. But we need to learn from Saul.
Even if we have blown it, the moment we realize that we made a mistake we have to take responsibility for it. I believe that Saul would not have lost his kingdom if he had simply said, "Samuel, I blew it. I was scared and I did something that I should not have done, will you forgive me? And can we now seek God together for His help?"
Saul paid a very high price for his mistake because he refused to acknowledge his sin. In my Sunday school class we all had stories of times when we had made decisions out of fear, but we also had seen that God had miraculously fixed our mistakes once we had acknowledged them.
When we face desperate times and believe that we need an answer immediately, it's then that we must learn patience and perseverance. In those times we must wait just a little longer.
And when we make bad decisions, we can know that even then, God will forgive us and help make things right again.
Rob Marshall is the author of "Taking On Goliath - How to Unleash the David in All of Us." Learn how you can unleash your faith and overcome any "Goliath" that may stand between you and your dreams. Get two free chapters of "Taking On Goliath" when you sign up for our free newsletter.
http://www.TakingOnGoliath.com
Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com
Have you needed an immediate answer from God, but no matter how much you prayed, even begged or pleaded with Him, God's answer was late? There is an old saying that God is seldom early, but never late; but that statement begs the question: How do you define late?
In the Old Testament book of first Samuel we find the story of how King Saul found himself in a situation like that and, because of the bad decisions he made, he lost his kingdom. This story teaches us some two important lessons we must learn so that we can avoid Saul's mistake.
In 1 Samuel 13:1-15 we read that Saul's son Jonathan had attacked their enemies, the Philistines, and had really stirred up the proverbial hornet's nest. The Philistines got really mad and gathered their army to attack Israel. The Israelites were completely outnumbered, and Saul's soldiers were so scared that they were running away.
Saul was desperate. The prophet Samuel was supposed to come and help Saul seek God's guidance and blessings, but Samuel was late. Saul felt that he had to do something, so he broke God's commandments and offered a sacrifice without Samuel being there.
In the Sunday school class I'm teaching, we were discussing this story. We realized that Saul wasn't that much different from us. We each recognized that we had all been in circumstances that seemed impossible, and that out of desperation we had made bad decisions. But unlike Saul, we had not lost everything because of them.
So what was the difference? Why had Saul's actions had such severe consequences when our mistakes had been costly, but had not ruined our lives?
In 1 Samuel 13:10 it says, "Just as he (Saul) finished making the offering, Samuel arrived, and Saul went out to greet him." In other words, Saul had just finished making a big mistake when Samuel arrived. If Saul had just waited a little longer, Samuel would have come and the problem could have been avoided. So why was Samuel just a little bit late?
The first lesson we learn from Saul is based on one of my favorite verses, Psalm 139:23, which says, "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts." There is probably one thing, one "test," in life that will reveal our anxious thoughts faster than anything else, and that's when God seems to be running late.
Samuel was late because it created a test that revealed something in Saul's heart, something that is in all of our hearts, it revealed his doubt and fear.
One of the hardest and most valuable lessons we each must learn is patience, also known as perseverance. In James 1:4 we read, "Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
I wonder how many times I have ended up lacking things simply because I had not had the patience to wait just a little longer for God's help. The promise in James is that our faith will be complete, and that we will lack nothing, if we simply let perseverance, patience, finish its work in our hearts. By revealing our doubts and fears, God gives us the chance to face them, and overcome them, through the promises in His word.
The other important lesson we learn from this story comes from Saul's answer to Samuel. Samuel asked Saul what he had done, and he said, "When I saw that the men were scattering, and that you did not come at the set time, and that the Philistines were assembling at Micmash, I thought, 'Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the LORD'S favor.' So I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering."
When we look at Saul's answer we see something that is basic human nature, blame shifting.
We will all face desperate times, and most of us, probably all of us, will make bad decisions. We will do things out of fear and doubt rather than faith, and that may lead us through some hard times. But we need to learn from Saul.
Even if we have blown it, the moment we realize that we made a mistake we have to take responsibility for it. I believe that Saul would not have lost his kingdom if he had simply said, "Samuel, I blew it. I was scared and I did something that I should not have done, will you forgive me? And can we now seek God together for His help?"
Saul paid a very high price for his mistake because he refused to acknowledge his sin. In my Sunday school class we all had stories of times when we had made decisions out of fear, but we also had seen that God had miraculously fixed our mistakes once we had acknowledged them.
When we face desperate times and believe that we need an answer immediately, it's then that we must learn patience and perseverance. In those times we must wait just a little longer.
And when we make bad decisions, we can know that even then, God will forgive us and help make things right again.
Rob Marshall is the author of "Taking On Goliath - How to Unleash the David in All of Us." Learn how you can unleash your faith and overcome any "Goliath" that may stand between you and your dreams. Get two free chapters of "Taking On Goliath" when you sign up for our free newsletter.
http://www.TakingOnGoliath.com
Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Prayers God Answers - Going To A Friend At Midnight
Prayers God Answers - Going To A Friend At Midnight by Rob Marshall
Copyright 2006 Rob Marshall
In Luke 11:5-8 we read a parable that Jesus taught the disciples. Luke 11 is the story about Jesus teaching His disciples how to pray. And while this parable isn't technically a "prayer that God answered," by asking some questions about this parable, we learn some valuable lessons that will help our prayers get answered.
Who is the "friend"?
Jesus starts the parable by asking, "Which of you shall have a friend, and go to him at midnight and say to him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves; for a friend of mine has come to me on his journey, and I have nothing to set before him'; and he will answer from within and say, 'Do not trouble me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give to you'?" (Luke 11:5-7)
Since Jesus is teaching about prayer, and we are the ones going to the friend, the friend must represent God. In Philippians 4:6 the apostle Paul tells us, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God."
What does it mean that the man went at midnight?
It's interesting that Jesus specifically states that the man went to his friend at midnight. It represents the darkest hour of the night. It's the time when we feel the most hopeless and desperate to get the help we need. And it's the time when there is nowhere else to turn but to God.
We have probably all experienced times when we felt that we were at the end of our ropes, when our faith was failing, but we went to God anyway. And we simply prayed, "Lord, no one can help me but You. Please hear me!" That's what it feels like at midnight.
Why does he ask for three loaves?
Have you ever had guests come to your house? If they were coming for a meal, how much food did you want to have in the house? Was it: not enough, just barely enough, or more than enough?
Most people would want to be sure that they had more food than was needed. The reason is that they would want their guests to feel that they could eat as much as they wanted and not feel guilty about it. If there wasn't enough food this man would have been embarrassed in front of his guest and his guest may have felt bad and not enjoyed the food.
When we come to God at our most desperate hour, it's time to ask God for more than we need. I don't know how many times I've caught myself saying, "Lord, all I need is just this little tiny bit..." Jesus is teaching us that we should come and ask for more than we need. That's the kind of prayer a loving God wants to answer.
Why does the friend tell him to go away?
For a long time I just didn't get this. I read it and sort of skipped over it because it seemed like the intent of the parable was to teach us to be persistent with our prayers. I thought that the fact that the "friend" didn't want to get up and give the man food was unimportant.
Recently I realized that this is a crucial part of this parable. If the friend represents God, what does it mean that God tells us to "go away"?
What it tells us is that God creates resistance! I'm not really sure why that is, but that's what Jesus is saying. One reason may be that God is testing our faith in order to purify it and drive out the doubts that cause us to question Him. But whatever the reason, we need to understand that this isn't just some game that God is playing. He wants to answer our prayers, but He also wants us to remain steadfast in our faith even when He resists.
Can we be persistent and get our prayers answered?
Jesus concludes the parable by saying, "I say to you, though he will not rise and give to him because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will rise and give him as many as he needs." (Luke 11:8)
It's not a matter of being obnoxious or harping on God, but of understanding our need to depend on Him. It's midnight, we're desperate, and there's nowhere else we can go. God is telling us that He wants us to keep praying and asking until we receive what we need.
The benefits go far beyond just getting the answer we want, because God is perfecting our faith at the same time that He is responding to it.
It is right after this parable that Jesus gives us one of the most well-known promises about prayer, "So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened."
Will you go to your friend and keep knocking on His door until you receive what you need? Because that is the kind of prayer that God answers.
Rob Marshall is the author of "Taking On Goliath - How to Unleash the David in All of Us." Learn how you can unleash your faith and overcome any "Goliath" that may stand between you and your dreams.
http://www.TakingOnGoliath.com
Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com
Copyright 2006 Rob Marshall
In Luke 11:5-8 we read a parable that Jesus taught the disciples. Luke 11 is the story about Jesus teaching His disciples how to pray. And while this parable isn't technically a "prayer that God answered," by asking some questions about this parable, we learn some valuable lessons that will help our prayers get answered.
Who is the "friend"?
Jesus starts the parable by asking, "Which of you shall have a friend, and go to him at midnight and say to him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves; for a friend of mine has come to me on his journey, and I have nothing to set before him'; and he will answer from within and say, 'Do not trouble me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give to you'?" (Luke 11:5-7)
Since Jesus is teaching about prayer, and we are the ones going to the friend, the friend must represent God. In Philippians 4:6 the apostle Paul tells us, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God."
What does it mean that the man went at midnight?
It's interesting that Jesus specifically states that the man went to his friend at midnight. It represents the darkest hour of the night. It's the time when we feel the most hopeless and desperate to get the help we need. And it's the time when there is nowhere else to turn but to God.
We have probably all experienced times when we felt that we were at the end of our ropes, when our faith was failing, but we went to God anyway. And we simply prayed, "Lord, no one can help me but You. Please hear me!" That's what it feels like at midnight.
Why does he ask for three loaves?
Have you ever had guests come to your house? If they were coming for a meal, how much food did you want to have in the house? Was it: not enough, just barely enough, or more than enough?
Most people would want to be sure that they had more food than was needed. The reason is that they would want their guests to feel that they could eat as much as they wanted and not feel guilty about it. If there wasn't enough food this man would have been embarrassed in front of his guest and his guest may have felt bad and not enjoyed the food.
When we come to God at our most desperate hour, it's time to ask God for more than we need. I don't know how many times I've caught myself saying, "Lord, all I need is just this little tiny bit..." Jesus is teaching us that we should come and ask for more than we need. That's the kind of prayer a loving God wants to answer.
Why does the friend tell him to go away?
For a long time I just didn't get this. I read it and sort of skipped over it because it seemed like the intent of the parable was to teach us to be persistent with our prayers. I thought that the fact that the "friend" didn't want to get up and give the man food was unimportant.
Recently I realized that this is a crucial part of this parable. If the friend represents God, what does it mean that God tells us to "go away"?
What it tells us is that God creates resistance! I'm not really sure why that is, but that's what Jesus is saying. One reason may be that God is testing our faith in order to purify it and drive out the doubts that cause us to question Him. But whatever the reason, we need to understand that this isn't just some game that God is playing. He wants to answer our prayers, but He also wants us to remain steadfast in our faith even when He resists.
Can we be persistent and get our prayers answered?
Jesus concludes the parable by saying, "I say to you, though he will not rise and give to him because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will rise and give him as many as he needs." (Luke 11:8)
It's not a matter of being obnoxious or harping on God, but of understanding our need to depend on Him. It's midnight, we're desperate, and there's nowhere else we can go. God is telling us that He wants us to keep praying and asking until we receive what we need.
The benefits go far beyond just getting the answer we want, because God is perfecting our faith at the same time that He is responding to it.
It is right after this parable that Jesus gives us one of the most well-known promises about prayer, "So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened."
Will you go to your friend and keep knocking on His door until you receive what you need? Because that is the kind of prayer that God answers.
Rob Marshall is the author of "Taking On Goliath - How to Unleash the David in All of Us." Learn how you can unleash your faith and overcome any "Goliath" that may stand between you and your dreams.
http://www.TakingOnGoliath.com
Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com
Sunday, February 18, 2007
Secrets to Answered Prayer - What Does it Mean to Ask and Receive?
Secrets to Answered Prayer - What Does it Mean to Ask and Receive? by Rob Marshall
Copyright 2006 Rob Marshall
In Luke 11:9 Jesus tells us, "Ask and you will receive."
I don't know about you, but I have had times when I've asked and have not received. Since God's promise is pretty clear, and nothing is impossible for Him, then the problem may not be with the giving, it may just be with the asking.
James 4:1-3 tells us that the reason we don't have is because we don't ask. That sounds pretty simple, and it agrees with what Jesus taught in Luke 11: "Ask and you will receive."
But then James goes on to say, "You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures" (James 4:3). James seems to go from giving us a blank check to placing a major condition on our prayers. In order to understand what he's telling us, we need to look at the context of what he is saying.
James is writing to people who were so consumed by their covetous lusts that they were willing to murder people in order to take what they wanted. The problem wasn't that they wanted things; the problem was that they wanted their neighbor's things. They weren't happy with just having more, they wanted to be sure that everyone else had less.
As we look at our universe, one thing becomes very clear: God loves to create. Our world shows us that not only is God continually creating, He has placed within every living thing the ability and drive to create more.
After God created man He spoke and said, "Be fruitful and multiply." Within each of us is a God given desire to create and enjoy abundance.
In Matthew 25 we read the parable of the talents. In that parable a man gives three of his servants different amounts of money. He gives five talents to one servant, two to another, and one to a third servant based on their individual abilities. It then says that the man immediately left on a journey.
Have you ever wondered if the master gave the servants any instructions? Did the master tell them what they were to do with the talents? Or did they already know?
I believe that they already knew. They understood that God had given them the talents so that they would use them and multiply them. God's first commandment to man has never changed. He wants us to be fruitful and multiply what He has given us. He gives us "talents" from His abundance, as well as the desire and ability to multiply them, so that there will be even greater abundance.
So what does all of this have to do with the first few verses in the fourth chapter of James? Everything.
As James points out, we have gone from "ask and you will receive" to "take whatever you want." Man's history is full of everything from bad business to war. It's the story of men and women who have used power to exploit other people for their own selfish gain. Unfortunately, it is the story of what happens when we forget our Creator.
By asking God for more in our lives we are asking Him to reveal to us what He has already given us, and to show us ways to multiply it. We are asking for His blessings and favor on what we do so that we become wealthy be enriching the lives of everyone we meet.
We can have whatever we we ask for, but not at the expense of others. When we stop coveting what others have, and ask God to help us create more, then we'll know what it means to ask and receive.
Rob Marshall is the author of "Taking On Goliath - How to Unleash the David in All of Us." Learn how you can unleash your faith and overcome any "Goliath" that may stand between you and your dreams.
http://www.TakingOnGoliath.com
Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com
Copyright 2006 Rob Marshall
In Luke 11:9 Jesus tells us, "Ask and you will receive."
I don't know about you, but I have had times when I've asked and have not received. Since God's promise is pretty clear, and nothing is impossible for Him, then the problem may not be with the giving, it may just be with the asking.
James 4:1-3 tells us that the reason we don't have is because we don't ask. That sounds pretty simple, and it agrees with what Jesus taught in Luke 11: "Ask and you will receive."
But then James goes on to say, "You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures" (James 4:3). James seems to go from giving us a blank check to placing a major condition on our prayers. In order to understand what he's telling us, we need to look at the context of what he is saying.
James is writing to people who were so consumed by their covetous lusts that they were willing to murder people in order to take what they wanted. The problem wasn't that they wanted things; the problem was that they wanted their neighbor's things. They weren't happy with just having more, they wanted to be sure that everyone else had less.
As we look at our universe, one thing becomes very clear: God loves to create. Our world shows us that not only is God continually creating, He has placed within every living thing the ability and drive to create more.
After God created man He spoke and said, "Be fruitful and multiply." Within each of us is a God given desire to create and enjoy abundance.
In Matthew 25 we read the parable of the talents. In that parable a man gives three of his servants different amounts of money. He gives five talents to one servant, two to another, and one to a third servant based on their individual abilities. It then says that the man immediately left on a journey.
Have you ever wondered if the master gave the servants any instructions? Did the master tell them what they were to do with the talents? Or did they already know?
I believe that they already knew. They understood that God had given them the talents so that they would use them and multiply them. God's first commandment to man has never changed. He wants us to be fruitful and multiply what He has given us. He gives us "talents" from His abundance, as well as the desire and ability to multiply them, so that there will be even greater abundance.
So what does all of this have to do with the first few verses in the fourth chapter of James? Everything.
As James points out, we have gone from "ask and you will receive" to "take whatever you want." Man's history is full of everything from bad business to war. It's the story of men and women who have used power to exploit other people for their own selfish gain. Unfortunately, it is the story of what happens when we forget our Creator.
By asking God for more in our lives we are asking Him to reveal to us what He has already given us, and to show us ways to multiply it. We are asking for His blessings and favor on what we do so that we become wealthy be enriching the lives of everyone we meet.
We can have whatever we we ask for, but not at the expense of others. When we stop coveting what others have, and ask God to help us create more, then we'll know what it means to ask and receive.
Rob Marshall is the author of "Taking On Goliath - How to Unleash the David in All of Us." Learn how you can unleash your faith and overcome any "Goliath" that may stand between you and your dreams.
http://www.TakingOnGoliath.com
Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com
Saturday, February 17, 2007
Prayers God Answers - The Prayer of Jabez
Prayers God Answers - The Prayer of Jabez by Rob Marshall
Copyright 2006 Rob Marshall
Bruce Wilkinson's book, The Prayer of Jabez, became a huge success. It became so successful that many people felt that there must be something wrong with it. But this prayer from 1 Chronicles 4:10 is a great prayer for one simple reason: God answered it. And we need to take another look at this simple, but effective, little prayer.
“Oh, that You would bless me indeed," 1 Chronicles 4:10b
Many people feel that it's wrong for us to ask God to bless us, but they miss the point. The point is: God wants to bless us.
Psalm 67:1-2 says, "God be merciful to us and bless us, and cause His face to shine upon us, Selah. That Your way may be known on earth, Your salvation among all nations." When God blesses us He reveals to the entire earth just who He is. And God's salvation, His power, love, and mercy, are proclaimed when He blesses His people.
"...and enlarge my territory," 1 Chronicles 4:10c
Jesus' disciples got into an argument about who was going to be the greatest among them. Jesus knew that they were having this discussion so He confronted them about it. What's interesting is that He did NOT say to them: "You shouldn't want to be great." Instead He gave them specific instructions about HOW to be great.
In Luke 22:24-27 Jesus tells the disciples that the Gentiles believe being great means ruling over people, but that is not how they are to understand greatness. He says, "he who is greatest among you, let him be as the younger, and he who governs as he who serves." To be great, we must become greater servants. Our greatness is not determined by who we look down on or who works for us, but by the kinds of people we serve, the number of people we serve, and the way in which we serve them.
"...that Your hand would be with me," 1 Chronicles 4:10d
Most people spend their lives trying to figure out how little they can get by with. They want to get more for doing less.
Jabez knew that by asking God to help him serve more, he was asking God to help him do more than he could possibly accomplish on his own. He purposely asked God to put him in a position where he had to depend on God. As Michelangelo once said, "The greater danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it."
"...and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!” 1 Chronicles 4:10e
Jesus taught His disciples to pray, "And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one," in Luke 11:4. Sin and evil are all around us and we need to be aware of our dependence on God to live a life that pleases Him in every area.
But a second aspect of this prayer becomes clear when we read that the name "Jabez" means pain. It was the name that his mother gave him because of the pain he caused her during birth. Jabez had spent his entire life, every time he was introduced to someone or whenever someone called his name, being reminded that he had brought pain into his mother's life.
We all have to pray for God to help us overcome the wrong beliefs that we have about ourselves. Whether it was our parents, teachers, or anyone else who said them, we all have beliefs about ourselves that simply aren't true. They are nothing more than what others have projected onto us because of what they were experiencing or what they believed.
God wants to bless us and help us become greater servants. In order to do that He wants us to depend on Him completely in every area of our lives. And He wants us to believe the truth about who we are. We are His children, He loves us, and He is with us every moment of our lives. He wants to do great things in our lives.
At the end of of this simple prayer in 1 Chronicles 4:10 we read, "So God granted him what he requested." When we pray this prayer that God answers, just like Jabez, our lives will never be the same.
Rob Marshall is the author of "Taking On Goliath - How to Unleash the David in All of Us." Learn how you can unleash your faith and overcome any "Goliath" that may stand between you and your dreams. http://www.TakingOnGoliath.com
Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com
Copyright 2006 Rob Marshall
Bruce Wilkinson's book, The Prayer of Jabez, became a huge success. It became so successful that many people felt that there must be something wrong with it. But this prayer from 1 Chronicles 4:10 is a great prayer for one simple reason: God answered it. And we need to take another look at this simple, but effective, little prayer.
“Oh, that You would bless me indeed," 1 Chronicles 4:10b
Many people feel that it's wrong for us to ask God to bless us, but they miss the point. The point is: God wants to bless us.
Psalm 67:1-2 says, "God be merciful to us and bless us, and cause His face to shine upon us, Selah. That Your way may be known on earth, Your salvation among all nations." When God blesses us He reveals to the entire earth just who He is. And God's salvation, His power, love, and mercy, are proclaimed when He blesses His people.
"...and enlarge my territory," 1 Chronicles 4:10c
Jesus' disciples got into an argument about who was going to be the greatest among them. Jesus knew that they were having this discussion so He confronted them about it. What's interesting is that He did NOT say to them: "You shouldn't want to be great." Instead He gave them specific instructions about HOW to be great.
In Luke 22:24-27 Jesus tells the disciples that the Gentiles believe being great means ruling over people, but that is not how they are to understand greatness. He says, "he who is greatest among you, let him be as the younger, and he who governs as he who serves." To be great, we must become greater servants. Our greatness is not determined by who we look down on or who works for us, but by the kinds of people we serve, the number of people we serve, and the way in which we serve them.
"...that Your hand would be with me," 1 Chronicles 4:10d
Most people spend their lives trying to figure out how little they can get by with. They want to get more for doing less.
Jabez knew that by asking God to help him serve more, he was asking God to help him do more than he could possibly accomplish on his own. He purposely asked God to put him in a position where he had to depend on God. As Michelangelo once said, "The greater danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it."
"...and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!” 1 Chronicles 4:10e
Jesus taught His disciples to pray, "And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one," in Luke 11:4. Sin and evil are all around us and we need to be aware of our dependence on God to live a life that pleases Him in every area.
But a second aspect of this prayer becomes clear when we read that the name "Jabez" means pain. It was the name that his mother gave him because of the pain he caused her during birth. Jabez had spent his entire life, every time he was introduced to someone or whenever someone called his name, being reminded that he had brought pain into his mother's life.
We all have to pray for God to help us overcome the wrong beliefs that we have about ourselves. Whether it was our parents, teachers, or anyone else who said them, we all have beliefs about ourselves that simply aren't true. They are nothing more than what others have projected onto us because of what they were experiencing or what they believed.
God wants to bless us and help us become greater servants. In order to do that He wants us to depend on Him completely in every area of our lives. And He wants us to believe the truth about who we are. We are His children, He loves us, and He is with us every moment of our lives. He wants to do great things in our lives.
At the end of of this simple prayer in 1 Chronicles 4:10 we read, "So God granted him what he requested." When we pray this prayer that God answers, just like Jabez, our lives will never be the same.
Rob Marshall is the author of "Taking On Goliath - How to Unleash the David in All of Us." Learn how you can unleash your faith and overcome any "Goliath" that may stand between you and your dreams. http://www.TakingOnGoliath.com
Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com
Friday, February 16, 2007
Secrets to Answered Prayer - Knowing What You Want
Secrets to Answered Prayer - Knowing What You Want by Rob Marshall
Copyright 2006 Rob Marshall
His heart sank again as he looked at his son and thought about what had happened just one day earlier. He had been working when he heard his wife desperately screaming for him. As he rushed in he had seen his wife on the floor next to the fire holding their son. An evil spirit that had been tormenting their son had thrown him into the fire and his arm was severely burned. He couldn't forget the agony in his wife's voice as she pleaded with him to take their son to the healer. The spirit was trying to destroy their son and they had to do something.
But now that he was getting close to where the healer was supposed to be, his mind was filled with questions. They had never been a very religious family, would the healer send them away because they sinners? They had no money, would his son not be healed because they had nothing to give to the healer? Everything else they had tried had failed, were they destined to be disappointed again? He cried as the fear overwhelmed him and his mind was flooded with thoughts of having to tell his wife that their only son had not been healed, and that there was no more hope.
When I read stories in the Bible it's too easy to forget that they tell us about real people with real pain and struggles. This story in Mark 9:14-29 is just one example. I've read that story so many times and I often get drawn into the drama surrounding the disciples. I don't think about what this father must have been going through.
As we bring our prayer requests to God there are many things that go through our minds. Like the father in this story we may have a desperate need and we know exactly what it is. But many times our prayers aren't quite this serious. Not that they aren't important to us, but we're somewhat unclear about what it is that we want.
Our prayers need to clearly express to God the things that we want. The Bible tells us that God searches our hearts, but it also tells us to "present your requests to God" (Philippians 4:6). And in James 1:5-8 we read that a person who doubts is like a wave of the sea, tossed about by every wind. That person cannot expect to receive anything from God because he is double-minded.
When we doubt we are torn between different things. We may say we want one outcome, but in our minds we're not really sure. For example, I might want to be healed from the flu, but at the same time I would rather not have to go to work in the morning, and having the flu is a good excuse.
Have you ever had times when you wanted two different things? Or when you weren't completely sure what it was that you wanted?
One of the most important "secrets" to getting our prayers answered is to bring requests to God that are clear and definite. And the first part of that is being clear about what it is that we want and being sure that we really want it.
The father in this story from Mark was absolutely clear about what he wanted and how important it was to him. More than anything else, he wanted his son to be healed and he was going to do all that he could to see that it happened.
Take a look at your prayers. Are you praying for specific outcomes? Are the answers you are looking for the things that you really want?
Something that has helped me get some clarity about what I want is to take the time to put my prayers on paper. And then I ask myself a few questions about why I want what I'm asking for. Knowing what I want, and why I want it, helps me be committed and single-minded about my prayers.
My simple formula for faith is:
Desire + Expectation + Action = Faith
Being clear about our desires, and how important they are to us, is the first step toward effective faith and answered prayer.
Rob Marshall is the author of "Taking On Goliath - How to Unleash the David in All of Us." Learn how you can unleash your faith and overcome any "Goliath" that may stand between you and your dreams.
http://www.TakingOnGoliath.com
Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com
Copyright 2006 Rob Marshall
His heart sank again as he looked at his son and thought about what had happened just one day earlier. He had been working when he heard his wife desperately screaming for him. As he rushed in he had seen his wife on the floor next to the fire holding their son. An evil spirit that had been tormenting their son had thrown him into the fire and his arm was severely burned. He couldn't forget the agony in his wife's voice as she pleaded with him to take their son to the healer. The spirit was trying to destroy their son and they had to do something.
But now that he was getting close to where the healer was supposed to be, his mind was filled with questions. They had never been a very religious family, would the healer send them away because they sinners? They had no money, would his son not be healed because they had nothing to give to the healer? Everything else they had tried had failed, were they destined to be disappointed again? He cried as the fear overwhelmed him and his mind was flooded with thoughts of having to tell his wife that their only son had not been healed, and that there was no more hope.
When I read stories in the Bible it's too easy to forget that they tell us about real people with real pain and struggles. This story in Mark 9:14-29 is just one example. I've read that story so many times and I often get drawn into the drama surrounding the disciples. I don't think about what this father must have been going through.
As we bring our prayer requests to God there are many things that go through our minds. Like the father in this story we may have a desperate need and we know exactly what it is. But many times our prayers aren't quite this serious. Not that they aren't important to us, but we're somewhat unclear about what it is that we want.
Our prayers need to clearly express to God the things that we want. The Bible tells us that God searches our hearts, but it also tells us to "present your requests to God" (Philippians 4:6). And in James 1:5-8 we read that a person who doubts is like a wave of the sea, tossed about by every wind. That person cannot expect to receive anything from God because he is double-minded.
When we doubt we are torn between different things. We may say we want one outcome, but in our minds we're not really sure. For example, I might want to be healed from the flu, but at the same time I would rather not have to go to work in the morning, and having the flu is a good excuse.
Have you ever had times when you wanted two different things? Or when you weren't completely sure what it was that you wanted?
One of the most important "secrets" to getting our prayers answered is to bring requests to God that are clear and definite. And the first part of that is being clear about what it is that we want and being sure that we really want it.
The father in this story from Mark was absolutely clear about what he wanted and how important it was to him. More than anything else, he wanted his son to be healed and he was going to do all that he could to see that it happened.
Take a look at your prayers. Are you praying for specific outcomes? Are the answers you are looking for the things that you really want?
Something that has helped me get some clarity about what I want is to take the time to put my prayers on paper. And then I ask myself a few questions about why I want what I'm asking for. Knowing what I want, and why I want it, helps me be committed and single-minded about my prayers.
My simple formula for faith is:
Desire + Expectation + Action = Faith
Being clear about our desires, and how important they are to us, is the first step toward effective faith and answered prayer.
Rob Marshall is the author of "Taking On Goliath - How to Unleash the David in All of Us." Learn how you can unleash your faith and overcome any "Goliath" that may stand between you and your dreams.
http://www.TakingOnGoliath.com
Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Secrets to Answered Prayer - Challenge Your Beliefs
Secrets to Answered Prayer - Challenge Your Beliefs by Rob Marshall
Copyright 2006 Rob Marshall
He sighed as he thought to himself, "Why do I keep coming back here? I come here every day and nothing ever changes, nothing happens. When the angel moves the water, someone always gets into the pool before I do. If I just had someone who could help me, but there's no one who will come and wait here with me. If there was just some other way to get healed."
Suddenly someone's shadow came over him. He looked up, squinting into the sun to see who it was. The man who was standing there looked down at him and asked, "Do you want to get well?"
"Do I want to get well?" the man thought. "Yes, I want to get well, but I can't," he replied. He told the stranger about not being able to get into the pool after the angel moved the water. But the stranger looked down at him and said, "Get up! Pick up your mat and walk."
He couldn't believe it; he felt a surge of energy in his legs. Was this really happening? Was he healed?
He pushed himself up, picked up his mat and began walking. It was a miracle!
Maybe you've prayed for something for a long time but nothing seemed to change. And to add to your frustration, you kept seeing other people getting answers to their prayers while yours seemed to be unanswered.
Perhaps you recognize this story from John chapter 5 about the lame man who had been coming to the pool called Bethesda. In the story it says that a great multitude of people who were blind, lame, or paralyzed were at the pool, each of them hoping that he would be the first one to get into the pool and be healed.
Have you ever wondered, when there were so many people there who wanted to be healed, why it was that Jesus only healed one of them?
We can speculate about a lot of things. Was this man more righteous than any of the other people? No! When we read the rest of the story, we see that Jesus found the man at the temple, and warned him that he would need to stop sinning or something worse would happen. So at the time Jesus healed the man, he was a sinner.
Was the man more deserving? No! He was just one person who was loved by God, just like all the rest. God never shows favoritism, He loves us all equally.
Perhaps the one thing that set this man apart from everyone else, was that he was willing to believe that there was another way to be healed. Maybe he understood that stepping into the pool was one way, but not the only way, to be made well. This man, unlike everyone else at the pool, was willing to question his beliefs and have the faith that it was God who heals, and not the pool at Bethesda.
One of the first secrets to answered prayer is that we have to be willing to question our current beliefs about answered prayer. We have to be willing to recognize that it's God who answers our prayers. It's not about a formula we might use, or anything else. It's simply about having faith in a loving God.
The beliefs that we hold affect our thoughts and emotions. They influence our actions and they even effect what we are willing, and able, to see.
An experiment was done where a room full of people were asked to watch a video. The video showed two basketball teams in different colored uniforms passing the ball back and forth. They were asked to count how many times the ball was passed to someone on the team wearing the yellow uniforms.
When the video was over, the researchers asked them if they had seen anything unusual, and two or three of the people raised their hands. The researchers then replayed the video and everyone laughed when they saw that part way through the video, someone dressed in a gorilla outfit walked into the middle of the picture and waved several times.
Why had most of the people missed the gorilla? The simple answer is: They were looking for something else.
Like the people laying around the pool at Bethesda, we can get so caught up in thinking about how God has to answer our prayers, that we're not open to Him doing it some other way.
If you believe that God will only answer your prayers if you meet certain requirements, challenge your belief. If you believe that you are not worthy of God's love, challenge your belief.
God answers our prayers because He loves us, wants our joy to be full, and so that He can glorify His name. If you believe anything else, challenge your belief.
The same faith that helped David defeat Goliath is in everyone of us. In "Taking On Goliath - How To Unleash The David In All Of Us," author Rob Marshall shows you how to unleash your faith, overcame any obstacle, and live your dreams.
http://www.TakingOnGoliath.com
Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com
Copyright 2006 Rob Marshall
He sighed as he thought to himself, "Why do I keep coming back here? I come here every day and nothing ever changes, nothing happens. When the angel moves the water, someone always gets into the pool before I do. If I just had someone who could help me, but there's no one who will come and wait here with me. If there was just some other way to get healed."
Suddenly someone's shadow came over him. He looked up, squinting into the sun to see who it was. The man who was standing there looked down at him and asked, "Do you want to get well?"
"Do I want to get well?" the man thought. "Yes, I want to get well, but I can't," he replied. He told the stranger about not being able to get into the pool after the angel moved the water. But the stranger looked down at him and said, "Get up! Pick up your mat and walk."
He couldn't believe it; he felt a surge of energy in his legs. Was this really happening? Was he healed?
He pushed himself up, picked up his mat and began walking. It was a miracle!
Maybe you've prayed for something for a long time but nothing seemed to change. And to add to your frustration, you kept seeing other people getting answers to their prayers while yours seemed to be unanswered.
Perhaps you recognize this story from John chapter 5 about the lame man who had been coming to the pool called Bethesda. In the story it says that a great multitude of people who were blind, lame, or paralyzed were at the pool, each of them hoping that he would be the first one to get into the pool and be healed.
Have you ever wondered, when there were so many people there who wanted to be healed, why it was that Jesus only healed one of them?
We can speculate about a lot of things. Was this man more righteous than any of the other people? No! When we read the rest of the story, we see that Jesus found the man at the temple, and warned him that he would need to stop sinning or something worse would happen. So at the time Jesus healed the man, he was a sinner.
Was the man more deserving? No! He was just one person who was loved by God, just like all the rest. God never shows favoritism, He loves us all equally.
Perhaps the one thing that set this man apart from everyone else, was that he was willing to believe that there was another way to be healed. Maybe he understood that stepping into the pool was one way, but not the only way, to be made well. This man, unlike everyone else at the pool, was willing to question his beliefs and have the faith that it was God who heals, and not the pool at Bethesda.
One of the first secrets to answered prayer is that we have to be willing to question our current beliefs about answered prayer. We have to be willing to recognize that it's God who answers our prayers. It's not about a formula we might use, or anything else. It's simply about having faith in a loving God.
The beliefs that we hold affect our thoughts and emotions. They influence our actions and they even effect what we are willing, and able, to see.
An experiment was done where a room full of people were asked to watch a video. The video showed two basketball teams in different colored uniforms passing the ball back and forth. They were asked to count how many times the ball was passed to someone on the team wearing the yellow uniforms.
When the video was over, the researchers asked them if they had seen anything unusual, and two or three of the people raised their hands. The researchers then replayed the video and everyone laughed when they saw that part way through the video, someone dressed in a gorilla outfit walked into the middle of the picture and waved several times.
Why had most of the people missed the gorilla? The simple answer is: They were looking for something else.
Like the people laying around the pool at Bethesda, we can get so caught up in thinking about how God has to answer our prayers, that we're not open to Him doing it some other way.
If you believe that God will only answer your prayers if you meet certain requirements, challenge your belief. If you believe that you are not worthy of God's love, challenge your belief.
God answers our prayers because He loves us, wants our joy to be full, and so that He can glorify His name. If you believe anything else, challenge your belief.
The same faith that helped David defeat Goliath is in everyone of us. In "Taking On Goliath - How To Unleash The David In All Of Us," author Rob Marshall shows you how to unleash your faith, overcame any obstacle, and live your dreams.
http://www.TakingOnGoliath.com
Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Dear God, I'm Mad As Hell
Dear God, I'm Mad As Hell by Rob Marshall
Copyright 2006 Rob Marshall
In Bible studies that I've taught, I've often had people talk with me afterwards and mention that they're struggling because they're not getting answers to their prayers. They want to have faith, they don't think that they're doing anything wrong, but nothing seems to be happening, nothing is changing.
It reminds me of a theme that comes up throughout the Psalms. It's a theme that we don't like to talk about because it seems like the Psalmists are saying, "God! We cry out to You, but You don't answer!"
Whether we like it or not, there are times when it seems like God is a long way away. We feel like the Psalmist who wrote: "But now you have rejected and humbled us; you no longer go out with our armies. You made us retreat before the enemy, and our adversaries have plundered us. You gave us up to be devoured like sheep and have scattered us among the nations. You sold your people for a pittance, gaining nothing from their sale." (Psalm 44:9-12 NIV)
There have been times when I've felt like dying. Has that ever happened to you? When you feel like there's no hope, God has forsaken you, so you might as well just give up?
Most of us just put on a brave face and try not to admit it, but the truth is, we're frustrated and angry. We're mad at God and we don't know what to do.
Part of the frustration that we deal with is because we begin to believe that it's something we've done wrong. There's a problem with "me" but I don't know what it is. God must be angry with me for some unknown reason, and if I could just figure it out and say I'm sorry, it will all be better.
When we face times like this we have to remember that others have gone through similar times. There's nothing strange about it and there's nothing wrong with us. We should be open and listen to see if there is some unconfessed sin that we need to deal with, but not allow ourselves to be overwhelmed with guilt. And we shouldn't try to earn God's favor by believing that we need to be punished.
As my pastor once commented to me when I was thinking along those lines, "What! Was Christ's death on the cross not good enough for you?" I realized that I wrongly thought I had to pay the price, and I forgot that He already had.
We also need to follow David's example. In Psalm 43:5 he says, "Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God."
It's OK to let God know that we're angry and that we don't understand what's happening in our lives. It's OK to tell Him how we feel. And then we need to remember that even if we feel forsaken, God is still there. He still loves us.
When we tell God how we feel, we also need to remind ourselves of who He is and make a decision to continue to praise Him. The sacrifice of praise often comes when we decide to stop all the negative voices in our heads and praise God in spite of our circumstances.
One of my favorite prayers is in 2 Chronicles 20:12. The prayer is in the middle of the story about the armies that were coming to attack Jehoshaphat. At the end of Jehoshaphat's prayer he says, "For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you."
We need to let God know how we're feeling, but still keep our eyes on Him. He will answer our prayers and help us through any circumstances we're facing. His answer may not come in the way we want, but it will come.
Rob Marshall is the author of "Taking On Goliath - How to Unleash the David in All of Us." Learn how you can unleash your faith and overcome any "Goliath" that may stand between you and your dreams.
http://www.TakingOnGoliath.com
Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com
Copyright 2006 Rob Marshall
In Bible studies that I've taught, I've often had people talk with me afterwards and mention that they're struggling because they're not getting answers to their prayers. They want to have faith, they don't think that they're doing anything wrong, but nothing seems to be happening, nothing is changing.
It reminds me of a theme that comes up throughout the Psalms. It's a theme that we don't like to talk about because it seems like the Psalmists are saying, "God! We cry out to You, but You don't answer!"
Whether we like it or not, there are times when it seems like God is a long way away. We feel like the Psalmist who wrote: "But now you have rejected and humbled us; you no longer go out with our armies. You made us retreat before the enemy, and our adversaries have plundered us. You gave us up to be devoured like sheep and have scattered us among the nations. You sold your people for a pittance, gaining nothing from their sale." (Psalm 44:9-12 NIV)
There have been times when I've felt like dying. Has that ever happened to you? When you feel like there's no hope, God has forsaken you, so you might as well just give up?
Most of us just put on a brave face and try not to admit it, but the truth is, we're frustrated and angry. We're mad at God and we don't know what to do.
Part of the frustration that we deal with is because we begin to believe that it's something we've done wrong. There's a problem with "me" but I don't know what it is. God must be angry with me for some unknown reason, and if I could just figure it out and say I'm sorry, it will all be better.
When we face times like this we have to remember that others have gone through similar times. There's nothing strange about it and there's nothing wrong with us. We should be open and listen to see if there is some unconfessed sin that we need to deal with, but not allow ourselves to be overwhelmed with guilt. And we shouldn't try to earn God's favor by believing that we need to be punished.
As my pastor once commented to me when I was thinking along those lines, "What! Was Christ's death on the cross not good enough for you?" I realized that I wrongly thought I had to pay the price, and I forgot that He already had.
We also need to follow David's example. In Psalm 43:5 he says, "Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God."
It's OK to let God know that we're angry and that we don't understand what's happening in our lives. It's OK to tell Him how we feel. And then we need to remember that even if we feel forsaken, God is still there. He still loves us.
When we tell God how we feel, we also need to remind ourselves of who He is and make a decision to continue to praise Him. The sacrifice of praise often comes when we decide to stop all the negative voices in our heads and praise God in spite of our circumstances.
One of my favorite prayers is in 2 Chronicles 20:12. The prayer is in the middle of the story about the armies that were coming to attack Jehoshaphat. At the end of Jehoshaphat's prayer he says, "For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you."
We need to let God know how we're feeling, but still keep our eyes on Him. He will answer our prayers and help us through any circumstances we're facing. His answer may not come in the way we want, but it will come.
Rob Marshall is the author of "Taking On Goliath - How to Unleash the David in All of Us." Learn how you can unleash your faith and overcome any "Goliath" that may stand between you and your dreams.
http://www.TakingOnGoliath.com
Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com
Thursday, February 8, 2007
The First Key to Getting What You Want
The First Key to Getting What You Want by Rob Marshall
Copyright 2006 Rob Marshall
I was listening to an interview with a well-known Internet marketer who said that the number one question his clients ask him is: What is the one thing that I can do that will guarantee my success?
No matter where we are on the road to our success, often times lost on a detour away from it, we always want to know if there's one, and we hope it's simple and easy, step that we can take that will help us leap right to a happy, prosperous, and successful ending. The problem is that we too often fall prey to anyone that offers the "secret" to success. Especially if they tell us that they have the one secret that everyone else isn't telling us. I hate ads like that...I almost always fall for them.
Is there some simple step, or set of steps, that we can take that will help us be successful?
I believe that being successful is as easy as being a failure and, since it's no harder to succeed, why not choose success? I know that some people will struggle with the idea that we can simply choose to be successful because we feel like Tevye in "Fiddler On The Roof" who, in the song "If I were a rich man," asks God:
Lord who made the lion and the lamb, You decreed I should be what I am-- Would it spoil some vast, eternal plan, If I were a wealthy man?
We believe that we are victims to some plan that is keeping us where we are. We think that we're powerless to do anything about it, but that's simply not true.
The Bible tells us that God's character, who He really is, is displayed in the things that He has created. If we simply look around at nature, we see that God is a God of infinite abundance. That everything He has created has the innate ability to be successful no matter what it is or where it is. Just try to keep things from growing in your garden. It's an uphill battle because something always wants to grow; it's just not always what we want to grow.
Man is created in God's image. We are born with the desire to have more in life; we are born with the desire to create. God has given us that desire, so why would he give us the desire for more if He didn't want us to have more? God is a creator and He wants to create great things through each of our lives.
So what's the problem?
In the classes that I teach I often ask people what it is that they want. Some will come back with generic answers like: "I want a lot of money," or "I want to travel." But those are things that we think we'd like to have, if it wouldn't be too much trouble, and if God, or anyone else, would be willing to give them to us. But those answers aren't real wants, they're just whims or wishes.
For us to have what we want in life, to enjoy all that God would have for us, we need to make a decision. We have to be very clear about what it is that we want, no if's, and's, or but's.
How clearly have you defined what you want in life? Can you get a clear picture of it in your mind? Is it written down somewhere? How often do you think about it?
In Mark 10:51 Jesus asks a blind man, "What do you want me to do for you?" The blind man answered, "Rabbi, I want to see." I think it's safe to assume that this was something he really wanted and not just a wish.
If God were to ask you that question today, would you have such a clear answer? Do you know what you really want?
Rob Marshall is the author of "Taking On Goliath - How to Unleash the David in All of Us." Learn how you can unleash your faith and overcome any "Goliath" that may stand between you and your dreams.
http://www.TakingOnGoliath.com
Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com
Copyright 2006 Rob Marshall
I was listening to an interview with a well-known Internet marketer who said that the number one question his clients ask him is: What is the one thing that I can do that will guarantee my success?
No matter where we are on the road to our success, often times lost on a detour away from it, we always want to know if there's one, and we hope it's simple and easy, step that we can take that will help us leap right to a happy, prosperous, and successful ending. The problem is that we too often fall prey to anyone that offers the "secret" to success. Especially if they tell us that they have the one secret that everyone else isn't telling us. I hate ads like that...I almost always fall for them.
Is there some simple step, or set of steps, that we can take that will help us be successful?
I believe that being successful is as easy as being a failure and, since it's no harder to succeed, why not choose success? I know that some people will struggle with the idea that we can simply choose to be successful because we feel like Tevye in "Fiddler On The Roof" who, in the song "If I were a rich man," asks God:
Lord who made the lion and the lamb, You decreed I should be what I am-- Would it spoil some vast, eternal plan, If I were a wealthy man?
We believe that we are victims to some plan that is keeping us where we are. We think that we're powerless to do anything about it, but that's simply not true.
The Bible tells us that God's character, who He really is, is displayed in the things that He has created. If we simply look around at nature, we see that God is a God of infinite abundance. That everything He has created has the innate ability to be successful no matter what it is or where it is. Just try to keep things from growing in your garden. It's an uphill battle because something always wants to grow; it's just not always what we want to grow.
Man is created in God's image. We are born with the desire to have more in life; we are born with the desire to create. God has given us that desire, so why would he give us the desire for more if He didn't want us to have more? God is a creator and He wants to create great things through each of our lives.
So what's the problem?
In the classes that I teach I often ask people what it is that they want. Some will come back with generic answers like: "I want a lot of money," or "I want to travel." But those are things that we think we'd like to have, if it wouldn't be too much trouble, and if God, or anyone else, would be willing to give them to us. But those answers aren't real wants, they're just whims or wishes.
For us to have what we want in life, to enjoy all that God would have for us, we need to make a decision. We have to be very clear about what it is that we want, no if's, and's, or but's.
How clearly have you defined what you want in life? Can you get a clear picture of it in your mind? Is it written down somewhere? How often do you think about it?
In Mark 10:51 Jesus asks a blind man, "What do you want me to do for you?" The blind man answered, "Rabbi, I want to see." I think it's safe to assume that this was something he really wanted and not just a wish.
If God were to ask you that question today, would you have such a clear answer? Do you know what you really want?
Rob Marshall is the author of "Taking On Goliath - How to Unleash the David in All of Us." Learn how you can unleash your faith and overcome any "Goliath" that may stand between you and your dreams.
http://www.TakingOnGoliath.com
Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com
Tuesday, February 6, 2007
Is Worrying About God's Will Hurting Your Prayers?
Is Worrying About God's Will Hurting Your Prayers? by Rob Marshall
Copyright 2006 Rob Marshall
Have you ever wondered why your prayers go unanswered? If you're like a lot of people, you've probably spent a lot of time doing some soul searching trying to figure out what's wrong. We keep making our requests to God, but our prayers seem to fall on deaf ears.
There could be a number of things causing problems, but the main problem that plagues most of us may surprise you. The simple fact is: We don't know what God wants. We spend all of our time frustrated because we don't know God's will.
Struggling to determine God's will was the single greatest problem that came up in an informal survey that I did. At a Bible study I was teaching I asked a simple question: What is the biggest difficulty you have with faith? In one form or another the answer that kept coming up was: "I don't know what God wants." This feeling that we might might be wrong stops our faith dead in its tracks.
The solution to this problem will most likely shock you, because God wants what you want. It's that simple.
I may have lost some of you, but listen carefully because this could be the most important thing you'll ever learn about prayer and faith. God's will is to give us what we want, and I can prove it.
In John 14:13-14(NIV), Jesus says, "And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it."
This verse causes some real problems for me. It seems like Jesus is literally giving us a blank check, but I know from my own experiences that it can't be that way. And you probably agree with me when I say, "Yeah, I know that's what it says, but that's not really how it works...or is it?"
Experience is a great teacher, but does it always teach us the truth?
There is one inescapable truth that we all have to deal with. We have to decide what we believe to be true. We have to make up our minds that we will either believe what Jesus says or we will believe what we (and most of the people around us) believe to be true. Will we believe what God says, or will we believe what we experience?
The ultimate test of faith is that we accept what God says independent of what we've always believed, what the circumstances are, and what experience has taught us.
When David faced Goliath he could have listened to what every one else was saying. King Saul emphatically told David that he would not be able to defeat Goliath. David's brother told him that he was just being proud and that he should go back to herding sheep and leave the fighting to the soldiers (my paraphrase :-).
If David had listened to them, he would never have fought Goliath and he probably never would have become king.
The simple answer to the question about God's will is: God's will is to glorify His Son and Himself by doing what we ask. It's that simple. So what is it that you want most in life? Do you know what you want to ask God to do for you?
Rob Marshall is the author of "Taking On Goliath - How to Unleash the David in All of Us." Learn how you can unleash your faith and overcome any "Goliath" that may stand between you and your dreams. http://www.TakingOnGoliath.com
Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com
Copyright 2006 Rob Marshall
Have you ever wondered why your prayers go unanswered? If you're like a lot of people, you've probably spent a lot of time doing some soul searching trying to figure out what's wrong. We keep making our requests to God, but our prayers seem to fall on deaf ears.
There could be a number of things causing problems, but the main problem that plagues most of us may surprise you. The simple fact is: We don't know what God wants. We spend all of our time frustrated because we don't know God's will.
Struggling to determine God's will was the single greatest problem that came up in an informal survey that I did. At a Bible study I was teaching I asked a simple question: What is the biggest difficulty you have with faith? In one form or another the answer that kept coming up was: "I don't know what God wants." This feeling that we might might be wrong stops our faith dead in its tracks.
The solution to this problem will most likely shock you, because God wants what you want. It's that simple.
I may have lost some of you, but listen carefully because this could be the most important thing you'll ever learn about prayer and faith. God's will is to give us what we want, and I can prove it.
In John 14:13-14(NIV), Jesus says, "And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it."
This verse causes some real problems for me. It seems like Jesus is literally giving us a blank check, but I know from my own experiences that it can't be that way. And you probably agree with me when I say, "Yeah, I know that's what it says, but that's not really how it works...or is it?"
Experience is a great teacher, but does it always teach us the truth?
There is one inescapable truth that we all have to deal with. We have to decide what we believe to be true. We have to make up our minds that we will either believe what Jesus says or we will believe what we (and most of the people around us) believe to be true. Will we believe what God says, or will we believe what we experience?
The ultimate test of faith is that we accept what God says independent of what we've always believed, what the circumstances are, and what experience has taught us.
When David faced Goliath he could have listened to what every one else was saying. King Saul emphatically told David that he would not be able to defeat Goliath. David's brother told him that he was just being proud and that he should go back to herding sheep and leave the fighting to the soldiers (my paraphrase :-).
If David had listened to them, he would never have fought Goliath and he probably never would have become king.
The simple answer to the question about God's will is: God's will is to glorify His Son and Himself by doing what we ask. It's that simple. So what is it that you want most in life? Do you know what you want to ask God to do for you?
Rob Marshall is the author of "Taking On Goliath - How to Unleash the David in All of Us." Learn how you can unleash your faith and overcome any "Goliath" that may stand between you and your dreams. http://www.TakingOnGoliath.com
Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com
Understanding the Bible – Help for Your Bible Study
Understanding the Bible – Help for Your Bible Study by Karin Syren
Copyright 2006 So-lu'shunz Leadership Services
The Bible is not always easy to understand. And we are held accountable for how we absorb it into our lives. Proverbs 4:23 makes it clear that each of us is responsible for his own heart. Consequently, many of us begin our study by reading commentaries and articles by those who we figure should know what they are talking about. These supplementary studies can be very valuable, if we adhere to a few simple rules at the outset.
First and foremost, beware of opinions presented as truths. The opinions of men can and do end up becoming the teachings of men, which then become the traditions of men and the traditions of men render the Word of no effect (Mark 7:13; Romans 4:14; Mark 7:8,9). * Begin with prayer, a good place to begin any endeavor! Ask the Holy Spirit to open your eyes to understand (Ephesians 1:18) and your heart to receive the incorruptible Word (1 Peter 1:23). Pray for wisdom (James 1:5) to rightly divide the Scripture (2 Timothy 2:15).
* Now read everything the Bible says about the subject, or the particular Scripture you are attempting to rightly divide, by following any references to supporting Scriptures in both Old and New Testaments and using your concordance. At this point, you are filling your spirit with the Word. Do not make the mistake of being anxious about understanding all of it at this point.
* Be sure to read the passages preceding and following each Scripture to gain an awareness of the passage’s context.
* Be diligent in your word studies, using your comprehensive concordance to understand the nuances of the original Bible languages.
* Finally, formulate a statement in your own words, a paraphrase based on your study. Check and recheck to make sure you have not put your own spin on it. This exercise alone may be enough to illuminate the study for you, to open up the confusing Scripture or to provide you biblical continuity of teaching. If not, and you are looking for some supplemental teaching on the subject, continue reading.
* Now read what others have to say. Stay with teachers who consistently stand firmly on what the Word has to say and who don’t veer off into the realm of opinion, those who have shown to be careful in their study and trustworthy in their interpretations.
* Immediately discount any commentaries based on negativity or criticism of others. There may be a germ of veracity, sincerity or authenticity buried underneath, but those who resort to a negative approach pass along with it a spirit Christians do not need to embrace. Their approach will ultimately tear down any truth and sincerity they may have begun with.
* Be wary of absolute attitudes concerning areas of Scripture that are in question among trusted Bible scholars. It is necessary for each of us to remain teachable, open to the Holy Spirit giving us interpretation beyond what may have become (disputable) denominational doctrine.
* Make it a rule never to argue Scripture. The Word of God is not debatable; it is revelatory. God does not need your abilities as a disputer to bring about revelation in another. He says, for I am watching over My Word to perform it. (Jeremiah 1:12). He only needs you to speak the uncompromised Word, to say what He says – the Holy Spirit will reveal to others (Ephesians 1:17) and God will perform it (Isaiah 55:11)
Above all, do not become discouraged by any lack of understanding or by discrepancies among Bible teachers. The Word of God is meant for you and with the help of the Holy Spirit, spending time each day in the life-giving, delivering, encouraging, empowering, comforting Word of God, will lead you to understanding. Know that God has promised it will accomplish His will and He Himself will bring it to pass.
Karin Syren is a certified Life Coach specializing in Strategic Life Planning. She works with people from all walks of life helping them to become leaders in their own lives, discovering their Mission, creating vibrant Visions as evidence and designing On Target Goals to achieve them. Click the link to find out to join one of Karin's powerful groups and receive your first month FREE at http://www.solushunz.net
Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com
Copyright 2006 So-lu'shunz Leadership Services
The Bible is not always easy to understand. And we are held accountable for how we absorb it into our lives. Proverbs 4:23 makes it clear that each of us is responsible for his own heart. Consequently, many of us begin our study by reading commentaries and articles by those who we figure should know what they are talking about. These supplementary studies can be very valuable, if we adhere to a few simple rules at the outset.
First and foremost, beware of opinions presented as truths. The opinions of men can and do end up becoming the teachings of men, which then become the traditions of men and the traditions of men render the Word of no effect (Mark 7:13; Romans 4:14; Mark 7:8,9). * Begin with prayer, a good place to begin any endeavor! Ask the Holy Spirit to open your eyes to understand (Ephesians 1:18) and your heart to receive the incorruptible Word (1 Peter 1:23). Pray for wisdom (James 1:5) to rightly divide the Scripture (2 Timothy 2:15).
* Now read everything the Bible says about the subject, or the particular Scripture you are attempting to rightly divide, by following any references to supporting Scriptures in both Old and New Testaments and using your concordance. At this point, you are filling your spirit with the Word. Do not make the mistake of being anxious about understanding all of it at this point.
* Be sure to read the passages preceding and following each Scripture to gain an awareness of the passage’s context.
* Be diligent in your word studies, using your comprehensive concordance to understand the nuances of the original Bible languages.
* Finally, formulate a statement in your own words, a paraphrase based on your study. Check and recheck to make sure you have not put your own spin on it. This exercise alone may be enough to illuminate the study for you, to open up the confusing Scripture or to provide you biblical continuity of teaching. If not, and you are looking for some supplemental teaching on the subject, continue reading.
* Now read what others have to say. Stay with teachers who consistently stand firmly on what the Word has to say and who don’t veer off into the realm of opinion, those who have shown to be careful in their study and trustworthy in their interpretations.
* Immediately discount any commentaries based on negativity or criticism of others. There may be a germ of veracity, sincerity or authenticity buried underneath, but those who resort to a negative approach pass along with it a spirit Christians do not need to embrace. Their approach will ultimately tear down any truth and sincerity they may have begun with.
* Be wary of absolute attitudes concerning areas of Scripture that are in question among trusted Bible scholars. It is necessary for each of us to remain teachable, open to the Holy Spirit giving us interpretation beyond what may have become (disputable) denominational doctrine.
* Make it a rule never to argue Scripture. The Word of God is not debatable; it is revelatory. God does not need your abilities as a disputer to bring about revelation in another. He says, for I am watching over My Word to perform it. (Jeremiah 1:12). He only needs you to speak the uncompromised Word, to say what He says – the Holy Spirit will reveal to others (Ephesians 1:17) and God will perform it (Isaiah 55:11)
Above all, do not become discouraged by any lack of understanding or by discrepancies among Bible teachers. The Word of God is meant for you and with the help of the Holy Spirit, spending time each day in the life-giving, delivering, encouraging, empowering, comforting Word of God, will lead you to understanding. Know that God has promised it will accomplish His will and He Himself will bring it to pass.
Karin Syren is a certified Life Coach specializing in Strategic Life Planning. She works with people from all walks of life helping them to become leaders in their own lives, discovering their Mission, creating vibrant Visions as evidence and designing On Target Goals to achieve them. Click the link to find out to join one of Karin's powerful groups and receive your first month FREE at http://www.solushunz.net
Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com
Friday, February 2, 2007
A Simple Formula For Faith Can Help You Reach Your Dreams
A Simple Formula For Faith Can Help You Reach Your Dreams by Rob Marshall
Copyright 2006 Rob Marshall
When I first starting telling people that we were going to move to Germany, I had no idea how we were going to do it. We didn't have the money to pay for the move, we didn't know anybody in Germany and I had no idea how I was going to find work. It seemed like it was an impossible dream, but I did have one thing going for me, I had faith.
It's like one of my favorite stories from the Bible, the story of David and Goliath. When David told everyone that he was going to be able to defeat Goliath, he had no idea how he was going to do it. He was just a shepherd boy and Goliath was a warrior. The odds were against him and it seemed like an impossible task. But David did have one thing going for him, he had faith.
If having faith is all that it takes to make the impossible possible, to make seemingly unreachable dreams a reality, and to turn certain defeat into victory, the question is: what is faith?
For many years I could quote the definition of faith found in Hebrews 11:1. It says, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." But I really didn't understand it until I was able to put it into a simple formula that says:
Desire + Expectation + Action = Faith.
In the formula desire is simply what we want. It's what the verse in Hebrews calls the things we hope for. The expectation part of the formula is what we really believe about what we want. The Bible calls it substance. It's the intangible sense that we can have what we want, even if we're not sure how it will happen. The last part of the formula is action. It's what we do today that is the evidence, or the proof, of what we expect.
When I apply this formula to David's battle with Goliath, David's desire was to defeat Goliath. His expectation was that, God was going to help him kill Goliath just like He had helped him kill a lion and a bear that had attacked his sheep. The actions that he took were to get a clear picture in his mind of Goliath lying dead on the ground. Because David believed he could defeat Goliath, he soon found a way to use the skills he had with a shepherd's sling to kill the giant with a single shot.
For our move to Germany, my desire was to live and work in Germany. My expectation was that God would work out all the details, even though I couldn't see how it was possible. Then we took action. We bought a map of Germany and put it on the wall of our dining room where it served to constantly remind us of our dream. We also started preparing for living in Germany by studying the language, meeting with an elderly German woman who lived near us, and listening to German music.
What is your dream? And how is your faith?
Start by looking at your desires. And by that I don't mean the kind of desires that a three year old would have when going through a toy store where all the bright colored packages would catch his attention and he'd say, "Oh! I want that, and that, and that." By desire I mean that kind of deep desires you have in your heart that are the things you really want to accomplish in your life.
Then take a look at your expectation. What do you really believe about fulfilling that desire and reaching your dream? Do you believe that you have to have all the answers first? David didn't. And, like David, all I knew was that impossible dreams can come true as long as we're willing to believe that they can.
And how about your actions? Do you have a clear picture in your mind, and maybe a "map on the wall" or some photos of your dream that you can use to remind you of your dream? Are there things that you can do today that will help you prepare for the day when your dream becomes a reality?
Whatever those actions may be, take one today and then another tomorrow, and keep doing that day after day. And whenever you begin to feel fear or doubt, look at the picture of your dream, imagine how good it will feel to be living that dream, and your faith will help you reach it.
It took three-and-a-half years of prayer and preparation before we moved to Germany, and I wouldn't trade that experience for anything. The sheer joy of seeing a dream come true was incredible. We spent almost ten years living and working in different parts of Germany and we were able to move to the former communist East Germany shortly after the wall fell. We have friends and memories that will last us a lifetime.
For David, the battle with Goliath was a major step toward reaching his dream of becoming king. After he burst on the scene with his victory over Goliath, there was still a lot of time and preparation that needed to happen before he became king. But his faith kept him strong and he was able to become one of the greatest kings the nation of Israel ever had.
What will reaching your dreams mean to you? How will it feel when you accomplish something that you've longed for most of your life? Just have a little faith and you'll soon find out.
Rob Marshall is the author of "Taking On Goliath - How to Unleash the David in All of Us." Learn how you can unleash your faith and overcome any "Goliath" that may stand between you and your dreams. http://www.TakingOnGoliath.com
Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com
Copyright 2006 Rob Marshall
When I first starting telling people that we were going to move to Germany, I had no idea how we were going to do it. We didn't have the money to pay for the move, we didn't know anybody in Germany and I had no idea how I was going to find work. It seemed like it was an impossible dream, but I did have one thing going for me, I had faith.
It's like one of my favorite stories from the Bible, the story of David and Goliath. When David told everyone that he was going to be able to defeat Goliath, he had no idea how he was going to do it. He was just a shepherd boy and Goliath was a warrior. The odds were against him and it seemed like an impossible task. But David did have one thing going for him, he had faith.
If having faith is all that it takes to make the impossible possible, to make seemingly unreachable dreams a reality, and to turn certain defeat into victory, the question is: what is faith?
For many years I could quote the definition of faith found in Hebrews 11:1. It says, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." But I really didn't understand it until I was able to put it into a simple formula that says:
Desire + Expectation + Action = Faith.
In the formula desire is simply what we want. It's what the verse in Hebrews calls the things we hope for. The expectation part of the formula is what we really believe about what we want. The Bible calls it substance. It's the intangible sense that we can have what we want, even if we're not sure how it will happen. The last part of the formula is action. It's what we do today that is the evidence, or the proof, of what we expect.
When I apply this formula to David's battle with Goliath, David's desire was to defeat Goliath. His expectation was that, God was going to help him kill Goliath just like He had helped him kill a lion and a bear that had attacked his sheep. The actions that he took were to get a clear picture in his mind of Goliath lying dead on the ground. Because David believed he could defeat Goliath, he soon found a way to use the skills he had with a shepherd's sling to kill the giant with a single shot.
For our move to Germany, my desire was to live and work in Germany. My expectation was that God would work out all the details, even though I couldn't see how it was possible. Then we took action. We bought a map of Germany and put it on the wall of our dining room where it served to constantly remind us of our dream. We also started preparing for living in Germany by studying the language, meeting with an elderly German woman who lived near us, and listening to German music.
What is your dream? And how is your faith?
Start by looking at your desires. And by that I don't mean the kind of desires that a three year old would have when going through a toy store where all the bright colored packages would catch his attention and he'd say, "Oh! I want that, and that, and that." By desire I mean that kind of deep desires you have in your heart that are the things you really want to accomplish in your life.
Then take a look at your expectation. What do you really believe about fulfilling that desire and reaching your dream? Do you believe that you have to have all the answers first? David didn't. And, like David, all I knew was that impossible dreams can come true as long as we're willing to believe that they can.
And how about your actions? Do you have a clear picture in your mind, and maybe a "map on the wall" or some photos of your dream that you can use to remind you of your dream? Are there things that you can do today that will help you prepare for the day when your dream becomes a reality?
Whatever those actions may be, take one today and then another tomorrow, and keep doing that day after day. And whenever you begin to feel fear or doubt, look at the picture of your dream, imagine how good it will feel to be living that dream, and your faith will help you reach it.
It took three-and-a-half years of prayer and preparation before we moved to Germany, and I wouldn't trade that experience for anything. The sheer joy of seeing a dream come true was incredible. We spent almost ten years living and working in different parts of Germany and we were able to move to the former communist East Germany shortly after the wall fell. We have friends and memories that will last us a lifetime.
For David, the battle with Goliath was a major step toward reaching his dream of becoming king. After he burst on the scene with his victory over Goliath, there was still a lot of time and preparation that needed to happen before he became king. But his faith kept him strong and he was able to become one of the greatest kings the nation of Israel ever had.
What will reaching your dreams mean to you? How will it feel when you accomplish something that you've longed for most of your life? Just have a little faith and you'll soon find out.
Rob Marshall is the author of "Taking On Goliath - How to Unleash the David in All of Us." Learn how you can unleash your faith and overcome any "Goliath" that may stand between you and your dreams. http://www.TakingOnGoliath.com
Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com
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