Category Archives: faith

Heavy Lifting Without the Weight

Matthew 11:28 reads, (CEB) “Come to me, all you who are struggling hard and carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest. Put on my yoke, and learn from me. I’m gentle and humble. And you will find rest for yourselves. My yoke is easy to bear, and my burden is light.”

On the surface this sounds like a great offer of exchange. Yet at depth, it’s not so easily categorized depending on how you view the world. How well you actually understand what is being asked of you. How do you view and respond to a simple call to surrender?

It’s difficult to answer and rightly so because it’s a serious decision and there are many things to consider. The most pressing is, what are your attachments to your choices? What are your worries for the world? Not concerning global warming or population to resources, but how will your rest affect those around you? How does letting go hurt or benefit others?

Those questions to consider and many do, causing some to resist a most favorable rate of exchange because; “they’ve seen the world and you fear the work it would take to set things right.” Ultimately, it’s that simple. Less a question of sin and regret, but what will it cost? What will the toll be if I fully say, commit to, this is where I am? This is where I want to be. This is what I understand (is promised). Yet this is the state I am and as best as I know it – people won’t accept that light; even His light could possibly shine through this darkness. It’s a heavy weight to consider the aftermath of saying yes?

The answer though is light and not so troublesome at all. The choice is simply, you join – connect with a body; a purpose so overwhelmingly strong the head said, “the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” A body who laid down and was resurrected for all time with all power for one purpose – that you might have life. The life that was first given – the life that is yours (by birth). Rest without the threat or possibility of the weight of sin ever entangling you again. Without snares and thorns ever showing their prickly touch… Taking the yoke and learning is simple if you can just remember the weight is not yours to bear alone.

It’s one yoke – one body with all its members answering the same call.

Hebrews 12:1 (NIV) Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,

The Lean Years – Wasted Moments

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preach-it Based on Spurgeon’s Morning Devotion 7-3-2015:

“The ill favoured and leanfleshed kine did eat up the seven wellfavoured and fat kine.”
Genesis 41:4

Pharaoh’s dream has too often been my waking experience. My days of sloth have ruinously destroyed all that I had achieved in times of zealous industry; my seasons of coldness have frozen all the genial glow of my periods of fervency and enthusiasm; and my fits of worldliness have thrown me back from my advances in the divine life. I had need to beware of lean prayers, lean praises, lean duties, and lean experiences, for these will eat up the fat of my comfort and peace. If I neglect prayer for never so short a time, I lose all the spirituality to which I had attained; if I draw no fresh supplies from heaven, the old corn in my granary is soon consumed by the famine which rages in my soul. When the caterpillars of indifference, the cankerworms of worldliness, and the palmerworms of self-indulgence, lay my heart completely desolate, and make my soul to languish, all my former fruitfulness and growth in grace avails me nothing whatever. How anxious should I be to have no lean-fleshed days, no ill-favoured hours!

This message offers a most powerful indictment of the tends (tendencies) and chords that draw us away from task. While rest is an absolute necessity, how careful are we to watch for the leanness creeping in the guise of a blessed moment of peace? Appearing in the form of a blessing yet there is a startling difference and a dangerous persistence embedding itself.

In the passage there are two cows, both at work, but an important difference the lean worked to devour the fat. As Spurgeon espoused and the word informs of our leanness, slight indifference, our neglect even in the guise of rest – it works to devour all that is accomplished in his name while we traverse the lands of Egypt. Whether you fare as sumptuously as Joseph or as trodden as a slave.

While we’re here God is sustaining us. Yes you’ve been washed and reborn – regenerated into the promised land of Zion yet until the physical day you set foot in Canaan there is a vigilance to educate, to nourish the body as we share learn and discover the elements of faith. There is a vigilance that we need to go often to the well, to the rock – to the Word of God that it may always be as He said. My soul, Psalm 63:5 (HCSB) You satisfy me as with rich food ; my mouth will praise You with joyful lips.

Let us remember today and always the lesson of the dream and the dream itself.

God speaks that we may understand and DO! The dream doesn’t change situations it’s up to you to heed its thoughts and follow through.

New Years Blessing – The First Signs of Growth

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Seeing The Promise of Bearing Fruit:

2014, I will confess, was full of labors. Everyday tasks with lifetimes of implications, if I were to minister to yesterday’s issues – 2014 was a work. Yet hearing and receiving in faith, I speak it today. The first breaths of a new year – Celebrate! Beyond the revelry and parties rejoice! I rejoice as in seeing the first blades of grass. The seed, the sweat, the stirrings and turmoil – 2015 has arrived and brings with it a booming harvest. Initiatives sown have taken root and now we’re seeing the first shoots of what’s to come. CN Life is bearing fruit.

The fruit of faith and perseverance; the dedication even wavering and questions – the choice to sow seeds is ready and producing a harvest. As we walk into a new year, you walk with us. We walk in agreement, in the power of faith. Today we celebrate!

Beyond Happy New Year, I speak and concur, with the blessing God has spoken over all life. Be Fruitful and Multiply!

Not merely addition, but swelling for the flight. I challenge you to take your faith and subdue the jungles that have not heard the word in your life. Produce!

Bear Fruit! Today is the first moments of an opportunity to see the hint of what God has promised and delivered. You will have the good of the land. The Good of the land is yours. Forgetting past ways, what do you choose to do with it today?

Receive the blessing of CN Life and Me personally in Faith! Be fruitful and watch God multiply!

The Gritty Truth about Faith

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It’s not always pretty. In fact in the words of Pastor Mankins: Get “Ugly” For Jesus

move-mountains-working-hard-work-CN Life

Check Out the New Book – Embrace of Faith – http://amzn.to/10LTVMz

The message brought about an intriguing thought, one I’ve had for some time. David praised God out of his clothes. Whether you’re hurt or joyous about a circumstance you often forget how it looks to others. Most often you’re just trying to accomplish a thing. Why not the tell others the gritty truth. Faith ain’t pretty. It gets hard at times but these are the times to push for the other side knowing God is there, with you and waiting for you, with the winning bouquet of Glory.

Enjoy this excerpt of The Message – Faith ain’t Pretty

A local tire store had an advertisement that caught my attention. The ad said, “Hello, neighbor! Tires ain’t pretty, but everyone needs tires, so you might as well get them from us at the best price.”

Some time later I was in a radical, wild church service where people were laughing, and shouting, and praising God. Some were even leaping for joy, running, and dancing! During all of this, the Lord spoke to me in this way, “Hello, neighbor! Faith ain’t pretty, but everyone needs faith! So get your faith from God and learn how to release your faith and respond to the Word and power of God.”

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
(Rom. 10:17)

I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil.
(Ps. 119:162)

Thy words were found, and I did eat them, and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart.
(Jer. 15:16)

…yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
(1 Peter 1:8,9)

Notice that between “believing” and “receiving” in these verses is “joy unspeakable.”

Joy Unspeakable
When you are really a Bible believing Christian, there must be some rejoicing with joy unspeakable. If the joy is “unspeakable,” you must let it out somehow through laughing, shouting, leaping , or dancing for joy. This kind of joy is full of glory. The spirit of faith declares the outcome even in the middle of adversity. You see the victorious end of the challenge you are facing.

Some people would have great faith, but they are too concerned about being pretty all the time. They want to look cool or sophisticated. Real Bible faith ain’t always pretty. (I know that may not be good English, but it is still true.)

For the entirety of Mark Mankins Message Read more at http://www.cfaith.com/index.php/article-display/19-articles/faith/21930-faith-ain-t-pretty

Source: The Spirit Of Faith by Mark Hankins

Share Your Testimony – No Private Victory!

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Go Bold!

People believe you have to conquer the enemy within before you challenge the devil with out. Let me submit to you. To conquer the darkness within all you have to do is shed a little light on the situation. Let God do what he promises, provide all you need according to His riches in Glory in Christ Jesus. Tell the world! I’m struggling with pride. I’m hurting with lust… People are quick to testify I made it. But you can’t leave out the best part. In the middle of it GOD CAME THROUGH. God changed some things. This wasn’t a decision I came to on my own. When fear took me from everyone who might have cared, GOD answered me with a thought. Go Big or Go Home!

Go Bold! Declare – I’ve got the victory! The seven habits of effectual people tends to make people believe they have to handle issues all themselves. Yet I assure you, privately, if you don’t ask for help; if you think that I can keep going on and I’ll find my way to the end. The end you reach may not be the end you’re looking forward to. You may not want to share your faith with others. you might be afraid to tell the real story for fear of reprisal. Let me assure you, if you won’t. You’re missing an opportunity to empower others to Go Big and Go Bold! That’s what it means to be proactive. Before you get the end in mind, you’ve got to make a decision. Am I willing to Go Big? Am I willing to tell the whole story? Am I willing to take my victory public? Enduring whatever doubt or persecution comes my way, am I willing to share my story? Take your victory public!

Make your victory known today.

The Bread for Adversity – ISBN 9781496153029

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Thinking higher: Tests to Take

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Wisdom Quotes, Sirach 2:1

If you come forward to serve the LORD prepare yourself for temptation, – Also (James 1:2-4, 12-15)

The question is posed, who wants a million dollars? With little hesitance many hands are raised. Given it’s purpose and a conceivable reward, many would still find conditions favorable for acceptance. Yet if I told you, you had to walk through the wilderness to get it, many would turn away. Some feeling it’s not worth the risk. Others, fearing the consequence of failure… Many without seeing – the trial isn’t just a test. It’s your measuring stick.

The fierceness of the battle is your proof you’re nearly there. The skirmishes were merely a distraction to keep you from the Promised Land, from coming forward. You want to go forward, Advance! God is calling you higher. Advance! You tests are not a sign of unworthiness. It’s proof you are getting there. Don’t get afraid and turn back now. Don’t get discouraged during the process and start looking back. Where you are is on the road to where you’re going. What you’re becoming is… God’s servant, A Servant of the Lord with God’s authority to speak! To do! To make things happen.

If you choose to answer this call, don’t be impatient. Don’t be afraid! Expect temptations! Expect distractions, infirmities, insurrections, divisions, strife; expect turmoil to proceed. It happens! you need to know. It’s part of the process of removing some (-ites) from the land.

The Hittites Jebusites, Amorites; all things that are not of the LORD must be dispossessed. All people, that are not hearing or seeing what God has appointed for you, have to disappear for you to grow, to come forward.

For you to Go Higher, to think higher, tests must be run. ( Go Paul) Tests must be taken. (Endure James) In order to proceed you have to pass. In order to pass you have to know The Answer! Jesus is the Way, The truth and The Light.

You received a call? It’s time to Prepare for Action!

Stop! Be Still! A Moment to Reflect

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Stop! Stand Still! Listen!

These are three, four even, simple phrases. I’ll add Hush, to them as well. They invoke powerful thoughts especially when you hear them spoken aloud. Clear and concise instructions, even when read aloud they call a certain pause, a moment to process more information. It forces the listener take a breath to say – what?

What’s next? What’s forthcoming? What am I waiting for?
What are you waiting on? More questions…
What’s the problem? What is your problem? What are you depending on?

All of these thoughts can and often do arise within seconds of the breath behind – stop! Be quiet! Stand still! They loom even larger when accompanied by the phrase, “Know that I am God.” Or the more telling statement, “See the salvation of the Lord.”

These three thoughts give an inference something is about to happen. Even as impatience quickly questions, what?
In an immediate after thought, what comes behind rest? There must be an expectation met if I’m supposed to stop. In fact most, if they’re to hold what you got, expect to know why, and, what’s forthcoming?

The best answer I offer is… Only God Knows.

I don’t know. Your minister doesn’t know. Nobody knows what God has provided for your situation (specifically), but God; or more expressly like God. Some might have a clue or there might be an inclination based on prior experience. Yet ultimately, the answer lies in the personal communication between you and He.

The reasons you’re hearing stop – could be simple, it could be something prudent. Or it could be something more in-depth and spiritual. The only way to find out is to actually – Stop! Shut up! and Listen!
Be Still!

Actually, I would add, be patient. Understand, enduring and endurance is not what some would equate as being lazy. Nor does it mean accepting the seeds of doubt or feeling of misuse. Endurance means, approach with patience, caution, reverence (respect) for the situation.You might think of it as slow down! You’re going too fast. Danger ahead! Read the signs! There’s important information here.

Like when your body says, you’re doing too much. But you don’t listen.
You’re in the wrong lane. But refuse to adjust.
Proceed with caution. And still some blow right past the sign.
Until, that is, we meet the cop along the way that forces us to take account.

There it’s easy to recall, yet often more costly, to – Stop! Stand Still! Listen!

That being said, please remember, we all need rest. So today, take a moment to relax and appreciate the signs of life. Chances are if you’re hearing them, it’s more likely, you’ll see an opportunity in them for you to –

Be blessed.

This exhortation inspired by, Exodus 14:13

The words excerpted of a thought completed at the Lion’s Well

courtesy of
Bread for Adversity

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A Natural Spring

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A Hint of Water

There is a well of hope and eternity inside,
Some bury it with pride and prejudice
Perhaps arrogance or influenced by the concept of lacking
Needing what, wanting more, it’s all provided.
It’s all promised

A provided spring
A peaceful brook
A well of water
The storm may come
The tiger may prey
The day may darken but there is hope inside
I may yet wait.

Procrastinate for a breath I can ease myself into giving in giving up or
Arrogance

Surely wanting the best for me I should not be denied
Tried in my sinfulness
I surrender
I die but a voice inside says
There is tomorrow
There is today

Yesterday is committed do you desire to live refreshed?
I will I shall
Drink from the eternal spring
Lay at the quiet brook
I know there is water
And I believe there is life
He sets His eyes on me

Facing the Hurt

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People in general don’t easily allow you to let go of your past. Many in adversity think it better to leave all traces behind, yet there are some parts of the past you should endeavor never to forget. In the passage just as in life Paul asked, and we can ask God to remove the hurt, the sting. Believing this would make us a more effective, if not credible witness. However God responds, “My strength is made perfect in weakness.”

We then counter that healing and deliverance are both incredible testaments to God’s power at work. Our weaknesses however are the more incredible. They exist and are a subtle reminder, or in some cases, a not so subtle reminder that we are not the source of the power. This thought should keep us grounded and focused on working toward and accomplishing the mission of God’s will.
This point though stirs a thought in me. Because of his history Paul had to face these things, questions, throughout his ministry and especially to begin his ministry. Yet he never allowed them to stop him.

As exampled in Acts 9:13-15; being called directly from God, and made humble. Paul had to face the question of his reputation before he begins the work of his calling. There is a similar test many Christians face.
Before you begin, move forward, in the promise and plan of God; there has to be the showdown. The point where you face the truth before the people; not as much to embarrass you; but to remove a major stumbling block to your effectiveness. Your peace and comfort with the past.

Having faced this, uncomfortable situation I’m sure, Paul could now move forward as called by God. Without the baggage of having his past representing an impediment to the progress.
Consider it from this perspective; if I’m worried about my past being revealed then my witness is in essence tainted by fear – rather than effective by overcoming.
Furthermore, consider Paul knew of his handicap, and having prayed God too knew Paul’s discomfort with his handicap. Yet God deliberately chose not to heal Paul. The question of why?
God addresses him, “my strength is made perfect in weakness.”
Our weakness is the one road that proves His grace to people who believe God to be afar off. It may not be comfortable, it may not seem comforting – But please understand. God’s Witness is best demonstrated when we aren’t being exalted of ourselves or by others.

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