Less is more!

Today’s theme is Simplicity and Forgiveness.

On June 21, my wife Julia and I celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary in simple fashion. We had lunch together at Chiles in Culpeper and later that evening we took our dog Maui to Yowell Meadow Park to play and swim. We met two young kids from out of town who had a blast with Maui.

We’ve certainly had our fair share of trials and challenges during our married years. It’s been God’s grace and mercy that have sustained us and kept us happily married. And part of that is having the support and love of wonderful parents and families.

During the past two weeks, Celene, my worker in the Philippines, and I have put in a lot of time updating The Jesus Feast blog created by Dr. Mary Ellen Schoonover. Those messages and videos are having a profound impact on me. Mary Ellen told me she typically watches about 20 videos before choosing the final one for each day.

When I read this Day #84 message by Mary Ellen and watched the video, I knew this was the one I was to share with you and my other followers this week. Kindness and love do not condone or grant approval for ungodly actions and lifestyles, but rather offer God’s love and mercy as an invitation to change one’s mind and change direction.

What measurement do you want God to use for your blessing?

Song: A New Commandment by Daniel Makoya

 
And that YouTube video led me to the website and blog of its creators – Daniel and Valerie Markoya.

Note: The beautiful image of the sunset above was taken by my daughter and her fiance during a recent visit to Sedona Arizona and the Grand Canyon.

Prayer Power
Heavenly Father, thank You for your mercy and grace that sustain me each and every day. Thank You for the 30 wonderful years of marriage to Julia. Thank You for keeping us together through all the trials and hardships. Thank you that my parents and her parents were great role models and provided loving support throughout the years. Thank You for Dr. Mary Ellen Schoonover and the tremendous blessing she has been to me personally. Thank You for leading her to prepare The Jesus Feast messages and videos to invite people to feast at Your banqueting table. May today’s message and video inspire my followers to forgive so they can live for You!

Blessings to forgive and love as Jesus did!

Joseph

Joseph Peck, M.D.
“Blessed to be a blessing”
Dr. Breakthrough, THE CONNECTOR, and The Journal Guy
Founder and Executive Director of Webinars777
Breakthrough Life Coach helping your DREAMS come true
Creative Marketing and Communication Specialist

Empower 2000, Inc.
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P.S. Sign up TODAY for my free E-course “30 Days To Breakthrough!” God wants to transform your life NOW!

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CLICK HERE to register for this life-changning webinar.

We’re all aware of the severe earthquake that devastated Haiti on January 12, 2010. In less than 30 seconds, virtually an entire city (Port-au-Prince, the capital) was destroyed by the worst earthquake to hit Haiti in more than 200 years. An estimated 200,000 people are dead, though authorities have counted only 111,481 bodies. About 1 million people are homeless. About 16,000 U.N. troop are deployed to help maintain order and bring relief.

God has really been working on me to get involved somehow, someway. This webinar is a starter.

On Friday Jan 15, Renato Amato, my dear friend from Italy, wrote a touching blog post titled “WFJ: Pray for My children in Haiti!” Later that day, Renato hosted a webinar in Italian. One of the participants in the webinar was the wife of the point person for the Italian government’s relief efforts to Haiti. Two days later, Renato repeated the Italian webinar and this time Carlos participated from Haiti.

When we had our weekly Words From Jesus prayer call on Monday Jan 18, Renato shared his update about Haiti. Our main focus for prayer turned out to be for Haiti.

On Tuesday morning Jan 19 at the weekly Culpeper Ministerial Association meeting, Rev. Michael Gray challenged everyone to get involved in some way to help the people in Haiti.

On Wednesday evening Jan 20, Bertha sent me an email asking for help in hosting a webinar with her dear friend Gary LeBlanc, who began Mercy Chefs at the command of the Lord to go “Feed My Sheep.” He lives near Jerry Graham in Chesapeake, VA and has great favor with Hilton Hotels with whom he works.

Glen Hyde, a pilot and friend of Ken Copeland, called Gary and provided much of the supplies from his airport to be flown into the disaster areas. Thus Gary’s contact with Glen, through Dr. Steve Swisher, Ken Copeland’s son-in-law, is for the purpose of flying equipment and supplies into Haiti for Mercy Chefs to establish a permanent site there.

So that’s the scoop. We’d like to invite you to register for this webinar. Even if you can’t attend live, by registering you will receive a link to the recorded webinar. And we could use your help in spreading the word in the social networks.

CLICK HERE to register for this life-changning webinar.

Blessings to live your life with passion and purpose!

Randy Peck, M.D.
“Blessed to be a blessing”
THE CONNECTOR and The Journaling Guy

God is on the move and doing amazing things in this earth! He continues to draw the body of Christ together in unity for His purposes. People may not be aware of all or see all that the Lord is doing but He truly is “CONNECTING THE DOTS”.

THE MOMENTUM OF THE WFJ GLOBAL MOVEMENT IS BUILDING UP SPEED. The dam is about to break free and there will be undeniable evidence of God’s hand moving on His People. THE YOUTH WILL PLAY A BIG PART IN THE AWAKENING THAT WILL COME FORTH!

Upon awakening this morning I received a WFJ (Word From Jesus). It was just in time and so appropriate for the second webinar of three taking place at 8AM today. Dr. Joseph Peck was hosting the Words From Jesus: How To Hear God’s Voice Webinar. Today’s topic was “The $14,400 Miracles!” The guest panelists were Doug Barclay, Bob Sims, and Bertha Hinson. During this life-changing, world changing webinar, they shared what Dr. Peck considered to be their BIGGEST GOD STORY FOR THE PAST SEVEN YEARS!

Without knowing what was going to be said today, this is what Jesus spoke to my heart. It’s so amazing how He is always right on time and right on target!

WFJ: SEEDTIME AND HARVEST

Now is the time of seedtime and harvest. I AM MOVING IN THIS EARTH IN UNUSUAL WAYS. I am the Lord of the Harvest. As long as the earth remains there is seedtime and harvest. I am planting My Word in the hearts of My people worldwide and they are speaking it out and it will bear much fruit. I DO NOT COMPROMISE MY WORD. It does not return void and it is accomplished.

MY WORD WILL BRING BILLIONS OF SOULS INTO MY KINGDOM. The Great Commission is going forth. I am also calling My people to sow financial seeds to bring in this end time harvest. SEEDS SOWN IN MY NAME FOR MY PURPOSES WILL REAP A GOD SIZED HARVEST. SPREAD MY WORD. SPREAD YOUR GIVING AND PARTAKE OF MY GLORY.

I bless you and invite you to enter My joy in the name of Jesus!

Your soon coming King!

Love in Jesus,

Nancy Slocum
“A pen in God’s hand giving LOVE a voice”
The Bellows of God
www.abigail777.com

Prayer Power
Lord God Almighty, thank you for what you are doing in this earth through your people. Help us to catch the vision of what you are doing so we can become a part of it. We leave the results in your hands, for you are the Lord of the Harvest. Help us to be sensitive to your Holy Spirit so we can hear and obey You, in Jesus name. Amen

I BLESS YOU with the joy, laughter, and peace of God! I BLESS YOU with God’s amazing grace! I pray this in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.

——————————————————————-

Come experience the excitement of our vibrant, online, world-wide community (TRIBE) that is changing lives to disciple nations.

Webinar Details

• Title: The $14,400 Miracles
• Series: Words From Jesus: How to hear God’s voice
• Date/Time: Saturday December 12, 2009, 8 am EST
• Facilitator: Holy Spirit
• Host: Dr. Joseph Peck
• Panelists:
  - Doug Barclay: Regional Director in Partner Relations for Operation Mobilization (OM USA)
  - Bob Sims: Visionary of visionaries; Estensive business and ministry experience
  - Bertha Hinson: founder of Beauty From Ashes TV and His Gateway
  - Abigail Slocum: founder of God Whispers

In October 2002, I first met Doug Barclay at a Fellowship of Christian Athletes retreat at The Cove in Asheville, NC. As a result of our discussion, Doug left his full-time job in sales to pursue full-time ministry work with Operation Mobilization.

Through a most peculiar series of circumstances, I was eventually prompted by the Holy Spirit to sow an UNCOMMON $14,4000 (12 x $1,200) seed into Doug’s life in February 2003, which was my largest financial gift up to that time. It so happened this was the exact amount (to the dollar) Doug needed to begin work with Operation Mobilization and he began his new job on 03-03-03. Coincidence? I don’t think so. Numbers are significant to God.

An UNCOMMON seed always yields an UNCOMMON harvest. An UNCOMMON seed is one inspired by Holy Spirit for a God-sized result.

Here is what we covered …

The BIG PICTURE – God’s VISION

1) Doug Barclay

• How God connected Doug and Dr. Peck
• Why Doug left his full-time sales job to go into full-time ministry work
• Fruit of obedience in sowing an UNCOMMON seed into Doug’s life
• Why Dr. Peck sowed the $14,400 seed into Doug’s life

Click on the image below to watch this 73 minute Camtasia video with Doug

RIGHT CLICK HERE and choose “Save Target As” to download the 73 minute (13 Mb) MP3 recording of this interview with Doug Barclay.

2) Bob Sims

• How God connected Bob and Dr. Peck
• Why Bob sowed a $14,400 seed into Dr. Peck’s company (Empower 2000) and God’s billion soul vision
• The Angel Breakthrough story (12 angels)
• Fruit of obedience in sowing an UNCOMMON seed into Joseph’s company (Empower 2000) and God’s billion soul vision

Click on the image below to watch this 52 minute Camtasia video with Bob

RIGHT CLICK HERE and choose “Save Target As” to download the 52 minute (9 Mb) MP3 recording of this interview with Bob Sims.

3) Bertha Hinson

• How God connected Bertha and Dr. Peck
• Why Bertha sowed a $14,400 seed into Dr. Peck’s company (Empower 2000) and God’s billion soul vision
• Fruit of sowing into God’s billion soul vision

4) Abigail Slocum

• How God connected Abigail and Dr. Peck
• Abigail’s feedback on what Doug, Bob, and Bertha shared
• Fruit Abigail has noticed as a result of people sowing the $14,400 seeds into God’s billion soul vision
• How God launched the “Words From Jesus” global movement through the $14,400 seeds to teach people how to hear God’s voice

5) How God launched the “Words From Jesus” global movement through the $14,400 seeds to teach people how to hear God’s voice

6) “You Were Born For This” by Bruce Wilkinson
We expect this video and/or audio to be published in January 2010

BREAKTHROUGH RESOURCES

• #WFJ: THE MIRACLE OF CHRISTMAS IS CHRIST! (Dec 19, 2009)
• #WFJ: The $14,400 Miracles (Dec 12, 2009)
• #WFJ: The Spiritual Triangle Between Virginia, the U.K., and Italy (Dec 5, 2009)
• Opportunities to invest in yourself and the Kingdom of God (Nov 4, 2009)
• The Angel Breakthrough and the $14,400 Miracle (Sep 14, 2009)

Blessings to TAKE ACTION to make this your most special Christmas season ever!

Joseph Peck, M.D.
“Blessed to be a blessing”
THE CONNECTOR and The Journal Guy
Founder and Executive Director of Webinars777 and Seminars777
Community Transformation Specialist
Changing Lives to Disciple Nations
www.empower2000.com

TEAM DESTINY

“By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit;” (John 15:8a)

P.S. At the Apostolic Council of Prophetic Elders in the U.K. earlier this year, the primary word received was “no more business as usual.”

P.S.S. Do you sense a nudge to sow a $14,400 seed into God’s billion soul vision? If so, please call Dr. Joseph Peck (540-547-4240).

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea.” (Psalm 46:1,2)

What will you do to help this 4 year old desperate girl?

On Friday December 19, Ed Lyons called to ask me for Rick Heeren’s contact info to pass on to a supporter of the Persecution Project Foundation (PPF). When I asked Ed for an update on his life, I learned that he recently returned from a mission trip to Sudan.

Ed then went on to share a story of a 4 year old, 15 pound girl (baby Abuk) in Darfur, Sudan that he helped snatch from death. According to Ed, God must have a big plan for this girl because she has been “rescued from death, time and time again.” After hearing Ed’s story, I was so touched I asked Ed to repeat it so I could record it and then share it with others.

The 9 minute audio file with Ed’s story can be found online at today’s Link of the Day. While visiting the PPF website this morning, I came across an excellent YouTube video with an interview of Brad Phillips (Founder of the PPF) by Howard Phillips, Brad’s father and Chairman of The Conservative Caucus since 1974. I have put that at today’s Link of the Day as well.

While none of us can change the world by ourselves, together we can make a difference in this one girl’s life in Sudan. Therefore, I’m rallying my troops to ask for your support in making a Christmas donation to the PPF. To do so, follow these 3 simple steps:

1) Visit http://persecutionproject.org
2) Click on “Contribute to the Persecuted Church”
3) Enter your billing info. Choose “Darfur” under “Which of our funds should we apply your contribution to?”

Prayer Power
Heavenly Father, thank for the Persecution Project Foundation and the big difference that organization is making in lives of tens of thousands of displaced refugees in Sudan. Thank You for sending Ed Lyons to rescue baby Abuk, the tiny 4 year old girl. Continue to bless and protect Abuk. May you stir the hearts of my followers to rally behind this girl and the PPF. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen.

Link of the Day
Audio story by Ed Lyons (9 min) + YouTube video interview of Brad Phillips

Blessings to acquire God’s heart for the persecuted church!

Do you know what it feels like to be hungry?
Have you ever gone 3 days without eating any food?
If it was one of your kids going hungry, what would you do and when?
What role is God asking you to play in stopping hunger NOW?

In my devotionals on January 1 and 2, 2008, I mentioned that 2008 will be a year of convergences. Today’s story is a wonderful example of that. In previous devotionals, I’ve mentioned Virginia Morton, Erick Kalenga, Rize Up, Sam Reeves, Liberia, Ron Davidson, and Gleaning for the World. Recognizing convergence experiences is valuable to get involved in big things God is doing.

Wednesday May 7 at 9:30 AM, Rev. Lee Warren from South Hill, VA will be speaking at the Stop Hunger Now assembly at Culpeper High School. Lee is a United Methodist minister and oversees Stop Hunger Now in Virginia. This program has mushroomed since Lee took it over. There are some good videos posted on YouTube and GodTube. Today’s Link of the Day is one of those.

Lee’s husband went to judge’s school with Roger Morton, Virginia’s husband. God called Lee into pastoral ministry after her kids left home and she commuted to Duke to get her degree. That took energy and determination. According to Virginia, Lee is a very vivacious lady.

This Stop Hunger Now [www.stophungernow.org] assembly is important because Culpeper High School has given Rize Up responsibility for organizing it. Rize Up will challenge the high school students to raise $4,000 which will pack 20,000 meals. The packing will be done at a future date, probably in the Fall.

Frequently Lee actually accompanies the food shipments and helps distribute meals in the schools where hunger is rampant. Some of the meals are going to Liberia, and we’re praying ours will be directed by God to Liberia and Sam Reeves will be there to supervise. It also happens that Lee warehouses her supplies, dry ingredients in Lynchburg and Ron Davidson with Gleaning for the World oversees it.

Each highly nutritional meal  costs only 20 cents. 25 people can package 5,000 meals in just 2 hours. That’s enough to feed an orphanage with 32 children for 7 months. Children as young as 5 years old can get involved and help. 

The youth of today are having a much greater impact than ever before in shaping the culture of the world. Stop Hunger Now is a great hands-on way for young people to assist with world hunger. One goal of Stop Hunger Now is to target apathy. When Erick Kalenga, the leader of Rize Up, heard about the idea, he loved it and ran with it.

According to its official website, “Stop Hunger Now is a non-profit, international relief organization committed to ending hunger worldwide. Stop Hunger Now leads ongoing efforts to feed the hungry around the world by providing direct emergency food and other life-saving aid in crisis areas. Established in 1998 and headquartered in Raleigh, NC, Stop Hunger Now has provided over $100 million of aid in more than 55 countries.”

Prayer Power
Heavenly Father, thank You for using Virginia Morton, Erick Kalenga, and Rize Up to open the door for Lee Warren to share about Stop Hunger Now at the school assembly on May 7. Bless all those who participate to ignite an epidemic of people following in Jesus’ steps to feed the hungry. Use the web to magnify the impact of Stop Hunger Now 100 fold in 2008. Thank You Jesus. Amen.

Link of the Day
Stop Hunger Now – Operation Sharehouse @ NCSU 2007

Please Turn on Javascript

Blessings to play your appropriate role to stop hunger NOW!

Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy. – (Matthew 5:7)

What would the Good Samaritan do?

We continue today with this week’s theme of the Good Samaritan – a message of mercy and compassion.

Yesterday when I was riding my bicycle home, I came across a significant two car accident. As I passed by, I asked if anyone was seriously hurt and was told “No.” About 100 yards later, I turned around and came back. This time, I asked “Is there anything I can do to help?” While I was told “No, thank you,” I knew I had done the right thing. Then I thought about asking myself the question “What would the Good Samaritan do?” anytime God crosses my path with someone in need.

It’s easy to pass by people in need with excuses – “I don’t have time to help” or “I can’t help everyone.” However, it is possible to help one person at a time as God puts them in our paths. Sometimes, just listening to someone or praying with them provides the encouragement they desperately need at just the right time.

By reaching out and showing mercy to Sam Reeves, God connected me to Rev. Ron Davidson, president and founder of Gleaning For The World (GFTW). Ron sent a lengthy reply of gratitude within 2 hours of sending my devotional on January 4 titled “Life is an Adventure.” I had just spoken to Brucie Quick, the Mission Coordinator for Gleaning for the World, the day before and she told me she would add herself to my devotional list. I don’t think Ron was on my email list on Jan 4.

Ron has an incredible story of what’s possible when someone develops an attitude of mercy and sees the downtrodden from God’s perspective. Here is part of what Ron shares on the GFTW website:

“In 1992, I met the homeless for the first time. I had seen the ghostly figures walking the streets, but had not taken the time to meet them personally. One night, I sat and talked with a group of homeless people who had lost their jobs, their homes, and their futures. As we talked, I realized they had the same dreams for their lives and their children as I did for mine. As I delved deeper into the challenge of poverty and homelessness, I saw that, while local organizations were doing all they could to help these individuals, they lacked many simple, essential supplies. After that encounter, my heart was burdened to help and my life was changed forever.

By 1998, my desire to help the poor was so great that I stepped down from my position as pastor of a 1,200-member church. My wife and I moved from a four-bedroom parsonage to a basement apartment and used my mother’s basement to start Gleaning For The World. We were determined to make a difference in people’s lives by providing charitable organizations with the supplies they needed to help the poor.

In just six years, GFTW moved from its basement office to an 18,000-square-foot office and warehouse facility in Concord, Virginia. By 2006, we had shipped more than $300 million in supplies to people in desperate need — both here in the U.S. and around the world. For every $1 in donations, Gleaning For The World can provide $100 worth of critical, life-saving supplies where they are needed most. We are committed to this mission.

While the average organization does well to show a financial model of 30 percent administration and 70 percent programs, GFTW consistently exceeds this benchmark, with the total cost of operations being less than one percent of the value of the service. This is one of the lowest in the non-profit world.”

Amazing! That’s God!!! He does exceedingly abundantly above and beyond what we can imagine or think. One man’s uncommon obedience to the call of the LORD has resulted in more than $300 million of supplies being delivered to desperate people. Now God has placed a desire in my heart to magnify the impact of GFTW 30-60-100 fold through LIFE coaching, Internet marketing, and POWER networking.

Prayer Power
Heavenly Father, thank You for Ron Davidson and his uncommon obedience to You. Thank You for crossing my path with his. May You allow and empower me to magnify the impact of Gleaning for the World many fold. Bless those who read this message to take the message of mercy and compassion to heart. Bless them to slow down and think BIG! Thank You Jesus. Amen and hallelujah!

Links of the Day
History of Gleaning For the World
Stewardship – Gleaning For The Word

Blessings to be merciful to those in need!

And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” (Luke 10:25)

What must I do to inherit eternal life?

As mentioned in yesterday’s devotional, God worked out the circumstances such that I listened to Pastor Randy Orndorff’s sermon about the Good Samaritan three different times on my 7th spiritual birthday (Sunday Jan 6). It became very clear to me that God wants to drill home the message of the Good Samaritan deep down into my heart and your hearts as well. The scripture reading on Jan 6 was Luke 10:25-37.

And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” He (Jesus) said to him, “What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?” So he answered and said,” ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’ and ‘your neighbor as yourself.’” And He said to him, “You have answered rightly; do this and you will live.” But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Then Jesus answered and said: “A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. (Luke 10:25-30)

Why didn’t the priest and the Levite stop to help the man beaten up alongside the road. Perhaps they were in rush needing to be somewhere on time. Perhaps they were fearful. Perhaps religious laws prevented them from helping someone unclean. Then a good, but despised Samaritan came along and responded in a way we know is right and good.

When we are in a position of being needed to help another, many attitudes arise within us. Jesus expects us to slow down, bend down, reach out, and lift up – to show mercy to those in need. Often these opportunities are unplanned and inconvenient. However, the greatest satisfaction and greatest blessings come when we serve others.

The Jericho Road is always with us. The Jericho Road is any place where people are robbed; where people are robbed of their dignity, robbed of their love, robbed of their food and clothing, robbed of their value as human beings.  It is any place where there is suffering and oppression. The Jericho Road is a symbol of suffering in the world.

This parable of the Good Samaritan is essentially about people not wanting to get involved with people who are suffering because of safety, because of money, because of time, because of inconvenience, because of busyness with churchy activities. While this parable is a condemnation of non-involvement, it also is an invitation for us to be merciful and kind to those in need.

It is much easier to take the “wide road” like the priest and the Levite than the narrow road like the Samaritan. Life is a highway. How much time do you spend reflecting on where you’re going and what you’re doing? How many times do you say, “Here I am LORD. What is the question?”

Prayer Power
Heavenly Father, thank You for Pastor Randy and the generous and caring congregation at Culpeper United Methodist Church. Bless them Lord. Water the good seeds that were sown this past weekend with Your miracle grow. Continue to multiply the number of people and organizations supporting Sam Reeves and Operation Rescue Liberia. Thank You Jesus. Amen and hallelujah!

Link of the Day
Jericho Road (The Good Samaritan) – by Sermons from Seattle

Blessings to choose to walk the narrow road and be a Good Samaritan!

But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” (Luke 10:29)

Who is my neighbor? How should I respond?

Yesterday I attended all three morning worship services at the Culpeper United Methodist Church. Pastor Randy Orndorff allowed David Bean and me to support Sam Reeves and Operation Rescue Liberia during each service by sharing short testimonies of how God moved in our lives to get us involved. The Holy Spirit moved in power to inspire other people to get involved.

Around 7 AM yesterday while preparing my three minute testimony, I remembered it was my 7th spiritual birthday. Seven is my favorite number. Exactly seven years ago, on January 6, 2001, I stepped over line for Jesus. By quietly saying something as simple as “Jesus, I commit my life to you” and meaning it, the Holy Spirit took up permanent residence in me. That was the most important day of my life.

Appropriately, the scripture reading yesterday was Luke 10:25-37 which tells the story of the Good Samaritan, one of the best known and well-loved stories of the Bible. That story took place on the road leading from Jerusalem to Jericho.

While Pastor Randy was preaching his message during the first worship service, the Holy Spirit told me, “Sam is your neighbor.” When I first heard Sam’s story on December 18, I felt compelled to stop and help him. Now God is inviting others into what He is doing in Liberia. I envision God using Rim of Grace Ministries to bless thousands and tens of thousands of people in Liberia, who in turn will bless hundreds of thousands and even millions in Africa.

On my way home yesterday afternoon, I stopped at Food Lion to buy groceries. There God crossed my path with Jeanne Nixon. We had a long spiritually-centered conversation which Jeanne said greatly encouraged her. For the first time, I saw Jeanne as “my neighbor.”

When Jeanne learned it was my 7th spiritual birthday, she recommended I buy a birthday cake along with the number 7 and 7 candles to celebrate at home. So I did that. That opened the door to celebrate this momentous occasion with my wife, son, and one of his friends in the evening.

In retrospect, God blessed me with an amazing 7th spiritual birthday. One key milestone was listening to Pastor Randy’s message about the Good Samaritan three times in a single day and videotaping that. Another was the opportunity to sow sees to bless Sam and Liberia. Therefore, this week’s series of messages will focus on stories of the Good Samaritan.

Prayer Power
Heavenly Father, thank You for the wonderful ways You blessed me on my 7th spiritual birthday. Help me to understand the significance of each milestone. Thank You for Pastor Randy and his timely message about the Good Samaritan. Guide me to apply that message each day of my life as I meet and learn about people in need. Bless me with a healthy balance of mercy and truth. Thank You Jesus. Amen and hallelujah!

Link of the Day
Photos from my 7th spiritual birthday – you now can rate each photo and post comments

Blessings to recognize your neighbors in need and respond in Jesus fashion!
 

“But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion.” (Luke 10:33)

How can you create more margin in your life to be able to help more people?

This past Saturday (July 14), I drove to visit my parents. They live 50 miles from my home. It had been about two weeks since I had seen them. I joined them for the Saturday evening mass at their church. The Gospel reading and sermon were about the Good Samaritan. This morning during my daily quiet time, I read Luke 9-10, which is what my son, Tim Jr, and I were scheduled to read. Chapter 10 happened to tell the story of the Good Samaritan.

I was deeply moved when I read the verse “And when he saw him, he had compassion.” While my wife and children sometimes tell me I’m too generous, I find it difficult to walk by or ignore someone in need. I realize I don’t own anything and every day is a precious gift from God. My goal each day is to sow as much good seed as I can – to do what John Wesley talked about above.

While my son was eating breakfast this morning, we discussed grace and mercy. When I asked him “What is grace?”, he answered “undeserved favor from God.” I don’t remember his answer when I asked “What is mercy?” I then shared that grace is getting what we don’t deserve, while mercy is not getting what we do deserve when we’ve messed up.

I then asked Robbie, “What is great grace?” He didn’t have a good answer. To the best of my knowledge there is only one place in the Bible that speaks of “great grace” and that’s in the book of Acts when the followers of Jesus were in true unity and meeting one another’s needs.

Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need. (Acts 4:32-35)

Prayer Power
Most gracious heavenly Father, thank You for Your tender mercies which are new each and every day. Thank You for all the people who have stopped to help me when I was in need. My heart is broken as I think about all the hurting people that I personally know. Keep my heart soft and bless me with the resources and opportunities to bless many people around the world in need. Thank You Jesus. I love You dearly. Amen.

Link of the Day
Parable of the Good Samaritan – From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Good_Samaritan]

Blessings to do all the good you can every day!

Benaiah was the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man from Kabzeel, who had done many deeds. He had killed two lion-like heroes of Moab. He also had gone down and killed a lion in the midst of a pit on a snowy day. And he killed an Egyptian, a spectacular man. The Egyptian had a spear in his hand; so he went down to him with a staff, wrested the spear out of the Egyptian’s hand, and killed him with his own spear. (2 Samuel 23:20-21)

Have you ever had one of those moments where you do something crazy and ask yourself in retrospect: What was I thinking?

Normal people don’t chase lions, but Benaiah did. He also killed two Moabite heros and a spectacular Egyptian. Benaiah’s valiant acts ultimately promoted him to become the leader of King David’s body guard (2 Sam 23:23), then commander of David’s army, and finally commander of all of Israel’s forces under King Solomon.

To end up in a pit with a lion on a snowy day would be considered a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day by most people. But God is in the business of strategically positioning us in the right place at the right time. A sense of destiny is our birthright as followers of Christ. God is awfully good at getting us where He wants us to go. But here’s the catch: The right place often seems like the wrong place, and the right time often seem like the wrong time.

God is in the resume building business. He is always using past experiences to prepare us for future opportunities. But those God-given opportunities often come disguised as man-eating lions. And how we react when we encounter those lions will determine our destiny. The greatest opportunities are the scariest lions. Taking no risks is the greatest risk of all. The biggest risks are the greatest opportunities.

No risk, no glory (for God that is). My wife and I have become lion chasers. She started a brand new coffee roasting business out of our garage at the same time I stepped away from my highest paying anesthesia job. When we don’t have the guts to step out in faith and chase lions, then God is robbed of the glory that rightfully belongs to Him. Mark Batton says spiritual maturity is seeing and seizing God-ordained opportunities.

Prayer Power
Heavenly Father, I praise You as the extraordinary LORD God Almighty. Jesus, You are the rock upon which I stand. I want to live an extraordinary life for You and through You. Make me a valiant lion chaser for Jesus. Bless me to manifest the fullness of the Holy Spirit in all aspects of my life, including my family, finances, friendships, work, and play. Team me up with other people who dream big dreams so we can impact the world for Jesus. I pray for the salvation of more than one billion new souls. I love You Jesus. Amen.

Link of the Day
www.chasethelion.com – Watch the video on the home page

Blessings to defy odds, face fears, reframe problems, and embrace uncertainty!

Your Daily Blessings News
Most of the excerpts above come directly from Chapter 1 of “In a Pit With a Lion on a Snowy Day.”