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By Rev Mike Jones

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Lessons for Living for Tuesday, January 6, 2009

LASTING CHANGE

Many people will initiate changes such as weight loss or character improvement during the first part of 2009. Sadly, most of them will abandon those changes in a very short time. They meant well but the change they were seeking to accomplish required more effort, endurance, and pain than most people were willing to invest into the project.
            I tell people that maintaining change is a like learning the difference between Pity and Compassion. Pity is someone else’s hurt in your mind while Compassion is someone else’s hurt in your heart. Real change comes when the desire for change moves from your mind into your heart..
            Jesus told His disciples in Luke 14:28-32 that they should not “pick a fight they could not win nor begin a building they could not finish.” In both instances Jesus said a person needed to consider their resources and be willing to fully commit to the project before they began to build or battle.
             In the same way, the only method to guarantee success in change is to consider the full cost of the change and then commit to that change with all your heart. Jesus did not call disciples to “try me for awhile and see if you like my life style”. He demanded that they leave their tax tables or fishing nets and fully commit to walking with Him. A change so radical until Jesus called it dying to self and being born again as a child of God.
            You and God have the ability to produce any change in your life that is part of God’s plan. It is just a matter of determining what change God wants in your life and then joining God with all your heart in accomplishing that change.

Minister Message for Wednesday, January 7, 2009

INSIGHT INFORMATION

I am a “note taker”. Almost always, I have a note pad of some kind with me as I travel or attend meetings. From time to time I look back over these notes to remember information and to reflect on any insight I gained from the message or meeting. I thought I would share some of this insight information at the beginning of a new year in the hopes that it would be beneficial to you.
            Listening to a large number of speakers has led me to realize that some speakers Manufacture the “Word” (They take a scripture and “depart there from” so they can share some thoughts about things from their own perspective). Some speakers Manipulate the “Word” in order to get it to say what they want it to say. Some speakers Misuse the “Word” by taking the scripture out of its context or by claiming promises for themselves that God gave to others. But, thank the Lord, some speakers Minister with the “Word” so that people are changed and problems are solved.
            Here are some sentence thoughts to make us “ponder”: It is easier to talk About someone that it is to talk To someone. No plan will work unless you are willing to stop planning and go to work. Christians should not be Police looking for law breakers. They should be Physicians looking for someone to heal. Many good people were good before they became godly but being good did not make them godly.
            One final thought to help make 2009 a success- Inspiration should lead to dedication which should lead to participation which should lead to perspiration which will lead to jubilation.

Lessons for Living for Tuesday, January 13, 2009

COMPLACENT CHANGE

Change seldom comes by chance. Almost always there must be a determination of what needs to be changed and a desire to bring about that change before lasting change takes place. In the same way, simply wishing for change is generally a waste of time that ends up producing heartache and discouragement instead of the results you desired. Something must produce change before change will be produced.
            If you do what you have always done then you will get what you have always got. Change is produced when circumstances or situations develop to the place where adjustments to the circumstances or alterations to the situations are more desirable than leaving things as they are. In other words, if you are happy where you are then you will not move to where you need to be.
            So the question will have to be, “Is there anything in your life that is brothering you to the point that you are willing to do what it takes to change your circumstances or situation?” If you are complacent with your circumstances then it will be difficult, if not impossible, to produce change in your life.
            Jesus was well aware of the relationship between complacence and change. That is why He gave warning such as this one about the approaching world catastrophes- And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting (gluttony) , and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man. (Luke 21:34-36)

Minister Message for Wednesday, January 14, 2009

WHAT IS IN YOUR HEART?

The Bible often uses the word “heart” to represent the “driving force” in a person’s life- He did not have a “heart” to do the task or his “heart” would not let him give up. With that is mind I would like to show you some things in your “heart” that will greatly impact your life.
            Your Treasure (Those things you count valuable in life) will impact your ”heart” in motivations and methods of operation- For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. (Matthew 6:21)
            Your Thoughts (Your perception of circumstances or your preoccupation with situations) will have a great influence on your “heart” and what you say and do- For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: (Proverbs 23:7). In fact, Jesus said your thought life was so influential until the thought was like the deed- But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. (Matthew 5:28)
            The Troubles that come into your life can either destroy your “heart” or develop you into a person of great character and conviction- Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. (John 14:1) Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (John 14:27)
            The best advice I can give to enable you to have a good “heart” is to Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. (Proverbs 3:5)