Archive for the ‘Renewal’ Category
Friday, March 30th, 2012
One day Jesus took a walk on the beach and saw two brothers named Simon and Andrew working as fishermen.
“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him.
I would have asked where we were going. If you’re asked to take a trip, isn’t it fair to know at least the general path you’re going to follow? Shouldn’t you get to know what’s going to happen, what’s going to be expected from you, before you commit?
I think God’s answer is, “No.”
I’ve spent the last eighteen months or so immersed in this notion of chasing dreams, and if I’ve learned one thing it’s that God isn’t usually going to show me the entire course before I begin. Even when I think I know what’s supposed to happen or what He wants, I’m likely to be wrong.
It’s up to me to prepare as much as possible, but at some point I have to take a step without knowing much more than the next step along the path. There has to be a certain amount of trust that God will show me what I need to know when I need to know it.
Please don’t misunderstand. I don’t claim to know exactly how that works, and I certainly don’t claim that it’s easy or comfortable to commit to a process when you don’t know where it’s leading. And I don’t claim some heroic sense of faith about stepping into the unknown.
But I’m pretty sure that God’s not about easy or comfortable. I think He values character over comfort and motives over results or even specific purposes. And I think He totally understands how hard it is to do something completely on faith, especially when it’s scary. That’s why He offers to journey with us.
He didn’t say, “Go.” He said, Come, follow me.”
I once read a survey that claimed that more than 90% of the respondents wanted to write a book and fewer than 1% actually wrote one. So what distinguished the 1%? Was it talent? Vision? Purpose? God’s guidance?
I don’t think it was any of those. I think what distinguished the 1% was that at some point they actually sat down and wrote. They started.
A dream is the God-inspired desire to share your unique gifts and passions to serve others and make a difference in the world.
That “God-inspired desire” is present in every person.
To every one of us He says, “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?” (Isaiah 43:18)
To every one of us He says, “Come, follow me.”
I think He’s still saying those things. Right now.
CIR Members can share their thoughts regarding this blog
here
Don’t miss CIR’s Daily Article ! 
Copyright 2008-2012 by Rich Dixon, All Rights Reserved. Used by permission.Rich is an author and speaker. He is the author of:
Relentless Grace: God’s Invitation To Give Hope Another Chance. Visit his web site www.relentlessgrace.com
Tags: Attitudes, God's Love, hardship, ministry, New Beginning, rights, self-will, worry
Posted in Anxiety, Assurance, Attitudes, Faith, General Recovery, New Beginning, Pastors & Recovery Pros, Renewal, Step 12, Step 3 | Comments Off
Thursday, March 29th, 2012
How lovely is your dwelling place, LORD Almighty (Psalm 84:1)!
I’m in a season of traveling right now, flying in and out of national and international airports, speaking here and teaching there, promoting and signing books, staying in hotels or with friends, and often eating on the run. Each time I complete a trip and the plane’s wheels touch down on the runway, I think, “There’s no place like home!”
It’s true, isn’t it? Even if you enjoy traveling (it has long since lost its glamour for me!), it’s still a good feeling to come home at last. I enjoy being reunited with my loved ones, experiencing the familiar, settling back into my own personal “nest.” Yet I know that this is truly not my home—at least, not for much longer. One day, very possibly sooner than we would imagine, we will each breathe our last on this earth and, assuming we have received Jesus as our personal Savior, be transported into His presence. Then we can truly say we are home at last. The best part isn’t so much that our home is some glorious place where sin and sickness and death no longer exist, but that our eternal home is with God—in His very presence. For that is what makes it heaven.
Through the millennia those who dismiss and reject God spend their earthly lives trying to create their own version of heaven, yet all fail miserably. Even an island paradise on earth would be hell without the presence and love of God. But with Him? Ah, there’s the difference. Even when I’m landing in another city or country where I’ve never been before, where I may not know the geography or customs or even the language, focusing on the fact that God is with me wherever I go reminds me that I truly haven’t left home at all.
There is an old saying that “home is where the heart is.” If my heart is full of love for Christ and I know His Spirit dwells within me, then I never really leave home at all—no matter where my body goes. And that puts an entirely different perspective on it all, doesn’t it?
The Lord’s dwelling place is indeed lovely, and I for one plan to spend every moment there, both now and for all eternity.
Tags: Choices, God's Love, healing, Macias, peace, Responsibility, serenity
Posted in Choices, Faith, General Recovery, Pastors & Recovery Pros, Renewal, Step 12, Step 3 | Comments Off
Wednesday, March 28th, 2012
Today’s word-of-the-week…
DRAINED
Do you ever begin a week with a drained battery?
Do you know the feeling? The sun rises on a fresh week and it’s like you forgot to plug in the charger and there’s no emotional or spiritual juice.
You know better, which makes it even worse. Maybe you even know why it happened. But “knowing” doesn’t make much difference when the battery’s drained. Grumbling about it and beating yourself up doesn’t help, either. That just consumes more unavailable energy.
It’s easy to face the promise of a new week with a fully-charged emotional/spiritual battery. I try to do that. So do you.
But sometimes it doesn’t work out. Sometimes Monday morning shows up and there’s stuff to do and you can’t imagine how it’s going to happen. I hope you’re not there, but if you are let’s remember a couple of important facts.
First, “completely drained” is a lie. Jesus didn’t leave the building, and we can lean on Him when we’re not sure we can stand on our own. The reserves are stronger than we can imagine.
Second, we know where to go to get recharged.
I’m going to get going with this new week, trusting that reserve power to keep me going while I get my battery recharged.
Whatever your battery status, I hope you…have a great week.
CIR Members can share their thoughts regarding this blog
here
Don’t miss CIR’s Daily Article !
Copyright 2008-2012 by Rich Dixon, All Rights Reserved. Used by permission.Rich is an author and speaker. He is the author of:
Relentless Grace: God’s Invitation To Give Hope Another Chance. Visit his web site www.relentlessgrace.com
Tags: Choices, failure, God's Love, hardship, Pain, Responsibility, strength
Posted in Ability to Overcome, Attitudes, Choices, Faith, For Friends & Family of Dysfunctional People, General Recovery, Pastors & Recovery Pros, Renewal, Step 12, Step 3 | Comments Off
Tuesday, March 27th, 2012
Psalm 37:11: “But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy great peace.”
When some people think of meekness, they think of weakness or of being a doormat.
That is not what Scripture means. According to Vines Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words, meekness has to do with our relationship with God. “It is that temper of spirit in which we accept His dealings with us as good, and therefore without disputing or resisting.”
I don’t know about you, but I struggle to accept some of God’s dealings with me as good. I haven’t fought an angel and ended up with a limp as Jacob in the Old Testament did, but I’ve thought about it.
I initially disputed the good of breast cancer and the loss of my only child.
Now that I see how God has used both trials for good in my life and the lives of others.
I love to hear that I’ve won or inherited something. Don’t you? God says, “The meek will inherit the land.” Since God’s gifts are good and perfect, I want that land.
God also promises the meek will “enjoy great peace.” With the bad economy and all its frightening consequences, peace is rare, great peace more so.
Dear God, help me have a meek spirit with you. Amen.
Application: What will you do this week to enjoy great peace?
Tags: Attitudes, Choices, hardship, healing, New Beginning, Pain, Responsibility
Posted in Ability to Overcome, Anxiety, Attitudes, Faith, New Beginning, Renewal, Responsibility, Step 2, Step 3 | Comments Off
Monday, March 26th, 2012
Simply, [the one who sins] must repent and believe. He must forsake his sins and then go on 
to forsake himself. Let him cover nothing, defend nothing, excuse nothing. Let him not seek to make terms with God, but let him bow his head before the stroke of God’s stern displeasure and acknowledge himself worthy to die.
Having done this let him gaze with simple trust upon the risen Saviour, and from Him will come life and rebirth and cleansing and power. The cross that ended the earthly life of Jesus now puts an end to the sinner; and the power that raised Christ from the dead now raises him to a new life along with Christ.
~ A. W. Tozer
Tags: bondage, Choices, Forgiveness of God, God's Love, healing, New Beginning, peace, Responsibility, salvation
Posted in Ability to Overcome, Faith, General Recovery, New Beginning, Renewal, Responsibility, Step 2, Step 3 | Comments Off
Thursday, March 8th, 2012
The LORD will fight for you while you keep silent (Exodus 14:14, NASB).
Is there any better example anywhere of God fighting for His people than in Exodus, where He used Moses to lead the Israelites out of bondage in Egypt? The story of God’s deliverance involves plagues, death of firstborns, and the parting of a great body of water. God’s people escaped on dry land, while others drowned when the waters of the Red Sea returned to their original place. Quite a dramatic and epic event!
I suppose the one thing that stands out to me most in this story is the statement above, that the Lord will fight for his people when they keep silent. Anyone else find that the toughest thing to do at times? Seriously, once we’ve sought (and received) God’s clear direction on something, why do we find it so difficult to keep silent as we watch His plan unfold? Is it because He most often chooses to do things differently than we think He should? Do we feel compelled to question Him, and even try to correct Him, when we grow uncomfortable with the way things are going?
I can only imagine how the Israelites felt when they realized they were trapped between the fire-breathing Egyptians and a huge body of water. Now what? Where do we go now? Did You really mean to bring us here, Lord? Couldn’t You at least provide a few boats so we can get across to the other side before our former captives annihilate us?
God calls us to prayer and obedience, not whining and second-guessing. I know that, but I confess on many occasions to giving in to the latter rather than sticking with the former. And then I wonder why God doesn’t step in and work things out as I think He should.
Is it possible He’s simply waiting for me to “keep silent” before Him, to trust that He will fulfill His purposes—in His way and in His time, for His glory? If you, like me, struggle with trusting God, particularly in the face of fears and uncertainties, perhaps it’s time we all practiced keeping silent a bit more—and watching to see how God will part the waters in front of us.
Don’t miss CIR’s Daily Article !
Copyright 2009-2012 Kathi Macias, all rights reserved. Used by permission.
Kathi Macias is a multi-award winning writer who has authored 30 books. 
“Beyond Me. Living a You-first Life in a Me-first World”
and
“Mothers of the Bible Speak to Mothers of Today”
Tags: Attitudes, Choices, disabilities, God's Love, hardship, loss, Macias, New Beginning, Pain, Responsibility, strength, worry
Posted in Ability to Overcome, Anxiety, Assurance, Attitudes, Choices, Faith, For Friends & Family of Dysfunctional People, General Recovery, New Beginning, Pain, Prayer, Renewal, Responsibility, Step 12, Step 2, Step 3 | Comments Off
Thursday, February 23rd, 2012
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God (Romans 12:2, NKJV).
Have you ever noticed how easy it is to start thinking like the world? The Scriptures warn us against it, and yet we are immersed in that mindset and culture nearly 24/7, aren’t we? As a result we find ourselves thinking and saying things that simply don’t line up with God’s Word. Our values are deeply affected as well.
Now there’s nothing wrong with material wealth IF that’s God purpose for us and we use it accordingly. But when it becomes our pursuit and purpose? Not such a good thing. We know that, but do our actions reflect it? We know too that God does not honor pride but seeks humility and selflessness. Do we honor people based on the same criteria? And oh, how we know that life isn’t about us or even what happens around us in a temporal world…but do we live in such a way as to model that truth?
It all fell into perspective for me earlier today when I got what I consider “over the moon fantastic” news. Now anyone who knows me expects me to get excited if I get a good book review, sign another contract, get a great speaking gig, etc. But this news flash blew away all the competition. I found out that a woman I’ve long admired and been praying for (even based one of my books on her life) has been released from prison after serving a 12-year sentence for printing/distributing Christian literature in a country that does not permit anyone to do so without government permission (which is nearly impossible to get).
Twelve years. Can you imagine? Twelve years away from family and home and everything comfortable or familiar. Twelve years of hard labor and harsh conditions. Yet twelve years during which she continued to serve God and remained faithful to her walk with Him.
Putting things in proper perspective? Absolutely. As Christians we simply cannot allow ourselves to be “conformed” to the world’s way of thinking, but the only way to avoid that and to “transform” our thinking is to continually dwell in the Scriptures, the only solid and reliable guidelines for maintaining proper perspective. Personally, I’m thanking a courageous woman in a faraway country for giving me this fresh reminder.
Don’t miss CIR’s Daily Article !
Copyright 2009-2012 Kathi Macias, all rights reserved. Used by permission.
Kathi Macias is a multi-award winning writer who h
Tags: Attitudes, backsliding, bondage, Choices, Macias, ministry, New Beginning, Responsibility, strength, worry
Posted in Ability to Overcome, Anxiety, Attitudes, Choices, Faith, General Recovery, New Beginning, Pastors & Recovery Pros, Renewal, Responsibility, Step 12, Step 2 | Comments Off
Tuesday, February 21st, 2012
I watched a big chunk of Whitney Houston’s memorial service this weekend. I can’t escape the haunting sense of enormous waste.
After the songs and stories, Pastor Marvin Winans captured my thoughts with the theme of his powerful, emotional sermon: prioritize. He talked about “putting things in proper order” based on Matthew 6:33:
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
The message was clear. Success, talent, and fame are good things—when placed in proper priority. It’s too easy to judge the missteps of a public figure who got lost in a confusing maze. Better, I think, to extend grace and pray that the rest of us will reflect on our own tendency to get things in the wrong order.
Jesus knew that God wants us to use our gifts and pursue our passions. He designed us for lives of abundance and joy. He also knew that life gets out of whack when we don’t prioritize.
Have a great week.
Don’t miss CIR’s Daily Article !
Copyright 2008-2012 by Rich Dixon, All Rights Reserved. Used by permission.
Rich is an author and speaker. He is the author of:
Relentless Grace: God’s Invitation To Give Hope Another Chance. Visit his web site www.relentlessgrace.com
Tags: Attitudes, bondage, Choices, failure, God's Love, hardship, healing, ministry, motives, New Beginning, peace, Responsibility, serenity, worry
Posted in Ability to Overcome, Attitudes, Choices, Faith, For Friends & Family of Dysfunctional People, General Recovery, New Beginning, Pastors & Recovery Pros, Renewal, Responsibility, Step 12 | Comments Off
Tuesday, February 14th, 2012
Psalm 71:20: “Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again.”
What comfort to know God will restore our lives again. Perhaps you have lost a job or a home because of the economy. God will restore your life again.
Maybe you’ve suffered physical or sexual abuse as a child. God will restore your life again.
Through death or divorce, you may have lost a spouse. God will restore your life again.
No matter what the trial is, God will restore your life again. The second part of verse 20 says, “From the depths of the earth you will again bring me up.” That’s a promise from God.
Verse 21 says, “You will increase my honor and comfort me once again.” What a joy to read these verses on Valentine’s Day. God loves us so much.
Dear God, help me trust you to restore my life again. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Application: Allow God to comfort you this week.
Don’t miss CIR’s Daily Article !
Copyright 2010-2012, Yvonne Ortega, LPC, LSATP, CCDVC
All Rights Reserved. Used by Permission.
Yvonne is a Speaker, Author, Counselor, Cancer Survivor and
serves on the Board of Directors of Christians in Recovery.
She is the author of Finding Hope for Your Journey through Breast Cancer.
Visit her website: http://YvonneOrtega.com
Tags: Abuse, failure, God's Love, grief, healing, loss, Pain, peace, salvation, serenity, sin, slip, strength, verbal abuse, worry
Posted in Ability to Overcome, Abuse, Anxiety, Assurance, Faith, For Friends & Family of Dysfunctional People, General Recovery, New Beginning, Pain, Pastors & Recovery Pros, Renewal, Step 2, Step 3 | Comments Off
Tuesday, February 7th, 2012
Nehemiah 1: 5-6: “O LORD, God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and obey his commands, let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants.” (NIV)
One of Nehemiah’s brothers from Judah went to Nehemiah and told him the walls of Jerusalem were broken down, and its gates had been burned. Nehemiah was a cupbearer to the king at that time. Nehemiah 1:4 tells us that Nehemiah sat down and cried. For some days he mourned, fasted and prayed.
Look above and read verses 5 and 6 again. What a beautiful model for us on how to pray when we receive bad news. Nehemiah acknowledged who God is and praised him. He reminded God of the covenant of love with his people. Then he prayed.
As Christians, our lives are not perfect either. We face personal brokenness and destruction and see them all around us among believers. Some of us go through divorce, life-threatening diseases, multiple car accidents and multiple losses of loved ones. Others of us struggle with a marriage that needs a miracle, a job that threatens to break our spirit or lack of a job, the heartache of prodigal children, sickness in the family, financial difficulties because of a bad economy or a ministry that seems to be falling apart.
God made us with tears. No matter what needs to be rebuilt, like Nehemiah, we too can sit down and cry. Then we can follow Nehemiah’s next steps and mourn, fast and pray “for some days.”
Nehemiah demonstrated the formula for us. We can praise and worship God and remind him of his covenant with us as his children “who love him and obey his commands.” We can ask him to listen to our prayers. In verses 6 and 7, Nehemiah confessed his sins and those of his people. Confession remains an important part of rebuilding, and we must also include it.
Dear God, I weep in brokenness. Help me rebuild my life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Application: When will I mourn, fast and pray for the rebuilding of my life or ministry?
Don’t miss CIR’s Daily Article !
Copyright 2010-2012, Yvonne Ortega, LPC, LSATP, CCDVC
All Rights Reserved. Used by Permission.
Yvonne is a Speaker, Author, Counselor, Cancer Survivor and
serves on the Board of Directors of Christians in Recovery.
She is the author of Finding Hope for Your Journey through Breast Cancer.
Visit her website: http://YvonneOrtega.com
Tags: backsliding, failure, Forgiveness of God, God's Love, healing, New Beginning, Pain, sin, slip, strength
Posted in Ability to Overcome, Choices, Faith, General Recovery, New Beginning, Pain, Prayer, Renewal, Responsibility, Step 3 | Comments Off
