Daily Private Victory

Whenever Moses went into the Tabernacle to speak with the Lord, he heard the voice speaking to him from between the two cherubim above the Ark's cover-the place of atonement-that rests on the Ark of the Covenant. The Lord spoke to him from there.Numbers 7:89 Spiritual leaders, and everyone actually, must set apart time to be with God. The prioritizing of private, intimate prayer time is key to public victory. Prayer is the source of power in releasing and multiplying our energies. Martin Luther said, "I have so much to do today, I'll need to spend another hour on my knees." During our private, intimate prayer time we hear God's voice and get direction for life and leadership. His voice comes through scripture and also comes as thoughts to our mind and reasoning process. Because of Jesus' sacrifice we can all come boldly before him and enter God's presence in prayer. Make today the first day of a brand new commitment to have a daily, private, intimate, prayer habit. You have so much to do today that you cannot start your day without it!

Fresh Fish

Proverbs 13:18b says "If you accept criticism, you will be honored." I don't like criticism! Accepting criticism is like eating fresh, caught fish. You eat the meat and spit out the bones. The bones of criticism are gouging words, cheap shots, jealous motives, personality clashes, and other things that intentionally or unintentionally bring hurt. Yet, helpful information often comes packaged in hurtful presentations. A wise person learns to pick the sweet meat of helpful information from the bones of insult and become a better person from it. Anyone for some fresh, caught fish today?

Two Voices

Proverbs 9:3 and 9:14 refer to two different voices. The interesting thing is that they are calling out from the same place, at the same time, yet have differing appeals. The voice of wisdom calls for an audience and an attentive ear. The voice of folly(foolishness void of wisdom) calls for an audience and an attentive ear. Interestingly, Wisdom and Folly are found at every level, always beckoning for my allegiance, attention, and adherence. As long as you and I are alive there will always be two voices bidding for our allegiance. Five things speak to me out of this Proverb.
1. Both voices are always there.
2. Neither of the voices leave because of your personal elevation or success in life and your pursuits.
3. They both bid for your allegiance every day of your life.
4. Both have rewards and consequences.
5. Both are only a "listening ear" and "response" away.
Success in your life, love, vocation, ministry, and every other arena of your life are going to enjoy the successes of wisdom or the failures of folly. You decide. Success or failure; wisdom or folly. They are only a "listening ear" away. Let's listen to God's wisdom today and enjoy the blessings of right choices!

Commitment

Acts 2:42 says "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer." Three words that describe believers in the early church were "they devoted themselves." That devotion means "attended assiduously to." The early church believers were serious, tenacious, and militant about their participation in the Word, fellowship, communion and prayer. My Dad and Mom have always lived that same assiduous devotion in our family. One Saturday night I stayed out too late and thought I would sleep in on Sunday morning, bypassing our regular, weekly, attendance to Sunday morning service. Dad gave me our usual Sunday morning wake up call and said "if you can stay up and out late you can exert that same effort in getting up and going to God's house!" Guess where I went that morning? Yes! I was at church, with my eyes looking like two burnt holes in a blanket! I thank God for the devotion of my parents that has been passed on as a Godly heritage. Today is a great day to make a renewed commitment to live like the early church; "they devoted themselves!"

Spiritual Fathers

The Apostle Paul said, "There are a lot of people around who can't wait to tell you what you've done wrong, but there aren't many fathers willing to take the time and effort to help you grow up." The Message Translation Thank God for spiritual fathers! On July 4, I had the privilege of being in service with one of my spiritual fathers. His name is Don Bell. Don pastors Lakeview Assembly of God Church in Seven Points, Texas. He is the pastor who taught me to play the guitar, allow me to preach one of my first sermons in his church, encouraged me in ministry, and helped officiate at my mother's funeral. One of his other spiritual sons that grew up in his church married my oldest daughter. While I was visiting his church Sunday my son in law was preaching at the church I pastor in the Houston area. We are just two out of a host of spiritual sons that Don has "fathered." From God's perspective, the church I pastor, and the efforts of my son in law, and myself, are all extension ministries of our spiritual father, Don Bell. You talk about fruitfulness in life and ministry! He has been at the same location for around 40 years. Obviously, he has watched many changes in the church yet they remain faithful and committed. Spiritual Fathers plant, stay, produce, and exponentially reproduce themselves and their ministry through many others. That's kingdom success. I want to be more than a teacher, mentor, or momentary "flash" of ministerial excitement. I want to be a "father." How about you?

The Belt of Truth

In Ephesians 6 Paul writes regarding the armor of God that every believer is clothed in. One piece in particular stands out to me today. The Belt of Truth. As a believer we are clothed with a belt of truth. In other words, "what people see is what they get." We have no hidden agendas in our lives. There should be no area of our lives that we have to hide. Obviously, there are some things in our lives that require privacy but generally speaking, we should be people "in whom is no guile." We have no hidden agendas. Is our cell phone, laptop, and facebook account an "open book?" Is there any reason or communication that we would not want our spouse or anyone else to see, or read? When we wear the Belt of Truth it requires that all agendas and actions be an "open book." God sees it all!
Love ya,
Steve Weaver