It seems like just a couple of days ago we launched The Living Kingdom Teleseminar Series, yet it’s already time for the second call.  I would like to extend a personal invitation to you to join me for February’s call.

In January, we discussed Success Secrets for a Life of Spiritual Power.  It was a great call. I was really excited to share those principles with you.  This month, I am just as excited to cover a topic that will empower and inspire you to greater faith and confidence in obeying the voice of God.  This month’s topic is: The Psychic Word vs the Prophetic Word. 

WHEN: Tuesday, February 9, 2010 @ 3:00pm - 4:00pm ET.

TOPIC:  The Psychic Word vs. Prophetic Word

Participation is free, but registration is required.

To register or for more information click the link below.

REGISTER NOW

I look forward to meeting with you on the call. 

Blessings,

MC

Recently, I witnessed a scene that caused me to consider how easy it is to digress from a powerful and vital relationship with God to simply putting together programs and pulling off events.  I usually refer to this as “check the box church,” which I am convinced has little to no kingdom expanding power.

Okay, back to the scene.  There was a group gathered together and everyone was busy.  It was obvious they had a mission and purpose. They were all willing to complete the task and were glad to be working for the Lord. What was made abundantly clear as I watched the scene unfold was the absence of the presence of God.  Though the task was for him, it really wasn’t about him. It wasn’t fueled by faith, passion, or love for him.  They work was fueled by other motives.  It was at that point that the Holy Spirit opened my eyes to this thought:  people are making ministry/ service their lives instead of using their lives to serve.  I know it sounds like a conundrum, but think about it for a moment.   We often get so focused on performance and accomplishing tasks (especially if we say they are for God) that we forget the most important thing is our relationship with the Father.  Ministry is a gift from God and does not replace the cultivation of an intimate relationship with the Lord or holy living.

God doesn’t simply look at the works, but the heart of man.  Works that are not motivated by God and surrounded by faith are pointless.  A sacrifice given from an unclean vessel is unacceptable.  This is a major contributor to a believer’s inability to live at the next level.  We must accept that God first calls us to him then to service.
Our lives are a gift from God.  We are strategically positioned to reveal his glory. Be careful that you are being who God wants you to be more than doing what you “think” will please him.  Be careful not to fall into the trap of offering God your works when what he really wants is you.  God doesn’t need another program, event, or offering placed before him while your heart remains far from him.  In the course of your busy life remember to dedicate and guard your time for personal prayer, renewal, and growth.  Honor the Lord by the way you live every day. Your service will be more powerful.  You’ll also experience more personal joy and fulfillment.

The word of the Lord is: “to what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? I am full of the burnt offerings of rams and the fat of fed beast; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of the goats. What the Lord requires is:  to fear the Lord thy God, to walk in all his ways and to love him, and to serve the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, to keep his commandments and his statutes.”

Don’t try to give God a sacrifice before you’ve first given him your obedience.

Blessings to you!
MC

In Part One, I gave you the basis for becoming fearless: You have God’s plans and dreams in your heart and the expansion of the kingdom waits for you.  In this part, I’ll share the action steps you can follow to practically apply the word to your life.

Five Steps to Becoming Fearless:

Get connected. One of the biggest tactics of the enemy is to keep you disconnected from God, others, and your true self.  When you are alone it is easy to pick you off.  If you feel that the weight of the world is on your shoulders it gives more room for fear to move.  Getting connected is a powerful action step. The benefits of proper connections can propel you into your destiny. It also brings you comfort and companionship. “Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labor.” Ecclesiastes 4:9

Get confirmation.  You will never be the only one who sees the vision. God will confirm his word, his work, and his plan. Confirmation gives you the confidence to move ahead; even if you don’t know every single detail of the plan.  One caveat here: the word of God is the highest authority and provides the surest confirmation in every situation. Be sure that you maintain respect for the word of God. Be cautious of confirmation that comes out of familiarity.  God sent Gideon to the enemy’s camp to get confirmation seems ironic but it gives us an important point. Be sure what you accept as confirmation comes from a truly spiritual occurrence.  Here’s the caveat: Sometimes those closest to you confirm things because they’re close, not because the Holy Spirit is leading. You must learn to tell the difference and obey God’s truth.  Trust God to bring confirmation in ways that leave no doubt about His power and plan.  “So then Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God.” Romans 10:17

Get in action.  God gives you power to move.  Fear can be paralyzing.  It can stop you in your tracks, but you must remember God has given you power to do something.  Ask yourself this question, “What can I do in this situation?”  Don’t allow the word, “nothing,” to be an acceptable response. You always have a choice. (You can choose to do things differently or you can choose not to respond. You can choose to change your attitude or perspective about a situation.)  You always have a choice; making a choice is the execution of power. 2 Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Trust in God’s love.  God is love and we can trust His love for us.  When fear presents itself it is often because we are afraid of being unloved, disliked, or misunderstood.  These thoughts will keep you stuck. In the face of fear, remember that God loves you.  His love for you is so fierce that He gave his only begotten Son that you would have a right to a relationship with Him and become a powerful reflection of Him on earth.  What matters most is that God is pleased with you.  Remember, when a man’s ways please the Lord, he will cause his enemies to be a peace with him. You must move out trusting in the love of God. 1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment.  He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

Exercise Self Discipline.  Although 2 Timothy 1:7 uses the word “sound mind,” self-discipline is perhaps a better word choice.  God has given you self-discipline: the ability to train and control yourself (more specifically your mind). When fear attacks your mind and you hear, “You can’t,” you must rely on self-discipline to speak God truth. “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.”  When fear says, “You are not good enough,” or “You don’t have enough,” you must remind yourself—“Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.” Whatever emotions or anxious actions develop from the presence of fear can be destroyed by the exercise of self-discipline. Someone once said, “FEAR is false evidence appearing real.”  Self-discipline gives you the ability to assault the false, replace it with God’s truth, and stand. God has given you the power to prevail. You must exercise self discipline when fear arises. 2 Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Your Spiritual Development Plan
What goals has the Lord placed in your heart to achieve? Is there a radical idea or action that you’ve brushed off as unbelievable or impossible? Maybe you are simply delaying what needs to be done. Today, determine to follow the action plan above to achieve your goals. 

Remember that ultimately, they are God’s goals for you. They have Kingdom importance.  You can accomplish all He ordained for you, just become fearless!

“And it came to pass the same night that the Lord said unto him, Arise get thee down unto the host; for I have delivered it into thine hand.  But if thou fear to go down, go thou with Phurah thy servant down to the host:” Judges 7:9-10

It’s quite possible no one has ever told you this, but God does know you will encounter fear. You must conquer it.
 
Why am I talking about fear at the beginning of a new year? Well, I believe God has placed goals, visions, and dreams in your heart to accomplish and fear stands in direct opposition to your success. It is important to realize that God placing desires in your heart makes you different from many people who start the year making and breaking resolutions. The accomplishment of your God given goals has Kingdom importance. The Kingdom is waiting on you to fulfill them. You must diligently pursue them. You cannot let fear derail you.
 

God has already counted you successful, now you must overcome fear. He knows the things he has placed in your heart seem incredible. He wants you to rely on Him for the fulfillment of your success.

Whether He has spoken miraculous healing, financial recovery, restored relationships, improved physical fitness, or establishing a new career as goals for your life this year, God knows that you might be afraid to step out on faith and pursue the vision. It can all seem so overwhelming.

His aim is to build your faith and trust in Him.  He has a plan. Before I tell you the plan, let me tell you what it’s not.

God’s plan for conquering fear is not trying to psych yourself out of it with hypnotic repetitions of 1 Timothy 1:7 (“God has not given us the spirit of fear but of power, of love, and of a sound mind”).  His plan involves understanding the life giving principle found in the truth of those words plus your obedient action.

Gideon is a great example of the plan in action. God took Gideon through a process that caused him to become fearless. Let’s take a quick look at it.

Gideon had an encounter with God and was told of his extraordinary destiny. Essentially he received a Kingdom assignment.  Gideon’s assignment came at a time when resources were low and conditions were not optimal. In fact, God continually diminished his resources. Sound familiar?

You have a vision or goal but looking at the available resources makes you fearful? It makes you wonder if you can get it done. It makes you question the vision.  You must determine that nothing will hold you back from doing what the Lord desires.  Sometimes you even have to allow the Holy Spirit to lead you out of “the box.”  God has commissioned you for spiritual work, therefore its accomplishment must be Spirit led.

God is never concerned about the quantity of your resources. He is the supplier of all your need. He wants you to trust Him more than you trust in things. Your power is not found in the things around you, but in the word the Lord has spoken.  Trust God and pursue the vision.

This year, commit to becoming fearless. It’s the key to your extraordinary destiny.

In part two, I ‘ll share the action steps that lead you to becoming fearless.

“And it came to pass the same night that the Lord said unto him, Arise get thee down unto the host; for I have delivered it into thine hand.  But if thou fear to go down, go thou with Phurah thy servant down to the host:” Judges 7:9-10

Happy New Year!

As you go about making resolutions and setting goals for the New Year it is important to remember the divine prioritization principle of a believer’s life:   “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness…” (Matt 6:33).

When you honor the divine priority of your life, you will find unprecedented protection and victory. You will be able to freely execute the plans he has placed in your heart. You will move definitively because you have the assurance of his presence.  Seeking the kingdom first gives you true peace. You will have greater confidence in the fact that your steps have been ordered by the Lord. You will continually rejoice knowing that your needs will be met through the power of the Lord. 

This year, 2010, promises to be an incredible experience in the lives of those who are faithful.  I am fully persuaded that the church (the called out ones) will rise and demonstrate the dominion and authority of God in unparalleled ways.  I am just as persuaded that an important component of that demonstration begins with proper prioritization.  So in all you are planning for the year, remember to seek the kingdom of God first.

Blessings to you!
MC

2010 stands to be an exciting time for believers as we are perfected, positioned, and empowered to reveal God’s dominion and authority in unparalleled ways.

I am excited to announce the Living Kingdom Teleseminar Series. I would also like to invite you to join me on the first call: Tuesday, January 12, 2010 @ 3:00pm ET.

January Topic:  Success Secrets for a Life of Spiritual Power

Participation is free, but registration is required.

NEW REGISTRATION LINK  

     Many go about doing works, even “good” works, but where is the man who will take up the spiritual work of the Lord?
     A spiritual work is that which is initiated by and fulfilled through the Holy Spirit. As the body of Christ, we must realize that any effort to fulfill or accomplish something apart from the Spirit (in the flesh) is really a lost effort. It does not lead to kingdom results though it may outwardly appear to be successful.  This is a huge problem in the body of Christ today since most measure success by standards other than those established by the Lord.  God does not have an issue with success, wealth, or material possessions; nevertheless, the truly successful life is the one governed and led by the Holy Spirit. 
     The man or woman governed by the Holy Spirit will accomplish spiritual work. The spiritual man or woman obeys the guidance of the Holy Spirit. He is sensitive to when he is leading and when he has stopped.  This sensitivity and spirit of obedience are not so much reflected in what is done, but in the ability of the work (God working through you) to touch the spirit of another.  When the spiritual work you do touches the spirit of another it will cause an increased consciousness of the reality of God. This raised awareness brings people to the dynamic power of salvation and the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
     Many in the world today are in need of the power, presence, and ministry of the Holy Spirit. The church is now being prepared (purified and restored), called upon (taken out of obscurity), and sent (not by man or organization but by divine commission) to respond to that need: the need for reconciliation with God as well as restoration of the joy of salvation among believers.
     I hear him ask, who will go?  Who will be crucified with Christ to that extent that only the life of the Spirit is released?  Beloved of God, commit to living a life surrendered to the Holy Spirit so that you can truly be a co-laborer with the Lord.   Let all your work be spiritual.
Blessings to you!
MC

Your life is designed by God and it flows according to his timetable. 

You must remember, respect, and receive it.

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Humility is the truest evidence of divine revelation. 

In a world where there is no shortage of information or revelations, let us always remember that God’s revelation has greater purpose than to simply excite. 

Revelation from the Lord actually incites you to live a holy life, inspires you to trust Him completely, and ignites a greater passion in you to obey His word and depend on Him completely.

What did your latest “revelation” produce in you?

  Although most would answer the question with a resounding yes, the real proof is evidenced in the tone and tenor of your life. Your true level of respect for the Lord is revealed through your attitude, your words, and your actions.  Respecting God is a critical step in living a powerful, faith-filled life.  
  Respect for the Lord is more than sentiment or philosophical concept; it is a deep regard and reverence that leads to trust and obedience. The Bible uses the phrase, “the fear of the Lord,” to convey the deep meaning of the respect that is required for successful spiritual living.  
   Job 28:28 declares that the fear of the Lord is wisdom. So then, in this case fear should be considered synonymous with respect. Respect or reverence for the Lord produces biblical wisdom. This wisdom serves as the catalyst for you to live a successful spiritual life as well as reproduce it in others. So, I ask again, “Do you really respect God?”

  Respecting the Lord produces true wisdom which, in turn, creates the momentum for living a life that continually glorifies God. You will live an authentic life consistently and purposefully using your gifts, talents, and abilities to positively impact the kingdom. Ultimately, you live the life God designed for you, full of fellowship with him and accomplishing purpose. Your respect for God should be more than mere verbal sentiment but should be clearly and consistently revealed in your life. Take a moment and consider your answers the following questions:

1.  Does your attitude reveal respect and faith? Respect for God is a heart issue and the issues of your heart are revealed in your attitude.  Your attitude is the position of your mind on a situation based on fact or circumstance. It is the decision you make on how you will think, act, or feel about something and the actions that result from that decision. As Christians, we are to base our attitudes on the facts of faith and not temporary nature of circumstances.  When your mind truly agrees with the facts of faith and the word of God, you will maintain a proper attitude.  You will not live as someone who has no hope, feel defeated or alone even when the circumstances of life seem to reflect that.  Your attitudes must be based on the sovereignty of God. You have confidence that God is aware of your situation. You are certain that the good work He started in you He is faithful to complete. You have confidence in the fulfillment of the promise or vision even if it is delayed. Poor attitudes reflect a lack of respect for God and typically result in diminished faith, confidence, and overall victory. You can see this best when things aren’t going according to your plan or there is delay or in the face of dwindling resources. Again, I remind you that God is not surprised by any circumstance or situation you face. He wants you to learn to keep a faith-filled attitude no matter what.  Remember that your attitude in any situation should be based on the truth of what God has declared, not in your circumstances. When you do this, your attitude will always reflect that your hope is in God.
2.  Are your words consistently full of reverence and respect for him? How and what you speak as important as life and death.  Consider, Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.  God has given you the power and ability to speak. Your words shape your life because your words reveal what you really think and believe. Your words even have the power to block the move of God in your life.   For example, consider the person who will not say that they are in some type of pain because they think it might be a negative confession. This is faulty thinking. Having pain is not problematic for God.  He is our healer. Denying pain is equivalent to lying which opens up a multitude of problems.  One of the problems of lying is that you can not see, let alone experience, the kingdom of God. Acknowledging a situation or having a challenge is not the problem. God knows this will occur in your life. Refusing to submit the situation to the authority of God is a problem. Let’s continue with the same example.  You go to a doctor’s office in pain but say nothing about this pain when asked what’s wrong. The doctor then finds no abnormalities and sends you home. You can not complain that the doctor did not treat you for pain. You didn’t tell him specifically what you needed. In the same manner, failing to declare truth in the presence of God does not open you up to the magnificent power available to you. To deny the truth locks out the power of God to move. Your words are the evidence of the persuasion of your mind. They reveal the faith that lies within you. They show that you believe and respect God. As you increase in this area of respect, be sure your words are full of faith and reverence for him as you walk according to his will.

3.  How much respect for God is revealed through your actions?  Actions are the final frontier because those things that are revealed through the body are really only a demonstration of what we have already believed and spoken.  Action does not occur independent of belief. When you respect God your actions are not contrary to the word or the will of God.  When you respect God your actions are in line with what He has commanded. You should consider the fact that actions that are not motivated by the Holy Spirit, however good or well-intentioned do not please God. God always examined the heart and motives that precede the action. A lack of respect for God can be shown in actions as simple as looking for a job when He has told you to stay home and focus on your children or as complex as failing to maintain a prayerful life while making every possible excuse for your prayerlessness.  Your actions truly reveal how much you respect God. If there is incongruity between what you say you believe and what you actually do, you should check the source of your unbelief, repent and allow the Holy Spirit to refocus you. Make a commitment to keep your actions in line with the motivation and agenda that comes from the Father.
  Finally, remember respect or reverence for the Lord is found in how you honor and give proper place to his authority in your life. It is revealed in your attitudes, words, and actions. Increase your respect for God and you will have good success.
Spiritual Development Plan:   Set aside 5 days to really contemplate the concept of respect. 

Day 1 Read Job 28, Psalm 111:10, Proverbs 4:5-7.
Day 2 Review point 1; journal your answer to the following questions: Describe your attitude in these situations: work, home, church, relationships.  How can my attitude reflect my reverence for God more consistently in these areas?
Day 3 Review point 2; journal your answer to the following question: What can I do to ensure my words demonstrate faith and not frustration? Write down 3 promises from God that might help tame your tongue. 
Day 4 Review point 3; Imagine your life being secretly recorded for 24 hours then journal your answer to the following question:  What would a Jesus say about your level of respect upon viewing the tape? 
Day 5 Spend an additional 15 minutes in prayer. Focus on your attitude, words, and actions truly and consistently demonstrating the level of respect you have for God in your daily life.

“And unto man he said, Behold the fear of the Lord is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.” Job 28:28