Monday Matters

Never ask someone to do something that you are not doing or would not do yourself. When leading others, lead from the front. It inspires others when you do what you want them to do. Be what you want to see! Have a Great week!

Thought of the Day

Preseason Football… a time to work on and develop a teams timing, cohesiveness, execution, and overall potential for what lies ahead… Aren’t you glad that the Lord gives us opportunities to work through a number of things prior to entering various seasons of life. (Phil 3:12)

Monday Matters

When confronted by strife, don't be drawn in by biting the bait... Mentally thank God that you didn't give in. And with a sense of spiritual swaggar, kill it with kindness by smiling and telling them "God Bless You!" ...Then gracefully, walk away. (Rom 12:21 NIV)

Don't Miss the Exit!

1 Cor 10:13 "...he will provide a way out..." 

I never would have thought that by using a portable Global Positioning System (GPS) in route to your destination that you still have the potential in making the wrong turn or missing your exit. Just the other day, while enjoying my drive  95 south from state to state, this notion became a reality. Can I testify?

We all know that "mapquest," "googlemaps," etc...  are not always accurate. Well, so is the case with the GPS units if they are not preloaded with the latest software. However, what I found is that regardless of whether or not the latest software is in place there are additional variables that can cause us to head of course no matter what the GPS is signally. And in my case it was everything else that was happening in my vehicle all at the same time. 

While the GPS "voice" was directing me to turn in .5 miles, Mary Mary had me bobbing my head to "Its' the God in Me," and my mobile was ringing consistently. If it wasn't the phone, I was deeply committed to the praise & worship coming from my stereo. Nevertheless, these variable, not to mention watching the road, caused me to miss where the GPS was guiding me.  Before I knew it, I had missed my exit.

How easy it is to miss something by being caught up in the busyness of life or simply giving more attention to the wrong things at the right places in life. In every moment of life God is communicating to us. The challenge is learning how to hear Him by weeding out the other things in our lives vying for prominence over Him. 

What in your life is causing you to miss the voice of God telling you to "turn here" or "don't go there?" What has you on the same path headed in the wrong direction when the exit was miles back? Are you still complaining to God that you are on the same road? Are you frustrated in thinking He's not helping you get to where you need to go?  

Paul reminded us that God always provides a way out for us. So please... don't miss your exit. 

"I Am Kingdom Minded" Movement

Greetings All!  

We pray that all is well with you and yours! Thanks for blessing us with your presence here at Kingdom Minded Coach (KMC). And thanks for your free email subscription! 

This message is to inform you that the Lord has opened another door for us to share the Good News. Kingdom Minded (KM) has launched the "I Am Kingdom Minded" movement at Twitter.com. You can find us under "iamkingdommindd." The site requires a free membership that will allow you to follow KM as we "tweet" for Christ. It is somewhat similar to Facebook, but simpler. (KM is on facebook as well @ Kingdom Minded.)  

Join the "I Am Kingdom Minded" movement on Twitter.com as we seek to advance the Kingdom of God via the world wide web (John 14:12). Encourage your family and friends to join us as well.  

Thanks, God bless, and stay Kingdom Minded!

What Does the Cross Mean to You?

Most civilized people would not agree to wear clothing or jewelry in the likeness of a hangman's noose, a guillotine, or an electric chair. Yet, we find millions today who display the image of the cruelest form of punishment used by ancient Romans around their necks, on their walls, or on the top of their houses of worship. 

Although it is the image of terror and horrific suffering, there is something about the cross and the events that surround the greatest execution known to man. An inexpressibly terrible, life-changing event occurred around this cross that altered the lives of many. What has it done for you? 

What does the cross mean you?

Thought of the Day...

...God is more interested in what you become than what you do.

"Feel the Burn"

Feel the burn is an exhortation relating to physical exercise, popularized by actress Jane Fonda in her highly successful aerobic exercise videotapes. The phrase refers to the sensation arising in a muscle being intensely exercised, which may involve a local increase in temperature but is probably due chiefly to the accumulation of metabolic products as the muscle becomes increasingly fatigued. An underlying idea is that the sensation itself provides evidence of the effectiveness of the exercise being performed. (cf. "No pain, no gain").

Although it probably originated with twentieth century bodybuilders and its use is general in exercise and sporting activities, it can also be applied to our spiritual journeys. The amount of weight that we can lift or the number or reps that we can do will not strengthen our faith. Our physical stature may change and grow stronger, but not our faith. Faith is strengthened when it is put to the test. And yes, feeling the burn hurts, but the results make the pain worth it.

James says that we ought to "count it pure joy when we face trials because we know that the testing of our faith develops perseverance..." (Jas 1:2-3). In other words, when we go through trials our faith is not only being tested, but it is also producing something. Just like weight training and the work required to produce the look we seek or the size we desire, our struggles help to develop our perseverance. And perseverance makes us grow mature and complete in Him. According to James, this is what we should know - that something is developing in us.

Therefore, when facing trials... while enduring what we are enduring with this economy, trust God that He's strengthening your faith. Paul even tells us in Romans 5:3-4 to "rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope." At the end of what we go through hope is produced. And hope is the ability to hold onto to a thing, when you do not see a thing, until you have that thing.

It never feels good when your pressing, lifting up, or holding back that weight while training to strengthen your physical strength. But the results are incredible. The pay-off makes all that you went through to get to where you are feel like it was worth it. "Feeling the burn" does not feel good at all, but the results help both you and I to endure the pain.

"...train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come." (1 Tim 4:7a-8)

Thought of the Day...

Our actions tell others what we believe about God regardless of what we say.
(Jas 1:22; 2:18-19)

Thought of the Day...

...Don't just do something... sit there.
(Lk 10:39)

Thought of the Day...

...love is not primarily an emotion but a decision of the will leading to action (1 Peter 4:8).

"I Will Grow Stronger!"

Everyone wants to live this Christian life without falling, failing, and ultimately frustrating or displeasing God. Yet, every now and again we happened to find ourselves in one of these categories. If I'm talking to you... know that you are not by yourself. It happens to the best of us. But here's the good news...

...No one in this world and in this life is perfect. So please don't think that just because you have made mistakes in past that you will not learn and grow from them in the future. And please do not think that the only thing you are good for is making more mistakes. The devil is a liar! The decision to overcome your battles is up to you, but the power comes from the Lord.

In order to change our circumstances or our situations, the first change begins with us. So stop blaming everyone else for the way you are, or why you are in the mess that you are in. Now, I will admit that there are some situations that are caused by others; however, the folk that caused them do not have the power to determine how we will respond.

John Maxwell says in his book "The Difference Maker," that our attitudes are our greatest assets. But it all depends on how we choose to use it. Whatever attitude, mindset, or disposition we choose in any given situation will determine our strength over the matter, which will reveal our growth.

However, this strength and this growth is not manufactured on our own. Jesus once said while teaching on the mount, "blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." To those who chase after Him and those who sacrifice for Him for the sake of cultivating a love relationship with Him will be filled with His Presence and Power.

In this new year, seek Him like never before. Hunger and thirst after Him like never before. Especially when you know that it's His strength that will fill you. Overcoming our battles requires a decision to give Him our all. Choose Him today! And walk, talk, and stand with the attitude that says, "2009 is mine!" This is my year that I will grow stronger!

My Connection

One thing I appreciate about technology, in particular the internet, is that it has been made more convenient. Wireless, or WiFi, internet has made accessing the world wide web more convenient. And depending on where you are, whether at home or in a local public spot where there is a wireless router, or a "hotspot", you will find instant access to the internet. If your mobile phone/PDA or your laptop is equipped with the wifi capabilities, a few clicks here and there and you are surfing the net.

Now this is great if you have the right connection. In fact, before we switched from one internet provider to another at home, we had experienced major issues with this new wireless technology. No matter where you were in the house the signal from laptop to the wireless router was never strong enough to make a connection. So we thought.

The issue was not with the router or the laptops in the house, but the issues was with the signal that the provider was sending to the house. The signal was not strong enough to manage what we required. And instead of going straight to the source to fix it, we spent countless minutes, hours, and even days trying to troubleshoot the home office before we considered checking out the connection with the provider.

Had we started with the main connection instead of looking in the wrong places, all of our problems would have been solved. As believers, we often find ourselves exhausting our energy blaming our significant others, our jobs, or the world in general for failing at connecting or simply building meaningful and healthy relationships with others. And instead of examining the true reasons as to why we're not connecting with others ,we spend time pointing the finger and troubleshooting in the wrong places.

Stop looking at everything or everyone else except yourself and the connection that you have with the Source. Jesus told us to "Love God with all of our heart, mind, and soul; and to love our neighbors as we would ourselves" (Matt 22:37-39). If the connection that we have with God is one that receives our all, then we should not have issues connecting with those around us.

Have you done an internal check to make sure you are not the one blocking the signal from the provider. And have you taken the time to build a relationship with the Provider, God, first before attempting to use His provision in your life the wrong way.

He's Got It

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life..."
(Matthew 6:25-34)

With the alarming and ever increasing number of job loss across the nation, fear, worry, and anxiety are clutching the lives of many. Corporations across the nation are freezing salaries while hundreds of thousand families are spiraling into hopelessness. Corporation cut-backs are prevailing. In fact, Sprint and Home Depot employees have just become recession's latest victim.

It is without question that times are rough. And they will most certainly get worst before they get worst. Nevertheless, there is hope! As an encouragement to the Saints, this is not the time to drop your head and fall into a state depression because your job is not recession proof. Nor is this the time to listen and receive from the voice of the enemy attempting to influence you to do what that brother did to himself and his family in California. The devil is a liar!

Jesus assured us that He not only knows what is happening, but also He is going to take care of us (v.32). He told the disciples and He's telling us in times like this do not worry. Just keep seeking Him and His righteousness. “Don't worry about tomorrow, let tomorrow worry about itself.” In the meantime, fight to keep the faith. Trust God! He will see us through!

Start the Year Right

Are you looking to start this new year growing closer to the Lord, or you're seeking to be strengthen in your mind, body and soul that He might find you a better use for the Kingdom? If so, start by doing either one of two things: "Fast & Pray" or give God your "First Fruits."

Now most of you know about fasting and praying, and we'll come back to this in a second. However, "first fruits" is a teaching that most have never studied or have been taught. In a nut-shell, "first-fruits" was given at the beginning of Old Testament harvest season, which commenced a harvest-time celebration. With the Israelites being agriculturally acute, they would section off more than a tenth (the tithe) of their crops to sacrificially give to God. This was their offering of gratitude and their way of blessing God simply for being God.

Now for us, the one's who produce fruit (via careers, jobs, or any form of income coming in), giving more than the normal 10% required of your first pay in the first month of a new year is considered a first-fruit offering (Prov. 3:9). Some suggest that the first-fruits offering can be broken up over the course of a year, but is this really putting Him first? I will leave that one between you and God.

For fasting & praying... have you ever heard of the "Daniel 21-day fast"? In Daniel 10, you will find him denying himself from certain foods. Now, there is an actual diet regiment that he followed, but I'm going to keep this simple. Eat something... but scale back. For example: if you eat a lot of junk foods, then eat healthier. Or if you do a lot of coffee, stop and drink more water or juices. Now, some of us have health issues, or we're pregnant/nursing. So we need to be careful in all of this. Use wisdom when fasting (See note cautionary note below).

Although Daniel denied himself from some foods, he did eat something. But the ultimate objective was not to loose wait or to slim down to fit that new outfit that's a size less than what you normally wear. So I apologize to those who thought this was another weight lost trick. Daniel turned down a portion of his plate and prayed intensely everyday. So don't just focus on what you've decided to deny yourself. Focus on praying. Whenever you feel the urge to eat what you've denied yourself, pray. Let that be your notification that you need to sit with God. The objective is to commune with God, not to see if you can do without watching Keisha Cole's "The Way It Is" for a month. What does that have to do with your soul anyway?

Daniel's ultimate objective was to set himself to gain understanding and to humble himself before God (Dan 10:12). Daniel had major concerns in his life, but he sought to address them by addressing his personal issues first. Watching Keisha's family will add to your drama.

Like Daniel, take the first or any 21-days of this new year to draw closer to God. And by this you will be prepared to spiritually, mentally, and physically handle the challenges that you will face throughout the year. Not only will you be able to handle the challenges, but you will also grow closer to God by living a life pleasing to Him.

Check out the rest of the story in Daniel and I challenge you to do a study on all the other "fast" listed in the bible. And do a study on "first-fruits". Practice either one by faith and you will bless your life!

Caution! The Daniel Fast Diet like any other fast can create problems for people with medical conditions, pregnant, nursing and/or taking medicine. Consult your doctors and/or pharmacist before starting any fast. Ask them about your medication while fasting.