by Alisha | Oct 1, 2012 | Uncategorized
Is your life producing the good fruit that the Lord desires of you? Are you enjoying the benefits of the Word of God growing and thriving in your life on a continual basis? If not, then perhaps it’s time to get rid of the weeds that have grown up in your heart.
What do I mean by weeds?
In Mark 4, Jesus tells the “Parable of the Sower,” in which He describes four types of soil: (1) hardened soil; (2) stony soil; (3) thorny (or weedy) soil; and (4) fertile soil.
The soil represents the hearts of those in whom the seeds (Word of God) are sown.
The Lord wants each of our hearts to be the rich, fertile soil that will bring forth much fruit for His kingdom, like He talks about in Mark 4:8 MSG: Some fell on good earth and came up with a flourish, producing a harvest exceeding his wildest dreams.
But sadly, most of the time we Christians fall into categories other than the good soil. And most of us are in the thorny soil category – the soil that is filled with all sorts of weeds.
Mark 4:18, 19 MSG says, The seed cast in the weeds represents the ones who hear the kingdom news but are overwhelmed with worries about all the things they have to do and all the things they want to get. The stress strangles what they heard, and nothing comes of it.
What are the weeds that so easily choke the Word of God out of our hearts?
I like the way The Amplified Bible says it in verse 19: Then the cares and anxieties of the world and distractions of the age, and the pleasure and delight and false glamour and deceitfulness of riches, and the craving and passionate desire for other things creep in and choke and suffocate the Word, and it becomes fruitless.
Basically you can break “weeds” down into two different categories: cares and distractions.
I’ve never been much of a worrier. Yes, I’ve had my share of problems and stresses to worry and be anxious about, but for the most part, I’ve always been able to cast those over onto the Lord and go on with my life.
But distractions, on the other hand…well, let’s just say I’m very easily distracted. (Before I got married, my initials were A.D.D.)
I don’t know about you, but I can open up my laptop to look up one little thing on the internet, and an hour and a half later, I can’t remember what I was looking up or if I even did look it up.
Emails, tweets, facebook posts, blog posts, news, the latest Hobbit trailer, baseball division race standings (I swear, as soon as I typed this, I went online to see what time the Atlanta Braves game was coming on tonight!). There’s so much information at my fingertips that I tend to get very sidetracked. My brain gets cluttered with all the things I have to do, should do and want to do.
It’s the same for many other Christians. If we are not careful, we will allow the cares of life (problems, circumstances, trials, etc.) or distractions (entertainment, the drive to succeed, the quest for knowledge, etc.) to clutter our minds and even become weeds in our hearts. These weeds will eventually choke the Word of God out of our hearts.
That is why we have to be intentional with God’s Word – we must put it in our hearts on a daily basis. But we must also be intentional about keeping God’s Word in our hearts. We have to water it, nurture it, tend it, and attend to it. His Word is our very life (Phil. 2:16).
We need to be able to discern what things to keep in our lives and what things need to be weeded out. Obviously, cares, worries, and anxieties ALL need to be weeded out. If you have worries and concerns that you need to deal with, please read: How to Live Worry Free, or What to Do When Your Heart is Overwhelmed. Get rid of those weeds because they will allow fear to consume you. Fear is the enemy of faith.
When it comes to the “distractions of this age,” you will need to allow the Holy Spirit to show you which things are legitimate, and which things are just stealing your time and robbing you of the benefits of God’s Word flourishing in your life.
The less cluttered your heart is, the more sensitive you will be to the leading of the Spirit of God. And the more sensitive you are to Him, the more fruit you will produce in your life.
Your heart can be the rich, fertile soil that the Lord desires it to be. It can bring forth a harvest of good fruit for the kingdom of God. But you will have to maintain the soil. You will have to water it, feed it, and nurture it. And you will have to get rid of the weeds of cares and distractions on a continual basis.
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by Alisha | Sep 24, 2012 | Uncategorized
Do you live in a constant state of worry or anxiety? Are there fears that harass you on a continual basis? Do your thoughts tend to run in negative, pessimistic patterns? Perhaps you have habits or addictions that you know you need to break?
What you need is an extreme mind makeover – a transformation. You need to get so full of the Word of God that it begins to change your attitude and renew your way of thinking.
Romans 12:2 (AMP) says, Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude]…
Renewing your mind is one of the most important things you can learn to do as a Christian. In this world we are constantly inundated with negativity, fear, worry, anxiety, stress, sin and many other things that can easily bring us down. If we’re not careful to guard our minds against these assaults, we will be reduced to a nominal Christian, struggling to survive instead of a triumphant believer rising up in faith and power.
But thankfully, God has given you the ability to transform yourself! All you need to do is feed upon the Word on a consistent basis so that it drives out those negative thoughts, attitudes, worries, and fears. His Word can completely renovate your mind.
The Greek word for “renew” used here in Romans 12:2 is anakaninosis, which means “renovation,” (Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance).
The Authentic New Testament translates it this way:
Do not accommodate yourselves to the age we live in, but transform yourselves by a mental renovation, so that you are competent to determine what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God.
When one renovates a house, it usually consists of a complete overhaul, a restoration, or a reconstruction. That is what the Word does for your mind. As you spend time meditating on the Word of God, it completely overhauls your way of thinking, and restores and aligns your mind with God’s way of thinking.
You can become so established in the Word of God that you will literally transform yourself from a fearful, cringing, stressed-out worrier into a powerful man or woman of God, walking around in victory and perfect peace!
Transform yourself by the power of the living Word of God!
(Click here to find out seven ways to become established in the Word of God.)
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by Alisha | Sep 3, 2012 | Uncategorized
Has your heart ever been overwhelmed? Have you ever felt besieged by the storms of life? Inundated with problems of all sorts? Have you ever felt that you just couldn’t take it anymore?
In times like this, what do you do? Do you succumb and surrender to these storms? Do you allow yourself to accept failure or defeat? Do you feel sorry for yourself and throw a pity party? No way!
You keep standing – in the midst of the storm – you keep declaring that God’s Word is true. You keep pressing into Him and His Word, and you keep holding fast to your faith.
Psalm 61:2 KJV says…when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
The Contemporary English Version of Psalm 61:2-4 says, I feel hopeless, and I cry out to you from a faraway land. Lead me to the mighty rock high above me. You are a strong tower, where I am safe from my enemies. Let me live with you forever and find protection under your wings, my God.
When you feel overwhelmed, when you begin to feel hopeless, when you lose heart, cry out to the Lord. He is your Rock, your Strong Tower, your Safe Refuge from the storms of life. Remind yourself that the God you serve is a mighty God. He will protect you. He will keep you safe. And He will deliver you. Always.
Everyone goes through difficult tests and trials. We’ve all felt overwhelmed and hopeless at one time or another. But it is not okay to continue feeling that way – not when Almighty God is your Father!
You must put yourself in remembrance of God’s great love for you. You must remind yourself of His faithfulness and of all the times He has come through for you. You must refuse to waver in your faith and trust in Him.
Psalm 34:19 says, Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.
We are guaranteed afflictions, but we have a promise that the Lord will deliver us out of them all.
We must be so grounded in the Word of God that when we face these tests, trials, afflictions, storms, and outright assaults from the enemy, we will not waver, be swayed or shaken.
Jesus said in Matthew 7:24-25 (NLT), Anyone who listens to My teaching and obeys Me is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse, because it is built on rock.
The storms of life will come, but you don’t have to be swept away by them. Instead, you can just stand firm with your feet planted on the solid rock of God’s Word. Though the storms may come and the winds may blow, you will remain steadfast and immovable because of the Word of God that is in your heart.
You will look the storms in the eye and laugh because they are powerless to harm you. You are sheltered safe within God, your Refuge. Nothing can by any means harm you. No weapon formed against you shall prosper.
Storms come and storms go, but those who remain fixed and stable on the Solid Rock will weather the storms and grow stronger still.
Just like David, we must learn to “encourage ourselves in the Lord” (1 Sam. 30:6), and we do that by reminding ourselves of the Lord’s great faithfulness to us in times past, and by meditating on scriptures that speak of His goodness and faithfulness to us.
I have a included a few scriptures for you to remember when your heart is overwhelmed. These are just a starting point. If you would like a FREE printable of even more scriptures to help you stand in the midst of a storm, sign up below and we’ll send it to you.
- Psalm 91:2 (KJV) I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in Him will I trust.
- Isaiah 54:17 (NKJ) No weapon formed against you shall prosper…
- Luke 10:19-20 (NKJ) Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
- 1 John 4:4 (KJV) Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.
- 1 Corinthians 15:57-58 (NIV) But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you.
Thank you!
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by Alisha | Aug 24, 2012 | Uncategorized
The Bible is not just another book of rules and regulations for how a Christian should live. Instead, it is the living Word of God. Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power…”
God’s Word is alive and powerful, and inside, there are answers to any situation you could ever face in life. Therefore, if you want to grow strong spiritually, then you need to develop the habit of studying your Bible on a daily basis, and letting it dwell in you richly (Col. 3:16).
Matthew 6:33 says, “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” One of the most important ways to seek first the kingdom of God, is to give the Word of God first place in your life.
I. How do you give God’s Word first place?
- Commit to a regular time of reading the Bible each and every day – even if it’s only a few verses or one chapter at first. Then, once you develop the habit, you can gradually increase how much you read each day.
- It’s important to read both the Old and New Testaments, but since the New Testament was written to the Church (Christians), you should focus most of your time there.
The New Testament is made up of:
- The Gospels – (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) These are records of the life and ministry of Jesus.
- The Epistles – (Acts through Revelation) Epistles are “letters” written to the Christian Church teaching and instructing us in how we should live.
II. How to Study the Bible
- The King James Version is an excellent version, however, it was translated in the 17th century, and therefore, it was written in Elizabethan English. Since it can sometimes be difficult to understand, it is very important that you find a version of the Bible that you can understand. NIV, NKJ, NLT, Amplified, The Message, etc., are all good translations. (NOTE: Free Bible apps are available for smartphones and tablets. I recommend YouVersion, which has numerous Bible translations available at the touch of a finger!)
- It’s also important that you feel free to write in your Bible. You can underline or highlight scriptures that have special meaning to you. This will help personalize the Word for you. Marking these scriptures will also help you find them more readily when you need them.
- When you sit down to read the Bible, ask the Holy Spirit to teach you and help you understand it as you read. (John 14:26, Psalms 119:18)
- When you read, think about each word in each scripture. You can check meanings, too, by using a concordance to study the Greek or Hebrew root words and their meanings. If you don’t have a concordance, a dictionary will help you. (2 Tim. 2:15)
- Carefully consider how the Word applies to you personally and to the situations you are facing. (2 Tim. 3:16, Ps. 119:105, 111)
- Compile a “Scripture Notebook” with different topics, such as faith, love, peace, healing, provision, etc., and every time you find a scripture on a certain subject, record it in its appropriate place. (2 Tim.3:15)
- Speak the Word of God over every area of your life — health, mind, problems, money, family, relationships, business, future, etc. (Mt. 8:8)
- Think about God’s Word and speak it to yourself continually. This is called “meditating on the Word.” (Josh. 1:8, Ps. 119:97)
- Accept God’s Word as the final authority. (Ps. 119:89)
Remember, the Bible is a personal message from Almighty God Himself to you! While the Bible is God’s inspired Word, it was also meant to be down-to-earth. Don’t just reverently give it a place of honor on your coffee table or bookshelf, but treat the Word as your personal hands-on reference book on life — a “how-to” book for everyday living!
This post is excerpted from my book, A Life That Flourishes. Click on image below to purchase.
by Alisha | Aug 20, 2012 | Uncategorized
Is there something that you’ve prayed about but you haven’t received yet? If so, I want to encourage you to not give up. Keep standing in faith. The answer is on the way!
Jesus said in Mark 11:24 (NKJ), Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.
And 1 John 5:14-15 (NKJ) says, Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.
There is almost always a waiting period from the moment we say “Amen” until the moment we receive. But if you’ve asked according to the will of God (His Word), and if you believed that you received when you prayed, then according to these scriptures, you can be confident that the Lord heard you and that you will receive what you’ve asked of Him.
But what do you do while you’re waiting – especially when the answer is l-o-n-g in coming?
Hebrews 6:12 tells us that through faith and patience we inherit the promises of God.
And Hebrews 10:35-36 (NLT) says, Do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord, no matter what happens. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.
So first of all, exercise patience. Don’t be quick to give up just because it takes some time to receive. Don’t throw away your confident trust in the Lord. Keep believing!
James 1:6-7 (NKJ) says, But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord.
If you want to receive, then make sure that you don’t allow doubt to creep in. If the Word says you will have it, then you will have it. God is not a man that He should lie (Num. 23:19). He is always faithful!
Heb 4:3 (NKJ) says, For we who have believed do enter that rest…
Another thing to remember is to rest. You don’t have to beg, manipulate or try to persuade God to answer your prayer. If you prayed in faith, then enter into rest. It’s not up to you to figure out when and how the answer will come. It’s up to you to trust and rest.
And finally, learn to be thankful, (Ps. 100:4, Col. 3:15). If you believe that the Lord has answered your prayer, then thank Him for doing so. Don’t wait until you have the full manifestation – thank Him in advance. When we are thankful to the Lord before we receive the answer, it demonstrates our faith and trust in Him.
God’s Word is true. If you pray according to His will, and believe you receive when you pray, you will have the thing you asked of Him.
Keep standing in faith. Keep exercising patience. Keep believing that you will receive the thing you asked for. Enter into rest and just thank Him for the answer. Don’t give up. Don’t quit. Keep expecting. The answer is on the way!
(Image by © Royalty-Free/Corbis)
