Get Organized!

1 Corinthians 14:40- “Let all things be done decently and in order.”

With the promise of off-and-on rain and unrelenting cold weather, I designated this past weekend for getting my office in order.  I cleaned out file cabinets, shredded unnecessary documents, arranged office supplies and started setting up a new accessing system.  It was tedious but the reward will come in the near future when it will be so much easier to file, access and distribute paperwork. 

Our scripture today reminds us that in ‘all’ things we must have a diligent sense of completing all tasks in a proper manner.  Take some time to reorganize and revamp old systems that might be out of date and might not work so well.  Check out new technologies that might make keeping up with your records more proficient.  If clutter is a problem, there are websites specifically designed to help debunk the unnecessary.  Find a way to work smarter and not harder so you can concentrate on the great new things that God has ordained for your 2016 journey. 

Every day is a good day; it is up to us to a make it a GREAT day!  Be blessed!  Dr. JoAnn

Mind Set - Part 4 - Tell the Tale of the Tail

Exodus 4:4-5 “Then the Lord said to Moses, “Reach out your hand and take it by the tail” (and he reached out his hand and caught it, and it became a rod in his hand), (5) that they may believe that the Lord God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you.”

     Looking back at yesterday’s scripture, God instructed Moses to throw his staff to the ground and it became a serpent.  In today’s scripture God tells him to pick it up.  The odd thing to me about this command is that God tells him to pick it up by the tail. In all of my biological studies and of course the great animal planet shows I love to watch, it always seems that wildlife experts grab biting animals by the head to avoid the possibility to attack and injury.  Picking a snake up by the tail gives its strong muscular body the ability to turn its head towards you to afflict pain with its fangs or to wrap itself around and immobilize you.  

     This does not seem like a wise move, however if God tells you to do something and it seems out of the ordinary or even suspect…trust him and be obedient – then do not be afraid.  As long as God is doing the instructing it will never hurt or harm you.  As soon as Moses grabbed the snake, it came under his submission and turned back into a useful tool that Moses had total control to use.  As soon as you grab your ‘snake’ it will be under your control.  Sometimes you will have to forego the obvious and grab the ‘tiger by the tail’ and subdue it by the faith you have in God’s word.  Reach out and take it by the tail.  If its tail is exposed to you, then that means it has its back to you and thinks that you are no threat….show it the God that you serve and subdue it.  Then when it is all said and done, testify about our God who can use anyone, anything, anywhere and at any time for his Glory!

Every day is a good day; it is up to us to a make it a GREAT day!  Have an awesome weekend.  See you on Monday. Be blessed!  Dr. JoAnn

Mind Set -Part 3 - Twisted Familiar

Exodus 4:3– “^“And He said, “Cast it on the ground.” So he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from it.”

 

     Don’t be surprised that God will use something very familiar to you in a different and surprising way.  Moses had lived in the Midian desert for over 40 years and had become very familiar with the tools of the shepherd lifestyle.  The staff was a main tool used by herdsmen for many purposes.  Its design made it useful to guide and prod the sheep, goat and oxen in the direction he desired.  Its strength made it useful in defense and support.  Its length made it helpful in balance and agility.  Many carved designs, pictorial stories and even family histories on the staff that they carried with them everywhere they went.   

     Much like our cell phones of today, they have many purposes and we guard them judiciously.  For God to instruct Moses to throw his familiar tool to the ground would be contradictory to his nature to always keep his staff at hand.  God may instruct you to look at and use some things that you are very familiar with in a different way and it might even seem to be frightful but do not be dismayed.

     If God tells you to do something and it seems out of the ordinary or even suspect…trust him and be obedient – then do not be afraid.  No need to run or flee from what it might turn into or become – as long as God is doing the guiding, it will never hurt or harm you.  Get ready to watch God use what you have become too comfortable with in a new and provocative way. Be vigilant of the new twist that God will put on the familiar.  

Every day is a good day; it is up to us to a make it a GREAT day!  Enjoy this first week of 2016.  A great start gives hope and promise for a great finish.  Be blessed!  Dr. JoAnn

Mind Set (part 2) - Use What You Have

Exodus 4:1 – “^“So the Lord said to him, “What is that in your hand?”

      As we progress into our plans for 2016 let us be mindful and have a mindset that what we need has already been provided.  When Christ said from the cross that ‘it is finished’, of course we know the direct message is of the salvation story; but also it entails that everything set forth for the coming Kingdom has been set in place.  This includes our life purposes and how the Holy Spirit directs and guides.  We often hear it said that “God does not give vision without provision” and while it has a nice rhyming ring to it; it also righteously encapsulates the oneness and completeness of how God operates.  Since God knows the ending before we even begin he knows what to put into us before we ever know what we will need. 

     Trust the skills, talents, abilities, knowledge and experience that you have already.  While it is important to continue to seek higher levels of achievement, education, skill development and advancement; be cognizant of what you already have ‘in your hand’ and at your disposal. 

     What are you good at that people always compliment?  What comes so easily and naturally to you that you could do it proficiently in your sleep?  What makes you delight in doing it so much that you could do it for free (and many of you already do)?  What has God so ingrained in your spirit that you know without a shadow of a doubt – “I can do this!” – well - start now believing  - “I have all I need!” No more excuses that you will start ‘as soon as you get more money saved; or take one more certification class; or get a more reliable vehicle; or the kids get out of school.  Start with what is in your hand.

     Every day is a good day; it is up to us to a make it a GREAT day!  Enjoy this first week of 2016.  A great start gives hope and promise for a great finish.  Be blessed!  Dr. JoAnn

Mind Set - part 1 - Negate the Negative

    I shared with the participants at my First Friday Fellowship meeting on January 1^st the importance of our thoughts and how they govern our actions and outcomes.  For the remainder of the week I will share the highlights of that discussion taken from Exodus 4:1-5.

    Exodus 4:1 – “Then Moses answered and said, “But suppose they will not believe me or listen to my voice; suppose they say, ‘The Lord has not appeared to you.’”

     Now is the time to stop listening to naysayers, critics, negative people and sourpusses.  No one will ever totally buy into your dream because it is not for them - it is for YOU.  God has placed a special project, direction, dream or plan in your life and while some will support and encourage you, no one will fully understand what you must do.  Most of the time you may not know 100% what you must do because God might not reveal it to you but a piece or step at a time.  Your first mind set change must be to stop the negative ‘talk’ that filters into your life.  This might be from people but it can also be self-generated.  Now is the time to squelch self-doubt and believe that those urging to get up and get moving are from God. 

    Many of us feel the urge to go after wonderful plans but because they are grand or glorious we believe they are too far-fetched to be pursued.  Stop the hindering and know that God has placed that in your heart.  He is a BIG God and does not dwell in the miniscule.  Why would a God who created the universe give you a ‘Dollar Tree’ plan? Yes it is big…go for it. Start now thinking – “YES, I can!

Every day is a good day; it is up to us to a make it a GREAT day!  Enjoy this first week of 2016.  A great start gives hope and promise for a great finish.  Be blessed!  Dr. JoAnn

First Fruits

Proverbs 3:9 – “Honor the Lord with your possessions, And with the firstfruits of all your increase;”

     Think back over the past few weeks and remember all the wonder that flooded into your life as we closed out 2015.  Think back – yes there were some significant changes that affected your livelihood, your lifestyle and maybe even your physical life; but in and through it all, good, bad or indifferent, God’s promises never failed.  In triumph he was there to celebrate your joy.  In uncertainty and chaos he was your rock.  In tragedy he was your sheltering arm.  In all things God never left nor forsook you.  He was always there, gently guiding, sternly correcting, playfully consoling and always loving, 

     As the end of 2015 drew near God gathered in all the promises he kept as you reaped your harvest.  Now is the time to give back to God that which he has so bountifully given to us.  Our scripture today says to honor the Lord with our first and other translations and commentaries tell us to give our ‘first’ and ‘best’.  God always gives us the best in each and every situation we encounter.  We may not see it that way because we often think we know what is best for us; but God’s wisdom, foreknowledge and love will always place before us that which is optimal.  Now let us show God our thanks and obedience by placing before him the ‘best’ of the ‘first’ of our increase.  Uncertain what to do or how to do it?  Ask the Holy Spirit, he will guide and support as your make your offerings.  Remember to be like Abel and not like Cain and your offering will be accepted.

      Every day is a good day; it is up to us to a make it a GREAT day!  Enjoy this first week of 2016.  A great start gives hope and promise for a great finish.  Be blessed!  Dr. JoAnn

Happy New Year!!

2015 ended so spiritually wonderfully for me I am sooooo anticipating 2016.  God has been turning things around and while I used to question God about all the "dizziness" from all the movement... now I just enjoy the ride.  Remember as kids when you would spin around and the objects in the room went by so fast that when you stopped you would get dizzy; but when you focused your eyes on one thing you could get stable?!  Well that is what we must do when things change and God starts turning some things around in our lives... don't focus on what you are leaving behind but keep your gaze on Jesus and enjoy the ride.  Watch out 2016 .... we're back!!!!!!!!!!  ready, focused and on fire!

Every day (year) is a good day (year); it is up to us to make it a GREAT day (year)!

Be blessed! Dr. JoAnn