What do you think?

Matthew 16:23 shows an interesting conversation between Jesus and Peter. Was Peter really satan, or was he portraying characteristics of satan? Many times I have thought that the things that satan “does” are seen through “actions”. People often confuse negligence with the works of satan. Their tire blows on the freeway “that’s the devil.” They slip and fall on some water in their kitchen, “the devil pushed me.” My kid smokes weed, “the devil really has a hold on my kid.” 

Or… maybe you should stop neglecting the practical things in your life. Change the tire, clean up your filth in the kitchen, and be an authority in your kids’ life. I think that it is safe to say that the act of doing things is not the only characteristics of satan. Your thoughts are what drive you to act like the enemy. What you think will create you to become just that. If you start thinking that you're a loser, then you will become one. If you think that you’ll never get married then, wait for it… bingo, never married. Stop looking forward to crap happening to you. Romans 12:2 “Be transformed…” When you allow your mind to be renewed by the word of God your life will begin to transform.

A good friend of mine is constantly saying, “You are what you think.” I have to continually ask myself, “Who am I?” The more that I ask God to place an urgency in my heart and spirit the more I realize that I can no longer afford to think less of myself then God would think. God calls me “more than a conqueror.” What do I call myself? God says, “I can do all things through Christ.” What do I think? It’s time that we get off the soap opera box and start living up to Christ standards. When you believe it you will achieve it. One day at a time my thoughts resemble Christ’s and not the devils. I challenge you to start today.

 

Let’s create the pace

Andy  

30 Days to Live #3

We often look at death as a means to an end. It’s when you no longer exist. Death means that you stop in your life.

 

How often do we just stop living? Even though there is air moving through our lungs we just stop doing things. Some of us loved to do things in the past and now you would never recognize that love by our actions.

 

Many times, involving many people, we have stopped living. We’ve actually stopped existing. No one would ever know that you exist because know one knows what you stand for. Who actually knows what separates you from the rest.

 

I believe that a question needs to start being asked.

 

“ What will I be known for?”

 

What a sobering concept. When asking a question like that we begin to see that unused time is absolutely wasted time. Then we begin to see moments, if not seasons, of our lives as wasted!

 

John 10:10 talks of Jesus coming that we could live a “full life”. What does that look like? Is that summed up by a consistently dull and boring life? Does that mean that we are predictable?

 

You are different. You are unique. Start standing out.

The reason that none of our fingerprints match, or our faces look the same, or even act the same is because we have been designed to be unique.

 

Let’s create the pace

Andy

30 Days To Live #2

When we leave the place of awareness we begin to enter the place of denial. It is easy to deny the fact that something is wrong. “It’s not that bad, don’t be dramatic, a little change makes a huge difference.” All of these thoughts couldn’t be more far from the truth.

The more that we fight the denial that lingers in our spirit the more we are in alignment with the “heart of God”. As much as we don’t want to hear what is being said, we need to begin to ask a question that we often dismiss as pessimistic or theatric. I believe that question is, “How did that even start?”

Have we conditioned ourselves to paint a grey line that is far wider than the black and white? Do we really believe that it’s not that bad? Can the issue really settle and be as good as new? NO! The answer is no.

Romans 6:22 talks of being free from sin. In order to be free from something you must first escape from something. To escape from something you must become aware that something has trapped you. It is not enough to become aware that something is not right or that something is wrong. When do we get to a place when we begin to realize that where we are is not where God wants us to be. God goes ahead (1Chron 14:15/Ezek 37:21) of us so that we would follow. Are we headed where God has been? Are we headed to the place where God is Going?

Not only do I believe that great things are in store for you as you follow Christ (1Cor. 11:1), I believe that we as the Church will begin to blossom as the picture of power, purity, and passion. Don’t become trapped by denial (Heb 12:1). Let us allow God to lift us up (Ps 40:2) from denial into our rightful place as “a light to this world” (Matt. 5:14).

 Let’s create the pace

Andy 

30 Days To Live #1

There has to come a time in most people’s lives where there is a realization that something is wrong. Sometimes it is something that is felt, other times it might just be sensed, and there could be other times when someone that you know and trust will be that “word” of insight.

No matter how you get to the place of realization, what’s important is that you arrive. The normal initial response would sound something like, “Oh, it’s not that big of a deal. I’ll be fine. Don’t worry about me.” It’s sad to think that somehow some way everything can be fixed by ignoring the real issue. We think that if we would just close our eyes and click our heels together 3 times that the problem will remedy itself and all will be fine.

I wish that would not be so for the modern day church. I wish that we as the body of Christ weren't known for sitting at some gathering “wishing” for problems to just go away. I wish that we didn’t make programs that if we all would just do these 21 things that all will be well. And I definitely wish that none of what I just said made sense to any of you that are reading these words.

Unfortunately, this could hit so close to home that you better take cover. As the “set apart” body of Christ we need to arrive at a place of realization. We need to become aware that something is horribly wrong with our world and the people in it. Until we admit that something is wrong, no “rights” can occur. When were we ever taught that it is wrong to be wrong? How did we ever get the mindset, “We need to be perfect with no issues” get into our DNA?

Mistakes, Hurts, Issues, and pain grow you individually as well as corporately. Without limitations there can be no innovations.

 

Let us be known for being aware of our current place. Join a movement of changing circumstances, guiding the lost to Christ, and helping the hurting to healing.

 

Let’s create the pace

Andy   

CBC Conference-Benny Perez

What an incredible day. CBC knows how to pack a day full of widsom, intense preaching, and placing applicable teaching in your hands to take to your home church.

One message that I would really like to key in on would be Pastor Benny Perez's that was delivered last night. I believe that if we could all get this into our spirit that not only would we grow spiritually but our individual ministries would begin to explode!

Shake it off-Benny Perez

Acts 27:39-Acts 28:5ish

We think that when we are in the absolute will of God that nothing "bad" could ever happen.

1) The environment (situation) was depressing

The atmosphere was depressing and heartbreaking.

God is tired of "fair weather" Christians. They are the ones that if it even looks like it will "rain", they won't even attempt to do anything. They feel as if God would make all the elements perfect to walk in His will, "if it's God then it will all line up)".

We as Christians try to avoid pain at all cost. "If it will hurt then it couldn't possibly be God"

The few that push through the pain are the few that will actually place themselves in the will of God. Faith is the very thing that creates endurance to natural pain.

At one point, the "natives" make a fire. God strategically will have people around you that realize and recognize pain and will help make a fire by you. 

Biblically "fire" represents the "Spirit of the Lord".

Naturally and spiritually "fire" brings comfort to all of your senses. It was designed to do that from the beginning of time. "Fire" was created and designed for you to be "nearby it".

2) Paul does his part in the situation

The Bible says that "he had brought wood". No matter what the trying time could be, you must do your part to fuel the fire. Don't get the mindset that God is the only "fire builder". God will more times than not build the initial flame, but only to have you "fuel the flame".

3) The fire drove out the snake. 

Snakes only bite out of 3 scenarios. 1) they bite because they are threaten 2) they bite because they have been cornered and now it's about survival 3) they lastly bite because someone is in their "territory"

They enemy gets territorial when you are treading on it's territory

It's interesting that the very hand that Paul was "fueling the fire" with was the exact hand that the viper bit. Your hands represent authority. The enemy will try to injure your authority when you are using it to "fuel a flame". He will attack your "generosity".

Our natural tendency when bitten is to pull back and to run away. The church's natural tendency is a crisis moment is to pull back and run away when something bites our finances. 

4) Stay there and shake

The worst thing that you can do is to become "fearful" and run away. They say that if a snake bites you and you run, that the venom will shoot to your heart and will more likely kill you. The church has stopped being generous and has started running away and the lies of the enemy "venom" is shooting to the very heart and killing the church.

Experts say that you must stay where you are at so someone will find you and to put pressure on the bite wound. When you get bit, not only should you not run but begin to start allowing God to apply pressure to that wound.

We always try to avoid pain and yet pain (pressure) is what will squeeze poison out of your body. There is poison that God is trying to press out of the church and we are whimpering in the corner pew begging God to rescue us. We need to be as Paul was and "delight in the suffering that we may be more like Christ".

Later on in Acts it states that the people thought that God is judging Paul and that was why he was bit. Many times when tribulation and trials hit we think that it's because we are in trouble. We think that God is punishing us. "We must have done something wrong and now God is coming after us".

God's desire is that " you would have a full life". Why could God take your life away when He sent His son Jesus into this would that you would have an abundant life.

The same fire that drove the enemy out of hiding is the same fire that will destroy him.   We must learn to "shake" the enemy off our authority and into the "fire of God". When we begin to take a stand then "people" will begin to talk about God. They will begin to see and recognize that God is the only reason that you "made it" through that particular struggle.

Let's create the pace

Andy

CBC Conference-Rachel Hickson

The following content comes fresh from the CBC conference in Portland OR:

Even though there might be obvious trial and tribulations, understand the God has written a check for great things.

Before you can truly except the promises of God you must do the following 3 things:

1) Get spiritual roots

Hebrews 3:12-13

What has been "drip fed" in your spiritual DNA?

The act of "not trusting God" turns you away from Him and His presence

Repentance is what will turn you back to God.

2) Recreate your thinking process

James 1:6-8

The human tendency is to "Go"where you "think"

What is consuming your mind? Chances are that you can already tell by where you are.

3) Condition your heart

Hebrews 10:35-Hebrews 11:1

Your heart is a gateway to your future (destiny).

Understand our times and the opportunities that are shown before us.

2009 is a "transitional time"

Transition is the most uncomfortable time "before" birth. It's a time where you are tired of expecting, tired of waiting, you never think that it will come to pass, and you only see bi- products of the real product.

This is the most dangerous time when help and supervision is required to get done appropriately .

Romans 10:17

Be careful what you will absorb in your life.

The Devil will try to "pick-pocket" your blessings

Faith comes by "Hearing the message"

-What "message"are you absorbing?

Accept the challenge of the Season

Acceptance only can come by having courage even in the face of fear.

Courage is essential if we are to take ground

Deut. 31:6/Joshua 1 (Be strong and courageous)

Gain your strength from "hearing the message" in order to become courageous" 

Take your courage from Jesus

Matthew 14:27

You will be fearful until you "Take courage"

Luke 16:13-14

The religious group don't come forth until there is a shaking in your life

What courage have you seen lately 

By seeing someone else's act of courage a sense of courage will come forth in you.

Acts 4:13 (Realization comes by seeing courage)

Let us create the pace

Andy

Where does that money go

A few days ago Brandi and I went to watch the Wolverine in a nearby city. The beginning of the move was compelling, action packed and felt like it was going in the right direction. Unfortunately there was the other half of the movie to endure. I'm curious to why some of the most "cutting edge" movie producers and graphic designers sold out short in "most of the graphics for a good 45 minutes of the movie. I truly wonder why millions of dollars just don't get what it use to. 

I caution everyone that wants to spend money to watch this movie to first spend several hours watching sci-fi movies first. Then when you go to watch Wolverine it won't be a "failure", it will be an "upgrade".

Sorry that this wasn't so spiritual but it was needed.

Let's create the pace

Andy

No more POM-POMS!

With not a lot of time today I want to have a sincere chat about "intensity" in ministry. Why is it that we as Pastors and leaders are always trying to find the "intense" follower? Why do we always try to seek out the one who prays the loudest or worships the craziest? The answer is simple. You want someone else to be the catalyst in your ministry. Some have allowed a lie to creep into your mind and your spirit that your church grows because of the intensity of your crowd. 

Let me help you in your mindset. As the leader you must...LEAD. Your people are a direct reflection of who you are and what your ministry represents. Please stop looking for someone that you yourself are suppose to be.

This is not some crazy rant. This is the heart of God. We are not called to be a cheerleader on some sideline in some city. We are called to be set-apart and a chosen people. God "chose" you. You are the right man or women for the job. If you don't do it, the reflection is probably already being made in your ministry. A haunting realization is when Jesus was teaching the disciples "a tree will be known by it's fruits". Man, I don't know about you but that is a one hurking mirror in front of my ministry. What fruit is being produced in your ministry?

Be God's allstar line-up. Gain the heart of God and hit the ground running. It may not be the easiest thing you will ever do but when God is in it, "all things are possible".

Let's create the pace

Andy

Why get up so early?

Why do leaders get up early? Is it to be apart of some mystical formula that creates dynamic leaders? Does it create an atmosphere where radical absorption of knowledge occurs? Will it create a pace in which the multitudes will follow? 

I don't think so. As leaders there are just some things that we don't flaunt in front of the follower. There are things that will never be discovered that we do, even at times when we may not even want to. People don't honestly care what time you get up. Most followers don't really even care about what you do on a day to day basis that makes you who you are. Mostly people only care on what you can deliver to them. 

I believe "why we get up so early" is because we are just tenacious enough about are destiny that we can't remain asleep any longer. Just think of it. If someone told you that more of your destiny will be obtained today, would you get up early to discover it? Abraham in Genesis 22:3 rose up early to obey the Lord. Now that might sound really sexy and glamorous unless yo read Genesis 22:2! God asked Abraham to do something that was unheard of. He had to kill his only son. I probably would take a sick day that day. I might at the very least sleep in. 

Abraham knew that God was a provider. To Abraham God was a worker of the impossible. You see Abraham wasn't going to fight God over something that wasn't even really his. Abraham didn't bear a child on his own. This entire "new life" that Abraham had with his son was all because of God. Interesting enough, our lives are simply counted as living sacrifices (Romans 12:1).  In fact, we don't even have independent lives any longer, they've been all bought up (Corinthians 6:20).

This whole time I always thought that getting up early was all about reading books, working out, and being holy. More and more as I begin to think about why I get up early I remember that long ago another man got up early to receive his destiny from the Lord. Every time that I now get before the sun does I think about how I'm preparing for whatever is coming my way. I'm ready to wake up to "put my flesh to death that my spirit my be made alive.' Romans 8:13"

Don't wake up early so "they" know about your destiny, wake up early so "He" can reveal your destiny.

Let's create the pace.

Andy