ThoughtSeeds

Ray Overholt, a profanity-slinging heavy drinker singing professionally in nightclubs in the 1950s, was impressed in his spirit to write a song about Jesus. He picked up a Bible and looked for something to catch his eye. What caught his attention was the scene of Jesus' arrest in the garden at night, where He told Peter to put away his sword, and that He could have called 12 legions of angels to His aid if He wanted to. Ray began to write. He wrote a full hymn about the scenes leading up to Jesus' death on the cross and sent it off to be published. It wasn't until he was singing his own song as a guest singer in a church that he actually received Christ as his own Savior. Join me today to learn more about this hymn and how it transformed the life of the man who wrote it.1. https://dianaleaghmatthews.com/called-ten-thousand-angels/#.YoW64djMJPY

Jesus Christ is the King of Kings, and He has all authority over all things. He's chosen to impart some of His authority to us. What does that mean? What responsibilities come with that authority? Join me today for a look at Scriptures about our role using God's authority.1. https://ca.usembassy.gov/our-relationship/our-ambassador/the-role-of-an-ambassador/

Because Jesus is the Ultimate Authority, even the seasons change because He deemed it so. Demons are compelled to obey Him. Every knee will bow and every tongue will confess -- from people to angels to demons to Satan himself -- that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Amid the storms of strife and unrest in our world right now, you can rest, secure and sure in the shelter of God's arms. Dottie Rambo gifted us with this beautiful song, and it continues to encourage, assure, and inspire.1. https://www.staugustine.com/story/lifestyle/faith/2016/02/26/story-behind-song-sheltered-arms-god/16316471007/

Isaiah 40:11 tells us that the Lord is like a shepherd, gathering the lambs in His arms to hold them close. There are other Scriptures that talk about God holding us close, and the comfort and reassurance that provides is beyond measure.1. https://www.mountainwings.com/past/7219.htm

God says He holds us in the palms of His hands -- that we're engraved there. He promises that nothing will snatch us from His hands, and even if we try to run from Him to the depths of the sea or to the pits of hell, His right hand is holding us, even there.

In 1956, Mosie Lister reflected on the habit instilled in him during his childhood -- the habit of prayer. And he started thinking about how many other people around him likely had had a similar experience, but perhaps no longer talked with God. He started writing down questions, and in 10 minutes, he'd written the lyrics to this hymn. How long HAS it been since you talked with the Lord?1. http://sghistory.com/index.php?n=M.MosieLister2. https://www.staugustine.com/story/lifestyle/faith/2016/01/15/story-behind-song-how-long-has-it-been/16320820007/

How do wisdom, insight, and knowledge work in symmetry, and what's different about them? How did God design this three-fold system to help us thrive and flourish in life?

In Proverbs 4:7, Solomon instructs his son to "Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight." Whatever you get -- get insight. What is insight? Why is it so important? In Proverbs 2, we're told to call out for insight, and to search for it like silver and hidden treasure. If we truly did that, what would change in our lives?1. https://www.etymonline.com/word/insight#etymonline_v_9330

You're ready, you're all set, and -- wait! Before you hit GO, come on in and learn more about how to run your challenge through each day.Register here for the Enlarge Your Territory 5-Day FREE Challenge!https://enlargeyourterritorychallenge.com/challenge-registration

We're almost to the end of our special edition series! Today, we talked about how to launch and run a challenge. From a zero-$ budget to a huge budget, you can do it! If you have no extra $$, you probably have a smart phone or a computer. All you need now is a Facebook account. Want to know more about how this can work? Come on in and find out!Link to the Enlarge Your Territory 5-Day FREE Challenge!https://enlargeyourterritorychallenge.com/challenge-registrationLink to ClickFunnelshttps://bit.ly/3F8AvWr

After the tragic loss of his young nephew, Don Moen wrote this simple song for his sister-in-law and her husband, from inspiration God gave him on the plane ride to the funeral. From Isaiah 43:19, he drew "God will make a way, where there seems to be no way. He works in ways we cannot see -- He will make a way for me."Don Moen singing "God Will Make a Way" https://youtu.be/1zo3fJYtS-o1. https://www.crosswalk.com/church/worship/song-story-god-will-make-a-way.html

What's in a name? When it comes to naming your challenge, a LOT! Come on in and learn more about the different ways to choose a name for your challenge and what components are essential in a challenge name.

When the king of Syria wanted to capture the prophet Elisha, he sent an army to surround the city Elisha was in. When Elisha's servant woke up the next morning to see masses of horses, chariots, and soldiers, he was very afraid. Elisha assured him that "those are who with us are more than those who are with them," and he prayed that God would open the eyes of his servant. The Lord answered Elisha's prayer and Elisha's servant saw the horses and chariots of fire outnumbering the Syrian army. What do you need God to open your eyes to? What overwhelming victory do you need fresh eyes to see?

How can you add value to your Who before the challenge even starts? What would enhance their experience and sow into them? Consider offering something smaller when they register that doesn't compete with what you're offering at the end. Come on in to today's episode to hear more about that works, why it works, and how it can work for you.

No matter what obstacles we face, no matter what we encounter in life and in the world around us, we are never separated from the love of Jesus Christ. In fact, we are given overwhelming victory because of His love.

FREE vs PAID -- which type of challenge will work best for you and the people you're serving? What's the difference? Is there any in-between?

What does your Who's internal narrative sound like? What are they telling themselves on repeat and believing? What in that narrative needs to change, and how can you be the one to help that happen?

How does a challenge help a person take action? Why is this important? Because action in the direction of the change you want is victory. Successive victories, one after the other, bring change.

If I say "hard challenge vs soft challenge," what comes to mind? If it's jawbreakers vs gummy bears, that's the wrong kind of challenge! Come on in and learn more about what this "hard vs soft" business is all about.

How many days should a challenge last? How long should you be teaching each day? How on earth will you come up with enough content? Or on the flip side, how on earth will you ever fit all your content into that amount of time?! Come on in and find out some of those strategies.

Many people are familiar with the story of how "It Is Well With My Soul" came to be written. Horatio Spafford, after losing his young son to pneumonia, and nearly all of his business and possessions in the Great Fire of Chicago in the same year, was able to recover somewhat financially in the next few years, enough to make a family trip to Europe to join the revival meetings of Dwight L. Moody. Detained by business, he sent his wife and four daughters on the journey, planning to follow them a few days later. The ship his family was on sank catastrophically, and his four daughters were lost. As he sailed to join his wife in England, he passed over the spot where the ship carrying his daughters had sunk. He wrote the lyrics to this hymn during that voyage.1. https://www.staugustine.com/story/lifestyle/faith/2014/10/17/story-behind-song-it-well-my-soul/985525007/

How can you anticipate problems and obstacles the people you're serving are likely to encounter -- or even place in their own way! -- and remove them? How does that help to serve them?

What are some examples of a "hard day" that various people in the Scriptures experienced? From the hard days that the young Hebrew captives went through as they were marched to Babylon as slaves for King Nebuchadnezzar to the hard days the Apostle Paul lived through, there is a whole gamut to draw from. Jesus experienced the ultimate "hard day" as He prepared Himself to go to the cross, and then allowed Himself to be crucified in our place. Through all of those hard days, God was with each person. He promises to walk with you, too.

How do you sell someone what they want while giving them what they need? What does that even mean? Broadly, it means when you do this, you're serving at one of the highest levels.

Ever had a hard day? Maybe sometimes, you say something like, "Man, that was a rough day." Or "Today was really a difficult day." What you really mean can run the gamut from a hard day of physical labor where you had some unexpected challenges pop up, to a rough day emotionally "just because," to a tragedy or a traumatic event happening. The spectrum is pretty wide for "having a hard day." No matter where your "hard day" falls on that spectrum, God is there with you. He is your portion forever, the One Who never fails you.

How can the specific subject of your challenge directly point and lead people right to the even bigger value to them at the end of your challenge -- what you're offering?

There are multiple reasons you could launch and run a challenge -- and $$ aren't always the main one! What reason do you have?

Every person is wired on a very basic level to avoid pain and to seek pleasure. Sometimes, we lean in toward one over the other. How do you know and understand which matters most for your "Who?"

Who are you being called to serve? How do you find out exactly who it is, and why is it important?

Nearly crippled from her own struggles with arthritis, Jennie Hussey was the primary caretaker of her invalid sister for many years. Though she grew up in a many-generations Quaker family, she chose to identify with the Baptists later in life, asking to be baptized so everyone would know that she loved Jesus. The words of this achingly beautiful hymn remind us to never forget what Jesus has done for us.1. http://follow-jesus-camp.blogspot.com/2016/03/hope-everyone-is-having-blessed.html

As we learn more about challenges, today we discussed how challenges can solve problems, and how to determine who you're solving a problem for.

During His final Passover supper with His disciples, Jesus tells them to remember His broken body whenever they eat the Passover bread, and He tells them something they don't yet understand that night -- that the cup of wine represents a new covenant in His blood, and they should remember it every time they drink the cup of Passover wine. Why did Jesus emphasize to remember His sacrifice?

Join me today and every Mon-Sat for the next three weeks for special edition episodes where we learn more about what God's been teaching me and calling me to share.

God tells us over and over in His Word to "remember Me." Across the Old Testament and the New, we're reminded repeatedly to not forget the things God has done for us, to remember what He's told us to do, and remember Who He is. Why is this so important? What does it mean to remember?1. https://www.etymonline.com/search?q=remember

Join me today and every Mon-Sat for the next three weeks for special edition episodes where we learn more about what God's been teaching me and calling me to share.

On the first anniversary of his conversion, which happened to be Pentecost Sunday in 1739, Charles Wesley penned this outstanding hymn. In fact, penning a hymn on his conversion anniversary was something he made a tradition for years afterward. The title is said to come from something Wesley heard his spiritual mentor say. Moravian missionary Peter Bohler was reported to have said "Had I a thousand tongues, I would praise Him with them all!"1. https://reasonabletheology.org/hymn-story-o-for-a-thousand-tongues-to-sing/2. https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-o-for-a-thousand-tongues-to-sing3. https://hymnstudiesblog.wordpress.com/2008/09/26/quoto-for-a-thousand-tongues-to-singquot/

Ephesians 2:10 tells us we are God's masterpiece, created anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago. What are those good things He planned for us to do?

Ephesians 2:10 tells us we are God's masterpiece (or His workmanship). What does it mean to be a masterpiece? Why is it important to understand why God would call us this?1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masterpiece2. https://www.ucityguides.com/cities/top-10-must-see-famous-works-of-art.html3. https://www.classicfm.com/discover-music/famous-classical-music-tunes/

Sitting in a prayer meeting one evening, Adalaide Pollard was heavily discouraged. She'd spent years evangelizing, and then preparing to go to the mission field of Africa at age 40. Forced to cancel her voyage to Africa at the last minute when funding fell through, she attended that prayer meeting, unsure of what God had for her future. An elderly woman spoke a prayer aloud, saying "It's all right Lord! It doesn't matter what you bring into our lives. Just have your own way with us." From that simple, straightforward prayer, Adalaide was inspired to pen this hymn, "Have Thine Own Way, Lord."1. https://hymnstudiesblog.wordpress.com/2008/06/11/quothave-thine-own-way-lordquot/

In the Parable of the Sower, Jesus gives us some insight into various things that are lacking from good soil, and also what we need to have rich, fertile soil. Since He's comparing our hearts to soil, today, we look at what the soil of our heart needs in order to have an abundant harvest from the seed of God's Word being sown into us.

In Matthew 13, Jesus shares a parable we know as the Parable of the Sower. Four different types of soil are described, and the outcome of the seed that was planted in each one. The soils in the parable represent our hearts, and the seeds represent the Word of God. What kind of soil is the Word of God being planted in when it's sown into your heart?

From a soul-searching session at a piano, Marty Nystrom was given this beautiful song of worship after seeing a Bible open to Psalm 42 nearby. Does your soul long for Jesus the way a thirsty deer longs for fresh water?1. https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-as-the-deer2. https://www.christianity.com/wiki/bible/meaning-of-apple-of-my-eye-in-the-bible.html

Stubbornness, by definition, is "unreasonably or perversely unyielding." To yield is to give up a claim or possession and to surrender control. Like the clay in the hands of a potter, we are the clay in the Master Potter's hands. Will we be stubborn and refuse to be shaped according to His will? Or will we yield to Him, trusting that He knows how to shape us into a vessel of great beauty?

God calls stubbornness disobedience, and says that when we are stubborn and refuse to turn from our sin, we're facing punishment from Him. Like a stubborn horse refusing to be bridled, or a stubborn toddler who won't let you dress them, we dig in our heels and insist on our own way. How can we change that? How can we live "in the true Vine," Jesus?

In the 1750s, Robert Robinson was a teenaged rebel, living as far away from his Christian upbringing as possible. He led a gang of young men into a revival meeting led by George Whitefield for the sole purpose of heckling and making fun of the entire affair. Instead, he was sobered and white-faced by the words of the great man of God. After surrendering to the Christ he'd been mocking and running from, he became a pastor himself, truly gifted at speaking and preaching. Several years after that all-important revival meeting, he penned the words to "Come, Thou Fount." Join me as we learn more about the life of Robert Robinson, and the rich gift he left us in this hymn.1. https://truthandtidings.com/2016/03/our-heritage-come-thou-fount/2. https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-come-thou-fount-of-every-blessing3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tuning_fork4. https://charlielewis.net/author/admin/page/3/

Did you know that one of the definitions of "idol" is "a visible appearance without substance?" It's easy for us to see how that applies to a carving or statue, but how does it apply to other things that God equates with idolatry? Things like stubbornness, greed, sexual immorality, and more. Join me to dig deeper in our study of God's commands against idolatry.

In Exodus chapter 20, we find the Ten Commandments -- God's "Big Ten" in His instruction Book for life. The very first one is "You shall have no other gods before Me." What does that mean for you personally? Do you have any idols in your life? Come on in and let's talk about it together.

In the book of Numbers, we read about Moses sending out twelve men to check out -- to spy -- the land of Canaan. This was the Promised Land -- the land God had promised to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob over 400 years earlier. The twelve men brought back a wonderful report. Well, mostly. Ten of the men insisted that the giants in that land would kill all of them and their children, and there was no way they could defeat the people who lived there. This set the people into an uproar and they let loose with fearful crying, angry accusations, and tried to start a mutiny. They even tried to stone Joshua and Caleb -- the two men who insisted that with God, they *could* be victorious in Canaan. God was furious and asked Moses how long His own people would treat Him with contempt. "Will they never believe Me?" How serious is unbelief to God? What kind of consequences are there in our lives when we choose to stay put in fear instead of walking forward in faith? How different would your life be if you believed God instead of believing the voice of fear? Come on in and join the discussion!

Jesus tells us multiple times to ask anything in His Name, and He will do it. Do we really believe that? And if we don't, why not? Does He mean if we ask Him to let us win the lottery, it'll happen? What DOES He mean? Join me to talk about believing God and how we can believe and trust Him to follow through.1. https://godrunning.com/2018/11/03/ask-anything-in-my-name-i-will-do-it/

At a series of revival meetings, a soloist was singing each night and then leaving before the preaching started. William Kirkpatrick, a minister and song-composer, was troubled by this and began praying for the young man. God led him to compose and write a hymn for the soloist to sing. That evening, he handed the soloist the music and the words, and the man sang them. Instead of leaving, as had been his custom, he stayed and listened to the preaching. At the end of the service, he was one of the first people to respond to the Gospel invitation. That hymn, written for that soloist, has touched many lives since then. Come on in and learn more about William Kirkpatrick and his hymn, "Lord, I'm Coming Home."1. https://hymnary.org/person/Kirkpatrick_William2. http://nickel-notes.blogspot.com/2012/03/hymn-history-lord-im-coming-home.html3. https://hymnstudiesblog.wordpress.com/2008/09/12/quotlord-i039m-coming-homequot/