Podcasts about amp let

The wisdom of King Solomon tells us that there is nothing new under the sun. That's why we place our faith in the one who knows all, has seen all and knows the end. So, as you prepare to make decisions to participate in what seem like novel ideas like cryptocurrency, space exploration and new pharma I pray that you invite God into your decisions.

A life of excellence Quite honestly, we can never be challenged enough in the area of excellence. 2 Peter 1: 3-4(Amp) – 3For His divine power has bestowed on us[absolutely] everything necessary for [a dynamic spiritual] life and godliness, through true and personal knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. 4For by these He has bestowed on us His precious and magnificent promises [of inexpressible value], so that by them you may escape from the immoral freedom that is in the world because of disreputable desire and become sharers of the divine nature.   2 Peter 1:5(Amp) – For this very reason, applying your diligence [to the divine promises, make every effort] in [exercising] your faith to develop moral* excellence, and in moral excellence, knowledge (insight, understanding). Moral*: Living the principles of right and proper conduct.    “Essentially there are two actions in life – Excellence and Excuses. Make a decision as to which you will accept for yourself.”   By: Pastor George Lehman If you claim Christ as your Saviour and you’re not living a life of Excellence then what’s your EXCUSE? Isaiah 66:1 (Amp) - Thus says the Lord: Heaven is My throne, and the earth is My footstool. What kind of house would you build for Me? And what kind can be My resting-place? Gods’ footstool is a place to relax to be free to move and have joy and peace and confidence in His obedient excellent living child. What kind of house are you building for Him? Psalm 16:3 (Amp) - As for the godly (the saints) who are in the land, they are the excellent, the noble, and the glorious, in whom is all my delight. (They are the ones who are used of God-Making a difference; God is clearly identifying who they are.)   In whom does God delight? Answer: In an EXCELLENT living child of God’s life I really believe God is calling us to attention in this day. I believe this even more today than I did 40 years ago The call is to a deeper life of commitment with Him. This call comes at a time when Christians are living in great lukewarmness and compromise. As times become harder and more difficult, the less committed people are becoming. We need to willingly and deliberately lay down the trash which is preventing us from receiving God’s best for our lives. Those of us who hear His voice can no longer be willing to live a life of ‘just good enough’. Quote someone who said: “I want to live my life as a worthy temple to God’s glory.  Anything less contradicts the creator who surveyed His work and said: “It is good.”  He didn’t say, “Oh, it will have to do.” We can never be satisfied with average, mediocre and ordinary anymore when we are called to a life of EXCELLENCE.  You must aim at it daily. God’s call is very clear and not negotiable. A casual attitude towards excellence of life will lead us only to a place of: - Disappointment;                       - Defenceless - Defeat;                                    - Deceived - Discouragement. -Despondent Does any of these explain your life, well how excellent are you living right now? If you want to experience God’s BEST for your life you must answer His call and step out on a lifelong pursuit of excellence.  How many times have you said, “I want excellence for my whole life?”, but you’ve stopped pursuing it because of the cost involved. People become discouraged, defeated, disappointed, despondent and quit when they realize it requires a daily sacrifice and striving for improvement. Sadly, many of God’s children aren’t willing to pay the price to obtain the prize. Excellence is something we have to go after all the time.  WHY? Because the life of God that lives within us demands that we become better tomorrow than we are today. But what does it mean to be excellent? It’s not our opinion of what excellence is. First refer to verses 5, 6, and 7 of Titus 3: v5 = we are saved by grace, not by anything we have done. v6 = He renewed us by the Holy Spirit and the washing of the word v7 = so that we may conform to His divine will and purpose so we may inherit eternal life. Titus 3:8 (Amp) - This message is most trustworthy and concerning these things I want you to insist steadfastly, so that those who have believed in (trusted in, relied on) God may be careful to apply themselves to honorable occupations and to doing good, for such things are [not only] excellent and right [in themselves], but [they are] good and profitable for the people. Let us have a look at what ALL of the word “excellence” means. To achieve excellence means: - To surpass – to be greater/ better; -  To be the best; not just good enough -  To be a champion; not just to finish but to finish strong -  To exceed; to do more than what is required -  To outdo. Who you were (Would these words express your spiritual life right now?) Excellence is to be: - Exceptional – standing out – salt & light Excellence is the quality/ standard/ model by which we are all measured. Excellence can be obtained Matthew 5:16 (Amp) - Let your light so shine* before men that they may see your moral** excellence and your praiseworthy, noble, and good deeds and recognize and honour and praise and glorify your FATHER who is in heaven. *shine = excellence **moral = standard of behaviour An excellent life brings honour and praise to God. It is Identifiable “Excellence is measurable.” – It is one of the Fruit of the Spirit You can clearly see this quality in the life of a person of excellence because they are continually moving in the direction of growth and improvement. The make a difference NOT EXCUSES Again Jesus said: John 15:2 (Amp) - …He cleanses and repeatedly prunes every branch that continues to bear fruit, to make it bear more and richer and more excellent fruit. This person of excellence does not take 1 step forward and 3 steps backward.  That person can be you.  Make up your mind. Colossians 3:23 (NIV) - Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not man. Make a resolute* decision that you will do all within the anointed power of the Holy Spirit that lives in you to pursue [strewe] a life of excellence. *Resolute = determined, bold - o O o -

Forward and Onward - Triumphing over trials Great faith must have great trials. - Spurgeon by Pastor George Lehman Just as with the COVID-19 pandemic people are recommended to take a Vaccine to recover from the virus so too we need the word to make us able to overcome the Trials and troubles we face. Without a regular shot of the Word in our hearts, we will not recover. When the plaque of trials and troubles hit, only those who are applying the vaccine of the word of God to their lives will triumph over trials. It’s in the application not the information of the word that we will succeed. I must take it and make it my own. Question: Do the unsaved and ungodly have trials?  Yes.  But the trials of a child of God works for our benefit and advantage. The truth is as long as we are alive we will have trials in our lives.  God doesn’t wrap His children in cotton wool, so we’ll never experience troubles and trials. NB! Trials teach us what we are.  -Spurgeon Do you want to know how much you’ve grown in your spiritual life, then, just watch how you react in times of Trouble and difficulties, what comes out of your mouth? Jesus gave us words of caution and comfort. John 16:33 (Amp) - I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.] A death paid for an overwhelming victory. Romans 8:37 (LB) - But despite all this, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ who loved us enough to die for us. God’s word shows us what we need, to be triumphant in trials. James 1:1-5 (Amp) - James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes scattered abroad [among the Gentiles in the dispersion]: Greetings (rejoice)!  Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations.  Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience. But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing. If any of you is deficient in wisdom, let him ask of the giving God [Who gives] to everyone liberally and ungrudgingly, without reproaching or faultfinding, and it will be given him. God doesn’t bring the trials on us.  God’s intention is to bring us through the trials to a place of victory and spiritual maturity. God wants us to come to a place of wholeness, to be content and lack nothing.  God wants to give us wisdom to walk victoriously so that we can be triumphant in trials. Your trial and hardship and difficulty are for your benefit for this life and for the life to come. There are 3 effective forces working together during trials. #1 Respond in FAITH to the trial. James 1:3 (NLT) - “… your faith is tested.” Also read Hebrews 11:6 (NIV) – And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek Him. Firm faith in God will help to receive the manifestation of what you need. See your trial as an advantage, NOT an ENEMY: James 1:6-8 (Amp) - Only it must be in faith that he asks with no wavering (no hesitating, no doubting). For the one who wavers (hesitates, doubts) is like the billowing surge out at sea that is blown hither and thither and tossed by the wind. For truly, let not such a person imagine that he will receive anything [he asks for] from the Lord, [For being as he is] a man of two minds (hesitating, dubious, irresolute), [he is] unstable and unreliable and uncertain about everything [he thinks, feels, decides]. Faith and trust in God will help prevent deception of thinking God is responsible for the bad situation. How many people blame God? James 1:13-16 (Amp) - Let no one say when he is tempted, I am tempted from God; for God is incapable of being tempted by [what is] evil and He Himself tempts no one.  But every person is tempted when he is drawn away, enticed and baited by his own evil desire (lust, passions).  Then the evil desire, when it has conceived, gives birth to sin, and sin, when it is fully matured, brings forth death.  Do not be misled, my beloved brethren. It’s not the trials that make us strong.  It’s how we respond to them.  Trials teach us what we are. Romans 5:3 (Amp) - Moreover [let us also be full of joy now!] let us exult and triumph in our troubles and rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that pressure and affliction and hardship produce patient and unswerving endurance.  And endurance (fortitude*) develops maturity of character (approved faith and tried integrity). And character [of this sort] produces [the habit of] joyful and confident hope of eternal salvation. *fortitude = courage in pain and difficulty It’s not the trial that produces patience, but the testing of your faith. #2 Practice PATIENCE in the trial. James 1:3 (NLT) - “… your endurance has a chance to grow.” What is patience?  It is a quality of a steady persistence when met with obstacles, challenges, trials, and discouragement.  It’s the tenacity with which your faith holds out. Patience is endurance.  It is the courage not to give up (to be relentless). Patience is enduring with calmness without murmuring.  It’s all about longsuffering.  The scriptures encourage us to be patient in trials, until the breakthrough comes. Hebrews 10:36 (Amp) - For you have need of steadfast patience and endurance, so that you may perform and fully accomplish the will of God and thus receive and carry away (and enjoy to the full) what is promised. Luke 8:15 (Amp) - But as for the (seed) in the good soil, these are (the people) who hearing the word, hold it fast in a just (noble virtuous) and worthy heart and steadily bring forth fruit with patience. Even if you feel like a permanent resident in God’s waiting room, be patient.  God is at work. Isaiah 40:31 (Amp) - But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired. #3 Maintain your JOY during the trial. James 1:2 (NLT) - Consider it an opportunity for great JOY. Joy is a co-worker with patience.  You need to keep on rejoicing during a trial. Colossians 1:11 (Amp) - [We pray] that you may be invigorated [opgewek] and strengthened with all power according to the might of His glory, [to exercise] every kind of endurance and patience (perseverance and forbearance [self control]) with joy, The truth is, if you lose joy, you lose your power. Nehemiah 8:10 (Amp) - The joy of the Lord is your STRENGTH and stronghold. The Psalmist says, “In your presence is fullness of joy”.  Joy brings victory when it seems that everything is falling apart. Habakkuk 3:17-19 (Amp) - Though the fig tree does not blossom and there is no fruit on the vines, [though] the product of the olive fails and the fields yield no food, though the flock is cut off from the fold and there are no cattle in the stalls, Yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will exult in the [victorious] God of my salvation!  The Lord God is my Strength, my personal bravery, and my invincible army; He makes my feet like hinds' feet and will make me to walk [not to stand still in terror, but to walk] and make [spiritual] progress upon my high places [of trouble, suffering, or responsibility]! For the Chief Musician; with my stringed instruments. Don’t lose your joy when you are going through trials.  Do not just rejoice when the trial is over.  Joy must be a constant [aanhoudend] in our lives and should not be conditional. James 1:2 (NIV) - Consider it pure JOY my brothers whenever you face trials of many kinds. If you are willing to trust God to help you to: let your faith increase, let your endurance develop and let your joy overflow… you’ll live a relentless victorious life in spite of the trials. You’ll triumph in your trials and over your trials. - o 0 o -

Pride VS Humility Humility and self-denial are always admired but seldom practiced. We know what it should look like on others. By: Pastor George Lehman   We need to take note and practice those qualities in our lives. The Bible makes it very clear: James 4:10 – Humble yourselves. Anger gets people into trouble, but PRIDE keeps them there! The true test of a worthy life is not found in possessions, power, position, or prestige. It is discovered in goodness, humility, service, and character, these are the qualities that reflect a godly life. Colossians 3:1r George Lehman2 (NIV) – Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Stay humble or stumble. If you’re filled with pride, you’ll slide. The bible says in the last days: 2 Timothy 3:2 (LB) - For people will love only themselves and their money; they will be proud and boastful, sneering at God... What is pride? (The English word as two meanings) A spirit of conceit* (a negative quality). A spirit of pleasing, satisfaction or proper self-worth (a positive quality). *conceit = excessive pride in oneself; have a high opinion of one’s qualities, superiority believing you are better, smarter or more important than other people. Pride attitude: Unteachable Unwilling to submit (submission is actually our test of humility). I’ve arrived – I have it all together 1 Corinthians 13:4 – “Love is not proud” The Greek word for pride is nearly always used in the negative sense, meaning arrogant, proud, appearing above others. What is humility? (The English word as two meanings) A spirit of respectfulness, considerate and meekness, submissive (a positive quality). A spirit of insignificance, inferiority, floor mat (a negative quality). The Bible in the New Testament nearly always uses humility in the positive sense. Matthew 18:4(NIV) - Therefore, anyone who humbles himself as this little child, is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. The world’s perception of pride: The spiritual heart of humility: Never admit a weakness. Delight in your weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:10 (Amp) - So for the sake of Christ, I am well pleased and take pleasure in infirmities, insults, hardships, persecutions, perplexities and distresses, for when I am weak (in human strength) then am I truly strong (able, powerful in divine strength). The world’s perception of pride: The spiritual heart of humility: Hold onto your rights. Give up your personal rights. Philippians 2:5-8 (Amp) - Let this same attitude and purpose and [humble] mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus: [Let Him be your example in humility:]  Who, although being essentially one with God and in the form of God [possessing the fullness of the attributes which make God God], did not think this equality with God was a thing to be eagerly grasped or retained, But stripped Himself [of all privileges and rightful dignity], so as to assume the guise of a servant (slave), in that He became like men and was born a human being.  And after He had appeared in human form, He abased and humbled Himself [still further] and carried His obedience to the extreme of death, even the death of the cross! Humility is Royalty without a crown; Jesus our greatest example. The world’s perception of pride: The spiritual heart of humility: Seek to clear yourself of blame at all costs. Wait on God to lift you up. 1 Peter 5:6 (LB) - If you will humble yourself under the mighty hand of God, in His good time, He will lift you up. Humility is the only true Wisdom by which we prepare our minds for all the possible changes of life. Pride will kill any progress. The world’s perception of pride: The spiritual heart of humility: Seek recognition and praise for yourself. Let praise only come from others. Proverbs 27:2 (LB) - Don’t praise yourself; let others do it. The world’s perception of pride: The spiritual heart of humility: Continually compare yourself with others. Refuses useless comparisons. 2 Corinthians 10:12 (Ampl) - Not that we [have the audacity to] venture to class or [even to] compare ourselves with some who exalt and furnish testimonials for themselves! However, when they measure themselves with themselves and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding and behave unwisely. The world’s perception of pride: The spiritual heart of humility: Perceives humility as weakness. Perceives humility as a strength. Psalm 37:11 (NIV) - But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy great peace. (Humility is the actual strength) If you’re living with pride and not dealing with it, you’ll not walk in a life that’s worthy, God pleasing and effective to a lost, dying world. James 4:6 (NIV) - He gives us more grace. That is why scripture says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble”. Proverbs 8:13 - I hate pride and arrogance. Proverbs 16:5 (NLT) - The Lord despises pride. Have you ever wondered why people can be so on fire for Jesus and committed at a time and then drift into a lukewarm unproductive ineffective lifestyle? Perhaps the answer is found in: Proverbs 15:25 (NASB) - The Lord will tear down the house of the proud. Proverbs 16:18 – Pride goes before destruction and a haughty* spirit before a fall. *haughty = arrogant (Eng) / hoogmoedig(Afr) There are some people who would rather be the head of nothing, than the tail of something. Proverbs 11:2 – When Pride comes, then comes shame; but with the humble is wisdom. The proud hypocrite deceives himself into ignoring realities in the conduct of his life that the meek and humble person quickly recognizes and takes into account. The proud person's vanity pushes him into conduct that will end in shame. The humble person's attitude stands in vivid contrast, for his wisdom prevents him from pursuing the same conduct. This produces even more wisdom when good fruit is produced because it reinforces his right decision. They say pride hides a man’s faults to himself and magnifies them to everyone else. 2 Chronicles 12:7 (NIV) – When the Lord saw that they humbled themselves, this word of the Lord came to Shemaiah: “Since they have humbled themselves, I will not destroy them but will soon give them deliverance. My wrath will not be poured out on Jerusalem through Shishak.” Here’s a test of true humility.   Just answer YES or NO. Do you feel joy when others succeed and are honored? Do you honestly and openly admit sin? Do you seek truth from others regarding your weaknesses? Do you accept criticism graciously? Do you pursue godliness in all that you do? Do you turn all worry, anxiety and concern over to the Lord? Have you felt you could answer YES to most these questions? If most of your answers are yes, take a look at yourself, you may have failed the “Test of Humility”. Swallow your Pride regularly, It’s non-fattening! Pride or humility is a CHOICE that we make.  Both will have consequences in your life. James 4:10 – Humble yourselves… It can and will only be through a humble life, that Jesus will be glorified.

Discipleship Series #3 A disciple remains focused Some folks who do their duty as they see it – need to consult an eye specialist. – Our focus must be on how God sees things. By Pastor George Lehman Story of the cowboy and the Indian: The cowboy comes across an Indian lying with his ears on a track.  The cowboy steps closer and hears the Indian say, “Wagon, 2 miles off, drawn by 2 horses (black and grey, 4 people on board, man in leather pants with wife and 2 kids. Impressed with the Indian, the cowboys says, “you can hear all that by listening to the earth?”  “No”, said the Indian, “they ran over me 20 minutes ago”. We could tell a lot by listening with our knees to the ground and our ears to heaven. You go in life where you focus. Galatians 5:7 (Msg) - You were running superbly. Note: were, they lost focus – they were still moving but in the wrong direction. Not failure, but low aim, is a crime. Lowell We all fail at some time or another but if our daily AIM (Focus) is not on Christ that is a crime  Colossians 3:1-2 (Amp) - If then you have been raised with Christ [to a new life, thus sharing His resurrection from the dead], aim at and seek the [rich, eternal treasures] that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.  And set your minds and keep them set on what is above [the higher things], not on the things that are on the earth. We talk the things of God We live the things of God We see the things of God We share the things of God Let me ask you: Where is your focus? What are you aiming at? What do you want to achieve? The answers to these questions will determine how serious you are about where you are going and growing in your relationship with Jesus Where you focus your attention, you create strength and momentum. Proverbs 4:25-27 (Amp) - Let your eyes look right on [with fixed purpose], and let your gaze be straight before you.  *Consider well the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established and *ordered aright.  Turn not aside to the right hand or to the left; remove your foot from evil. *You go where you focus *Set your minds and keep them set The first law of success… is concentration to bend all the energies to one point[seeking first His Kingdom], and to go directly to that point, looking neither to the right nor to the left.  William Mathews Jesus said Matthew 6:33 “seek first…focus first” Ephesians 1:18 (Msg) - Your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is He is calling you to do; grasp the immensity[ontsaglike] of this glorious way of life He has for Christians. What truly astonishes me is the aimlessness of so many believing, professing Christians. There is really no determination, passion and willingness to press into focus on growth or to change. The 1st rule of focus is this: “Wherever you are, be there.” Be in touch, be in tune, be relevant, be in focus. Don’t be a present absentee. Focus suggests a point at which an image becomes clear. Jesus’ life is the focus point! Like those magazines that had that centre page with lots of lines squiggles and colours but if you looked at it long enough an image would appear. It’s a matter of clear focus. Mark 8:27 (NIV) - Jesus asks, “Who do people say I AM?”  They said, John the Baptist, Elijah, one of the prophets. Then Jesus asked a ‘focus question’. Mark 8:29 (NIV) - “But what about YOU?”  He asked.  “Who do YOU say I AM?” The answer to this question makes you either a true disciple or just a modern day Christian. Christian by name only. Your focus on Jesus will determine not only your values and lifestyle but your eternal destiny as well. A focused disciple knows this and therefore lives, acts and speaks differently. Here what a Genuine Focused disciple is like: God made you different, not indifferent. God made you extra-ordinary, not ordinary. God mad you significant, not insignificant. God made you competent, not incompetent. God made you effective, not defective. God made you efficient, not inefficient. God made you superior, not inferior. God made you responsible, not irresponsible. God made you an original, not a copy. The power of a focused life will prevent you from becoming double-minded.  Focus helps us make the right choices. Being bitter vs being Lukewarmness vs Give up vs get up. – He who falls down 7 gets up 8 Coping with evil vs overcoming Complaining vs Trying vs Peace vs strife. (Blessed are the peacemakers) Determination vs discouragement. Priorities vs aimlessness. More of God vs more of everything else. If you focus on results, you will never change. If you focus on change, you will get results. Disciples with focus succeed because they know where they are going – It’s as simple as that. 2 Timothy 2:4 (Amp) - No soldier, when in service, gets entangled in the enterprises of civilian life;  his aim is to satisfy and please the one who enlisted him. A disciple remains focused.  Dare to be a disciple – there’s more for those who are willing to dare to be a focused disciple. -o0o-

Discipleship Series #3 A disciple remains focused Some folks who do their duty as they see it – need to consult an eye specialist. – Our focus must be on how God sees things. By Pastor George Lehman Story of the cowboy and the Indian: The cowboy comes across an Indian lying with his ears on a track.  The cowboy steps closer and hears the Indian say, “Wagon, 2 miles off, drawn by 2 horses (black and grey, 4 people on board, man in leather pants with wife and 2 kids. Impressed with the Indian, the cowboys says, “you can hear all that by listening to the earth?”  “No”, said the Indian, “they ran over me 20 minutes ago”. We could tell a lot by listening with our knees to the ground and our ears to heaven. You go in life where you focus. Galatians 5:7 (Msg) - You were running superbly. Note: were, they lost focus – they were still moving but in the wrong direction. Not failure, but low aim, is a crime. Lowell We all fail at some time or another but if our daily AIM (Focus) is not on Christ that is a crime  Colossians 3:1-2 (Amp) - If then you have been raised with Christ [to a new life, thus sharing His resurrection from the dead], aim at and seek the [rich, eternal treasures] that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.  And set your minds and keep them set on what is above [the higher things], not on the things that are on the earth. We talk the things of God We live the things of God We see the things of God We share the things of God Let me ask you: Where is your focus? What are you aiming at? What do you want to achieve? The answers to these questions will determine how serious you are about where you are going and growing in your relationship with Jesus Where you focus your attention, you create strength and momentum. Proverbs 4:25-27 (Amp) - Let your eyes look right on [with fixed purpose], and let your gaze be straight before you.  *Consider well the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established and *ordered aright.  Turn not aside to the right hand or to the left; remove your foot from evil. *You go where you focus *Set your minds and keep them set The first law of success… is concentration to bend all the energies to one point[seeking first His Kingdom], and to go directly to that point, looking neither to the right nor to the left.  William Mathews Jesus said Matthew 6:33 “seek first…focus first” Ephesians 1:18 (Msg) - Your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is He is calling you to do; grasp the immensity[ontsaglike] of this glorious way of life He has for Christians. What truly astonishes me is the aimlessness of so many believing, professing Christians. There is really no determination, passion and willingness to press into focus on growth or to change. The 1st rule of focus is this: “Wherever you are, be there.” Be in touch, be in tune, be relevant, be in focus. Don’t be a present absentee. Focus suggests a point at which an image becomes clear. Jesus’ life is the focus point! Like those magazines that had that centre page with lots of lines squiggles and colours but if you looked at it long enough an image would appear. It’s a matter of clear focus. Mark 8:27 (NIV) - Jesus asks, “Who do people say I AM?”  They said, John the Baptist, Elijah, one of the prophets. Then Jesus asked a ‘focus question’. Mark 8:29 (NIV) - “But what about YOU?”  He asked.  “Who do YOU say I AM?” The answer to this question makes you either a true disciple or just a modern day Christian. Christian by name only. Your focus on Jesus will determine not only your values and lifestyle but your eternal destiny as well. A focused disciple knows this and therefore lives, acts and speaks differently. Here what a Genuine Focused disciple is like: God made you different, not indifferent. God made you extra-ordinary, not ordinary. God mad you significant, not insignificant. God made you competent, not incompetent. God made you effective, not defective. God made you efficient, not inefficient. God made you superior, not inferior. God made you responsible, not irresponsible. God made you an original, not a copy. The power of a focused life will prevent you from becoming double-minded.  Focus helps us make the right choices. Being bitter vs being Lukewarmness vs Give up vs get up. – He who falls down 7 gets up 8 Coping with evil vs overcoming Complaining vs Trying vs Peace vs strife. (Blessed are the peacemakers) Determination vs discouragement. Priorities vs aimlessness. More of God vs more of everything else. If you focus on results, you will never change. If you focus on change, you will get results. Disciples with focus succeed because they know where they are going – It’s as simple as that. 2 Timothy 2:4 (Amp) - No soldier, when in service, gets entangled in the enterprises of civilian life;  his aim is to satisfy and please the one who enlisted him. A disciple remains focused.  Dare to be a disciple – there’s more for those who are willing to dare to be a focused disciple. -o0o-

 Joy in the journey JOY is the infallible (onfeilbaarheid) sign of the presence of God -Pierre Chardin  You will experience joy killers – that will want to: Discourage Demotivate / Demoralize Destroy you That’s why being positive in a negative world will take some effort and commitment from your side. Complaining kills joy.  It makes you unhappy.  It makes everyone around you unhappy too. Can I ask you – do you like to be around negative people? The problem is once we start complaining and are negative it becomes hard to stop.  It’s like a slippery slope. Complaining and being negative can become a habit. In case you didn’t know, it’s a ‘bad habit’. Society can so easily condition us to be fault finders, complainers and negative. Look at the headlines in the newspapers and on television and social media – most of that stuff is bad news. We’ve become experts at murmuring and complaining We are bombarded continuously with what’s wrong with everything plus our personal problems. The bible tells us that disciples of Jesus are to be different. Joy is a clear sign of being different Philippians 2:14-16 (NIV) – 14 Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky 16 as you hold firmly to the word of life(This kind of person lives contrary to the world). And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. This is not written to sound nice - it’s for us to submit and be obedient too! How to make sure you will have joy in the journey and conquer complaining and being negative. #1 Admit there is a problem. If you are a constant complainer, fault finder and you’re negative most times, you have a problem. (Don’t live in denial) The bible says, “Do everything without complaining and arguing.” Proverbs 28:13 (LB) – A man who refuses to admit his mistakes can never be successful. But if he confesses and forsakes them, he gets another chance. One of the most difficult parts of correcting a problem is, “To admit you have one”. Challenge: Take some time this week and listen to yourself.  How much do you complain and talk negative? Proverbs 28 gives us two steps on the way to correct our problem: Confesses and (Admit) Forsakes them (Stop it) #2 Change your self-talk. Most people practice negative self-talk day in and day out. It’s such a habit they don’t even notice. We wonder why we can’t get over bad habits of complaining, murmuring, arguing and being negative. Psychologists estimate that you’re talking to yourself at a rate of 1200 to 1500 words per minute. In contrast, when we speak out loud we can only go up to 250 words a minute. Story of the pastor and his teeth: A Pastor goes to the dentist for a set of false teeth. The first Sunday after he gets his new teeth, he talks for only 8 minutes. The second Sunday, he talks for only 10 minutes. The following Sunday, he talks for 2 hours and 48 minutes. The congregation had to mob him to get him down from the pulpit and they asked him what happened? The Pastor explains the first Sunday his gums hurt so bad he couldn’t talk for more than 8 minutes. The second Sunday his gums hurt too much to talk for more than 10 minutes.  But, the third Sunday, he put his wife’s teeth in by mistake and he couldn’t shut up… Israel is a perfect example of the devastating result of self-talk. Psalm 106:25-27 (NIV) – 25 They grumbled(negative, complaining, murmuring) in their tents and did not obey the Lord.  26 So he swore to them with uplifted hand that he would make them fall in the wilderness, 27 make their descendants fall among the nations and scatter them throughout the lands. If you want to have joy in your journey you are going to have to change your self-talk. Paul says: Philippians 4:8 (LB) – And now, brothers, as I close this letter, let me say this one more thing: Fix your thoughts on what is true and good and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely, and dwell on the fine, good things in others. Think about all you can praise God for and be glad about.  #3 Speak positively. Not only should you think positive thoughts, you should also speak positive words. Ephesians 4:29 (Amp) – Let no foul or polluting language, nor evil word nor unwholesome or worthless talk [ever] come out of your mouth, but only such [speech] as is good and beneficial to the spiritual progress of others, as is fitting to the need and the occasion, that it may be a blessing and give grace (God’s favor) to those who hear it. James 5:9 (LB) – Don’t grumble about each other, brothers. Are you yourselves above criticism? For see! The great Judge is coming. He is almost here. Let him do whatever criticizing must be done. #4  Take responsibility for your own life. Many times, our complaining is just an attempt to blame other people for our problem. If we are honest with ourselves we many times bring the problems on ourselves.  We are our own worst enemy. Proverbs 19:3 (LB) – A man may ruin his chances by his own foolishness and then blame it on the Lord! Galatians 6:7 (Ampl) –  Do not be deceived and deluded and misled; God will not allow Himself to be sneered at (scorned, disdained, or mocked by mere pretensions or professions, or by His precepts being set aside.) [He inevitably deludes himself who attempts to delude God.] For whatever a man sows, that and that only is what he will reap. Our choices we make determine whether we will have joy in our journey or not. We must accept responsibility for our own lives. What are the positive results of a non-complaining, Positive life? Looking at our key verse in the Message Bible… Philippians 2:14-16 (Msg) – 14-16 Do everything readily and cheerfully—no bickering, no second-guessing allowed! Go out into the world uncorrupted, a breath of fresh air in this squalid and polluted society. Provide people with a glimpse of good living and of the living God. Carry the light-giving Message into the night so I’ll have good cause to be proud of you on the day that Christ returns. You’ll be living proof that I didn’t go to all this work for nothing. It means when I’m positive and don’t complain, I change the atmosphere of the world I live in. When you have Joy in your journey You’re a: History changer Difference maker Momentum giver Enthusiasm carrier Encouraging many to have joy in their journey. #5  Look for God in every situation. A sure way to get over complaining and being negative, look for God’s hand in all of your situations and circumstances. 2 Corinthians 4:17 (LB) – These troubles and sufferings of ours are, after all, quite small and won’t last very long. Yet this short time of distress will result in God’s richest blessing upon us forever and ever! God is always active in our lives and wants us to have joy in our journey. Romans 15 : 13 “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. May we learn that a negative, complaining life leaves God out of the situation. You are actually saying God isn’t big enough to take care of me. Joy in your journey – be positive in a negative world.

What kind of experience does your brand create for customers? Is it simple and seamless enough to keep them coming back for more? Or, do they find their experience with your brand frustrating, cumbersome, and time-consuming?   Today, my guest is Roger Dooley, author of Friction, which describes things that prevent customers from having a great experience with companies and their brands. Each year, about $4.6 trillion of merchandise is left abandoned in eCommerce shopping carts. Also, internal friction (i.e., organizational drag) is responsible for $3 trillion in lost productivity.   Some of the highlights of the show include: Most important element in behavior change process: Friction How to eliminate, minimize, or use friction to your advantage Reasons why people leave things in their shopping carts All routers are the same; awful experience for “normal” people Reviews and Rankings: In a market dominated by giants, address pain point that other companies aren’t to be successful Worst advice can be best practices Friction Goggles: People tend to accept things and don’t see where friction exists Actively Disengaged: Effort isn’t productive, serving greater purpose Don’t shift the load; find ways to improve processes, and stop wasting time Software and tools help eliminate friction Acceptance of Fake Rules: This is the way things are done, or it has to be done Difference between friction and motivation; operate in opposition due to choices   Links: Roger Dooley Friction College Confidential Brainfluence The Persuasion Slide Amazon 1-Click Ordering Uber United Airlines Harvard Business Review: Reduce Organizational Drag Cisco Netgear TurboTax Tom Peters John Padgett BJ Fogg AMP132: Why Best Practices Are The Worst Advice With Jay Acunzo From Unthinkable Media What topics and guests should be on AMP? Let me know!  

2019/2/3 Ps. Gerard Keehan Categories: Video: https://yokohama.mylifehouse.com/tv/message/empowered-emotions Empowered Emotions 力づけられた感情 -We are a three part being 人間には３つの要素で成り立っている -Body, Soul: mind, will, emotions, intellect, imagination, Spirit 体、魂：考え、思い、感情、知性、創造性、霊 (1 Samuel 15:24 NIV) Then Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned. I violated the Lord’s command and your instructions. I was afraid of the men and so I gave in to them. (1 サムエル 15:24 JCB) 「ああ、私は罪を犯しました。言われるとおり、あなたの指図にも主の命令にも背きました。民を恐れて、言いなりになったのです。 (1 Samuel 15:24 KJV) And Saul said unto Samuel, I have sinned: for I have transgressed the commandment of the Lord, and thy words: because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice. (1 サムエル 15:24 新改訳) サウルはサムエルに言った。「私は罪を犯しました。私は主の命令と、あなたのことばにそむいたからです。私は民を恐れて、彼らの声に従ったのです。 1.You Need To Know Who You Are In Christ キリストの中にある自分自身を知る必要がある (Psalm 147:3 AMP) He heals the brokenhearted And binds up their wounds [healing their pain and comforting their sorrow]. (詩篇 147:3 JCB) 心の傷ついた人々を優しくいたわり、傷口を覆ってくださいます。 2.God Has Come To Empower Your Life 神様はあなたの人生を力づけるために来た 3.Feelings Have The Potential To Keep You From The Will Of God 　感情は神様の思いからあなたを引き離してしまう可能性がある 4.Victory Is Often Behaving The Opposite Of How You Feel 　大抵、感情と真逆のことをする時に勝利がある (Psalm 119:105 NASB) Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path. (詩篇 119:105 JCB) あなたのおことばは、つまずかないように道を照らしてくれる明かりです。 (Proverbs 16:9 NASB) The mind of man plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps. (箴言 16:9 JCB) 人は心に計画を立てます。しかし、それを確かなものにするのは神です。 (Colossians 1:10-11 AMP) so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord [displaying admirable character, moral courage, and personal integrity], to [fully] please Him in all things, bearing fruit in every good work and steadily growing in the knowledge of God [with deeper faith, clearer insight and fervent love for His precepts]; (11) [we pray that you may be] strengthened and invigorated with all power, according to His glorious might, to attain every kind of endurance and patience with joy; (コロサイ 1:10-11 JCB) いつも主に喜ばれる生き方をして、主の評判を高めることができますように。他の人々に善意と親切とを示し、神をますます深く知るに至りますように。(11)また、こうも祈っています。あなたがたが神の栄光ある力に満たされて、どんなことが起ころうとも前進し、いつも、主の喜びにあふれていることができますように 5.The Only Way To Have Victory Is To Do What’s Right When It Feels Wrong 勝利を手にする唯一の方法は、違うと感じるときに正しいことをすること (Colossians 3:15 AMP) Let the peace of Christ [the inner calm of one who walks daily with Him] be the controlling factor in your hearts [deciding and settling questions that arise]. To this peace indeed you were called as members in one body [of believers]. And be thankful [to God always]. (コロサイ 3:15 JCB) キリストにある平和が、いつもあなたがたの心と生活を満たすようにしなさい。そうすることが、キリストの体の一部とされたあなたがたの責任であり、特権でもあるからです。また、いつも感謝していなさい。