Monday, April 30, 2012

God Thinking Pre-empt 2

"Father God, wonderful Savior, Holy Spirit  - Forgive us our sins and indiscretions.  Forgive us for not bringing you in on our deal early.  Forgive us for lost territory.  Open our hearts and our minds to receive from you new hope.  Open our eyes to your ways and help us to see clearly."
In a way, for you to make improvement in your life and get beyond your current circumstance, it will be important that you make room in your mind for new light, new inspiration. The Bible tells us to go into our closet to pray. 
Matthew 6:6, "But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly."
For many, to go into the closet with God you will have to clean out that closet.  Just try to get into a closet when it is full of stuff.  Does anybody have a closet that is full of stuff?
It is the same with your prayer closet in the inner man.  You can't get into the prayer closet with your inner man if it is full of stuff.  I want you to get a sense of approval from God on this issue - It's OK to dump some of that stuff:
Some of the unused - and in some cases, unfit stuff - to make room for pure Christ.
You wouldn't throw a valued heirloom into your junk drawer or cluttered closet would you? But when it comes to God you do.
We sometimes take the very breath of God and mix it with so many lesser things.  In a way we have created a junk closet stuffed with things of the world and precious moments with God, all stuffed together, all hard to find, and when we want to find what we know is there, it is almost impossible.  God has taught us better than that.  You have to clean your closet out if you want to put something new in it.
Excerpt from God Thinking Pre-empt by Keith C. Powell Copyright 2012 

God thinking pre-empt

Psalms 63:1

 1.  O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; 
The call of God to be invited in early was not meant just to be early in the morning, like so many think, although it can be early in the morning. 
  • It is also early in your relationships.
  • It is also early in the planning stages of your new business.
  • It is also early in your ministry.
  • It is also early in your decision making process.
  • Early in your job
  • Early in your spending
My God if you were to seek God early, how many problems and situations that you had to go through could you have avoided?
Don't be too proud of your many experiences.  God prefers you learn to avoid satan and his ploys "early".   Can you sense in your spirit that God has always been there.  Oh had we  invited God in early?"
Excerpt from God Thinking Pre-empt by Keith C. Powell Copyright 2012 

Saturday, April 28, 2012

Don't Wait 9 - April 28

Don't Wait 9
  • "Don't wait to say Yes to God.
  • Don't wait to call whomever God has put on your heart.
  • Don't wait to pray for whomever God has placed in your heart.
  • Don't wait to forgive someone.
  • Don't wait to ask forgiveness.
  • Don't wait to confess to God whatever He is asking of you.
  • Don't wait to spend quantity time with your kids.
  • Don't wait to love on your wife.
  • Don't wait to mend fences.
These are just a few of the things God is speaking to you about. By waiting to move on what God calls you to, or making excuses why you can't come when you are called, you tarnish God's image.

If you moved when you were called by God, those who did not come when they were called would have had far less excuse. If you were answering God's call to follow Him every time you heard Him, there would be far less unanswered issues in life:
  • You wouldn't be without understanding
  • Your bills would be manageable
  • You would be helping others when they are in need
  • Those within your sphere of influence would have their needs dealt with
  • Others prayers would be answered because you are intercdeeding on their behalf
  • You would learn to pray in the will of God so you are not so dissapointed all the time when what you prayed for didn't come to pass
  • Your testimony of God working in your life and your doing the works of God sends out a far better message than sitting on you laurels, expecting someone else to do what you were called to do.
I'm certain that this is not a popular message, but there comes a time in all of our lives when we need to start working with God instead of bucking against the goads."

Don't Wait 8 - April 27

Don't Wait 8
"So what about those who have been called of God and turned away? What can we do for them?  First let's be honest with them and tell them the whole story. Let's tell them not to wait any longer, like those who were bidden to dinner and made excuses.
Then let's:
  • Disciple them
  • Teach them
  • Mentor them
  • Pray for them
  • Fellowship with them
  • Train them
Now we know what to do for others, but what do we do for ourselves, if we are one of those who have made excuses and turned away. This principle doesn't just apply to salvation, it applies to every phase of our life that God calls us to be His voice and His feet.

You musn't wait to say yes when God calls.
It's not for God that God wants you to obey Him.  It's for you.
It's not that God isn't patient toward you, it's that God knows that every second you aren't following Him you are turning away.

God knows that when you say no, you will be out of God's will.
If we aren't in God's timing you are in for much trouble.

God has been speaking to you everyday, through the word, through music, through teaching, through your friends and family. The message you must have for others and the message God has for you is Don't wait.


Thursday, April 26, 2012

Don't wait 7 - April 26

Don't Wait 7
"Matthew 13:18-23, "Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. V19 When anyone heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandet it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.  V20 But he that received the seed into stony places, the a\same is he that heareth the word, a anon (immediately) with joy receiveth it.  V21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.  V22 He also that received seed among thorns is he that heareth the word; and care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. V23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty."

Why is it so hard for those who have said no to God to come and say yes at a later time? There are three examples Jesus gives us, the excuses are a little different, but the end result is the same

The first example are those who heard the word - The call of God.  They didn't understand it - satan comes along, tweaks it a little, makes it pallitable and they build a personal religion on it.  How does this happen?
Because there was no one there:
  • Discipling them
  • Teaching them
  • Mentoring them
  • Praying for them
  • Fellowshipping with them
  • Training them
The second example are those who heard the word - the call of God. They received it with joy for a short time - but tribulation and persecution come along and they are not at all prepared for this. Non one told them, they were offended and turned away.
Because there was no one there:
  • Discipling them
  • Teaching them
  • Mentoring them
  • Praying for them
  • Fellowshipping with them
  • Training them
The third example are those who heard the word - the call of God.  But they didn't want to change anything. They found out about the sacrifice and discipline and they, like the rich young ruler turned away sad, but turned away.
I'll bet you can guess where I am going with this. 
Because there was no one there:
  • Discipling them
  • Teaching them
  • Mentoring them
  • Praying for them
  • Fellowshipping with them
  • Training them

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Thought for the day

"When God imparts something to you; are you ready to receive it?  When you are ready to receive it, God will impart something to you.



But, don't think that God imparts Himself:
  • apart from His holiness
  • apart from His mercy
  • apart from His forgiveness
  • apart from His righteousness
God imparts Himself to those who are willing to receive all of Him, not just what they think they want. But I want to tell you that if you receive an impartation of God - when God imparts something of Himself, into you, it is imparted to purify and renew, enlighten and sanctify, but never to elevate or for personal glory.

Excerpt from The Power of God Thinking by Keith C. Powell Copyright 2010

Thought for the day

"God will reveal to you His plan, His plan for your life, those whom you entrust your life with and those who can lead you in the path of righteousness."

Excerpt from Strong Foundation by Keith C. Powell Copyright 2011

"And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;"  Ephesians 4:11

Thought for the day

"If you have differences with others, in time maybe the differences can be worked out, but in every case, the family must be respected, before and above our friends.  There is no conflict that cannot be resolved with Christ in the center, except our own rebellion."

Excerpt from Strong Foundation by Keith C. Powell Copyright 2011

"But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel."  1 Timothy 5:8

Don't Wait 6 - April 25

Don't Wait
"Phillipians 3:7-9, "But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
V8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, V9 And be found in Him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith."

I know that for a long time you have heard it said, "Just get them saved and God will do the rest."
  • What about discipling?
  • What about teaching?
  • What about mentoring?
  • What about praying?
  • What about fellowship?
  • What about training?
No one is going to follow Jesus for very long unless those who have made the call for God, ie., (those who bring someone to Christ), are following God. And if you are following God you recognize it is your job, through the grace of God and the empowerment of the Holy spirit to reveal Christ to them in many ways.

Why would Jesus tell the rich young man, (and anyone else who has said no to the call), the one thing they didn't want to hear?  Because Jesus know what it is that is standing between you and Him.

To follow Jesus you are going to have to let something go and not many people want to hear that message. You can't hide it from Jesus and why would you want to?"

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Don't Wait 5 - April 24

Don't Wait 5
"Here's what Jesus really said to the rich young man and every one else that is full of pride that rejects the call of God.

  • You've done well with your life
  • You've followed the law
  • You've been a good person
  • And you are obviously a religious man
But to follow me, you will have to give up who you are and you will have to trust me for your wealth.
  • It will take sacrifice and discipline.
  • Those who love you will turn their backs on you.
  • Some of your friends and family will forsake you.
  • The religious will abandon you.
  • Everything you have built will be overturned.
  • You will have to trade in what you think has value for ohter treasures.
  • The government and the religious will think you a traitor.
You will have to follow me into Jerusalem where I will be crucified for a crime I didn't commit.  After that you will be persecuted, mocked, ridiculed and laughed at.
  • You will have to serve others.
  • You will have to relearn what you have been taught.
  • You will have to change:
    • From first to last
    • From controlling to broken
    • From religious to righteous
And the rich young man and many others went away sad.

Had the rich young man and everyone else that has said no to Christ, (accepted Christ) they would have come to know the benefits of following Jesus. They would have learned of the free gift of salvation and they would have understood that the cost is not to be compared to the benefits."

Sunday, April 22, 2012

Don't Wait 4 - April 23

Don't Wait 4
"This group (the prideful group) is hardened and prideful - Self-sufficient and quite often religious. This group is difficult to win for Jesus. I want you to feel with me the urgency of your ministry.

God calls every person to accept the sacrifice of His Son as the payment for the penalty for their sins.  But do you know who God uses to make the call?

God uses you to make the call. And if they make excuse and don't come, God uses you to follow up, and if that doesn't work God uses you to go the extra mile, until through example, persuasion, nurturing, admonition and love - that person says yes to Christ.
Let's look at another example of what happens to those who procrastinate making a decision for Jesus.
Mark 10:17-22, "Andwhen He was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to Him, and asked Him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inheret eternal life? V18 And Jesus said unto Him, Why callest thou me good? There is none good but one, that is, God. V19 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother. V20 And he answered unto Hi, Master, all these have I observed from my youth. V21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest; go thy way, sell whatever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow me. V22 And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions."

I wonder which it was that disappointed the rich young ruler the most?  Selling his riches and giving to the poor?
Or
Taking up the cross and following Jesus?

But they go hand in hand.  I really admire Jesus for facing this rich young ruler with the truth. Jesus didn't preach easy believism to this young man. Jesus simply told him the cost."

Don't Wait 3

Don't Wait 3
"That's why I am sharing this message today. I want you to feel with me the urgency of answering that call from God.


Whatever it is:
  • Whether accepting Christ for the first time
  • Re-committing your life to Christ
  • Answering a call from God for a specific purpose in your life
  • Getting filled with the power of God for service
  • Or simply telling others about Christ.
Don't wait.

Here's why you can't wait. You are the voice of God. You are the feet of God. You are the closest that anyone will get to God before they are saved. And the group that God has given us to work with - Those who have been called, have made excuses and didn't come.

The majority of people that you and I will witness to are of the group that have already been called and rejected Christ.
  • They've already build a little world of their own
  • They've already designed a religion that works for them
  • They',ve already proved to everybody that they don't need anybody
  • They've already become their own God

Don't wait 2

Don't wait 2
V24 For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper."
I was talking to and praying to God about this issue and I asked, "why the harsh treatment of those who were bidden, but made excuses and didn't come when they were called?"  I no more asked the question when I received the answer.

God knows us. God knows how hard it is for a man or woman to come to Him, after they have been called and made excuses why they couldn't come.  It is no small thing to reject the Son of God. God knows how we are. He knows that once you say no:
  • We will fight it with all you have
  • Your pride swells up, you become; self-sufficient - Self-reliant - self-taught - self-everything
  • You will grow strong in yourself to the point where you need nothing and no one
It's one thing to say yes to God when He calls - to confess of your sins, repent and by faith accept Christ.

But if you say no:
  • You build a little world of your own
  • You design a religion that works for you
  • You prove to everybody that you don't need anybody
  • You become your own God
God knows that after you reject Him - to confess of your sins, repent and by faith accept Christ takes one more step. You have to swallow your pride.

Many people will go to their grave because of pride."

Don't wait

Don't wait
"There are all kinds of messages that God gives us.
  • There are uplifting messages
  • There's the thus sayeth the Lord messages
  • There's teaching messages
  • And there's timely messages

This is one of those timely messages

God calls you and God is satisfied with only one word from you, Yes.

This week we are looking at two words that God has for you and others concerning the answer of Yes to God, Don't wait.

If you are serious about your relationship with God you need to get on with it.

Luke 14:16-24, "Then said He unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: V17 And sent His servant at supper time to say to them that were bideen, Come; for all things are now ready. V18 And they with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto Him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused. V19 And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. V20 And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. V21 So that servant came, and shewed his Lord these things. Then the Master of the house being angry said to His servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind. V22 And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet ther is room. 23 And the Lord said unto His servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. V24 For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper."

It has been my experience that God has been very gracious and merciful, generous and patient with each of us, but the message here is clear. You know from scripture and experience that God offers the gift of salvation to everyone that has breath. Therefore, theoretically, its never too late to receive Christ, (and the many benefits that accompany that decision) at least until you die."

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Thought for the Day II

"PRAISING PRAYER:



Praising prayer is prayer communication that comes from the depths of the heart, usually sparked by a thought of how great God is and how wonderful are His ways. Sometimes you praise God because you see yourself as you really are and you see God as God really is and God overwhelms you with His presence. Sometimes you see a perfect work that God has done and you cannot wait to praise Him. There are endless reasons for praising God.


As you grow in your personal relationship with Jesus Christ, you find that there is no circumstance that you will encounter that God is not worthy to be praised. "Praise ye the Lord. Praise ye the name of the Lord; Praise Him, O ye servants of the Lord. Ye who stand in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God, praise the Lord; for the Lord is good" Psalms 135:1-3. "By Him, therefore, let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His name," Hebrews 13:15. "And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye His servants, and ye that fear Him, both small and great," Revelation 19:5.
You can find endless reasons to praise God through prayer.


Truly, you have not known joy or peace, humility or power, holiness or worship, until you praise God from the wellspring of your heart. Your prayers, if real, will always represent your true understanding, love and allegiance to God. As your prayer life is increased, your understanding of God's will is increased. "The Lord is near unto all those who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth. He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He also will hear their cry, and will save them, The Lord preserveth all those who love His holy name forever and ever," Psalms 145:18-21.


You cannot make up true praise. Praise can only come from the heart. True praise is equaled to how much place you give God in your heart. If you give Him little, you can only praise Him little. If you give God much you can praise Him much, but if you give God DOMINION, you can live a life of praise, power, satisfaction, honor and holiness."

Excerpt from The Power of God Thinking II by Keith C. Powell Copyright 2012 

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Thought for the Day II

"Let's take a look at each type of prayer so we can gleam from the Master of prayer, how to pray. I want you to sense (in your spirit) and believe (in your heart), that Jesus knows best, how to pray and what to pray for. By following the model of Jesus, we emulate the Master of prayer and by following the model of Jesus, we should expect the same results in prayer that Jesus received. Do you believe it?



INTIMATE PRAYER:


During intimate prayer is when you become most intimate and revealing to God. If you have been taught or have learned, that prayer is to be systematic or methodological or by any means impersonal, you have been taught an untruth. Each word that you utter must be your own and from a deep personal understanding that 'Prayer is direct communication with God.' God requires your absolute unveiled self to come to Him as you are, and disclose all to Him, reserving nothing; God requires a total evacuation of your ego as well as your pride when you pray.


Intimate communication with your God, Oh what a great honor this is. God would have it that you call Him Father. "But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy room, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to the Father, who is in secret; And thy Father, who seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly" Matthew 6:6. "and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty" 2 Corinthians 6:18. You need to know, that you can go to God on your own, with your own words, and you will find that God has already planned for a special meeting with you, in prayer.


God and man unite in spirit when man comes to God in prayer, available and empty of a self-gratifying agenda. You should never hesitate to pray. Paul says, "pray without ceasing", 1 Thessalonians 5:17


In intimate prayer, you empty yourself and your burdens and your inconsistencies, your sins, your iniquities, your wrongdoing, your wastefulness, your evil thoughts, your pride, your envy, your lusts, your prejudice, your selfishness and your overindulgence and come before God, seeking Him, nothing else. You consciously empty yourself of everything in your life that can keep you from serving God with a clean conscience. You do this by revealing your true self to God and receiving from God, Himself.

Intimate prayer brings peace in your hearts and assurance of your relationship with God. For what you do not empty and give to God, He cannot take from you, because God will not breach your right of free will to withhold from God whatever you choose, and God will not breach your right of free will to receive less from God than what He desires that you have."

Excerpt from The Power of God Thinking II by Keith C. Powell Copyright 2012

Thought for the Day II

"I want you to notice with me six kinds of prayer that take place in this perfect prayer (The Lord's Prayer).



Intimate prayer - Our Father, who art in heaven


Praising prayer - Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.


Thanksgiving prayer - Give us this day our daily bread.


Confessing prayer - And forgive us our debts,


Intercessory prayer - as we forgive our debtors.


Petitioning prayer - And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.


And again praising prayer - "For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen."


Excerpt from The Power of God Thinking II by Keith C. Powell Copyright 2012

Monday, April 16, 2012

Thought for the Day II

"God reveals what we are able to do and God reveals what He alone can do to bring about the desired results of our prayers. There simply is no spiritual life where there is no prayer life. A seeking heart, with intentions to serve God through faith, can, through prayer, taste of the heavenly gift, and be partakers of the Holy Spirit. Through prayer you can; subdue kingdoms, bring about righteousness, obtain promises, see the mighty works of God, obtain mercy, move mountains, and please God.

There has been a lot said about prayer, but I want to take a look at what the Master of prayer, Jesus Himself, says about prayer. Matthew 6:9, the Lord’s prayer. Here we have the Lord's prayer. This prayer is the model prayer for mankind. Even though many people today think that they know a better way, I am convinced that Jesus designed for us a model of prayer that honors God and brings the answers and results we are looking for in our life.

Matthew 6:9-13
"After this manner, therefore, pray ye:
Our Father, who art in heaven
Hallowed be thy name.
V10 "Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
V11 Give us this day our daily bread.
V12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
V13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.”

Excerpt from The Power of God Thinking II by Keith C. Powell Copyright 2012

Sunday, April 15, 2012

Thought for the Day II

"You must be careful to remain faithful to the Spirit of God, learn the truth about prayer and practice it. All prayer has a common factor, and that is, communication with God. Despite the purpose or intent of your prayer, prayer is, first, direct communication with God. You do not pray to bring something to God's attention, as if He were not aware. You pray to join your will with Gods will in order to fulfill all that God has ordained for you.



Through prayer - you recognize your human frailty and God's Sovereignty.


Through prayer - you recognize your inability and God's total ability.


Through prayer - you recognize your insufficiency and God's All Sufficiency.


You come to terms with the reality of God's total sovereignty, ability and sufficiency.


Through prayer - you also grow in His grace and begin to see your purpose through God's eyes. As you pray, you will see, how you participate in creating with God, situations that change lives.


Excerpt from The Power of God Thinking II by Keith C. Powell Copyright 20112

Thought for the Day II

God does not need us to pray so that He will know our needs or requests.  We pray to communicate with God, not to enlighten God.  We pray to hear from God and to be enlightened by God.  We pray as a witness or testimony that God is able to do as He says and to bring all things into subjection to His will.  The fact that we pray is our confirmation of God=s existence, sovereignty and holiness.   Prayer is not a one-way conversation with God, (where we speak, God listens, and we get what we want).  NO, prayer is a unique and conscious unity of our spirit with the Holy Spirit.

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Thought for the Day II

"You need to be awake to the teaching of the Holy Spirit. While you are in prayer, as the Holy Spirit speaks to you, you need to agree to obey His voice. Only then, can the mystical union of God and man be apprehended, understood and utilized for God's purposes. 

You pray and God reveals those tasks that He would have you to do so that you will be in alignment with what He is going to do. That is how all known miracles take place. That is how all known supernatural events occur. All healing, all inspiration, all good things from God, are borne in prayer.



The Bible is clear on the issue of prayer. Throughout the scriptures, we have examples of prayer, results of prayer and commandments concerning prayer. Prayer is perhaps the simplest of all spiritual concepts, yet man has, in his wisdom, developed many false views, doctrines, precepts and teachings concerning prayer.

Excerpt from The Power of God Thinking II by Keith C. Powell Copyright 20112

Thought for the Day II

"God does not need you to pray so that He will know your needs or requests.  You pray to communicate with God, not to enlighten God.  You pray to hear from God and to be inspired by God.  You pray as a witness or testimony that God is able to do as He says and to bring all things into subjection to His will.  The fact that you pray is your confirmation of God=s existence, sovereignty and holiness.   Prayer is not a one-way conversation with God, (where you speak, God listens, and you get what you want).  NO, prayer is a unique and conscious unity of your spirit with the Holy Spirit."

Excerpt from The Power of God Thinking II by Keith C. Powell Copyright 2012

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Thought for the Day II

"God Thinking is only God Thinking if your thinking is purified by prayer. The POWER OF PRAYER. Once you understand the power of prayer, you will have no problem in finding time to pray. Prayer is access to the divine throne of God, whereby the power to subdue and create is at hand. It's true, God's supernatural intervention is in direct response to your prayers.



You need to take your prayers seriously. You need to be yourself when you come before God, and you need to come to Him according to His design for you. Some people think that God accepts anything they do, any way they do it. No! You need to come before God according to God’s design. God is not impressed with windy - meant to impress others - prayers. God is not impressed when you use prayer as a tool to elevate yourself or to demean others. That's not prayer, that's sacrilege.

Excerpt from The Power of God Thinking II by Keith C. Powell Copyright 2012

Monday, April 9, 2012

Thought for the Day II

"Just as in the time of the Exodus, God still leads and guides His people, all to build in us, a testimony:

  • A testimony of the goodness of God.
  • A testimony of His leading.
  • A testimony of how God changed you.
  • A testimony of God in you.
  • A testimony of how God brought you through it, not around it.
  • Whatever it is, you need to go through it with faith - faith that trusts God.
Have you a testimony of how God works in you and through you?

Excerpt from The Power of God Thinking II by Keith C. Powell Copyright 2012

Thought for the Day II

"Again, God showed His power and protection to His people and takes them through the Red Sea. Again they were on a spiritual high, rejoicing in what God has done. It is the same today. People get all excited every time God does some great miracle. But wait, what happens next? They crossed over the Red Sea and thirty years passed before they began to murmur against Moses again, right? How about 30 months? 30 weeks? How about 30 days? No, it was 3 days, and these same people that had started out with joy and belief, freedom and riches, just a few days ago, has again began to complain again. "And when they came to Marah, they could not drink the waters of Marah, for they were bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah. V24 And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink?" Exodus 15:23-24.



Is it that different today? Just let the benefits and blessings of Christianity, even begin to look like they are going to dry up, even if for just a little moment, and what do people do? They stay home. They go backward instead of forward. Again!!!, God proves Himself, He gives them sweet water and heals their bodies. Keep in mind they haven't even been on their journey as long as Jesus fasted in the desert "And the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness: V3 And the children of Israel said unto them, Would to God we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sit by the flesh pots, and when we did eat bread to the full; for ye have brought us forth into the wilderness, to kill this whole assembly with hunger." Exodus 16:2-3.


Isn’t it the truth. There is still a false view today of who it is that provides the money and food you have. It is God, not the world. The world wants you to believe that it is supplying your needs so you will continue to support it, but once you recognize that God is the supplier of wealth, health and every other good thing, you should be more careful who you give praise to, who you give your time to and who you give your money to."

Excerpt from The Power of God Thinking II by Keith C. Powell Copyright 2012

Saturday, April 7, 2012

Thought for the Day II

"I want you to see this great truth about the nature of man. Remember the story of Moses and Pharaoh? Remember the plagues? Remember the bondage? Life in your world is just the same. The world is like Pharaoh and as long as you are paying tribute to the world's contributions:

  • You can go ahead and go to church
  • you can live in your own little area
  • You can believe anything we want to
  • You can have special feast
  • You can call God by any name you want to
but just stop paying tribute to Pharaoh, i.e., (the world), just move your affections and your money, your time, your family; just move out of Egypt and see what happens. They will say, "go on, follow your God, get away from here, we don't need you anyway,” but it won't be long and they will come running after you again. Because the Pharaoh, (the world) needs slaves to perpetuate its purposes.


The world needs those who are willing to be slaves to its devices and traps. The world dangles the money carrot - the familiar territory carrot - the job security carrot - and any other carrot it can get you to bite on - in hopes you won't take your time, money, talent, skills, loyalties and desires out of Egypt. But don't think that by getting out of Egypt, all is well.


The Israelites were released from bondage after 400 years of slavery and...........well let me read part of the story. "And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night:" Exodus 13:21. God had just delivered His chosen people from bondage to freedom and was now leading them by day and by night. Just the same as with you, God delivered you from the bondage of the world and leads you and guides you by day and by night.


But watch what happens when the pressure is on. "And they (the children of Israel) said unto Moses, Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? Wherefore hast thou dealt with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt?  V12 Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness." Exodus 14:11-12.

It didn’t take long for the children of God to start complaining. Just apply a little pressure and have little faith, and the short-cutters looked back at their bondage, as if it were better than being led by God by day and by night. I know many people who have turned back to become slaves of Egypt (the world). Christ didn’t give them what they wanted, so they turned back. Too many people are like that today. The faith walk does not interest them. Even though, the alternative is bondage and slavery, the truth is, sometimes it seems easier to go back to the familiar, than to take the faith walk with God."

Excerpt from The Power of God Thinking II by Keith C. Powell Copyright 2012 

Friday, April 6, 2012

Thought for the Day II

"Now, if you are settled, that where you have come from or what you have gone through, what you have done or what you didn’t do, has become your testimony, maybe, from now on, you could understand that God reveals to others, what God has done in you and through you, by your testimony, for their benefit.

From now on, now that you have this understanding, yoy should have a better and more godlike perspective when stuff happens.



If you are going through something right now, the question should be, "Am I going through it alone or am I going through it with God?"


• Are you trying to go around what you are going through with your spouse, or your friend or are you going to go through it for a testimony?


Hold on now.


• Are you going to skirt the issue with your sister, or are you going to go through it and deal with it, with God, for a testimony?


• Are you going to try to hide from the issues you have with your children and/or teens or are you going to face it and bring God right in the middle for a testimony?


• Are you going to rationalize what God has put on your heart and go around it, or are you going to go through it for a testimony?"

Excerpt from The Power of God Thinking II by Keith C. Powell Copyright 2012

Thursday, April 5, 2012

Thought for the Day II

"Some things in your life that are messed up were caused by your own foolish endeavors. You may think that because you did it knowingly, that God will hold it to your account for life. If that thought has crossed your mind, then you need to know - God said He has removed your sin from you as far as the East is from the West, that He has paid the price for your sin and made you whole, in Him.



Whether it was done to you or you did it to someone else or you did it to yourself, if it is the past and you didn’t go through it with God, it's time to let it go. God went through it with you. You can count on that. But did you consciously go through it with God? "What did you do with what God allowed to happen?" It really doesn’t matter. Whatever you have been through, (despite who caused it or whose fault it was), without you knowing it, it has developed into your testimony. Whatever you have been through - whether you did it alone or with the guidance and grace of God - good or bad, for Christ or against Him - it has become your testimony; your story, your revealing of How life is without God and your revealing of how life is with God."

Excerpt from The Power of God Thinking II by Keith C. Powell Copyright 2012

Thought for the Day II

"If you responded in anger, to what God allowed to happen in your life, you might be struggling with guilt about being mad at God. And you might feel that you can't ever be made whole again, because you messed up so bad that God won't receive us now. If that thought has crossed your mind, then you need to know:

  • You can't get so mad at God that God can't forgive you.
  • God loves you so much that He sent His Son to die for you, knowing that you would fail Him, miserably.
  • Some things that have happened in your life were caused by others, and you may have handled the situation poorly, and you think that God is so disappointed with you, that you can't receive His blessings or power or anointing now.
If that thought has crossed your mind, then you need to know - God is not holding anything against you. You are to gleam the wheat from the chaff and move on. God is only disappointed if you do not trust the atoning sacrifice of His Son for your sins and indiscretions."

Excerpt from The Power of God Thinking II by Keith C. Powell Copyright 2012

Thought for the Day II

"Now let's take this whole concept a little further. Let's settle some things. These are the things that God thinking is made of.

  • God is not the author of sickness - But, God will see you through your sickness.
  • God is not the author of pain - But, God will be with you through your pain.
  • God is not the author of manipulation - But, God in due time God will expose the manipulator.
  • God is not the author of hatred - But, God will break the cords of hatred.
  • God is not the author of prejudice - But, God will take away prejudice.
  • God is not the author of hard feelings - But, God will reconcile hard feelings.
  • God is not the author of lost years - But, but God will go with you through the rest of your years, hand in hand.
  • God is not the author of racism - But, God will unite His people together, in Him.
  • God is not the author of meanness - But, God can soften even the hardest heart.
  • God is not the author of adultery - But, God is the author of marriage.
  • God is not the author of loose living - But, God is the author of holy living.
  • God is not the author of the storms in your life, but He will calm the storm.
Let's look at the question again. "What are you going to do with what God allows to happen? But first, for the sake of learning from past experiences, let's look at the question, "what did you do with what God allowed to happen?" Because, what you did with what God allowed to happen, sometimes steers you to believe erroneous things about God."

Excerpt from The Power of God Thinking II by Keith C. Powell copyright 2012

Monday, April 2, 2012

Thought for the Day II

"Sometimes you go through things that aren’t fair.



  • Have you ever had anyone lie to you?
  • Have you ever had anyone take advantage of you?
  • Has anyone ever abused you or manipulated you?
  • Have you ever done anything that brought about unexpected negative circumstances?
  • Have you ever been the cause of pain or suffering for someone else?
  • Have you ever brought trouble on yourself?
No one escapes life without trials, tribulations and tests, but the way that you go through these experiences determine your testimony.


  • Has anyone ever tried to sneak in and take your portion of what you have worked for the last twenty years?
  • Have you ever loved someone that you found out was using you?
  • Has an employer ever let you down?
Where is God in all of this?
Do you think that God was taking a sabbatical from being God?
Was God sleeping?
Maybe God just can't be everywhere at the same time.
Maybe your problem is too big for God.
Maybe God just let's you do it on your own so He can laugh at you when you fall.
Maybe God just isn’t there at all.


Sounds almost sacrilegious doesn’t it? But that's the way we live it out sometimes.


Hear this truth:  You live in a fallen world. Stuff happens, people get sick, people lie, people steal, people murder and terrorize. Cars crash, boats sink, accidents happen that takes lives, good people die. You are always asking the question, "Why does God let these things happen?”

Let=s take a real step of faith here and learn some serious truth.  Instead off asking the question, AWhy does God let these things happen? The question should be, AWhat are you going to do with what God allows to happen? 

When you think this way, AWhat are you going to do with what God allows to happen?, it gives God something to work with, because God can take you through anything that you give over to Him.

Excerpt from The Power of God Thinking II by Keith C. Powell Copyright 2012

Thought for the Day II

"Going through it with God and in conjunction with His Word, by faith, is of far more value to us and than receiving the end without having gone through the process. God is seeking a people who are willing to follow Him, through it, not around it. God is seeking such to worship Him. God is seeking those who would go through the fire for a season; Those who would humble themselves for a season - Those who are not seeking short cuts – Those who are willing to go the long haul with God.



God allows you to go through some stuff as a proving ground for your faith. God does not bring the evil, the pain, the sickness, the powerlessness, the sin, the temptation; but in it God carries you through it.


  • Who taughtyou that you wouldn’t have to go through the fire once and a while?
  • Who taught you that you don't have to work hard to accomplish the tasks at hand, your life's goals, and to fulfill your calling in Christ Jesus?
  • Who taught you that you would never experience sickness, tragedy, pain, old age, or death?
You might have gone through something that was totally unbearable or maybe you are going through something right now.


You ask God:
Why would you let this happen?
Where are you?
Why did you let me go through that sickness for ten years?
Why didn't you let me have what I wanted?
Why did you let me have what I wanted, you knew it wouldn’t be good for me?
Why don't you stop this situation, right now, LORD?


You and I are going to go through things for the rest of your lives, some great things and some things that hurt.

You are going to be blessed and lifted up - and you are going to be pushed down or lose your footing occasionally also.


You are also going to soar like eagles - and there will be days that you won't even want to get up."

Excerpt from The Power of God Thinking II by Keith C. Powell Copyright 2012

Thought for the Day II

"God Thinking recognizes that; going through it with God is far better than going around it without God. God uses the circumstances and situations of your life to build in you a testimony. "For of Him, and through Him, and to Him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen." Romans 11:36.



I want to talk a little about the spirit of the short-cut. People today want everything and they want it fast:
  • They want a four year education in two years.
  • They want their business to make money the first month.
  • They want a lifetime of training in a weekend seminar.
  • They want the anointing of the faithful for coming to church three weeks in a row.
  • They are looking for fast food - fast fixes - fast answers - fast processes.
Many people today don't want to go through anything, they want to go around it.
Many people today don't want to experience anything that is'nt; fast, easy, effortless, comfortable & profitable.


Many people today want to bypass the process to get to the end, as if the end was the thing, but the end is not the thing, it is the going through it with God that is the thing.

Excerpt from The Power of God Thinking II by Keith C. Powell Copyright 2012