God Thinking 58 - Getting Beyond Yourself 1

"In prayer you have got to get beyond yourself - beyond your needs.  Until you do, you will not hear from God.

You will not get the answers to your questions.

You will not understand your purpose for being.

You will not understand God’s blueprint for your life.

You will not receive the plan and you will not receive the provision for fulfillment of that plan, until you get beyond yourself.

I’m not saying that you should not ask God for things or to not ask God for your needs to be met.  The scriptures are clear - we are encouraged to ask for our needs to be met and for our desires to be fulfilled, but, hear what the writer of Psalm 42 says.

Psalms 42:1-2

1.  "As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God."

 2.  My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God:

and in 1 Corinthians 2:9-10, Paul writes, "But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

 10.  But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God." 

In prayer you have got to get beyond yourself: And when you do, you come to the place where you commune with God." 

Excerpt from God Thinking 58 - Getting Beyond Yourself by Keith C. Powell Copyright 2012

God Thinking 57 - Apprehended by Faith 6

"Whatever you have been through, it doesn’t compare with what is ahead in Christ.

Whatever is behind, mustn’t be equated to what God has in mind for you.

Whatever is behind you - can I say that despite how difficult or long it took - it was worth it - if what has happened is: that today, God has become your God and your friend.

If you think it wasn’t worth it, Hear this poem .

If every year without your wisdom

And every hour without your peace

And every moment of rejection

Was what I needed just to see

If every lie and broken promise

every sin and virtue lost

if every moment without Your presence

                                  Is what had to be the cost

If all my sufferings that I had suffered

And all the loss that came my way

And all the bitterness and envy

Was what it took to find today              

Then I will gladly take my portion

Of all it took for you to show

All the riches and the glory

                                Of the One I’ve come to know

Excerpt from God Thinking 57 - Apprehended by Faith by Keith C. Powell Copyright 2012

God Thinking 57 - Apprehended by Faith 5

"Have you noticed that the truth from God is very different than what we are hearing from many modern prophets and preachers today? 

It seems that some of them will tell you anything to get your money.  I believe that they feel it doesn’t matter much if they mix in a little untruth hype talk with God’s pure Word if they get the money to carry on with their ministry, but untruth hype-talk won’t prepare you for the real tribulations and trouble that come your way. 

No.  You had better not be mixing in a little of what you want to hear with what God has to say to you.  Untruths will only care for you for a season, but truths of God will care for you for eternity."

Excerpt from God thinking 57 - Apprehended by Faith by Keith C. Powell Copyright 2012

God Thinking 57 - Apprehended by Faith 4

"Century after century masses of peoples are steered astray by a ruthless enemy or someone following him.  But, one by one, there are those who break out of the faithless life and step out into the realm of God.

Are you ready to stop reading the signs of the enemy and start reading the signs of a loving and just, holy and righteous God?

Are you tired of listening to the messages of an enemy that wants to see you tortured?

Are you tired of listening to the faithless, the powerless, the naysayers and the religious dead?

Then prepare yourselves as God prepares your heart, to receive by faith, what it takes to take another step of faith out onto that invisible plank of faith that reaches out beyond ourselves into the land of God and His angels.

First, you must hear what God told me when I asked the question, “Why do your people have to go through so much?” 

God said to me.

“I didn’t bring you all this way for nothing.” 

1 Corinthians 2:9

9.  But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

God said to me:

“Had it all not been significant, neither would your faith in Me be significant.”

1 Peter 1:6-7

 6.  Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:

7.  That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

God said to me:

“Had it not been for the darkness, you would not recognize the light.” 2 Corinthians 4:6
6.  For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

God said to me:

“Had it not been for the loneliness, you could not know my comfort.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
3.  Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;
4.  Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

What is God saying to you?"

Excerpt from God thinking 57 - Apprehended by Faith by Keith C. Powell copyright 2012

God Thinking 57 - Apprehended by Faith 3

"Can I take you just a little further out on the plank of faith, where the invisible things of God start to take shape.

Along the old way of life, God posted signs in your life to assist you and I in our journey from self to God and through life to eternal life.

Don’t blame yourself too much when you look back wondering why you didn’t always have this kind of faith and wondering why you were so easily misled.

Along the way were signs posted by God for each path and each venture and each step of life, but we don’t read too well blinded by youth and passion

pain and mistreatment

lies and self indulgence. 

Blinded by living in the realm of the enemy without the power and authority to shake him off.

         

At one place along the way of life God put the sign STOP

But someone close to us, tricked us, put over that sign - full speed ahead.

At one juncture in our life, God put up the sign DEAD END,

But someone went ahead of us and covered over that sign with the sign, pleasure ahead.

At one place on the road of life God put up the sign, TURN RIGHT, 

But someone turned that sign around and we turned left.

Everything that God warns you of, your enemy invites you to.

And everything that God invites you to, your enemy warns you of.

It’s no wonder that it took so long for some of us to turn our lives around.  And it’s no wonder that so many, so very many haven’t. 

In a world with an enemy like satan, loose, roaming the streets, searching out the spiritually blind and those who have lost focus, it is no wonder that the battle has at times seemed meaningless and impossible."

Excerpt from God Thinking 57 - Apprehended by Faith by Keith C. Powell Copyright 2012

God Thinking 57 - Apprehended by Faith 2

"I want to take you just a little further onto the plank called faith. 

• A little further than when you found out that you had cancer. 
• A little further than when you found out that it was your best friend that had been stealing from you. 
• A little further than when your son or daughter decided to live against God.
• A little further than when you found out that your spouse didn’t want you anymore.
• A little further than when you found out that the person that said they loved you was just using you.
• A little further than anything that has ever tried your faith.

I want to take you a little further, because it’s just a little further until you get the victory. 

It’s just a little further and the whole picture will be clear.

• Just a little further and you will be empowered by God to finish what you started.
• Just a little further and you will have your breakthrough.
• Just a little further and you will see a miracle, that only six months ago you would never have considered even remotely possible.
• Just a little further and the roadway gets cleared up, the fog lifts, the storm subsides, the winds calm and you can see the sign ahead that says, “leaving Self - entering God’s hands.”

Leaving past diversions     

Leaving old baggage
Leaving emotional pain
Leaving instability
Leaving bad memories
Leaving deep valleys
Leaving worry and stress
Leaving foolish behavior
Leaving the storms that tear us down
      the verbose thick clouds that hang over our head
          the swirling winds of oppression
               The dark skies of adversity
Entering the land of blue skies
Entering the place of forgiveness
Entering:

A place of certainty and assurance

     safety and security
          confidence and stability
               strength and steadiness
                    a place with guarantees.

A place where we stop driving in the car of uncertainty and start riding in God’s chariot with Christ at the reigns.

the realm of clear vision

A place where there is continuity - solace - power -  substantial development - continuous opportunity."

Excerpt from God thinking 57 - Apprehended by Faith by Keith C. Powell Copyright 2012

God Thinking 57 - Apprehended by Faith 1

"I am going to take you to a dimension of God Thinking that can only be apprehended by faith.                                                 

I want to know if you sense as I do - an intuition of urgency, concerning the spiritual condition of our nation, our city, our friends and family and our own spiritual condition as well?

Have you or do you feel a tug on your heart to get things right and keep things right with God?

Have you noticed that the opportunity for you to speak about your faith has come up more, recently, than ever before?

God has chosen these last days to build up and empower an holy people.  These people are not all well known, nor are they of a certain heritage - nor are they all the same age.

They don’t all have the same last name, nor are they of the same nationality.  They don’t have the same educational background, nor is it required. 

They don’t all have the same gifts, nor do they all say things exactly the same way.

They are individuals, empowered by an invisible force that goes beyond reason and logic into the mystical world where Jesus is Lord.  AND YOU ARE THAT PERSON."

Excerpt from God Thinking 57 - Apprehended by Faith by Keith C. Powell Copyright 2012

God Thinking 56 - The Handiwork of God 8

"You have been entrusted with the Word of God, and what you do with what you hear, determines how much of what you do, God is able to bless.

The only truths that you can operate in, are not the ones you have heard once or twice or a hundred times, but the ones you practice.

Good theology and God Thinking are synonymous.

Hear the Words of scripture as I read what God says is theology to live by.

Today I have a Word from God for you.  A Word that you need to add to what you believe to build up your internal theology.

The Holy Spirit will confirm in your spirit, that, (that word is for you.)

When this happens - at the very moment, I want you to standup and speak:

Speak to your need

Speak to your circumstance

Speak to your situation

Speak to your business

Speak to your family

Speak to your ministry

Speak to your body

Whatever it is that God puts on your heart to speak into being or to speak out of your life, you need to do it when God gives you the unction.

Don’t let this moment slip into eternity and the blessing that is for you, passes by.

Let the power of the theology of God be released in your life today. 

John 12:46-48

46.  I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.

 47.  And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.

 48.  He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.

Mark 9:23

23.  Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. 

Isn’t there anyone up against impossible odds???

Psalms 46:1-3

 1.  God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

 2.  Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;

 3.  Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.

Nahum 1:7

7.  The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.

Psalms 31:24

 24.  Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.

James 1:5-8

 5.  If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

 6.  But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

 7.  For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.

 8.  A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

Isaiah 25:1

1.  O Lord, thou art my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name; for thou hast done wonderful things; thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth.

Philippians 1:9-11

 9.  And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and

more in knowledge and in all judgment;

 10.  That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;

 11.  Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.

Proverbs 3:5-10

 5.  Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

 6.  In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and he shall direct thy paths.

 7.  Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil.

 8.  It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.

 9.  Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:

 10.  So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.

Psalms 32:8

 8.  I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.

 John 15:11

 11.  These things have I spoken unto you, that My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full."

Excerpt from God Thinking 56 - The Handiwork of God by Keith C. Powell Copyright 2012

God Thinking 56 - The Handiwork of God 7

"Good theology requires that your heart be changed every time God speaks to you. 

Good theology requires that you are converted from your way/ways every time God speaks to you.

How many times do you need to be converted!!!?

The notion, that when a man, woman, boy or girl is born again, they relinquish their throne in humble submission to a Holy God, and seek after God with their whole body, mind, heart and soul - has been, all but eradicated, not only in the world, but in the Church as well.

Those who are constantly demanding proof from God have not relinquished the throne of their life to God.

Why do I say this?  I’ll tell you why. 

Good theology makes for a good life."

Excerpt from God Thinking 56 - The Handiwork of God by Keith C. Powell Copyright 2012

God Thinking 56 - The Handiwork of God 6

"I don’t want to get off a tangent, but this is how a great many people who call themselves Christians live: 

• They come to hear the Word of God preached.
• They listen carefully.
• They hear the Word of God.
• They decide what portion of it will fit their current lifestyle.
• They adhere to those truths and principles that fit into their current way of life, not moved at all by the theology of God, that changes their mind, convicts their hearts or converts their soul. 

Only a few want good theology, because only a few are willing to yield there wants and desires for that of God.

Only a few care at all about what God has to say.  Most people today are seeking to hear words that comfort them and make them feel good about their current condition.

Only a few are listening for God to speak to them.

The bible says in James 1, 22.  But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.  23.  For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:  24.  For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.  25.  But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

Good theology requires that you change the way you think every time God speaks into your being some new truth - (new to you)."

Excerpt from God Thinking 56 - The Handiwork of God by Keith C. Powell Copyright 2012 

God Thinking 56 - The Handiwork of God 5

"It is times like these (the hard times) when God calls us to trust Him, believe in Him and rest on our faith.

A time to pray and plead with God - a time to draw closer than ever before.

• When things are tough, it’s not the time to throw in the towel. 
• When things are tough, it’s not the time to go back to the world’s vises.
• When things are tough, it’s not the time to reject God’s truth.
• When things are tough, it’s not the time to go to the world for security.

It’s not the time to seek advise from those who don’t have good theology - those who do not know God,

God made us and the elements and therefore God’s plan for our life is theological. 

Because God’s plan is theological in nature, every problem’s answer rest’s in scripture. 

• If you want a quiet and peaceful life, you need good theology.
• If you want comfort in adversity, you need good theology.
• If you want a blessed marriage, both you and your spouse will need to practice good theology.
• If you are single and want to be happy while being alone and you need good theology.
• If you want to be financially secure, you need to practice biblical theology concerning your money.  I’m not talking about (I took Larry Burkette’s money management course in 1996), I’m talking about living it - today, tomorrow and 10 years from now.
• If you want your business to succeed, you need good theology, because everything you need to know about a prosperous business is found in scripture.  (Again, I’m not talking about some pop-culture, thrown together get rich scheme). 

Good theology is developed through:

• Study of the scripture
• Fervent prayer
• Wise council
• Hard work
• Doing it God’s way

Hear me on this.  Knowing what God says about something  doesn’t make you an expert.  It’s the doers of God’s Word not the hearers that are successful."

Excerpt from God Thinking 56 - The Handiwork of God by Keieth C. Powell Copyright 2012