In the last several months I have heard of different Pastors and Lay people describing what their vision is.

1. Pastor Jason’s vision about a Christian Community.
2. Pastor Tracy in helping the poor.
3. Pastor Jeff taking some time off to enhance his vision.
4. Jim S. in mentoring young men.
5. Bob W. in connecting with our elected officials.
6. Me in leaving a smile on everyone I encounter.

My vision is something that I have been working on for a while and it is one that when I encounter someone I would like to leave them with a smile. If I am at a business that uses name tags I make an effort to identify that person my name – this is something really simple but it can make a big impact on people when you make a connection with them.
 
I looked up the Definition of Vision and here are a couple of the meanings:

• The act or power of sensing with the eyes; sight.
• The act or power of anticipating that which will or may come to be: Prophetic vision; the vision of an entrepreneur.
• An experience in which a personage, thing, or event appears vividly or credibly to the mind, although not actually present, often under the influence of a divine or other agency:

 
Vision is an important part of our future and what we do – I found this explanation that is very helpful in coming up with a vision in a 3 step process.
“Vision is knowing who you are, where you’re going and what will guide your journey.” By Ken Blanchard and Jesse Stoner

• Who you are – is your purpose
• Where you’re going – is your picture of the future
• What will guide your journey – are your values

 

So what is your Vision?

Are you looking at the future to see what impact you can have with it?

 

Bobbyg

I was at a Men’s Retreat this last weekend (I like to call them a Men’s Advances – but that is just a preference) – but back to the Retreat. The speaker’s main topic was about the Holy Spirit and how we receive it snd but then how it works within our personal lives. This reminded me of one the GMM Conferences “Driven by the Power of the Holy Spirit” so I was excited to hear what the speaker had to share.
The part that I really enjoyed was how the Spirit works within us after we have received him into our Hearts. One of the major attributes of the Spirit is to tell us what Truth is.   A question was asked if feeling guilty was the same thing and the answer was Yes.   The Spirit works within us to help us identify what is right or wrong.
 
I had to learn the hard way about allowing the Spirit to work with in me.  I had quenched the Spirit’s power by some garbage that I had allowed to build up within me and it had been there for about 20 years.   I had to let it go. I would like to share more about this, but it would take too long – so please send me an email and I will gladly set down over coffee to visit.   I have to tell you that when my heart had been cleared it got scary – it was like this loud voice inside of me started directing and molding me. There were times that I actually looked around to see if someone else was with me….
That is when the theme of our GMM Conference “Driven by the Power of the Holy Spirit” became active for me. Just to give you a couple of examples on what happened to me are:

1. I was driving home from a business trip up north in Wyoming and the closer I got to Cheyenne a voice was telling me that I needed to talk to a specific person on an issue. This issue did not even involve me – so my answer was No – Not my problem. The voice became louder so I finally said if I go there and he is at his desk I will do it.   When I got there the person was not at his desk – he was at the front door with open arms (We Talked).
2. Then several times during my travels throughout Wyoming I would pass by cars at the side of the road and keep going – not my problem.   Now when I would pass the promptings would speak so loud that I would have to turn around and go back. Every time that I did this the people I encountered had been waiting a very long time for someone to stop.   I learned fast that when prompted to stop  I just needed to do it – it takes time to drive back 10 miles to be obedient.  I do have times when I go by and know it is OK…  **On one special occasion the people stated  “you must be a Christian – we have been praying for someone to stop” – They had been waiting a long time and no one was stopping. WOW

 
The Holy Spirit has an important role in our lives and we need to clear the junk in our hearts so that He can speak to us.   It is a powerful tool that we need to have working in us…

Have you cleared your Heart for the Promptings of the Holy Spirit?

Are you being Driven by the Power of the Holy Spirit?

Can you hear His voice when He Speaks?

Bobbyg
***Pray to be empowered by the Holy Spirit Daily or even several times a Day – it will be amazing what happens.

I woke up yesterday just feeling this calmness that can only come from a Great Relationship with Christ.   It was a morning of listening to some Worship songs that really got me going in the morning.   The song that really inspired me was one by Crowder…. Listen and enjoy as I did (Lyrics at the bottom of the page).
Forgiven (Crowder):   [button link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_ZWEO36jok” type=”big” newwindow=”yes”] Forgiven[/button]
The song talks about all the failures that I do to mess up a great relationship but that Christ still forgives me in the end.   I cannot think of a greater Relationship and this is where my freedom comes from.   This is the way I should start every morning – on my knees..
 
Then the morning took me to one of my most favorite artists: “Carman” – I have set up my last celebration with a few of his songs.   I just need to talk my wife into it since I am not going to be here. LOL     But this should be my response after having a great start of a morning…   enjoy this one also:  This is a song that reminds me of my Dad (who is in Heaven now) and we played it at his last celebration.
I will serve the Lord: (Carmen)  [button link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6T96RQjW8k” type=”big” newwindow=”yes”] I will serve the Lord[/button]
 

So how has your morning started?

Did you start your relationship with Christ in a great way?

What gets you going first thing in the morning?   Prayer? Worship Songs?

Remember there is freedom in a Great Relationship!

 
Bobbyg
 

I’m the one who held the nail

It was cold between my fingertips

I’ve hidden in the garden

I’ve denied You with my very lips

God, I fall down to my knees

with a hammer in my hand

You look at me, arms open

Forgiven! Forgiven!

Child there is freedom from all of it

Say goodbye to every sin

You are forgiven!

I’ve done things I wish I hadn’t done

I’ve seen things I wish I hadn’t seen

Just the thought of Your amazing grace

And I cry ”Jesus, forgive me!”

God, I fall down to my knees

with a hammer in my hand

You look at me, arms open

Forgiven! Forgiven!

Child there is freedom from all of it

Say goodbye to every sin

You are forgiven!

I could’ve been six feet under

I could’ve been lost forever

Yeah I should be in that fire

But now there’s fire inside of me

Here I am a dead man walking

No grave gonna hold God’s people

All the weight of all our evil

Lifted away forever free

Who could believe, who could believe?

Forgiven! Forgiven!

You love me even when I don’t deserve it

Forgiven! I’m Forgiven!

Jesus Your blood makes me innocent

So I will say goodbye to every sin

I am forgiven!

Forgiven! Forgiven!

Child there is freedom from all of it

Say goodbye to every sin

You are forgiven!

 
 

Several of my conversations recently have included the reference to Prayer: Please pray for this issue in my life – Pray for our Leaders – Pray for my family – Pray for our City.   This is a powerful tool that Christians have and it must be part of my daily routine.
I googled “The Power of Prayer” and it came up with this meaning:
Question: “What is the power of prayer?”
Answer: The idea that power is inherent in prayer is a very popular one. According to the Bible, the power of prayer is, quite simply, the power of God, who hears and answers prayer.
Then it came up with several verses about Prayer – here are a few of them:

• Mark 9:29 and he said to them, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer.”

• Acts 9:40 But Peter put them all outside, and knelt down and prayed; and turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up.

• James 5:14-16 is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

 
There were several other verses, but I will let you look them up.   But throughout the Bible it will reference that Prayer is a powerful tool that is there for us to take ahold of.
 
I know that I struggle in disciplining myself in having a regular prayer time or as the Bible says that I must be doing it continually.   I have to discipline myself to come up with a prayer life that Christ would like me to have and it is an act of Obedience that I must achieve.  I have several different ways that I have created to help me in my prayer life. I have 2 war rooms (you will have to watch the movie “War Room”) and I go on Prayer walks (My favorite).   There are also a couple of groups that I meet with just for the purpose of praying and this helps allot. I am still working on getting to a consistent Prayer Life in my daily routine and the more I do it – the better it gets.   Tapping into “The Power of Prayer” has been extremely helpful for me and sometimes this is my only tool in meeting the issues of the day.  I have to understand that  “God is in control and I must let Him do His work in His timing”.  During my Prayer walks I am in Worship for Him being there with me – it is GREAT.
So what are you doing to Connect with “The Power of Prayer”.

Have you set aside a specific time to Pray?

Do you have a War Room for Prayer?

Who do you Pray with?

Bobbyg
 

Several years ago I wrote a 3 part series on The Spiritual Battle and I believe that it is real and active today. The enemy will attack me in many ways: Me Personally – My Family – My City – My country.
 
Pastor Shaun’s sermon this week was about two of the believers that were walking down the road after Jesus had been crucified and there was an empty tomb. I have to believe that they were feeling The Spiritual Battle all around them and where asking themselves “What do I do?” My study Bible has a great explanation about these two disciples as they were walking and then Jesus joined them.

“The two disciples returning to Emmaus at first missed the significance of history’s greatest event because they were too focused on their disappointments and problems. In fact, they didn’t recognize Jesus when he was walking beside them. To compound the problem, they were walking in the wrong direction – away from the fellowship of believers in Jerusalem. We are likely to miss Jesus and withdraw from the strength found in other believers when we become preoccupied with our dashed hopes and frustrated plans. Only when we are looking for Jesus in our midst will we experience the power and help he can bring.

           I would have to say that I am like these two disciples at times when I feel The Spiritual Battle is all around me and like them I become confused. “What do I do?” When I am in the Midst of The Battle there are several things that I can do.

1. Recognize that Jesus is walking beside me at all times and that he will give me the power to overcome the enemy.
2. After I have done this – I need to start walking in the right direction :).
3. Prayer is a must.
4. This is one of my special prayer items.   I like to pray for the Angels to come down and protect me and my family. One of Frank Peretti’s books talks about the Angels are just waiting for me to call upon them – so I do.
5. Then I must go into Battle with other Christians beside me. I like the visual from the book “The Barbarian Way” by Erwin McManus when he describes a group of Christians going forward like a Crash of Rhinos. The enemy that is out in front us must beware what is coming.

 
I believe that The Spiritual Battle is going on strong today….   So my questions to you is:

What do you do in the midst of your Spiritual Battle?

Do you recognize Jesus is there to HELP?

Remember the Battle is REAL!

 
Bobbyg

Sometimes I think we forget who we really are, how we were designed, what’s been purchased for us. So here’s a quick reminder on a small portion of your amazingness!
All things work together for your good.
You were created in the image of your Creator.
You were knit together in your mother’s womb.
You are fearfully and wonderfully made.
Every hair on your head is known.
You are of a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, you are His special possession.
If He is for you, who can be against?
You are more than a conqueror.
You are free from all curses.
You are blessed coming in and going out.
No weapon formed against you shall prosper.
The enemy must flee from you.
Everything you put your hand to shall prosper.
You are sealed by the Spirit. Its deposit in your heart is your guarantee.
You have a spirit of boldness and courage.
If you ask, you shall receive.
You are heir to the greatest estate ever.
You are holy, perfect, justified, and redeemed.
You are equipped to do every good work.
You have authority over the enemy.
You have good treasure in your heart.
You produce good fruit.
You have life and life to the fullest.
Hey, you’re even worth more than a fallen sparrow.
Your leaves are always green.
You are hidden in His hand.
You are free.
Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.
As He is; so are you in this world.
You lack nothing.
You have a constant intercessor.
You rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
You are more than you can think or imagine – a good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over!
You, my friend, are eternally and unconditionally loved!
Tom Cassidy

​​”But we know where he’s from.” ​Some of the people dismissed Jesus out of hand because they knew where he had been raised.​ ​”He is from Nazareth,​”​ they reasoned​… “​he can’t possibly be the ​Messiah: the one to follow.​“​ How often do we do the same thing, keeping Jesus at a distance with simple nonsensical objections that almost always begin with “​but​”​?​

​”I’d love to follow Jesus, but…. ​”
​      ​ ​”I really need healing, but….​”
​      ​ ​​      ​ ​​”I want my life to ​c​hange, but….​”
​Whatever our struggles, whatever our failings​: habitual sins​,​ disordered attractions, addictions ​of one kind or another — Christ​’s​ love and mercy is far greater​!
He spends his eternity to overcome the strange time-bound​ tyranny of a very small word : but….
​________

Good morning my Brothers in Christ! Been praying on what the Father would have me share. I want the Holy Spirit to be my guide!
There are brothers and sisters going through some difficult trials, to the point of praying for a miracle: for 15 more years of life on this side of Heaven… as did Hezekiah when he prayed to our Father for this. The eyes are seeing, and the ears are hearing what is on the outside. And it does not look promising.
But we have a God! And His Word says (1 Corithians 2:9 KJV): “But as it is written, Eye has not seen , nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them who love Him.” We are continuing to pray and hope with expectation for our Dearest Father, to move on behalf of our brothers and sisters for a miracle! (Like  Mark 5:22-43, with the woman with the issue of blood, and Jairus’ daughter.)
My brothers, don’t give up and don’t stop believing!
Lester

Here is a moving and poignant testimony from our brother Ryan.  Let us keep this family in prayer!
+~+~+~+~
My wife gave birth to our third child about a month ago. All of us were sick during that time but none more than my wife. She had a chest cold along with a sinus infection. The birth caused both of her eardrums to rupture because of the sinus pressure which has temporarily damaged her hearing. If I had to guess her hearing is still only at about 50%.
It has been a rough month. I can’t have a conversation with my wife without speaking very loudly. It’s a strange thing because even though my wife is present with us, she seems to be absent in a way. Anybody that knows Susie will confirm the fact that she’s a very energetic and talkative person. Because of the lack of hearing and other residual effects from the birth, she does a lot of sleeping and sitting which is very unlike her. She watches us with eyes of someone who is looking into a room from outside the door that is eager to participate but can’t get in.
I say all this to make the point that we take so many of God’s blessings for granted. Before this happened, I don’t remember appreciating the simple but HUGE blessing such as hearing. Now I think about it everyday. I miss my wife and my kids miss their mom simply because she can’t hear very well.
I’m not sharing this to complain but just the opposite; to recognize and rejoice how we were all fearfully and wonderfully made! I know when Susie gets her hearing back, she will appreciate every word that enters it. And we will appreciate every word we speak to her.
You are blessed-
Ryan

GMM President Jim Schamerhorn shared this:
I read an article recently that made me think about our leadership team as a “recipe for success.”
God is the “Master Chef” who has equipped each of us with gifts for success in this life. He has blessed each with talents, abilities, strengths, sensitivities and perspective. They include a full range of human emotions or lack thereof to enable us to represent him to the best of our ability (according to the power that works within).
Think of a recipe when cooking or baking. We put together a number of different ingredients: the best flour, good salt, and tasty spices. But separately they cannot be complete or effective, as they are meant to be in combination.
For  instance, when experienced on its own, flour is bland and can leave an unpleasant taste.  However, when combined with sugar, yeast, milk and other ingredients… it brings forth an amazing and wonderful loaf of bread.
Individually each of our team brings their specific gifts or strengths that ensure the overall success of GMM. These are a group of good and Godly men the Lord has put together in a “recipe for success.” They form the ingredients of a strong & cohesive band of brothers. However, as with any good recipe the constituent parts need an opportunity to interact to experience the benefit of the good and final product.
I’m looking forward to seeing what God cooks with us.