I believe we are all called to lead in some way or another.  Leadership is the influence we have with others which means we all are influencing someone.  There are times in life when we go through seasons. These seasons often define our lives in many ways.  Joshua was at a very powerful season in his life.  Moses had died and it was time for Joshua to lead the people or step down.

In life, we all face similar times when we too are called to stand up and lead or make life-changing decisions.  I find myself at a crossroads in a battle that I must choose to fight or step down. I am strong willed so when I am told I cannot do something I tend to want to prove people wrong.  I am not talking about doing wrong things but good things that have a tremendous impact on others as well as myself.

As I read this scripture I was reminded of the news I had gotten this week.  Do I again stand to fight giving it everything I have or do I retire to mediocrity?

Are you facing a similar situation where you either must fight again with all you have to achieve the prize or life goal?

This could be a medical situation, educational goal, career, spiritual, or any other area of life.

Do you find yourself tired, drained, and do not even know if you can continue to fight?

I am reminded of what God is speaking to me. I am your strength lean on me, I have the Power of God at my fingertips, I am His child.  The purpose God has called me to do, He has gone before me to prepare the way. I share this to encourage you on your journey it is not over till it is completely over.

I choose to fight, to battle, to wage massive action toward what God has called me to do.

What about you today, do you believe God has a plan or purpose for your life? Is this the season for you to go for it?

Read the passage from Joshua and see if it speaks to you as well. Blessings

Joshua Installed as Leader- Context for discussion

1 After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ aide: ² “Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites. ³ I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. ⁴ Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates—all the Hittite country—to the Mediterranean Sea in the west. ⁵ No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. ⁶ Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.

⁷ “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. ⁸ Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. ⁹ Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.

The bible is the book we must keep close to us, God’s word is full of advice and wisdom for us on our journey.

Ephesians 6:10-18 New International Version (NIV)

The Armor of God

¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.¹³ Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,¹⁵ and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.¹⁷ Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

¹⁸ And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

It is vital to use all the weapons that God has for us.

Keys:

The Word of God is something we must know, understand, learn, and use in our lives.

I would love to hear some experiences with using the Amour of God.

One key element to mention is Prayer.  It seems that many have at times not understood prayer or just have not taken the time to pray.

How has prayer impacted your life?

What do you consider intercessory Prayer?

How has this passage impacted your life?

 

 

It is very clear in God’s word to be thankful for everything God has given us.  God also has made it clear that He wants to know our problems, issues, requests, and so on.

What are you worrying about today?

 

What things do others have need of you know about?

 

Do you have friends who have issues they need to work on?

 

There are so many things to talk with God about

Pray that God would exalt his name in the world.

“Pray then like this: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.’” (Matthew 6:9)

Pray that God would extend his kingdom in the world.

“Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10)

Pray that the gospel would speed ahead and be honored.

Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you. (2 Thessalonians 3:1)

Pray for the fullness of the Holy Spirit.

“If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Luke 11:13; cf. Ephesians 3:19)

Pray that God would vindicate his people in their cause.

“And will not God vindicate his elect, who cry to him day and night?” (Luke 18:7 RSV)

Pray that God would save unbelievers.

Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. (Romans 10:1)

Pray that God would direct the use of the sword.

Take . . . the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. (Ephesians 6:17–18)

Pray for boldness in proclamation.

[Pray] at all times in the Spirit . . . and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel. (Ephesians 6:18–19)

“And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness.” (Acts 4:29)

Pray for signs and wonders.

“And now, Lord, . . . grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness . . . while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” (Acts 4:29–30)

Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit. (James 5:17–18)

Pray for the healing of wounded comrades.

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. (James 5:14–15)

Pray for the healing of unbelievers.

It happened that the father of Publius lay sick with fever and dysentery. And Paul visited him and prayed, and putting his hands on him healed him. (Acts 28:8)

Pray for the casting out of demons.

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

Pray for miraculous deliverances.

So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church. . . . When he realized [he had been freed], he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying. (Acts 12:5, 12)

About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, and suddenly there was a great earthquake. (Acts 16:25–26)

Pray for the raising of the dead.

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. (Acts 9:40)

Pray that God would supply his troops with necessities.

“Give us this day our daily bread.” (Matthew 6:11)

Pray for strategic wisdom.

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. (James 1:5)

Pray that God would establish leadership in the outposts.

And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed. (Acts 14:23)

Pray that God would send out reinforcements.

“Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” (Matthew 9:38)

While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off. (Acts 13:2–3)

Pray for the success of other missionaries.

I appeal to you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf, that I may be delivered from the unbelievers in Judea, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints. (Romans 15:30–31)

Pray for unity and harmony in the ranks.

“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” (John 17:20–21)

Pray for the encouragement of togetherness.

We pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith. (1 Thessalonians 3:10)

Pray for a mind of discernment.

And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ. (Philippians 1:9–10)

Pray for a knowledge of God’s will.

And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding. (Colossians 1:9)

Pray to know God better.

[We have not ceased to pray for you to be] increasing in the knowledge of God. (Colossians 1:10; cf. Ephesians 1:17)

Pray for power to comprehend the love of Christ.

I bow my knees before the Father . . . [that you] may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge. (Ephesians 3:14, 18–19)

Pray for a deeper sense of assured hope.

I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers . . . that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints. (Ephesians 1:16, 18)

Pray for strength and endurance.

[We have not ceased to pray for you to be] strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy. (Colossians 1:11; cf. Ephesians 3:16)

Pray for a deeper sense of God’s power within you.

I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers . . . that you may know . . . what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe. (Ephesians 1:16, 18–19)

Pray that your faith not be destroyed.

“I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” (Luke 22:32)

“But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.” (Luke 21:36)

Pray for greater faith.

Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24; cf. Ephesians 3:17)

Pray that you might not fall into temptation.

“Lead us not into temptation.” (Matthew 6:13)

“Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Matthew 26:41)

Pray that God would complete your good resolves.

To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power. (2 Thessalonians 1:11)

Pray that you would do good works.

[We have not ceased to pray for you that you would] walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work. (Colossians 1:10)

Pray for the forgiveness of your sins.

“Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” (Matthew 6:12)

Pray for protection from the evil one.

“Deliver us from evil.” (Matthew 6:13)

The quality of our lives is chosen every day by our actions and words.

How we speak to ourselves and others.

Ever habit we create or get rid of.

The value system we live by determines where we go and what we do.

The questions are what are they?

When is the last time we took a good look at our lives and examined these traits?

There is no better time than today.

 

 

Have you ever noticed that people can find the mistakes, problems, imperfections, and issues someone else has?

Have you ever noticed how we can find all the mistakes, issues, and so on in our own lives?

How does God see us?

I believe God calls us to find the Gold inside of others and in ourselves.

How does God see us?

Is it possible that God is purifying us and refining Gold in our lives?

  Buring up the chaff and the things left will be refined as pure Gold.

 

We do not need to become someone else.  We must be ourselves and become the wonderful person God wants and created us to be.  We are becoming like Christ.  Those who are willing and saved will grow.

How often do we find ourselves complaining?

I know for me this happens sometimes.  I am going about my day and something happens I find myself complaining about the weather, politics, or life. I even must say I complain to myself at times but the problem is all the negativity hurts me.

How often are we pessimistic?

how about worry?

These questions are all above and I hope that we can all think about how these impact our lives and what we can do the change them.  I know we cannot be perfect but making small progress is greater than no progress.  Many times the small progress and steps we make have the largest impacts.

I believe most of these will have an impact on our lives so let us try to become the greatest person we can be with these tools of life.

Prayer the most forgotten weapon, but most Powerful one.

Praying for our leaders, our countries, friends, neighbors, and enemies are important. We as Christians are told to pray to all of these in the scriptures.

What does it mean to Pray for them?

How do I pray for them?

When and how often should I pray for them?

We are to pray for wisdom, protection, peace, blessings, and even more.

What would you pray for?

Should we pray for the destruction of our enemies?

What example does God give us?

Exodus 34:9

He said, “If now I have found favor in Your sight, O Lord, I pray, let the Lord go along in our midst, even though the people are so obstinate, and pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us as Your own possession.”

Job 42:10

The LORD restored the fortunes of Job when he prayed for his friends, and the LORD increased all that Job had twofold.

Romans 8:34

who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.

Isaiah 53:12

Therefore, I will allot Him a portion with the great, And He will divide the booty with the strong; Because He poured out Himself to death, And was numbered with the transgressors; Yet He Himself bore the sin of many, And interceded for the transgressors.

Hebrews 7:25

Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.

1 John 2:1

My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous;

Romans 8:26-27

In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

Matthew 5:44

“But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

Luke 6:28

bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.

Luke 23:34

But Jesus was saying, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing ” And they cast lots, dividing up His garments among themselves.

Then falling on his knees, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them!” Having said this, he fell asleep.

Ephesians 6:18

With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,

1 Thessalonians 5:25

Verse Concepts

Brethren, pray for us.

Hebrews 13:18-19

Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a good conscience, desiring to conduct ourselves honorably in all things. And I urge you all the more to do this, so that I may be restored to you the sooner.

James 5:14-16

Is anyone among you sick? Then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him. Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.

1 John 5:16

If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask and God will for him give life to those who commit sin not leading to death There is a sin leading to death; I do not say that he should make request for this.

1 Timothy 2:1-2

First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.

 

 

 

 

 

The power of dreaming Big with Purpose:

The power of dreaming big with a purpose is important in a business or life.  Faith is the part of dreaming with a purpose we have not discussed.  faith is, “firm belief in something for which there is no proof” (Webster).

When we put our dream, purpose, faith, and action together we see things happen. Results that seem out of reach or impossible to us can happen. The power of dreaming big allows us to stretch beyond our situation allowing our entire team to reach another level.  We cannot go beyond what our faith and dreams will allow.  We are creatures of habit that is why dreaming big is a key.

What is the dream or the purpose of your life?

What opportunities do you need to explore in your life?

 

10. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not onto your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your path.” 1 Corinthians 15:10

Never Give up God is with you.

Stand firm and be strong the struggle will make you stronger.

Our children are like sponges soaking up the environment around them.  It is vital that we realize the impact we have on our children.  The children around us also are impacted by our behaviors.

Children are like mirror images of ourselves.  I have seen over the course of my life so many families who complain about kids.  When I got a chance to see the parents and their interactions with their children I began to see a pattern. They really pick up the little things we do not even realize we do.

Habits and the little things that we do not even notice that can be seen good or bad. Create habit in our kids. I understand this is not 100 percent true all the time but as a general rule, this is correct.

What example are we to children we impact or come into contact with?

What can we do to help our kids see the right examples?

Our world is full of influence, the greatest, the loudest they have will impact them the most.

So what is it?

Video games, TV Shows, Friends, Family, or what?

Just some food for thought and please give your opinion.