As we look forward to a new year, it is a good time to make a goal to read through the Bible in 2010. 

To help encourage you in your goal, we just uploaded a new podcast at growthhelps.com that discusses Bible Reading plans.  Check it out here.

You can also print a variety of Bible Reading Plans Here.

“I may not be able to change the world I see around me, but I can change the way I see the world within me.”

-John Maxwell, Developing The Leader Within You–

Have you ever taken time to look inside of your heart?  I am not talking about an Arteriogram or MRI here, but a soul evaluation.  Heart searching is a painful procedure but it is necessary for spiritual development.

Proverbs 4:23 says, "Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it springs the issues of life."

It is the responsibility of each person to keep track of what is within his heart and clean it out accordingly.  You see, I am not responsible to come over and clean your house. (I don’t like housework anyway)  It is your job to clean your own home.  Sometimes we are better judging someone else’s heart or trying to clean someone else up.

The wise man here in Proverbs said it is YOUR heart you must keep.  Cleaning spiritual house is a necessity.  As believers we often tend to allow our heart to fill up with some small things that eventually grow into big things.  It is kind of like a house that needs to be dusted.  Sometimes you don’t notice the dust until the light comes on.

Turn the light on in your life and look at what kind of dust build up you have.  It may be the way you talk, the way you act.  It could even be the things you watch on TV or the things you listen to.  Perhaps it is your temper that causes you to stumble at times.  It may be something that you are not aware of except for a heart searching.

Many times I have allowed things to creep into my life that I didn’t realize until I did a good heart searching.  The Holy Spirit revealed these things within my life so that I might root them out.  There have been times He has revealed to me some bitterness that I was hanging on to.  Out of your heart springs the issues of life.  What comes out of your heart is either good or bad issues.

We shouldn’t go into issues should we?  We all have some ISSUES!  The only way to deal with bad issues is to search our heart.  The good issues come by allowing God to root out the bad and replacing it with the good.  The greatest thing about seeing your heart the way God sees it is that God is working some marvelous things in your life.  He doesn’t reveal it to you to condemn you but rather to mature you.

Our God is making a bride that is prepared for Him.  A Bride that is blameless and pure.  Allow Him to clean you up.  You clean your spiritual house as the Holy Spirit reveals the dust.

Let me pose to you some questions to ponder this week of thanksgiving:

What if God began to treat us like we so often treat Him?

What if God began to treat us like we so often treat Him?

What if God met our needs to the same extent that we give Him our lives?

What if we never saw another flower bloom because we grumbled when God sent the rain?

What if God stopped loving & caring for us because we failed to love & care for others?

What if God took away His message because we wouldn’t listen to His messenger?

What if He wouldn’t bless us today because we didn’t thank Him yesterday?

What if God answered our prayers the way we answer His call for service?

What if God decided to stop leading us tomorrow because we did not follow Him today?

Thank God that He doesn’t treat us the way we deserve…thank God for Him mercy and grace.  This thanksgiving let’s take on a new attitude and be thankful in all things.

I Thessalonians 5:18, “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

I have not been a loyal customer for long at Chic-Fil-A, because after all a chicken sandwich is a chicken sandwich.  I do, however, find myself frequenting Chic-Fil-A alot more lately.  Sure their waffle fries are second to none, not to mention they have great iced tea.  But the reason I keep going back is because of their service.  That’s right, service. 

I am impressed every time I go.  The employees are friendly and helpful, which in fast food is not always the case.  Employees at Chic-Fil-A are armed with a smile and a genuine willingness to help.  The food is always hot.  The store is always clean.  The business is run with precision with little room for error.

But my main reasons for going to Chick-Fil-A are:

1.  They wait on your table and refill your drinks without expecting tips.

2.  The manager walks around to make sure everything is okay.

3.  When you order and tell them thanks, they always respond, “My pleasure!”

4.  They greet you when you come in the door and tell you thanks when you leave.

Last time, I was at Chic-Fil-A, I thought about how the church could learn from them.  The church is in fact in the customer business.  We are  here to serve others and we could learn alot of lessons from a customer service genius.  When we have guests or even faithful attenders, we should always aim to serve others with a smile.  The church should be the happiest place on earth.  When we serve in ministry, we should do it with a smile on.  From those who sing and worship  on the platform, to the Sunday School teacher.  Serve with joy!

We should welcome all who walk through our doors and, if they are new, show them around.  Help them find a seat or answer any questions that they may have.  If they are seated by themselves, sit near them so they do not feel alone. 

As far as excellence in service, we should make sure that all we do is done with excellence. 

I thought I would share this again.  Happy Thanksgiving to all!

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Dear Lord, for your blessings I am truly thankful
Even though, when I don’t get what I want, I tend to grumble

You give me guidance, favor and unlimited grace
But I always complain when things don’t go my way

I’m in awe of the lovely flowers that bloom in spring
But I really get upset when you send us the rain

I’m thankful for such a gracious and lovely wife
But I take her for granted because she’s stuck with me for life

Oh, I can’t forget my incredible kids that you gave to me
But Lord, couldn’t you at least have given them a little less energy

I know the tendency that I’m sure all of us have
To thank you for the things we like and not for the bad

We want our lives to be perfect, without any pain
All peaches and cream, everything going our way

But God, let me now put all joking aside
Help me not be selfish and help me lay down my life

To understand that the world doesn’t revolve around me
I’m thankful for you and my wonderful family

For the blessings you have so generously bestowed
And for the children that you have given me to mold

And, one more thing, Lord, the next time I want to complain
Remind me of Jesus, who endured suffering for my gain

-Danny Cheney

I just uploaded some great videos to growthhelps.com.  These videos were produced by the Assemblies of God headquarters and they highlight our four core doctrines. Salvation, Divine Healing, Baptism in the Holy Spirit, The Return of Christ.

These videos are quality introductory teachings on these subjects.  Check them out here.

Since I have been suffering with the flu this weekend, I have been quarantined in the back bedroom.  Last night, as Hannah was going to bed, she came and stood in the doorway, clasped her hands and bowed her head.  She said, “I am going to pray.”  She proceeded to pray for me, with her eyes open, these words, “God heal his body. God touch him. Amen!” 

There is nothing more sincere than a child’s prayer.  Short, to the point, no fancy words, just prayer.  It touched my heart to hear Hannah pray.  It is a reminder that children pick up things that we do.  When people are sick, we believe in prayer.  She has seen me pray for others.  Hannah has listened to me pray for her.  Children learn from the action of others.  Train up a child in the way they should go and when they are old, they will not depart from it.