Tag Archives: Leadership

Psalm 37:4 Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.

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Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Psalm 37:4

When I was in high school, in Wauconda, Illinois, there was a boy named Carl Shook in my class who had some type of debilitating disease that left him crippled. It also effected his ability to speak. Being the mush for brains high schoolers that we were, we loved to tease Carl about his body, his speech, and anything else we could think of. Carl was an easy target. In October, a month before elections would be held for Student Council government, I got the brilliant idea that it would be hilarious if I talked Carl into running for Class President. What a great joke on Carl, and on the Student Council system, if a cripple who had trouble speaking, were to run. Of course he could never win, but at least he’d campaign and the thought of Carl campaigning struck me as funny.

Carl, who’s mind was not effected by his disease, and who was actually very intelligent, loved the idea of running for office. So I became his campaign manager and we filled out the proper paper work to get him on the ballot.

As I spent time with Carl I got to know him better and better. And as I got to know him, as I recruited others to help in his campaign, as I designed and created Carl’s campaign posters, something interesting began to happen. Carl’s desire, not just to run, but to win and serve as Class President, became my desire also.

God’s hand was on that election, because, amazingly, Carl won! And after he was in office he took the job seriously. Carl Shook turned out to be one of the best Class Presidents Wauconda High School ever had.

When you spend time in close fellowship with God, when you delight yourself in Him, you begin a cycle of prayer that results in Him giving you the desires of your heart.

Why? Because as you spend time with someone you become more like them, you begin to share the same feelings, the same thoughts, the same desires.

As you spend time in fellowship with God, the desires of your heart become the same as the desires of God’s heart!

You get to the point where there’s nothing you want more than the same things that God wants for you.

Do you want your prayers answered? Spend time with Jesus.

  • Go to church
  • Read God’s word
  • Pray
  • Hang out with Christians
  • Worship Him, sing praise songs and hymns to Him
  • Take communion
  • Meditate on His word
  • Serve Him
  • Invest your life in Him

Hang with Jesus and watch what happens — “He will give you the desires of your heart.” (Psalm 37:4) For where you invest yourself is where your heart will be found. Jesus tells us:

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Matthew 6:21

Invest yourself in Him.



References

Bible Gateway

Chuck Smith, Living Water, p.84-85, Word for Today, 2007

Those Who Never Saw the Light of Day

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This man, who’s mother decided not to abort against the advice of her doctors, is Andrea Bocelli, an Italian tenor who has sold more than 70,000,000 copies of his albums. He is the greatest selling classical music artist of all time. He was voted one of People magazine’s 50 most beautiful people and has his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

How many great men and women has God sent into the world, who never saw the light of day, because a different decision was made? Men and women, who would have been even greater than Bocelli perhaps. Men and women who would have discovered the cure for cancer perhaps. Men and women who God sent to this world to bless us.

Choose life.

your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be.

Psalm 139:16

To see one of Bocelli’s most popular performances, view the video below.

References:

Wiki on Bocelli

BibleGateway.com

Congregate!

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The latest results of a study from the University of Michigan revealed that college students have a 40% lower capacity to empathize with the feelings of others, as compared to college students 20 and 30 years ago. 14,000 college students participated in the study from 1979 to 2009. (Read more at US News & World Report)

Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire;he breaks out against all sound judgment.

Proverbs 18:1 (ESV)

Isolation destroys us. Isolation is associated with depression, suicide, poor mental health, and addiction. Isolation from the body of Christ destroys us spiritually. Could it be that the corresponding decline in church attendance in the U.S. is the cause of the reduced capacity to empathize with others?

God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son to die for us. (John 3:16) When that reality becomes a part of me, a part of you, a part of us, we rejoice at the opportunity to go to church. To fellowship with God over at His house becomes something we love to do. And spending time with Him, we become more like Him.

And He empathizes. He loves people.

He loves you.

Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Hebrews 10:25

Go to church.

Goldman Sachs Ripoff — Reformation vs. Regeneration

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Goldman Sachs Protest

Perhaps you’ve been wondering what all the buzz is about concerning Goldman Sachs. I recently heard it explained this way: Goldman Sachs put together investment packages, sold them to customers as a wise and promising way to spend their money, and then, Goldman Sachs invested in a way that “bet against” the success of those very same investment packages — because they knew they would fail. (read more in the Washington Post article)

It’s human nature to think that reformation can change a person, an organization, a country, or the world. We think, if only we could reform the government, or get our man or woman into office. If only we could reform the financial system with more regulation, or by appointing the right Fed Chairman. If only we could reform ourselves, turn over a new leaf, make resolutions and stick to them. In reality, reformation never changes much, regeneration is the answer. Not that Wall Street can ever  be perfect this side of heaven, but, without Christ in the hearts of the men running Wall Street, there’s no hope for Wall Street. Regeneration through the acceptance of Christ into your life is the answer. (see John 3:1-7) Without Christ in your life reformation will bring only temporary or superficial change. Without Christ in your life you’re likely to return to a state worse than you were before reformation. (see Luke 11:24-26) Without Christ in your life there is no hope because without Jesus you can do nothing. (see John 15:5)

…he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit

Titus 3:5

Pray for regeneration. Pray for the Holy Spirit, daily. Pray for Christ to fill up your life with Himself.

For more information see John Courson’s teaching from Sunday, April 25, 2010 at JonCourson.com .

Baby Survives Abortion

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Baby born at 21 1/2 weeks

A baby boy survived an abortion.

Twenty hours after he was aborted a priest who was praying over the child noticed that he was still alive. The priest notified medical authorities who rushed the baby to a neonatal unit.

Life saving measures were not successful. The baby, who was born on Saturday, died on Monday.

The incident occurred in Rossano, Italy. The abortion occurred at 22 weeks.

Look at the photograph of a different baby born after 21 1/2 weeks, a 1/2 week younger than the baby who survived the abortion, and tell me that this is not insanity. Like the ostrich with its head in the sand, the pro abortion mind goes through the necessary mental gymnastics, and rationalizes that if the baby is not visible the baby is not a baby, but rather a fetus, and the killing is not killing, but rather it’s aborting.

God have mercy on us.

“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.”

Proverbs 31:8

References:

Baby Boy Survives Abortion

Tornado Kills 10 in Mississippi — Acts of God

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A monster tornado that was nearly a mile wide ripped through Mississippi killing 10 and injuring more than a dozen more. Homes, businesses, trees, and churches were devastated by the storm that struck to the Northwest of the city of Jackson. (Read more about it in an AP article)

It’s interesting to me that these types of incidents are often called “acts of God.” Not that God couldn’t use a tornado for His purposes if He chose to but…

When the disciples and Jesus were making their way across the sea and a storm broke, they awoke Jesus because they were frightened. The Bible says that Jesus,  “…arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still.” (Mark 4:39) Why would Jesus, the Son of God, rebuke anything that was an act of God? It doesn’t make sense. (see Matthew 12:25) The word Jesus used to rebuke the storm, “be still,” is translated in the Greek to literally mean “be muzzled.” It is the same word that Jesus used to rebuke demons. The storm was initiated, not by God, but by Satan. When storms come our way it’s important to keep in mind that Satan is the prince of this world. (John 12:31)

During storms, it’s also essential to remember the words of Jesus,

In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.

John 16:33

For more information visit JonCourson.com and ApplegateFellowship.org

Cat Found — Video

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Last summer Robin Alex left town to do some volunteer work for Habitat for Humanity. Alex made arrangements with a cat-sitting friend to take care of her cat, Charles, until she returned. Both Robin Alex and her friend live in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Unfortunately while Robin was gone, Charles the cat disappeared.

As the days, weeks, and months passed, Robin Alex gave up any hope of finding Charles. But then last week she received some good news. Charles the cat was found.

In Chicago.

Charles was on death row, 1300 miles from home in a Chicago animal shelter, when a worker there noticed that Charles had a computer chip implanted under his skin identifying him as belonging to Robin Alex. Robin Alex was contacted and arrangements were made to fly Charles the cat back home to Albuquerque.

Wow, now that gives new meaning to the term ‘stray cat.’

Have you drifted away from your relationship with Jesus? Have you prioritized your time and energy toward other things in life to the neglect of your walk with the Lord? Even as Robin and her cat were reunited, you’ll be reunited with God, no matter how far you may stray. It’s just a matter of time before He makes arrangements for your reunification and reconciliation with Him.

Why fight Him? Return to you first love. Plug into church. Spend time in God’s word. Pray. Reconcile. He desires that you draw close to Him. He desires to draw close to you.

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:38, 39

Teens Find Dead Body During Easter Egg Hunt

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In Des Moines, Iowa, a couple of teenagers were participating in an Easter egg hunt in Des Moines park. In their quest for eggs they wandered off a bit from the main group and found something they didn’t expect — a dead body. (see KCCI Des Moines for more)

On the original Easter Jesus’ followers were also surprised but for a different reason. They came expecting a dead body but found none.

Jesus has risen.

Praise God.

After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.

There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.

The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”

So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”

Matthew 28:1-10

The Kitchen’s on Fire — How God prepares us

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So my son, Gabe, is sitting peacefully on his couch a few nights ago when his wife bursts into the room and hollers something to the effect of, “Honey, the kitchen’s on fire!” He jumps off the couch and runs out to the kitchen to find that a pot of cooking oil is on fire. No problem, he just checked his fire extinguisher less than two months ago — he knows right where it is and that it’s charged and ready to go. So he runs past the stove to the room with the extinguisher.

It only takes a few seconds to grab it but by now the fire is climbing up the wall behind the stove. No problem, Gabe, extinguisher in hand, pulls the pin, aims at the base of the fire, squeezes the handle, and…

Nothing.

Oh the little challenges life throws at us… Here’s Gabe in his 100 year old house (no exaggeration, it really is 100 years old) that’s on fire, with a fire extinguisher in his hand that’s of no use, except perhaps as a boat anchor. As anyone in the fire service knows, 100 year old houses are tinder dry and burn like a pile of kindling. So by now the fire has climbed up the wall and is already starting to roll across the ceiling. Gabe grabs a cutting board and tries to cover the pan with it but it’s too hot. He can’t get close enough to the pot. He presses forward but suffers first degree burns to his forehead and hand in his attempt.

Plan ‘A’ no go, plan ‘B’ not working, hopefully Gabe can put this fire out before he runs out of letters in the alphabet.

He runs out the back door where the garden hose is, quickly he turns on the spigot, runs back into the house and instantly recalls something. As I listened to Gabe tell the story I’m thinking, “Something he learned from his firefighter father perhaps?” But no, of course not. Rather he recalled something he’d recently seen on TV. Some dramatic film footage of what happens when water hits burning cooking oil. It looks something like a miniature atomic explosion.

So very carefully, Gabe aims the garden hose stream at the wall and ceiling, avoiding flowing any water into the pot of burning oil. As the fire on the wall and ceiling are knocked down he’s able to get closer to the stove top. With the garden hose in one hand, and the cutting board in the other, Gabe covers the pot of burning oil with the cutting board.

Fire’s out, game over, house saved, thanks to God’s grace, and Gabe’s quick thinking and cool head.

I find it interesting that Gabe happened to see that film footage of what happens when water hits burning oil just a few weeks before he needed that bit of wisdom. God has a way of preparing us for the future He’s laid out for us.

Next time you’re enduring a trial or tribulation take heart. God is more concerned with your eternal condition than he is with your current comfort. He loves us enough to prepare us for what is to come. Consider how God prepared David for his battle with Goliath.

Before David slew Goliath king Saul said,

“You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a boy, and he has been a fighting man from his youth.”

But David said to Saul, “Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God.

1 Samuel 17:33-36

Applegate Christian Fellowship

Northern Iowa U Perseveres — Video

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Before Thursday the Northern Iowa University’s mens basketball team hadn’t won a game in the NCAA tournament since 1990.

Their starting center, the first 7 footer to ever play for Northern Iowa, averaged a mere 3.6 points and 2.1 rebounds his freshman year. His sophomore year he missed games because of a bulging disc in his lower back. At that point in his career fans had to wonder if he might be a bust.

But that 7 footer, Jordan Eglseder, and the Northern Iowa basketball team persevered.

Today Jordan Eglseder is Northern Iowa’s leading scorer. And today, Northern Iowa’s team pulled off an amazing upset to defeat overall number 1 seed Kansas.

Check out the great highlight video below

For twenty years the University of Northern Iowa’s basketball team has been trying to win a game in the NCAA tournament. Today they won their second NCAA tournament game in three days.

Perseverance is a huge part of the Christian faith. In Matthew 7:7 Jesus says, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” According to Bruce Winston in his book, Be a Leader for God’s Sake, the Greek words for ask, seek, and knock “imply a continual state of activity. These words could actually read:

Ask and keep on asking

Seek and keep on seeking

Knock and keep on knocking”

(Winston, p128)

It’s essential for us, as Christians, to persevere in prayer,

For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

Jesus said in Matthew 7:8

Consider the following excerpt from Traveler and the Chaplain:

“How is asking for the Holy Spirit going to increase my level of enthusiasm?” Traveler asked.
“The Bible says that when the Philistines came against Samson…”
…the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him, and the cords that were upon his arms became as flax that was burnt with fire, and his bands loosed from off his hands. (Judges 15:14 KJV)
Through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit Samson then went on to defeat 1,000 of the enemy by himself!  When you receive the empowerment of the Holy Spirit your passion increases, among other things.  You said that you wanted more enthusiasm?”
“Yes.”
“Interesting word.  We get our word enthusiasm from the Greek word en-theos which means full of God’s spirit.” (Jon Courson lecture, 3/12/2008)
“Hmm,” Traveler said.  He was beginning to understand.  “So how do I get it, or Him?  The Holy Spirit?”
“You ask God,” the Chaplain replied.
“I just ask God?”
“Jesus said,
‘If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!’” (Luke 11:13)
“So, pray,” the Chaplain said.  “Just ask God.  Ask Him for the Holy Spirit, every day.”