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The rain is coming…

August 16, 2011 by Jill Hughes Leave a Comment

Last week I was at work and I walked out of the break room which is in the interior part of the building.  As I walked out I took a deep breath realizing there was a familiar aroma in the air.  Rain… Unbeknownst to myself and my coworkers, it had begun to pour rain outside, but with the structure of our building we have limited view of the outside world.  Yet, even inside this huge building with all the windows closed the unmistakable smell of rain filled the air     and we all began migrating to the windows to see what was happening outside.

Over the last few months, there has been an aroma in the air that is familiar and refreshing to my spirit.  It is promising the arrival of something we’ve longed for and needed for years.  There is a thirst in the land for an outpouring of the presence of God in the earth…Heaven on Earth, and as we His people humble ourselves and pray, seek His face, and turn from those things that separate us from Him, He is hearing from heaven and the healing rain is coming.

Do you smell it?

Filed Under: Christianity 101, Discussions, Worship 101 Tagged With: christianity, encouragement, Hope

I will not forget…

March 29, 2011 by Joey Hughes 2 Comments

I’ve heard this phrase said many times and in reference to many different situations. I’ve heard people use it in reference to the remembrance of soldiers who were lost in war, or in reference to some major catastrophe, or in reference to a loved one who has been lost.

The Psalmist, David used it when he came upon a time in his life when he faced one of his greatest foes; Goliath, the Philistine. 1 Samuel 17:34-37 tells of the conversation between David and His King; Saul:

31 Now when the words which David spoke were heard, they reported them to Saul; and he sent for him. 32 Then David said to Saul, “Let no man’s heart fail because of him; your servant will go and fight with this Philistine.”33 And Saul said to David, “You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for you are a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.”

34 But David said to Saul, “Your servant used to keep his father’s sheep, and when a lion or a bear came and took a lamb out of the flock, 35 I went out after it and struck it, and delivered the lambfrom its mouth; and when it arose against me, I caught it by its beard, and struck and killed it. 36 Your servant has killed both lion and bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God.” 37 Moreover David said, “The Lord, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you!”

I wonder if David said to himself, on the day that lion came to kill one of his father’s sheep; “You know, I need to remember this day, because one day, I’m probably going to have to use my experience here to help me kill a big ol’ giant!” I wonder if, when that bear came into the sheep fold, he said; “I’m going to take note on this but-kickin’ that is about to take place so I’ll know how to bring down a giant!” Of course he didn’t! We know better.

So what is the lesson here?

Sometimes we get so wrapped up in the mundane, normalcy of every day life that we forget that God is with us in every situation we find ourselves in. David recognized this in his life. He understood the principle of Proverbs 3:5-6  “ Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.”

When we take time each day to acknowledge the Lord’s leadership in our lives, we begin to understand that there is no frame of the movie of our lives where he cannot be found. This brings us to the realization Paul had when he wrote Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” It also gives us the confidence that David had when he saw Goliath taunting the army of God.

Then we can say with all the backing of heaven: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!”

My prayer for you today is that you will look into the eyes of whatever giant you face at this moment and say “I remember when my God did ________________ in my life, and you will be no different, because I can do all things through His strength!”

Be Blessed today!!

Filed Under: Christianity 101, Leadership 101 Tagged With: Better Life, character, christianity, David and Goliath, encouragement, Hope, Leadership

I made this for you. Please enjoy…

February 16, 2011 by Joey Hughes Leave a Comment

My wife and I love to watch the show “Top Chef” every chance we get.

I love to watch the cooks prepare their dishes and present them to the judges. They labor and toil. Sometimes things turn out right. Sometimes they don’t turn out so good. Sometimes the flavors are “spot-on” and sometimes they leave a little to be desired. But they always say this phrase after they give the description of their dish…

“Please, enjoy.”

I had a conversation with a friend today and she was, to say the least, a little frazzled and frustrated. She has not had the best of weeks so far. I tried to encourage her by saying “Hey, just take a deep breath and try to enjoy your day.” (Those of you who know me know that is one of my favorite phrases.)

I thought as walked away from our conversation “God must be a lot like one of those  Top Chef contestants.” He creates beauty all around us. He puts the events of our lives together as a chef would a wonderfully, flavorful, five course meal. He knows that some of what we face will not be pleasant. He knows that some of the events of our lives will taste of pain, suffering, betrayal, loneliness and disappointment. He knows that there will be times of great joy and times of great sadness. Yet, He says to us “This is what I have created especially for you. Please, enjoy.”

Jesus said it well in John 16, verse 33: “These things I have spoken to you that, in me, you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble, but take  heart, I have overcome the world.”

And even Paul knew what it meant to  have peace in times of struggle. He said in Romans 8, verse 28 “For we know that all things work together for good to those who love Him and are the called according to his purpose.”

Are you enjoying what God has prepared for you today?

Be blessed!

Filed Under: Christianity 101 Tagged With: Better Life, christianity, encouragement, Hope, Top Chef

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