Tag Archives: God

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Target Fixation

 

 

“Target fixation is an attentional phenomenon observed in humans in which an individual becomes so focused on an observed object that their awareness of hazards or obstacles diminishes. The phenomenon is most commonly associated with scenarios in which the observer is in control of a high-speed vehicle or other mode of transportation. In such cases, the observer may fixate so intently on the target that they will not take necessary action to avoid it, thus colliding with it.” (Wikipedia)

A friend of mine said it this way, “I was on my bike and going around a curve, there was a big rock cliff in front of me, I saw it at got target fixation. I was supposed to look around the curve, but because I was fixated on the rock…you guessed it, I crashed.”

Target fixation is dangerous to motorcyclists, race car drivers, and to Christians.

What are you fixated on? Are you so fixated on the problem, that you drive into it head on? Or are you fixated on God, on Heaven, so that you meet Him head on?

It’s a choice really. I used to worry so much! I even worried about being worried too much. It’s an insane way to live. Anxiety will kill you. It was killing me and I was born again, spirit filled, believer. What choices did I make that caused this cycle of self abuse? I chose to fixate on my problems, my fears, and even the irrational stuff that probably never would have happened in a million years. If I had a choice of bad or good news, I hung onto the bad. Was there a lump, though I never spoke it out loud, my heart would cry “CANCER” before the doctor ever said, “let’s send of a biopsy.” Going on vacation? I expected frequent trips to nasty rest stops and waysides, due to a stomach issue. So what did I get, frequent trips to nasty rest stops and waysides, due to constant worry and anxiety that caused that stomach issue!

I am much smarter now…until I start to worry again. Thankfully I am more sensitive to the Holy Spirit that reminds me of Who I should be fixating on! Even though it helps us so much to keep our focus on Him, and we know that everything else tends to face in the light of His glory, the most important reason to give Him all of our attention is that He deserves it! He is so wonderful, so gracious, so generous, so LOVING, why would we ever take our eyes off of Him? But we do.

Next time you find yourself fixating on the problem, remind yourself of “Target Fixation” and get your focus back in alignment!

“A life committed to Christ had nothing to lose, nothing to fear, and nothing to regret.” Pastor Isaac Litke

Hebrews 12:2 (NASB), “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

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Make a Difference: Ways You Can Help

somebody[1]

Yesterday I wrote about making a difference in someone’s life. After giving it some thought I realized that it can sometimes be hard to know how or what to do. So today I am giving you some ideas, websites, and some encouragement. First and foremost, if you want God to continue to bless you and to give you seed to sow, you need to be giving God His 10% and that does not go to a charity. It goes to your local church, the one you attend on a regular basis. Next, you should be regularly supporting that same church in any outreaches and missions.
Charities that I support or have supported (Please do your research! Some “charities” give more to their administrators than to the people they are supposed to be helping)

Samaritans’ Purse

Feed the Children

If you are crafty, can knit or crochet:
Hats for the homeless

Knit a Square

Send a card, package, or a letter to a serviceman or woman:
Any Soldier

Help a wounded soldier:
Wounded Warrior Project

Another opportunity if you can either knit or crochet is to make hats for newborns and donate to hospitals, or for adults and donate to nursing homes.

Here are some places to volunteer your time:
• Nursing home or hospitals-rock babies, push wheelchairs outside, visit or play board games with the patients.
• Daycares or schools- read with those learning to read students, help study, lunchroom supervision, playground supervision, decorating classrooms.
• Local food pantries- give out food, pick up food, load boxed, unload boxes.
• Abuse shelters
• Homeless shelters
• Soup kitchens
• Big Brothers or Big Sisters
• Sew clothes for the poor (there are several organizations who take donations, including “Little Dresses for Africa”
• Make Christmas shoeboxes (Part of Samaritan’s Purse “Operation Shoe Box”)

One on one:
• Offer to babysit for neighbors or young parents at your church (free of charge).
• Make a meal for a shut in, or new mothers, or anyone who is unable to cook for themselves, or for your busy Pastors and/or Church staff.
• Invite someone that doesn’t have a family to dinner.
• If you are a handyperson, offer to help with home repair.
• If you are mechanically inclined, offer your services to single moms, elderly, or widows.
• Volunteer in your Church’s nursery or youth program (if you don’t want to teach, make a snack, or decorate the rooms, do craft time).
• Volunteer to clean your Church, or to do the same for the elderly, or those new moms.
• Send out birthday cards to those without family.
• Take someone else’s children school shopping if they are low on funds.
• Bring a box of groceries to a needy family, or mail them a gas card.
• Find a missionary and support them financially, or donate goods to help their outreach (again, do your research!) If they only travel part time, offer to mow their yard, or water their plants while they are away.
• Take your Pastor’s out to lunch.
• Donate funds to your local Christian schools. They do not get government funding and still have to pay for staffing, heat, and supplies. (Here is the one I used to teach at, my daughter graduated from this wonderful school, New Testament Church Christian Academy P.O. Box 90 Merrill, Wisconsin, 54452. Your gifts here are tax deductible.)

Ok, I think you are getting the picture. The point is to invest yourself into someone other than yourself, or your own family, whether it is some “one shot” deals or ongoing commitments. Most Charities want you to commit to monthly giving, but I never do that. I send what I can, when I can, or when God lays it on my heart. Be led by His Spirit in your giving and you’ll never go wrong. Some of your giving is tax deductible, some is not, but don’t ever let that be your motivation in giving. Our motivation should always be the same thing that motivated Jesus, love.

Without any reservations, I will include our Church and our Ministry here.
What we do:
NTC Ministries is a relationship based Apostolic Network of ministers, churches and ministries Advancing the Kingdom of God across the globe. We are actively seeking to develop positive, cooperative, mutually beneficial relationships with ministers, churches and ministries. We facilitate connections and bring mutual support between ministries regionally, nationally and internationally. Those who God adds to our network become Partners working together with us in cooperation not competition to advance the Kingdom of God on earth. You have an opportunity to make an impact around the world.

By our collective efforts NTC Ministries has had a global impact with churches, ministries, Bible colleges, schools, orphanages, radio, television and outreach programs in Australia, Burkina Faso, Congo, Denmark, Egypt, England, Finland, France, Germany, Haiti, Jamaica, Kenya, Mexico, Netherlands, Nigeria, Panama, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Scotland, Sweden, Switzerland, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, United States, Vietnam and Wales.

• Planting Churches •Providing Apostolic Oversight• Prophetically Bringing Support to Your Ministry Goals. • Providing Biblical Counsel to those in Five-Fold Ministry • Leadership Development & Biblical Church Government • Planting Bible Colleges and Schools of Ministry

• NTC Bible College • National & Regional Meetings • Licensing and Ordination for qualified ministers • Providing inclusion in our 501c3 group exemption for churches and ministries • NTC Resource Center • Opportunities to Develop Your Broadcast Ministry • Missions Impact Opportunities

Who we are:
Founded by Apostle Dr. William and Pastor Pam Hohman in 1986, New Testament Church boldly proclaims a faith and grace based message of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The church’s ministries and outreaches include Christian day care, 3 and 4 year old pre-school, a K-12 Christian academy, a Bible college, a Christian radio station, and “His Hands Extended” food pantry. NTC Ministries supports missionary works in over thirty countries, including a Christian television station in the Philippines as well as works in a number of countries in Asia and Africa; these include orphanages, medical clinics, schools, colleges, and other missionary work. If you would like more information on NTC Ministries you can contact us at N2519 Hwy K, P.O. Box 90 Merrill, WI 54452. (715) 536-8554

Or follow one of these links:
Website

Facebook page

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What Are You Thoughts?

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Our minds and our imaginations were given to us by God for a purpose. They are a wonderful and beautiful creation that God meant for us to use to glorify Him, see out future, and to overcome the enemy. It is up to us how we are using this God given tool. Are you glorifying Him, or your problems? Are you entertaining the thoughts of God, or the lies of the enemy? Is your imagination seeing great things in store, or doom and gloom? It’s time we take control of our minds.

II Corinthians 10:5 (KJV), “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;”

Are you going to change your perspective? We can either look at things the way the world does, or we can look at things from the perspective of a new creation.

Here is some help in changing your perspective. Compiled by Pastor Paul Hohman, New Testament Church, Merrill, Wisconsin. (Used with permission).

Worldly Prospective Versus New Creation Prospective
1. “Nobody love me” or John 3:16 (NKJV), For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
2. “I’m weak, I can’t go on” or, 2 Corinthians 13:9 (NKJV), And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
3. “I’m not smart enough” or, 1 Corinthians 1:30 (NKJV), But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God-and righteousness and sanctification and redemption.
4. “I can’t figure things out” or, Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV), 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.
5. “It’s just not worth it” or, Romans 8:25,28 (NKJV), But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance. 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.
6. “I’m not able” or, 2 Corinthians 9:8 (NKJV), And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.
7. “I can’t do it” or, Philippians 4:13 (NKJV), I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
8. “I can’t manage. Life’s too overwhelming” or, Philippians 4:19 (NKJV), And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches and glory by Christ Jesus.
9. “I’m afraid” or, 2 Timothy1:7 (NKJV), For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
10. “I don’t have enough faith” or, Romans 13:3 (KJV), Fr I say, through the grace given unto me to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
11. “I am always worried and I get frustrated easily” or, 1 Peter 5:7 (TLB), Let Him have all your worries and cares, for He is always thinking about you and watching everything that concerns you.
12. “I just feel all alone” or, Hebrews 13:5b (NKJV), For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
13. “It’s just impossible for me” or, Luke 18:27 (NIV), Jesus replied, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.”

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Springtime Prayer

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Father,
When I see the new growth of spring, the buds on the trees, the bright yellow daffodils, I remember You are faithful. After a long winter of snow and cold, the vibrant colors of spring renew my heart. I wake I the morning to the sound of birdsong, and go to sleep to the sound of spring rain or gentle breezes. In the same way, Your word refreshes me, and comforts me. Spring brings hope of summer. Your love brings hope of Heaven. Thank You for new birth and re-birth. Thank You for Your unfailing love, for promises of flowers, growing things, and a great future.

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We the People

Constitution[1]

“When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation. We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”

If you are an American Citizen, you should recognize these two phrases. The first is the beginning of the Declaration of Independence. The second is the opening to the Constitution of the United States of America. I am proud of them both and the men who had the courage to draft them. Though they may not be popular today, and so many are trying to slander the men who wrote them, they are a testimony of a group of people who came out of tyranny into freedom. It may be hard for modern Americans to appreciate or understand either of these documents, but for Christians it should be easy. I use that word, “should”, because for most of us we don’t. There are many Americans who wouldn’t be able to identify either of these documents, and sadly even more Christians who don’t even understand that they have won freedom from the tyrant.

I guess I can’t really blame the Christians after all they don’t teach that kind of history at school, Biblical History. However, it’s time to educate ourselves! Here is a simple lesson.

Adam (and Eve) disobeyed God. From that day on mankind had lived under the tyranny of Satan. Each person born is born into sin, they have a sin nature and Satan is their ruler.

“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned…For if through the offence of one many be dead…For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one…Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation.” All taken from Romans 5:12,15,17,18 (KJB)

Romans 3:23 (Aramaic Bible in Plain English), “Because all of them have sinned and are deprived of the glory of God,”

It’s not my fault! I hear you thinking. Original sin may not be your fault, but what makes you so sure you wouldn’t have done the same thing, or sinned in a different way, sin is sin? You may have been born with that nature, but you don’t have to hang on to it. Keeping it is your choice. If you still have it, it is your fault. There is a way to change your nature; in fact you can be given a brand new one. God has made a way for you to live free. You don’t have to live under Satan’s tyranny any longer.

Shall we take another look at some of those verses in Romans 5?

Romans 5:15-21 (KJB), “But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification. For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.”

One man may have messed it all up, but One Man fixed it all. Yep, all. It’s finished. All you have to do is declare yourself free. Speak out your own “Declaration of Dependence”. Declare yourself dependent on God, on His plan of salvation for you, and Jesus’ work on the cross.

Then line yourself up with your new Constitution. What is that? Your Bible. It lists every right and responsibility that is yours as a citizen of Heaven. They are unalienable rights that have been endowed by your Creator. I know that is a very simple way of looking at Salvation. So what, it was never intended to be complicated. We complicate things. Look what we have done to the Constitution of the United States. Those founding fathers wouldn’t recognize it now either.

Let’s recap: once you were a slave to your flesh and under Satan’s rule. Christ died for you and now you have been made free. He has given you all authority to walk as a son of God. The only thing stopping you from doing that is you. Easier said than done? Maybe sometimes, but that won’t keep me from trying. My faith isn’t in me, it’s in Him. I may not be able, but He sure is.

I am free! So are you. If that doesn’t get you excited then nothing will.

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Free Christian Romance EBook

Savage_Love_Cover_for_Kindle

I am offering one of my Christian Romance books free for the month of April. Follow the link. If you want to leave a review for me at smashwords you will need to add it to the library by clicking on that button. Options are for epub (e-readers), mobi (kindle version) or pdf (a document for computer).

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Your Labor is Not in Vain

AngelWarrior[1]

I Corinthians 15:58 (AMP), Therefore, my beloved brethren, be firm (steadfast), immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord [always being superior, excelling, doing more than enough in the service of the Lord], knowing and being continually aware that your labor in the Lord is not futile [it is never wasted or to no purpose].”

We who are born of Heaven are not working on our own. We are co-laborers with Christ. We have a myriad of angels working on our behalf, ministering in our lives according to God’s perfect will. There is so much going on “behind the scenes” that it would make our heads spin. In the spiritual realm there is no inactivity, no sleeping, it is always moving and things are being accomplished every second. Satan knows that his time is short, so the battle that is being wages is massive. Sometimes I wish that I could be like Elijah’s servant and see “those that are for us” who outnumber those who are against us. Remember only one third of the angels fell, which means there are twice as much for us as are against us. We are at war; we are soldiers of the Most High.

What are we fighting, laboring for?

Ephesians 2:10 (NLT), “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”

God handcrafted us as a master artist, to do good works. Every gift and talent that He placed within us is to further His Kingdom, to bring Heaven to earth. He has so much love that He isn’t satisfied with a small family, He wants a huge family. Our job is to bring them in.
I recently read a book about the Andersonville prison camp for northern prisoners of war, in Georgia during the Civil War. The conditions there were horrible; you can google it if you want all the gory details. The general in charge had never stepped inside the walls. The townspeople ignored the smell and the rumors of the men who were rotting alive. Some of the guards who were called “Sentinels” were about the only ones who felt any compassion as they witnessed it firsthand. Those were so overwhelmed by the futility of trying to help over 13,000 prisoners, without the general’s approval that they did nothing. One particular part of this story really moved me… there was an older guard who began bringing a potato, or a lemon and dropping in from his guard tower for a particular soldier to eat. When a younger guard who had become so depressed by what he was seeing that he was losing all faith in God, asked him “what is the point?” This was his answer (paraphrased), “I may not be able to feed them all, but by God I can feed one.”

I got to thinking about that, after I cried for about ten minutes. That’s how I feel sometimes when I see how bad the world around me is, when I feel like there are so many who don’t know God. I have asked myself, “how can we ever reach so many”, or “what can I do, I am just one person?” But, if we all have that same attitude as the older guard, each one reach one, our churches would be full! I am not responsible to save the world. Jesus already did. I just have to take one person at a time and let them know that this war is already one. Tell them, and more importantly show them the love of God. His goodness turns hearts to repentance. Those angels I was talking about are working on them, the Holy Spirit is brooding over their hearts preparing them to receive, and Jesus is wooing them.

Yes, there is work for us to do. Spiritual and physical, we need to witness and clean the toilets. We need to feed the hungry and change diapers. All done for God, all as co-laborers with Him, and it will all glorify Him.

We are not spinning our wheels, if we are led by His Spirit, though it may seem that we aren’t accomplishing much in the natural, our labor is not wasted or futile!

So, keep working. Take one day at a time, but look at each one and each opportunity in the light of eternity. Always remember, there are more for us than against us!