Debt Free Army

You Get Better At It Every Day #triumphantlifechurch Revelation 2:19 MSG “I see everything you’re doing for me. Impressive! The love and the faith, the service and persistence. Yes, very impressive! You get better at it every day.” 1.       God sees everything you’re doing for Him. Hebrews 4:13 TLB “He knows about everyone, everywhere. Everything about us is bare and wide open to the all-seeing eyes of our living God; nothing can be hidden from him to whom we must explain all that we have done.” 2.       Impressive. 1 Thessalonians 2:4 AMPC “But just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the glad tidings (the Gospel), so we speak not to please men but to please God, Who tests our hearts [expecting them to be approved].” 2 Peter 1:3-4 MSG “[Don’t Put It Off] Everything that goes into a life of pleasing God has been miraculously given to us by getting to know, personally and intimately, the One who invited us to God. The best invitation we ever received! We were also given absolutely terrific promises to pass on to you—your tickets to participation in the life of God after you turned your back on a world corrupted by lust.” 1 Thessalonians 2:4 NLT “For we speak as messengers approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News. Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts.” 3.       Love John 14:24 AMPC “Anyone who does not [really] love Me does not observe and obey My teaching. And the teaching which you hear and heed is not Mine, but [comes] from the Father Who sent Me.” Matthew 21:28-31 NKJV “But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, ‘Son, go, work today in my vineyard.’  He answered and said, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he regretted it and went. Then he came to the second and said likewise. And he answered and said, ‘I go, sir,’ but he did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said to Him, “The first….” 4.       Faith Here are seven ways to manifest strong faith. First, expand your boundaries. . .geographically and mentally. Psalm 119:32 NLT “I will pursue your commands, for you expand my understanding.” Second, elevate your conversation to a higher spiritual and success level. Ephesians 4:29 AMPC “Let no foul or polluting language, nor evil word nor unwholesome or worthless talk [ever] come out of your mouth, but only such [speech] as is good and beneficial to the spiritual progress of others, as is fitting to the need and the occasion, that it may be a blessing and give grace (God's favor) to those who hear it.” Third, expect divine appointments and supernatural connections every day…starting TODAY. 1 Samuel 9:15-16 MSG “The very day before, God had confided in Samuel, "This time tomorrow, I'm sending a man from the land of Benjamin to meet you. You're to anoint him as prince over my people Israel. He will free my people from Philistine oppression. Yes, I know all about their hard circumstances. I've heard their cries for help." Fourth, become spiritually aware of who you’re working for and how it relates to your future. Colossians 3:17, 23 KJV “17And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.”  23And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.” Psalm 75:6-7 says: “For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south.  “But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.” Fifth, enjoy the benefits of a good job Ecclesiastes 5:18 KJV “Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it is his portion.” Sixth, establish family time that is written in stone. Seventh, energize your faith. Ecclesiastes 7:12 MSG “Double protection: wisdom and wealth! Plus this bonus: Wisdom energizes its owner.” 5.       Service Ephesians 4:12-13 AMPC “[and He did this] to fully equip and perfect the saints (God’s people) for works of service, to build up the body of Christ [the church]; 13 until we all reach oneness in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, [growing spiritually] to become a mature believer, reaching to the measure of the fullness of Christ [manifesting His spiritual completeness and exercising our spiritual gifts in unity].” 6.       Persistence Revelation 2:2 MSG "I see what you've done, your hard, hard work, your refusal to quit. I know you can't stomach evil, that you weed out apostolic pretenders. I know your persistence, your courage in my cause that you never wear out.” Seven keys to developing persistence in your life. First, believe in what you’re doing. Second, knowing that you have the ability to succeed. Matthew 17:20 AMPC “He said to them, Because of the littleness of your faith [that is, your lack of firmly relying trust]. For truly I say to you, if you have faith [that is living] like a grain of mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, Move from here to yonder place, and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you.” Third, keeping your faith focused on your goal. 2 Thessalonians 1:11 NLT “So we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of his call. May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do.” Personalize. . . “So we keep on praying for <<Your Name>>, asking our God to enable <<him/her>> to live a life worthy of his call. May he give <<Your Name>> the power to accomplish all the good things <<his/her>> faith prompts <<him/her>> to do.” Fourth, never look at the wind and the waves. Matthew 14:28-30 AMPC “And Peter answered Him, Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water. He said, Come! So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water, and he came toward Jesus.  But when he perceived and felt the strong wind, he was frightened, and as he began to sink, he cried out, Lord, save me [from death]!” Fifth, realize that “no” doesn’t just mean “no” it often means “know.” Sixth, encourage yourself. 1 Samuel 30:6 KJV “And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.” Seventh, never Give Up or Give In. Luke 18:1 NLT “[Parable of the Persistent Widow] One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up” 7.       You get better at it every day. Allen Iverson, former NBA basketball player said: “When you are not practicing, someone else is getting better.” Brian Tracy, the motivational author and speaker said: “There is no real limit to how much better a person who really commits to getting better can get.” Former President Gerald Ford once said: “I know I am getting better at golf because I am hitting fewer spectators.” Romans 8:28 AMPC “We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose.” Romans 8:28 MSG “That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.” Romans 12:1-2 MSG “So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it.” www.tlctoday.net

One of our favorite scenes from the movie It’s A Wonderful Life is when Jimmy Stewart starring as George Baily prayed.  He prayed: “Dear Father in heaven, I’m not a praying man, but if you’re up there and you can hear me. At that moment, Stewart begins crying and then says: “show me the way. . .show me the way.” We don’t need Rudolph to guide our way. . .we have the Holy Spirit.  Truly, one of God’s greatest desires is to show us the way. Luke 2:7 KJV “And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.” Luke 2:8-9 KJV “And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.  And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.” Luke 2:10-11 AMPC “But the angel said to them, Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people.  For to you is born this day in the town of David a Savior, Who is Christ (the Messiah) the Lord! “ Matthew 2:2 KJV “Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.” Matthew 2:10-11 KJV “And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.” First, the star. . .the goal you’re seeking may first lead you to a stable or humble place in your life. Isaiah 55:9 KJV “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Second, in following your star . . .  don’t allow circumstances to hinder you  from your objective goal even if you end up in a stable  Matthew 2:10 AMPC “When they saw the star, they were thrilled with ecstatic joy.” Malachi 3:6 KJV “For I am the Lord, I change not. . .” Hebrews 13:8 AMPC “Jesus Christ (the Messiah) is [always] the same, yesterday, today, [yes] and forever (to the ages).” Third, when your star leads you to a stable there is normally one of two reasons why you experience the unexpected. Hebrews 12:6 AMPC “For the Lord corrects and disciplines everyone whom He loves, and He punishes, even scourges, every son whom He accepts and welcomes to His heart and cherishes.” Romans 8:28 AMPC “We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose.” Proverbs 19:20 AMPC “Hear counsel, receive instruction, and accept correction, that you may be wise in the time to come.” Proverbs 13:18 AMPC “Poverty and shame come to him who refuses instruction and correction, but he who heeds reproof is honored.” Fourth, as you follow your star. . .you should never give up. Hebrews 12:1 NCV “We are surrounded by a great cloud of people whose lives tell us what faith means. So let us run the race that is before us and never give up. We should remove from our lives anything that would get in the way and the sin that so easily holds us back.” 2 Corinthians 4:8 CEV “We often suffer, but we are never crushed. Even when we don't know what to do, we never give up.” Luke 18:1 NLT “[Parable of the Persistent Widow] One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up.”  Ephesians 6:18 NCV “Pray in the Spirit at all times with all kinds of prayers, asking for everything you need. To do this you must always be ready and never give up. Always pray for all God's people.” Fifth, when your star leads you to a stable. . .it’s time to give. Malachi 3:8-10 AMPC “Will a man rob or defraud God? Yet you rob and defraud Me. But you say, In what way do we rob or defraud You? [You have withheld your] tithes and offerings.  9You are cursed with the curse, for you are robbing Me, even this whole nation.  10Bring all the tithes (the whole tenth of your income) into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and prove Me now by it, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it” Luke 6:38 AMPC “Give, and [gifts] will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will they pour into [the pouch formed by] the bosom [of your robe and used as a bag]. For with the measure you deal out [with the measure you use when you confer benefits on others], it will be measured back to you.” 2 Corinthians 9:7 AMPC “Let each one [give] as he has made up his own mind and purposed in his heart, not reluctantly or sorrowfully or under compulsion, for God loves (He takes pleasure in, prizes above other things, and is unwilling to abandon or to do without) a cheerful (joyous, "prompt to do it") giver [whose heart is in his giving].” 2 Corinthians 9:8 NLT “And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.” Sixth, when your star leads you to a stable. . .you can always find God’s grace and mercy there. 2 Corinthians 12:9 AMPC “But He said to me, My grace (My favor and loving-kindness and mercy) is enough for you [sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully]; for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and show themselves most effective in [your] weakness. Therefore, I will all the more gladly glory in my weaknesses and infirmities, that the strength and power of Christ (the Messiah) may rest (yes, may pitch a tent over and dwell) upon me!” Hebrews 4:15 AMPC “For we do not have a High Priest Who is unable to understand and sympathize and have a shared feeling with our weaknesses and infirmities and liability to the assaults of temptation, but One Who has been tempted in every respect as we are, yet without sinning.” Hebrews 2:16-18 MSG “It's obvious, of course, that he didn't go to all this trouble for angels. It was for people like us, children of Abraham. That's why he had to enter into every detail of human life. Then, when he came before God as high priest to get rid of the people's sins, he would have already experienced it all himself—all the pain, all the testing—and would be able to help where help was needed.” Seventh, when your star leads you to a stable. . .you will find God is no respecter of persons. Genesis 46:34 AMPC “You shall say, Your servants' occupation has been as keepers of livestock from our youth until now, both we and our fathers before us--in order that you may live in the land of Goshen, for every shepherd is an abomination to the Egyptians.” John 16:13 AMPC “But when He, the Spirit of Truth (the Truth-giving Spirit) comes, He will guide you into all the Truth (the whole, full Truth). For He will not speak His own message [on His own authority]; but He will tell whatever He hears [from the Father; He will give the message that has been given to Him], and He will announce and declare to you the things that are to come [that will happen in the future].” Matthew 2:11 KJC “And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him.”