Learning to be a leader and not a follower

I'm learning what it means to be a leader. To set aside my desires and put God first at all times. To lay my life before His feet daily and submit to His good and perfect will. To stand out in Christ and let my light shine. Lord, I have to serve you and seek after you with all my heart and set an example for others. I love the quote "You may be the only bible someone ever reads." I realize that I need to watch my life very closely and the example that I set for others. The other night, Josh, Cole and I were at a service for Impact Youth. I saw the most precious thing ever. Josh went up to the altar and knelt to pray. Cole began to follow and looked back at me. I told him to go ahead, that it was fine if he prayed with Dad. He ran up there, laid his hand on Josh and began to pray for him. This brought tears to my eyes and touched my soul. The Lord used Josh to be an example unto Cole. Often I see Cole raising his hands and worshipping during the services. Others may say that children don't understand what they're doing but I think they understand more than we think! Because of our Godly example, our children can grow up to mighty men and women of God! Sure, they'll make mistakes but don't we all?? Even though they'll make mistakes we can look back and remember that time that we set an example unto them. Be an example unto the world. Be set apart from others. Yeah, they may look at you strange but when you're serving God, none of that matters anymore. Live a Godly and pure life. Watch and wait to see what God may do in those lives around you.

I'm also learning that to be a strong and anointed leader, I must be digging into God's word, studying daily. ("Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." 2 Timothy 2:15) To flee the lusts and desires of this world. ("Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord our of a pure heart." 2 Timothy 2:22)

It was prophesied over me the other night that I was going to be an anointed worship leader. That God was going to anoint me so powerfully to lead people into the presence of God. That it didn't matter how well I played the keyboard or how well I sang, but that the anointing would be strong, none of that would matter. That is something that I've been waiting to hear for a very long time. This is exactly what I long to do. To see people lifting their hands in worship and crying out to God! WOW! God is so amazing!! God spoke to me the other day after that was prophesied, that if I wanted to be an anointed leader I would need to make some changes. Spend more time in His presence, learning more about Him and drawing closer to the Lord. Fasting daily and getting people on fire for God. I'm ready, I'm ready for something HUGE to happen in 2010. I speak into existance a mighty anointing over our ministry. God's gonna do some amazing things in Danville and the whole world, if we'd just learn to seek after God with all of our hearts. Now is the time for salvation! God bless you all!!

looking forward and not looking back

Philippians 3:7-8 "But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ."

God has really been teaching me alot through scripture about giving my all. This goes for my whole healthy lifestyle as well as spiritual walk. When we receive Christ or are renewed in our walk, we should consider those past desires and temptations as nothing. They should be as if they never were. I've come to know that a strong relationship with God and self-confidence is more important than that addiction to food and the need to sleep late in the mornings or do other things that distract me. I'd much rather have a strong and personal relationship with God than fulfill those fleshly desires. It's time that I move forward and stop looking at my past failures. That is what holds me back. I dwell so much on what I did yesterday that I miss a powerful relationship with God today. I'm tired of living like that, sulking around. God's grace is more than enough for my sins, praise God!

Philippians 3:13-14 "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before. I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."

What a perfect scripture as we're coming upon the New Year. I won't look back, I'll move forward and remember that when I stumble and fall, God will be right there to catch my fall. Thank You Jesus!! God Bless you all. ~Shannon

There's a war going on inside each and everyone of us!

Ephesians 6:10-18
"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavely realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this , take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints."

God has really been speaking to me about my problem with not eating right. Through the bible and this scripture really hit home with me. Everyday, my flesh is at war. I can make the choice either to indulge in all that yummy food and ruin His temple or take care of it and eat all the healthy stuff. I have made some bad choices in this area and I realize that Satan has control over me right now and I'v allowed him to have that control. I need to be so strong in the Lord and ready for Satans attacks on me. He is very sneaky and will trick us in a heartbeat if we don't stand firm in our faith. I know that I can lose this weight but not in my own strength. I need the armor of the Lord put on daily. It needs to be my daily routine, or else Satan will conquor. I know what I need to do, I just need the strength to do it. Please pray for me as I take on this difficult task, to daily take care of my temple and put God first. God Bless you all!!

It's an honour to serve God so why do we abuse it?

Ephesians 2:4-10 "But God who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved) and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us though Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is a gift of God; Not by works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."

It is so amazing to know that God loved me even when I was deep in sin. That His love remains to this day, even when I fail Him over and over again. It is such an honor to serve a living and true God! God could have chose to leave me out and not save me from my sins, but He chose to give me life and life more abundantly! His mercy is never-failing and His love is pure. A love that casts out ALL fear and loves unconditionally. WOW! Can we actually sit here and say that's how we are? He has given us the right to share in His inheritance, heaven. What a beautiful day that will be, to stand in His presence and sing Glory to God in the highest! To live with him for eternity and reign on earth with Him. Thank God for saving a wretch like me. Blessings to you all and may you always remember the Love of our Saviour! Here on Christmas Eve, may we remember the real reason we celebrate Christmas Day.