B.E.S.T. Shabbat

Without counsel plans are frustrated, but with many counselors they succeed. – Proverbs 15:32 The last few weeks we have been establishing our vision, dreams, goals and plans. Now that we are equipped we are ready to take action and fulfill our dreams right?  How many of you have had or have goals and plans and yet have not achieved them or are frustrated about your progress or journey thus far? All of us have. We struggle with our inner demons and limitations…we focus on the here and now and have a tough time breaking away from past failure and regret. We find ourselves stalled out, shipwrecked and in some cases eventually just give up.  Anyone been there with your goals or dreams?  Do you find yourself having a tendency to compare your worst with others’ best?  Anyone want to change that cycle? Listen to Wisdom in Partnership Having a partner or counselor for your goals could be the missing ingredient. Let's define counselor.  In the book “R...

Last week we spoke about boundaries of faith in the heart. "Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life."   Pro 4:23 (NKJV) The Hebrew word defined as issues or springs, is the word root Yatza which means exit or border.  It is where one kingdom ends and another begins.  Think of the US-Canadian border as an example.  What works in the US doesn’t work in Canada.  Each country has its own authority.  The border defines the boundary of authority, what works in each country. In a parallel way there are boundaries in our heart where 2 kingdoms meet.  One is the kingdom of God, the other is the kingdom of self.  What defines the boundary location is faith.  When we have faith in God for a particular area of life, the boundary places us in the Kingdom of God with its power and authority.  When our faith is in ourself the boundary defines that area through the natural boundaries and power of s...

Testimonies from previous activations This Week... Wisdom and Listening If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. (James 1:5 NIV) We have been speaking about wisdom for the last couple of weeks.  Wisdom simply defined is knowing God’s will and method in an area of life and doing it.  God is ready to give us wisdom in every area of life.  He gives it without reproach, without finding fault.   The issue for most us though is stated a little later in chapter 1: This you know, my beloved brethren. But let everyone be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God. Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. (James 1:19-21 NAS77) Today we are going to look at how we listen.  James under the leading ...

"My mouth shall speak wisdom, And the meditation of my heart shall give understanding."   Psa 49:3 (NKJV) By the beliefs in our heart we live the wisdom that resides there.  We all have a type of wisdom, either the wisdom that proceeds from our life experiences or the wisdom that comes from above.  "Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace."   Jas 3:13-18 (NKJV) The wisdom from ou...

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. (James 1:2-8 NKJV) I want to press in today for wisdom without reproach. Reproach is wisdom based on past performance.  We all have that kind of “wisdom” or habits of operation that arise out of our experience.  This wisdom is the “wisdom” of survival.  James describes it like this: "But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie again...