tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43417890937923689762024-03-12T18:21:51.275-07:00A Convo With GodListen. Talk. Believe.Clarence Mitchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01823842879818793992noreply@blogger.comBlogger498125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341789093792368976.post-27133374919406771342015-08-07T07:14:00.001-07:002015-08-07T07:14:46.026-07:00A Higher Way<div>Perspective. </div><div><br></div><div>“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” - <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Isaiah 55:8-9 ESV</span></div>Clarence Mitchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01823842879818793992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341789093792368976.post-32037192944560468552014-11-30T16:10:00.001-08:002014-11-30T16:10:26.667-08:00The Long Game<i>Then they yoked themselves to the Baal of Peor, and ate sacrifices offered to the dead; they provoked the Lord to anger with their deeds, and a plague broke out among them. Then Phinehas stood up and intervened, and the plague was stayed. And that was counted to him as righteousness from generation to generation forever. (Psalm 106:28-31 ESV)</i><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Some ask in sadness why Jesus hasn't come back. Why has it taken so long?</div><div><br></div><div>I used to ask the same thing but then I had a thought. What if the delay is an act of love? What if He is constantly waiting for us to have every last opportunity to know Him? What if his delay is the answer of countless prayers by believers that their loved ones would be saved?</div><div><br></div><div>What I once saw as a reason to doubt I now see as another proof of how huge God's love is for us, that He would allow this world full of pain to continue so that even the least of us would have an opportunity to know Him. </div><div><br></div><div>After all, our time in this world is but a passing moment compared to the eternity to come. </div><div><br></div><div>Let us be the Phineases and the Moseses of this time who stand in the gap for our brothers and sisters. Let's pray so that all may have the opportunity to learn to talk to God, to know Him and His love. </div>Clarence Mitchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01823842879818793992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341789093792368976.post-21799421869486170252014-10-02T06:55:00.001-07:002015-08-08T04:56:15.235-07:00What truly matters<div>And the angel of the Lord appeared to him and said to him, “The Lord is with you, O mighty man of valor.”</div><div><br></div><div>And he said to him, “Please, Lord, how can I save Israel? Behold, my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.” And the Lord said to him, “But I will be with you, and you shall strike the Midianites as one man.” (Judges 6:12, 15-16 ESV)</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>When it comes to doing what really matters in life it doesn't matter how strong we are. What matters is how strong God is. </div><div><br></div><div>Let Him use you and give Him all the glory when victory comes. </div>Clarence Mitchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01823842879818793992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341789093792368976.post-54153459056235400352014-10-02T06:48:00.001-07:002014-10-02T06:49:43.255-07:00Being the Hand of GodAnd the angel of the Lord appeared to him and said to him, “The Lord is with you, O mighty man of valor.” And Gideon said to him, “Please, sir, if the Lord is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all his wonderful deeds that our fathers recounted to us, saying, ‘Did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt?’ But now the Lord has forsaken us and given us into the hand of Midian.” And the Lord turned to him and said, “Go in this might of yours and save Israel from the hand of Midian; do not I send you?” (Judges 6:12-14 ESV)<div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Many of us are waiting on God to do something to improve our lives or change the world. What if He is waiting on you? </div><div><br></div><div>Let's pray and ask Him what He wants us to do today. You may discover that He has called you to be the change you have been looking for. </div>Clarence Mitchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01823842879818793992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341789093792368976.post-91861423613209830272013-06-07T09:05:00.000-07:002013-06-07T14:42:03.640-07:00Freedom from Shame<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI';">But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5 NKJV)</span><br />
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There is no place in our lives for guilt to take root. Our hearts should not be fertile ground for it to blossom. </div>
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Why? Because Jesus paid the price for all that we have done, are doing and will do. All we have to do is receive Him in faith as our savior, admit that we need saving. </div>
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We cannot achieve freedom on our own. </div>
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From this place of vulnerability comes freedom from guilt and shame. Once guilt and shame leave we become free to go and sin no more because we are no longer reminded of our imperfection. Instead we are focused on Jesus' perfection and how that perfect love has already saved us. </div>
Clarence Mitchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01823842879818793992noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341789093792368976.post-12580643502674896542013-06-05T14:54:00.000-07:002013-06-07T14:39:12.758-07:00God, Help Us Love Each Other<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing. (I Thessalonians 5:11 NKJV)</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">God I pray that you help us to comfort each other and strengthen each other in your love by giving us the courage to share your love with others sacrificially. Let us no longer look to our right or left and wait for others to love us first. Help us to be the first to love our neighbor because we know the truth, that it is You who first loved us. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">Please help us to understand that Your love is sufficient for us. In Jesus' name. Amen.</span>Clarence Mitchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01823842879818793992noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341789093792368976.post-54613494660673652422013-06-04T07:41:00.001-07:002013-06-21T07:35:46.174-07:00Give Us A Heart For The Poor<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Helvetica;">A Heart for the Poor</span><br>
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“If there is among you a poor man of your brethren, within any of the gates in your land which the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart nor shut your hand from your poor brother, but you shall open your hand wide to him and willingly lend him sufficient for his need, whatever he needs. (Deuteronomy 15:7, 8 NKJV)</div>
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God please give us a heart like your heart to care for those in need. Please give us the wisdom to know what others need and the means to provide it. </div>
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We know that all that you have given us is not ours alone. You have trusted us to be good stewards over our resources so that our blessings will be used to glorify you and to bless the world around us. So help us by softening our hearts and give us the courage to act in love. We trust that anything that you all us to give will be given back to us pressed down, shaken together and run over. </div>
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Thank you for continually being faithful to your promises in Jesus' name. Amen.</div>
Clarence Mitchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01823842879818793992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341789093792368976.post-77869478176712209462013-06-03T08:46:00.000-07:002013-06-07T14:40:00.025-07:00The Bond of PerfectionOver and over again in the Bible we hear this instruction to love one another. Why is this so important? <br />
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It is because love is the bond of perfection. In loving each other we glimpse just a hint of what God's love is for us. As we dare to love we allow God to knit us ever closer together in spirit. <br />
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Oh what transformations we will see in our lives, in our communities, in our nation, in our world when we relent and open ourselves to love! <br />
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Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. (Colossians 3:12-15 NKJV)Clarence Mitchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01823842879818793992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341789093792368976.post-14325521527924607052013-05-26T09:53:00.001-07:002013-06-18T08:29:43.484-07:00Restore My Joy<span style="font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit. (Psalms 51:12 NKJV)</span><div style="font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br></div><div style="font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">Thank you God for being the fountain of my joy, the wellspring of my gladness, source of my peace. I pray that you bubble up and overflow in me so that your love is all that others see when they see me. I want to be better, love better and grow in your goodnessp. Sometimes it is hard for me to have joy. The weight of the world seems ever present upon me. But I know that this is not the truth because you have already saved all of us. </div><div style="font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br></div><div style="font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">Help me to only take up your yoke and not one of my own creation. Help me to rest in the fullness of your love and not try to earn it from you. Thank you so much for freely giving it even though I don't deserve it. The gift of your love has set me free. You have freed me to be all that you called me to be. Thank you. </div><div style="font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br></div><div style="font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">In Jesus' name. Amen. </div>Clarence Mitchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01823842879818793992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341789093792368976.post-37628302403593731042013-05-20T05:52:00.001-07:002013-06-24T07:18:47.820-07:00He Never Gives Up<span style="font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting. (Psalms 139:23, 24 NKJV)</span><div style="font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br></div><div style="font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br></div><div style="font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">Thank you God for searching our hearts and leading us in the way everlasting. We know that we are not perfect and we thank you that you have not called us to be perfect! You have just called us to follow you and believe in what you have done for us on the cross. We know that you search our hearts from that place of infinite love for us. </div><div style="font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br></div><div style="font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">Help us to trust in your love and open ourselves to you. Only you can transform us into the best people we can possibly be. Thank you and praise you for never giving up on us no matter what we do. In Jesus' name. Amen. </div>Clarence Mitchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01823842879818793992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341789093792368976.post-29351711846501702772013-05-09T19:08:00.001-07:002013-06-20T08:27:37.399-07:00Children of Praise<span style="font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">And she conceived again and bore a son, and said, “Now I will praise the Lord.” Therefore she called his name Judah. Then she stopped bearing. (Genesis 29:35 NKJV)</span><div style="font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br></div><div style="font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">It is interesting that Jesus came through the child that Leah praised The Lord for. </div><div style="font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br></div><div style="font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">This is an image of what God has for us in relationship to Him. He loves us and opens us up to be able to do what He has called us to do. All we have to do is love and praise Him in return. </div><div style="font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br></div><div style="font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">When we praise Him we are thanking Him for all that He has done, is doing, and will do. In this praise becomes the means for us to walk out our faith. It becomes the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things unseen. </div><div style="font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br></div><div style="font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord ! (Psalms 150:6 NKJV)</div>Clarence Mitchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01823842879818793992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341789093792368976.post-1804529546901245932013-05-05T09:28:00.001-07:002013-05-29T08:31:21.353-07:00Presenting Ourselves ApprovedBe diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (II Timothy 2:15 NKJV)<br>
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God calls us to great living. He calls us to live as He lived but how can we do this? After all He was perfect. <br>
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Well we sure cant do it alone or under our own power. Thankfully the Holy Spirit is within us constantly transforming us into the likeness of Christ. <br>
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How we live our lives is the fruit of the condition of our hearts. All sin starts from within before the world ever sees it. This is where God does His work, He is the constant gardener who tends to our heart's garden. He finds those weeds of fear, jealousy greed and the like and pulls them up at the root and in the place plants seeds of love, faith perseverance and hope. We must only allow Him to do His work by saying yes to the little changes He calls us to make every day. In time we will look back at our old selves and see that we have been made brand new. <br>
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God, <br>
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Please continue the work you have already begun in me and all of us so that we can work along side you in loving obedience, to be diligent and approved by you. Help us to rightly divide the Word, that is to properly understand your word, so that we can know how to honor you in love. <br>
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In Jesus' name. AmenClarence Mitchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01823842879818793992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341789093792368976.post-67272213849639766592013-05-03T12:43:00.001-07:002013-05-26T09:53:40.539-07:00You Shall Receive“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. (Matthew 7:7, 8 NKJV)<br>
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This is Jesus talking here. <br>
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For many years I struggled with this verse. Some teach that because of this verse if we don't have what we want then it is our fault. Others seem to render it untrue by adding all kinds of conditions that trap us in the legalism of being righteous in our own power to qualify for this blessing. <br>
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But what I see here is a simple truth. Ask and you shall receive. Seek and you shall find. When we open our hearts to the love of Jesus and cry out to the Father He always responds. He will show us the next step on the path toward the true desires of our hearts that are in line with His word. <br>
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We must only say yes to Him. Then we will look back at our prayer and find that not only was The Lord faithful to His promise, but He also gave us exceedingly more than what we asked for. <br>
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Have you said yes to His answer to your prayers today? What is the next step He put before you? Clarence Mitchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01823842879818793992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341789093792368976.post-43949042457065310992013-05-02T07:28:00.001-07:002013-05-24T12:27:15.600-07:00His Whisper“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. (Proverbs 9:10 NKJV)<br>
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I used to struggle with this phrase "The Fear of The Lord". Doesn't He love us? Why are we supposed to fear a God who loves us?<br>
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Then about a year ago a massive wind story swept into Pasadena. The winds reached a hundred miles per hour. I went out in the middle of the night to check on our car parked on the street and was amazed at the awesome power swirling around me. Trees had been blown down on cars. Branches filled the streets. The wind was both terrifying and beautiful. <br>
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It was in the midst of that wind that I learned about the fear of The Lord. I was surrounded by so much raw power and destruction yet I was in no danger. And I knew that this was a mere whisper compared to what The Lord can do at any moment. <br>
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The fear of The Lord is about recognizing and honoring God for all of who He is. He is love and truth and He is also all powerful in ways we cannot begin to understand. I thank God every day for this lesson, for giving me a glimpse of the power of His whisper. And I am happy to be on His team! <br>
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May His winds fill your sails and know that God loves you with ALL of His power and might. Clarence Mitchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01823842879818793992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341789093792368976.post-78579684673016488642013-05-01T08:39:00.001-07:002013-05-22T07:02:48.814-07:00PrideWhen pride comes, then comes shame; But with the humble is wisdom. (Proverbs 11:2 NKJV)<br>
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Being humble does not require us to push ourselves down or to put the needs of everyone else before our needs. True humility comes in understanding who we are in God's eyes. We are His children, His friends and His beloved through faith. <br>
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When we start to believe that we are who God says we are then we no longer feel the need to lift ourselves up with our own power. In due season God will lift us up according to His will and His purpose. We can never lift ourselves to the heights that He has for us because in Him we stand on the foundation of His infinite love. <br>
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The pedestals of our own creations are destined to crumble and fall but His love will last forever. Lets rest in His love. Clarence Mitchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01823842879818793992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341789093792368976.post-24547564990570399392013-04-30T10:54:00.000-07:002013-04-30T10:54:17.468-07:00What Does Love Look Like?<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">We know that God is love but how can we share His love with the world? Here is a simple tool from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heidi_Baker">Heidi Baker</a>. </span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Every moment and in every encounter with another person we can ask The Lord "what does love look like to this person". When He answers and we do what He says we become the love of God. </span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Lets try this and see what happens.</span>Clarence Mitchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01823842879818793992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341789093792368976.post-56234593478911988892013-04-30T09:58:00.001-07:002013-05-20T05:46:34.353-07:00Free from Anger“Be angry, and do not sin” : do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil. (Ephesians 4:26, 27 NKJV)<br>
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It is ok to feel anger when we are wronged or when someone that we love is hurt. It is a natural response at times. But let's remember that at the end of the day we are called to love. <br>
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Sometimes there are wrongs that seem so big that it is impossible to forgive, impossible to let go. But life is rarely as it seems to be! When we are in that place lets cry out to The Lord. He will free us from anger so that we leave the shackles of unforgiveness and enter into the freedom of love. <br>
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When we are free to love we are free to become who God created us to be and free to do what God created us to do. We are free to be the light and salt of the earth. Clarence Mitchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01823842879818793992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341789093792368976.post-7627580688523063372013-04-29T08:04:00.001-07:002013-05-15T08:24:19.885-07:00ThankfulThough the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, And the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls— Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. (Habakkuk 3:17, 18 NKJV)<br>
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It may seem like everything is falling apart. Maybe you have problems with your relationship or no relationship at all. Maybe you have problems with your job or no job at all. Our present circumstances can seem like impossible mountains to climb. <br>
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But we have been promised salvation from our troubles. Instead of focusing on the problems try to focus on praising God for what He has done and what He has promised to do for us in his word. <br>
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The more we focus on the problems, the more problems we will have. The more we focus on God's goodness the more fuel we will have for our faith. And it is this faith that will move mountains. <br>
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What are you thankful for today that God has already done? What are you thanking God for what has yet to come to pass?Clarence Mitchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01823842879818793992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341789093792368976.post-46711072663825576072013-04-27T08:57:00.001-07:002013-05-14T08:49:40.749-07:00True FreedomNow the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. (II Corinthians 3:17 NKJV)<br>
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In our society freedom is described as the ability to do what we want when we want to but this doesn't fully capture the complete essence of freedom. How free are you to not do what you don't want to do? Do you struggle with fear that causes you to run instead of stand firm, procrastination that encourages you to lay down instead of stand up, addictions that cause you to do what you want in the present moment even though you know it will result in lasting pain in your life in the long run? <br>
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True freedom is not only the power to do what you want, it is also the power to not do the things that will hurt you. Wisdom is knowing the difference. <br>
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It is the power to say yes when it is best for you and no when it is best for you. <br>
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In the Holy Spirit we have this power. As we grow ever closer to God He shows us how to do with and do without in the ways that glorify Him. His glory becomes our glory and leads to a life of maximum joy and peace. This is true freedom, to be able to choose only what brings us peace, healing, lasting joy and love; and to choose not to do what brings momentary happiness with ultimate destruction. <br>
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Only in God can we find this freedom. Clarence Mitchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01823842879818793992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341789093792368976.post-51239783640660934882013-04-27T08:46:00.001-07:002013-05-08T09:05:50.802-07:00His Love Changes UsBut we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. (II Corinthians 3:18 NKJV)<br>
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Remember my friends that there is nothing that you can do in your own power to make yourself "better" or more "holy" or more acceptable to God. That work has already been done by Jesus! When the Father looks upon us He sees His Son. <br>
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This is what we inherit by faith when we choose to believe in Jesus. We inherit His goodness and righteousness because we become filled with it through the Holy Spirit. This is our earthly inheritance when we choose to become His sons and daughters. <br>
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So rest in the confidence of His love for you. And as we learn to rest in Him and receive that love we will look back and see that we HAVE changed! But it wasn't that we changed ourselves. It was the love of God working in our lives that changed us. Clarence Mitchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01823842879818793992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341789093792368976.post-16196350324143316702013-04-23T11:46:00.002-07:002013-05-06T08:45:20.980-07:00Always and Forever<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 17px;">Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. - Hebrews 13:8</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 17px;" /><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 17px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 17px;">This is so comforting isn't it? During Jesus' ministry He taught on the importance of love and forgiveness and He acted out by dying for us on the cross and rising again for victory over all of the sins of the world. That same love that He had for us on the cross was there in the beginning when as the Word of God He formed the universe and that same love will be there for us for eternity if we choose to be with Him. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 17px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 17px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 17px;">What does that mean now for us? It means that we too get to receive that love every single day when we choose in faith to believe in Him. We are filled with that supernatural love that surpasses understanding. We can love others with that same love that God has filled us with! We can experience every single day the ultimate love of a father, our Heavenly Father who through the Holy Spirit resides within us every single moment.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 17px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 17px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 17px;">A simple yes unlocks for us all of who Jesus was, is, and always will be. Just say yes and let Him do the rest.</span></span>Clarence Mitchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01823842879818793992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341789093792368976.post-26848727414313909612013-04-20T13:42:00.001-07:002013-05-03T12:44:10.121-07:00God is Known Through LoveI John 4:7-8 NKJV<br />
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Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.<br />
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Let's know God today through love. Every moment that we dare to love one another is a moment that we become closer to the Most High. When we love others we start to see with His eyes and hear with His ears and then something amazing happens. He grabs the steering wheel of our lives and takes us on an adventure we could have never even dreamed of. <br />
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A new life with Him begins with love.<br />
Clarence Mitchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01823842879818793992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341789093792368976.post-25501373357633833412013-04-20T13:41:00.001-07:002013-04-26T07:14:48.674-07:00Truth > Comfort31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” - John 8:31-32<br />
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Sometimes the truth hurts. Sometimes it seems easier in the moment to run from what is true toward what is comfortable. But, no matter how far we try to run from it we can never escape the truth because it surrounds us. It is the foundation that our world sits upon. Illusions only last so long. <br />
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The easy way in the long run is always the way of truth. The small hurdles we avoid in the short term when we run from the truth lead us on paths toward huge mountains of pain and struggle in the end. <br />
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No matter what we choose, whether it be the wide, low road or the narrow, high road all paths end up leading us to the same truth. It is up to us to decide how we get there and what life will be like on the other side.Clarence Mitchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01823842879818793992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341789093792368976.post-18624241309476260472013-04-20T13:39:00.001-07:002013-05-02T07:28:49.540-07:00Good Enough Ain't EnoughHave mercy upon me, O God, According to Your lovingkindness; According to the multitude of Your tender mercies, Blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, And cleanse me from my sin. (Psalms 51:1, 2 NKJV)<br />
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I'm so thankful to have a God that forgives. Every single day He helps me to move ever closer to becoming the man He created me to be. In the moments that I fall short He dusts me off and lifts me up with His right hand. <br />
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Instead of judging us He forgives. Instead of condemning us He saves. Instead of giving us what we deserve He gives us His love, mercy and everlasting life.<br />
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The more I understand about my own weakness the more I desire to celebrate His strength and goodness. <br />
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Remember in the moments when you feel weak or not good enough that it is true! And that is ok! Because God is the one who comes along side us and helps us to reach the finish lines of life. His grace is sufficient for all our needs.<br />
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How great it is to have a God who loves us.Clarence Mitchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01823842879818793992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341789093792368976.post-838433957731720012013-04-20T13:37:00.001-07:002013-04-24T20:13:42.053-07:00Gospel BeatdownsMatthew 5:10 NKJV<br />
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Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.<br />
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I've seen many people use this to justify how others respond to them when they use the "gospel" as a justification for their bad behavior. Clubbing others over the head with the "truth" is not righteousness. LOVING others in truth is righteousness. How do we know the difference? We know we are acting in righteousness when there isn't an ounce of self in our actions.<br />
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Sometimes love is rewarded in this life with trials and opposition. That's OK because we have a higher calling, a higher standard and are filled with the Most High God who has the highest love of all. <br />
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Let's love as He loves, and from that love share His truth with the world knowing that His kingdom will come and His will will be done on earth as it is in heaven.<br />
Clarence Mitchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01823842879818793992noreply@blogger.com0