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It's Time To Get Back To Work

I was working in a grocery store as a department manager and had a very enjoyable job. My plan was to retire from the company after a long satisfying career. One day, as I was stocking shelves, the Lord spoke to my heart, "The world is dying and going to hell.  What are you doing stocking shelves with shampoo and deodorant?"  That statement changed my priorities and I started moving toward my new goal of stocking the shelves of heaven with precious souls.

Around that same transition time, I attended a Camp meeting at World Harvest Church in Columbus, Ohio. I heard a message by the great R.W. Schambach that inspired me to make a leap of faith into full-time ministry.  He preached that night on Mordecai's words to Queen Esther, "Who knows but that you have come to the Kingdom for such a time as this?"  He applied that question to all in the audience but, it hit me like I was the only one in the room. It changed my life. I have gifts, talents and abilities that God expects me to use to influence my generation.  I've come to the Kingdom for such a time as this.

I believe that if Mordecai was walking among us, he'd give a similar "talkin' to" to each of us today.  He would point out that our fellow countrymen and loved ones are perishing from the destructive forces at work.  Everywhere you turn, there's suffering and devastation.  He would encourage us, as he did Esther, to get engaged in the battle and make an effort to save lives. 

You have gifts, abilities and talents that were designed to reach your world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  There are books and songs that need to be written.  There are sermons and Bible studies that need to be taught.  There are blogs, tweets, e-mails, powerpoint presentations, videos, films, movies and television shows that God is calling you to produce.  You have ideas, concepts and inventions that will enable millions to hear the life changing message that Jesus saves.

There's no time for any of us to be discouraged or overwhelmed by recent events.  We must rise up in the power that God has given us.  We've come to the Kingdom for such a time as this for a reason.  Let's get engaged in the battle for souls.  Break time is over for workers in the Lord's vineyard.  It's time to get back to work.

3 Ways to Encourage Someone

Everyone needs encouragement from time to time.  However, statistics show that it is most needed during the Holiday Season for a host of reasons.  Here are 3 ways to encourage a loved one no matter why they are discouraged.

1. Say, "I love you and I care what happens to you."

           Depression, grief, sadness, hopelessness and all negative emotions feed on thoughts like
           no one cares and no one loves me. Silence those thoughts with the clear spoken message of
           love.  Try not follow it up with analysis, opinion or evaluation.  Make it clear that you care.
           One of my favorite verses is Song of Solomon 8:7 "Many waters cannot quench love; rivers
           cannot wash it away."(NIV)

    2.   Listen
 
          Most of us just need a sounding board.  Thoughts have a way of seeming right till they
          are spoken out loud.  Then, they are examined and can be found to be utterly ridiculous or
          accurate.  I heard someone commenting on a highly successful businessman's philosophy in
          dealing with people.  He said, "Everyone should be allowed to express what's on their mind."
          Sometimes, I can be thinking about something for days and in that cocoon world of my mind
          it seems so right.  When finally verbalized, I scratch my head and say, "I don't really believe
          that."

    3.  Give a Gift

          Because actions speak louder than words, give a gift.  It doesn't matter how big or small.  It
          doesn't even matter how expensive.  It serves as a reminder that they are loved and there is
          someone willing to do something to express that love. I'm a big fan of gift baskets.  When I
          went through cancer treatments, I became very depressed.  I came home one night to find a
          gift basket on my porch.  A heavy spirit left me and I was so touched that someone would
          show such kindness.  My basket of goodies was a daily reminder that I was loved.

          Today, I like to produce music and books that encourage people.  Everybody should have the
          assurance that they are loved and their life is important.  Give someone a gift of
          encouragement this holiday season.  It might just save their life!

          You can visit wwwlindaleeministries.org and get some gift ideas. 
          I have a Free Download of  the Song "It's a Beautiful Day"
          that can be emailed to someone you want to encourage.
          Enjoy your Holiday and let's make sure those around us do to!

          

    

What is Stopping God's Blessing in Your Life?

Several years ago, I was walking around our wooded property in Ohio.  It had been an unusually warm fall season so it was a very enjoyable to breathe in the fresh country air and see the beautiful landscape.  I started noticing the flow of the water in the creeks and the pond.  My attention was directed to the rushing sound of water to my left filling the creek and overflowing.  Since this water is on a higher ground, I was sure that by the time I walked down to the pond there would be a tremendous flow of water at a rapid speed.  To my surprise, there was hardly any flow at all!  I looked around to see where the water had stopped. 

 

 At the end of the creek, just before it pours into the huge pond, is a little bridge with a cement water pipe underneath.  I could see that leaves had clogged the pipe and so this mighty flow of water was not pouring into the pond, but seeping into the ground all around it.  I remember thinking, "There must be a tremendous amount of leaves and this is going to take some real work to clear them away."  So, I found a firm place to stand, and with a large thick piece of wood, I made one sweep and removed a big clump of leaves.  Much to my amazement, that one action made a huge difference! The water started flowing and gaining speed so that it was gushing into the pond almost instantly. It was a marvel to see.

 At that moment, the Lord said to me, “This is what unforgiveness will do.”  I began to see that blessings are flowing and God is eager for them to pour into our lives.  However, one little

grievance, one little unforgiveness can redirect the flow of blessing so that it seeps somewhere else.  In other words, you can have a huge need and God has the blessing coming, but you are the one who stops it by being offended, ticked off, mad, hurt and refusing to forgive and forget. If you are like me, there’s always a need for a blessing from the Lord.  So, you really can't afford to have a dirty heart that’s clogged with unforgiveness. With just a little effort, a little prayer of forgiveness, you can change the flow so that your life will be flooded with the blessings God has for you.

              Since then, I've realized that there are other contaminates that cause our hearts to be dirty and clogged so that the ever flowing goodness of God is kept far from us.  Today, ask the Lord to reveal to you what needs to be removed so that you can receive all God's generous blessings.  Removing the obstacle may be as easy as simply making a decision or a choice. 

              A good starting point is to have an open heart towards Jesus Christ, God's greatest blessing.  When we decide to open up our heart and accept Jesus Christ as our personal Saviour, His presence opens the floodgate.  From that point on, we can rely on His power to keep our heart clean and free to receive all that God wants us to have...abundant flow of His blessings!