15 in 5: In All Your Getting-Get It

If you want to be a victor, you must learn to harness the power of your thoughts and understanding. Understand who you are created to be. You are a child of God with the power, authority and dominion to overcome all your adversities. You are His representative in the earth. You can confidently battle not just anyone, but anything! For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against spiritual forces of evil in heavenly 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. – Ephesians 6:12-13 (NIV).  You are fully covered by God. You never have to run from the enemy! The weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ – 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 (ESV). Every battle is won or lost in your mind. The Holy Spirit will make you wise and let you understand what it is to really know God, His plans, His vision and His purpose for your life. The power within you is the same power used to raise Jesus Christ from the dead and allow Him to sit at the Father’s right side in Heaven. He rules over all beings in this world and will rule in the future world as well. God has put all things under the power of Christ, the Head of everything. The Mystery is that the church is Christ’s body, you and me. You have resurrection power inside of you. Are you using it? Picture this, the Roman soldier pierced Jesus’ battered and bruised side as He hung there bleeding and lifeless on the cross. The precise moment the pierce was made to verify Jesus’ death, the Church was released into the earth - The Church of the Lord Jesus Christ. While you are watching television, reading your favorite novel, trying to beat the app on your phone, or studying for your next exam or promotion… In all your getting, make certain to Get It – Understanding, Wisdom, Knowledge & Power! Jesus gave His own body to destroy the Law of Moses with all its rules and commandments. He brought the Jews and Gentiles together as one; He united us in peace through His suffering. Will you dedicate at least fifteen minutes a day, five days a week, to Be The One He called you to be? We Are Church – Mystery… Unity through Diversity. In all your getting of life – Get It. Prayer Points: ·    Praise God for the endless treasures available to us in Christ ·    Thank Him for choosing you to share His mysterious plan ·    Ask Him to reveal more of His plan and increase insight and understanding ·    Pray that you will fulfill your purpose to Be The One  Don Gibson

15 in 5: A Texas State of Mind

You know the saying, “We do things bigger and better in Texas!” Well, if that is true then it’s about high time you put on your boots, give the spurs a click and Get’er Done! We live in the greatest nation on Earth. You have absolutely no excuse as to why you are not making a huge impact for the Kingdom. You’ll jump into high gear when it comes to the Superbowl or cheering under the Friday Night Lights… do you give equal time and ambition to fight the good fight and cheer on the Kingdom? Your state of mind allows the Holy Spirit to unlock the secrets of God’s mysteries through revelation in wisdom and understanding. Do you have a Texas state of mind when it pertains to the Kingdom of God? The knowledge of secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. Whoever has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. This is why I speak to them in parables - Mathew 13:10-13 (NIV). Did you get that? As long as information is hidden no one can prosper from it - no matter how powerful the secret or mystery or how mighty the person. The person who makes the secret known to others (shares), no matter who it is, will have access to abundance. Now that’s powerful… sounds like a Heavenly dose of Texas State of Mind! The importance and power of understanding are key. In the parable of the sower (Mathew 13:18-19) Jesus talks about our ability to understand – He is addressing the issue of the state of a man’s mind. Out of your mind you produce based on your understanding. The Bible says that understanding will guard you; blessed is the one… who gets understanding (Prov. 2:11, Prov. 3:13 ESV). Above all else, seek understanding. Get in the right “State of Mind” and pursue knowledge, wisdom and truth. Make it a habit to examine your thoughts. Be intentional in what you hear, how you think and what you speak... Be The One, We Are Church – Mystery; set the stage for how you think. Prayer Points: ·    Praise God for His greatness, infinite power and majesty ·    Thank God that He said you are able to do all things through Jesus ·    Pray that despite bad days, He will bless you with mercy and grace ·    Ask Him to give you an open mind to understand and courage to share His mystery Don Gibson

15 in 5: True North

There is an age old mystery that many people ponder. This particular mystery is used by hunters, boaters, hikers, trail riders, the lost and the found. Global military platoons rely heavily on it for planning, targeting and mapping direction. The mystery is the compass. Why does the compass always point north? It’s not battery operated, you can spin yourself dizzy and fall to the ground flat on your face, but the compass will always point north. Regardless of your location or circumstance, in a storm or in the dessert, the compass will guide you out of your situation. It’s a constant, a remarkable mystery that people who are lost can use if they have the knowledge and wisdom to understand its direction. Christians are called to be a compass in God’s Kingdom.  Your attitudes and actions can either attract others to the Kingdom or lead them away.  How you present yourself leaves people with a positive experience or a negative experience. Therefore, you must ensure your compass is tuned to True North.  Philippians 4:8, you must “fix your thoughts on what is true, honorable, and right, and pure and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise” (NLT). Fill your life with biblical truth. Ground your beliefs and base your faith on God’s “Rich Life” not some counterfeit. When you are in a position of clarity, the gifts inside you have the power to transform your life and the lives of others. Jesus knew the power of the truth, combined with the principle of faith. He knew faith came by hearing. He spent hours teaching others in order to build their faith so they could make a difference in the world. He transformed the mindsets of twelve outcasts and fishermen. He stretched their spiritual paradigms of success and prosperity beyond the traditional. No matter where you stand, you can navigate your way through the wisdom of His truth every single day. Pull out your heavenly compass and watch your direction auto-pilot North upon God. The Mystery you hold is in deciding which direction you will point each morning. Are you facing True North?  Are you on track to Be The One?…Be The One to make a difference each day. Prayer Points: ·    Thank God for the ability to understand and hear Him clearly ·    Ask Him to allow truth and insight to leap off every bible page ·    Pray for God to steer you and be your internal compass on the path of righteousness ·    Ask Him to allow you to Be The One to be a compass for others   Don Gibson

15 in 5: The Secret is Out

James 3:5-6 5 So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. ESV  Have you ever caught fire - figuratively or literally? Fire has a double meaning. It can bring destruction or it can be used to create power and energy. Your tongue has the ability to create a destructive wildfire that is nearly impossible to extinguish or it can project power and authority through your “spoken word”.  Charles W. Chesnutt said, “The workings of the human heart are the profoundest mystery of the universe. One moment they make us despair our kind, and the next we see in them the reflection of the Divine Image.” Eons ago, the mighty Creator of the universe spoke.  His utterance included the first recorded words, “Let there be…”  God thought, He spoke, and the universe came into being. The power of the spoken word is far beyond our common understanding. A supernatural mystery – the Word is the hidden secret being revealed to equip you. God has chosen you for an unprecedented time such as this. A time of empowerment and influence; God is calling you to stir up your gift, rise up and walk in the knowledge and authority of His Word. Forces around us may threaten our peace and stability, but absolutely nothing can prevail against God’s spoken Word. There is life-giving power in every word you speak.  You are a walking, talking church. You represent the kingdom every second of every day in your walk, your talk, and even your thoughts which manifest into action. You, the Church, have access to come boldly and confidently into God’s presence. You have been made complete with the fullness of life and power that comes from God. The power of the spoken word is one of life’s great mysteries.  All that you will ever be or accomplish is centered on how you choose to govern what rolls off of your tongue.  What you allow to occupy your mind and mouth determines the blessings in your life and the heights of your success. Jesus said whatever is in your heart determines what you say.  Through wisdom and understanding you can and will make a difference in the world. You are an agent for the Kingdom, equipped to overcome every obstacle. God has fashioned you to create, innovate, strategize and succeed. God states in Jeremiah  31:33, “I will put my instructions deep within them, and I will write them on their hearts” (NLT). Be The One to step out in boldness and share the inner secrets of your heart, the mystery released, and the words that God has written in your heart. We Are Church –  get the secret out. Prayer Points: ·    Thank God for the burden-removing, peace-giving power of the Blood ·    Praise Him that you can apply the Blood to every place of oppression and despair ·    Ask Him to help your thoughts, words, prayer, and praise bring glory to Him ·    Pray God will lead you in good things and protect you from the schemes of devil  Don Gibson

15 in 5: Modern Day Mystery

1 Corinthians 2:9-10 9 But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”— 10 these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. ESV Life is a mystery, and quite a big one at that. The angels in heaven and satan are not even privy to God’s plans.   Powers and principalities marvel at the genius of God. In the Bible, Solomon states that God is praised for being mysterious. God is so brilliant that if the devil had known of God’s plan for the church, he would have never gone after Jesus. When you are not walking in righteousness, you think you know… but you truly have no idea. You see, the mystery is the Church. In a time when segregation was extreme based on ethnicity, social status and bloodline, God’s master-plan was unity through diversity. The mystery of the church is bringing people together to manage His plan. Here is the fascinating part - you are a part of this powerful mystery. You are a part of a mystery in which neither the angels nor the demons and devil have knowledge. Through you, angels, demons and the devil are being educated. They are truly fascinated watching you carry out the activity of God. As never before, God wants to reveal His mysterious plans to you. In your greatest failure God will call your name. God does not select the qualified, He qualifies the unqualified. To “Be The One” to unlock the victory in Christ – and in this life – requires wisdom.  This is why God wants you to pursue wisdom and understanding above all else. One important secret that can be revealed to you is God’s will for your life. His desire is for you to prosper and succeed in all areas of life, not just material things. More importantly He desires our success in spirit-inspired thoughts, declarations, conversations, divinely appointed relationships – and above all else, spiritual gifts and abilities. The secret is out! The modern day mystery is the Church. This should generate excitement and expectation. Dare to Be The One, We Are Church – Embrace the Mystery. Prayer Points: ·    Worship God as the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth ·    Thank Him for His glorious, unlimited resources ·    Pray that He will empower you with inner strength and wisdom through the Holy Spirit ·    Ask God to help your roots grow firmly down into His love and keep you strong Don Gibson

15 in 5: Unlock Your Mind

Philippians 4:8 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.  ESV Summer time in Texas means finger-licking-good, mouth-watering meals. Meals so good, your eyes become bigger than your stomach and everyone puts on an extra few pounds because we refuse to let good food go to waste. We sit there and stuff ourselves beyond our limits. Yes, you know that feeling of truly exploding when you top off! Why do you think gas stations have a warning sign “Do Not Top Off!” Topping off is dangerous… do not overstuff yourself!  Anyway, back to the reason you overstuffed… The food was so delicious because of the special seasoning, the marinade, and the flavor. Only the perfect mixture of love and seasoning makes you willing to stuff your body beyond its natural limit causing you to willingly suffer over a great thing. You unlock your mind to the natural limits so that you can take it, some inhale it, the meal that was “to die for”. Much like a very delicious and enjoyable meal, the seasoning of life is hope. Whether you are a master chef or America’s worst cook, all you need to do is rub a little hope into your circumstances and before your eyes will come joy, peace and power. Let your words communicate hope. Proverbs 18:20-21 states: “From the fruit (words) of your mouth a man’s stomach is filled; with the harvest from his lips he is satisfied. The tongue has the power of life and death and those who love it will eat its fruit.” Let the words and conversations that come out of your mouth be seasoning to your life and to those whom you speak over. You can have hope because God’s grace causes you to live. God wants you to bear and make it through difficult times. Most importantly, you can have hope because “No One” can take it away! You are fully loaded and seasoned, totally equipped. If you learn to stretch your faith and hope, the Master will step in and you will get breaks you didn’t deserve, overcome obstacles that seemed insurmountable and accomplish more than you ever thought possible. With hope, your circumstances will give way to new victories. You will see God’s blessings rise up before your very eyes. Be the One, We are Church – HOPE. Prayer Points: ·    Praise God that He will not let you be overcome with the issues of life ·    Thank Him for speaking hope into your life and situations and making you the head and not the tail ·    Pray that God will make you salt to season the earth ·    Ask Him to overstuff you with Him so you overflow with His joy   Don Gibson

15 in 5: Living to the Extreme

Proverbs 18:20-21 20 From the fruit of a man's mouth his stomach is satisfied; he is satisfied by the yield of his lips. 21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.  Life is the Ultimate Fighting Championship; when living for Christ you are an extreme fighter. You may be a lightweight, middleweight or a heavyweight. Regardless of your class, on a daily basis you walk into an arena and face a hard-core opponent that’s trying to knock you out with fierce blows, solid kicks and a strike straight to your core. Sometimes, “you” yourself are the hardest opponent you must conquer. It’s imperative that you train in the Word and maintain your God-given gifts and strengths: mentally, physically and spiritually. Most important, you must keep faith and hope in the midst of the battle. God has called you to this fight. He will not abandon you in the midst of any struggle or battle! The definition of extreme is to reach a high or the highest degree. In order to live an extreme life to your full potential and destiny, you must hope. It’s less of you and more of Him. The fear of losing “self” can be overcome through God. Paul writes that we must present our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God; a spiritual act of worship. Sacrificing yourself is not as easy as it seems. Many crawl off the altar as the thought of dying to self is frightening. It may be scary to realize that the will of God and the needs of our family must come before our own desires and needs. You emerge as a true Champion when you die to yourself and live for God. Your true self emerges as your God-created image is restored. Maturity is unleashed and you are able to “put away childish things” or “sins of youth” and begin to speak and act as the person God created you to be. These changes are not easy, but the need is immediate. Dig down deep within you and find the courage. Your hope is in God. He created you to triumph! Philippians 4:13 states that you can do all things through Him who gives you strength; God is in your corner. He is your Trainer, your Coach, your Abba Father, your Legal Counsel… He is “I AM”! Life is designed to have sadness and joy, peace and power at the same time. You were created to hope, God is a God of hope! Be the One, We Are Church – Hope. Prayer Points: ·    Thank God for His unfailing love and strength without equal ·    Praise Him that in His presence there is hope ·    Ask God to deliver you from any fear and replace it with Godly fear ·    Pray that He will help you to walk in His truth Don Gibson

15 in 5: Wise Ole' Saying Hold Truth

I’m sure you have heard the saying, “Like father, like son.” Ladies, this also applies to you too. I know who your Father is and I can confidently say that there is no limit to what you can do. Your Father always succeeds; I’m a witness to His accomplishments. He owns it all. He is Jehovah Jireh, your provider. There is no financial situation or no lack that will ever hold you back. By His grace your hope exists; you can live beyond your weakness. In this particular case, this wise ole’ saying holds truth. Hope is raising your hand to the devil and telling him, “Stop! In Jesus’ Name!” Hope is substance that comes to life when you know without a doubt that you are living under Jesus’ grace. It’s knowing you live with unchanging privileges because of your relationship with a person, who is not only your heavenly Father, He just happens to be King. You have God-given DNA, a gene that has been lying dormant because it was not the right time. When the right time approaches, you’ll have a distinct desire to step up into your purpose and destiny. Your act of faith and your hope will activate the gene to your divine destiny. You will accomplish things you never thought possible. You’ll see new talents, new levels of success, new opportunities, new abilities, new wisdom and insight. Your Father’s genes of favor, wisdom, strength and ability will be activated in you. Never lose hope. Keep an attitude of expectancy. You may not have been raised in a healthy environment, but your parents did not surprise God. Your DNA is that of a victor not a victim. You are more than a conqueror. God knew what you’d encounter and the people you would deal with. Get rid of negativity, any defeated mentality, and naysayers. Ignore the critics and let your haters be your stimulators. Stay in faith and you’ll see great things released in your future. You’ll look back and think, How did I get here? How did this all happen? Remember… Like Father, like child.  You are a child of the Most High God. Your birth parents may not have given you what you need, others may have tried to push you down, your circumstances may not have worked out…but they will not stop you. You have the DNA of Almighty God. The Creator of the Universe has given you everything you need to fulfill your destiny. Be the One to live outside your resources. His grace is more than sufficient. It’s your time to believe and hope, We Are Church. Prayer Points: ·    Praise God that He made you and He put every gene in you ·    Ask Him to release each gene to its maximum potential ·    Pray for God to help you realize who you are in Christ ·    Thank God that He enables you to walk worthy of your calling   Don Gibson

15 in 5: He's Got This

John 16:33 33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” ESV Supernatural opportunities are everywhere - you have to know how to recognize them. How many times have you experienced a supernatural opportunity or maybe the questions is, “Are you ready to experience supernatural opportunities?” Your view of God determines your view of life. Your view of life determines your view of God. If God is your reference point you can make sense of that which makes no sense. Hope is a key factor; it’s a desire for a certain thing to happen. Romans 8:24-25 states, “…Hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one hope for what he can see? If we hope for what we don’t see… with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.” Vision does not mean that you know the specifics about what is going to happen next in your life. You must have hope that something good is near. Hope is knowing that you have a future and a purpose, a very bright one! When you are not standing firm on hope, others can see life draining you dry. Look at Michael Jordan, Nolan Ryan, Mary Lou Retton, Gabby Douglas, Peyton Manning, Jerry Rice… these athletes were faced with constant adversity but in order to reach greatness, they came through all their challenges with hope. Their tests became testimonies. Their mess getting to greatness became their message. T.D. Jakes, Joel Osteen… these great Christian leaders have each faced adversity but their faith and hope prevailed. Just like these All-Star athletes and leaders, when you get tempted to get down and things are not going your way, you need to tell yourself, “This may be hard. It may be taking a long time. But my hope is in the Lord, I know God is faithful. I will believe, knowing that my payday is on its way.” When life turns up the heat and gets difficult, that’s a sign that your time is near. Supernatural opportunities are right in front of you! God is the absolute ruler and controller over all His creation. Nothing happens in which He is not in control. That control manifests in two ways: (1) Direct Causation: He makes is happen (2) By allowing it to happen: He controls by saying, “That’s what I want to happen” or “That’s not what I want to happen, but I’ll let it happen so I can use it for what I want to happen!” God’s sovereignty says that things are in control even when they are out of your control. Ephesians 1:11 states: God does everything after the council of His own will. This, my friend, is the reason to always have hope. God’s always in control. He is the Creator, Controller and Sustainer of all things. Establish this as the governing principle of life. Believe, have hope and Be the One, We Are Church – Hope. Prayer Points: ·    Praise God for providing you with hope through Jesus ·    Pray that God will give you a vision for your future ·    Ask Him to help you understand that His plans are for good and not evil ·    Thank Him for every test and trial that makes you strong Don Gibson

15 in 5: Prisoner of What

Romans 15:13 13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. ESV You know that feeling when someone asks you how you are doing and your mind has to quickly decide if you’re going to give the short and sweet answer or if you’re going to divulge the real truth?  It’s in that moment you either become a prisoner of defeat or you decide to become a prisoner of hope.  The words that come out of your mouth give life to your situation. You must decide if you (1) give life to the problem in which it will magnify or (2) give life to hope and believe and trust that God will take care of it. Stop wallowing in a bad attitude, a bad attitude will make any situation miserable. A habit of responding negatively will adversely affect every aspect of your life. The “gospel” means “good news”. God wants each of us to come out of adversity victoriously as the bible states, “Thanks be to God who always causes us to triumph.” In all things you are more than a conqueror. Stand on the fact that no weapons formed against you will prosper. The Bible says, “If God be for you, who can be against you!” Every morning you need to put on a new attitude of hope and expectancy. You need a raise you say? Work like that raise is already yours and watch how your supervisors and leaders take notice. You may be about to give up on a troubled marriage, a wayward child, on your career or even your life… God wants to breathe new hope into your heart. No matter how dark, dismal or tragic the situation, God wants you to hold on. If you’ll get your second wind and press forward with hope, you’ll see Him do amazing things! Quit telling yourself “I’ll never”. Tune out all the negativity. Declare that you are closer than you think. Zechariah 9:12 says, “We should be prisoners of hope”. I know it’s easy to give up and get discouraged; become a prisoner of hope. Rewards are waiting for you if you stay steadfast in faith and hope. The scripture says, “We walk by faith not by sight.” If you hope and believe you can mark HIS Word, “You will receive!” Be the One, We Are Church – Hope. Prayer Point: ·   Praise God that He shines the light of His spirit upon you and fills you with His love ·   Ask God to help you to be kind and patient, not selfish or easily provoked ·   Pray that He will enable you to believe all things, hope all things, bear and endure all things ·   Thank Him that He releases you from anger, unrest, anxiety, concerns, inner turmoil, strife and pressure Don Gibson

15 in 5: It's Time to Engage

1 Thessalonians 2:11-13 11 For you know how, like a father with his children, 12 we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory. 13 And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers. Jesus was a friend to sinners. Long before you were standing at the place you are today, Jesus loved you -  before you were redeemed. We are all born into sin; our society celebrates lust of the eyes and of the flesh as well as gossip and accusations.  So many people are hurting in the world. Was there a time when you walked in their shoes and knew how the lost and hurt people feel? Stop for just a second and ask yourself, “Whose life have I touched today or even this week?” John Maxwell made a very compelling statement. He said, “People don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care.”  You can hold a handful of degrees, but your education does not make you effective. The key to being effective and making an impact is to prove how much you genuinely care for others. Real treasures are found in relationships. Unlike all else in the world, meaningful relationships are not perishable. Actions speak louder than words. When you have a heart for Christ your actions will prove to others that you are genuine. You will not have to speak it. You will begin to invest personally in others. You will invest in relationships. You will be sacrificial and know that it is for a greater purpose. It’s all about less of you and more of Him. You desire to be Christ-like and walk in His dust. Without a conscious effort you will begin to lead by example and people will begin to recognize the authority that has been bestowed upon you. Others will be drawn to you. Jesus was exactly the opposite of what the world expected of Him. They wanted a ruler and He gave them a servant. They wanted a mighty king and He gave them a man of humility and gentleness. They wanted a man beyond worldly reproach and He ate with sinners. They tried to take the children from Him and He gathered them up and blessed them. They wanted immediate miracles and acts to save them from all their earthly woes; He gave His life to save them from eternity. Jesus engaged and made a huge impact. He was gentle and loving, yet willing to rebuke evil. Slow to anger, yet He showed righteous anger when His Father’s temple was defiled. Step outside your box and get involved in people’s lives. Through your own actions, encourage others to step outside of selfishness and live for Christ. Be a kingdom representative. From the elite to the street, it’s time to Be the One – We Are Church. It’s time to engage the world and make an IMPACT! Prayer Points: ·   Praise God for His unfailing love ·   Pray that He will help you to be an imitator of Him and live a life of love ·   Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you in setting an example in your speech and actions Don Gibson

15 in 5: Authentic, Not Diluted

1 Thessalonians 2:9-10 9 For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. 10 You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers. ESV   Everyone knows the immense torture of Texas summer heat. If you work at a plant, the heat under your clothes will make you feel like the sun is cooking your skin. If you are a police officer, you have to catch your breath every time you get out of the patrol car and the first inhalation of the heat feels like it is cooking your lungs. Daycare teachers wish they could allow the little ones to run outside and burn off the excess energy that is trapped inside the four walls of the room, but due to extreme weather conditions… they must keep those precious babies inside!  The heat is so intense that if you pour yourself a glass of your favorite drink over ice and step away, the ice melts within a matter of seconds! Your favorite drink has now become diluted and not so desirable.   Much like the heat and melted ice, accusations, impurity, greed and deception will water down the anointing upon your life. When the Gospel is watered down, its effectiveness is impacted. When you go to your favorite restaurant, do you go because of the authentic flavor? Would you continue to be a customer if your favorite dish became diluted with harsh chemicals or lost its flavor? If a restaurant wants to keep their clientele, it must continue to provide outstanding food and service to meet or exceed the expectation of the company’s high standards. You are the Church and you are delivering and serving the Gospel to the world. God is in charge of the operation and He is making sure that you are not watering down the good news. Unlike a restaurant, God doesn’t need people’s approval or acceptance. Jesus declared, "I am the Bread of Life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” We cannot tweak the recipe of the Gospel. It is what it is… it’s authentic and pure. It’s Holy and True. Do not be ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God to salvation to everyone that believes. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, the just shall live by faith. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness. As you go about your day, stay authentic to the Word; please God and not people. Make an impact – Be the One… We are Church. Prayer Points: ·  Thank God that His Word is alive and powerful ·  Pray for God to give you energy and to open your eyes that you may see wonderful things in His Word ·  Ask Him to guide, teach and mold you to be the person He created you to be Don Gibson

15 in 5: Working Hard or Hardly Working

9 For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.                                                                                        1 Thessalonians 2:9 ESV There are times in life that you give all you have, literally...give all you have, and then you look at the grand scope of it all and you have not even budged an inch. It could be that you work a full forty hours a week and put in an extra twenty hours overtime to try and catch up on the bills. Before the paycheck arrives something has transpired and your money is funny; it’s gone before it gets there. It could be that you have a goal to shed those pounds and get in shape. You eat right, you exercise like it’s going out of style, and you lift weights like Popeye or Hercules. Despite all your efforts, the excess weight is still there and you just can’t seem to get the scale to budge a pound. Many of us face lies and accusations at work, school and in your family circle. The enemy is the master of accusations. When he peeks into your life and sees the power and blessings that have been entrusted to you, he will stop at nothing to destroy your character and credibility. If the devil did this to Jesus, Paul and Silas… trust me, he’ll do it to you too. It’s imperative that you draw your strength from God; especially when it seems like you are putting forth all your effort and you’re not getting anywhere. You know you are working so hard but it’s as if you are hardly working. There will be challenges in your path. Do not get distracted. James 1:2 (NIV) states, “…Count it pure joy my brothers and sisters when you face trials of many kinds.” Psalm 46 is so powerful: God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Stand firm and relentless in your work. No weapons formed against you shall prosper. God is a Rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Most importantly, His word states, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me” 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV). Whether it’s in our personal life or spiritual life, it’s crucial that we draw strength from God. In order to be the Church – to Be the One to make an impact, we must rely on God as our strength and not in our own ability.  His Word does not return void! Prayer Points: ·    Praise God that He is the creator of all good thinks and that He lifts you up ·    Thank Him that nothing is too small or too big for Him ·    Pray for God to provide you with strength, wisdom and understanding ·    Ask God to prepare your path and bring opportunities for you to Be The One Don Gibson