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