The Goat Mentality

The Goat Mentality

 

 

 

Read Matthew 25:31-46

I wrote this some time ago, but recently thought about it. I wanted to share it with you. Jesus in scripture talks about separating the sheep from the goats. When Jesus used examples, He used what people were familiar with. What characteristics of a goat show us the things God wants to change? Let's take a look at some of them:

GOATS

• Highly intelligent (1 Corinthians 3:19 – God does not wants us depending on our own understanding for it is foolishness)

• Independent (Proverb 16:18 –God does not want us to be prideful in our own ability because it only leads to our destruction)

• When they are first born they begin to fight with their siblings for their mothers milk (Isaiah 56:11- God does not want us to be greedy, only concerned with filling ourselves)

• The strong survive, if they are weak they are left behind or die (only concerned with self- Hebrew 13:1 - God wants us to think more of others than ourselves)

• Intensely curious and will investigate any thing that piques their interest. Because they are so interested, they are hard to keep confined to their areas. They will jump over fences for example. (Ephesians 4:14- God does not want us chasing after every thing that catches our fancy. He does not want us tossed to and fro.)

• They are aggressive in their behavior (Psalm 37:11 – God wants us to be meek for the meek shall inherit the God)

• They are more adapted to hot weather and not cold. They have to be taken indoors at night times. The are not as adapted to cold weather because of their size weight ability to conserve water limited fat & nature of their coats (They are “fair weather” survivors. They cannot withstand the storms. God wants us to be able to withstand the storms of life. We are able to do this because of our “make up”. He adapts or clothes us to be able to withstand the “cold”.)

• Breeding of goats can be difficult because of the aggressive behavior and confrontational behavior. For example if a male goat and female goat are aggressive towards each other, the male will not mate with her and will keep others from mating with her as well. (Psalm 133:1 – God wants us to dwell together in unity: husbands, wives, children etc.)

Prayer: Lord we ask that you give us the strength to put to death any goat-like characteristics that are in us. Help us to be moldable and usable for your glory. Amen.

Unopened Gifts

 

Matthew 7:10-12 (NIV)

¹⁰ Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? ¹¹ If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! ¹² So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

 

I recently heard someone talk about “unopened gifts”.  Both individuals talked about what if there was a room in heaven filled with unopened gifts.  What are these unopened gifts?  In my visual I could see a room larger than several warehouses filled from floor to ceiling with lovely wrapped gifts.

Some of these gifts were large and some where small.  When I drew closer to the gifts on the shelves I saw names on the boxes.  I saw Ashley Smith, Michael Brown, Robert Thompson, Barbara Jones and so many more names.  I saw what was in the gift boxes written next to each of the names.

Some of the gifts were healing, forgiveness, hope, restoration of marriage, restored relationship with children or families.  I saw gifts of preaching, worldwide ministries, pastors, church planters and more.

I wondered why there were so many unopened gifts.  I began to think about what these individuals stated.  What came to mind was what was summed up in Matthew 7:10-12.  God the Father has set aside good gifts for each of His children.  He knows everything you and I need and He has set them aside for us.  The key is in the latter part of verse 11.  It states, “…to those who ask him!” 

The problem is many of us try to handle things on our own and we never go to God and ask Him for what we need, so our gifts go unclaimed.  When we forget to ask, we miss opening God’s perfect gift for those situations and circumstances in our lives.  Either we do not ask Him or we ask amiss, again leaving the gifts opened.  So what happens to those gifts?

I believe those are the unopened gifts waiting on heavenly shelves.  I am reminded of that in scripture where it states, “…for God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable” (Roman 11:29).  God has set aside some gifts and blessing with our names on them.  If we do not go and ask Him for them, they sit in this room of unopened gifts.

Now I am not trying to prove biblically a room filled with unopened gifts, I am only asking you to imagine for a moment with me.  What if God has some unopened gifts for you?  What if they are sitting in this room waiting for you to call and ask for them?  If you don’t call they will continue to sit on the shelves.

Today, I am asking God first to forgive me for not coming to Him and asking for all the good gifts He has for me, gifts to help me be a better mother, wife, preacher, and child of God.  Now I am doing as the scripture encourages, I am going to God and asking, “Lord please give to me all the good gifts you have for me.”

I want to end on this note.  I remember several years ago when I was going through something and I asked God for help.  As I was driving in to my parking pad I heard God speak to my spirit.  He said, “I enjoy giving my children good gifts”.  I began to weep as I thought about the fact that God finds pleasure in providing gifts to me.

So today, I want to encourage each of us that God has all the gifts we need.  Let us not allow them to be classified as “unopened gifts.”  Ask God for yours today and watch the windows of heaven open up for you and pour out blessings greater than you or I can even handle.

God's Reality About Our Hearts

⁴ Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵ It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. (1 Corinthians 13:4-5 NIV)

 

I was praying about what to write for this month’s message.  As I was preparing to write I was reminded of several situations that have happened in the last few weeks.  I have had several situations were individuals have been disrespectful, yet I had to choose not to respond emotionally.  I was the one in authority so I could have easily snapped at these individuals, but I chose not to do that.

In years past, it was difficult for me to let go of things done or said to me.  I would forgive, but I was not going to set myself up for that person to attack me again.  Hurt me and that was the end for you and me.  God has placed me in some areas that are stretching me in this area, because I know He wants me to grow where heart matters are concerned.

Just yesterday I had someone disrespect me and my alter ego “Denise” was ready to tell this person off.  Yet, instead I found myself praying for this person that God would change them and help them to truly see who they are and not who they think.

So when I went searching for a scripture to use, this one simply jumped out at me.  I especially like the part where it states this about love, “it does not dishonor others.”  I was thankful to read this because I had the opportunity to snap back at a person that snapped at me in public, except I refused to dishonor or disrespect them, so I talked to this person offline out of the eye shot of others.  If we want to understand God’s reality about our hearts we must understand that God wants us to take great care not to disrespect each other.  It doesn’t matter our roles or positions.  We are all called to respect one another.  This is true even when the other person did not follow this mandate.  The call to respect others is not based on what they do, but what I chose to do.

The second part of this scripture that resonates with me about love is, “it keeps no record of wrongs.” This can be difficult to accomplish even on our best days.  I will be honest, what happened on yesterday still is bothering me, but I am confidence that I will overcome this wrong.  I will let go of the disrespect and be able to simply be myself.  This is the key, when we hold on to the wrong done us; it really has a hold on us.  If we keep re-thinking on the things done against us we will find ourselves troubled in our minds and uncomfortable in our relations.  Therefore it is imperative for us to let go of the wrong.  We can ask God to help us and in time we will see ourselves free from those wrongs.

Another key point about love is “it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered.”  When we chose to love, we must turn our focus off ourselves.  Using the example of the person that disrespected me, I could easily get caught up in what was done and allow the anger to grow.  If I am not careful I would begin to seek my own restitution in this situation.  I could use my authority and power to make this person pay.  This is not love.  God’s reality for my situation is to love this person enough to see their need for God to humble their heart even if they don’t see their need.  God’s love dictates to me that I must seek what is best for this person.  The first thing is not to allow myself to become angered at the things this person does.  I have to be what the scripture starts out stating about love, “Love is patient, love is kind.”

God’s reality about my heart is He requires me to love in all situations and in all conditions.  He requires me to be kind to those that do not deserve my kindness.  Why? The truth is God’s love is shown to me and I do not deserve it.  I was not loveable yet God chose to love me.  I was not kind but kindness was freely given to me.

So today I want to encourage each of us no matter what our situations are to choose to love.  God’s reality about our hearts is He desires to use us in the difficult situations we find ourselves in.  Has someone hurt you so bad that you can’t even bare it?  It is probably even more difficult when those hurting you are your brothers and sisters in Christ.  Are you struggling to get over the hurt?  Have you pulled yourself away because you are determined this individual (or individuals) is not going to hurt you anymore?  Has the anger lingered so long that you find yourself wishing bad things would happen to this person?  Or have you sought your own ways to hurt them?

I want to encourage you to follow God’s plan for your heart.  Ask Him to help you until you sense the release of the hurt from your heart.  Seek what is best for the person by asking God to work on their hearts as well.  And as you seek God for help in this matter, remember this about love “It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.”  When we see God show up in our situations and make a change, we do not have to be envious of how God will work in the lives of those that hurt us and we will refrain from boosting that God did it because of us.

This is God’s reality for our hearts…

 

Written by: Rev. Jewel D. Williams

God's Reality about our Situations

 

Numbers 11:23 (NIV) ~ The Lord answered Moses, “Is the Lord’s arm too short? Now you will see whether or not what I say will come true for you.

Today, I was discouraged.  I was discouraged at the complaining and fault finding of God’s people.  I sometimes see God’s people wasting too much time on things that really do not have anything to do with kingdom work; it’s all vanity.  We sometimes put too much time and effort into trying to maintain our “coop existence” instead of seeking God for His directions.   As I was sitting and asking God what He wanted from me, this is the scripture He led me to.

My heart was like Moses when he spoke to God and asked, “Why have you brought this trouble on your servant? What have I done to displease you that you put the burden of all these people on me? ¹² Did I conceive all these people? Did I give them birth? Why do you tell me to carry them in my arms, as a nurse carries an infant, to the land you promised on oath to their ancestors? ¹³ Where can I get meat for all these people? They keep wailing to me, ‘Give us meat to eat!’ ¹⁴ I cannot carry all these people by myself; the burden is too heavy for me. ¹⁵ If this is how you are going to treat me, please go ahead and kill me—if I have found favor in your eyes—and do not let me face my own ruin.” (Numbers 11:11-15)

Moses was fed up with the complaining and ungratefulness of the people.  If you read the entire chapter it starts with the people complaining and God sending fire to consume them.  That was not enough, it moves on to them complaining about the food they received from God, they wanted something else. The Israelites were known complainers. 

As I began to look more at this scripture I was struck by something else.  Do I at times become a complainer?  Do I look at my own situations and begin to be ungrateful because things are not the way I want them to be?  Do I look at my lack of money or lack of time and begin to complain about the “manna” God is sending my way? Do I spend too much time on things that really have nothing to do with kingdom building?  Am I sometimes like the Israelites, a known complainer?

I was discouraged today, but God showed me something important about myself.  He reminded me through the Israelites that I was complaining and wasting too much time on things that really didn’t matter; my complaints were just the same.  While I might not have been complaining about meat, I was not showing forth a grateful heart for what I had been given. Don’t we do that sometimes?  We stop and look at our situations and only see what we “don’t have” and we begin to complain.  We say things like if I didn’t have to give my tithes I would have some money (going back to Egypt thinking).  Or we complain to God as if He has done something wrong to us because our circumstances are not working out.  “God I’m your child, why are you letting my wife/husband act so bad, why won’t you fix it?”  We begin to blame God as the Israelites did when things are not going the way they want.

Yet God wants us to see His reality regarding our situations.  God’s response to the things that were on my heart today about my own situation was the same one He gave to Moses.  “Is the Lord’s arm too short?”  God’s response to my situation was, do not have an Israelite attitude.  Do not look “back” and desire what was back in the time of bondage, instead look forward to me and what I am doing.  Do not complain because things are not coming when you think they should, instead trust me and know that my arms are not too short to take care of your needs.  God’s reality regarding our situations is He will never leave us nor will He forsake us.  He is faithful to the faithful.  The God we serve promises to be with us in our wilderness experiences as well as our times of plenty.  He promises to be a faithful God to us as we learn to show ourselves faithful to Him.

God in the verse above was helping Moses by giving him what he needed.  God had Moses pick some men and He anointed them with power to serve with Moses.  God's arms were not too short to fix Moses situation, just as His arms are not too short to fix ours.

I was discouraged today, yet God reminded me that if I draw close to His presence He will fill me with His power and equip me to handle whatever He deems worthy.  I allowed God to speak to me today through the discouragement I felt to show me how He could better use me.  I was reminded that God is worthy of praise at all times; both the good and the bad time.  He is worthy of praise when my situations are what I want them to be or when I find myself in a place of lack.

I was discouraged today, now my heart rejoices as I praise my God for He is worthy of all praise.  I am reminded His arms are not too short to handle everything that comes my way, therefore no more complaining about my situation when in fact God has it all under control.

Dream Maker Video

Enjoy our newest video we created for our new talk show, Dream Makers.

Someone You should Know - Dr. David Stevens

Someone you should know: Dr. David Stevens

I am always excited about meeting new people.  I don't know how I was connected to pastor David Stevens on Facebook, but I'm glad I was.  I was invited into his FB group, second wind, second mile relationships, which is a lively time of conversations around marriage and relationships. After reading and following Dr. Stevens, I thought he would be someone you should know.  This interview was is Dr. Steven answering some questions that I posed to him.  However, after reading the responses I wanted you to have the opportunity to hear more and to have a chance to ask questions yourself. Therefore, I'm excited to say you will have the opportunity to learn more about Dr. Stevens when he is a guest on Dream Makers on August 16 (time to be announced). If you can't join us live, you can always go to Williams Innovative Network by following the link and listening to the podcast.  Now let's begin our interview with this introduction of Dr and Mrs. Stevens:

Dr. and Mrs. Stevens have the heart to help couples align their marriages with the Word of God, and they also have the credentials and the experience to do it. Their purpose is to help couples restore their marriages to God’s original design, and guide couples considering marriage through the maze of complicated and often conflicting choices. 

Their Ministry is firmly grounded in Scripture, emphasizing Genesis 2:24 as the foundation for a sound marriage. Their unique approach is to use the three parts of that Verse – leaving, cleaving, and the two becoming one – as a framework for helping couples align their marriages with God’s intention.

Blessed with a  marriage of  almost 50 years, being in Ministry for over 40 years, and having published 4 books on the subject, the Stevens’ have a wealth of experience and it’s their hearts’ desire to share it with you, whatever marital situation you may be in.” (Taken from their website, http://www.soundmarriages.com/)

Jewel: I gave my readers an introduction of your ministry from your website; however what additional information would you like to share with my readers?

Dr. Stevens: Your information is a good summary of what we do. From day one we have tried to put Bible wisdom into plain language. The theology of the principles are not that hard for people to understand if you take away some of the “churcheez” (That’s the language we sometimes use with each other, but is totally foreign to non-believers and new believers.) Our mantra has kind of become, “Principles work, follow principles”. So I work hard at trying to discover things that I can share that will help enhance the journey. You picked out in your introduction the Gen. 2:24 principle that we call the ‘Triangular plan’. In it you will find the whole structural basis for marriage. It specifies who, what, and when. This modern debate that we are presently having would disappear altogether if we took the time to understand and apply what is being said. Just about every marital argument or conflict grows out of not understanding or misapplying one or more of these three elements.

Jewel: Your website states you have helped many couples restore their marriages to what God intended, as well as give them the tools to keep their marriages sound and joyful.  When did you first have this passion for restoring and strengthening marriages and why?

Dr. Stevens: Way back in the sixties an older minister friend treated me to a weeklong conference for inner city pastors given by The Institute for Basic Youth Conflicts in Oak Brooke, IL. I had never in my life attended anything that intense. I learned more about the Bible and its’ practical principles than I did in half the years I spent in Christian college. They got you up at the crack of dawn and sent you to bed at 9 pm. Believe me they didn’t have to beg us (smile). The passion started there!

Jewel: Did you begin writing your books after getting involved in the helping of marriages or was this always a tool you desired to incorporate?  In other words, which came first your books or the helping of marriages?

Dr. Stevens: No, although I am a visual artist (majored in painting and sculpture) I wanted to be an author as well, but the books came along years later after I found I really had something to say, smile.

Jewel: Can you give me a brief description of value each of your books brings to your reader?

Dr. Stevens: Books: Marriage-The corridors, Castles and Conflict, (2^nd book) Marriage-Rules of the Game, Marriage, Catching a Second Wind, and Love Marriage, and the Baby Carriage.

The first book, Marriage-The corridors, Castles and Conflicts, is much about the basics from dating to marriage. I spent a lot of time giving the whys and wherefores of following the great wisdom of principles. This book was written with both singles and married people alike.

Marriage: The Rules of The Game, pulls no punches as we try to share the wisdom that will make marriages great. (Again we invite singles to tune in so that they are pre-prepared to understand the complexities of marriage if they are aiming to join the ranks.)

Marriage: Catching A Second Wind is geared towards couples who have been together for awhile, and helpful to those who are planning to get there as well.

I suppose the crown jewel is the current book, Love, Marriage, and The Baby Carriage.  In it I return and enhance many of the principles I introduced in book one. I begin with dating and go all the way through to marriage and parenting.

Jewel: While your books are geared toward married people, how can the single person benefit from your wisdom?

Dr. Stevens: Actually, all of the books target both single and married folks. The subject is marriage, but the emphasis is on teaching everyone how to be happily married and the things that affect that goal. You don’t wait, or should not wait, until a couple gets married to begin teaching them how to be married. Hopefully it is a lifelong growth pattern.

Jewel: I belong to one of your FB pages, Second Wind Second Mile Relationships and I find the conversations and questions interesting.  What was your goal for this page as well as your other FB page, Sound Marriages?

Dr. Stevens: Well, both pages are informative and often a lot of fun. We get serious or silly based on the direction of the questions and answers.  We have some outstanding regular characters that show up and keep things going. Laquanta has turned out to be our resident comic, Phil, our statistic guru, Theresa Iron-girl, our wise lady anchor, and RoRo who has become my protégé (she has read all of my books). Actually, we had 2 FaceBook sites and tried to collapse the Second Wind Second Mile Relationship site to combine it with Sound Marriages. The group refused to move and it turned out to be the larger more active site. It is the place where questions and answers really pour out. I’m glad that the members rebelled against our plan. The makeup of Sound Marriages is so different. It is more the drive by, with interesting statements and pictures and quotes from my books. So yeah they both have their purpose. To answer your question our goal was to get out there and serve the people. We can say of both, “And the people have spoken”!

Jewel: As a pastor you know the messages or lessons you present to others, God first uses them to teach you.  How have the messages you share with others benefit you in your personal life?

Dr. Stevens: I find that I must practice first what I preach! That’s the way it works. God has continued to bless us and our efforts. We are coming up in a few months on our big fiftieth anniversary. Isn’t God good?!!!

Jewel: Having published a few books myself and started a ministry, Williams Innovative Network (W.I.N.), I know it can be difficult to see past those early beginnings. How would you encourage someone starting out on their mission?

Dr. Stevens: If God gives you a personal mission, He will supply a mission field. Go for it with everything you have in you. My first book when finished I knew was good; God gave it to me to write. I could not find a publisher, so I found that I could self publish. It just meant that the money had to come out of my own pockets; ouch! I think I grumbled a bit, but I had truth that had to be shared. Afterwards a publisher showed great interest, even personal edited it and sent a contract to sign. But I had hundreds of books that would have to be taken off the market because there would have been a conflict of interest. In our house we don’t believe in wasting money, so the contract had to go south.  I never returned to traditional publishing. It works for many, but not for me then. Never say never; perhaps one day in the future!

Jewel: What final thoughts would you like to share?

Dr. Stevens: You know Jewel, my wife and I have done many seminars and workshops all over the country. We worked many years for the NIYC, an annual convention catering to the family, teaching on the subject of marriage. I still love doing seminars, but it requires a lot of work before you get there and during. I would like to now, get on some speaker circuits and share in a wider capacity. The work is different in some respects, and the audiences much larger. We will still do workshops but I want the chance to expand with the truth that God has invested in us.

Jewel: Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity to share with you and your audience. It has been my pleasure. May God continue to bless you and your husband in the great work that you do for the kingdom.

Final thoughts: If you interested in Dr. Steven's work, you can go to his website, http://www.soundmarriages.com/.  He also host two FB pages, Sound Marriages and Second Wind, Second Mile Relationships.  If interested in any of Dr. Steven's information you can contact him via his website.

Interview with Sandra DeBose

Sandra Dee Debose

Author of Naked and Not Ashamed

I'm excited to introduce to you Sandra Dee Debose as she shares her life openly in her book, Naked and Not Ashamed.  Read her response to my questions in this interview.

1.      Why did you write this book? Writing this book originally started out as a way to relieve stress.  I found writing a relaxing outlet.  However, as it began to evolve I found that I was actually being set-up by the Holy Spirit.

2.      What were you hoping individuals would get from reading your book? An insight to the struggles and victories faced by Christians.  Knowledge of God’s mercy and grace.

3.      What is the significance of your title and cover?    I had to be open and honest in order to show God’s Love.  Testifying about REAL situations that we face as Christians allows my readers to know that they too can share their situations without shame or fear. 

4.      How did your faith play into you accomplishing this task?  Believe me without faith I would not have been able to set out on this venture.  It was by faith that I obeyed God’s leading to finish.

5.      I had two stories that were my favorite; Matthew and Zoe and A War Going On.  What was your favorite story you shared?  I would also say “A War Going On.” 

6.      Why?  Young lives were changed on that Chicago corner that night!

7.      What was the hardest thing to share in your book and why?  I wouldn’t say that any of it was “hard.”  I was concerned about how my readers would receive “Matthew and Zoe”. The feedback that I have received has confirmed that what we go through is common to man.  Women are opening up to me and sharing their experience.  Women who thought that they were alone.    

8.      How difficult was it to write? It was not difficult at all.  I’ve been telling these stories for years but simply decided to write them down.

Or did you have a writing schedule that you kept to?  I wrote while my family watched television and during my quite time. I self-published so I had no deadline.

9.      Do you have plans to write any other books? I have many more stories, poems and original songs in my spirit that are waiting to be released. 

If so are you currently working on one?  Yes, I am currently putting things in order for book two. 

10.  What would you suggest to someone about going for their dream(s), whatever it is?  I found that you can’t share your vision with everyone.  Don’t be discouraged if those closes to you do not receive your vision.  Remember Joseph’s own brothers threw him in the pit.  When you share your vision, expect to have a “Pit Experience.”  Don’t let it throw you.

11.  What is the response you have gotten so far about your book?  I have received all positive feedback. 

12.  Getting a book published is not something that happens quickly, how did you combat the “voices” that said this would not happen?   After coming out of agreement with the spirit of procrastination everything supernaturally fell into place. God showed me who to contact and how to present it.  It is not as hard as people think.  I self-published my book for under $300. 

$35.00             Library of Congress copyright registration fee

$125.00           ISBN and Bar Code

$117.00           Printing of 50 copies

$14.00             Web-Site

I found the cover picture on the internet and wrote the artist.  She gave me permission to use her print free of charge.  I found the entire experience fast and easy.  To God be the Glory!

     To order Naked and Not Ashamed go to: www.sandradebose.com

You can also go to her link and read an excerpt from her book. You can also purchase a E-book from her site as well.

You can contact her @

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