Blog Archives - The Remarkable Blog

It's not the reason it's our response~just keep swimming.

7/31/2017

Some things just have to happen. Paul said, "We must run ashore!" Paul thought he needed Malta, but Malta needed Paul. God was with him and God is with us through our storms and our assignments.

Steven Furtick taught a great sermon on this that you can watch by going to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAQjgpnXj2k

What got me so excited about this sermon is, I always looked at this portion of scripture as adversity that we experience when we serve the Lord. I never looked at this portion of scripture, as us going through things so others can get what they need. This encouraged me that everything is really not about us. When we tell God we will do what ever He asks us to do, He takes us up on it.

So, let me ask you something. What have you gone through that wasn't even about you, and yet you gave the devil credit for it, or worst yet blamed God?

If God brought us to it He will bring us through it. I can imagine Apostle Paul saying, "Just keep swimming men! God said we would be alright." We need to encourage one another as we go through this life and try to figure things out. We may never know the reasons for why things happen. However, what matters is our response to what happens to us.

Today we read about Paul and we see what great things he did. Some one, some day, may read about what you did. What will they say?

Power can come from the PAIN.

7/28/2017

From mistake to miracle to mission that seems to sum up the life of Paul, and the 3 months he spent on Malta. From this story we can learn from Paul, our supply is in our assignment. Whatever it takes to do what God has called us to do we can rest assured there will be power supplied to us to get to mission accomplished. We think everything is about us. It's not. Sometimes what we go through isn't even about us. It could very well be about our generation! Steven Furtick did a great teaching on this and you can find it on You Tube called, "It Had To Happen". It will rattle you if you've got any religion in you and that's a good thing. It will make you think about where you are right now and why you are, where you are.

Acts 19:11 (KJV) "And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul:"

The same hand that was snake bitten was able to bring healing to those on that island. Perhaps some of the very ones that watched to see what would happen, waiting for Paul to die, believing he was of the devil, later received their healing from him. To whom much is given--much is required. Adversity is often a sign we are exactly where God would have us to be and that the enemy of our soul is trying to get us to quit and walk away. Stay! Stay until you win. Stay until the Lord gives you victory over your adversary. Paul didn't die and then they thought him to be a god. This is why we must never get our applauds or acceptance from man but God. Men are fickeled. We must look to please God. When we please God He will cause even our enemies to be at peace with us.

The plan of the devil is to cause us enough pain we will quit. God's plan is for us to receive power from on high for remaining faithful to that which He has called us.

Today fight the good fight of faith!

Misery or Mission? Shake it off!

7/27/2017

Misery or mission. This story comes from the life of Paul on the island of Malta. A place you never intended to find yourself. The inspiration for this blog today comes from a sermon I heard Steven Furtick preach. You can find it on You Tube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAQjgpnXj2k.

What I got out of this is we all go through things. It is what we do with what we go through that matters. We can whine or we can dine on what we go through. We can get a supply from our assignment. There are so many things that I have gone through that now are victories for me. I am not a victim because of what I have come through I am a victor. I believe God is a healer because I've been sick and now I am well. You can not tell me God is not a healer. Why? He healed me. It is part of who I have now become.

Psalm 21:11 (KJV) "For they intended evil against thee: they imagined a mischievous device, whichthey are not able to perform."

I can't imagine what it must of been like to be shipped wrecked. Then to build a fire to warm myself and get snake bit. However, even with that it is harder for me to imagine people just standing around waiting for me to die, talking about me as if I were cursed. I have gone through some very tough times. Many of you as my readers know some of the things, others of you know because you have heard me preach or listened on our web site (www.restorationchurchintl.org). However, I can only imagine from reading my Bible what life must have been like for Paul--no wonder he had the material and connection with God to write two-thirds of the New Testament.

So how about you? What have you gone through? What has been your Malta? What have you shaken off that would have killed others? What has bit you that didn't kill you? We are to share our stories too. We are to share our testimonies so that others may get to know this Jesus we serve. What are you waiting for? Others may be waiting for you to die--shake it off!

It's never too late to change!

7/26/2017

I was reading my daily devotion today and learned something I never knew. I have always heard people call others a "Barnabas" or say this person has a "Barnabas" anointing. I also knew that the name Barnabas meant encourager. But, here is what I didn't know, Barnabas is one of the many people in the Bible that had his name changed! Check it out in Acts 4:36-37. Barnabas's real name was Joses of Cyprus. No one I know has ever heard of Joses. Have you?

So going through the Bible we find that even if you are as old as 99 years old you can have a drastic change is your life. At least I think going from being a normal ole Dad to the Father of Nations is pretty drastic. I also think going from quarrelsome to princess is pretty drastic change as well, let alone a mother of nations as well. I mean sho comes up with ideas like this? You guessed it! God. All by Himself He decides what happens to people when they have an experience with Him and/or His Son.

I mean Saul thought he was pretty awesome. He even let everyone know. However, when his name was changed to Paul is mean small or humble. His inward change brought an outward change of name. The same type of thing happened with Jacob. Jacob wrestled with an angel and God changed his name to Israel.

I could go on and mention Peter and others but here's the point. You can be a loser and God can change you into a winner! You can be broke and God can turn you into wealthy! You can be sick and God can change you into healthy!

God redeemed us! He turned us from damned to saved, doomed to destined for heaven! Share the good news of the Gospel with someone today. Be a life-changer like Barnabas. Quit crawling around like a worm that's the devil's job, and start soaring like the Spirit within you, because that's who you are created to be.

Truth is worth remembering--a lie is worth forgetting.

7/25/2017

There are over 70 verses in the Bible about "Remember". I realized, that God tells us what to remember, and what we are to forget. Many of us choose to remember the bad. God tells us to remember the good things. When we rehearse something long enough, we begin to think that it is true. If for instance someone tells you that you have Cherokee Indian in your family, you will rehearse that to the next generation and everyone will believe it--even if it isn't true. Tell yourself a lie long enough and you will believe it. This why it is so important that we tell ourselves the truth. John 17:17 (KJV) Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

Proverbs 10:7 "The memory of the righteous is blessed, But the name of the wicked will rot."

Action Step for the day: Tell the truth even if it hurts because in the end the truth will be exposed. The word forever still means forever. You want to have a blessed memory? Exercise your spirit man to tell the truth and remember the truth!

Luke 1:54-55 "He has given help to Israel His servant, In remembrance of His mercy, As He spoke to our fathers, To Abraham and his descendants forever."

Looking ahead to fall. What are you planning?

7/24/2017

I write this looking ahead to what God has in store for so many of you this September. Get ready now! Have you always wanted to go to Bible College and never had the opportunity? Now is the time! Restoration Christian College and School of Ministry is starting up. We will have campuses in Morgantown, WV and Monongahela, PA to begin with and more campuses will open soon. So what are you looking forward to this fall. A goal without a deadline is just a dream. Make a plan and then stick to it! I will see you there.

Registration is now open and we have various locations. http://restorationchristiancollege.weebly.com

It is never to late to do what God has called you to do. You are never too old or never to young. Just do it!

2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV) Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Summer Traditions ~ Camping with the family.

7/21/2017

I love Summer Traditions. Childhood memories are made up of events not things. Think about it for a moment. As a child what stands out in your memories of Summer? For me it was camping with my family. Fishing with my Dad. Cooking around the campfire with my Mom--she can make anything in an iron skillet. We went clam digging, frog gigging, trout fishing...and I am seriously not even trying to rhyme here. (smile) I know some of you didn't notice those phrases even rhymed right? My mom even skinned an eel my Dad caught--and we all ate it. Tasted like chicken. :)

The thrill of it all was being together with no schedule. It was exciting to know we had to eat off the land (or so we thought). Mom did pack eggs, bacon, pancake mix, bread, milk and whatever else we could get into that ole truck that could carry 5 kids, Mom and Dad and all the camping equipment we would need for a week. I still don't know how they did it. How did they keep ice cold for a week? I will have to ask that question. We slept on the ground or in the bed of the truck. Tents weren't what they are now.

We kids used our imagination. We built rafts. We somehow found a way to swing from the trees with either some old rope or a thick grapevine. We built our own tree houses. We fished with sticks. It was all about the adventure. No one had to entertain us. We knew exactly what we were doing, no Google needed. This was a time when kids were kids. We played ball and cards and board games. We caught lightning bugs and put them in jars and yes we made jewelry out of them, (poor things)

So this Summer go back in time and find the child in yourself and allow your children to do the same. Let them find the Robinson Crusoe and Huckelberry Finn inside of them. An imagination serves us all well in that when we exercise it we become more creative and awaken the inventor inside of us.

Enjoy your Summer. Leave a reply about what your summer traditions were and who knows you may just find them in print here on RPMDaily.

More on Summer Celebrations-It's Cell Phone Courtesy Month July 2017

7/20/2017

Now I know there are some basic things we all know, right? I mean when we go through the check out lines, "GET OFF THE PHONE". I mean there are other people in line waiting to check out too. We know better....or do we? We know better or are we selfish? We've all heard, "I want my cake and it it too." Well, that's like saying I want what I want even if it's not possible. It is not possible to be rude with our cell phones and have friends and show our selves friendly at the same time.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/You_can%27t_have_your_cake_and_eat_it
You can't have your cake and eat it (too) is a popular English idiomatic proverb or figure of speech. The proverb literally means "you cannot simultaneously retain your cake and .... (Comes from the old piggybanks for children that used to contain coins of 20 cents. The only way to get the coins was to break the piggybank ...

We all know the situation: being subjected to someone else’s conversation while in a public space. Speaking on a cell phone makes some of us forget our manners! Celebrate Cell Phone Courtesy Month by following these tips for cell phone etiquette.

When you are in a meeting, don’t check your phone constantly for texts and emails. Concentrate on the people you are with.
Set your cell phone to silent or vibrate when in a courtroom, theatre, or place of worship.
Don’t embarrass yourself; if you need to make a call which you know is going to get intense and emotional, save it for when you are somewhere private. The rest of the world doesn’t need to know about your relationship issues!
Finally, check your personal volume control. It’s all too easy to start yelling into your cellphone. Everyone in your vicinity will appreciate your good manners in avoiding “cell yell”! Copyright © 2017 Days Of The Year LTD

Proverbs 18:24 (KJV). A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

Make Summer cooking easier and spend more time with those you love,

7/19/2017

Here is a little lesson I learned while making dinner. I am a very picky eater. I mean who cuts all the veins, ligaments, grisel and fat off of meat? Before you panic I keep all of that to make broth. However the meat I plan to cook with is without spot!..literally. Then I baggie it up in little bags until I need them. Here is the secret--once I take it from the freezer and put it in the refrigerator to use that night for dinner I add my marinade and then leave it until I get home. Once home I can do so many things in 20 minutes or less. I can empty the contents into an aluminum n foil cover baking dish, add veggies and some I Italian dressing or other spices and olive oil and put in the over at 425 for 25-30 minutes and dinner is golden brown and done. I use peppers, onions, carrots, potatoes, Brussel sprouts just about anything. The more colors and veggies the better.

I make enough for leftovers (lunch the next day or kids dropping by) and life just got easier. There are also many jarred simmering choices. I found several at Aldi that are Indian spiced such as Tikki Marsala. I make some rice and stir fry my chicken with some veggies of choice add the simmer sauces and in 30 minutes dinner is done.

Make time with family more enjoyable, clean up easier and meals healthier, by making a few simple choices. Eat off paper plates. Eat outside on the porch. Enjoy life.

When I was young I worked really hard. You know what my kids remember--I worked really hard, not what we ate for dinner.

Make new memories even if it is with your grown children. Make the moments count. Time goes way to fast. Make memories not work!

So action step for today is Google some great time saver meals that fit your taste and your budget and then go for it. One you get home from the grocery store do your work up front and then enjoy meals again that don't cost a lot and you can actually stay home and eat as a family around the table.

Being a Christian woman in the world we live in is hard. Make it easier where you can. Save money where you can. Be a good steward. Remember children don't do what we tell them, they do what they see us do.

Show yourself to be neighborly.

7/18/2017

This is National Grilling Month. Summertime isn’t complete without a barbecue! July is a perfect time to host a company get together, grill up some delicacies, and share it with your friends and family.

Better yet, invite your neighbors and allow them to get to know the people and personalities behind that hedge or fence of yours. Food has always brought people together. If you are a Christian they may never know that and in the days to come you may very well be the only hope they have. Reach out now because tomorrow may be too late.

Here is the scripture to back this statement up: Proverbs 27:10 (KJV) "Thine own friend, and thy father's friend, forsake not; neither go into thy brother's house in the day of thy calamity: for better is a neighbour that is near than a brother far off."

This challenge will be easier for the extroverts than the introverts. I know that it may cause many of you to step out of your comfort zone. The greater the cost the greater reward. Make the first move. No one cares what you know until they know you care.