MOTHER'S DAY CAKE 2013

Don’t Let Your Past Stop You – SteveMurrell.com

Don’t Let Your Past Stop You – SteveMurrell.com

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE, USA. Too often we get so focused on what we are NOT, that we forget what God says we are.

Consider Old Testament writer, Amos who wrote: “I was neither a prophet nor the son of a prophet, but I was a shepherd, and I also took care of sycamore-fig trees. But the Lord took me from tending the flock and said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to my people Israel.’”(Amos 7:14,15)

We know him as the Prophet Amos, but he says he was not a prophet, nor the son of a prophet. Here’s the lesson: Amos did not let what he was NOT stop him from becoming what God called him to be.

He was a shepherd and a fruit-picker. But God wanted him to be a prophet. So he became a prophet. Case closed.

What has God called you to be? Are you letting your past, your parents, or your problems stop you from becoming what God has called you to be? Don’t! Be all you can be.

Don’t Let Your Past Stop You – SteveMurrell.com

Don’t Let Your Past Stop You – SteveMurrell.com

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE, USA. Too often we get so focused on what we are NOT, that we forget what God says we are.

Consider Old Testament writer, Amos who wrote: “I was neither a prophet nor the son of a prophet, but I was a shepherd, and I also took care of sycamore-fig trees. But the Lord took me from tending the flock and said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to my people Israel.’”(Amos 7:14,15)

We know him as the Prophet Amos, but he says he was not a prophet, nor the son of a prophet. Here’s the lesson: Amos did not let what he was NOT stop him from becoming what God called him to be.

He was a shepherd and a fruit-picker. But God wanted him to be a prophet. So he became a prophet. Case closed.

What has God called you to be? Are you letting your past, your parents, or your problems stop you from becoming what God has called you to be? Don’t! Be all you can be.

Are You Thankful for Things that are Invisible? – SteveMurrell.com

Are You Thankful for Things that are Invisible? – SteveMurrell.com

Thanksgiving was two days ago, but we should still be thankful. Every day. Every hour. Every minute. Every second.

We should thank God:
EVEN IF we are broke,
EVEN IF we are sick,
EVEN IF life is not good,
EVEN IF our prayers are unanswered.

It is easy to thank God for physical things like cars, clothes, houses, and money. But those are here today and gone tomorrow. Even if it is tomorrow and they are gone, we still have much to be thankful for.

Those who go deepest with God tend to thank Him not only for the temporal, but especially for the eternal.

If you take a minute and read Psalm 107, 118, and 135 you will notice that the Psalmist was more thankful for the invisible eternal attributes of God than for God’s temporal physical provision.

Even if everything is going wrong, we should “give thanks to the Lord, FOR HIS LOVE ENDURES FOREVER.” (2Chr 20:21)

Are you thankful for invisible things like faith, hope, and God’s love?

Are You Thankful for Things that are Invisible? – SteveMurrell.com

Are You Thankful for Things that are Invisible? – SteveMurrell.com

Thanksgiving was two days ago, but we should still be thankful. Every day. Every hour. Every minute. Every second.

We should thank God:
EVEN IF we are broke,
EVEN IF we are sick,
EVEN IF life is not good,
EVEN IF our prayers are unanswered.

It is easy to thank God for physical things like cars, clothes, houses, and money. But those are here today and gone tomorrow. Even if it is tomorrow and they are gone, we still have much to be thankful for.

Those who go deepest with God tend to thank Him not only for the temporal, but especially for the eternal.

If you take a minute and read Psalm 107, 118, and 135 you will notice that the Psalmist was more thankful for the invisible eternal attributes of God than for God’s temporal physical provision.

Even if everything is going wrong, we should “give thanks to the Lord, FOR HIS LOVE ENDURES FOREVER.” (2Chr 20:21)

Are you thankful for invisible things like faith, hope, and God’s love?

2 Simple Keys to Success – SteveMurrell.com

2 Simple Keys to Success – SteveMurrell.com

When things go wrong, we tend to create all kinds of complex reasons (excuses) for our lack of success. When things go right, the reasons are usually ridiculously simple.

Consider Hezekiah. He was a good king. One of the best. Here’s the Bible’s summary of his life and success:

“In everything that he undertook in the service of God’s temple and in obedience to the law and the commands, he sought his God and worked wholeheartedly. And so he prospered.” (2 Chronicles 31:21)

Hezekiah’s keys to success:

1. He sought God

2. He worked hard

This simple formula worked for King Hezekiah 2700 years ago, and it will work for us today. If you are a church planter or campus missionary, an entrepreneur or salesperson, a songwriter or inventor who wants to succeed, I suggest you learn from Hezekiah: SEEK GOD and WORK HARD.

Some people are just too lazy to succeed. They are allergic to work. Others are working hard doing something completely contrary to God’s will because they have not bothered to seek Him.

Life is not complicated. Seek God. Work hard

5 Characteristics of Good Leaders – SteveMurrell.com

5 Characteristics of Good Leaders – SteveMurrell.com

While reading my Bible this morning, I scribbled some notes in my journal. Then I thought that both leaders who read this blog might find these thoughts helpful. So I’m transforming them into this blog, if I can read my own handwriting.

In Deuteronomy 17 God is giving his people guidelines for picking good leaders. Here’s my summary of those guidelines.

1. CALLING. “Be sure to appoint over you the king the Lord your God chooses.” (Verse 15) We should not appoint a person to a leadership position unless and until God appoints and anoints them. In other words, divine calling is essential for good leadership.

2. VISION. “He must not make the people return to Egypt… you are not to go back that way.” (Verse 16) Leaders must be looking forward and leading forward, not backwards. Good leaders focus on where they are going, not on where they came from. They have a vision for the future, not just memories of the good ole days.

3. INTEGRITY. “He must not take many wives… he must not accumulate large amounts of gold and silver.” (Verse 17) Leaders must not use their position to pad their pockets or to seduce women. Sounds like a no-brainer, but sadly, many leaders seem to have no brain. When looking for a good leader, integrity trumps intellect and character trumps charisma.

4. WORD. “He is to write for himself on a scroll a copy of the law… he is to read it all the days of his life.” (verses 18,19) Good leaders become great leaders when they make writing and reading God’s word a part of their daily routine.

5. HUMILITY. “He should not consider himself better than his brothers.” (Verse 20) Good leaders are usually not aware that they are good leaders. They do not think they are better than others. They give credit to God and to the team.

God, help us all be this kind of leader. Thanks.