Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Church Spirit


In Acts 2:4 we see the filling of the church with the Holy Spirit.  The book of Acts is all about what the church looks like when the Holy Spirit takes over.

What about the church today?

We (the church) are given spiritual gifts. 1 Corinthians 12:7-11 -Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 1to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.

Two things to remember about spiritual gifts:
1. They’re about Him, not about you.
2. Their purpose is to benefit the body of Christ.
  
Are you ready to accomplish His work, with His Spirit, in His way?

Be wise today and always - be the Spirit filled church God desires.

Monday, July 30, 2012

Be Alive


I heard someone say the other day, "Dead is Dead". That's kind of blunt, but that's what it comes down to for all of us. Will we choose to devote ourselves entirely to Someone who’s alive and can bring us vitality, victory, fruitfulness, and freedom? Or will we keep trying to hold on to our old existence – something that’s dead and ought to be buried?

We are spiritually lifeless without any connection to God. Baptism in the Spirit is a universal reality for Christians. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.– 1 Corinthians 12:13
We can die or we can be dyed by Jesus Christ. We are different and are living in a different environment after we accept Christ – we are now the color of Christ!

The Holy Spirit comes to stay.
 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.– John 14:16-17
He thinks with incredible wisdom and intelligence, because “the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God” (1 Cor. 2:10)

All believers can be alive and over-flowing with the Spirit if we choose.  
What are you choosing this day?

Be wise today and always - be annointed - be alive in Christ.

Sunday, July 29, 2012

Praise the Lord!


Let’s take a look at Psalm 150 for a dose of praise.

Psalm 150
1    Praise the LORD.
Praise God in his sanctuary;
praise him in his mighty heavens.
2    Praise him for his acts of power;
praise him for his surpassing greatness.
3    Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet,
praise him with the harp and lyre,
4    praise him with tambourine and dancing,
praise him with the strings and flute,
5    praise him with the clash of cymbals,
praise him with resounding cymbals.
6    Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.
Praise the LORD. Praise the LORD.

This Psalm tells all we need to know about praise:
1. Where to Praise God (v. 1)
2. Why to Praise God (v. 2)
3. How to Praise God (vv. 3­-5)
4. Who Should Praise God (v. 6)


Do you have breath? Then praise the Lord!

Be wise today and always – Praise the Lord!

Saturday, July 28, 2012

Be Still - Say Enough


The Be Still in Psalm 46:10 can be taken as a comfort and a warning.

It can mean to say, “Enough”. Look at Habakkuk 2:20; The Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him.

Time to be still and listen to what God has to say about our lives and purpose. “All the earth” – that means all of us. We need to say; Enough of the noise, sin, pride, half-heartedness, fighting, lying, stealing, and selfishness.

We need to FOCUS on God. It’s all about God – not about us.

Be wise today and always – say ENOUGH to the things not of God.

Friday, July 27, 2012

Be Still and Stop


The Be Still in Psalm 46:10 can be taken as a comfort and a warning.

It can mean to stop. - Zechariah 2:13 says; Be still before the Lord, all mankind, because he has roused himself from his holy dwelling. ”

We need to stop sinning. God commands it in Exodus 20:3-8; “You shall have no other gods before me. “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.“You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name. “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.

We need to obey God. We need to make Him first in our lives.

Be wise today and always – stop and do it God’s way.

Thursday, July 26, 2012

Be Still – Be Silent


Psalm 46:10 is a favorite verse for many of us.

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations,  I will be exalted in the earth.”

Do we really understand what David is trying to convey here?

Be Still can be taken as a comfort and a warning.

It can mean to be silent. Psalm 23:1-3 says; The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.  He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.

We need to listen to God. We need to rest in the Lord.

Be wise today and always – be still and silent before God.

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Results


I love Romans chapter 10 for many reasons. It tells us how receive Christ as Savior and how to witness this truth to the world. Look at verses 8-9, But what does it say? "The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart," that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming:  That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

This photo is from a VBS in Haiti that my son recently worked in. They all heard this timeless truth of salvation and praise God 71 said Yes to Christ. We are all told to be God’s witnesses for the sake of Christ. Look at verse 17,
Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.

We need to: 1. Know Jesus. 2. Know the Word. 3. Know how to serve and Go!

Be wise today and always – preach Christ, if necessary use words.

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Why Suffer?


Do you agree or disagree with this statement?
“Life without purpose is empty, futile, and hopeless.”

What is the most painful part of Jesus’ suffering?
Christ forgave even as he was tortured and killed. That’s the ultimate example of love.

Jesus took the Twelve aside and told them, “We are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be fulfilled. 32He will be handed over to the Gentiles. They will mock him, insult him, spit on him, flog him and kill him. 33On the third day he will rise again.” Luke 18:31-33
Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows,yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities;the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:4-6

Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:28
He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. 1 John 2:2

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding Ephesians 1:7-8
This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins 1 John 4:10

By the cross we know the gravity of sin and the greatness of God’s love towards us.

Greater love has no one than this that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. John 15:13-14

Be wise today and always – remember the price paid by Christ.

Monday, July 23, 2012

Looking Forward


Many spend too much time looking in the past. In Luke 9:57-62 we are reminded that the Lord is God of the present and future as well.

57 As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” 58 Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” 59 He said to another man, “Follow me.” But he replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” 60 Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” 61 Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family.” 62 Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”

God has led us and will lead us by faith:

1. God will take care of your daily needs. (v. 58)

2. God will take care of your future needs. (v. 60)

3. God wants us to look ahead. (v. 62)
A. Looking back while going forward leads to disaster!
B. Keeping our focus on Him keeps us in His perfect will.

Will you dedicate yourself today for future service?

Be wise today and always – go where God leads.

Sunday, July 22, 2012

Rejoice


Today joy is so often thought to be the very opposite of faith, but joy is something much deeper and much more lasting. Look at Isaiah 9:1-4: Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan—The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder. For as in the day of Midian’s defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders,  the rod of their oppressor.

Isaiah gives us three significant things about God in which we can rejoice.

1. Rejoice That God Lives
2. Rejoice That God Cares
3. Rejoice That God's Plan Is Invincible

To be sensitive to the Holy Spirit must mean that we will be more sensitive to people and their pain; to be more sensitive to people ought to make us more open to God and his purposes.

Be wise today and always – know the Lord’s joy.

Saturday, July 21, 2012

Love Language


Learn the true language of love by studying God’s Word. Look at Romans 12:9-10, Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.

We can know God's love language:

By knowing what it is
The advantage we have as Christians - is that we know what love is - because we’ve experienced it! God’s kind of love is based on an attitude - we love because he first loved us!
 
By doing what it does
 Agape love doesn’t stop with an attitude. It CONTINUES with ACTION - sometimes DIFFICULT action. Love hates evil. It clings to what is good. It shows DEVOTION!
 
By knowing what it is about.
We’ve seen it and we’ve experienced it through Christ. Appreciate His love, and reflect it in the way you treat the people in your life.

Be wise today and always – know and share God’s love.

Friday, July 20, 2012

Money Wisdom


Wisdom from the Bible about Money

Proverbs 10:4 - Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth.
Proverbs 14:23All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.
Proverbs 22:7The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.
Proverbs 23:4-5Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint. Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.
Proverbs 30:8-9Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the LORD?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.
Proverbs 3:9-10Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.
Proverbs 11:24-25 - One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.

Be wise today and always – apply God’s wisdom to your life.

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Reaching


“There are many things in life that will catch your eye, but only a few will catch your heart. Pursue those.”
Paul helps us in 2 Timothy 1:1–12 to identify four steps that identify and intensify passion.
Step 1: Reach Up To God (vv. 1–4).
Step 2: Reach Inside Yourself (v. 5).
Step 3: Reach Down to Others (vv. 6–7).
Step 4: Reach Out to the World (vv. 8–12).
To be set on fire, we must let God kindle the blaze.
What is your passion?
Life is worth living when we let God strike the match.
Be wise today and always – apply these steps to your life.

2 Timothy 1:1-12 (NIV)

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, in keeping with the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus,
To Timothy, my dear son: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
I thank God, whom I serve, as my ancestors did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy.  

I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.

For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.  

So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, 10 but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. 11 And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. 12 That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day.

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Come Alive!

Jesus is telling all of us to Come Alive for Him! Acts 9:36-42 tells about the miracle in Joppa; 36 In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas); she was always doing good and helping the poor. 37 About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room. 38 Lydda was near Joppa; so when the disciples heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him and urged him, “Please come at once!”39 Peter went with them, and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them.40 Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, “Tabitha, get up.” She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. 41 He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called for the believers, especially the widows, and presented her to them alive. 42 This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord

Four great lessons in living and life:

1. We can die spiritually if we are not careful.
Are you hanging out with dead people?

2. We can lose the power of God.
What are you full of?

3. We can be holding on to old “stuff”.
Are you holding on to the past?

4. We can refuse to give the message.
Are you reaching out a hand?

People live in a world of death. – They need life!

Dorcus - woke up – sat up - & got up!
Will you – wake up – sit up - & get up for Jesus?

Be wise today and always – live for Christ.

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Church Worship


If we want to have the blessing of God on our churches, we need to do what the early church did in Acts chapters 1-2. If we really desire to have god’s blessing we must worship Him with joy. Consider the early church in Acts 2:46-47; Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

God’s people came together every day! Their whole lives were focused on “loving God with all their hearts mind body and soul.”

Isn’t this true worship? Expressing our love and devotion to God in everything that we do is worship. Praising God, being together as one cohesive body, and doing His will – now that’s a great church!

Do you see what the outcome is to this kind of lifestyle?

People noticed and responded. The church grew every day! Every believer should desire this type of relationship and fellowship. God will bless it. Amen?

Be wise today and always – worship your audience of One.

Use It


One of the biggest needs in the church today is willing committed workers to be about the work God has given His church to do. We need to be about the Father’s business, and quit making excuses.

Look at the story Jesus started to tell in Luke 19:11-13, While the people were listening to these things, Jesus told them a story. He was near Jerusalem. The people thought that God's kingdom was going to appear right away.  Jesus said, "A man from an important family went to a country far away. He went there to be made king and then return home.  So he sent for ten of his servants. He gave them each about three months' pay. 'Put this money to work until I come back,' he said.

This story tells us that even though Jesus was leaving His people had work to do. In fact it promises us that we all have been given talents, gifts, and resources to use in doing His work until His return. Everyone is to be active in Christ’s service.

How are you using what He has given you?

Be wise today and always – get busy He’s coming back soon!

Monday, July 16, 2012

Church Sacrifice


If we want to have the blessing of God on our churches, we need to do what the early church did in Acts chapters 1-2. There was a common theme in the first church that God so richly blessed, and the willingness to sacrifice. Take a look at this in Acts 2:44-45; All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.)

Wow! What a concept – to make sure no one is in need they gave freely and abundantly to the church to care for each other. This can only happen when we start living like the first part of the passage; All the believers were together and had everything in common.

Do you feel that the church has come together and share things in common with one another?

It is probably one of the great detriments of the church, and we are called hypocrites. Let us pray and act with one mind and heart – Jesus’. Amen?

Be wise today and always – remember who owns every thing.

Your Best


Have you seen that commercial where the Dad can’t afford a dog as a pet so he gives his kids a possum?  It is hilarious – when they tell their Dad it’s dead, he says, He’s just playing possum. Just then it jumps up and snarls at them! It’s funny but sad. Especially when we know we are all guilty of not giving our best to God all the time. Check out what the Word says:

2 Timothy 2:15: " Do your utmost to present yourself to God, a workman with nothing to be ashamed of, handling the word of truth aright."

Colossians
3:23; " Whatever you are doing, give your best to God, and not to men..."

Philippians 4:8: " Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are of serious concern, whatever things are righteous, whatever things are chaste, whatever things are lovable, whatever things are well spoken of, whatever praiseworthy thing there is, continue considering these things.

In other words, always give your best! You’ll not regret it, and it will put a smile on God’s face.

Be wise today and always - Don’t give God a possum when He asks for a dog!

Sunday, July 15, 2012

Church Love


If we want to have the blessing of God on our churches, we need to do what the early church did in Acts chapters 1-2. Love is the great theme throughout the Bible. Jesus came and died for our sins because of love. We are told to love likewise. To be blessed by God we must love each other deeply.

The first church is a great example of this love.Acts 2:42-43; They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles.

Sounds like a fantastic church. Wouldn’t you like to be a part of a movement like this? You can start today by loving God with all you got, and others like yourself.

Be wise today and always – love deeply.

Saturday, July 14, 2012

Church Community


If we want to have the blessing of God on our churches, we need to do what the early church did in Acts chapters 1-2. Jesus tells us to Go! In order to fulfill the Great Commission the church must reach our communities for Christ!

Look at the results of the first sermon of Peter after being filled with the Holy Spirit in Acts 2:40-41; With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

Talk about a great altar call! All of us are told to share the Good news of Jesus Christ with the world around us. That could mean in your home, neighbors, friends, relatives, co-workers, students, or strangers!

Evangelism is not an option.

Be wise today and always reach your world for Christ.

Friday, July 13, 2012

Church Manual


If we want to have the blessing of God on our churches, we need to do what the early church did in Acts chapters 1-2. For the church to have God’s hand on them they must be devoted to God’s Word. Peter revealed the prophecy of Joel was filled, all the prophesies concerning Messiah was fulfilled, and people responded to it.

Look at Acts 2:36-39;  “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” 37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off —for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

Follow and obey God’s Word. Jesus proved it was real and we must be devoted to it.

Be wise today and always – read the manual.

Judging


This post is courtesy of my son, Tyrone, who is half-way through a five week mission trip to Haiti.
  On Monday we were on our way to lunch when we noticed a large group of people gathered around the door that leads to the kitchen in the guest house that we eat at. As we got close, we noticed an older man handing out U.S dollar bills with one hand and pushing people away with the other. Instead of bringing joy and thankfulness, this seemed like it was bringing out the worst in people.  As a team we read the book When Helping Hurts to help prepare us how to effectively encourage people and repair the shame associated with poverty we might encounter.  This man’s actions appeared to be the opposite of what we learned.  Because of this I asked him to have dinner with us so that we could gain some perspective on why he was doing this and to let him know what we have been learning.
 We went into the conversation feeling very defensive, and we could sense he was as well. When we asked him why he was handing out money he stood up and started preaching to us that there is such a need here and almost insinuating that we didn’t already know this. We see it every day and it is the reason why we are here. The conversation escalated quickly and it was apparent he felt attacked. Calmly,  I started to speak and apologized if he felt criticized. I asked him if he could share his story with us. We then learned that as a boy, a pastor had given him fifty cents and this filled him with joy. He prayed that if given the opportunity he would do the same someday. I left the conversation still feeling like the money could be more effectively used in other ways. I also now understood his motives and was humbled by his testimony. He left thanking our team and said he would think more about the ideas we talked about.
James 1: 19-20 says “My dear brothers and sisters take note of this; everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires.”  This is a reminder to listen before judging just based on something we see or hear. This experience has really made this verse come alive and real for me

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Church Talent


If we want to have the blessing of God on our churches, we need to do what the early church did in Acts chapters 1-2.
  
To be blessed by God, the church must employ every member’s talents.  Take a look at Jesus’ followers in Acts 2:1-4;  When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.  Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.  They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.  All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongue] as the Spirit enabled them. and Acts 2:21; And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

All 120 members of that first church were filled with the Holy Spirit, and they changed the world by using the gifts and power from God. Today is no different. The church is called the body of Christ. We must all function together in unison to receive God’s blessing.

Today pray for unity in the church, and that we work together. God will surely bless us. Amen?

Be wise today and always – use your talent work with all believers.

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Church Language


If we want to have the blessing of God on our churches, we need to do what the early church did in Acts chapters 1-2.

In order to be blessed by God we must use everyone’s language. Look in Acts 2:5-8; Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language?

What languages do people speak today besides their native tongues?

Every culture has a language that is unique to them. Don’t forget about people’s backgrounds, age, and education. We also have a “technical” language being spoken on the internet, texting, twitter, blogging, videos, etc.

Be wise today and always – speak the right language.

Mountains

               The following is from my son's mission team in Haiti. A great lesson for all of us.
The hike up this mountain was a team building exercise. The physically stronger members of the team willingly provided support for the weaker members by using words of encouragement or physical support.  There were those like John Wesley who even held hands with the weaker members for the entirety of the hike just to ensure the safety of the team.  Their love and respect really shone.

At the top of the mountain, I talked to Ms. Ketly about her motivation for climbing to the top of the mountain even though it was clearly very difficult.  It would have been easy for her to stop in the middle of the trail and give up.  However, Ms. Ketly refused to give in to the difficulty of the hike and persevered all the way through.  While talking to Ms. Ketly she explained that her secret in perseverance was based on her ability to approach the top with one step at a time.  Ms. Ketly claimed that she would not have been able make it to the top if she kept her eyes locked towards the peak because it would constantly remind her of the great distance she would have to cover to reach the top.  Instead, she focused all her concentration on taking the next step, and before she knew it, she had reached her destination. 

This mentality of taking one step at a time makes daunting tasks manageable.  Many times, we Christians give up on seemingly impossible tasks because the destination seems so far away from our current location.  However, if we trust God to give us the strength and concentrate on what we should do at the moment, God allows us to things for his kingdom that may seem impossible for limited beings such as us.  Therefore, when we are called by God to do his will, we must trust Him with each step along the way.