Amazing...But True!

Amazing...But True!
Brad Reiches
Feb 10 2006 01:39PM

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Friday, Febuary 10,  2006

GodThoughts Wired! 

"No Striving Necessary"

"For He give to His beloved

even in his sleep."

Psalm 127:2

What a commentary!  NO STRIVING NECESSARY!  Look at the context:  "Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman keeps awake in vain.  It is vain to rise up early, to retire late, to eat the bread of painful labors; for He gives to His beloved even in his sleep" (Psalm 127:1-2).

"Cease striving and know that I am God.

I will be exalted among the nations;

I will be exalted in the earth."

Psalm 46:10

NO STIVING NECESSARY.  Herein lies the concern with much of the "Church Growth Movement."  Man can build amazing things...without God.  Man can even build "churches" without God, but the scripture warns, "Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain..." (Psalm 127:1).

"I will build My church;

and the gates of Hades shall not overpower it."

Matthew 16:18

Our role:  "Commit your works to the Lord, and your plans will be established" (Psalm 16:3). 

Our part:  "Walk in the good works that God has prepared beforehand, for us to walk in" (see Ephesians 2:10). 

Our challenge:  Hear and obey the still small voice within us saying, "This is the way, walk in it" (Isaiah 30:20). 

The goal:  To Get to Know Jesus Christ and Represent Him in Everything We Do.  And in so doing, "I only do what I see the Father doing...I do nothing on My own initiative...as I see the Father do, these things I do in like manner" (see John 5:19; 30; 36; 8:28). 

In other words, be so tight with the Lord that you are able to identify what He is doing and...PLUG INTO IT.

NO STRIVING NECESSARY.

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God's Thoughts: An Inspiration for Today...A Resource for a Lifetime

GodThoughts: An Inspiration for Today...A Resource for a Lifetime
Brad Reiches
Feb 9 2006 12:48AM

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Thursday, Febuary 9,  2006

GodThoughts Wired! 

"God Thoughts Wired!"*
An Inspiration for Today...A Resource for a Lifetime!

PRAISE THE LORD!  Until now, the "Resource for a Lifetime!" aspect of the GodThoughts Ministry has only applied to the books (Did you know that GodThoughts is available in book form:  Volumes 1 & 2...Do you have them?), and the Monthly Devotionals (Did you know that GodThoughts is available in a monthly-paperback style devotional, which has completely different messages from the daily e-mail version...Do you want to receive it?  See the * above or below).
However, NOW!  our e-mail version entitled, GodThoughts Wired! has become a "Resource for a Lifetime!" in every sense of the word via the addition of the "ARCHIVES."  Now, you have instant access to all GodThoughts Wired! since January, 2006.  Simply click-on the above button entitled "Archives" and...WALA!
Additionally, I have labeled (in red) the archives by subject matter.  They are labeled categorically, in precisely the same manner as the GT books:
-SuccessThoughts
-As a Man Thinks
-Becoming an Overcomer
-Power Tools
-The Lifestyle of the Disciple
-The High Road
-Secrets of High Achievement
-Lessons of Life
-Inheriting the Promises
-SecondThoughts
GodThoughts:  An Inspiration for Today...A Resource for a Lifetime.

INDEED!

Unseen Power: Building the House of Prayer: Final Thoughts

Unseen Power: Building the House of Prayer: Final Thoughts
Brad Reiches
Feb 8 2006 01:36AM

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Wednesday, Febuary 8,  2006

GodThoughts Wired! 

"Unseen Power"*
BUILDING THE HOUSE OF PRAYER:  Final Thoughts

Whether it was the devil trying to tempt Him (see Matthew 4:4-10), or various others simply seeking direction, Jesus was consistently in the habit of using the scripture to answer any and all questions.  More times than not, Jesus would begin a response by saying, "It is written" (see Matthew, chapter 5, for example).  He was constantly down-playing the opinions of man, and we are called to do the same.  Why?

"There is a way which seems right to a man,

but its end is the way of death."

Proverbs 16:25

Indeed, when someone asks you a question, I wholeheartedly believe that the most effective disciple-makers among us will consistently begin our responses with, "The Bible Says..."  In this light I recently had a sincere subscriber respond to our recent series on prayer.  He wrote:

"Your February 3rd GodThoughts, "Unseen Power,"  was one of those that made me think.  I would like to share these thoughts with you, not necessarily to debate or rebuttle, but simply because a diversity of thoughts is one of the greatest keys to an open mind.  I believe that God answers every prayer.  Please do not misunderstand--"answer" does not mean "grant."   My definition of answer is "to acknowledge and respond to."  Perhaps a clearer statement would be

I believe that God responds to every prayer.  I think many Christians forget

that "no" can be an answer too." 

While it is certainly comforting and hopeful to believe that "God answers every prayer," let's take a look at what the Bible actually says:

"Though you multiply prayers, I will not listen...

Though they will cry to Me, yet I will not listen to them...

Then they will cry out to the Lord, but He will not answer them...

If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear...

And we know that God does not hear sinners..."

Isaiah 1:15; Jeremiah 11:11; Micah 3:4; Psalm 66:18; John 9:31

Opinions are just that, opinions.  But there is only one inspired, infallible, completely trustworthy and utterly reliable word of God.  Indeed, there is a way that SEEMS! right to a man...but all of our opinions, ALL OF THEM, must be sifted through the grid of the word of God, if we are to continue walking in the resurrection power and presence of the Lord.

Amen?

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Unseen Power: Building the House of Prayer 3

Brad Reiches
Feb 6 2006 01:52AM

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Monday, Febuary 6,  2006

GodThoughts Wired! 

(The following is an excerpt from the Prayer Tool entitled: 
Unseen Power:  Building the House of Prayer)

"Unseen Power"*
BUILDING THE HOUSE OF PRAYER:  III

"The power of prayer is found in God's will.
God's will is found in God's word.  The more we know
God's word, the more effective we will be in prayer."
-Pastor Brad

Jesus is our model.  In John 17:6-26, we have the biblical example of how Jesus effectively prayed for His Church.  Many scholars have misinterpreted this prayer to be a petition for unity in the church.  Actually, Jesus only asks the Father for three specific things.  Unity is a bi-product of the fulfillment of these three requests:

-KEEP THEM IN THY NAME. -see John 17:11.
-KEEP THEM FROM THE EVIL ONE. -see John 17:15.
-SANCTIFY THEM IN THE TRUTH. -see John 17:17.
"That they may be perfected in unity" (John 17:23).

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Unseen Power: Building the House of Prayer 2

Unseen Power: Building the House of Prayer 2
Brad Reiches
Feb 3 2006 12:01AM

*For a complimentary copy of the prayer-tool entitled, "Building the House of Prayer," simply e-mail me your snail-mail address.

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Friday, February 3,  2006

GodThoughts Wired! 

(The following is an excerpt from the Prayer Tool entitled: 
Unseen Power:  Building the House of Prayer)

  "Unseen Power"

BUILDING THE HOUSE OF PRAYER:  2

The Bible clearly teaches that there are varying degrees of prayer effectiveness (see James 5:16).  There are prayers that produce power, and prayers that remain impotent.  There are prayers that are always answered, while others will never be answered.

The following are KEY HINDRANCES that will greatly impact our effectiveness in prayer:

-SIN.  "Even though you multiply your prayers, I will not listen" (Isaiah 1:15; see also, 59:1-2; Micah 3:4).

-WRONG MOTIVE.  "You ask and do not receive because you ask with wrong motives" (James 4:3).

-DISHARMONY IN MARRIAGE.  "Husbands...live with your wives in an understanding way...so that your prayers may not be hindered" (1 Peter 3:7).

-LACK OF FASTING.  "This kind (demons) does not go out except by prayer and fasting" (Matthew 17:21).

-OUTSIDE OF GOD'S WILL.  "If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.  And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him" (1 John 5:14-15).

Who may ascend the hill of the Lord?

And who may stand in His holy place?

He who has clean hands and a pure heart.

Psalm 24:3-4a

Unseen Power: Building the House of Prayer 1

Unseen Power: Building the House of Prayer 1
Brad Reiches

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Thursday, Febuary 2,  2006

GodThoughts Wired! 

(The following is an excerpt from the Prayer Tool entitled: 
Unseen Power:  Building the House of Prayer)

"Unseen Power"*
BUILDING THE HOUSE OF PRAYER:  I

"For My (God's) house shall be called a house of prayer."
Isaiah 56:7-8

Three covenant promises for the "House of Prayer."

1.  God will bring "joy" to His House of Prayer. -see Isaiah 56:7

2.  God will bring "glory" to His House of Prayer. -see Isaiah 56:7

3.  God will bring "growth" to His House of Prayer. -see Isaiah 56:8

“We can say with great confidence that nothing moved Jesus more greatly, and nothing touched Him more deeply, than the desire that His Father’s house be called a house of prayer.”
-see Mark 11:15-17

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Building the House of Prayer

Building the House of Prayer Brad Reiches Feb 1 2006 12:00AM *For a complimentary copy of the prayer-tool entitled, "Building the House of Prayer," simply e-mail me your snail-mail address. Wednesday, Febuary 1,  2006 GodThoughts Wired!    "Building the House of Prayer"* (This is day 32 of our 50 days of prayer and fasting to start the year.  The congregational participation is unprecedented - the quality and quantity of prayer coverage being lifted up is something I've never experienced before.  It is truly awe-inspiring). This past month was one of the greatest thirty day periods that I've ever experienced in my life and ministry.  Some of the ministry highlights were: -Increased attendance every single Sunday for five straight weeks, including a significant increase in actual membership.  Six new members in January, and six more began the process.  Additionally, our children's and youth ministries grew significantly as well.  On top of that...we added nearly 400 NEW SUBSCRIBERS to the GodThoughts ministry.  WAY TO GO GOD!  "Yet others I will gather to them, to those alreay gathered" (Isaiah 56:8).   -The spirit of joy.  There was a wonderfully curious spirit of hope and faith and joy and enthusiasm in the body.  It was/is awesome!  "And make them joyful in My house of prayer" (Isaiah 58:7). -The glory of God was strangely present and powerful.  The worship team was wonderfully and unusually annointed.  Further, each of the five Sunday's I provided opportunity for testimonies to be shared from those who have experienced the fulfillment of God's promises in Malachi 3:6-11.  Each individual that shared had diligently prepared, which was quite evident.  It was as if each of them, eight in all, were "living sermons."  "I shall glorify My glorious house" (Isaiah 60:7). -Increased giving.  Our average income last year was roughly $20,000.00 per month.  This amount is already reflective of God's outrageously strong hand of support (our average attendance is approx. 70-we celebrated our 1-year anniversary in June).  Nevertheless, our January giving was nearly $50,000.00 (pastors, I don't blame you if you find these figures to be VERY HARD TO BELIEVE...SO DO I!).  "And all the nations will call you blessed..." (Malachi 3:11).  To be honest, this is not the first time I've seen this kind of radical blessing, however, I'm hard-pressed to remember anything so extreme.  Anyway, it shouldn't be all that surprising - it is what God said would happen...with the "House of Prayer."* *For a complimentary copy of the prayer-tool entitled, "Building the House of Prayer," simply e-mail me your snail-mail address.