Tag Archives: Missions

Gear Up! (Part 2) “Rejoice Always”

Posted on by
Reply

Gear Up

 

Last week we focused on the “who we are” and this week we are going to focus on the words “rejoice always”.

I was reading my devotional this weekend and while reading I heard this in my spirit: “Notice Keith, we are to rejoice in all things and not just for all things”. So much of the time, we focus on rejoicing after the breakthrough or when we get a blessing; but that is not what the Word tells us to do.

So let’s take a walk through the Word together.

“Rejoice always”. (I Thessalonians 5:16 NKJV) This scripture is key to success in every storm. Rejoice means to feel or show great joy or delight. So let’s keep reading.

“Pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you”. (I Thessalonians 5:17, 18 NKJV)

The amplified says it this way: “Be unceasing in prayer [praying perseveringly]; Thank [God] in everything [no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks], for this is the will of God for you [who are] in Christ Jesus [the Revealer and Mediator of that will]”.
(1 Thessalonians 5:17, 18 AMP)

We can see the command that we are to communicate with God continuously and thank God in everything, no matter what the circumstance might be. Again, “in all things” and not “for all things”.

If I feel a pain in one part of my body, I can always find another part in my body that doesn’t feel pain.

If my finances are down, I can always find a positive place to show where I am not out of the race.

No matter what, I can always find a blue sky on a cloudy day.

And above all, I have assurance in His Word that I am a winner. You have the right every time, to enter into the battles of life FROM victory and not INTO victory. That mindset speaks volumes!

“But thanks be to God, Who gives us the victory [making us conquerors] through our Lord Jesus Christ”. (1 Corinthians 15:57 AMP)

So take a stand right now to find that blue sky this day and rejoice, for you are blessed way beyond what any circumstance might be screaming at you.

Here is the link to part one of “Gear Up!!” posts https://rkspanberger.wordpress.com/2013/01/31/gear-up/

So eyes up and gear up to take this new week gladiator style. Rule and dominate every second to it’s fullest and end each day with not a single regret!

Please share below, your thoughts on how you are rejoicing always.

Gear Up!

Posted on by
1

Gear Up

 

The term “Gear Up” can mean many different things, depending on the person and the field of expertise they walk in. No matter who you are and what you do, we need to daily “Gear Up” for the day. My life is diverse in so many ways and how I gear up depends on what I am doing that day.  I am the CEO of an International Missions Ministry ( http://www.livingwaterteaching.org ) and travel and minister. I am also the Co-Founder of MedCo International where we do Basic through advanced First Aid/CPR training, as well as Emergency Response for special events. Another position I hold, is I am the EMS Coordinator/Chaplain for the local fire/rescue service where I could be called out at any given moment for local emergencies. And the list could keep going. Above all these, I am a husband, dad, friend and Kingdom Kid of the most high God.

All this said, I have to gear up in many different ways depending on the moment; the same as many who are reading this blog have to do, as well. But there are some consistent daily steps that I take in gearing up my day, no matter what I am doing or what is going on. They are in my time of spiritual and also physical growth. I try to always start each day with time in the Word and getting fresh direction from God and clarity for the day, as well as put in some physical exercise to keep myself strong and healthy. I call this “taking care of the temple”.

So let’s focus on the spiritual gearing up process. First, who are you? Genesis 1 tells us “We have been created in His Image and likeness”. How cool is that? God did not just “throw us together” but instead, He “molded and perfected” us in His image. When I read this, I see we are a people whose intelligence, perception and determination far exceed any other being on this planet.

We can read another part of the daily gearing up process in verse 28 of Genesis 1: He said, “I have given you dominion”. What does that word dominion mean? Glad you asked =) It means: to rule, power, reign, authority, control. That word dominion was not given in reference to rule over each other, but instead, to rule this beautiful planet and the life He has given to each of us. We are to dominate and not be dominated; but so much of the time, people are dominated because they never gear up for the day. They wake up and wonder what is wrong with themselves or God or whoever they find to blame other than themselves.

I am not trying to be hard, but facts are facts and we have to take responsibility for ourselves at some point. The statement “how you see the glass – half full or half empty” speaks volumes!!!

So I will bring this to a close for this week with this thought. What are you doing to gear up for the day? How we start our day, speaks volumes for how we will finish it. But with that statement, I will add this. It’s never too late to make a fresh start. If you need a fresh start, then just close your eyes right now and picture yourself taking your life and putting it over into God’s hands where it belongs, anyways. Now take a fresh breath and ask God, “What would you have me do?” I have found that God is not moved by lengthy and proper sounding prayers, but instead, by an open heart calling out to Him like any other father. He is always there, no matter how things might feel.

But before all this, we have to leave the “old us” behind and make a fresh start by making Jesus the Lord of our life. That happens with just a few words, simply by saying something like: “Jesus, I am sorry for the life I have lived and ask this day for you to come into my life and make me new. I receive this now, in Jesus name, AMEN”. It’s that easy!

I want to end this post with the statement that I always close my weekly Kingdom Thinking Thoughts recap with. “So eyes up and gear up to take this new week gladiator style. Rule and dominate every second to it’s fullest and end each day with not a single regret!”

So GEAR UP and be ready, for the best days of your life are at hand NOW!!!!!

Please share below, your daily process for “GEARING UP”

Kingdom Thinking Thoughts Recap from Week 4

Posted on by
Reply

I spent last week at a Minister’s Conference, sitting under some really anointed “life changing” teaching.

I made the decision last week to not post on the blog other than daily thoughts, because of something I heard in my spirit. John 12:49 (AMP) “This is because I have never spoken on My own authority or of My own accord or as self-appointed, but the Father Who sent Me has Himself given Me orders [concerning] what to say and what to tell”. V:50 “And I know that His commandment is (means) eternal life. So whatever I speak, I am saying [exactly] what My Father has told Me to say and in accordance with His instructions.”

This blog is not now nor has it ever been about me; but instead, it is a journal of my walk in and through the Kingdom.

So what I post on this blog, will be only as always – what I hear from the Throne-room.

Here are last week’s thoughts and my desire is that you will be blessed as you read through them. It does not matter what path you are walking, whether as a King or as a Priest; true and eternal success will only come through Kingdom Revelation.

Monday: Kingdom Thinking: Life is for living, so live it!

Tuesday: Kingdom Thinking: If God is not remembering your sins, then why should you???

Wednesday: Kingdom Thinking: We are the only one we can blame for unfulfilled dreams.

Thursday: Kingdom Thinking: By God’s example, words are for creating so start speaking.

Friday: Kingdom Thinking: Your dream does not have an expiration date on it.

Well that’s it, but another week is now here….   So eyes up and gear up to take this new week gladiator style. Rule and dominate every second to it’s fullest and end each day with not a single regret!

Kingdom Thinking Recap for week 3

Posted on by
Reply

Sorry for my delay with this post!

I truly hope that each day with the thoughts that I post, will in some way inspire you. Every thought is inspired by the Holy Spirit. Honestly, I am posting nothing more than my life and growth of the Kingdom.

As you read them, open yourself up to receive inspiration for yourself in that day.

So enjoy this recap of week 3’s God inspired thoughts.

Monday: Kingdom Thinking: Don’t base your dreams on a budget.

Tuesday: Kingdom Thinking: Start where you are, but your increase is in where you are called.

Wednesday: Kingdom Thinking: The path to success is already established but you must walk it through! 1 Cor 15:57

Thursday: Kingdom Thinking: Be sure you never put man’s written word over God’s Kingdom Word.

Friday: Kingdom Thinking: Never limit the size of your dream based on your present economical status.

Well that’s it, but another week is just around the corner…. So eyes up and gear up to take this new week gladiator style. Rule and dominate every second to it’s fullest and end each day with not a single regret!

Simplify

Posted on by
5

S

sim·pli·fy (ˈsimpləˌfī) Verb – Make (something) simpler or easier to do or understand.

I have been focusing in my last two blogs on casting the cares and not being carriers of them. We are still going to be on that same path even with the title I chose this week.

1 Peter 5:7 (AMP) “Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.”

The word “care” – Merimna (Strongs #3308) from meiro “to divide” & noos, “the mind”. The word denotes distractions, anxieties, burdens, & worries. Merimna means to be anxious about daily life.

So now that we have done that little word study, let’s move forward with this thought to simplify even deeper. When I talk about simplifying, we could actually take that in so many different ways. It could be in how we are looking at things or how we complete a started task or project. To others it might mean lightening the loads of life. Honestly, the true meaning of simplifying one’s life, is found in them and them alone. We can seek the help of others and we can read all the self help books that are written, but until we first find ourselves, nothing else can eternally be done.

I love Matthew 6:33 (AMP) “But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides.”

The focus is to seek the Kingdom and via that journey, we find His ways. When we find His ways, we too then can find our way and by Grace we can complete His calling for our lives. Life was never meant to be complicated, but by decisions made, it becomes that way. By decisions, we can now simplify that which was made complicated. HOW? By casting the cares, anxieties, burdens, and worries that so easily complicate daily life, if we allow it to.

Please leave your thoughts below.

The art of learning to cast…

Posted on by
Reply

The art of learning to cast

 

I had a gentleman last week propose a suggestion on my blog post that prompted this week’s post. The suggestion in a nutshell was to tell people “how to cast” and not just telling them “to cast”. Have you ever been to a service or meeting and heard a teaching that just seemed so right but never quite made it home? Well I have!!!! In areas of grace, finances, health, or even relationships, I find teachings that have a great start but they never make the full circle of bringing it home to really be applicable in one’s life. I never want to do that here with the Kingdom Thinking Blog.

So how do you learn to cast? I’m sure any true fisherman would tell you that you can’t just grab a pole and start throwing. There is a seeking of the perfect rod and reel and then the perfect line and finally to the lure and then patiently taking the time to learn and grow. Well honestly, there are some great Kingdom principles in that. God has fully supplied all the tools you need to live a Kingdom life to the fullest; not in just one area of your life, but in every area. BUT, you have to take those tools and patiently study them and allow them to become a part of your life so that you can use them as designed. As a fisherman, you are daily perfecting your casting skills through seeking Him in the Word and trusting Him in your actions.

So how do you cast the cares that so easily weigh you down? First, you must take your eyes off of the cares and get your eyes on Him. When I say “get your eyes on Him”, it is not a reference of looking at a physical man but instead to do as He said in the Word. Matthew 6:33 AMP “But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides.” You cannot be the carrier of a problem and a seeker of the Kingdom at the same time. As you seek the Kingdom, you are actually seeking God and as you seek Him you find a peace that truly does surpass all understanding if you allow what you read to seed in you.

Getting back to the fisherman; as long as they are simply carrying the tools of a fisherman and not using them, they will never find themselves in that place to get the perfect catch. It is the same for you; until you let go of the baggage you are carrying, you will never really find yourself in a place of growth and increase. God has so much for you and to live a life not partaking of them is like paying for your dream car or home, but never being able to enjoy them. Here are couple of great casting scriptures to fill your tackle box with:

1 Peter 5:7 (AMP) Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.

Psalms 55:22 (AMP) Cast your burden on the Lord [releasing the weight of it] and He will sustain you; He will never allow the [consistently] righteous to be moved (made to slip, fall, or fail).

And as you cast, you are perfected by the completed works of Christ at the Cross. Psalms 138:8 (AMP) The Lord will perfect that which concerns you; Your mercy and loving-kindness, O Lord, endure forever–forsake not the works of Your own hands.

I will close with this; a very close friend of mine just texted me with a thought as I was writing this post. This text was perfectly timed because it talked about Galatians 6:2 (AMP) “Bear (endure, carry) one another’s burdens and troublesome moral faults, and in this way fulfill and observe perfectly the law of Christ (the Messiah) and complete what is lacking [in your obedience to it].” Now you must ALL know that when you read the words “the law of Christ” that you are reading about the love of Christ. He is not telling you to carry one another’s baggage, but instead to be carriers of a love for others; a love so great that you can’t stand to see them not whole and complete.

So it’s time to cast from you all the heaviness of life and reel in the fullness of His peace that passes all of your natural understanding. There is no bigger catch!

Pursuing Your Passion

Posted on by
Reply

 

 

 

 

I recently read a quote online from the iconic Steve Jobs. It went something like this, “The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you have not found it yet, keep looking, and don’t settle”. It is true, we need to find our passion and pursue it.

I read one definition of passion that describes it as: “A strong and barely controllable emotion”. So what is your passion? Mine is to touch lives in all that I do.

Whether you love or hate Apple and the late Steve Jobs, he was a man with passion. People like Bill Gates, Katy Perry, Henry Ford, Walt Disney; the list goes on and on with names of people who have followed their passions. History is full of men and women that had passion to change the present time they lived in which impacted the future that was ahead of them. But only one had enough passion to impact the past, present and future all in one life. His name was Jesus, and He is my all in all in everything!

Passion is what pushes us beyond to think about others almost to the point of risking our own lives. Passion is what pushes a fireman, law enforcement officer or a soldier to put their lives on the line and risk all to save a life that they do not know. Passion moves mountains and changes the here and now and affects the outcome of tomorrow.

I urge you to daily pursue your passions with all your heart.

 

Kingdom Thinking Thoughts Recap for the Week of September 17th

Posted on by
Reply

Well another week has come and gone and it has now become a part of history in your life!  For some, the week might have been great and for others, you might be thanking God that it’s over.  Whichever one fits your life, the Word tells us “old things have passed away and behold all has become new”.  So no matter what history has held, today is a new day and tomorrow will take care of itself. So make the best of the here and now and pursue your passion with all you are and all you have.

Here is a recap of last week’s Kingdom Thinking Thoughts.  I pray each one comes alive in you as you read them.

Monday – Kingdom Thinking: Trying to figure out tomorrow steals away the day.

Tuesday – Kingdom Thinking: The journey of life might have detours; but relax, because they are building growth.

Wednesday – Kingdom Thinking: Discipleship is first lived in us and then imparted into others!

Thursday – Kingdom Thinking: Respect & relationship is key to success.

Friday – Kingdom Thinking: Success begins at the very first step.  True victory comes by first making Jesus Lord of your life and then understanding and walking in Kingdom Reality.

Debbie and I would love to hear from you with your questions, comments, prayer requests and/or testimonies.  We pray you have a truly blessed day and week in all that you put your hands to do!

Peace and Joy

Posted on by
1

 

Well the end of summer is getting closer and my favorite time of the year is drawing nearer. I love the Fall season all the way through to the Spring. I love the colors and the freshness that is in the air. Have you ever noticed how for most, it brings a spirit of peace and joy?

Life is made to be that way for God’s kids 24/7/365 because we are to create an environment of peace wherever we are and wherever we go. But we cannot be carriers of that which we do not have! The Word tells us in Nehemiah 8:10 NIV – “That the joy of the Lord is our strength” and I can’t see my God being anything but joyful.

I recently had a thought, “A critical spirit and a humble heart cannot dwell in the same person”. One of those will take over and that is what will illuminate out towards others, especially those that are closest to us. This is another reason we need peace and joy in our lives, so that our heart is right. A right heart is humble and in that heart you find peace and joy.

So how do we get to a place of peace and joy? I am glad you asked! You have to see yourself as living from there and not as always trying to get there. I know it might sound strange, but in victory is peace and joy but we have to make it our dwelling place and not our destiny. 1 Cor 15:57 AMP – “But thanks be to God, Who gives us the victory [making us conquerors] through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Victory has to be seen as a dwelling place and not as a destiny. Peace and joy are always something we are going to when victory is a destiny. So make victory your home now and forevermore and let peace and joy illuminate out of you for the entire world to see.

Kingdom Thinking Thoughts Recap Week of August 20th

Posted on by
Reply

Greetings to all my friends and family. Well I am starting back my recap of the weeks Kingdom Thinking thoughts. I pray this last week was one of great success & victory but if not, a new one is right at hand!

Monday: Kingdom Thinking: victory is not a destination but instead a dwelling place we live from. 1 Cor 15:57

Tuesday: Kingdom Thinking: promotion via the compromising of character is demotion.

Wednesday: Kingdom Thinking: Making Jesus your Lord is the greatest promotion life can offer.

Thursday: Kingdom Thinking: “The Bible will keep you from sin, or sin will keep you from the Bible.” not my original statement, but so very true!

Friday: Kingdom Thinking: Our full dependency in God shows our trust in Him.

True victory comes by first making Jesus Lord of your life and then understanding and walking in Kingdom Reality.

Debbie and I would love to hear from you with your questions, comments, prayer request and or testimonies. We pray you have a truly blessed week in all that you put your hands to do!