Renewing the Mind to Kingdom Thinking (Part-5)

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This week we are continuing the series on “Renewing the Mind to Kingdom Thinking”. Here is the link to the previous post just in case you missed it: http://wp.me/p1zGjk-e2

In the process of renewing the mind, we will find a limitless list of topics. That’s because the renewing process has to be done in all areas of life and it must be a daily action. What do I mean by a daily action? Glad you asked =). Each day we awake to new encounters; some good and some bad. And with that, we can’t live using yesterday’s answers. This is why spending all your time jumping from book to book, blog to blog, and conference to conference will NOT give you the full answer to your questions. They will help add knowledge to your arsenal but only YOU can find the real answers to YOUR victories. It can’t be done for you; BUT this is what most people want to happen. We live in a society that mimics what others do expecting to get what they got without spending the time seeking it. One of my favorite scriptures is Matthew 6:33 where it tells us to “seek first the kingdom”. What is the Kingdom? It’s God Himself. We must learn that we are investing in ourselves when we answer the calling of that scripture.

You can read in the Bible about the new wine being poured into an old wine skin. The result of the new wine introduced into an old wine skin causes it to burst. We ourselves are like that old wine skin in the fact that we are trying to put new actions and dreams into our same old thinking. Business and ministries alike cannot be held to yesterday’s types and shadows. The way we did it yesterday was for yesterday; but today has to see a new level of leadership and attention.

I want to encourage you to renew your mind to the fact that yesterday might be filled with great victories and also horrible setbacks, BUT today is a new day. Take hold of it like no other day in your life and live it to the fullest.

I believe our life is truly meant to be the greatest adventure novel waiting to be written as we live it out. So start living the best life possible NOW on purpose with purpose. Live with no regrets and love without boundaries. Hold nothing back and charge life head on. I am excited for what’s next, because the excitement of anticipation and not knowing of what is next is what births each breath in life.

So stand strong, live life loud and bold! Take this new day gladiator style, ruling and reigning it and not letting it reign you.

LivXtrem4Him

Renewing The Mind To Kingdom Thinking (Part-2)

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So last week we kicked off a new series called “Renewing the Mind to Kingdom Thinking”. Here is the link to that post: http://wp.me/p1zGjk-dI . So grab your Bible, journal, pen, and highlighter and let’s go!

There is a reason that the Bible tells us in Romans 12:2 to “renew our minds”. Most Christians will tell you it is because we are not to be like the world, but instead, like Christ. True BUT there is so much more to it than just that! It’s said we are to mold ourselves into His image and likeness; but really, we were created that way, so we must realize and take hold of that design. And that only comes through following the direction of Matthew 6:33 “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness”. We won’t find the answers in a self-help book or even in a blog, it’s only in His Word. (However, we can gain knowledge, which can produce wisdom and insight, through other types of written words.) What I have found, is that as I read books, magazines, blogs and such that the Lord gives me Kingdom principles within those things that I can relate back to His Word.

Going back to my opening scripture, I see a clearer and deeper picture in this translation of Romans 12:2 (The Mirror Bible) “Do not allow current religious tradition to mold you into its pattern of reasoning. Like an inspired artist, give attention to the detail of God’s desire to find expression in you. Become acquainted with perfection. To accommodate yourself to the delight and good pleasure of Him will transform your thoughts afresh from within”. Most of the time, Christians are quick to reference to not be like the world BUT I see a reference to “religious tradition” and see just as many people lost in that as in the world.

So we have to first realize that the renewing of the mind is the fact of finding ourselves in the Word of God. We must then realize that the resting place of His Word was not meant to be on the pages of a book BUT instead in the lives of His Kingdom kids being lived out with purpose each and every day! Start renewing your mind right now by seeing you as God see’s you, through the eyes of Christ.

I believe our life is truly meant to be the greatest adventure novel waiting to be written as we live it out. So start living the best life possible NOW on purpose with purpose. Live with no regrets and love without boundaries. Hold nothing back and charge life head on. I am excited for what’s next, because the excitement of anticipation and not knowing of what is next is what births each breath in life.

So stand strong, live life loud and bold! Take this new day gladiator style, ruling and reigning it and not letting it reign you.

LivXtrem4Him

 

Renewing The Mind To Kingdom Thinking (Part-1)

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In the coming weeks, we are going to be focusing on the topic of “Renewing The Mind To Kingdom Thinking”.  So first, grab a pen and journal/notebook because there is much to learn and writing it down and re-reading what you wrote, is key to growth.  So let’s hit the road on the adventure of a lifetime!

It does not matter if you are a Christian or not; my blog can change your life if you apply the principles.  I promise!  How can I make this promise?  Because they are not my principles AND they have been tried and proven true by many before you or I ever set foot on this earth.  I’m sharing the principles and concepts of the Creator of all things beyond even what we know.  You got it – GOD!  Now before you hit delete and move on, I challenge you to hear me out.  Stay with me in the coming weeks…  What do you have to lose?

Whether you believe as I do or not, your mind is always being renewed, good or bad.  The definition of the word “renewed” is:  To make new or as if new again, resume, repeat, regain, restore, revive, replenish, reestablish, to start over.  Daily things are trying to grab our thoughts and change our thinking.  That is how trends work.  You see it and maybe the fact of how it looks, sounds and who is promoting it, changes your thinking on it.  Here is an example: the 60’s and 70’s were a time for bell-bottom jeans and hip huggers, but when I was in elementary school, if you wore them then, you were laughed at.  Then someone with a voice that is being heard said they were cool again and BOOM they are back.  Minds are renewed and bell-bottoms became cool once again… got to love society!  We were created to take information in and then make decisions based on what we learn.  The problem is that what the world offers, is all about increasing themselves.  It’s about marketing and growth on an idea, dream, an individual, and not about you.

I want to share the real direction of the kick-off post.  You have been designed for something bigger than you could ever imagine.  God, the creator of the universe and all that is in it, created you.  Many might be saying, “But if He did that, then why am I in the place I’m in today?  Why has my life been so horrible and why am I here”?  That answer and every other answer to every other question you could think of is in one book.  You guessed it, the Bible!  Your life, the success of your marriage and even the growth and success of your business, is all in one book and that book is the Bible.

As for me, I did not grow up as a Christian and I could probably write “the book of wrong” better than most; BUT God set me up! YES, I was set up by God. I encountered a beautiful young lady and she introduced me to a life I never knew I needed. I have lived both sides of the fence, I guess you could say.  (So I do speak from experience when I say life is better on this side!)

This will be the kick-off scripture, Matthew 6:33 (Amplified Bible) “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 importance of this scripture is that we will never know us until we first know Him and we will never have completeness not knowing ourselves!

HOMEWORK: Write down today’s date and the time and note the areas of your life that you want to see changed.  What are you believing God for?  Write that down.  The importance of this page and these notes will become evident to you as you learn and have your mind renewed to true Kingdom Thinking.

So that’s it for now, but tomorrow I will be releasing a Podcast which you can find on iTunes and by searching Kingdom Thinking or my name.  Then on Friday, I will be releasing a V-Cast on YouTube and it will be wrapped around this same theme and I do believe it will be helpful to you in this adventure.

I believe our life is truly meant to be the greatest adventure novel waiting to be written as we live it out.  So start living the best life possible NOW on purpose with purpose.  Live with no regrets and love without boundaries.  Hold nothing back and charge life head on.  I am excited for what’s next, because the excitement of anticipation and not knowing of what is next is what births each breath in life.

So stand strong, live life loud and bold! Take this new day gladiator style, ruling and reigning it and not letting it reign you.

LivXtrem4Him

KINGDOM THINKING UPDATE:

With only 26 days left in 2013, I see even more new changes in my life ahead. As I enjoy the remaining days in this year and start praying about next year, I won’t be posting any of the daily Kingdom Thinking thoughts. I will be uploading weekly VCast and blog posts as God gives them to me, but that’s it.

I have a prayer request. Our ministry outreach, Operation Shoebox, is in full swing and my wife leaves for Guatemala in the AM for 9 days. Please be standing with us for safety, wisdom and Kingdom success as they minister and bless the children of Guatemala, Panama and Nicaragua in the days to come.

Here are two blog post links that I feel would be an encouragement as you prepare for this new day and year to come:
Gear Up (Part 10) – “CHANGE”
https://rkspanberger.wordpress.com/2013/11/19/gear-up-part-10-change/
Gear Up (Part 11) UNPLUGGED
https://rkspanberger.wordpress.com/2013/12/03/gear-up-part-11-unplugged/

I want to say thank you to all those that have followed the KT blog this year and I know that the best is right now at hand. Kingdom Thinking has touched lives in places I have never dreamed of. This blog is just another part of fulling the vision God has given our ministry, and that is to make disciples. You can partner with us in this outreach as we reach out globally in helping others live a Kingdom life and fulfill their dreams. Just click this link and note KT in the memo area of your donation. LINK HERE

Always know that you are in our prayers and we count it an honor every time we hear from you with praise reports, prayer requests and/or questions.

MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

Sincerely,
Keith & Debbie Spanberger
CEO’s/Executive Directors
Living Water Teaching International
http://www.livingwaterteaching.org
Kingdom Thinking Blog
http://www.kingdomthinking.org

Gear Up (Part 11) UNPLUGGED

unplug

 

Last week, I posted on the topic of “CHANGE”.  I’m following up this week, by touching on one of my own personal changes.

So let’s talk about the topic, “UNPLUGGING”.  I have read many articles on this topic and about how those that have unplugged for many days, and I thought to myself, “How could one do this?”  But as I have found with all change, first comes the want to make the change and then the step forward to put action to it.  Last week I moved forward with my own “UNPLUG DAY” and it has been a breath of fresh air.  As I write this post, I’m actually completing my second “UNPLUG DAY”.  No withdrawals, no jitters and for sure no regrets.

Addiction is defined as “a compulsive need for and use of a habit-forming substance”.  Welcome to the tech world we live in; it’s truly become a substance that many can’t live without.  So much so, that we made a young man the youngest millionaire in history because of this addiction.  It’s addiction is evident to all and bullies have realized it and made it a weapon of choice.  The need to know what others are doing, is a “have to know” around the clock.

I shared in my last post, about how I could be sitting in a restaurant and watch families with their face glued to their God; without even realizing that they are losing time with their family and friends.  I actually saw this with a mom and daughter just a short time ago and the mom never really gave the little girl anything other than a warm body at the same table with her and a hot meal, because everything was being given to her smart phone which she never really put away. Now don’t get me wrong, I enjoy the social sites and such BUT, when I stopped and looked at how much time I was giving to them and the many times a day I spent doing it, I knew I needed a change.  So this is where the “UNPLUG DAY” all started for me.

This has became so strong on my heart, that I actually created a Facebook page =)  I want to start a movement for as many as I can, to set aside at least one “UNPLUG DAY” each week.  Here is the link to the page: https://www.facebook.com/day2unplug .  Time is the one thing that once we spend it, we can’t get it back.  We either grow in it and make precious memories or waste it and one day wish we had it back.

I will close this post here for now, BUT there is more to come!

I really hope this post helps you get a new view of how to live a Kingdom life.  God has prepared a life just for you and it is AMAZING if you can simply get past the junk of this world.

We would love to hear from you with your questions, prayer requests, and/or praise reports.

So until next time, eyes up & gear up for the best is right at hand!

LivXtreme4Him

Kingdom Thinking Recap – Week 44

Well it’s time to say good-bye to another week, but the posted Kingdom Thinking thoughts from it are nuggets of Kingdom wisdom you can always use. Please forward them to others you know, because we can always use a touch of the Kingdom!!

Monday: Kingdom Thinking: Do not battle against defeated obstacles.

Tuesday: Kingdom Thinking: Stop looking at what you don’t have & enjoy what you do!

Wednesday: Kingdom Thinking: You do not have time to waste on regret.

Thursday: Kingdom Thinking: Live in the NOW!

Friday: Kingdom Thinking: Never put needs or wants before your God given calling!

Here are the links to my two most recent blog post:
Faith And The Magic Kingdom – Guest Post
https://rkspanberger.wordpress.com/2013/10/14/faith-and-the-magic-kingdom-guest-post/

The Name https://rkspanberger.wordpress.com/2013/09/16/the-name/

Well that’s it for now, but a new and fresh week has begun…. 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!

The Name

The Name

I was reading a book that my wife, Debbie, bought for me. It was written many, many years ago by Brothers Grimm and it is a compilation of many of the original fairy tales. The one I was reading was Rumpelstiltskin. Something interesting that was noted in this book, is some history behind the stories. Most will know of this story, which is about a queen who found herself in a mess. She had to accomplish something impossible. She ended up making a deal with a man named Rumpelstiltskin, but the end result was she had to guess his name to keep her baby. I know I am leaving a lot out, but I think most already know this story. With the help of another, she found out his name and closed the deal in her favor. I took something away from this story, and that was this: “the power of a name”. Rumpelstiltskin’s name had a power to close the deal.

I read about a folk belief that said, “if you knew an evil spirit’s name, you could defeat it”. Let’s change gears here and bring this into a Kingdom perspective. For those that are born again believers, we don’t have to know any name other than the name of Jesus. His name is a name that is above ALL other names. We don’t even have to think about defeating an evil spirit, because they have ALL been defeated forever! Jesus hung on the cross to close the deal on this issue.

Just like the queen in the story, where all she needed was to speak a name and everything was put into order and she was set free. The same goes for us, we just speak the name and BELIEVE and TRUST and things change! But realize change is on a Kingdom time table and not ours. His timing is always perfect in every way, lacking NOTHING!!!!!

So if you are facing what seems to be a mountain like no other you have faced before, then speak His name and believe that He is moving right then on your behalf. But I warn you, don’t make a religion of this – but instead, a lifestyle. Be fully persuaded that His name is above every name and that at His name ALL things have to change!

You are a blessing; I really mean that! I’m always praying for my readers. Debbie and I would love to hear from you. You can post below or send us an email; whichever works best for you.

Until next time, eyes up and gear up for the best is at hand!

Be blessed – Keith & Debbie

LivXtreme4Him

Redeemed

redeemed

Redeemed (Verb)
1. Compensate for the faults or bad aspects of (something).
2. Do something that compensates for poor past performance or behavior.

Psalm 107:2 (AMP) “Let the redeemed of the Lord say so.”

Galatians 3:13 (AMP) “Christ purchased our freedom [redeeming us] from the curse.”

What an amazing gift redemption is. There is nothing like it and only one that could ever give it. Christ paid a price no other could or would pay. I read those two scriptures and the many more that are throughout the New Testament talking about our redemption and can’t imagine life without it.

You and I are redeemed from a past, present, and future; not so we can live a reckless life full of sin – but instead, a care-free life purchased by His Grace. Can you even wrap your mind around what the word “redeemed” even encompasses? Honestly, no one could ever truly do that because once you think you have then something else comes under the price paid. Your life is no secret to the Father but yet He still allowed His Son to die for you and me. Many think they can hide their life and skate by, but life is an open book and nothing is hidden from God. He loves us so much that even for the worst sinner the price is paid in full once Christ is made Lord over their life.

You are redeemed from the struggles of the past and released from the bondages of what was. Jesus has washed away the stains with His precious blood so that each day is a new one and every second you live is free.

So today let go of those unlocked shackles and move on. Receive your redemption!  Therefore, say this with me: “Lord Jesus, I ask you to come into my life and make me new. I confess you as my Lord and Savior now and forevermore. I now call myself the redeemed of the Lord as your Word says. In Jesus Name – AMEN!”

We would love to hear from you with your praise reports, prayer request or anything else you would like to share below.

HE STOPPED THE SUN….

He stopped the sun

Joshua 10:13 (AMP) “And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed”

I would love to have seen that miracle play out.  I can just picture all those that day watching & wondering what was going on!

Have you ever wondered what He would do for you to see you succeed in the task at hand?  His reach is limitless, so there is no boundary that can stop Him from moving heaven and earth or even stopping the sun to see you succeed.

Most think too small, but I can picture Joshua that day just looking up and saying, “Hey God, will you do me a favor and stop the sun for me?”  Can you imagine God doing that very same thing for you?  Oh, I can and so much more!  We don’t need to waste time with flowing tears, screaming voices and lengthy theological words; but instead, all we need to do is just talk to Him.

Honestly, is stopping the sun such a great miracle compared to the miracle that manifests when we make Jesus the Lord of our lives?  I never negate the power and awesomeness of any miracle, but can there be one greater than the forgiveness of every sin and the transference into eternal life?  If you are pausing and thinking, let me answer for you.  That’s a big NNNNOOOO!!!!!!  There is no greater miracle – past, present or future.  So whatever you need, even the stopping of the sun, you have it.  You should go through the Word and find all the scriptures that have to do with the power of your words.  One of my favorites is found in Mark 11:23 & 24 (AMP) (23) “Truly I tell you, whoever says to this mountain, Be lifted up and thrown into the sea and does not doubt at all in his heart but believes that what he says will take place, it will be done for him.  (24) For this reason I am telling you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe (trust and be confident) that it is granted to you, and you will [get it].”

We would love to hear from you with your praise reports, prayer request or anything else you would like to share below.

I want to end this blog saying Happy Fathers Day to all the guys out there who are blessed enough to be called dad.

Kingdom Thinking Recap – Week 24

Well its time to say good-bye to another week, but the posted Kingdom Thinking thoughts from it are nuggets of Kingdom wisdom you can always use.

Please forward them to others you know, because we can always use a touch of the Kingdom!!

Monday: Kingdom Thinking: Make this a supernatural “I AM” day with all that is spoken from you mouth!

Tuesday:  Kingdom Thinking:  How big is your picture of God?  Then that’s how free He is to move in your life!

Wednesday:  Kingdom Thinking: In hard times, do you start thinking HOW or do you look to HIM?  Matt 6:33

Thursday:  Kingdom Thinking:  Godly boldness shows your trust in His covenant promise. Read Mark 5 & see this in action.

Friday: Kingdom Thinking:  Kingdom success is measured by the life you give and not what you get in life.

Well that’s it for now, 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!