Posted by Pastor Bobby on May 17, 2009
So often we pray and it seems as though we cannot get the Lord to respond to us. Following are a few things to consider.
1. Believe that receiving your full inheritance from God is as important to Him as it is to you. In Acts 26:17—18 Jesus told Paul to“teach people to receive forgiveness of sins and their inheritance.” Jesus saidit’s His will for you to receive your inheritance! We must believe it’s Hiswill and His desire for us to receive everything He has for us.
2. Ask God for the thing you need and desire. Be specific! If you need an unsaved loved one saved, be specific — name that person to God. If you need a job, be specific about what kind of job and how much money it will earn. Jesus said in John 16:24, “Ask and you shall receive.” James 4:2 says, “You have not because you ask not.”
3. Be sure you’re asking for the right things… James 4:3says, “You ask and do not receive because you ask amiss.” He tells us that when we miss the mark in what we ask for, we will not receive. Is what you’re asking for in the Word of God? I John 5:14 says, “If we ask anything according to the will of God, He hears us…”
4. Believe you received it the moment you ask, no matter what you see or feel (Mark 11:24). This is walking by faith, not by sight (II Corinthians 5:7). You have to break the habit of only believing something when you see it. You must see what is invisible NOW and believe that it is yours —just as a pregnant woman knows there’s a baby in her— she hasn’t seen anything–but it’s there. She knows it’s there.
Posted by Pastor Bobby on April 12, 2009
What does this mean for you? Each of us, believers, needs to reflect upon the message that Almighty God has given us in the life, sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus.
Christians are reminded this week of the Passion of Christ, the Anointed One. We recount the story of the wonderful life that was sacrificed for our redemption. We are told that this was planned before the foundation of the world was created. This is God’s gift to us ALL. Let’s ponder the significance of this gift.
In Matthew 13:43 (NASB), we are given a key to The Resurrection. “Then THE RIGHTEOUS WILL SHINE FORTH AS THE SUN in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear. ” When we have become ‘in right standing with God” we shall shine forth as the sun in the Kingdom of the Father. When we have accepted the gift of Salvation, we begin eternity with Christ.
In Romans 5:10 (NASB) we are told ” For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.”
It is evident that through His sacrifice, we have been given a choice - to be redeemed and saved from eternal separation from God (hell), reconciled (joined again) with the Holy Creator of the Universe OR to slip away into the outer darkness far removed from the presence of The Life. Resurrection Sunday is a day that reminds of of the Love that is God, that He would sacrifice Himself that we might rejoin His family, separated from the world and rightful heirs to His promises.
God planned and meticulously created a perfect world. Man allowed sin and death to take control. Jesus made the sacrifice to reclaim dominion over this world. It is our duty, as professed believers, to diligently study His Holy Wisdom, to study to show ourselves approved in the eyes of God, a man who can rightly divide the word of God.It is our duty to learn and implement the Wisdom of God in our lives.
I thank God that He loves me so much and desires so strongly for me to be part of His family that He would make the ultimate sacrifice for me.
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Filed Under: Faith
Posted by Pastor Bobby on March 8, 2009
Imagine seeing a friend of yours walking toward a deep and dark ravine. He is looking back toward the direction from which he came, not seeing the edge of the cliff. What would you do? Would you try your very best to stop him from plunging into the depths of that deep and dark ravine?
Imagine that you can see a child asleep in a house that is ablaze. What would you do to save that child from burning to death. Would you drop to your knees and pray while the fire consumed the child? What would you do if you saw a young man standing in the middle of a busy street, oblivious of the cars and trucks rushing toward him. What would you do to save him?
Every day each and every one of us looks directly into the face of someone who has not accepted Christ. These people are no different from the friend walking toward the cliff or the child asleep in the burning building or the young man in the street. Each one of your family members, neighbors, co-workers, customers, etc. who are unsaved are in the same danger. They are headed toward eternal distruction. Do you love them enough to try to talk to them about their fate. Are you willing to overcome your fear of talking to others and sharing your faith. Are you afraid that they will reject you or shun you?
Do you love them enough to care about their ultimate fate? You have the life preserver, or life jacket or life solution that will save the ones you love from an eternity seperated from Christ.
A recent poll in a major Christian Evangelistic Magazine reported that only 1% of the readers had witnessed to someone. A major research group reported that only 2% of ‘born again’ Christians share their faith with unsaved individuals. The Barna Research Group concluded that about 75% of professing Christians cannot define the Great Commission.
In Mark 16:15-16 Jesus commissioned us saying “And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned” It is not simply a suggestion for something we could do if we feel like it.
How many family members, friends, co-workers or even perfect strangers have you witnessed to this week? Are you part of the 97% who ignore Christ’s commission? Are you comfortable sitting in your churches, never sharing the information that will keep your fellow humans from a fate of eternal death?
What will you do?
Posted by Pastor Bobby on March 1, 2009
Have you ever considered…
Christians, diligent students of God’s Wisdom, know that everything that was created was created by God. John 1:1-2 confirms the creation story given us in the first chapter of Genesis. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was in the beginning with God. 3All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.”
I stated this reminder to make a particular point which all Christians need to understand. God created everything that exists in this physical world. IT ALL BELONGS TO HIM. We, in reality own nothing. He is gracious, loving us, and has allowed us to be stewards of small things and great things according to how we have proved ourselves. He has made each and every one of us stewards of His possessions.
Too many people, even Christians, are under the assumption that they own their houses, their cars, their businesses and other things. When we understand that we are only stewards, caretakers, of God’s possessions, our attitudes change. This is a good revelation.
When we understand that He has allowed us to oversee His possessions and only asks that we return 10% to Him, we can begin to have a different attitude toward worldly things. When we
acknowledge that He is the owner and we open our hearts and our minds to His instructions in His Holy Scripture, we begin to fare a great deal better.
If you are having financial trouble, know that, if you study and learn, God will direct you into the knowledge necessary to improve your situation. Concentrate, focus your attention on the only one
who can help you and He will lead you, after having studied to show yourself approved, into the solution to whatever the problem seems to be.
Do not concentrate on the problem. Concentrate on the problem solver! When all of our attention is on the fire, we fail to see the fire hose. When all of our attention is on the storm, we fail to see the storm calmer. Remember the story of Peter walking on the water after Jesus bid him to come? Even though the wind whipped up a stormy sea, Peter walked toward Jesus ‘on the water.’ When Peter began to look at the stormy sea, what happened. He began to sink. When he again focused on Christ, he was lifted up out of the stormy seas and walked back to the boat with ‘The Storm Calmer.’
God has not given us a spirit of fear, but a sound mind. Fear of financial ruin, loosing you home, your retirement, your job, etc. is the enemy’s way of diverting your attention from Christ to the stormy sea. Keep you eyes, your ears, your full focus on Jesus, look full upon His face. He will lead you through the valley.
Posted by Pastor Bobby on February 11, 2009
If you’ve ever wished you could do something about all the violence in the world but thought you were powerless, I just found something you’ve got to see.
Before you start thinking, “Oh yeah, another ‘peacenik’ site,” let me tell you, this is VERY different. Notable people like Nobel Peace Prize winner, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Jack Canfield, founder of Chicken Soup for the Soul books, and many celebrities and sports legends are behind this project.
Something’s definitely up! I think people are saying enough’s enough and I’m one of them…so I just joined.
10 Million Clicks For Peace
What’s really neat about this is that they’ve made it fun and easy. Anyone can help with just a few clicks of their mouse. And it all makes sense. We don’t need to wait for international negotiations. We can create peace ourselves–right now–using the power of the Internet.
They’re giving away this amazing tool, called a “Personal Peace Impact Meter.” It shows you the positive difference you’re making, along with simple steps to create more peace. I followed the steps, and my peace impact showed up instantly! (They should make video games like this.)
The neat part about this meter is that it also shows all the positive effects of the people I tell, and the people they tell, and so on. Soon thousands of people will be taking positive steps towards greater world peace, all because of a few simple steps I took. Amazing!
After seeing what’s been happening with international politics, I’m really glad I can finally do something to help create a more positive future myself.
By the way, these guys also give you what’s got to be the world’s largest personal growth and success course (at no cost or obligation). World-famous speakers and best-selling authors are working with them to make global peace a reality. Their idea makes sense… Teach people all over the world how to become more personally peaceful, happier, and more successful, and violence will simply disappear, because countries filled with happy, peaceful people simply don’t start wars or participate in violence.
I can’t believe they figured all this stuff out and got so many people to help in just 11 months. What a great use of the Internet!
This is why I’m so excited.
Here’s their site:
10 Million Clicks For Peace
May you be a conduit for God’s Blessings,
Pastor Bobby
Posted by Pastor Bobby on January 13, 2009
In my mother’s long battle with Alzheimer’s and with multiple other illnesses, we have begun the long night battles. It is really getting tough to maintain sanity. I am bound to keep my promise to keep my mother at home. I have seen some pretty gruesome things at nursing homes. She wants to stay at home and with God’s strength, I will keep her here at home.
It is very taxing. She has to have constant care and attention. This is a horrible disease. It robs the victim of dignity and peace. Every day is filled with prayers for peace. Fear creeps in; fear of being alone or deserted; fear of voices and those images of people who are not there.
The nights seem to be getting longer. My mother fights sleep for fear of not waking or that someone will hurt us while she sleeps. Just like a small child will do, she fights off sleep, often for up to 3 days before her body literally collapses. While in these fear ridden hours of sleeplessness, she demands my total attention. She constantly wants me to straighten her pillow or ‘fix’ her legs or give her a drink of water. I believe that most of these constant pleas for attention are nothing more than an attempt to keep me focused on her.
It is so very difficult sometimes to stay calm. It is so very difficult to keep my focus on the bigger picture. It is so very difficult to maintain a civil attitude and not lose my temper. Christ gives me the strength to carry on. I constantly remind myself that He is my strength and that He will sustain me. He is sufficient for all of my needs.
I love my mother. I love Christ. I will persevere.
Posted by Pastor Bobby on January 4, 2009
We have embarked on a New Year. We have finished all that we can do in the year past. With the beginning of a new year, I have begun to realize that I am now closer to the end of my present journey. I am one day closer to finishing this mortal life before beginning a new adventure.
Being a responsible Christian, I have been wondering if what I have planned to leave behind will be sufficient for those I will leave behind - those whom I love. Will I leave a bank account sufficient, investments that will continue to provide, trusts or insurance? Will I make other provisions? In these unsure times, will the banks falter and lose what I have stored. Will taxes consume it? Will the property be enough or will the government one day seize this for their own purposes?
It is so very difficult to ‘trust’ these man made investments that may or may not flourish or may or may not wither away. Racking my brain for the surest legacy that I can leave that will definitely provide for those who survive me on this plan of existing is an exhausting endeavor.
I have concluded that the very best investment that I can make, the only ‘legacy’ that I can leave behind that will provide sufficiently for the ones whom I love is an un-floundering, unshakable, and ever growing ‘trust’ in the precepts and promises of Almighty God in His Holy Word.
My un-dieing devotion to God’s Word and the lessons that I have learned have provided for me in times when there seemed to be no other resource. My unflinching devotion to all of God’s promises and my unshakable faith in the truth of His Word are the only things that I can leave behind that will offer the security that man made things will not.
I want my legacy to those whom I love to be a deep and abiding faith in God and in His Holy Word. These are the things which have provided for me and that I believe will provide for those whom I shall one day leave behind. Be true to God and a diligent student of His Holy Word and He will provide every thing that you need. He is sufficient to provide the future for everyone who loves Him.
May your faith and trust in God deepen through and unshakeable devotion to Jesus Christ.
Posted by Pastor Bobby on January 2, 2009
On January 1, 2009, Alzheimer’s demon really tested my faith. It was a night of rock and roll. I was devastatingly tired and sleepy but there was no way that I could leave my mother unattended. She was constantly trying to stand. She has little standing ability but a great deal of stubborn determination.
It was a war of wills. My nerves were sizzling and my brain was fried. I kept repeating “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” If I had not been confident that the Lord would give me strength to endure and pass through this valley, I would have given up.
It is times like these that really test every bit of Christian belief or Christian Metal. Jesus Won!
Posted by Pastor Bobby on January 1, 2009
Another year has come and gone. I want to publicly thank God for His many blessing in the past year (2008.) Not simply for the things that He has given me but for the many things that He has done for others through me. I think that the greatest blessing that God has given me is the opportunity to bless others for His Glory.
I pray that this new year will be even greater than the years before. I pray that God will use me to bless others; to teach others about Him and His Holy Word.
God is so awesome.
Pastor Bobby Keating
Director of the Christian Success Institute
Posted by Pastor Bobby on December 23, 2008
Precepts are rule or laws or principles by which we need to live our lives. A promise is defined in the dictionary as: an express assurance on which expectation is to be based. God has given us His precepts and His promises in order that we can live a successful life as His children; not just in the life to come but in this present life.
The first precept and promise made that we will consider is in Proverbs 3:6 (Amplified.) “In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths.” The precept or principle is to acknowledge Him, our one and true living God. The promise that follows this is that He (God) will direct our path. All that is asked of us is that we acknowledge God as our God, the Master and the Creator of the Universe and Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son and our Savior. In John 3:16 we are assured that all we have to do is believe in Jesus Christ, given to us through His Love for us, and we are promised life eternal with Him. There is no greater promise than the promise of salvation.
The second precept and promise that we want to consider is found in Psalms 37:4 (Amplified.) “Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He will give you the desires and secret petitions of your heart.” When we say delight yourself, what do we mean? Delight means to give or receive or take great pleasure in something or someone. It is easy to understand that when something gives us great pleasure it become the center of our attention. It becomes the object of our affection and something sought after. When we concentrate (focus) our attention on Christ, we begin to be filled with His joy. We begin to realize the extent to which He provides immeasurable pleasure and happiness in our lives. The more pleasure (joy) that is Christ that fills our lives the more He delights us. When we delight (find joy immeasurable) in God, He gives us the desire and secret petitions of our heart. This does not mean the fleshy materialistic desires. Those materialistic desires seem to fade away as we realize the essence of our relationship with God. The new car or bigger house or big bank accounts are not as important as our desire to be the conduit of God’s blessings to others. We begin to desire to accomplish His will. The amazing part of this is that when we put aside the desire for things the more He blesses us with greater things.
This, in effect, leads to our third precept and promise that we find in the Holy Scripture. When we are obedient we realize the satisfaction of accomplishing our part in the plan of God. Isaiah 1:19 tells us that “If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land.” If we are willing to obey God’s Laws and to do the work that God has purposed us for, our rewards are unbelievable. He also tells us that obedience is better than sacrifice. By obeying God’s Commandments we demonstrate our willingness to be His children. When we obey God’s precepts, we honor Him. When we obey God’s Laws, we bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. If we are willing to do and to obey God, He will bless us beyond our imagining.
In this physical life that we are living now, the burdens of simply living sometimes bear heavily on our shoulders. There is a precept and a promise that we find in Matthew 11:29 that gives a definite solution to this. Jesus told us “Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest (relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls.” When we do as He says (His precept,) we are assured of rest and ease to the situations in our lives. He will help us bear under the weight of the burdens in our lives.
This brings us to a similar precept and promise that assures us that life can be dealt with in a manner that will be rewarding and bring us great satisfaction. The precept is to seek and the promise is a promise of fulfillment. We read in Matthew 6:33 “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.” When we seek first the Kingdom of Heaven, God’s Holiness, everything that we need and want is added to us. This is such good news. We are to keep Christ as our focus, not wealth or property or things. When we focus on the Creator, all of creation is at our fingertips, without having to divert our attention to it.
Another principle that carries a magnificent promise is found in Malachi 3:10. “Bring all the tithes (the whole tenth of your income) into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and prove Me now by it, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.” God promises us that He will open the windows of Heaven and shower us with blessing so great that we will not have room to contain them. All we have to do is give back to Him 1/10th of what He has already given us. Everything that we will ever have already belongs to God. He wants to test our willingness to follow His precepts. He wants us to prove Him.
Ezekiel 11:20 gives us a glimpse into the world that God has planned for us. “That they may walk in My statutes and keep My ordinances, and do them. And they shall be My people, and I will be their God.” When we follow all of God’s precepts, live by all of His Laws, we will be His people and He will be our God. What a wonderful state of affairs. When we are God’s people, we are in God’s favor. When He is our God, all of His bounty is laid before us. True and lasting success can only be found when God, The Almighty Creator of the Universe, is our God.
There are more of Pastor Bobby’s Success Training Bible Studies at The Christian Success Institute
