Speak Life into Your Marriage

 

Marriage can be bliss or it can be a curse. God instituted marriage therefore; it is supposed to be a blessing. God is always for a good marriage but it’s up to two people to decide what the quality of the relationship will be.

 

We all know people who are enduring marriage. Life is short and a marriage is to safeguard a life of peace, pleasure, and prosperity in the safety of a mate. Unfortunately, many marriages today are suffering because one or both partners have given up on their marriage. They’re enduring instead of enjoying each other. Today I want to give you five keys that will breathe fresh life into your marriage.

 

1. Have a vision for your marriage. Without a goal, anyone can be lost in transit. Unless we have clear goals, we’ll be confused at best. A goal can be spiritual, financial, physical, or emotional. Unless both spouses know what they want from each other, it is hard to please the other person. Talk about your expectations, write them down, and then revisit them periodically to make sure you’re making progress. Life comes in seasons. Stay current with your needs and the season you’re in. 

 

2. Speak life. Our lives are as good as the words we speak. This may sound absurd but there’s tremendous power in our words. Think about it! God spoke the world into existence. When we speak positive, uplifting words over ourselves and each other, we’ll eat the fruit of it. Words are like an echo; whatever we send out will come back to us. It is easy to make sarcastic, hurtful, and cutting remarks but like a burn, those words sting our souls for months to come. On the contrary, when we make a positive deposit of building our mate up with words, it’s like putting money in a savings account. You can draw all you want, limited only by what you put in. If we’re drawing more than we deposit, one day we may have to face a bankruptcy. When you’re upset and you feel like speaking out the most is the time for you to say the least. Make a habit of saying something good about your spouse every single day. A person can live on a kind, appreciative word for a month! Speak life.

 

3. Focus on what’s working. Forgive and forget what your partner did in 1957! Bury the past and forgive quickly. Fight for peace and not for winning arguments. Most people make the mistake of focusing on what’s not working. Remember, nobody is perfect — not even you! If we’re using all our energy looking for faults then we’ll not have any energy left to find the gold in the other. Remind yourself why you fell in love. Find ways to unite. Invest in each other. A marriage left alone is like a beautiful garden only to someday be taken over by weeds. If you stay focused on planting good seeds, your garden will continue to produce beautiful flowers.

 

4. Communicate. People are not mind-readers. Find a way to express your feelings without the drama. You have to be precise but you also have to be diplomatic. Don’t tell it the way it is. When, and how, you share your feelings is as important as what you share. Ninety percent of our communication is non-verbal. Hold hands, look each other in the eye. When we say a hard thing in a kind way, it’s a lot more palatable. When you make a mistake don’t make excuses. Be the bigger person and say, “I made a mistake. I’m sorry. It won’t happen again.” Become a lifelong learner of communication.

 

5. Enjoy each other. Nobody likes to be around a stick in the mud. Yes, we need to save for the future but don’t be stingy. Details are important and the house doesn’t get cleaned by itself but why don’t you do it without complaining about it. We live in a stressful world. Take a leisurely walk in the park, go to a movie, and take a vacation without the kids. Have plenty of sex. You have the license; use it before it expires! Even the doctors are now saying that it’s good for your body, emotions, spirit, and soul! Never let the magic die in your marriage. Remember, fun doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. It’s time, effort, and creative thinking that keeps your marriage fresh. Have fun with each other.

 

Finally, honor God with your marriage. Say and do only things you would say and do if God was present with you. In case you’re wondering, He’s always with you and He is always for your marriage. I’m praying for you.

 

“Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed” (Ecclesiastes 4:9 NLT).

 

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Invite Sandy Anderson to Speak: Email: buildinternational@sbcglobal.net 

 

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A Flood is Coming

As we begin the last quarter of this year, I can’t help but begin to wonder how a flood is coming for all of God’s people who believe. Just like in the days of Noah, God is sending a flood but this flood is not to destroy us; it is to overwhelm us with His goodness.

I know many people who have had a tough year so far. You have lived an honorable life and yet, you’re still waiting. You have been faithful in helping others and spreading God’s Word around the world and yet your prosperity has been limited at best. If this is you, I have good news for you. A flood is coming and you need to prepare yourself to store your blessings and become a conduit to bless others.

As you know, I travel to Asia frequently spreading God’s Word among people who have never heard His name. Earlier this year, I was ministering in Thailand where I heard a fascinating story. In the mid-fifties the government of Thailand was to build a highway cutting through a village where a huge mud statue of Buddha was standing. The religious symbol was revered and worshipped by people so the government decided to relocate the statue to a nearby monastery. While trying to move the statue, pieces of dry clay began to fall off the object. The more carefully they tried to move the idol, the more it began to crumble. Finally, huge chunk of clay came off of it and revealed an amazing secret that had been hidden for centuries. The workers were astonished to find that what was believed to be a clay statue was actually made of solid gold. What was worth only $50,000 was estimated to be valued at millions of dollars!

All through this year, you’ve labored hard, believed with your heart, and stayed steadfast to please God. It may feel like your work and faith have produced nothing more than “clay” at best. Your promise may not have manifested yet but a flood of God’s goodness is about to overtake your life. All the days of your honest living, integrity, and hard labor is going to be paid off. What looked like only clay will suddenly turn into precious gold!

In the Bible, God told Noah to prepare a boat as He was going to destroy the world. He told Noah that a flood was coming and it was going eliminate all the people except Noah and his family and specimens of birds and animals. Like you today, Noah lived a God-pleasing life. What is interesting is that until then there had been no rain from the sky. The earth was moisturized from water that sprang up from the ground. Noah had never seen rain but He believed that a flood was coming.

Today, you may not see how your situation will turn around. In fact, your profit and loss statements look more red than black. The sickness has gone from bad to worse. You may feel like you’ll never meet the person of your dream and enjoy life together. Your children may look far from God and your legal battle may seem leaning in their favor. No matter how depressing it looks, I have good news for you. A flood is coming! This flood is not to destroy you but it will elevate you to a new level. It will break every barrier, every opposition, every lack, and every setback. When God’s goodness is unleashed upon you, like a flood, it will wash away sickness, worry, lack, loneliness, disappointments, and depression. The wind that was once blowing against you will now propel you to your next level of peace, pleasure, and prosperity.

Friend, today is a new day! We’re entering into a new month. Where we set our expectancy will determine what we’ll get out of life. If you want God’s blessings to flood your life, lift up your hands and begin to thank God for it. Your praise that goes up to the heavens will gather up as clouds. One day when you expect the least, it will be so thick that it will begin to pour down upon your life. Remember, under the clay gold is waiting for you. You may not see how but a flood is coming. Get your praise ready. When the flood comes, it will wipe away your tears and turn your mourning into rejoicing. I pray and declare September will be spectacular for you!

“But those who want the best for me, Let them have the last word—a glad shout! —and say, over and over and over, “God is great—everything works together for good for his servant” (Psalm 35:27 MSG).

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Let Your Light Shine

Light has a tremendous effect on people. When we encounter darkness, our instinct is to turn on the light. The tiny flicker of a flame is mightier than centuries of darkness in a cave. Light doesn’t just illuminate, it also brings life.

As a Christian, we’re called to be the salt and light of the world. Therefore, we’re at our best when we’re sharing our light in the dark. In a brightly lit room, a flashlight has little to no impact. However, the same flashlight used in the dark brings illumination and much needed guidance. Like the moon, we don’t have any light of our own but when we reflect the Light of Jesus, we cast a long shadow of hope in the lives of people surrounded by darkness.

Recently, I was on a mission trip to China. The people there have lived under oppressive communist rules for decades. We went to China to bring the Light of the Gospel to China’s 1.3 billion people. Our team had daily activities like visiting underground churches to encourage the persecuted believers. We delivered Bibles to those who didn’t have any. We touched, held, and played with disabled orphan children who have no hope of a bright future. It was great to shine our light in dark situations.

When we were getting ready to leave our hotel for the airport, I told our driver to give me a couple of minutes. Everyone thought I had forgotten something in the hotel. Instead, I ran to one of the restaurants where we ate quite regularly. It was earlier than lunch time so the restaurant workers were quite surprised to see me. I called for the owner of the restaurant, the cook, and the waitresses. They were getting nervous. I told them that we were Christians. I was there to tell them how grateful our team was for their hospitality and kindness. I thanked each and every person, shook their hands, and hugged the young people. They almost had tears in their eyes. Romans 2:4 says that the “Goodness of God leads people to repentance.” We were able to shine our light for Jesus and that illuminated their lives a little brighter.

St. Francis of Assisi said, “Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.” This is where many Christians are not bearing much fruit in producing new converts. We think only the pastor or the clergy has the right or the authority to preach Christ to others. Yes, we may have a pulpit to share the Good News with the audience. However, Christians in marketplace have much more power, authority, and influence on people than any minister on the church pulpit.

So how can we shine our light effectively? Most of the time, people pay closer attention to our actions than our words. When we are at work and everybody is bad-mouthing the company, we can shine our light by being grateful for the job we have. When a fellow employee is spreading false rumors about us, we can be the light by not retaliating. When the commissions check that you worked so hard for goes to another sales person, we can shine our light by taking the high road and ask God to pay us back. At home, when things are stressed and everybody is on the edge, we can shine our light by going with the flow and overlooking an offense. We can certainly go to the nations of the world and preach Jesus with our words but our actions, wherever we are, will most likely produce more of a result than our words.

Jesus was the ultimate preacher of the Gospel. He spoke to thousands. People came from all over the place to hear Him teach. However, the most effective sermon He ever preached was not with His words but by laying down His life. We too have the same capacity to shine our light when we reach out to the people God placed in our lives. When we’re living a Godly life at home, we’re shining our light for Jesus. When you have integrity and honesty in your business, you’re being a bright light. When you empower Build International Ministries to take the Gospel to the nations, you’re being the light of the world. When we love our enemies and forgive them, we’re shining our light. Friend, let us be effective, powerful, and influential Christians by shining our light in dark. When we reflect Jesus with our lives, multitudes will come to know Him. Shine your light and remember it works best in the dark!

"Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16 NAS).

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Take Time to Think

Our lives are so automated that we barely have time to think. For the most part, we’re like robots going through the motions of life. Routine is good but if we get too bogged down to living without thinking, we will never live up to our full potential.

One of the enemy’s tactics is to keep us so preoccupied in the present that we don’t have any time to reflect on the future. This is one of the reasons why many people miss heaven. Don’t misunderstand me. Human beings are creatures of habit and if we have good habits, it can work to our advantage. But it will do us all good if we take time to quieten our minds and think on a regular basis, or even daily.

NASA claims that one supernova blasts out more energy in less than the sun is expected to emit over its entire life span. A single explosion can outshine an entire galaxy. Imagine that! God flung the sun and galaxies into place. When we think, we align ourselves with God’s explosive energy. We also allow God’s surpassing creativity to work within us. When we yield to the Holy Spirit, we activate the ultimate supernova of God’s creative power working in, and through, us to change the world.

Back in 1903, women only wore long dresses and they weren’t even allowed to vote. On trips to New York City, Mary Anderson often traveled by streetcar. On one of these trips, Mary noticed that drivers would often get out of their seats to wipe the windshield so they could see better. This put her mind to thinking and searching for a better way.

After making many attempts, Mary designed a manually operated lever inside the streetcar that, when pulled, would swing an arm over the windshield and – swoosh – allow the driver to see again! Her windshield wipers had rubber blades attached to a spring-loaded arm. It solved the problem of a clear windshield in rain and snow. At first, people made fun of her device but when Mary Anderson patented her device in 1905, they stopped laughing. Now computerized, we can adjust windshield wipers to suit our needs. Mary Anderson gave us a great invention because she took the time to think.

One of the global assets America has is innovation. We love to come up with new and better ideas of solving an old problem in a new or more efficient way or to simply create something new. How about you? Are you taking time out to think of creative ways to energize your relationships and give your children a brighter future? What about your business? Are you just manufacturing, selling, installing, and servicing? Or are you taking time to think? If we take time to meet a client’s need in a creative way, we’ll get more out of our business. Remember, the devil drives but God leads. Are you paying attention to His guidance?

Jesus was a creative thinker. He wasn’t trying to be different but He was always in tune with the Holy Spirit. Once, a blind man was brought in front of him. The Bible says, “He spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes” (John 9). It was a good thing that the man was blind or else Jesus may not have had a chance to perform this miracle. Seriously, Jesus said He only did things that His Father told Him to do! Truth is, the Father is still trying to tell us things but maybe we’re too busy to listen? When we hear God’s out of the box solutions, we write it off thinking, “Nobody will buy that.” However, just the opposite is true.

Friend, today I want to challenge you to take time to think. Establish a regular habit to hear from God. Not just early in the morning or at a quiet place by the lake during vacation, but stay open to hearing His voice throughout the day. There’s a better way and God wants to give it to you to propel you to your next level. Stop long enough to think and expect God to give you innovation like Mary Anderson so that you too can transform your marriage, business, and future. I love you and I’m praying for you!

“Be careful what you think, because your thoughts run your life” (Proverbs 4:23 New Century Version).

Let’s Change the World: www.buildinternational.org

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Confront Your Fear with Faith

Fear is a universal disease. It has crippled millions from reaching their full potential. When we entertain fear more than our faith, we make ourselves “grasshoppers” in our own sight. Faith pleases God. Faith is rewarded. Faith inspires!

Every one of us is afraid of something. Fear and faith work in exactly the same way. Faith produces life while fear brings death. If we don’t face our fears and overcome them, then we’ll live our lives like a bird with her wings clipped off. Fear is driving a Nascar with brakes on. Fear robs us of our future. Faith on the other hand liberates people. Faith inspires others to believe God for more. Faith changes circumstances around.

When we choose faith instead of fear, like a magnet we attract the blessings of God to overtake us. Faith glorifies God while fear activates the work of the enemy.

Nick was a strong, hard-working young man who worked on a train crew. One summer evening, he was left behind by his co-workers when they were let off work an hour early to celebrate a foreman’s birthday. Nick was locked in a refrigerator boxcar. Nick panicked and began to shout for help and bang on the walls until his fists were bloody. He was a chronic worrier.

Fear gripped Nick’s heart. He thought to himself, “If I can’t get out, I’ll freeze to death here.” With every passing hour, every ounce of hope began to drain from Nick. Certain of his impending death, he began to carve on the wooden floor with a pocket knife. He wrote, “It’s so cold here. Body is getting numb. I can’t sleep. These may be my last words.”

The next morning Nick’s co-workers found him dead in the boxcar. They read Nick’s last words on the floor. The autopsy results revealed that Nick had died of hypothermia. A little investigation proved that the refrigeration unit wasn’t even operative. The temperature in the boxcar never dropped below fifty degrees. Nick had allowed fear to rob his life. This may be an extreme case of fear but people lose their families, jobs, businesses, and health based on fear.

I know people who are afraid of dying of some sickness. They know so much about their sickness that they can write an encyclopedia about it. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all about getting information and being educated on the subject. However, if we research more about our sickness than the promises of God to heal us, then we’re allowing the sickness to linger. Fear is a real thing but faith can move mountains! You can chose fear or you can chose faith. Faith is going to get you out of jail.

In the Bible, there’s a story of a widow (1 Kings 17:1-16). There was a great famine in the land and God commanded Prophet Elijah to move to Zarephath where the widow was supposed to take care of him. The only problem was the widow didn’t get the memo. When Elijah asked the widow for some water and bread to eat, the woman panicked. Elijah said to her, “Do not fear.” The widow obeyed God’s command and fed His servant. True to His Word, God provided not only for Elijah, but also the widow’s bin of flour never exhausted and the jar of oil never ran dry. What happened? Like all of us, this widow started off with fear but she put more faith in God’s Word than her fears. We too must do the same thing.

Here’s how I overcome fear. After flying around the world for decades, I still get a little fearful every time I step into an airplane. I have thoughts running in my mind of how there have been planes crashed in collision or some sort of other midair disaster. The images of burning planes begin to take over my mind, just then I realize what’s going on. I change the channel on what I’m thinking about. Our mind is like a TV and our will is like the remote control. You can chose what’s playing on your mind by simply changing the channel. Instead of fear, I change it to a victory channel. Every time you’re confronted with fears, replace them with faith. Fear says, “You’ll never have enough.” Faith says, “You’ll have more than enough.” Fear knocks, “You’ll die of your sickness.” Answer with faith saying, “I’ll live and not die and proclaim the works of the Lord.” Fear will tell you that your business is going under but choose faith and say, “Thanks be unto God, who always causes me to triumph in Christ.” A Nepalese proverb says, “The tiger in our mind is bigger than the tiger in the jungle.” Don’t let your imaginary tiger rob your treasures. F E A R is False Education About Reality. Friend, you can have fear or faith. I’m praying that you will choose faith!

“Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand” (Isaiah 41:10 NLT).

Let’s Change the World: www.buildinternational.org

Invite Sandy Anderson to Speak: Email: buildinternational@sbcglobal.net 

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Stay Focused and Achieve More

Much of our productivity and purpose is lost when we get sidetracked by the small things that don’t produce big results. When we learn to stay focused on the task in front of us, then we’ll finish our job early, listen better, and solve problems faster.

Many believe that by multi-tasking they can get more done in less time. However, just the opposite is true. When we try to do too many things at once, it usually takes longer and there’s often a higher chance of error in what we try to accomplish.

Generally speaking, women tend to be better at multi-tasking then men. God wired our brains differently. I’m not trying to stereotype but women tend to handle more details at once better than men. Of course, if we can do more without sacrificing quality then it is commendable. However in most cases, it is better to stay focused on one job at a time. When we engage in multiple functions at once such as texting and driving, we may even risk our lives!

One of the best ways to stay focused is to make daily, weekly, monthly, even yearly goals. When we create a schedule, we’re essentially telling our time where to go. When we have a clear roadmap of what we need to do, and stay focused on chipping away at it throughout the day, we’ll see better results in accomplishing our goals. In today’s society, we’re busier than ever but not necessarily producing more. If we don’t have a “to do list” we can easily be carried away by checking our Facebook status, posting Instagram pictures, and phone calls from time-wasters.

Taking on one task at a time is effective. For example, if you have a pile of dishes, laundry, and carpet to vacuum, it is better to first tackle the job you like the least. When we start a project, we have the maximum energy and our body, and mind, is not as tired as it would be later in the day. Finishing a task gives you a sense of accomplishment and that motivates you to take on the next task with a better attitude. At work, we should try to attack the job that brings the most reward. If you’re in sales, you should be most focused on making new sales instead of getting bogged down in policies, procedures, and keeping your desk organized. If we’re in administration, we should be focused on managing our top producers, accounts, legalities, production, and customer relationships. Staying focused on most rewarding task will pay off in the long run.

In the Scriptures, even Jesus stayed focused on the task at hand. He didn’t panic at the urgent. He stayed faithful in doing one thing at a time. This is exemplified John 11:5-6. Jesus “delayed” two days longer in the village where He was when He got news that Lazarus was sick unto death. However, He understood the principle of staying focused. When Jesus got done in the village and arrived at Lazarus’ house, his sister Martha lamented, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” Lazarus had been in the tomb for four days! Jesus didn’t panic. He called Lazarus out of the grave! In the case of Jesus, staying focused brought greater glory to God by raising the dead.

Could it be we’re wasting valuable time, effort, and energy by trying to do too many things at once? I know people whose schedules are so packed that they don’t even have time for their families or time to relax and rejuvenate. They are busy like a bee and one day they wake up to find out that their honey is gone. May I recommend that a better way is to stay focused on your work but also stay focused guarding your time with God and your family and friends? When we guard our time with God, we’re infusing power, innovation, and efficiency in our day. Friend, let us not shoot in the dark and do whatever comes on our way. If we’re to be excellent and efficient in what we do, then we have to be intentional about staying focused. You can’t do everything at once. Staying focused and doing one thing at a time will make us more productive, satisfied, and deliver greater rewards. I pray and declare that you’ll be more focused on God, family, relationships, and your health. Let’s stay focused and achieve more.

“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might” (Ecclesiastes 9:10 NIV).

Let’s Change the World: www.buildinternational.org

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Speaking Your Way to Victory

 

Everyone loves a miracle! We marvel when we hear about God’s supernatural deeds turning an impossible situation around. Our attention is in high gear if the miracle has something to do with us. Truth is, we all have the capacity to create miracles.

 

This may sound arrogant but you have the same miracle working power as God did when He created our world and brought it into existence. He said, “Let there be light” and light came rushing in at 186,000 miles per second! When we align our words with God’s Word, we unleash a force at the speed of light to turn our negative circumstances around.

 

Our words have the capacity to prophesy doom or predict victory. Years ago, I lived and ministered in the tiny country of Nepal. Everywhere you go; it has breathtaking views of the tall Himalayan range. When I lived there, it was against the law to share Christ with the people from Hindu and Buddhist backgrounds. At the time, many were serving up to a six year prison term for witnessing. I was with a friend in a remote region sharing the Gospel in a high school when I felt a tap on my back. It was a civilian police man. He said, “You’re under arrest. Come with me.” I was young and inexperienced. Nobody taught me what to do when you’re being hauled off to prison for preaching the Gospel. I was trembling with fear. Along with me was a teenager who had already spent two years in a district prison where we were being taken for our crime. I didn’t feel very adequate but trying to be of encouragement to my younger partner in crime, I began to speak faith-filled words of being set free. At that time, I was just learning to confess God’s Word over negative circumstances. With fear and trembling, I began to say, “Your Word says that you set the captives free. Thank you Lord for setting us free. You got Peter and Silas out of jail now it’s our turn.” I can’t emphatically say if I really believed in those words but as I spoke, faith came. Five hours later, when we got to the prison, the police chief let us go free without spending one night in jail. We should have been rotting in that prison for six years but our faith-filled words brought about a miracle and set us free. Once we stepped out of the prison gate, we ran like the Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt!

 

Are you facing an impossible situation in your finances? Are you battling a sickness or an addiction? Do you need a job or a spouse? Do you believe that God will save a loved one? Do you have a legal battle hanging over your head? There’s hope! If you’re honoring God with your life, you have the power to release God’s creative force over your circumstances. Speak words in the direction you want your life to go. Our words can bless our future or they can curse it. Too many people are speaking defeat over their lives. Don’t let that be you. When you’re feeling weak, say, “I’m strong and full of health.” When you’re feeling uncertain, say, “I have the mind of Christ. I’m confident and complete in Him.” When you’re feeling alone, say, “Jesus has promised never to leave me nor forsake me.” When you’re struggling to pay your bills or go on a vacation with your family, say, “My God shall supply all my needs.” When we utter faith-filled words, we create a world we desire to live in. Positive confession of God’s Word releases unseen forces to work on our behalf. Unfortunately, negative words are also self-filling prophecy. Let’s choose life with the words we speak!

 

The Scripture says, “Let the redeemed of the Lord say so.” Notice it doesn’t say “Let the redeemed of the Lord think so or wish so.” He will not do what we can do for ourselves. If we want God to turn the situation around, we’ve got to do the talking. Words are like seeds. Whatever you plant, you’ll harvest in plenty. Don’t use words to describe your situation. Use your words to change your situation. You ask, “Sandy, can my words really have that much power over my life?” Think about it! How did you get saved? Did you not believe in your heart and say a bunch of words (sinner’s prayer) that you probably didn’t even understand at that time? If your words can keep you out of eternal jail, don’t you think it can also bring heaven down on earth? I challenge you today to speak only faith-filled words. If you can’t say anything positive, it’s better not to say anything at all. You ask, “How long do I have to speak faith-filled words?” Until you get what you want! Yes, it’s that’s crucial! Friend, you can move God to act on your behalf. You can speak your way to victory. Say so!

 

“A word out of your mouth may seem of no account, but it can accomplish nearly anything—or destroy it! It only takes a spark, remember, to set off a forest fire” (James 3:5 The Message).

 

Let’s Change the World: www.buildinternational.org

 

Invite Sandy Anderson to Speak: Email: buildinternational@sbcglobal.net 

 

Stay Inspired: http://www.facebook.com/pages/BUILD-International-Ministries/113937368637778?ref=hl 

Call in God’s Favor

Many of God’s children are struggling to make it through the day. They’re surviving but they’re not thriving. God has promised uninterrupted blessings to people who honor Him with their lives. God’s favor is for a lifetime.

We’re all familiar with phrases like, “It rains on everybody.” We say, “Bad things happen to good people.” Yes, that may have been our experience in the past but that shouldn’t be our normal expectation. Christ was not teasing us when He promised that, “My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life” (John 10:10 NLT). We’re so programed for negative things to happen to us that when they do, we almost welcome it. This is not how God wants us to live. There’s an undeniable blessing between the people in the world and the people of God — that’s you! We can live in the uninterrupted blessings of God.

I got a call from a friend who has been working on certain deals in his financial business. He’s had a rough patch last few years. In recent times, he’s honored God like never before. He’s made sacrifices and served his family. He has made reconciliation. I can’t tell you how proud I am of my friend. Today, I got a call from him and he was all excited. He said, “Sandy you prayed for a breakthrough last Thursday and the very same day an unknown person walked into our office. We’re looking to close the deal within a matter of days. When this goes through, it will be our third most valuable client!” I was excited for him but I wasn’t surprised. Why? I know that when we call in God’s favor He shows up and blows up.

Today if you’re battling a sluggish business, sickness on your body, loneliness, or a relationship problem, I want to encourage you. Everything you face is temporary. One touch of God’s supernatural favor can change everything around. The wind that was once blowing against you will suddenly propel you to new heights. One thing is needed. Call in the favor of God. When we cry out to God, He hears us. He neither sleeps nor slumbers. His ears are attentive to His children — that’s you!

I don’t like shopping and it’s something I rarely do. As I’m leaving for a missions trip to China, I wanted to get some new clothes because I’ll be ministering to house church leaders who are highly respected and they’ve honored God with the high price of persecution, torture, and imprisonment. When I got to the counter, I began to chat as I usually do. When I told the clerk that I was going to China to minister, he wasn’t too sure what to think. I gave him some discount coupons that I had received in the mail, he handed them back to me. He said, “I’ve got something better!” I didn’t understand until he gave me the bill. A $45 shirt and he sold it to me for only $7.64. I didn’t really buy a whole lot but altogether he had found me $303.25 in savings! That was the supernatural favor of God. Friend, I want to encourage you to call in God’s favor. If you can see it, say it. If you will say it, you’ll see it! God has promised us an abundant life this side of heaven; let’s expect some big things from God.

One touch of God’s favor will change your life. This is what happened to Virgin Mary, the mother of our Lord. She was an ordinary woman but she honored the Almighty and she found favor in His eyes. What transpired next, through the virgin birth of our Lord, ushered in the Savior of the world! When you live a God-pleasing life and call in the favor of God, blessings, increase, health, joy, justice, peace, and promotion will find you.

I’ve learnt that the more I brag about God and what He is doing, the more I experience God’s supernatural favor in my life. I’m accustomed to preferential treatment from God and fellowmen. I’m not proud but I have a quiet confidence that everything will work out in my favor. What about you? Are you expecting the worst or are you calling in the favor of God daily?

Friend, no matter what you’re facing today, lift up your head. God delights in the prosperity of His children. Religion hates the good life God has ordained for you. Religion wants to make you pay for your wrong; bind you with guilt, doctrines, denominational walls, dos and don’ts. If you really want to enjoy the good life God has prepared for you, then you have to discover God as a loving, caring and giving Father. Of course, He is also just, righteous and a zealous God. But you know what? At the heart of God is mercy. Love is the strongest motivating force in the universe. You’re not a slave; you’re an heir. You are a child of the Most High! Step up to the plate and call in the favor. If you dare to brag on your heavenly father, you’ll see Him at work like never before. Call in God’s favor. I’m praying for you!

“The blessing of the LORD makes a person rich, and he adds no sorrow with it” (Proverbs 10:22 NLT).

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Dream Bigger Dreams

There’s something about big thinkers. The world is full of small thinkers because small thinking takes no effort. It’s those who have the audacity to think big that will change the world. I love being around big thinkers because they inspire others.

Our God, who created the vast universe, is a big thinker. Everything about God is lavish and expansive. It doesn’t cost us anything to have a large mindset. Big thoughts are free. If we can dare to dream it, most of the time we can achieve it. Today, I want to inspire you to dream bigger dreams for your business, career, and life. Small goals take small effort. God-size dreams require God Himself to work on our behalf.

Born into slavery in 1864, George had the odds stacked against him. At the age of twelve, he left home in pursuit of an education. The first college to accept him turned him away because he was black. Through perseverance and sheer determination, George not only finished college but he became an agricultural revolutionist.

One of the biggest money-makers in agriculture those days were cotton plantations. However, constant farming of cotton depleted the soil of its nutrients and would eventually kill the land and the farmer’s livelihood. George came up with the big idea of crop rotation. He proposed alternation between cotton and peanuts. The idea wasn’t easy to sell to the farmers. Once again, through hard work and tenacity, the idea took off. It was so effective that now they had to deal with a new problem — excessive peanuts. George knew he had to come up with a quick solution. Once again, he put on his “big thinking” hat on and within a week George invented dozens of smart solutions. From cooking oil to ink and of course, peanut butter, he went on to find 325 smart solutions. By 1938, tiny peanuts became a mighty 200 million dollar industry! Could it be that a little tweak in your business could bring about the same change?

What is interesting is that George Washington Carver was not motivated by money. He turned down today’s equivalent of one million dollars a year to work for Thomas Edison. He never aspired to amass a fortune or sell his discoveries. Success to him was a lifetime of service. He said, “It is not the style of clothes one wears, neither the kind of automobile one drives, nor the amount of money one has in the bank, that counts. These mean nothing. It is simply service that measures success.”

Too many professionals today are putting the cart before the horse. While there’s nothing wrong in wanting the best compensation for your services and products, it’s never going to be enough if we put making money as our ultimate goal. As a business owner or a professional, put in time to serve and treasures will find you.

This is what my young friend David did. He works for a multinational company here in DFW. Recently, he had to deal with an irate customer because his order wasn’t delivered on time. David, being a man of integrity, took matters in his own hands. He fought upper management and showed up at the customer’s doorstep with a car full of expensive equipment. David not only made a huge impression on the client but retained him as customer for life. It is service that begets success. What are your motives in business? If making money is your ultimate goal; you’re dreaming too small!

In the Bible (Luke 5:1-11), Jesus was teaching large crowds wherever he went. One day he was pressed between the multitude and the open sea. He saw Peter washing his nets by the shore. He asked if he could borrow his boat. Peter willingly agreed. Jesus is a gentleman. He’ll never put you through something without paying you back for it. Every time you honor God, He will honor you. Later, He asked Peter to cast his nets into the deep. Peter was a professional fisherman. He said, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so…” My friend, take time to listen to what God is saying about your business or career. Peter caught so many fish that his nets were breaking and he had to call for others to bring it all in. Let me ask you a question. Is your career or your business only a vehicle to make ends meet or are you glorifying God with your products and services? If you think big, toil hard, follow God’s Word, and put others first, you too will become big producer. God’s dream for you is bigger than your own dream for yourself. Agree with God and He’ll take you higher than you could ever imagine. I believe and declare that this week will be your best week of the year so far! I’m praying for you.

“When you get there, you will come to a secure people. The land is wide open to you. God will hand it over to you. It's a place where you will have everything you could want" (Judges 18:10 God’s Word).

Change the World: www.buildinternational.org

Invite Sandy Anderson to Speak: Email: buildinternational@sbcglobal.net 

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Taking Jesus to the World

 

One of the greatest pleasures of being a Christian is to win others for the Kingdom of God. The closest, and dearest thing, to the heart of God is lost souls. Every believer is commanded to win people to the Lord.

 

Bringing lost souls to Christ is one of the main spiritual responsibilities of a believer. For the most part, the Church in America has abandoned the call to world missions. We’re too busy beautifying our sanctuary and building our own kingdom. If America wants to regain her former glory, we must get involved in world missions. One of the best ways to combat international terrorism is to bring Jesus to the world. When the Gospel changes a man’s heart, it revolutionizes everything!

 

Recently, I was talking to a fellow minister and he was lamenting that churches have given him the cold shoulder regarding reaching the lost in foreign lands. He shared how pastors won’t allow him any pulpit time to share the vision of reaching the world. Once, he preached his heart out and many signed up to receive further information from his ministry. My friend was excited to see the response but the very next day he got a call from the pastor warning him not to contact the people who signed up. Not only that, he was told that should any money be given to his ministry, it would have to be done through the church. What a small mindset!

 

America is still the number one voice in world Christianity. However, we’re losing our place of authority simply because the church has become too commercialized. Our focus has been to pack the house so that we can pile up more money to provide a luxury lifestyle for the leaders. Worldly ways have consumed us. Church has become a business. While a workman is worthy of his hire, we’ve put Christian leaders on a pedestal. In many countries, a pastor has to be in prison defending his loyalty to his congregation before becoming their leader. Until we make Jesus the Savior of the world our first priority, we’re not going to have the influence we once had. Do you know what country has pledged to send 100,000 missionaries to the world? China!

 

God is doing mighty works in communist China. In spite of hardship, persecution, and even death, Christians there are taking Jesus to the world. They have very little and they know even less, but how refreshing it is to see that they have their priorities right. Jesus is the main attraction in China. The Holy Spirit is working to bring at least 25,000 people to Jesus every day. Chinese leaders and believers don’t spend their time, effort, and resources to buy acreage and build magnificent buildings. Rather, they invest everything into reaching lost souls. They realize that people are the only thing going to heaven. Everything else that we try to beautify and idolize here on earth will be burned with fire. Is it any wonder that China is becoming the largest Christian nation in the world! At the present rate of growth, will have more Christians than America by the year 2025.

 

We’re going back to China on August 3, 2014 to train pastors and leaders. We will work with orphans. We will deliver Bibles for the persecuted. It has been stated that every Christian in China is an evangelist. However, many believe that for every Chinese Bible, an average of five people experience salvation.

 

We’re all called to world missions. We’re all called to make a difference in reaching our world for Jesus. We’re all called to win souls for our Savior. When we partner with others who are bringing the lost world to Christ, we’re heaping up treasures for ourselves. The Great Commission has been the great omission in modern Christianity but every individual should be involved in taking Jesus to the world. Imagine your impact! If one Bible can bring five lost souls to Christ, what will be the impact of the 30, 50, 100, or 500 Bibles you can provide? A Bible only costs $3.00. Will you please help? Will you please share this with your friends and family? When we become engaged in God’s dream for this world, He will make sure to fulfill our dreams. Let’s take Jesus to the world!

 

“Proclaim his glory to the nations, his mighty deeds to all peoples” (Psalm 96:3 Good News).

 

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