Reading In Philippians

This morning I woke up and started reading in Philippians. I learned two things this morning from scripture.
1 – Although we feel defeated sometimes here’s what Paul says about that. Chapter 1:6 And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

2- Gods been teaching me a lot about loving others as Christ loved us. What does it really mean to love. We can write a lot of books and read a lot of scripture but until we really put love into action we are just going through the motions. We should get back to loving people like it cost us something. Chapter 1:9-10 I pray that your LOVE will overflow more and more and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. 10 for I want you to understand what really matters so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return.

Hope this helps somebody today, if so tell someone else.
Chasen Callaahan

Not just a gatekeeper

1 Chroncles 9 17- 34
To be a gatekeeper you had to be entrusted with the responsibilities of the treasures (26) in the house of God.
Some watch and cared for articles of the temple service – 28
Some the furnishings ,as well as the flour and the wine, oil, incense and spices
then you had one that was entrusted for baking the offering bread….
then we come to verse 33
Those who were musicians were excempt from the duities because they were responsible for work day and night.
I think with this in mind music and worship can take us out of our darkest days and give us hope in the darkest of night., it can encourage us , up lift us, it can bring us happiness.
the gift that we have been given ,God entrusted you with His treasure.
I love how he used the scripture he entrusted us. In these verses it talks about treasures. Each of us when we do ministry and we do shows those are Gods treasures.
So in closing may all our songs that we sing may it bring Him glory, enocourage, and up lift others. Giving all of them hope.
We are gone day and night and the fact that you were chosen is an honor.

My mom should me this thought it would be great for all you musicians and artist out there.

Lil bit, the leader

I read this devotional this morning about leadership. I remember feeling so small compared to some of the other leaders when I first started out. Even being older now I have moments when I feel so small. Read this and let me know your thoughts.

“Now, O LORD my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties.” – 1 Kings 3:7

Think back to the time when you finally got out of the military or college, and you were taking that first job. Or maybe it was when you had your first child, and all the sudden you realized you had to act like an adult. I’ll never forget those feelings when I finished college, moved to Augusta, and took a job in corporate America. This was before Anne and I got married, and years before I went into the ministry. For several weeks, I’d wake up in the morning, and think, “You know, I’m supposed to be an adult, but I feel like a kid.” I was scared to death.

That’s what Solomon felt like when he unexpectedly and suddenly became the King of all Israel. He felt overwhelmed, yet he had all this responsibility. He was called to lead a great nation that began with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph – a nation with extraordinary, godly leaders like Moses and Joshua, and even his own father, David. Solomon reflected on all of this, and said, “I feel like a little child.” Now think about that for a minute. Children are utterly dependent on their parents. So Solomon, since his earthly father had died, spoke to his Heavenly Father (since his earthly father had died), all he could say was, “I feel as a little child.” He expressed an utter dependence on his Heavenly Father. Now, that is not a bad place for a king to begin. And it’s not a bad place for all of us to be, either. Approach your life as a little child, completely dependent on your Father. He will provide; He will never disappoint. With the faith of a child, we can live like mature adults.
Rightfromtheheart.com

What a promise!!

I love this verse it’s just one of the many promises God gives to us.

“He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 1:6

Most everyone is interested in discovering his or her purpose for living – the reason for being born and the reason for existing.

Well, I have good news. God has put that desire within you, for as your Creator, He has a purpose and plan for your life. Your role is to discover it and use the gifts and the talents and opportunities that God has given you to make the most of your life. God’s ultimate purpose is that everyone would have a personal relationship with Him through faith in Jesus Christ. And everyone can – through faith. Then there is more good news. God’s Word says, “I am confident…that He who began a good work in you will carry it to completion until the day of Jesus’ coming.”

What a promise! Once we put our life and trust in God, He then promises us He’ll begin to reveal our life purpose to us. He’ll also provide the power needed to see that we get it done. So, what are you waiting for? It’s time to discover your reason for living and live it out!
Rightfromtheheart.com

The cover up

I read this from right from the heart.com “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” – 1 John 1:9

Here is the lesson to be learned from the scandals of Richard Nixon and Bill Clinton. It’s not the initial act that destroys you, it’s the cover-up. This is also one of the great lessons we can learn from David and Bathsheba. First the sin was committed – adultery with a married woman. Then Bathsheba became pregnant, making it impossible to hide the sin. So, David devised a brilliant cover-up. He sent for Uriah, Bathsheba’s husband, to be brought home and spend a few days with his wife. David figured that everybody would just assume the child was Uriah’s. A brilliant plan! But Uriah didn’t cooperate. Since his fellow soldiers were out on the battlefield, he felt it would be wrong for him to enjoy the pleasures of marriage. So he slept outdoors, rather than with his wife.

David’s approach to the cover-up wasn’t working, so he became more desperate. He finally succeeded by ordering that Uriah be placed on the front-line of the battlefield and be killed. By then, David was guilty of breaking a whole boatload of commandments: coveting another man’s wife, stealing, false witness, adultery, and murder. Perhaps he felt like his cover-up worked. The only problem is there is One who always knows. His name is God. No sin can be covered up from Him.

When you commit a sin, recognize the jig is up. God knows what happened; there can be no cover-up. Rather than compounding the chaos, confess your sin, ask forgiveness, and be willing to live with the consequences of your sin. God will forgive – but He will not remove the consequences, in hopes that we will not repeat our stupidity again.

All My Single Ladies prt 2

“But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; He will speak only what He hears, and He will tell you what is yet to come.” – John 16:13

When you’re in a serious relationship, don’t overlook the importance of praying for God’s will, letting the Holy Spirit guide and direct you. Here are a few practical questions to consider as you pray and seek God’s will for this important decision in your life.

• Is she/he my best friend?

• Do we have similar beliefs and values? Does s/he help me grow closer to God? Are we unified on church and how we will grow spiritually together?

• How do my family and friends feel about the relationship?

• Am I willing – eager – to make a lifetime commitment?

• Do I want this person to be a parent to my children? Do we agree on childraising and how careers will be dealt with?

• Does s/he have some unacceptable habits that I think I’ll be able to change someday? (Believe me, you won’t!)

• At the same time, do I recognize and accept his/her flaws and idiosyncrasies? (If not, it’s not real love, it’s infatuation.)

If you haven’t been able to confidently answer these questions in a way to indicate that you’ve chosen the right mate, maybe you need to slow down and give the relationship more time. Maybe you’re headed toward choosing second best, rather than God’s best for your life, and you need to back off. Spend more time in prayer, asking God to reveal His plan for you.

“All the single ladies” (sung to the tune of Beyonce)

This for all those who are searching for their soul mate or those who thought you found him or her. Most of the time I would agree that we marry because of the physical part in a relationship. Letting God be the “matchmaker” is always the right choice. I read this with my wife and thought how crazy the stats were but in all reality I could see that this is true. Although I have found my soul mate and know that it was Gods match for me. Every relationship has there ups and downs but at the end of the day the question is can you see Gods hand in the both of you bringing you together through Him. Let me know your thoughts and please feel free to leave suggestions on how to rely on Gods match for whoever.

“Your ears will hear a word behind you, ‘This is the way, walk in it, whenever you turn to the right or to the left.’” – Isaiah 30:21

Choosing the right mate isn’t easy. In a poll conducted several years ago by a Christian evangelical magazine, people were asked, “If you had it to do it all over again, would you choose the same mate?” Thirty-four percent said they wouldn’t – and remember, these were Christians who responded!

Part of the problem is that so often our decision is based only on physical attraction and we neglect the need for shared beliefs and values. In another time, parents and matchmakers arranged marriages – a practice that actually resulted in far lower divorce rates than we have today! The divorce rates were lower because the match was made on the basis of compatibility – similar values and shared beliefs. But wouldn’t young people today have a tizzy if their parents made this kind of decision for them!

Wouldn’t it be great if there were a matchmaker who could select a perfect mate? A mate you’d have passionate romantic love for, be compatible with, and share similar values and beliefs? Well, I’ve got good news for you. God IS the ultimate matchmaker and wants to serve in that role for you. He knows you and your future spouse better than anyone. Let God be your matchmaker, trusting Him to guide you to the best possible person for you.