PhilPringle.com

Eyes ahead

Sun, 20 May 2012 08:52:00 GMT

Prov 4:25 Let your eyes look straight ahead. And your eyelids look right before you. 26 Ponder the path of your feet, And let all your ways be established.

Holman Bible says, 'fix your gaze.' Wise people look forward keeping their vision on the future, not on the past. Keep yourself focussed, without distraction, on your vision. Don't look to the right & left while walking forward. You'll crash into something, fall down a hole or worse. Look where you're going. Even though the sun is 24,000 degrees on the surface it takes the steady consistent focus of a magnifying glass to start a fire. Think before you act. Take time to make decisions. Each step will be secure, giving you a solid platform for the next step.

See you in church!

You already have it!

Sun, 13 May 2012 06:06:00 GMT

Exo 15:15 'And the Lord said to Moses, "Why do you cry to me? Tell the children of Israel to go forward." 16 But lift up your rod, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it. And the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea.

Even though God had said 'Stand still, He still wanted Israel to act. Sometimes we are asking God to do things that He is asking us to do. This seemed impossible because that meant walking into the sea! But as they stepped out and Moses stretched out his rod the sea divided in front of them. Moses used what he had. He didn't need anything more. The gifts he had were enough for what God had called him to do. Your gift is powerful. Who you are & what you have can accomplish the impossible.

Vision

Tue, 08 May 2012 02:06:00 GMT

2 Peter 1:9 For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten

that he was cleansed from old sins

'These things' are character qualities. Vision is rooted in character. Corrupt character destroys vision.

A guilty conscience fractures our view of the future. We cannot see where we are going or how to get

there when our attitude or our character is wrong. A guilty mind keeps replaying old sins & so defeats

a person from within. We need to repent, turn from sin, receive forgiveness & begin to see the future

instead of living in the past.

See you in church!

So Loved

Tue, 01 May 2012 09:14:00 GMT

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life

The 1st act of love is not to get but to give! The measure of God's love for the world is seen in the value of the gift He gave. God loves the world, those that hate Him, ignore Him, blaspheme Him, offend, embarrass and rebel against Him. He does not come to judge us, but to save us, forgive us and provide the sacrifice for our sins. God has only ONE begotten son, perfect in every way, totally pleasing to the Father. Whoever, means, 'WHOEVER.' There is no-one God wants to perish. Any person can at any time receive God's gift and be saved through the grace & gift of Jesus. Not only are we saved, healed and delivered from 'perishing,' but we also receive an eternal, unending blessed life in eternity with God & all the citizens of Heaven. Faith in Christ is the doorway to God's great love for us!

See you in church!

Image

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 05:42:00 GMT

Col 1:15 "He is the image of the invisible God....'

Four eye witness accounts of the life of Jesus leave us with no room for misconceptions about His nature, His activities & purpose, and therefore leave us in no doubt regarding the nature, activity, purpose and teaching of God the Father. Jesus made visible, the invisible God. He showed that God is a Healer of every disease. He supplies super, overflowing, abundance whether it's bread, fish, wine or provisions of any kind. He rules over our circumstances, weather, demons and anything trying to destroy people. Whatever we see Jesus doing is what God does.

See you in church!

Connect

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 05:43:00 GMT

Ps 122:1 I was glad when they said to me, "Let us go into the house of the Lord."

People are far more likely to come to church & to Christ when we BRING them rather than invite them or tell them to go. Whatever God has called us to do, Even the Godhead functions as a team. So should we! Whatever God has designed for us to receive, it is not for us to receive in isolation from others but in connection with others. There are many, many people who would be thrilled to come to church and to Christ if someone would simply bring them. 'The humble will hear & be glad.' Church should be a 'glad,' joyful celebration because of the connection with one another & with God Himself. We can help make it that, every week for others!

See you in church!

Divine nature

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 09:13:00 GMT

2 Peter 1:4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

Gods greatest purpose, His ultimate intention is to form 'Christ in us.' We become 'partakers' of the divine nature - we become like Christ through the promises of God. A golden life on the inside brings a golden life on the outside. Instead of being corrupted by lust, we are being conformed to HIs image by the Logos, (Word) of God. The Promises are exceedingly great because they are more powerful than any situation we face. They are precious because they're the only thing that can bring solutions to the many difficulties that we face. As we speak the Promises of God, creating faith in God in our heart and mind, we bring an atmosphere in which the mighty Spirit of God moves, creates & transforms us into the image of Christ!

See you in church!

Focus

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 05:14:00 GMT

Luke 10:40 But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, "Lord, you do not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me."

The biggest enemy of focus is obviously distraction - the sun's surface temperature is 24000'F, but unless a magnifying glass is held steadily (not moving around) on one spot, the heat will not start a fire. Martha is a works based performance orientated believer. She thinks God will love her if she engages in much serving. She thinks God doesn't love her or care about all the work she has to do ALONE. She's a martyr, a victim-self-imposed. If people don't help her, she feels abandoned - 'left me.' Martha tries to manipulate Mary to come and help her however Jesus replies that Mary has chosen ONE thing and was focussed on that & He wasn't going to disturb that focus. Give your time, energy, resources to the ONE big thing God has called you to do!

See you in church!

What do you have in the house?

Sat, 28 Jan 2012 07:31:00 GMT

2 Kings 4:2 So Elisha said to her, "What shall I do for you? Tell me, what do you have in the house?" And she said, "Your maidservant has nothing in the house but a jar of oil."

The woman's husband has just died. Her two sons are about to be sold as slaves to pay debts. She ran to God not from God when she has this problem. She doesn't go to the bank or government, but to the man of God. She looks for a God answer for her impossible problem. The best start for a miracle is not to presume you have the answer but ask the question, 'what shall I do?' As you ask, the answer will come. It's an unselfish question, 'for you.' Not what can I do, but what will I do. Committed to bring an answer. Step by step the miracle unfolds. Her answer is in what she has in the house. It doesn't matter what it is, whatever it is, God is going to use it. She thinks that what she has is not much. Most of us do. But God can use your little & provide answers to impossible situations. He tells her to POUR it out. Don't hold back. Give it all you've got. Don't dribble, POUR! As long as there were empty vessels in the House, the oil kept pouring!!!

See you in church!

Lean and Trust

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 04:33:00 GMT

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.

We either lean on God or we lean on ourselves. It's a choice who we will trust. When we rely on our own understanding, we make decisions with no reference or prayer or asking God. This will result in disaster at worst & at best take us in a direction that is not the plan of God. In every way we take, we need to place it before the Lord, commit it to Him, look to Him & let Him guide, however He will, as we take steps forward.

When we look to Him FIRST rather than bring our plans to Him to bless, then God has an open book to write in & we then agree to do His will. This is the greatest key to blessing - Trust & obey. The power of intuition, knowing, comes into play when we 'let go,' our plans & our methods & simply trust God to guide us.

See you in church!

Attitude

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 07:08:00 GMT

John 5:7 The sick man answered Him, "Sir, I have no man to put me in the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me."

Jesus has asked this man who has been sick for 38 years if he wants to be healed. It would seem to be an obvious answer, but Jesus still asks us if we want what might seem obvious. He doesn't force himself on anyone. He seeks your decision to have Him. He (the sick man) suffers from a self pitying, complaining, victim attitude - 'I have no-one,' 'others always beat me to the water,' I try, but nothing happens for me.' Jesus asks the question, 'Do you want to be healed,' to start the man on the pathway to realise he needs to get involved in changing his life, by first changing his attitude. As we choose to stand on our own feet, rather than waiting for others to change our life, God will help us. He works in our moving. Don't wait around for others, or a chance to favour you. Stand up, walk, be healed, connect with Christ & victory over long-standing problems is yours.

See you in church!

God with us

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 08:32:00 GMT

Dan 3:17-18 If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the fiery burning furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up."

When the three Hebrew young men refused to bow down before the false god, the King threatened them with a fiery death in the furnace. Their answer was that God COULD deliver them, but if He didn't that's ok also. Their integrity of devotion to God did not depend on whether He answered their prayers. They determined to worship God and no other regardless of whether it brought benefits. God Himself must mean more to us, than what He can do for us. Fellowship with God is the highest calling, of prayer - 'that I may know Him.' Happily, when they were thrown into the furnace, their bonds were loosed and they were not burned, (not even the smell of smoke on them), because Jesus was in the fire with them. Pure worship ensures Jesus is with us in our worst moments. Refuse to bow down to any other. Make Him Lord & He will be Emmanuel - 'God with us!'

Merry Christmas - See you in church!

Shut the door

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 02:20:00 GMT

Matt 6:6 But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut the door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place;

Jesus took it for granted you & I pray, and that we pray daily. This is not about praying while we're doing other things, gardening, cooking, cleaning, walking, driving, etc. This is doing one thing - prayer. We are to go into a room & shut the door! This gives us undistracted time with God. We can say things to God that we wouldn't if other were listening. We become focused on the Father & can hear and see what He is saying to us. A far greater closeness & intimacy is discovered in the 'secret' place. 'Shut the door' on the devil, your past sins, your mistakes and move on from this world into God's world of grace, acceptance and mercy. Make time & have a place to be alone with God every day!

See you in church

Come over and help us

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 22:54:00 GMT

Acts 16:9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, "Come over to Macedonia and help us."

Paul had twice attempted to go to another part of Asia but God had not permitted him. And now he saw a man in Macedonia calling for help. There are reasons some things don't work! As people with the answer, we need to 'Come over,' from where we are to where other people are who are searching for answers. The best way into anyone's life is by HELPING them, not trying to convert them, change them, argue with them, but to help them. Paul's vision was a person, not a program, a building, an event. He SAW people. That was his vision. He saw ONE man, not a vast crowd. He was changing the world one life at a time. We must see people, individuals, and cross over from where we are to where they are, to help them.

See you in church

Think on this

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 01:47:00 GMT

Phil 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy - meditate on these things.

'To cap it all off' - 'To complete your life' - control your mind - Make your mind think on the right stuff. What we replay & repeat in our mind is our 'meditation.' If you think of what's wrong with your life, you'll get discouraged. If you think about how people have wounded you or offended you, you'll get angry, bitter and malicious. If you think about immoral things you'll be tempted to do the wrong. BUT YOU CAN CONTROL YOUR THOUGHTS! Point your mind and thoughts to the good things in your life. Smile at the people you think of. Forgive them, bless them, love them!

See you in church!

Keep your heart.

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 00:48:00 GMT

Proverbs 4:23 'Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.'

This means 'to guard.' Our heart is under attack. Wrong desires, sour attitudes, resentment, unforgiveness, distrusting cynicism, fear, envy, all come from the heart. If our heart goes bad our whole life will follow. The heart is the seat of love, trust and desire. As we focus on the right things, our heart will be 'right.' God commands us to 'love one another.' Love is something we can choose to do, as with trust and desire. 'Keeping' our heart is a matter of choice & spending time in God's presence in prayer so we are empowered with His Spirit to do His commands. Our whole life springs from our attitude therefore we need to do whatever it takes to not give our heart to the wrong attitudes, desires or even the wrong people. On the cross Jesus forgave those who put him there. No revenge, complaining or hatred. Even under the most difficult circumstances we can choose to own a great heart.

See you in church!

Kept

Thu, 20 Oct 2011 04:52:00 GMT

Jude 24 Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless. Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy.

Just preceding this verse Jude says, 'keep yourselves in the love of God.' As we remain in Christ, we remain in the place where we are KEPT from stumbling. Even though you may find yourself in a dangerous place, God will keep you from falling. Every believer is tempted, but it won't become a stumble when you keep yourself in Him through prayer. (Pray, that you don't enter into temptation.) Christ has made us without blame & unreproachable before God. The joy of His presence exceeds all other happiness. A clear conscience, peaceful mind and calm heart allow us joy that is worth any price at all & exceeds anything else we can obtain in this world!

See you in church!

‘IF’

Sat, 17 Sep 2011 06:06:00 GMT

2 Chron 7:14 if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

This little word, is the biggest in the Bible. 'IF' we respond to God, call on Him, then 'He will' bring answers. It's astonishing that 'God's people,' need to be prodded to restore communications with their God & to turn from wicked ways. Prayer is not simply about asking God to do things for us. It's about 'seeking Him, His face' and finding Him. God himself is more important than what He can do for us. Seek His face first, rather than His hand. When prayer increases, pride decreases. When we are prayer-less, our hearts harden in independence from God. We soften in His Presence. The power to 'turn' from wrong is found in prayer that connects with the Lord. He empowers us with an internal change of nature, desires and appetite to change in our ways. God will hear & heal, not only our personal lives, but our entire nations!!!

Astonishing Promise!

Let's Pray.

See you in church!

Peace

Fri, 09 Sep 2011 03:41:00 GMT

Phil 4:6,7 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving,

let your requests be made known to God, and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding,

will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

This is impossible without prayer. The antidote to anxiety is not medication, but prayer. Prayer takes time! It's not just 'saying a prayer.' Spend time in God's presence. Spend time with God and the anxieties will lift! When you give thanks while you're praying, you are casting a positive view over your past, present and future. Thank God for answering your prayers, even before He has. That's what faith is. The great peace of God protects your emotions & mind. The devil cannot counterfeit peace, because he has none. The devil authors confusion, God authors peace. When the peace of God overwhelms our anxieties, it's hard to understand how we can be so 'chilled' when our circumstances are in turmoil, but that's what the Prince of Peace, Jesus is for us. ''Beyond understanding!'

See you in church!

On Fire!

Fri, 09 Sep 2011 04:17:00 GMT

2 Timothy1:6 This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you.

We need to be reminded and to remind others to stir up their gift, to not neglect it, but start using it. Much revival comes from reminding of what we already know & what we already have, rather than thinking some 'new thing' will revive us. Our 'fire' is in our gift. Our passion, love, desire, motivation is strongest in doing what we are gifted & called to do. God has equipped us with the tools and the passion and excitement to do what He has called us to do. Serving God is joyful! Whatever our gift is, it will build the church, expand the kingdom & lead us to success in life. Determine that every day you'll 'do' your gift, whether it's leading, teaching, helping, administering, youth, children etc. Your FIRE is in your gift! Stir it up!

See you in church!

New Release - Hope

Fri, 08 Apr 2011 08:44:00 GMT

"The power of hope cannot be underestimated. Hope provides light in the darkness as well as maximizing the potential in every one if us. Like air, the positive expectation of good things is essential to the human race." Buy Now

Guard Your Attitude - Repost

Mon, 21 Feb 2011 07:27:00 GMT

Proverbs 4:23 "Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the Issues of life."

We would be hard pressed to find a more important Scripture for success in life - Your Best Life comes from your heart! If your heart is sour, your life will be too, same if it's stingy, disagreeable, negative, cynical.

This is like working hard to keep your ATTITUDE right. Don't let your heart get stolen by jealousy, hatred, fear, doubt, cynicism. How many people do you know who have not gotten over an offence & developed a cancerous attitude towards the group or person who offended them? Every area of our lives are affected by our attitude.

Thank you Lord for the great Holy Spirit who shapes our attitude to please God & bless people. 'Be filled with The Spirit!'.

See you in Church!

Provision

Thu, 20 Jan 2011 21:28:00 GMT

Content?

Mon, 17 Jan 2011 04:21:00 GMT

Run the race

Fri, 31 Dec 2010 21:03:00 GMT

Resolution

Thu, 23 Dec 2010 21:11:00 GMT

Where wisdom is found

Fri, 10 Dec 2010 02:50:00 GMT

Sifting

Wed, 08 Dec 2010 02:16:00 GMT

Conception

Fri, 03 Dec 2010 00:41:00 GMT

Luke 1:31 'And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a son.'

All of us, like Mary, are to conceive the purpose of God for ourselves through an encounter with God.
When something is 'birthed' in us by the Holy Spirit, nothing can stop it coming to pass.

It's imperative we spend our lives doing 'God' ideas, not just 'good ideas!'
What is conceived by God in you now? What are you pregnant with?

God's purposes are 'brought forth,' 'born,' not manufactured by human engineering. If it's hard
& heavy & we're pushing with human strength to make it happen, maybe its not God!

His burden is light & easy! Whatever God's purpose is, it will always bring Christ into our world.
His purposes are 'Jesus centered.'

See you in church!

You can read more about this topic by picking up a copy of Phil Pringle's book 'FAITH'.

Fresh oil

Tue, 23 Nov 2010 10:56:00 GMT

Psalm 92:10 'I have been anointed with fresh oil'

David was anointed at least three different times for a new day and a new level of calling.

The Apostles were filled with the Spirit (clothed with power) on the day of Pentecost and then again and again and again.

All of us need fresh infillings, fresh oil, fresh empowering with the Holy Spirit.

Without this, we are like Zerrubabel trying to deal with great mountains of opposition in human strength. But God

says, 'Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit says the Lord.'

Get hungry, get thirsty for the Holy Spirit for the power of God to fill you in a fresh way today.

Empowered to serve!!

See you in church!