Blog Archives - OUTSIDE THE BOX HAIR, SKIN and SO MUCH MORE!

OUTSIDE THE BOX HAIR, SKIN and SO MUCH MORE!

Happy Christmas!

12/25/2014

A bell is not a bell until you ring it. A song is not a song until you sing it. Love is not love until you give it. And God gave us His only beloved Son, Jesus Christ, some 2,000 years ago, all because He loves you with every fiber of His being.

Every time you think of or celebrate Christmas, remember this: Christmas is a sure sign from heaven that God loves you. God so loved YOU that He gave you Jesus. So you are loved! Every pain you feel in your heart, every disappointment that you go through, every tear that falls, God knows all that you are going through because He cares deeply about you.

Jesus said, “I have come that you might have life, and have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). Because the Lord so loves you, He came and died to give you life more abundantly. He wants you joyful and enjoying good success. Meditate on His immeasurable love for you this day and begin to step into a greater measure of His abundant life!

Jesus Always Has Time For You

12/22/2014

Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them…
Matthew 19:13–14

There is no waiting line at His throne.

In this hectic, everybody-for-himself world that we live in, your friends and colleagues may not have time for you. Sometimes, even your loved ones may not have time for you. But don’t despair--Jesus always has time for you! Whether you come to Him at noon, in the night or in the wee hours of the morning, He has time for you!

“But aren't there millions of believers on this planet vying for His time?”

God being God lives outside of time. Whenever you come to His throne of grace, it’s as if you are the only child there—you have His undivided attention, love and care! You’ll never find a crowd there and Jesus telling you, “Take a queue number and wait for your turn.”

So what is troubling you today? Do you have a pressing need to bring to Him or do you just want to pour your heart out to Him? Whatever your need is, just go to Him right now like a little child. He has all the time to listen to you, provide for every one of your needs and love you into wholeness!

“I am…the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”
Revelation 1:8

In spite of our best intentions, we often find ourselves too busy to do what we’d like to for people. We may be bound by time, but Jesus, the one who created time, is not. He always has time for each one of us!

Even in His earthly ministry, in His limited form as Man, He always had time to minister to people. Consider a typical day in His ministry: When a severely demon-possessed man cried out from the tombs of a distant region, He had time to sail all the way from Galilee to the country of the Gadarenes to save that lonely, tormented man. On the way there, He had time to respond to the cries of His disciples when a fierce storm arose. He awoke from a much-deserved sleep and calmed the storm for them.

After He saved the demonized man and returned to Galilee, another man, Jairus, came to him for help. Jairus’ 12-year-old daughter was dying and he begged Jesus to come to his house to heal her. Jesus agreed—He had time. But on His way there, a woman with a 12-year bleeding condition touched the hem of His garment and received her healing. Though Jairus’ daughter was in the throes of death, Jesus had time to find out who had touched Him, just so that He could minister to the woman.

While Jesus was ministering to her, He received a death report concerning Jairus’ daughter. Now, in the natural, Jesus was “too late.” Yet, He did not consider it a waste of time to encourage Jairus, “Do not be afraid; only believe, and she will be made well” (Luke 8:49–50). He wasn’t troubled or harried. He still took time to go to Jairus’ house and raised the little girl from the dead.

My friend, this same loving Jesus always has time for you. He hears your cries, cares about the little and big things that bother you, and will come and save you. Even when He’s “busy,” He has time to stop and minister to you. And even when it seems “too late,” He will still see to it that you get your miracle!

GOD KNOWS YOU INTIMATELY

12/19/2014

Matthew 10:30
But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.

As much as I love my daughters, I have never bothered to count the number of hairs on their heads. I don’t have the time to do it and I doubt I will ever want to.

Every day, your hair drops. Yet, God knows how many hairs are left on your head. And He also knows how many are growing back! He knows because He bothers to count them again. When it comes to you, He always has time for every little thing about you.

So when Jesus said, “But the very hairs of your head are all numbered,” He was not exaggerating. He never exaggerates. He means what He says and He says what He means. So for the Lord to say that the very hairs of your head are all numbered means that He wants you to know that He is very interested in you and has intimate knowledge about you—your body, family, finances, relationships…everything in your life!

He knows the pain you have been having in your body. He is aware of the financial worry, which you have been keeping from your family. He sees how your nasty boss is treating you. He understands the hurts you have been keeping in your heart. He hears your heart’s cry for miracle health.

Your heavenly Father wants you to know that as long as something concerns you, He does not overlook it, even if it is about your pet. I had first hand experience with this recently. A vet told me that one of my 5-year-old golden retrievers had the beginning of either hip dysplasia or arthritis. I refused to believe this and knew that she must have pulled a muscle chasing a ball, her favorite pastime.

So I began to confess that pain came from the fall and Jesus bought for us a pain free life and that my dog was going to reap the benefits of that. I also said that whatever she’d done would heal quickly. When I took her back to the vet and had her x-rayed, they tried to point out the beginnings of those problems, which I could see none of and refused to buy into those negative words. She took some anti inflammatory medicine for a week and pain pills to get her through it and two weeks later she’s back to her old self.

This happened for my dog who has no possibility to believe, how much more can this happen for you.

God knows you intimately. He knows every small problem you are worried about and every single burden you have. And when you approach Him for help, He has all the time for you as if no one else exists. That is how valuable you are to Him and how absorbed He is in you!

CHRIST IS THE TREASURE IN YOU

12/14/2014

2 Corinthians 4:7
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.

The verse tells us that we have “this treasure” in earthen vessels. Who is the treasure? Christ! Who are the earthen vessels here? You and I! Thank God the treasure is in the earthen vessels.

Christ the treasure is in you. So don’t get frustrated when you see your “earthiness”. You will always be “earthen” as long as you are in your mortal body, but remember that Christ the treasure is in you.

Should you lose your cool with your spouse or children, remember that Christ in you is your patience. When I feel impatient, I don’t pray, “Lord Jesus, give me patience...now!” No, I look to Jesus and I say, “Lord Jesus, I thank You that You are my patience.”

Perhaps you are frustrated with your smoking and drinking habits. Or maybe you are discouraged by your feelings of jealousy, distrust, bitterness, depression and defeat. Don’t condemn yourself for being earthen. Don’t try to “cast out” your earthiness. Just realize that you have Christ the treasure in you.

The more you see that treasure in you, the more Christ’s brilliance shines forth in you. And in the midst of your earthiness, God gets the glory as you yourself are transformed from glory to glory! (2 Corinthians 3:18)

A Love Everlasting And Unconditional

12/13/2014

…I have loved you with an everlasting love…
Jeremiah 31:3

At the best of times, between even the best of people, the love we have for one another is often conditional. We still expect something in return. We expect our love to be reciprocated. But the love that God has for us is not like that at all. His love for us is everlasting and totally unconditional.

“What if I’ve fallen into sin and stayed away from church? Does God still love me then?”

Yes, my friend, God still loves you and if you would open up your heart to His goodness, His goodness will lead you to repentance (Romans 2:4). Even when you have turned your back on God, His love and light still shine on you. You only have to turn back to Him and receive His love. You will find His grace right there to help you overcome whatever you are struggling with. Repentance is nothing more than changing direction, in thoughts and deeds.

Remember, He waits patiently for you to turn back to Him, just like the father in the story of the prodigal son. He is not just a God of second chances; He is a God of many chances. His love for you is unconditional, unshakable and unchanging. He loves you and is for you—then, now and forevermore!

Live In The Now Because The Present Is A Gift You Give Yourself

12/9/2014

Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22–23

Live in the now. Don’t live in the future by asking, “What if…” and don’t live in the past by saying, “If only…” Don’t waste your present moments. If you’re spending time with a loved one, enjoy the moment. Don’t worry about that project deadline.

“If I don’t worry, then I’m not being responsible.”

Well, let’s look at your idea of “responsibility.” If you’re worried now about next week’s responsibility as you spend time with your loved one, your loved one will not get the best of you because you are there physically but mentally, you are miles away! Secondly, when next week comes, your worrying won’t put you in a good state of mind to handle that responsibility well.

To believe that by worrying you are being responsible is to believe a lie from the enemy!

Jesus wants you worry free, anxiety free and carefree—every day (Matthew 6:25–34, Philippians 4:6–7, 1 Peter 5:7)! Why? Because He is there to supply you with whatever you need. Do what you need to do, but refuse to worry.

Live each day like a child. Live in the now, enjoying every precious moment you’ve been given because you have a faithful heavenly Father who will take good care of you!

What does it mean to live like a child?

A good example of this would be to look to the children in the wilderness. Every day they got up and found their food for the day just lying around. If they tried to save it for the next day, it would rot. They trusted and didn’t worry that it wouldn’t be there. They did this for 40 years!

Try getting up everyday and trusting that His promises are true. Instead of worrying that things aren’t going right, trust that they already are going to work out. Do you think a child gets up and wonders if there’s food for that day or if they will have clothes to wear? No they trust that their parents have supplied all their needs.

Become childlike and live for the day and let your tomorrows be taken care of by the Father!

It’s Okay To Let God Know You’re Mad At Him

12/6/2014

EPHESIANS 2:7
that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

Have you ever blown things out of proportion and gotten angry with God when you were going through a trying time? This happened to Jesus’ disciples when a storm hit them hard. In their fear of drowning, they cried out to Jesus, who was getting some much-needed sleep in the boat, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” (Mark 4:38)

For accusing Him of not caring, you would think that they received a rebuke from Jesus. But it was the wind which received His rebuke, and a great calm followed. (Mark 4:39) Because of His tenderness toward His own, Jesus did not waste time taking offense. Instead, He wasted no time taking care of the problem that had caused His disciples so much anxiety and fear.

This also happened to two sisters, Martha and Mary, who did not hesitate to let Jesus know how they felt when He finally showed up days after their brother Lazarus had died. Both sisters made the same remark to Him: “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.” (John 11:21, 32)

Both sisters had seen Jesus’ miracles of mercy and love. Now, in their grief, they focused on how He could have prevented their brother’s death, but did not. They did not know His heart—how tender it was toward them and how His help would never fail them, but would even extend to raising their dead brother. (John 11:41–44)

Your heavenly Father sees you trying to stay afloat when you are in the midst of a storm. He sees you trying to provide for yourself and your family, and thinking, “If I don’t take care of these things, no one else will!” And He wants you to know how tender His heart is toward you, how He is not offended by all the bad things you have ever said of or to Him. He wants you to know how much He wants to and will help and bless you. So let go and experience afresh the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward you!

This message comes with a warning… Don’t wallow in your anger and never move past it. When you don’t see immediate results you need to rest in His promises because He is in control, behind the scenes sometimes, moving in ways we could never imagine or think.

The biggest problem plaguing people today is the blame game. Anger at God for what you are going through is normal but continued anger and blame is not. Own your stuff and press on to the higher calling He has for you.

Climbing a mountain takes effort. Sometimes you become winded and have to stop and rest. Life is like that mountain. Rest when you need too and enjoy the scenery. You’ll be amazed at what you see all around you. Maybe there’s someone climbing a vertical rock with no apparent hand or footholds. So as big as your problem appears, there’s always someone else going through something even more challenging.

GOOD SUCCESS IS IN YOUR MOUTH

12/1/2014

GOOD SUCCESS IS IN YOUR MOUTH
Joshua 1:8
This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night…For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

I had always wondered why the Torah (the first five books of Moses) is read out loud by the Jews. Then, a Jewish Christian told me that for generations, they read God’s Word out loud because of Joshua 1:8—“This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night…”

The word “meditate” in English means to ponder. But in Hebrew, it is the word hagah, which means to utter or mutter under your breath. In other words, when you meditate on God’s Word, you speak forth or confess His Word instead of just giving it mental assent.

Hagah God’s Word by confessing verses in the areas that you are believing God for breakthroughs. Confess verses like, “Honor the Lord with your possessions, and with the first fruits of all your increase; so your barns will be filled with plenty…” (Proverbs 3:9–10) What a great way to experience a prosperous and successful business!

“But I‘m waiting for God to make my way prosperous.”

No, the Bible says that you will make your way prosperous when you hagah God’s Word. So speak forth verses in the areas that you want to see breakthroughs and you will have good success.

Some people have success that destroys them—you don’t see them in church anymore and their family members don’t get to see them either. That is bad success. But when you hagah God’s Word, you will have good success that does not destroy you.

Now, confessing God’s Word does not move God to do things for you. It is not a formula. God had already moved when He gave up Jesus to die for you. However, when you confess His Word, it moves you from a position of doubt to faith. It moves your heart from a position of “Is it true?” to “I believe it!” When that happens, “you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success”!