He’s Got Your Back

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"for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith." - 1 John 5:4

How big are your dreams? Remember when you were 18 or 20 and had such amazing dreams for your life? Then came a time when you were willing to give up on those dreams, because something or someone got in your way. We are easily dissuaded from pursuing that which in our hearts we knew would fulfill everything we could become in this world.

The Israelites, under Saul, had dreams of ruling the world with God's hand until the Philistines sent Goliath to the battlefield. Saul's army quickly become mentally and emotionally defeated by the fear of facing this giant. We all know the story of the young shepherd boy David and his response to Goliath. But carefully observe why he had persevered against this giant. It was not through his intellect, his strength or his military experience, but rather because he knew that the battle was God's and not his.

David entered into the fight defending God, not defending Saul and the Israelites. In 1 Samuel 17:26 David asks, "Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?" and again in 17:37, "The Lord who delivered me ... will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine." Finally at the battle itself David challenges Goliath directly, "...I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel...."

David was just a boy, who knew where his faith and his power came from. He had no fear for the situation at hand because of his faith in the all powerful God. Through his consistent faith he comes away from the battle as an over-comer and victorious. Are you walking into today’s battles alone or with the strength and courage of the Almighty God on your side.  The same God that stood with David that day stands with you every day of your life as well, He hasn't changed.

Prayer:
Almighty Father,
You are our strength and our courage in times of trouble.  You give us peace in all circumstances as we focus our efforts on You and Your will.  No enemy can stand before Your mighty power and we have been given all authority to call upon that power.  Today, we ask that You reign down upon us Your love, compassion and strength to take on the challenges and battles that we will face.  In Your name we pray – Amen
 

 

 

© Sondove Enterprises, 2019
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Dreams of the Father

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“We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” – Psalm 53: 6

The heartache won’t go away, the pain and suffering can’t be undone.  When the days are longer than the hours that comprise them, and the evenings are shorter than the absence of the sun; time stands still; life has become a tread mill and the world has no answer.  Make more money, your bills just get larger.  Eat more healthy, death comes regardless.  Give them freedom and tolerate all behavior, and the servant’s heart is crushed.  Let’s face it, we’ve created a life that is impossible to sustain and the groans and pressures of our daily trials are not eliminated, but magnified.  Promises of simplicity fade into the busyness.  The life we dreamt about as children has ended up on someone elses doorstep and it’s just not fair.  Did you want to be a lawyer, a doctor, an astronaut, a scientist, a policeman, a soldier or a politician?  Were you looking for freedom, adventure, success in the millions, to help others or to help yourself?  How is that dream looking these days?  Have you achieved the state of completion yet or are you still seeking the entry point?

I was 14 and wanted to be a nuclear physicist.  I wanted to be in the Navy, like my Dad and work on nuclear submarines and see the world.  Those dreams were shattered along with my right knee at the age of 17, and my passion for electronics and computers led me to my new dream.  I was going to work for IBM, writing software that could simplify the computer for the home.  Here I am, many years later and working for HP and trying to take business away from IBM.  Several change of events over the course of my life, have taken me out of the software arena into the business side of the equation.  So, it’s not a nuclear submarine, and it’s not IBM; but I’ve been around the world and seen amazing things.  I’m using my God given creative skills, mathematical mind and logical aptitude to solve problems.  Dreams have come and gone, but all in all, I’ve achieved what I set out to do.  Then why is life so unfulfilled?

The scriptures tell us that we are born with a purpose, knitted into our soul at the time of conception.  That God Almighty has known us before we were even born and laid out the purpose for our life.  The emptiness in fulfilling my own dreams has forced me to discover what it is that He has for me in this life.  Through every effort, challenge and turn that I have taken in this life; I have yet to reach contentment and peace.  Chasing my own path has hurt others, damaged relationships and created more complications in life than providing simplicity for those I have touched along the way.  My transgressions, arrogance and pride have gotten in the way of helping others find peace, comfort and joy in their lives.  Has chasing my dreams gotten in the way of pursuing His purpose of spreading love and serving others?  Absolutely.

Fortunately, God is on high still and knows me very well indeed.  He knows everything I long for, everything I dream of long before I do.  He knows my pain, my struggles and my fears.  He knows my heart and has filled my mind with thoughts of righteousness and the desire to see others come to the same.  What lies ahead of me is the choice to accept that my past iniquities are forgiven, through the blood of Jesus; and that my future is open to dream the dream of my Father in heaven.  I have so much ahead of me and so much to accomplish in this life for Him, and it all must start today.  Won’t you join me?

© Sondove Enterprises, 2012
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Think Big

“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” – Hebrews 11:1

When I was a small boy, like many other young children, I had hoped for a pony.  My Great Grandpa owned a farm out in the country and they had horses, and I think it was when I formed this dream of wanting my own.  The thing is though, I was 8 or 9 and I couldn’t really fathom the responsibility or cost of taking care of a pony, but I knew it would be fun to ride.  Over time of course the reality of life has taken over and the dream and hope for a pony has long since dissipated, and has been replaced with dreams to provide for the dreams and hopes of my children.  As children, there is much more freedom to dream and hope for big things in life because they have an unencumbered faith that all things are possible.

When December 31, 2012 rolls around (and it will) what will have accomplished this year, other than aging 365 days.  You have the opportunity to do amazing things  if you can once again put aside the inhibitors and remove the obstacles that traditionally halt your dreaming.  Do you believe that all things are possible through the Lord?  Really?  Because if you do, then why aren’t you pursuing your dreams.  We tend to allow society and worldly thinking to limit our capabilities in life and establish how far we can go. 

Most of us have dreams and desires to impact the world for God, but get out of bed each morning and march through the day doing the same old thing day after day after day.  Is this the cycle you wanted to be on when you were younger and had a plan for your life.  When the younger generation are looking at the differences you have made in this world, are they dreaming of following your footsteps.  Nothing separates you from becoming more for God’s Kingdom than your desire, commitment and choice to take a step.  This year I’m asking you to dream big again. 

If you had no limitations (financial, physical, family, work) what would you do with your one and only life to expand God’s Kingdom on earth?  Seriously think about this, without throwing up the typical resistance and excuses.  Would you serve God wholeheartedly if you had nothing standing in your way?  My hope for you this year is that you can become the servant that God has designed you to be, and that you are able to break out of the monotony of your daily rituals and dream big things for His Kingdom. 

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© Sondove Enterprises, 2012
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