Can I Change

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Every year the top subjects or phrases on various search engines are published. In the month of December, Google published their most searched phrase of 2022, “Can I Change?” The announcement detailed searchers asked, “Can I Change My Life?” “Can I Change Myself?” Or “Can I Change My Outlook?”

No doubt 2022 revealed the unsettledness and discontentment of the age. 2020 was the year of fear, 2021 was the year of questions and 2022 was the year of inward tension.

The cry, “Can I Change?” has been expressed through the ages and is seen vividly in the Gospel of John.

Nicodemus cried, my religious lifestyle has not satisfied me, can I change?

The women at the well cried, my sexual lifestyle has not satisfied me, can I change?”

The prodigal son cried, my lavish lifestyle has not satisfied me, can I change?”

Jesus is the answer for the world today. The answer is still the same. The Good News is still the same, “Yes, you can change.”

The year of 2022 in the job force was called, “The Great Resignation,” and in 2022 anxiety affected 284 million people globally. In 2022, unsettledness caused people to move, divorce and make rash decisions.

Unhappy with your appearance?

Unhappy with your life?

Unhappy with your job?

Unhappy with yourself?

Unhappy with your thoughts?

There is hope. There is life. There is peace. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17). Jesus says, come to me and I will create a new heart, a new creation.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  (John 3:16).

WOW! I Just Read the First Chapter.

“I have bought copies to read and hand out to our leadership” – Pastor, Iowa

“We bought several copies to hand out to the pastors in our section.” Presbyter, Missouri

“WOW! Just read the first chapter.” Missionary, Canada

“I challenge all pastors to read this book,” Pastor, Kentucky

Order The Law of the Small. Ten Laws for Small Churches for Transformational Discipleship

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Start Your Small Group with The Law of the Small

There is a growing hunger. More and more churches are starting discipleship groups. More and more authors are writing about discipleship. And more and more groups are asking, “Why aren’t we doing a better job at mentoring the next generation?”

Discipleship groups are garnering interest. Creating discipleship opportunities for the developing of millennial with biblical worldviews will become our future. Small groups are trending.

Small groups were a “God idea” before it became a “good idea.” Exemplified in the life of Jesus, as He choose His twelve disciples. Jesus set the pattern. Jesus lived it. The twelve disciples continued it.

The law of the small enhances congregational worship with face-to-face interaction, as believers grow in faith throughout the week. Discipleship must be the new normal.

Find the Ten Laws for Small Churches for Transformational Leadership, in this new book, The Law of the Small

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The Law of the Small – Ten Laws for Transformational Discipleship

Discipleship takes time and effort. It never, just happens, it is intentional. In the attempts that were made, often, participants were sequestered into a classroom with a hastily prepared subject or spirit incite. As with Sunday morning planning, staffing, and equipping, finding the right time and subject matter was difficult and finding the right people was even more difficult.
However, discipleship groups are garnering interest. Creating discipleship opportunities for the developing of millennial with biblical worldviews will become our future. Small groups are trending. Coffee, Bibles, and discipleship groups are the substance lacking in many large groups where people hide.

We must think small before we have big actions.

The Law of the Small takes the distinctives of discipleship in small bite size pieces for small to medium size churches.

The Law of the Small: Ten Laws FOR Small Churches For Transformational DISCIPLESHIP: Laudell, Jim: 9798541547283: Amazon.com: Books

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Praying the Word Over Your Children

My wife and I pray for our children daily, we may miss a day or two but most days we ask God to meet a need, touch a child, or for their continued health. Praying for our grandchildren includes praying for protection of their mind, their body, and their soul. The enemies attack on families, teens and children is unprecedented and our families need constant prayer covering.

Recently my wife and I began praying the scriptures over our children and their families and believe this will increase the effectiveness and power of our prayers. Praying the Word of God empowers the prayer because we are praying the will of God.

The Holy Bible is full of scriptural prayers but the one we chose is found in Ephesians 3:14-21. For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named.

My wife and I pray and agree together according to Matthew 18:19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. 

First, continuing with Ephesians 3:16, That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; agreeing together God would strengthen their inner man, with might (dunamis – power), by His Spirit. Tying in the scripture, with our prayer, Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. (Proverbs 4:23). When the inner man is strengthened the outer man loses its vitality and strength.

Secondly, we pray Ephesians 3:17, That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, emphasizing rooted and grounded in love, would be the domineering force of their home. May love abound, grow, and be dispersed in their family and with others. When rooted and grounded in love, the capacity for opposition is diminished.

Thirdly, we purposely agree with Ephesians 3:19, And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God, to have their love for God increase and be filled with all the fulness of God. Being full of God doesn’t leave room for the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh and the pride of life. This fullness expands and continues to fill, we pray that emptiness will be met immediately with fullness.

Lastly, we pray for their needs to be met, financially, spiritually, and physically, through Ephesians 3:20, Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us. We often pray, God surprise us with answers, greater (exceedingly abundantly above), than we were able to pray or believe for. Standing on this scripture increases our faith and empowers our prayers.

After, we have prayed we record the miracles and the answers in our prayer journal and thank God according to Ephesians 3:21, Unto Him be glory…, for He deserves our thankfulness and praise.

Is Grace Still Amazing?

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On January 1, 1773, 250 years ago, the song, Amazing Grace was first sung at a church in the Parish Church in Onley, England. The song was composed by a notorious ship captain, John Newton.

John Newton’s years as a slave trade ship captain are rated R but his praying mother would never give up praying for her son. Drinking, revelry, and debauchery tattooed his life, but his mother continued to pray for her prodigal son.

A vicious storm threatened the lives of his shipmates and Captain Newton was nearly thrown overboard by a violent wave. He cried aloud for God to have mercy upon his soul.

Tension introduces transformation.

Storms often cause serious contemplation.

Pig pen prodigals cry for deliverance.

It was there on the bow of his ship, John Newton experienced amazing grace, and his mother’s prayers were answered.

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now am found
Was blind, but now I see

Grace is still amazing!

Though the song was not published by the English clergyman, John Newton, three years later in 1779, the song has been estimated to be sung ten million times annually, making it one of the most recognizable hymns in history. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amazing_Grace

God still extends mercy, God still delivers, God still saves, and God’s grace is still amazing.

Join the Movement with those who feel the urgency of finding the lost. Purchase the book, Go Find Tom, evangelism will be one of the most important decisions the church will make in 2023. https://www.amazon.com/Go-Find-Tom-JIM-Laudell/dp/B0BMJM598H

Ten Life Lessons

A recent article challenged the reader to write about the problem areas of your life and contemplate the resulting answer. While some value may be achieved to thwart off any repetitive mistakes; it was more beneficial to me to chart the lessons learned over a lifetime of learning. These lessons are ingrained into our fiber and become who we really are.

While this list is incomplete, it is my top ten, make it your challenge to write your top ten life lessons. Take an hour and look intensely through your life to see how God has emphasized your life lessons and continues to do so.

LIFE LESSON #1 KEEP IN CLOSE TOUCH WITH OLD FRIENDS AND MEET NEW FRIENDS REGULARLY. The value of friendships and close relationships cannot be stressed enough. While it may seem beneficial to have over four thousand friends on a social media page, it is never a substitute for spending time with a friend face to face.

LIFE LESSON #2 LOVE YOUR FAMILY IMMENSELY AND SELFLESSLY. Family will last for life and selfless love builds strong connections.

LIFE LESSON #3 LIVE THE GOLDEN RULE. In case you may have forgot, Jesus stated in the New Testament in Matthew 7:12 “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them…”

LIFE LESSON #4 LISTEN CLOSELY TO GODLY MENTORS AND PASTORS. The ability to listen is the ability to learn. Spending time with godly mentors and pastors is the best classroom.

LIFE LESSON #5 SAVE MORE EARLIER – COMPOUND INTEREST IS YOUR FRIEND. It is never too early to save.

LIFE LESSON #6 LIVE HUMBLY – REALIZE YOU ARE THE HARDEST PERSON TO LEAD. Humility is the greatest place on earth. Proud people strut – humble people walk with God.

LIFE LESSON #7 DON’T MOVE QUICKLY – THE FIRST STEP IS USUALLY FEELING NOT FACT. Emotional reactions are rarely the correct choice and result in sad consequences.

LIFE LESSON #8 PRAY SERIOUSLY AND SINCERELY DAILY. Time in prayer brings direction, peace, and wisdom.

LIFE LESSON #9 THE WORD OF GOD IS LIFE. ABSORB IT! Place the Word of God in your heart for safe keeping.

LIFE LESSON # 10 SET ASIDE QUIET TIME FOR THINKING DEEPLY. A shallow mind will drown in a chaotic culture.

What would you add? Begin writing down your list of life lessons today.

Fully Alive

Notice Luke 10:30 And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. Now, go back and read it again. Did you see the man’s physical condition? Jesus didn’t describe the injured man, as unconscious or lifeless, Jesus says the injured man was half dead.  Not almost dead, nearly dead but half dead.  So, if he was half dead then he must have been half alive.  Half alive means there is hope. Half alive means “keep trying.” 

That’s who this podcast is for, the half dead who are still half alive. For those who need a lift. Encouragement around you and passion from above. A spiritual change of events and a spiritual change of your ambitions. You need a lift from above. Isaiah 59:1  Behold, the LORD’S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: 

Copyright by Jim Laudell. Materials may not be copied, reproduced, or distributed without the express written permission from the author. You may share on Facebook, Twitter, and other forms of social media while giving credit to the author. This post should not be construed as medical, legal, or professional counselling.

Living on Empty

People have lived – sometimes down and sometimes up. Some by our own choosing – some by other’s choosing. God’s hand is reached down, not to back hand us, not to spank us, not to hurt us but to lift us. Psalms 136:12 With a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm: for his mercy endureth for ever. He is with me, never alone and “With a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm.”

It’s your turn to grasp the hand that will help you up. Empty means there is capacity for fullness. Brokenness means there is an opportunity for healing. Pain means there is an occasion for healing. Down isn’t bad because the next hand you feel will be the hand of God. Weak isn’t bad – you have just realized how much you need His strength. Many have walked this road and many have found the way out, many felt a divine lift from above, the lift that pulled them back on their feet.

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Copyright by Jim Laudell. Materials may not be copied, reproduced or distributed without the express written permission from the author. You may share on Facebook, Twitter, and other forms of social media while giving credit to the author. This post should not be construed as medical, legal or professional counselling.

Peace, an Integral Part of Healing

Completeness is the crucial testimony provided by Christ, because of the cross, He leaves nothing undone.

Matthew 9:20-22  And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment: For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole. But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour. (emphasis mine).

It is clear, the disease in her was conquered by healing residing in Him and flowing (virtue) into her. She got close enough to touch Him, there is healing in being near to Him. Yet, there is more, not only was she healed, but she was made whole. This word in the Greek means, Zoso, salvation emphasizes deliverance and completeness.

Jesus leaves nothing undone but His peace, flowing through our lives, brings completeness. Peace is the knowledge of healing before the symptoms are conclusive and clear.

IT IS BETTER TO KNOW PEACE THAN TO SEE PEACE, FOR THE EYE MAY NOT SEE ALL THAT PEACE CAN BRING.

Healing sent from heaven is complete, nothing lacking. Peace flows into every fiber of our being, bringing us in one accord with the perfect plan of God.

Colossians 1:20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. (emphasis mine).

Christ will reconcile all things unto himself:

Every malignity

Every malfunction

Every minor ache and pain

Every major cause and symptom

Every migraine

Every membrane and muscle

Every malformity

Every microscopic virus and bacteria

Every memory of pain

Peace, take it, believe it, stand firm on the promise. It is God’s plan to restore, reconcile and recreate your life; having made peace through the blood of his cross.

Take one of the four hundred scriptures that mention the word, peace and make it yours today.