Ask and you will receive

Luk 11:9 And so I say to you: Ask, and you will receive; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. 10 For those who ask will receive, and those who seek will find, and the door will be opened to anyone who knocks.

Today I take this Scripture literally.

As many may know, we operate a Rehab facility, where we care for those struggling with addiction issues.

Our policy is that we will turn no one away. Finances should never be the obstacle on the road of someone with a desire to recover.

At this point we house 29 men, providing in all their needs. Of these 29 men, 14 cannot contribute financially. No family assistance, nothing.

The cost of providing for one person amounts to R3500 (3500 ZAR) per month.

We have no government funding or any other financial assistance other than what the ministry may raise and the income from those who can afford the monthly fee of R4000 (4000 ZAR)

Walking with Winners is a Non Profit Organization, correctly registered with all the S.A. authorities (036-365-NPO) reg no.

As it stands we are facing a major shortfall in finances and my humble appeal to you is this: Can you contribute? Any amount will do.

We will issue the appropriate letters of receipt for tax purposes etc.

Donations may be made directly to:

Walking With Winners

Nedbank Carnival Mall

Acc No: 2440014389

Bank Code 14404641

Please feel free to contact me for any further information.

Regards and blessings

Past Deon Hall

Grace and peace

Ezr 7:28 By God's grace I have won the favor of the emperor, of his counselors, and of all his powerful officials; the LORD my God has given me courage, and I have been able to persuade many of the heads of the clans of Israel to return with me."

We are at the end of another year. Tonight at midnight, all over the world, people will go crazy, fireworks, noise, clapping of hands, wishing one another well. Investing a lot of hope in the New Year and all it might bring.

Many will forget that they will wake up on the 1^st of January, still looking the same, the bank over draught still in place, the kids still unruly, the car still in need of a service and the bond still needing payment.

My prayer for each one is taken from Ezra 7.

I pray that in this year, God will shine His face upon you and smile upon you and bless you with favour.

That your testimony will be like Ezra`s: that God has given you courage to face the world, the issues and everything else that life might throw at you in 2011. That by His Grace, you will have found favour in all your righteous dealings, the business world, your peers and your family. Most of all that your testimony would persuade people to join you in searching and finding His immeasurable Grace and that through you they might turn and follow Christ our Redeemer.

In our ministry, 2011 will not be a year of slogans and war cries, empty sayings and weightless promises. No. 2011 will be the year of action. Love God, Love people, Serve the people.

The church is called to be the hands of Christ. We need to be out there, spreading the Gospel, not in word only, but by doing. By getting down and dirty where it matters. Helping and feeding the poor, giving support to the lonely, directing the wealth of the Kings to the pantries of the needy, showing those in the gutters of life how to find the way out.

Perhaps 2011 is the Year of the Lord. The only way to find out is to be out there, busy with His work.

From myself and my family and our congregation to each and everyone out there: Num 6:24 May the LORD bless you and take care of you; 25 May the LORD be kind and gracious to you; 26 May the LORD look on you with favor and give you peace.

“The winds of grace are always blowing, but it is you that must raise your sails”. --Rabindranath Tagore

A New You

Deu 30:19 I call Heaven and Earth to witness against you today: I place before you Life and Death, Blessing and Curse. Choose life so that you and your children will live. 20 And love GOD, your God, listening obediently to him, firmly embracing him. Oh yes, he is life itself, a long life settled on the soil that GOD, your God, promised to give your ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Take Deliberate Action

The fact is that you can make your dreams come true. You need to get real with yourself because it is only through taking action that you can create the life you really want. Don’t just dream it – do it! It is definitely possible to create the life you want. If you plan it properly and are willing to do what it takes to get there, you will! The process of reaching your dreams is important but you first need to define your dream.

Answer these two critical questions:

	What do you want?
	How would you know when you get it?

In order to answer these two critical questions, you must explore:

Your passions
Your strengths and weaknesses
Your values
The needs that are underlying your passion
Your choices
Narrow your dream

In order to create the ‘new you’ you need to develop a ‘new you’ mindset:

Ask and accept help from others.
Start giving back in return.
Do not settle for less!

Change your beliefs and negative self-talk with affirmations

Do a SWOT analysis on yourself. (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats)
Embrace the opportunities you have!
Be honest about your shortcomings – decide to make positive changes.
Embrace all the positives in your life and create more.
Stop fretting over things you cannot control.
Embrace your own uniqueness.
Decide to be optimistic about the future.

What are the possible obstacles that could prevent you from reaching your goals?

	Age. Believing that you are too old to start working on your dreams.
	Money. We often believe that we need money to fulfil our dreams and because we don’t have money “it is impossible to achieve, so why bother?”
	Location. Sometimes we need to re-locate to fulfil our dreams and “it’s too much of a hassle, so why bother?”
	Health. If you are truly not well enough to take the necessary action to achieve your dreams, you need to do everything in your power to get better! I mindset of “I’m never going to get well enough to do what it takes” will ensure that you remain sick – it is self-sabotage!
	Education. If you don’t have the education you need, get it! It is never too late!
	Timing. Make sure that your timing is good. For example, don’t start selling a product that is going to be replaced by another more up-to-date version soon or buy a franchise that is outdated. Do some homework to ensure that your timing is right.
	Fear of success or failure. Most successful people have failed at some point in their lives. Learn from your mistakes. Don’t let one mistake prevent you from trying again and again. Some people fear success, because “remaining successful is too hard to do – so why bother?”
	Lack of self-esteem – believing that you are not good enough or that you don’t deserve being successful. Some people grew up with parents, teachers or others who told them that they will never amount to anything… and they believe it so strongly that they sabotage their own efforts constantly.

Make a list of obstacles that may prevent you from reaching your goals. Then decide how you will overcome each obstacle - and write that down too. It is important to face these barriers before you start on your ‘new you’ journey.

If you are feeling low right now, don’t worry about it and don’t panic. Here are some suggestions to help:

Don’t panic

Panic may cause you to lose perspective and you may end up making the wrong decisions. To help you deal with your fear, you need to get a lot more information, so that you are dealing with facts. Also remember that every time you had problems, you overcame them in the end!

Don’t jump to conclusions

Don’t assume the worst. Our emotions have a way to make the issue seem worse than it is. Do a reality check to determine whether your fears are founded or not. It probably isn’t.

Do the following:

	Ø Make a list of all your successes so that you can get real about your own capabilities.
	Ø Decide to create better experiences and start implementing the changes immediately. Keep a record.
	Ø Make a list of things people might say about you if someone asked them to describe your characteristics.
	Ø Be realistic about how long it will take you to find a new job; start a new career or business etc.
	Ø Make a list of the tough times you remember and include information about how you overcame it.
	Affirmations will help prevent depression, which injects us with an attitude of defeatism. (Phi 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.)
	If you have never exercised, this is a good time to start. Get active. Exercise will release endorphins in your body that will make you feel good.

The most important action you can take right now is to write your goals down and to start taking action! Do all the tasks and activities that will ensure that you reach your goals. Do not expect over-night miracles. Be real about how long it will take you to get there.

Hab 2:2 And the Lord gave me an answer, and said, Put the vision in writing and make it clear on stones, so that the reader may go quickly. 3 For the vision is still for the fixed time, and it is moving quickly to the end, and it will not be false: even if it is slow in coming, go on waiting for it; because it will certainly come, it will not be kept back.

The Weak Link (2)

We need to develop a sense of urgency in our desire to change, to get to a place where we desperately want to please God and not man.

It is when we try to please man that the inconsistencies start. Different people will place different demands on us. Different situations will demand different actions. And when we try to fit in and please everybody, we lose our identity.

Psa 78:8 and might not be like their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation that did not set their heart aright, and whose spirit was not faithful with God.

Psa 78:10 They did not keep the covenant of God, and refused to walk in His Law. 11 And they forgot His works and His wonders which He had shown them.

The Psalmist indicates quite rightly that in our actions of being stubborn and rebellious, and when our heart actions do not line up with the Word – we are unfaithful.

That in itself becomes the weak link in our faith walk.

Mat 5:34 You only make things worse when you lay down a smoke screen of pious talk, saying, 'I'll pray for you,' and never doing it, or saying, 'God be with you,' and not meaning it. You don't make your words true by embellishing them with religious lace. In making your speech sound more religious, it becomes less true.

Mat 5:37 Just say 'yes' and 'no.' When you manipulate words to get your own way, you go wrong. (MSG)

I need to constantly check my motives. Who am I trying to please, man, myself or God?

I need to ask myself certain questions at the end of each day:

• What was my motive today?
• Did I help someone less fortunate than me?
• Did I help someone just because I could or was there an agenda?
• Did I show love and respect to those I made contact with?
• Did I acknowledge the love and respect people showed me?
• Did I acknowledge God’s presence in my life?
• Did I thank Him in all situations?
• Did I tell someone about my Saviour?

The following are crucial elements of behaviour needed to be a great leader. If you make an effort to understand the need for each of them it will change your experience as a leader:

Integrity

Integrity is the most important value of any leader. Without integrity everything else is for naught.

Emotional maturity

Always remain in control of your emotions. Never shout or even raise your voice - even if you feel very upset or angry. An emotionally mature person will make every effort to remain in control of their thoughts, words and actions.

Lead by example

One of the most effective techniques in the art of influencing others is to act in the way that you would like them to act. If you would like people to work harder, then you need to work harder. If you want people to be more professional, then you need to constantly display professional behaviour.

Lend a helping hand

Work with your staff when they need help. This behaviour will gain you the respect you need as their leader.

Fairness

Treat everyone equally well and on merit. Do not single people out unless they have truly earned it.

Bad behaviour

A great leader disapproves of unethical or unprofessional conduct and will not hesitate to take remedial action against someone should the circumstances require it.

Listen

Great leaders listen to their staff before expressing their feelings or point of view. Listening requires that you make an effort to truly understand what the other person is saying before jumping to conclusions or taking action.

Responsibility and accountability

Always accept responsibility and blame for your team's mistakes. Never blame a team member or single anyone out when things go wrong. Take corrective action immediately and discuss it with the person who made the mistake afterwards without anger or blaming or shaming them.

Always be aware of the weak link.

The Weak Link (1)

Everybody knows (or so I believe) that the strongest chain is only as strong as it’s weakest link.

You could use the purest of metal to form the strongest chain ever, but, if one of those links has a crack or a porous area in it, the chain will snap right at that spot when enough strain is placed on it.

What or where is your weakest link today?

Heb 12:1 Therefore since we also are surrounded with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily besets us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right of the throne of God.

I may display the kind of faith that would move a mountain, yet, if I continue to entertain, consider, harbor, maintain or just keep some area in my life, that might weaken me, I have a weak link.

The author of Hebrews advises us to lay down that particular weakness that so ‘easily besets’ us. He indicates that it (that thing) comes upon us easily.

Evil, the devil, satan, temptation, doubt, will never attack our strong points. That would be a futile attack. No. He will always attack our weak spots, because he knows, that is where we will `snap`.

Psa 139:23 O God, let the secrets of my heart be uncovered, and let my wandering thoughts be tested: 24 See if there is any way of sorrow in me, and be my guide in the eternal way. (BBE translation)

Somebody once said, “build your strengths and starve your weaknesses”.

I agree. Build and strengthen the strong areas in your life. Develop your talents; increase the already developed focus points in your armor.

Starve your weakness. Don’t feed it. Don’t dwell on past issues that cannot be changed or reworked or made to be unsaid.

Let your `setbacks` become the platform for your `comebacks`

Strategically developed plans will bring success.

We develop good habits the same way we develop bad habits. By repetition. Don’t repeat the bad habit, practice repeating the good habit.

Follow the `stop, start & continue principle’:

• Evaluate your life, attitudes and actions and find out what it is that you need to stop doing and stop doing that.

• Research and find out what is it that you need to start doing to bring about the required change and do that.

• Rediscover your strengths and continue in developing that.

Luck has nothing to do with it. Hard work, excellent planning, determination, those are the keys to success. Nobody plans to fail but most of us fail to plan.

We need to develop a sense of urgency in our desire to change, to get to a place where we desperately want to please God and not man.

To be continued

A Clean Heart

Psalm 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right, persevering, and steadfast spirit within me.

- This is a prayer you can pray.
- God is the only one who can renew us.
- God wants to renew our strength, hope and lives.
- What a way to start a new day.

Lord, I need my heart to be renewed by You. Work in me I pray.

JOSHUA 1: "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

God's Word never changes.

What God promised would work for Joshua will work for you, also. The problem with most of us is that we are just too busy to put God's Word first like we should. But we are not too busy to work trying to get ahead. Explain that.

God never lies.

Follow His instructions given above and you WILL have prosperity and good success. Maybe not in 10 minutes. Maybe not even for 10 years. But you will.

God promises it.

Notice that Joshua 1:8 does not just say to think about God's Word. No -- the Word must continually be in your mouth! Words!

1 PETER 3:10 For "He who would love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking guile

Speaking and thinking in line with God's Word will cause you to prosper and succeed. If you would like to see good days, the Bible admonishes you to watch your words!

Never confess defeat. Confessing Jesus as Lord of every situation brings glory to God.

Psalm 42:8 Yet day-by-day the Lord also pours out His steadfast love upon me.

- God's love for you is firm and unchanging.
- Every day God wants to pour His love on you.
- Allow Him to pour His love on you.
- There is a fresh supply of God's love for you today!

Lord, I receive Your love for me today. Thank You for Your loving-kindness towards me.

Prayer with intent

1Ch 4:9 Jabez was a better man than his brothers, a man of honor. His mother had named him Jabez (Oh, the pain!), saying, "A painful birth! I bore him in great pain!" 10 Jabez prayed to the God of Israel: "Bless me, O bless me! Give me land, large tracts of land. And provide your personal protection--don't let evil hurt me." God gave him what he asked.

Much have been written and debated and shared, regarding the ‘prayer of Jabez’

However, no matter how much we speculate, debate and ponder on this very short but intense portion of Scripture, the fact remains: Jabez prayed and God answered. That’s it!

If there is no other thing of value to be taken from this passage, we can know this, if we ask according to His will, God answers.

Jam 4:10 Get down on your knees before the Master; it's the only way you'll get on your feet. ( msg transl. )

Luke 11 : 9 And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. 10 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

Pleading the case :

Job 23 : 3 Oh that I knew where I might find him! that I might come even to his seat! 4 I would order my cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments. 5 I would know the words which he would answer me, and understand what he would say unto me.

These are the words of a desperate man - a man that needed answers and results.

"Prayer should be the breath of our breathing, the thought of our thinking, the soul of our feeling, and the life of our living, the sound of our hearing, the growth of our growing." Prayer in its magnitude is length without end, width without bounds, height without top, and depth without bottom. Illimitable in its breadth, exhaustless in height, fathomless in depths and infinite in extension. -- HOMER W. HODGE

“The Holy Ghost comes down into our hearts sometimes in prayer with a beam from heaven, whereby we see more at once of God and His glory, more astounding thoughts and enlarged apprehensions God, many beams meeting in one and falling to the center of our hearts. By these coming downs or divine influxes, God slides into our hearts by beams of Himself; we come not to have communion with God by way of many broken thoughts put together, but there is a contraction of many beams from heaven, which is shed into our souls, so that we know more of God and have more communion with Him in a quarter-hour than we could know in a year by the way of wisdom only.” -- THOS. GOODWIN

“He who has the spirit of prayer has the highest interest in the court of heaven. And the only way to retain it is to keep it in constant employment. Apostasy begins in the closet. No man ever backslid from the life and power of Christianity who continued constant and fervent in private prayer. He who prays without ceasing is likely to rejoice evermore.” -- ADAM CLARKE

We should stop wasting time on other efforts. Perhaps when we begin to pray with intention, the results will be miraculous.

Blessed Christmas wishes

Some people may have various opinions regarding Christmas and the celebrations around this day.

To me it is and will remain a day filled with so many awesome memories and the knowledge that a Saviour was born. a Saviour who came to save and set free, those who would accept Him as their Lord and Redeemer.

To me He is Jesus Christ, Son of God, Immanuel, a Friend, a Comforter and a man whom I can in a sense identify with, because He took my burdens and gave me a soft and comfortable yoke instead.

It is another special day during which I have an opportunity to spoil my loved ones, when we can remind one another of a loving and caring Heavenly Father who gave us the greatest gift of all.

May I wish you all a brilliant day, remembering that Jesus is Lord.

Love, peace, friendship, comfort and joy are my prayers for you on this day.

Past Deon

This is faith.

Faith will bring you to a place, where there is peace and rest for your soul and no more concerns for your welfare. That is the salvation of the Spirit. That is when a relationship with God has been established. Through faith the ‘I’ disappears and God is the sole occupant of all that I am.

A Nursing baby will, without realizing it, be totally dependant on the mother, the baby trusts the mother completely for and in everything, without thinking about the trust. The baby just trusts.

In and through the mother the child possesses everything – the child has no need to worry about anything for himself.

Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28) Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)

How many of us have found that trust and that peace, where our conscience fully rests in Him?

Maybe some of us do not even understand the concept of `faith` correctly and as a result we are still plagued and worried by concerns and anxieties. Even though we claim to be people of `faith`.

There is such a tangible connection between faith and rest. The minute one comes into possession of true faith, all the problems and burdens that so easily wears us down, comes to an end.

Our spirit finds perfect rest in the presence of our Lord.

“A person who has faith in the Lord abides in Him, enjoying as his very own everything that is in the Lord. In the Lord everything that appertains to the individual, that is to say, sin, death, and everything else, all comes to an end.”

Yet, why is it that many people who say that they believe carry a greater burden of anxiety in their hearts and live a more tiresome life than they did before "believing"?

Possibly because `believing` has become a process and a `work`, rather than just a `handing over` and believing God in their hearts. To believe has become an effort instead of a `state of being`.

Perhaps our faith is driven by fear. “How long do I still need to do this before my breakthrough comes? If I stop `believing` I`ll go to hell” “Maybe I would just be better off if I stop this faith thing? “Why is it so much effort to believe?”

Rom 1:17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith, as it is written, "The just shall live by faith."

Rom 3:19 But we know that whatever things the Law says, it says to those who are under the Law; so that every mouth may be stopped and all the world may be under judgment before God, 20 because by the works of the Law none of all flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law is the knowledge of sin. 21 But now a righteousness of God has been revealed apart from Law, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets;

“... they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God (Romans 10:2-3).

While we still try to work out our own righteousness, we will remain condemned and under the burden of the law. Anxieties and concerns will remain part of our daily efforts.”

Rom 3:24 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus;

Justification and Godly righteousness has been given to us, freely, though Christ. We just need to accept it.

In two days, we will celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, our saviour.

Through Him and the acceptance of Him as Saviour, we are truly made righteous and we are set free. Free from the burdens of sin, the cares of this world and the temptation that this world brings.

Today, while today is still today, wont you let go of all the cares and the burdens and accept Him truly as Lord and Saviour and allow Him to truly set you free?

“Father, today I truly let go of all the works and the efforts that so easily wear me down. I thank you for my justification through Jesus Christ my Saviour. I trust You with my life and I thank you that in and through Christ all my needs are met”