RevTrev.com» Hope

Why Does Hope In Christ Ministries Exist? – RevTrev Radio

revtrev — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 15:52:26 +0000

I talk with Bev Fawcett about Hope in Christ Ministries

Why Does Hope In Christ Ministries Exist? – RevTrev Radio

In this episode I talk to Bev Fawcett of http://hopeinchrist.info about Hope in Christ Ministries.

Listen Now >>>
Download audio file (Bev4.mp3)

Change is the Only Constant

revtrev — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 17:39:30 +0000

I’m not sure always thinking about the future is the best way to live, but as long as do what God has for me to do today I knows the plans I make are guided by the steps He directs. I’m excited for RevTrev.com in 2012. I’ll tell you why in a little bit. I’m also excited about what God seems to be doing in other parts of my life. I’ll share those things with you in time.

I suppose you can guess most of the Christmas shopping is done and concerts are over and excitement is growing towards Christmas…think about that. Excitement is growing towards Christ’s Mass. I’m not part of a tradition that remembers Advent, but each of us in our own way go through the anticipatory cycle of Christmas. I enjoy it. I guess that’s why I teach so often on expectation…I’m digressing.

Next week this newsletter will start being sent out on Fridays. There are more reasons for that than I want to mention right now. Today I want to welcome the 47 new readers this week from RevTrev.com, Twitter Tips, and LifeAbovetheNegativity.com. I have a number of new email courses coming in 2012 that will be on training in areas I’m able to train in…but more about that below. On to this new looking newsletter…take some time to tell me what you think about it.

This Week’s Guest Blogger

The Reason – By Bev Fawcett
My friend Bev read this poem to me over the phone. She wrote it for a Christmas fundraising event she’s planned for her town. They are hoping to raise $10,000 for local charities as a way to bless the community. Connect with Bev at http://HopeInChrist.info she’d love to hear from you.

Be Encouraged Now >>>

Contact me if you’d like to be a guest blogger.
Find the guidelines here http://revtrev.com/write-for-revtrev/

Questions of the Week

Should We Tithe From Our Net Income or Gross Income?

Here’s another question from a reader of my newsletter. I know I’ve recently changed my mind on all of this so I welcome your comments and questions. Iron sharpens iron.

RevTrev Radio

How To Get the Good God Has For You – RevTrev Radio (part 4)

God has promised good to us but did you know at times it’s laid out conditionally? He sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous but there are three conditions in scripture for us to get the good that the Father intends us us to have. Find out what they are and how to live them out practically today.

Listen Now >>>

Subscribe via iTunes

Change is the Only Constant

In 2012 RevTrev.com is going to be doing things differently…once more. You can already see some of the changes taking place if you go to front page now. It will have more of a magazine feel, with series clearly marked and a few new exciting sections.

I’m going to blogging on topics people often ask me about on my other websites. I know…good marketing teaches to focus on your niche, but common sense tells me it’s easier to maintain and social media market one site rather than several and I think I’ve found a solution for the all important niche markets.

I’ve got posts scheduled for Social Media Tips – not new I know, but I’m delving into advice on blogging and newsletter marketing as well as a few social media topics I know well. People will be able to sign up for weekly updates of these posts and download “283 ReTweetable Social Media Tips” a series of tips I’ve written on various aspects of social media.

I’ve also scheduled posts for writing, self-publishing and book marketing and I have “Your Book Marketing Workbook” ready for people to download when they sign up for weekly updates of the posts.

I’m scheduling posts from fiction I’ve written – including poetry, novellas and novels. I still have to figure out what I’ll give people who sign up for weekly updates for my fiction posts.

RevTrev.com will also feature “Ask a Counsellor” with your questions answered by my friend Cheryl Shea from http://EdmontonCounsellingServices.com If you have a question you for Cheryl you can let me know now. http://revtrev.com/contact
I’m working on a few more similar features from amazing people and will let you know as they are ready to be launched.

The other thing I’m doing on RevTrev.com is to provide Training and/or Encouragement through emails. I have a few set up now http://revtrev.com/training but am hoping to have a few more set up soon in response to many questions I get from my readers. I’ll let you know as I’m ready to launch them. Here’s a list of titles I have with working names…

Helping People Hope
Ministering with Expectancy
How to Help People To Forgive
How to Create A Culture of Honor
Overcoming Worry
Living Without Shame
Killing the Zombie (overcoming sin)

Oh, that reminds me – people who sign up for Twitter Tips now get a series of 7 or 8 videos sent to them to show how to put my blueprint into action. I have a few more to do as more questions come in.

I’m only confident telling you these plans because I have everything ready to go. I know how long it’s going to take for me to do each and I’d appreciate you emailing me to ask when the training you’d like to go through will be available.

In this time of year we should be talking about the past. I’ve appreciated all the Christmas newsletters I’ve gotten from friends. I don’t think I even have plans to do one up this year. I’m so excited for 2012.

Say, if you have an email newsletter you send out to your family and friends, put me on the list. You have my email. I’d appreciate hearing about your past year and plans for the future and will add my prayers to your hopes.

~Trevor

Community Feedback

Last Week I asked if RevTrev.com was getting too random. Here’s the results…

I haven’t noticed. 33%
Your blog is like you. Don’t worry about it. 33%
Share what you know. I’ll read what I want. 33%

This week I’d like to know what you think of the section-graphic free version of this newsletter. I’ve noticed most newsletter I get don’t have as many graphics as I put into the RevTrev Newsletter. I know it likely takes longer to load for some people. You might think it’s too cluttered. Is this newsletter more to your liking or the one I usually send? If you’d like to reminded of what it usually looks like see a sample here

Should the RevTrev Newsletter Lose the Section Images?

I like the picture, keep them.
I like the cleaner, less cluttered look.
I appreciate a quicker loading time.
I don’t view the images anyway so it doesn’t matter.
Why are you always changing things?

Vote early. Vote often. Vote here…

Social Media Tip

How to Easily Unfollow Those Not Following You Back on Twitter

Twitter management got you down? Do you know companies pay $500 a month for people to manage their social media accounts? Why not learn to do it the easy way? Here’s how to easily unfollow those not following you back on Twitter.

Learn Now >>>

RevTrev Reviews

The Singing Sword By Jack Whyte Reviewed by Trevor Lund

I review “The Singing Sword” By Jack Whyte It’s the second book in A Dream of Eagles.

Watch It Now >>>

Do you have a book or product that you think my readers would like to hear my thoughts on? Contact me today. I may want to get you on RevTrev TV as well.

What People Are Saying

I just hit 1500 followers and growing! Gr8 tips! ~Giselle
My favorite thing about RevTrev.com is the word study and encouragement it offers I thank God for it. GOD BLESS YOU AND THANK YOU – Jo
What’s my favorite thing about RevTrev.com? The interviews. If RevTrev.com was an animal it would a Lorikeet (a beautiful rainbow colored australian parrot). -Steve
Thank you! Thank you for all of the wonderful things you are doing for God. Don’t know how you do it, only through Christ can you do all things. Bless you for letting him lead you. I enjoy reading all of your messages, they are so informing and helpful. ~Barb

RevTrev Recommends

From Postmodernity to Participatory by Dr. Walter Surdacki of 15 Degrees Off Centre
5 Steps to Recover from Failure by Ron Edmondson of ronedmondson.com
What is Good? by Adam of The Daily Walk
Expect your best laid plans to be interrupted by Kevin Martineau of Shooting the Breeze
How To Create Your Writing Content Strategy by Julie McElroy of Inspired…to Write

Kingdom News

A friend of mine, Anita Pierce, sent me her December Newsletter. It has a lot of encouragement in it and a few stories caught my eye. Here are two of them. Connect with Anita at http://inspirationministries.net/

One woman came for prayer because she suspected, and was
being tested for, Lyme’s disease. She told me that suddenly she
felt the Lord whispered in her heart that she needed to forgive a
person who had hurt and infuriated her. In that moment, when she
relinquished the unforgiveness and anger as we prayed, the pain
and symptoms of her disease vanished!

In one town, while others were receiving prayer, I saw a business
man and his wife leaving the service. I felt compelled to follow
them out to the street. There on the street, with tears running
down his face, he prayed with me to surrender his life to Christ.

Inner Strength

If you can start the day without caffeine,
If you can be cheerful, ignoring aches and pains,
If you can resist complaining and boring people with your troubles,
If you can eat the same food everyday and be grateful for it,
If you can understand when loved ones are too busy to give you time,

If you can overlook when people take things out on you when,
through no fault of yours, something goes wrong,
If you can take criticism and blame without resentment,
If you can face the world without lies and deceit,
If you can conquer tension without a counsellor,
If you can relax without having a hot bath,
If you can sleep without waking up worried,
If you can do all these things,

Then you are probably the family dog.

Adapted from:

<http://www.csua.berkeley.edu/~ranga/humor/inner_strength.txt>

One Last Thing…

Don’t forget…

I’d like your opinion about the new look of this newsletter

I need your questions for “Ask A Counsellor”

Put me on your email Christmas Letter list!

We make the plans, but God directs the steps!

Blessings,

~Trevor

Should We Tithe From Our Net Income or Gross Income?

revtrev — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 00:23:09 +0000

Here’s another question from a reader of my newsletter. I know I’ve recently changed my mind on all of this so I welcome your comments and questions. Iron sharpens iron.

Question:

Pastor I really need your help because I have a burning question which I need you to answer me. After discovering that tithing is a very serious issue and should not be compromised I decided to check if I have been tithing properly. The question: Should we tithe from our net income or from gross income?

I would appreciate if you help me with an answer.

Answer:

I looked at that same question a while ago and found the Israelites were to tithe their increase (Deuteronomy 14:22, 28; 26:12; 2 Chronicles 31:5). I was always taught to tithe…but when I looked at what the Bible actually says about it is easy for me to say, “If we’re wondering if we should give on the net or the gross, we’ve missed the point of the grace of Christian generosity.” In fact Paul tells us if we try to obey some of the law but not all of it we’re putting ourselves under a curse (Galatians 3:10)

I also can no longer teach the tithe is for us after the cross. Here is my thinking on it http://revtrev.com/questions-and-answers/am-i-under-a-curse-if-i-dont-tithe/

Leave your comments on that post and I’ll gladly try to explain myself better.

Blessings

~Trevor

Does Prophecy Just Happen or Do We Have to Work For It?

revtrev — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 17:23:47 +0000

Here’s another question from a reader of my newsletter. I’d appreciate having your thoughts on it.

Question:

I have a question about discernment of a True prophet vs False prophet.

I was recently told if a prophet speak a word to you, you are responsible for working to bring it to pass. It confused me because the Bible states when a true prophet speak it will come to pass. Why would we make that word come to pass and not know actually if they are true or false?

Answer:

Under the law we were to test prophecy by seeing if it came true – Deuteronomy 18:22.
Under grace we’re told to test everything and hold to the good – 1 Thessalonians 5:21.

To me that means mistakes can be made. I wrote this in my book Hope In Transition

I’ve come to understand that I was raised with an unspoken assumption that most Christians don’t have. I was never taught this, but somehow absorbed it into my psyche. It’s wrong, but I need to mention it because I know I’m not alone. I understood that when a prophetic word “came” – what I mean by that is someone spoke a word of encouragement and it resonated well with my spirit – it was a done deal. God had revealed His will and so His will would be done. It came from understanding the prophetic as it was taught under the law. The way prophecy was tested before the cross was to see if it came true. If it came true, it was from God. If it didn’t you were to stone the one who spoke presumptuously.

I wish I knew I was living under the law when my Dad got sick. When my dad was diagnosed with Bulbar ALS, we waited for a prophetic word and received several from tested and trustworthy individuals all saying my dad would be healed. Well, he is healed in heaven, but I can’t accept that’s what was meant. God revealed His will and it wasn’t done. It was a struggle for me to understand how that could be possible.

The church that we joined in New Zealand taught me how to respond to the prophetic. They had someone come in who the leaders considered a prophet. This man said some encouraging things about the future direction of the church. Then the church leaders called people together to pray through what was spoken. They asked us to pray for each point and share the direction the prayers of each group were taking. It was an incredible community building exercise as each group seemed to pray a specific direction. By the end of the meeting the leadership had several tangible goals to work and plan for. The next year’s planning was accomplished and all of us felt it was what God wanted to do and we all also felt a part of the process. I learned I just couldn’t sit back and expect the prophecy to come true.

Prophecy is for strengthening, encouragement and comfort.It should point the direction you are to go, but it doesn’t guarantee you’ll get there. Putting your hope in a prophetic word is only as valuable as your pursuit of the prophetic call. Even the best intentions can be disappointing.

That’s what I’ve come to know. I hope that helps you. Praying for you.

~Trevor

What’s your thoughts on this? Does prophecy guarantee something will happen? Let me know in the comments.

When Everything Looks Great…Only To You

revtrev — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 18:05:23 +0000

If you’ve gone to revtrev.com this week you would have noticed some more changes. I’ve been working on them for a while and really have been pleased by how they’ve turned out. The slider in the header I’ll change to go to landing pages for main topics I blog about. The tabbed widget on the left gives me a lot more white space even though it doesn’t work so well on any other page but the front one. The main slider I was really impressed with…until I looked at it in Chrome, and Safari, AND Internet Explorer.

Let’s just say I’m in conversation with the programmer right now. My default browser is FireFox and things tend to look good in FireFox that don’t behave the same way in other browsers. You’d like I’d learn…but I never do. As long as it looks good to me I how it looks to other people is a second thought. We’ll talk about that in this newsletter.

But first let’s welcome the 63 new subscribers this week to RevTrev.com. LifeAbovetheNegativity.com and Twitter Tips! The highlight of my week is meeting new people, so drop me an email and tell me about yourself. Maybe I’ll be able to promote you in some way.

This Week’s Guest Blogger

Where Has God Placed You?

Barbara Hodgson is the author of “The Sword That Pierced My Soul”. I can’t remember how we connected, but I’m glad that we have. She’s got a challenge for us today.

Questions of the Week

Am I Giving Correctly If I’m Guilted Into Giving?

Here’s another question from a reader of the RevTrev Newsletter. I’d appreciate having your thoughts on this topic. Please leave your comments.

RevTrev Radio

How To Get the Good God Has For You – RevTrev Radio (part 2)
God has promised good to us but did you know at times it’s laid out conditionally? He sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous but there are three conditions in scripture for us to get the good that the Father intends us us to have. Find out what they are and how to live them out practically today.

Listen Now >>>
Remember to ask me your questions I didn’t cover.

Why is Jesus God’s Gift of Love to the World? RevTrev Radio

In this episode I talk to Bev Fawcett of http://hopeinchrist.info about her book “Jesus God’s Gift of Love to the World”

Listen Now >>>

Let people know what you think about it.

Subscribe via iTunes

When Everything Looks Great…Only To You

There is a lot of merit in sticking to your principles. All of us need to hear from God and have our relationship with God as our primary life giving source. There is a big problem however when we’re only around people who agree with us and we don’t take the time to listen to those who have a different opinion.

Take my problem I’m having with the main slider on revtrev.com. It looks good to me. I spent hours getting it just how I wanted it. The problem is I’m usually using Firefox as a browser and while now close to 40% of people are using FF, it still means that over 60% of people are going to see something completely different. (see http://www.w3schools.com/browsers/browsers_stats.asp)

So of course I have to make it right for everyone. But what if I ONLY used FireFox? What if I said “People who use Internet Explorer don’t deserve to see my site?” (I almost did that with IE 6) What if I did what was right in my own eyes and didn’t give a rip what others thought?

That’s the situation in the book of Judges and that’s the situation we’re in right now in North America. Churches can be the worst offenders. If I decide something is right and two or three people tell me I’m wrong, I might change my mind. If two or three of us decide something is right and twenty or thirty tell us we’re wrong…I still have one or two people agreeing with me I’m right so I’m less likely to change my mind (ie. repent).

I don’t know when I started doing this, but it’s served me well over the years. I have different circles of advisors. I have people who know me and will tell me straight up if I’m out to lunch. I have people I’ll talk to about whatever situation I’m facing because they know the situation. I have people who know me and whatever situation I’m involved in. And I have people who know about similar situations and are willing to share their wisdom.

That’s the key – wisdom comes from many counsellors. None of us have the corner on truth. And the sooner enough of us remember that the sooner we can experience true family before heaven.

Of course, I may be wrong on that.

Community Feedback

What Topics Should I Blog On in 2012?

I’m setting up my blogging schedule for 2012 and have some great ideas from readers of my newsletter for what to right on. I’d appreciate knowing what’s the most important for more of my readers. So please take this poll and let me know. You can leave any other suggestions or comments in the comments below.

Share your thoughts now

Thanks for your feedback. It helps me know what blog posts and resources I should focus on.

Social Media Tip

How Understanding WordPress Better Let Me Get Rid of 3 Plugins

One day last week I was standing over the shoulder of someone who know more than I do about WordPress and especially CSS and I noticed he was doing something funky with the menus. I thought it was because of the theme he had so I asked him, “Does that come with the theme?” His response let me de-bulk my overcrowded must-have plugins for revtrev.com.

What are the WP Plugins you consider must-have? Let me know in the comments.

RevTrev Reviews

The Bone House by Stephen Lawhead reviewed by RevTrev

Trevor reviews the second of the Bright Empire Novels by Stephen R. Lawhead called “The Bone House”. If you’ve read it, add your thoughts of it in the comments. If you have other questions about it, ask them in the comments.

Do you have a book or product that you think my readers would like to hear my thoughts on? Contact me today. I may want to get you on RevTrev TV as well.

What People Are Saying

@revtrev Good morning! Just wanted to say your daily emails help my day start out in a loving, positive direction. Your writing is so real! ~via @kathrynrharris

@revtrev Thank you for your great Tweets, sir! ~via @mattlines

Thank you for sharing! ~via @MelanieGPridgen

RevTrev TV

Just realized I have a gap in my interviews for RevTrev TV. I’m talking with some amazing people, but haven’t been able to shoot with any this month. Do you want be interviewed on RevTrev TV? We’d talk about your book or ministry. You’d need to be on Skype and we’d have to arrange a time. Find out all the details here http://revtrev.com/tv/

View all the episodes:

Kingdom News

This is a new section of the newsletter. I get so many encouraging emails I need to share some of them with you. Pastor Nadeem in Pakistan sent this report to me. It’s really exciting to see what God is doing.

100 projector shows in 100 villages have transformed thousands of lives in Pakistan. Here is the short summary again.

Total Projector shows 100
Total Attendance 22011
Total Decision 12162

The 100th projector show full of anointed and so powerful that when after the sermon about 500 people raised their hands, I asked so many times if you really want to give your life for Christ. But none of them sat down. Oh! Praise the Lord!

Connect with Pastor Nadeem so you can remember to pray for him.

on YouTube
on Facebook
on Twitter

Encouragement for the Week

“When you feel like giving up, remember why you held on for so long in the first place.”
~ Unknown

From Expectancy Press

Healing the Wounds of Rejection and Abandonment (eBook)

Wondering why you can’t form good relationships or why you sometimes just can’t cope? These struggles may be related to the wounds of abandonment and rejection. We don’t get through life without experiencing rejection. Rejection is a deep wound to our soul that leaves us feeling unimportant, unloved and insignificant. Also, we may experience the wound of abandonment. Abandonment is a deeper wound experienced in our young formative years. The wound of abandonment causes us to feel we lack adult emotional, and practical life skills.

by Cheryl Shea of Shea Counselling

One Last Thing…

Can you let people know about this newsletter? I so much enjoy connecting with people and helping them as I can. If you’re on Twitter I’ve made it easy for you. Just click the picture…

7 Things I’m Thankful For…

revtrev — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 17:28:44 +0000

I’ve had this continual thought: “You need to be thankful” confronting me at the weirdest times. Knowing I’d be reminding myself as I remind my readers to be thankful, I decided to make it the topic of this week’s newsletter.

Then as I listened to the market report I was reminded tomorrow is American Thanksgiving. (We have a shorter growing season in Canada and so celebrate ours the second Monday in October.) HAPPY THANKSGIVING to all my American readers. Have a great Thanksgiving with family and friends. I’m praying for those who can’t be with family or don’t have family to gather with. I’m also praying for safe travels for you all.

Now on to the newsletter… I need to welcome the 74 new subscribers to revtrev.com, LifeAbovetheNegativity.com, Twitter Tips and Expectancy Press. Drop me an email to tell me about yourself. Everyday I’m amazed at the incredible people I get connected with.

RevTrev Radio

How To Get God’s Good – RevTrev Radio (part 1)

Listen Now >>>
Remember to ask me your questions I didn’t cover.

Subscribe via iTunes

7 Things I’m Thankful For

Here’s a really interesting statement made by Paul. It’s one we often gloss over because of the surrounding material. That doesn’t mean it’s any less insightful:

Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused. Romans 1:21 (New Living Translation)

Did you realize that choosing not to give God thanks starts us thinking up foolish ideas about what God is like? “He did me wrong.” “I can’t trust Him.” “He’s angry at me.” If you’ve heard yourself think or say those things you’re not alone. The way back to thinking right is to be thanking right.

With that in mind I’ve come up with a list of things I need to remind myself I’m really thankful for. I am really thankful for all these things, but when I choose to give God thanks for them I can easily forget I’m thankful for them. I was going to do these up as a list. “7 Things I’m Thankful For” gets a lot more people opening up the email. But a list is academic and I can do it without it affecting my heart. Notice Paul wrote “…or even give him thanks.” There’s something that happens when we personalize our thanks to God. So instead of list here’s part of my conversation today with God. Notice my seven paragraphs…

Lord,

I’m so thankful to you when I think about the price you paid to make it simple for me to come before you now. I don’t have to come with the sacrifice of an animal. I don’t have to prove I’m good enough to stand before you. I’m not and you know it. And you became the way so I’m in your presence with something as simple as thanksgiving.

Thank you God for my wife. You knitted her together in her mother’s womb and ordained every one of her days before one of them came to be. You knew her and loved her even before the world began. Thank you for her gifts and passion and insight and her friendship. Thank you for blessing our covenant and standing watch over our lives.

Thank you God for my kids. They are amazing people with hearts like your own. They are growing up so fast and growing more and more into your image. Thank you for who they are and thank you for all they can do.

Thank you Lord for our extended family. Thank you for the heritage and help of our parents. Thank you for my siblings. Bless them today in all they do. Thank you for my wife’s aunts and grandparents and cousins. Thanks for all the fun we have with the kids you’ve blessed us all with.

Thank you Lord for the people who pick up our garbage. I really am thankful for what they do and am thankful we don’t live in anarchy.
Thank you Lord for our police officers. I can hardly imagine living in a place where you need to be afraid of the police. Bless everyone who lives in fear of the police. Show them your love today.

Thank you Father, for letting us call you Father. There are days I miss my dad, but thank you I know he’s with you.

Thank you Lord!

Why don’t you take some time and write out what you’re thankful for? Maybe you can read it to your family before you eat turkey.

Social Media Tip

Have you heard of HubSpot? http://www.hubspot.com/ I know there is a lot of noise around how to use social media but I’m often downloading the free eBooks HubSpot offers. Often I only get 1 or 2 pieces of new information from the eBooks – but there’s not a lot of time invested in reading them and if a few minutes gets me 1 new idea I consider it time well spent. They also have sites like Tweet Grader, Blog Grader, Book Grader, Facebook Grader all centrally located at http://grader.com/

RevTrev TV

Why Does Hope In Christ Ministries Exist? – RevTrev TV

In this episode of http://revtrev.com/tv I talk to Bev Fawcett of http://hopeinchrist.info about Hope in Christ Ministries.

Watch Now >>>

View all the episodes:

Posts From My Blogging Buddies

In the Silence by Adam of the Daily Walk
Thanks-Living By Pastor Thomas of the Favored Life
Faith Should Change our Attitude by Pastor Kevin of Shooting the Breeze
I Got the Opportunity to Meet this Sweet Little… by Janine Lund of From Mind to Page (and my younger sister)

5 Steps to be Thankful

This comes from my booklet How Big Is Your But?I’ve got an acrostic to help you remember how you can choose to be thankful.

F – Focus – look at what God is doing, not at what is threatening to occur

Matthew 8:23-26 (New Living Translation)?Then Jesus got into the boat and started across the lake with his disciples. Suddenly, a fierce storm struck the lake, with waves breaking into the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” Jesus responded, “Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!” Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm.

A – Attention – Keep focused on the right thoughts

Philippians 4:8-9 (New Living Translation)?And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.

I – Intention – Make plans and follow them through to change your thinking

Romans 12:2 (New Living Translation)?Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

T – Thinking God’s Thoughts

Matthew 11:28-30 (The Message)?“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”

H – Holy Spirit Help

1 John 2:27 (New Living Translation)?But you have received the Holy Spirit, and he lives within you, so you don’t need anyone to teach you what is true. For the Spirit teaches you everything you need to know, and what he teaches is true—it is not a lie. So just as he has taught you, remain in fellowship with Christ.

You see for me, faith brings thankfulness. It brings me focus and stops worry.

From Expectancy Press

Why? (audiobook)

We all want to understand the difficult circumstances of life. We need to see the reason why. Did you know that asking “why” can lead you down both the wrong and right path? It’s important to know the difference and how to ask why in a way that gets answers. This is the audiobook.

Listen to an excerpt and download here

One Last Thing…

This newsletter feels more like a sermon outline so why don’t we go old school and end with a hymn?

Count Your Blessings
Words: Johnson Oatman, Jr.

When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,
And you will keep singing as the days go by.

When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
Count your many blessings. Wealth can never buy
Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.

So, amid the conflict whether great or small,
Do not be disheartened, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.

Refrain
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Have a great week! Don’t forget to stop by RevTrev.com this week I plan to have the new toys ready on it soon.

~Trevor

Why Does Hope In Christ Ministries Exist? – RevTrev TV

revtrev — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 16:02:03 +0000

I talk with Bev Fawecett about Hope in Christ Ministries

Why Does Hope In Christ Ministries Exist? – RevTrev TV

In this episode of http://revtrev.com/tv I talk to Bev Fawcett of http://hopeinchrist.info about Hope in Christ Ministries.

Watch Now>>>

View all the episodes:

What People Need to Know About Planting the Seed – RevTrev Radio

revtrev — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 15:35:03 +0000

The start of my interview with Bev Fawcett of Hope in Christ Ministries

What People Need to Know About Planting the Seed – RevTrev Radio

In this episode of http://revtrev.com/tv I talk to Bev Fawcett of http://hopeinchrist.info about her book “Planting the Seed”.

Listen Now >>>
Download audio file (Bev1.mp3)

What Does In Jesus’ Name mean?

revtrev — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 16:46:28 +0000

You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. John 14:13 (New Living Translation)

You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. John 15:16 (New Living Translation)

At that time you won’t need to ask me for anything. I tell you the truth, you will ask the Father directly, and he will grant your request because you use my name. John 16:23 (New Living Translation)

What does it mean to ask “in Jesus Name”? It means praying with His authority because we come in the name of His Son, Jesus. Praying in Jesus’ name essentially means the same thing as praying according to the will of God,

And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him. And since we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know that he will give us what we ask for. 1 John 5:14-15 (New Living Translation)

Praying in Jesus’ name is praying for things that will honor and glorify Jesus. Genuinely praying in Jesus’ name and for His glory is what is important, not attaching certain words to the end of a prayer. It is not the words in the prayer that matter, but the purpose behind the prayer. Praying for things that are in agreement with God’s will is the essence of praying in Jesus’ name.

Find out more at HopeInTransition.com

Our Job is to Enforce Christ’s Victory

revtrev — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 16:44:00 +0000

How do we use the authority we have in Christ? It comes from two phrases that need to be more than words. These aren’t a magic incantation to ward off evil. They are truth whose implication needs to be worked out into every area of our lives.

We enforce Christ’s victory by His name and by His blood.

We’ll start by looking at what it means to pray in the name of Jesus next post. Find out more at HopeInTransition.com

7 Things That Changed at the Cross

revtrev — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 16:42:10 +0000

It is really amazing to consider what was accomplished at the cross. It’s even more amazing to work it out in every area of your life. Here’s a quick overview of some of the highlights for me. I can’t say this is an exhaustive list, but I see 7 things changed at the cross.

At the Cross:

1. Guilt was removed

For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. Romans 3:23-24 (New Living Translation)

2. The price of sin was paid.

For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. Romans 3:25 (New Living Translation)

3. Our sins were washed.

Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. 1 Corinthians 6:11 (New Living Translation)

4. We were made friends again with God

For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. 2 Corinthians 5:19 (New Living Translation)

5. We are no longer fallen.

But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:4-6 (New Living Translation)

6. Satan’s Rule Was Ended.

In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross. Colossians 2:15 (New Living Translation)

7. The curse of the law was canceled.

But Christ has rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law. When he was hung on the cross, he took upon himself the curse for our wrongdoing. For it is written in the Scriptures, “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.” Galatians 3:13 (New Living Translation)

What part of “finished” don’t we understand? The battle is over. All that’s left is the mop up operation. We’re on the winning side. We have His power and authority. We don’t attack on our own merit or passion, we’ve waited for the commander’s instructions and we obey what the commander says. When it’s time to fight for hope, fight knowing the battle is already won.

Our Battle is Not Against Flesh and Blood

revtrev — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 16:39:11 +0000

The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 (New International Version)

We live in a world that was once the enemies. Jesus won the battle at the cross and made friends again with everything that was fallen. He redeemed us and reconciled us to himself. But while the battle is won. Think of it in-terms-of what’s happened in Afghanistan after 9/11. The Taliban fell in an instant. They no longer rule Afghanistan.

Are they still a threat? Do they still have power? Yes. A pastor friend of mine in Pakistan was just threatened by them with death if he didn’t take down a video of them beheading children and raping women in the streets.

Do they have authority? No.

The same is true with our enemy. He no longer rules the world. He has no authority.

Are there still casualties? Yes.

I think the best illustration of the power of the enemy comes from the analogy of a pebble in a shoe. I pebble can slow your walk. It can cause you pain. If it’s not looked after it can cause a festering wound. If the wound isn’t looked after blood poisoning can occur. In a way, a pebble in your shoe can conceivably kill you.

But it’s a pebble. It doesn’t have to be there. Get rid of it and toss it under your feet. Find out more at HopeInTransition.com

The Lay of the Land for Our Battle of Hope

revtrev — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 16:37:07 +0000

Let me give you an overview of the lay of the land as you battle for hope:

Our battle is not against flesh and blood.
Our war was finished at the cross.
Our job is to enforce Christ’s victory.

I need some time to draw these out for you. Find out more at HopeInTransition.com

Hope Attacks

revtrev — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 16:35:18 +0000

He led David down, and there they were, scattered over the countryside, eating, drinking and reveling because of the great amount of plunder they had taken from the land of the Philistines and from Judah. 1 Samuel 30:16 (NIV)

David and his men met up with an Egyptian slave who led them to the Almalekites. They saw them partying up because of the plunder they took. David attacked and slaughtered almost all of them.

You’re going to need to fight a similar battle. The battle for hope is the battle for identity. It’s not a fight someone else can win on your behalf. You’re going to need to stand up and face the enemy. The battle for hope is a spiritual battle. It’s a battle you need to fight. I’ll let you in on the secret – we’re on the winning side.

Find out more at HopeInTransition.com

The Path of Peace is Not the Path of Least Resistance

revtrev — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 16:31:17 +0000

How many of you know it’s in the DNA of every man to be the one who comes to the rescue? We need to be the one who saves the day. Especially in the eyes of our wives and kids, we must be the hero.

So what happens when all we can do is watch the baggage? We do what we can and wait patiently for hope to be actualized.

Paul says us we have to be patient with hope:

For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. Romans 8:24-25 (New International Version)

I know it’s not easy. But don’t give up being patient.

Find out more at HopeInTransition.com

Changes Come and Seasons Go

revtrev — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 19:04:57 +0000

We suddenly got summer here in the fall.
I’m not complaining cause this could be all.
More than the leaves are soon to be changed.
There could be a lot more to be rearranged.

So this is a short newsletter for you.
To the 49 new ones “How do you do?”
Email me and I’ll answer back.
I’ll try to be nice and even use tact.

Questions of the Week

How Do You Know a Picture or Vision is from God?

Here’s another question I finally got around to at least partially answer this week. I’d appreciate your thoughts and input on it.

Read More >>>

Don’t forget to share your comments.

RevTrev Radio

Why the Why is Important – Part 4

If God doesn’t look on the outward appearance but instead looks on the heart, is there a way for us to live that pleases Him but isn’t about rules and regulations? Find out why the why matters.

Listen Now >>>

Remember to ask me your questions I didn’t cover.

Subscribe via iTunes

RevTrev TV

What People Need to Understand About Wounds
In this episode of RevTrev TV I interview Cheryl Shea of Shea Counselling about what people need to understand about wounds. Ask your questions in the comments.

Watch Now >>>

View all the episodes:

Posts From My Blogging Buddies

Sermon: Burning Bush by Yohan of the Virtual Preacher
Leaders: What Is Expected of You? by Sue MILEY of Christian Business Crossroads
Leaders Sometimes Make the Wrong Turn by Thomas McDaniels of The Favored Life
Don’t Give Up (you are loved) by Kevin Martineau of Shooting the Breeze

On Fulfillment

Fulfillment doesn’t automatically happen as a result of linking up with the “right” person, job, or even ministry. Fulfillment happens as a result of being in God’s will.
~ Marilyn Olson

New From Expectancy Press

How God Heals Our Hearts – ebook

Is your destination a life full of joy, peace and freedom? Do you feel frustrated in your journey? Consider this booklet spiritual GPS to help you move from where you are today to where you want to be. How God Heals Our Hearts will help you identity where you are on the journey to an abundant life and point you in the direction you need to go to get there. These time-tested biblical principles will help you walk and live in freedom. By Cheryl Shea

Find Out More>>>

One Last Thing…

Have a great weekend. Enjoy your friends and family. Don’t allow thankfulness to ever leave you.

~Trevor

The Path of Peace is Not the Most Reasonable Path

revtrev — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 16:28:21 +0000

Wouldn’t it make more sense for David to wait for his fighting force to recover? The Amalakites where a larger force and they were slowed down with all the plunder. Every man had a stake in the fight and every extra sword would undoubtably be appreciated.

But David had inquired of the Lord and asked what he was to do. He set off to do what he could with the resources he had.

The path of peace is moving the direction you know God has told you to go, using the resources you have available.

That may mean staying back patiently with the baggage, it may mean attacking with even worse odds.

The key here is to get momentum on your side. Hope works well with momentum and a little step can start that momentum. When I pray for someone with pain, I ask them to put a number to that pain. “If 1 is no pain and 10 is the worst you’ve ever felt, what would you say it is right now?”

Once they tell me a number, we can use that to see how they respond to ministry. I pray short prayers and give short commands. After each one I ask “What’s the pain doing? Is it better or worse? What number would you say?” As soon as they notice the pain go down – let’s say from a six to a five – it only takes a few minutes for them to say the pain is at zero!

Why is that? There’s a few things going on that aren’t the topic for this post, but momentum is a big part. Faith builds faith. You only need a mustard seed amount of faith to move a mountain.

Hope doesn’t say, “I can’t do anything.” Hope does what it can and sees greater things done in the future.

What that means is after you’ve heard from God, and refocused – take whatever step you can and don’t be upset if it can’t be bigger.

Step by step by step, impossible situations can change. Hope needs momentum, so get going in the right direction.

To have hope at the end of the rope you need to do what you can. What step can you take today in the direction you know the Father wants you to go?

Find out more at HopeInTransition.com

Hope Does what it Can

revtrev — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 17:26:21 +0000

David and the six hundred men with him came to the Besor Ravine, where some stayed behind, for two hundred men were too exhausted to cross the ravine. But David and four hundred men continued the pursuit. 1 Samuel 30:9-10

One third of David’s men were too tired to continue on. Does that mean they didn’t have hope? No. They did what they could.

Once you’ve cried, avoided bitterness, inquired of God, refocused on the promise, you need to do what God has told you to do.

You’ve got to do what you can.

The key to doing what you can is following the path of peace. We’ll examine what that is in the next post

You can jump ahead at HopeInTransition.com

Why Should I Declare God’s Promises?

revtrev — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 17:17:35 +0000

There is something about agreeing with God’s will with our words and actions. Some people will say, “It creates a convergence in the quantum field.” That may be true, but there may be another more Biblical explanation.

Consider the role of angels:

Therefore, angels are only servants—spirits sent to care for people who will inherit salvation. Hebrews 1:14 (New Living Translation)

These Spirit-beings are hear to help us. And the exciting thing is, they listen for the commands of the Lord:

Praise the Lord, you angels,
you mighty ones who carry out his plans,
listening for each of his commands.
Yes, praise the Lord, you armies of angels
who serve him and do his will! Psalm 103:20-21 (New Living Translation)

When our words agree with the thoughts God has for us, it releases the angels to carry out His plans. Good things happen when a good God’s plans get carried out.

On our end, declaring the promises of God refocuses us from our problem to His promise – and His promise makes us agree:

I am still confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the LORD
in the land of the living.
Wait for the LORD;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the LORD. Psalm 27:13-14 (New International Version)

To hope at the end of the rope, you need to refocus on His promises. So remember prophetic promises and declare the promises of Scripture.

Find out more at HopeInTransition.com

Declare the Promises of Scripture

revtrev — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 17:15:02 +0000

The second key to refocusing when you need to hope at the end of the rope is to declare the promises of Scripture.

Whatever God has promised gets stamped with the Yes of Jesus. In him, this is what we preach and pray, the great Amen, God’s Yes and our Yes together, gloriously evident. God affirms us, making us a sure thing in Christ, putting his Yes within us. By his Spirit he has stamped us with his eternal pledge—a sure beginning of what he is destined to complete. 2 Corinthians 1:20-22 (The Message)

Let the Spirit lead you to the promises from Scripture that speak to you on a particular topic. Then personalize them, write them out, and regularly declare them out loud.

For example:

Ask for increased favor with God and with man.

According to Psalms 5:12, 45:12; Proverbs 3:4, 8:35, 11:27, 14:15.

I declare in Jesus’ name that I am blessed with the favor of the Lord. His favor is a shield and protection around me. I grow in favor every day with God and man. I am favored in everything I put my hands to and everywhere I go. The blessing of the Lord’s favor opens doors for me that no one can shut. I am blessed beyond measure because of the undeserved, unmerited favor of the Lord.

I am constantly filled with goodness, because the favor of the Lord blesses me. I have favor everywhere I go because I seek good and because I love wisdom. I am favored at home, in my church, in the work place, marketplace and everywhere I connect with people. The rich among the people entreat my favor. Those in authority favor me. I am favored in all my dealings because of the blessing of Christ over my life

Study the Bible for promises to agree with. Don’t just choose the ones that you feel comfortable with. Don’t avoid the ones you don’t experience in your life right now. Those are the ones you should focus on. I’ll give you some reasons why in the next post.

Find out more at HopeInTransition.com

RevTrev.com» Hope

Why Does Hope In Christ Ministries Exist? – RevTrev Radio

Why Does Hope In Christ Ministries Exist? – RevTrev Radio

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Question:

Answer:

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Question:

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7 Things I’m Thankful For…

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Why Does Hope In Christ Ministries Exist? – RevTrev TV

Why Does Hope In Christ Ministries Exist? – RevTrev TV

Watch Now>>>

What People Need to Know About Planting the Seed – RevTrev Radio

What People Need to Know About Planting the Seed – RevTrev Radio

What Does In Jesus’ Name mean?

Our Job is to Enforce Christ’s Victory

7 Things That Changed at the Cross

1. Guilt was removed

2. The price of sin was paid.

3. Our sins were washed.

4. We were made friends again with God

5. We are no longer fallen.

6. Satan’s Rule Was Ended.

7. The curse of the law was canceled.

Our Battle is Not Against Flesh and Blood

The Lay of the Land for Our Battle of Hope

Hope Attacks

The Path of Peace is Not the Path of Least Resistance

Changes Come and Seasons Go

Top 7 Visited Posts This Week @ RevTrev.com

Questions of the Week

RevTrev Radio

RevTrev TV

Posts From My Blogging Buddies

On Fulfillment

New From Expectancy Press

One Last Thing…

The Path of Peace is Not the Most Reasonable Path

The path of peace is moving the direction you know God has told you to go, using the resources you have available.

Hope Does what it Can