joel a'bell

God designed this planet's environment just so we could live in it.

2012-01-02T07:58:00.001+11:00

God's Word for Your Walk!

2011-12-27T09:09:00.001+11:00

Ever taken a long drive?
I still remember the first time I drove from Sydney to the Gold Coast - it felt like I had left the country! It was so far and and so complicated. Freeways were only in sections and you still had to drive through lots of small towns. Big freeways may be boring but they are easy to follow. They have lots of clear signs. Small towns are exciting because the scenery is changing but they lack proper signage for your direction. Most people get lost on a long trip in the small towns. Not much has changed today. Life is full of big events and small daily decisions. Most of us get lost in the myriad of choices afforded to us every day. It's our walk that we need to watch!

Where have your feet taken you?
We are all on a journey to somewhere!

There is an interesting interaction between Jesus and Peter in John 13. Jesus is wanting to wash all the disciples feet but Peter refuses, with good intentions. "No," said Peter, "you shall never wash my feet." Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me." (John 13:8) Those who washed your feet were very humble, lowly servants. How could we treat Jesus this way? Jesus was pointing out that once we are bathed we are already clean, v10. We need only to wash our feet. This is so we make sure our feet take us to all the places Jesus wants us to go. Eph 5:25-26 says that Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word. God is still washing feet today by the word of Christ. God's word for your walk!

Posted via email from | joelabell |

Check out The Purpose Driven Life App.

2011-12-27T07:40:00.001+11:00

There only 5 days to go to set yourself up for an amazing start to 2012. I am starting a OneYear Bible Plan through YouVersion.com with others. Many of us are also doing Purpose Driven Life for the first 40 days. Below is the iTunes App which has the whole book. Brilliant.

Do something crazy and start 2012 with a pilgrimage toward worship.

Check out this application on the App Store:

The Purpose Driven Life

Zondervan

Category: Books

Updated: Dec 23, 2010

18 Ratings

iTunes for Mac and Windows

Please note that you have not been added to any email lists.
Copyright © 2011 Apple Inc. All rights reserved

Posted via email from | joelabell |

One Thing!

2011-12-26T08:36:00.001+11:00

How good it would be to to boil down all the long lists of things to do to just One Thing? Of all the priorities, which is it that is most important and deserves your entire focus to keep it the One Thing?

Jesus is spending time at the home of Mary and Martha and observes something very interesting. It seems to fly in the face of normal hospitality. Martha is busy serving and making preparations, whilst Mary is relaxing and sitting with their guest. Jesus says in Luke 10:42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her." There is a strong move to humanitarian causes, and rightly so - we seemed to have created an imbalance. But I fear another imbalance is emerging. As we focus on the mission we have, to serve humanity, we can easily miss the one who gave us the mission - Jesus!

In fact, the whole outcome of the mission is for humanity to worship Jesus. Our goal is not to do good works in themselves but to lead every person toward relationship with the One who gives life. Being aware of our humanity is secondary to being aware of Christ's divinity! We should always endeavor to minister to others from what we receive from Jesus.

Our society puts so much focus on all we must do but our sense & appreciation of God's divine fullness is more important to Him than the service we render Him.

You will never serve humanity well until you learn to draw from God's divinity well. I know there are many things to do but hopefully this finds you wondering if seeking Jesus has remained your One Thing!

Posted via email from | joelabell |

Burnt Toast

2011-12-14T07:09:00.001+11:00

See the full gallery on Posterous

Have you ever burnt the toast?
It produces a smoke that gets into everything and lingers for ages!
I grew up with the smell of burning toast, usually because us kids often burnt it, but mostly because my dad likes his toast well done. This has created many associations with my childhood. Even today, I am carried to the memories of fresh backed bread and burning toast because it is a pleasing aroma!

God made him who had no sin to be sin (offering) for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:21 NIV)

This speaks of 2 different offerings: the sin offering and the burnt offering. The sin offering was where you had to choose a perfect, unblemished animal, lay your hands on its head, and confess your sins over it and then slaughter it. Your sins were transferred to the animal and you were free to go - forgiven. The burnt offering was where you also had to choose a perfect, unblemished animal, lay your hands on its head, and you received the qualities (atonement) of the perfect, unblemished animal. Through one offering you are forgiven and through the other you are free to be - and Jesus performed both of these at the cross. We are to God, the pleasing aroma of Christ!

Today, and everyday, the sweet smelling aroma over your life should be just as obvious as the consuming smell of burnt toast.

Posted via email from | joelabell |

How it feels makes all the difference! #Acoustic

2011-12-04T12:52:00.001+11:00

Taken at Hillsong Church

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God is in love!

2011-10-29T06:53:00.001+11:00

Many parts of the Bible show the frustration of mankind trying to keep a law that they continuously stumble over and God trying to bless people through a legal system that won't permit Him to do so.

Satan continues to accuse everyone, using the perfection of the law, thus keeping people in guilt and condemnation.

God made a new covenant with humans by cutting it with His Son, His only Son.

Now, we have no part to play in this new covenant except to believe and receive.

God has both fulfilled the perfect law through His perfect Son and open a new and living way to bless us.

And why did He go to all this trouble?

Because God is in love!

See the full gallery on Posterous

Posted via email from | joelabell |

Sit Before You Walk!

2011-10-28T08:09:00.001+11:00

Have you been walking somewhere and not quite sure where you're going?

This has happened many times driving too, even if you do have a SatNav!

Just last week it was incredibly difficult to continue my journey because my SatNav couldn't figure out where I actually was.

As Christians, we are expected to know where we are going. Our lives are meant to follow the Father's footsteps. People all around us should be able to recognize who we belong to just by observing the way we walk.

What a heavy burden and expectation.

It's enough to make you trip over and stumble as you strive to walk this narrow path.

Eph 2:6 says, And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus.

We are seated in the heavenly realms.

The way you walk in this life depends on how you sit in heavenly realm with Jesus.

There are many things you have to do today and lots of people that are probably depending on you, so please, make sure you Sit Before You Walk!

Posted via email from | joelabell |

Go and sin no more!

2011-10-25T07:53:00.001+11:00

What is it that gives you the power to stop sinning? Or are you just stuck in the same mistakes with no real way out and no hope of freedom?

John 8 describes a woman who is caught up and caught out.
She was caught up in a lifestyle so bad that she was deserving out the death penalty. What made it worse was being caught out by people who knew the law better than she did.

There was another among them that day who knew the law and the interpretation if it because He gave it to us. Jesus was able to fulfill the requirements its the law and user it to bring freedom.

Sin gets its strength from the law, but the law is good and holy... so it is the affects of judgment and condemnation produced from the law, and this produces guilt.

The only way to experience freedom from guilt and condemnation is to have an encounter with grace!

Jesus gives you the gift of no condemnation so that you can go and sin no more!

Posted via email from | joelabell |

Salvation included healing!

2011-09-18T06:58:00.001+10:00

Have you ever wondered why Jesus was so brutally afflicted before He went to the cross?

I bet most of us still only think about or sins being forgiven, but that was later when He breathed His last and said, ' It is finished!'

Think about it, if Jesus had been beaten like He was but had never died, could your sins be forgiven?
Obviously, the answer is no because Romans declares that sin must be punishable by death.

So why was Jesus beaten so badly?
Isaiah 53:4 NIV
'Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted.'

The hebrew for pain and suffering in this verse is sickness and disease, which is why the gospels also refer to this verse (Matt 8) and say sickness and disease.

It truly was for our sickness and disease but Isaiah was saying we all think that it was God just punishing Jesus.

No, this was all for us.
Jesus bore our sickness and disease, and then He died and rose that our sins might be forgiven!

Salvation included healing!

Posted via email from | joelabell |

Because I AM right, I want to LIVE right!

2011-09-17T07:45:00.001+10:00

There is such a works mentality in our culture, and it sneaks into our churches too. We feel, in order to be right, that we have to live right. So what happens when you make a mistake? You have to start all over again!

How much doing right has to take place before you start to feel right?
And how long can you keep that up for?

God's grace doesn't work that way...
"Now that we are set right with God by means of this sacrificial death, the consummate blood sacrifice, there is no longer a question of being at odds with God in any way." (Romans 5:9 MSG)

God loved the whole world so much that He gave us Jesus. While we were still sinners, Christ died for us!

We are not made right because of what we do but because of what Jesus did. Living right has never been easier...

Because I AM right, I want to LIVE right!

Posted via email from | joelabell |

The Perfect Partnership!

2011-09-14T17:07:00.001+10:00

Can you remember when your word was your bond? When yes really meant yes? We have travelled a long way from the guarantee of a handshake!

A lack of trust in ordinary relationships has set us on coarse for a myriad of lawsuits and accusations to insure our security and survival.

Marriage is one of the greatest relationships and this also has been attacked at the very core of it's foundation. People seem to be more interested in protecting their item assets instead of sharing them!

What happened to what is mine is yours?

Where is the perfect partnership?
Does it exist?

Many partnerships breakdown at the cost benefit analysis. Will my cost be greater than my benefit? But intimacy only has it's potential in the arena of investment!

I am so glad God was not waiting on our investment before deciding on making His intimacy available to us.

Genesis 15:8-9, 12, 17 NIV
But Abram said, "Sovereign Lord, how can I know that I will gain possession of it?" So the Lord said to him, "Bring me a heifer, a goat and a ram, each three years old, along with a dove and a young pigeon." As the sun was setting, Abram fell into a deep sleep, and a thick and dreadful darkness came over him. When the sun had set and darkness had fallen, a smoking firepot with a blazing torch appeared and passed between the pieces."

Covenant is the strongest partnership there is. What is mine is yours and what is yours is mine, for life. The only way our of a covenant is by death!

This is why marriage is till death do we part.

Knowing that it is possible for us to fail, God put Abram to sleep and cut His covenant with Jesus, the flaming torch.

God cannot fail Himself and now keeps His promise to bless Abraham and all those who belong to the family of faith.

Our friendship and intimacy with God is not based on our performance but on the performance of Jesus, giving us The Perfect Partnership!

Posted via email from | joelabell |

Which Wash Cycle are you on?

2011-09-09T15:15:00.001+10:00

Have you ever put your clothes in the washing machine and forgotten they were there? A few days later there is an awful stench coming from one of the smallest rooms in your house!

Sin is very similar to this. It often lives in some of the smallest rooms of your life, and when you forget that your sins have been washed, there is an awful stench of self righteousness - a religious attempt to cover your smell with good works. Our washing machine has a few different cycles but it doesn't have a continuous wash cycle. If there a continuous wash cycle, you could just keep adding your dirty clothes without any concern. 1 John 1:7 (NIV) But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. This word purifies is sometimes translated cleanses in other translations. In the Greek it has the present continuous state. This means it is forever cleansing and purifying!

Every person who has received Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour is now walking in the light. You are now living in a continuous wash cycle and are forever cleansed by the blood of Jesus. Every time your guilt tries to make you grovel, you change the wash cycle. Every time you feel the need to make up for your mistakes, you change the wash cycle. There was nothing you could do that was going to cleanse you from your past sins and there is nothing you can do to make amends for any current sins - it's all about Jesus! His present, continuous blood cleanses us. Which Wash Cycle are you on?

Posted via email from | joelabell |

God is NOT absent minded!

2011-09-07T06:53:00.001+10:00

How do you go finding your keys?
I rarely lose mine, mainly because I always put them in the same place. Have you ever asked God where they are?
God would have no problem locating them because He never forgets and is perfect in knowledge. Don't you wish you could misplace your sin like you misplace your keys?
How is it we struggle to find the things we really need (keys) but can't lose sight of the things we don't want to see (our sins)?

There is a difference between forgetting and not remembering. God can't forget, He just chooses not to remember. Then he adds:
"Their sins and lawless acts
I will remember no more." (Hebrews 10:17 NIV)

God doesn't bring it up because it has been dealt with at the cross. He actively chooses not to remember our sin once we have been cleansed by the blood of Christ. Your sins are dealt with once you surrender your life to Jesus. You don't have to try and forget your mistakes and sins, you have to work on not remembering them!

God can't forget where you have placed your keys and He won't remember your sin, in Christ. God is NOT absent minded!

Posted via email from | joelabell |

Lost in Transaction?

2011-09-06T06:39:00.001+10:00

The events of our lives are the milestones in which we see change has taken place but life is mostly lived in the daily routine. It's the routine that often blurs any progress or forward motion. Groundhog day is another day just the same as the others!

Has there ever been a moment where you wondered if people even notice you? You're making a significant contribution, and for what? Do people even notice?

Well, people may miss much of the detail but nothing escapes your heavenly Father. He notices everything. In fact, He is always watching to make sure the plans He has for you are becoming a reality. Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. (Luke 12:6, 7 NIV)

Even during the sale of the birds, there is potential for them to be lost in transaction but nothing escapes God's care. In all the hustle and bustle of life, and all that is going on, don't ever feel insignificant or alone because there is at least one who cares for you and is watching over you to perform His word. Whenever you see a bird, stop and remember that you're not lost in transaction!

Posted via email from | joelabell |

Stop, Revive, Survive!

2011-08-04T23:09:00.001+10:00

These signs have been around for as long as I have been driving. Big road signs said "Take a rest, every 2 hours". After I got off my P's (Provisional License) and was driving long enough to see a revive centre, I was always up for a drink and biscuits. There were a few times I pulled in just to get a free drink :)

It's funny how the years roll on, we become more experienced at driving, and we see the reviver stations as a distraction to our destination! We say to ourselves, "I just spent the last 20min overtaking all this traffic. There's no way I'm pulling over now. I will be back to the end again!" - maybe that's just us guys???

Be careful that your experience doesn't stop you from learning!

I was just reading Matt 11:25-30 and it jumped off the page and smacked me in the face. V25, At that time Jesus said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. What could be simple that the learned can't even see it but it's obvious to kids?

Have you ever watched a kid play hard and get tired? Do they just keep going because they don't know how to stop?
No, they stop and rest. V28, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."

In a quest for competing with others and winning, could it be that we have grown old and forgotten who we are? Who ever got a prize for working so hard that they ran themselves into the ground and lost their job? Which family got the award for never stopping and enjoying the journey with their kids?

You may not have an hour to process all this so please stop for 5 minutes and ask:
Q: Am I at peace with God? Is there more to life?

Stop, Revive, Survive!

Posted via email from | joelabell |

Could it be possible that we are still relying on old forms of doing things?

2011-07-25T19:04:00.001+10:00

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London displaying the glory of God!

2011-07-25T18:59:00.001+10:00

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Ok, Sandon Point is pumping!

2011-07-12T11:15:00.001+10:00

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A great perspective from the TV control room shows 4 campuses happening at once!

2011-07-11T20:09:00.003+10:00

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A great perspective from the TV control room shows 4 campuses happening at once!

2011-07-11T20:09:00.001+10:00

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Some nice beans to try from @taylorbarriger - no brew like home brew!

2011-07-11T09:50:00.003+10:00

Posted via email from | joelabell |

Some nice beans to try from @taylorbarriger - no brew like home brew!

2011-07-11T09:50:00.001+10:00

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The perfect cup for the perfect girl...

2011-06-20T21:31:00.001+10:00

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Not Now is not No!

2011-06-10T07:40:00.001+10:00

There are two great things in this life... God speaking to people and then God making it happen. The problem is when God speaks, we want it to happen right now!

Job 42:2 says:
“I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted."

Our confidence should be in what God can and wants to do, not when we think He must do it. Life is so complex and should be lived inside God's purposes. Our steps should be ordered by the Lord. Go is able to do all that He wants to do. Just because it doesn't happen when we would like, doesn't mean God is saying no. It just has to happen before we die. Not Now is not No!

Posted via email from | joelabell |

So That When You Own That.

2011-05-25T08:02:00.001+10:00

2 Cor 9:10-11
Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

In all my years of church life and ministry, nothing seems to test or reflect the heart more than money. The more we see money as seed, the more we will perhaps use it the right way?
Jesus often drew a parallel with farming and portrayed money as seed. - everything you have comes from God. - everything you have can be used for different types of returns. God wants you to be rich in every way "SO THAT" you can be generous on every occasion. The heart test is: Why do you want to be rich?

Most of us are already rich because we have more than we need. Even those on the unemployment benefit often have more than they need. (I know I did) And they definitely have more than the developing world require to survive!

If you want to excel in generosity, you must learn to decrease your debt. You can't give what you don't own. Julia and I have spent the last several years paying off car leases, small loans and credit cards. If you currently use multiple credit cards, have a plan to get down to one. Head towards a debit card and spend within your means. God wants to make you rich in every way "SO THAT" you can be generous on every occasion. Remember - You cannot "sow that" if you do not "own that"!

Posted via email from | joelabell |

Fearful Worship!

2011-05-21T08:58:00.001+10:00

Fear does crazy things to us all. Mostly, fear paralyzes us and renders us helpless from functioning properly. Have you ever been that scared that you can't move?
I used to be terribly scared of heights, and one time I was stuck on a ledge that I had to cross. I was too scared to keep going but there was no way I was going back the way I had just come. I was paralyzed! It took me more 30min to talk myself through it. Imagine being that scared as a Christian!
There are many around the world that are in hostile situations because of their faith, and others who would be in a hostile situation if anyone was ever to find out. What would you do?
Maybe we would never know until the situation arose?
Perhaps we should contemplate it in case it ever does?

Ezra 3:3
Despite their fear of the peoples around them, they built the altar on its foundation and sacrificed burnt offerings on it to the lord, both the morning and evening sacrifices.

God has kept the light burning through our ancestors. There has always been a remnant that would pass on the way of the Lord to others, regardless of the persecution or the fear. These are the ones that didn't change just because they were afraid. They continue to worship God in fear and trembling!

They built the altar on it's foundation...
- what is your heart built on?
- what are your foundational beliefs?

When you love God passionately and fully devote yourself to Him, it is possible to worship God in any and every circumstance...
Fearful Worship!

Posted via email from | joelabell |

Motivational Prayer!

2011-05-17T07:26:00.001+10:00

Elijah is faced with a monumental task of silencing the idol worshipers of Baal and declaring the praises of the Living God. The contest is set for the real God to answer by fire from Heaven!

Most of us probably pray this prayer for revenge, or at least to prove that God is on our side. But Elijah has seen the heart of God and His heart is for all people. 1 Kings 18:37
"Answer me, lord, answer me, so these people will know that you, lord, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again."

What's your motivation when you pray?
Especially during the times where there has been some injustice...
In the middle of every challenge, God is still trying to reach the hearts of all. Your reason for praying is your Motivational Prayer!

Posted via email from | joelabell |

When To Praise?

2011-05-12T09:35:00.000+10:00

There is a lot about our society that creates circumstantial Christianity. Our beliefs and values get influenced and adjusted depending on how we experience the situations around us. This should not be!

If God is good only when good things happen to me, then what is created has just been made superior to the Creator! God is Lord regardless of how the situation pans out... We must worship Him for who He is way before what He does. 2 Sam 22:4
"I called to the lord, who is worthy of praise, and have been saved from my enemies."

Here, Samuel is saying the Lord is worthy of praise regardless of the outcome. Praise was not dependent on the outcome, which is why the praising is attached to the Name and not to the circumstance. If we only wait for circumstances to go our way before praising our God, we will be in danger of living by sight and not by faith. Don't attach praise to the situation. Attaching praise to the Lord will ensure you know When To Praise.

Posted via email from | joelabell |

What's your name?

2011-05-03T22:40:00.001+10:00

I never thought about the significance of my name until I started reading the Bible at 15. Seeing the meanings of people's names in Scripture was amazing. In fact, I never met another person called Joel until I was nearly 20. Have you ever had those moments where somebody mentions a name of someone you know but it makes the conversation turn negative?
I used to wonder what people thought when they heard my name being mentioned. What would be the result of me being in someone's presence?

Look at Exodus 34:6
And he (God) passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, "The lord, the lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness..."

God's name was proclaimed and a life altering experience was the result!
God only walked past Moses and His name meant do much. Compassion, grace, patience, love and faithfulness is God's name. Whats your name?

Posted via email from | joelabell |

Presents or Presence?

2011-05-01T07:59:00.001+10:00

We have started a little tradition in our family, that whenever Julia or I go away, we come home bearing gifts for the kids - and they love it. When they were younger, the moment seemed to be more about the gift than it was about us. More about our presents instead of our presence. I have seen this sneak in as a parallel with God. We can be more enthusiastic about His gifts and abilities in our lives than His friendship. Think about it, we are in the Presence of the Creator and we are more wrapped up in His presents!

Exodus 34:5-7
And the Lord came down in the cloud and stood there with him and proclaimed his name, the Lord. 6 And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, "The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, 7 maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin..."

There is so much to about the Lord by just being with Him. God revealed Himself to Moses just by walking past him, imagine if He had have stayed a while! We do life with people every day, and walk past multitudes. Stop and think for a moment about all the little interactions you will have today. You can be the difference for people today. Not just what you give, but who you are. Presents or Presence?

Posted via email from | joelabell |

imageNATION!

2011-04-29T07:59:00.001+10:00

God has gifted every human with a powerful gift of imagination. We are to worship the Lord with all our heart, soul, MIND and strength. Who do you look to in your minds eye?

Imagination - imageNATION - imageHOME - imageSELF
How do you see yourself?

Exodus 20:4
"You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below."

God is creator of all and over all nations. There should be no other image, from any nation, that anyone should look to or submit to - none other than the hope of all nations: Jesus. There are many around the world that create their own image, and worship it. In the western world, we are trying to create a self image, and worship that. Everything about us should be reflecting the love and grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. We must be mindful of our actions and the way we live toward others. Everything about churches must reflect the nature of God and reveal His love for others. Let's make sure we are working hard at reflecting God's image so that when anybody turns to look at us they won't see us getting carried away with our own imageNATION!

Posted via email from | joelabell |

A Huge Difference!

2011-04-28T07:35:00.001+10:00

When God delivered Israel out of Egypt, it was with great signs and wonders.
Many of these were signs of distinction. Egypt suffered illnesses and plagues but God's people lived completely free of them. It was a distinction between those who trusted the Lord and those who didn't!

The first several years as a Christian I lived in a way that was always needing help. My posture was one of continually running to the cross, it was years later that I started to live life from the cross -knowing that Jesus had already won the victory for me. Gen 15:26
He said, "If you listen carefully to the lord your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the lord, who heals you."

Here, the Lord reveals another characteristic of His person, declaring, I Am the Lord, who heals you. This was before they got sick, not after needing healing. The Israelites were learning to live in and by the Names of God. Yes, He heals us when we are sick, but greater is that He leads us in health.
Yes, He brings balance to our chaos, but greater is that He leads us in wholeness. It's the difference between living from the bottom up, always needing a helping hand; and living top down from a place of strength and victory.

It's a shift in the way we think but it's A Huge Difference!

Posted via email from | joelabell |

The Secret Weapon Of Love!

2011-04-27T07:53:00.001+10:00

Gen 4:23
Lamech said to his wives, "Adah and Zillah, listen to me; wives of Lamech, hear my words. I have killed a man for wounding me, a young man for injuring me.

This is a crazy story. Cain has already murdered Abel and been banished from the presence of the Lord. Now his offspring is about to multiply evil and expand the mindset of payback. Lamech has killed a young man for injuring him and wants even greater protection that Cain received for killing his brother! V23. Gen 4:24 says:
"If Cain is avenged seven times, then Lamech seventy-seven times."
It's this anger and rage that causes so much wrong in our world. We must learn to control it and refrain from allowing it to manifest in our daily happenings. When Jesus arrived on the scene, His first sermon on the mount was addressing the original intention of the law. He said "you've heard that it was said... but I say to you...".
We sure made a real mess of things!

Is it any wonder that Jesus spent all His time revealing the character and nature of God the Father, explaining that God is Love. A new and living way to walk in. A measure against every action and intension. Jesus was approached with a question, which at first glance seems isolated, however, greater reflection again ties old and new testaments together. He was asked: "How many times should I forgive my brother who sins against me? Seven times?". Jesus quickly answers - "No, not seven times but seventy -seven times!". Jesus was again establishing for all time that forgiveness puts an end to evil. The Israelites thought Jesus was going to overthrow the natural government and bring peace. But the peace and goodwill that came to all was through His one act of sacrifice to offer forgiveness to all mankind. Forgiveness is The Secret Weapon Of Love!

Posted via email from | joelabell |

Fruitful Increase!

2011-04-26T15:12:00.001+10:00

Have ever had one of those days where you just didn't want to do anything?
Perhaps a day where you too exhausted to get going again?

I have found there are 2 general reasons why we get exhausted:
1. We are doing more that God has required?
- Whenever we do more that what God has asked us to do we usually prioritize our own tasks and lose sight of what God is actually wanting us to do. The balance is in knowing exactly what God requires of us during our days on Earth. Get this done before crowding your plate with things that are potentially not as important. 2. We are not resting from what God has required?
- God created everything in six days and rested on the seventh day! To work and work and never stop is not only unwise but a little arrogant. I have always been fascinated with how God could stop but we could not...

God's desire for all of us is Fruitful Increase!

Gen 1:28
God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground."

We have been created to reproduce. It's in our DNA. We are meant to increase. Everything about you is screaming grow, increase, create, multiply, expand & spread out. Don't settle down, sit back or waste away. Understand you have been created on purpose, with a purpose, in order to fulfill that purpose. How to have Fruitful Increase?
1. You are meant to be here. Your parents may have decided on making out but God decided on making you! You were created by God and He has a plan for you. 2. You are meant to produce. You may not be good at everything but everyone is good at something. Comparing yourself with others will always leave you with doubts but comparing against what you were created to do should leave you with destiny. 3. You are meant to keep going. One of the biggest hinderances to fruitful increase is allowing mistakes to slow you down or even stop you. A set back is not a reason to step back. Instead, look for God's hand to help you step up and step out. You can still get there the long way as long as you just keep going...

There are some very talented, very gifted individuals in this life but all of us need to realize that life is lived daily in between the big moments. God's plans need not escape you, nor His ways be too difficult to find. After all, it was always God's plan for you to have Fruitful Increase!

Posted via email from | joelabell |

First Things First

2011-04-26T09:48:00.001+10:00

Gen 1:1
In the beginning, God created the Heaven's and the earth. Who you put first determines what comes next!
To put first is to prefer, to defer. If I prefer myself and defer to my own counsel, I am missing out on a greater perspective of life. I can't see life from every angle. This is why I need you. It is dangerous to put myself first when I was clearly, just next in line. Mum and dad were here before me, but my grandparents were here before them... You can see where this is going... First Things First. Who do you give your ultimate preference to?
This is why its absurd to have ultimate preference to any human in the line of humanity. Buddah, Mohammed, Ghandi, Confucius... were all just great people in one line. Go all the way back to the first man, Adam, in the beginning, and you see how it all started, with God. In a moment of weakness, Adam gave his ultimate preference to Satan, and changed our world for every next person!

To live this life well, to live it whole, we must give our ultimate preference to the one God deferred it to, His Son, Jesus. I would not make another step until you make First Things First!

Here is how —> http://joelabell.hillsong.com/video/life-search-over

Posted via email from | joelabell |

The Heart&Soul of @HillsongBNE turned out for Heart&Soul night.

2011-04-06T21:43:00.001+10:00

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A crazy pizza moment!

2011-04-01T19:58:00.002+11:00

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Junkyard Christianity!

2011-03-27T20:29:00.001+11:00

Growing up in Australia you would be familiar with 'council clean ups'. This is where you are given the opportunity, a few times a year, to clear out all the junk from your house. Many people, though, find it very difficult to let go of the junk they have accumulated!

I guess there are a few reasons we horde things in life?
Maybe we think there will be the possibility that we will need that item again?
Maybe there is just too much sentimental emotion attached to it?
Whatever the case, our lives become cluttered with the junk that should be put out on the street, ready for rubbish pick up. Did you know that there are people that go from street to street looking for other people's discarded trash? I saw it again with my own eyes just last month. We had piles of rubbish in several locations all the way down our street, and this one guy went from pile to pile, holding onto items until he could carry no more. I was just in the middle of my daily reading this morning, when I was arrested with this Scripture: John 20:23
“If you forgive someone’s sins, they’re gone for good. If you don’t forgive sins, what are you going to do with them?”

There are obviously many people that have sinned against us. Many who have lived in a way that has hurt us or offended us. All sin is junk. The Bible says that even our greatest attempts of righteousness are as filthy rags!

When we forgive this who have sinned against us, we clean house. Why on earth should we go from junk pile to junk pile, down our neighbours pathway, collecting and holding onto the junk they discard into our lives?
What on earth are we really planning to do with the sins of the people around us?

If we forgive others, we have our own community clean up. If you don't forgive sins, you're headed for a life of Junkyard Christianity!

Posted via email from | joelabell |

God Is Real No Matter How I Feel!

2011-03-27T03:48:00.001+11:00

I'm sitting in the lobby of a hotel in New York City, contemplating what God wants to do...

I am speaking all day tomorrow in our Hillsong New York church, so His thoughts are important to me. But the bigger question that intrigues me is, what DOES God want to do? His thoughts for this City, these people, the Church here???

My heart is throbbing for the souls of humanity! There have been so many times, even recently, where God seems to be distant, and I am forced to rely on the foundational principles of discipleship - God Is Real No Matter How You Feel. But today I am very aware if His presence. It's like He is sitting in the empty seat next to me and poring out His concerns for others...

As I sit here, in a dark lit room, packed with people in groups of 2 and 3, and a classical rock style music in the background, I am captivated by the outward exterior of self sufficiency and the obvious loneliness of the soul. I can't help but wonder how many have questioned spiritual matters and come up empty because God doesn't seem to write their answers in the sky. Those who are close know that God gave the answers to Jesus, who gave them to His church. Maybe our responsive actions have been disabled because we ourselves are questioning God's apparent silence? But He is only silent if we are silent. God Is Real No Matter How You Feel!

Posted via email from | joelabell |

Opening Night - Colour Conference 2

2011-03-24T20:25:00.001+11:00

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Another great gathering of pastors. This time in Melbourne - talking about Hillsong OneDay!

2011-03-24T09:59:00.001+11:00

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Amazing brunch with Adelaide pastors about the Hillsong OneDay conference coming up May!

2011-03-23T10:59:00.001+11:00

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Perth pastors gather together to talk about Hillsong OneDay in May.

2011-03-22T13:08:00.001+11:00

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How to make God smile?

2011-03-22T09:55:00.001+11:00

The smile of God is the goal of your life!
The Bible says, 'figure out what will please Christ, and then do it.'

I am currently doing The Purpose Driven Life and I found Day 9 remarkable:

God smiles when we love Him the most. There are many things to get you excited in this life but none should be more exciting than friendship with Jesus. Out of everything you love in this life, Jesus must be supreme!
God deeply loves you and desires your love in return. This is why the greatest commandment is: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul and with all your mind and strength. God smiles when we trust Him. To trust God is to take Him at His word. This means we must learn to listen to Him and trust that He does speak to us. Putting into action what you think God may be saying is a great risk, but it's what develops a trust between you and God. God smiles when we obey Him. Communication develops a relationship and relationships are built on trust. Obedience is the ultimate test of trust. If we believe God has our best interest at heart, why do we struggle to obey His leading?
God's word gives us plenty of things to obey whilst we wait for His whisper in our lives!

God smiles when we worship Him. We would all admit that it feels great when somebody appreciates us. Why should it be any different with your friendship with God!
Learn to appreciate Him. Vocally express your gratitude to God, and thank Him for things. Many of us only worship God in song but this would be more intimate if we learned to adore and appreciate God before we even get to a setting with a band for praise and worship!

God smiles when we live a full life. Some think God is only untreated in the 'spiritual' parts of their life... God is interested in every part of our lives! This is the main reason we should include God in EVERYTHING we do. It's not right to raise your hands in a worship service and be cheating on your spouse, or cheating the tax man, or treating others less than they deserve. God enjoys watching us live full lives toward others, His creation and even the way we use our gifts and talents!

In a world filled with self absorption, we should first ask, How to make God smile?

Posted via email from | joelabell |

I think these are going to get a lot of use!

2011-03-21T23:42:00.001+11:00

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WAIT

2011-03-12T20:58:00.001+11:00

"WAIT"

Desperately, helplessly, longingly, I cried:

Quietly, patiently, lovingly God replied;

I pled and I wept for a clue to my fate,

And the Master so gently said, "child, you must wait".

"Wait? You say, wait!" my indignant reply.

"Lord, I need answers, I need to know why!

Is your hand shortened? Or have you not heard?

By faith, I have asked, and am claiming your word.

My future and all to which I relate

hangs in the balance, & you tell me to WAIT?

I'm needing a 'yes', a go-ahead sign,

Or even a 'no' to which I can resign.

And Lord, you promised that if we believe

we need but to ask, and we shall receive.

So Lord, I've been asking, and this is my cry:

I'm weary of asking! I need a reply!

Then quietly, softly, I learned of my fate

As my Master replied once again, "you must wait".

So, I slumped in my chair, defeated and taut

and grumbled to God, "so, I'm waiting for what?"

He seemed, then, to kneel, and His eyes wept with mine,

And He tenderly said, "I could give you a sign.

I could shake the Heavens, and darken the sun.

I could raise the dead, and cause mountains to run.

All you seek I could give, and pleased you would be.

You would have what you want - but you would not know me!

You'd not know the depth of my love for each saint;

You'd not know the power that I give to the faint;

You'd not learn to see through the clouds of despair;

You'd not learn to trust just by knowing I'm there;

You'd not know the joy of resting in me

When darkness and silence were all you could see.

You'd never experience that fullness of love

As the peace of my Spirit descends like a dove;

You'd know that I give and I save (for a start),

But you'd not know the depth of the beat of my heart.

The glow of my comfort late into the night,

The faith that I give when you walk without sight,

The depth that's beyond getting just what you asked

Of an infinite God, who makes what you have LAST.

You'd never know, should pain quickly flee,

What it means that "My grace is sufficient for thee."

Yes, your dreams for your loved one overnight would come true,

But, oh, the loss, if I lost what I'm doing in you!

So, be silent my child, and in time you will see

That the greatest of gifts is to get to know Me.

And though often may My answers seem terribly late,

My most precious answer of all is still, "WAIT"

author: unknown.

Posted via email from | joelabell |

Embrace, Heal & Reveal

2011-03-08T06:59:00.001+11:00

Luke 10:8-9
Jesus sent 70 people out in pairs to prepare for Him to follow. Their tasks were pretty clear. First they had to find a people that would receive them and then settle in to that community. 1. Embrace. Jesus told them to eat whatever was put before them. Don't keep going from house to house, looking for the best cook. Just settle into the first place that receives you and embrace them!
We often miss what God is wanting to do if we are still looking for a better group of people to be with. Church foyers exemplify this: if you feel "stuck" with one person but keep scanning for a different person, you are not embracing the moment God has you in right now. Embrace the situation!

2. Heal. Heal any person who is living less than designed. There will be many different people with many different needs and we are to reach out to them and help them. People often have different needs to the ones they declare. Many of the things that are obvious are symptomatic of a deeper issue presenting. Be kind and tender toward what is obvious, whilst curious and aware toward what is lacking!

3. Reveal. God's kingdom is at hand. He is here and amongst us. Be sensitive to the people you're with, knowing that God is wanting to know them. Be proactive in revealing God's presence and His kingdom!
The more we live in God's presence and His kingdom all around us, the more others will become aware that something divine is with them. Where ever you are today, whatever you're doing —> Embrace, Heal & Reveal.

Posted via email from | joelabell |

Wonderfully Upset!

2011-03-04T09:27:00.001+11:00

Have you ever been in awe of something?
- perhaps a situation that overwhelmed you. Something that took you by surprise and seemed to be impossible to change, but it did and you now realize you're in the midst of something miraculous!

Have you ever been upset by something?
- perhaps a situation that revealed great loss. Something that affected you personally. Maybe something you own was borrowed but damaged and you suffered personal loss!

But can you think of a situation that involved both experiences at once?
Is it possible, or should it be possible, to be in complete awe of something that happens to you but leaves feeling quite upset?

There is a very strange situation here in Mark 5, where a demon possessed man roams the grave yard and nobody is able to help him or contain him. He is a danger to himself and the community!
Jesus does what nobody has be able to do - sets him free. But this is met with a wonder that quickly turns to asking Jesus to leave and never come back!

Mark 5v17 - "At first they were in awe—and then they were upset, upset over the drowned pigs. They demanded that Jesus leave and not come back."

They were Wonderfully Upset!
This can only be attributed to the personal loss of income or trade of the pigs. In fact, whenever we hold onto possessions we are in danger of fluctuating emotions because everything in this life is temporary. Anytime an eternal human hangs onto temporary possessions there will be more opportunity for loss instead of gain. We must continue to grow in our understanding of God's purpose in this life. The more we realize the temporary nature of this life, the eternal ramifications of our choices, and the certainty of the next life, we will be able to surrender all our possessions for His cause and not be in danger of becoming Wonderfully Upset!

Posted via email from | joelabell |

God is not annoyed when we annoy Him!

2011-02-20T07:25:00.001+11:00

Many of us grow up with a distinct memory of our parents demanding that we stop annoying them, stop pestering them and stop going on and on...
I have caught myself declaring to my children, "If you ask me one more time, you won't be getting it at all!". - I cringe whenever that comes out of my mouth because deep down I wonder what God is thinking about the whole situation. Well before my kids were mine, they were His!

Jesus tells a story about a widow lacking justice in her circumstances and illustrated how persistent she was in her faith:
Luke 18:8
I assure you, he will. He will not drag his feet. But how much of that kind of persistent faith will the Son of Man find on the earth when he returns?”
Those words 'persistent faith' are ringing in my ears. Am I persistent?
Do I keep asking God for His help in every situation?
Have I somehow just traded persistent faith for contentment?
What will it take for spiritual fire to arrest my dedication in enduring prayer?

One of the challenges of parenting is to help our children grow up out of childish behaviour whilst protecting their child like qualities. Perhaps, in our growing up, we have forgotten that God is not annoyed when we annoy Him!

Posted via email from | joelabell |

Bigger is Better!

2011-02-17T07:40:00.001+11:00

There is nothing small about the world we live in, the planet we occupy or the people we do life with. We have big challenges in our societies and the biggest of them all is how to ensure that all people come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. We only have this life to help people enter Heaven in the next life!

Jesus tells a story about the host inviting people to his party. Desperate to have his house full, the instruction is to drag in whoever you can find!

Luke 14:23 “The master said, ‘Then go to the country roads. Whoever you find, drag them in. I want my house full!

Any Christian content with a smaller gathering of people than what their town can offer must be challenged by the passion of Christ to see His kingdom full. - it is not the size of one church compared to another but the size of one church compared to it's town. - we are the light of the world. The reason we are positioned and placed in local churches is to worship God and see His kingdom come into the hearts of every last soul in that town. Too often, Christian leaders resign themselves to the current number of people they shepherd because title and position has become more important than the destination of people. - perhaps we all start with the pure motive of calling to see His kingdom established, but I have a growing concern that the ministry of Christ is becoming a career to obtain for some. - If title and position becomes more important it will be increasingly difficult to detach from needing to be at the top. - for the sake of God's kingdom we must all be willing to step aside, or at least bring others alongside, to forcefully advance the kingdom of Heaven. All of us must allow others to help us break through growth barriers until the last soul is reached. When it comes to populating Heaven, Bigger is Better!

Posted via email from | joelabell |

Short Cuts & Dead Ends!

2011-02-07T10:30:00.001+11:00

Have you ever taken a short cut to save time only to realize it's a dead end?
Now you have taken longer than just staying the course!
What waste of time. Luke 4:5-8
The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And he said to him, "I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. If you worship me, it will all be yours." Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.'"

Jesus was tempted by Satan here in Luke 4 about taking a short cut. Satan said he had the authority of all the kingdoms and he could give it to Jesus in an instant. But this was a dead end and Jesus knew it. The only way to receive the authority needed to live this life is in the duration and times set forth in the daily routine. Jesus was not about to circumnavigate the process of time that He set up for us all in the first place. Jesus waited for His time and didn't rush it. Ps 31:15 says that our times are in God's hand. Our moments, our seasons, our durations are all in the strength of God's capability to hold all things together!

Jesus was not even willing to take a short cut from pain and suffering. Instead He endured the cross and encourages us to pick up ours and keep walking. Jesus was raised and given the name above every name. Having received all authority, He says, "Go into all the world..."

We need authority to live is life well so be careful of Short Cuts & Dead Ends!

Posted via email from | joelabell |

A Daily Routine...

2011-02-04T07:51:00.001+11:00

Life is full of daily routines. It is possible to choose ones that bring blessing to others. Here is one that my wife loves.... everyday!

See and download the full gallery on posterous

Posted via email from | joelabell |

An Obvious Rejection!

2011-02-03T09:40:00.001+11:00

Matt 2:4 When he (Herod) had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 "In Bethlehem in Judea," they replied, "for this is what the prophet has written...

It is so obvious that the religious leaders knew where the Messiah was to be born. They knew about the prophetic writings and even lived in expectation of His arrival. What is crazy is the rejection of the Messiah!
How could this be?

Scripture spoke of His character (a bruised reed He will not break) and of His mission (I am about My Father's business) but not of His style (drove out of the temple those selling merchandise), which may explain their apprehension. The lesson for us is that style should never blur our perception of truth!
There are many different ways to achieve the same result. Our personalities are all so different and cause us to approach things from different perspectives. We see this played out at work, at home, and even in church life!
How easy it is to criticize a boss or work colleague just because their approach is a little unorthodox. Or at home or somebody else's family because of the way they discipline their kids. Even in church life we are just too quick to criticize leadership for different styles. Let me encourage you to see through a person's style to the reality of what is actually being achieved. As long as their is Christian manner, conduct and character, the outcome is what we should all be focussing on. Otherwise, we also may be in danger of an obvious rejection!

Posted via email from | joelabell |

Graciously Right!

2011-02-01T22:03:00.001+11:00

There are some people in this life that are more concerned with being right than doing right. It is actually possible to do the right thing and yet hurt people with your disregard of them.

Dogmatic people are more concerned with how they will be seen than the fulfillment of the law. To love is to fulfill the law!

Matt 1:19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

What I love here about Joseph is his love for the law mixed with his love for others.

Joseph was going to both fulfill the law by not marrying Mary who was already pregnant yet also fulfill the law by lovingly doing it privately so as to not disgrace her.

In the midst of all you do and the interactions you have with others, it is possible to be Graciously Right!

Posted via email from | joelabell |

The spirit of immigration

2011-01-14T08:59:00.001+11:00

Immigration is not just a big issue for many countries but also for individuals and the groups we belong to. We see it, perhaps in it's most simplistic form, in the school playground - who will be allowed into which group?

And this plays out into adulthood through sporting teams and office politics.

I even observe this as the tourist is demanded to leave the surf of the beach I frequent!

I am shocked that the early church had such issues with letting the Gentiles into the faith. No wonder Jesus had to confront them personally about this issue! God's heart for all people is clearly seen throughout all Scripture but I guess we are blinded by our own prejudices.

Solomon understood it.

The whole earth belongs to God. He is the Lord of all.

Solomon's prayer shows his perspective -

1Kings8:41 "As for the foreigner who does not belong to your people Israel but has come from a distant land because of your name—

42 for they will hear of your great name and your mighty hand and your outstretched arm—when they come and pray toward this temple,43 then hear from heaven, your dwelling place. Do whatever the foreigner asks of you, so that all the peoples of the earth may know your name and fear you, as do your own people Israel, and may know that this house I have built bears your Name.

The spirit of immigration is to understand that all people are to come into a saving knowledge of God's loving grace through Jesus Christ. It's not just the transport from one nation to another but one kingdom to another, from one life to another!

We who are kingdom minded must have the spirit of immigration.

Posted via email from | joelabell |

The Bronze Snake

2011-01-13T08:55:00.001+11:00

Numbers 21:8 The Lord said to Moses, "Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live." 9 So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, they lived.

Every person in Israel that was bitten by a snake was poisoned by it's venom.

The snakes were brought on by their contemptuous attitude toward the Lord and His anointed. They grumbled against the Lord and were critical of His leading.

Not much has changed. People are still critical of His leading and of His anointed ones. The venom of this world has it's way and you become full of the poison of death.

Thankfully, there is a cure.

Here in Numbers we see a prophetic message of what would eventually take place.

Moses had to make a bronze snake and put it on a pole so that all who looked at it would live. Moses was proclaiming the death of Jesus.

Jesus became the bronze snake, so that all who look upon Him will live.

Jesus proclaimed of Himself: When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all people to Myself.

Jesus went to the cross willingly because He knew He was the bronze snake.

And the health symbol that is still used all over the world today is a pole with a snake on it.

Posted via email from | joelabell |

Hunger Pains

2011-01-12T08:54:00.001+11:00

Be careful what your appetite is attached to because, when you get hungry, you will be starving for what feeds you!

Exodus 16:2 In the desert the whole community grumbled against Moses and Aaron. 3 The Israelites said to them, "If only we had died by theLord's hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death."

The Israelites had their hunger attached to Egypt.

Egypt is the place they complained about their harsh treatment as slaves.

Slave pain was no match for hunger pain.

The Israelites would rather be back in slavery than free and hungry!

Wind the clock forward and Jesus is out in the desert for a similar amount of time and the Devil tries to use His appetite against Him.

Jesus reveals His appetite in His answer — "man does not live on bread alone but on every word that proceeds from the mouth of God."

Its important to know what you have appetite for because you are probably headed in the direction of your Hunger Pains!

Posted via email from | joelabell |

Stay in The House

2011-01-11T13:06:00.001+11:00

Exodus 12

21 Moses assembled all the elders of Israel. He said, “Select a lamb for your families and slaughter the Passover lamb. 22 Take a bunch of hyssop and dip it in the bowl of blood and smear it on the lintel and on the two doorposts. No one is to leave the house until morning. 23 God will pass through to strike Egypt down. When he sees the blood on the lintel and the two door posts, God will pass over the doorway; he won’t let the destroyer enter your house to strike you down with ruin. 24 “Keep this word. It’s the law for you and your children, forever.

The Passover was to be consumed inside the house, with the blood over the lintel and both door posts. This was the only way to escape the coming destruction.
Egypt was going to be judged for all it's false gods.
The Passover was God's plan to save Israel but what is very interesting is the inclusion of any immigrant or slave. They only had to be circumcised, to show that they are not like the other nations but are now part of the family of promise.
Bring this all into the New Testament and we have:
1. The Lamb
Jesus has now become the perfect sacrifice for sins, dying once for all mankind.
2. The House
The body of Christ is the Church that Jesus is building and His house is where His followers gather regularly to worship Him and love one another.
3. The circumcision
This is now an inward change of the heart by God's spirit. A cutting away of the spirit of the world.
There is a subtle move amongst some Christians today who are a little too self reliant, growing tired of church leadership and blurring the lines of Bible fellowship with contemporary get togethers, to do it differently.
Can I encourage you — no matter how hard it gets, who it is that offends you, what it is that should be done better... STAY IN THE HOUSE!

Posted via email from | joelabell |

Experimenting!

2011-01-06T10:36:00.001+11:00

We all have a yearning for learning.
There is something on the inside of all of us that just needs to know, but it's how we find out what we know that is most important!
Gen 3:4 "You will not certainly die," the serpent said to the woman.
5"For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil."
There doesn't seem to be a problem with being inquisitive, unless, of coarse, it springs from a mind of doubt. Being inquisitive helps you learn. Only, where does it lead you? Why not go back to the person in authority and ask them to explain again why you should not touch, taste, experiment etc?
It is possible to learn many things without experimenting ourselves.
An example for me would be drugs.
I have never used drugs and don't need to use them for me to know the damage they cause.
I don't need to experiment to understand this truth.
6 When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. 7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.
The beginning would have been a very different story if Eve had simply gone back and checked with God about what the devil had been saying.
Lesson: When anyone contradicts something you have been told, go back to the original source and get it confirmed!

Posted via email from | joelabell |

ChurchOnline @Hillsong

2010-10-20T20:43:00.001+11:00

So here we are, several weeks down the track and many people connecting online!
The chat is amazing. Great seeing people from all over the world. There is another service starting in just over an hour...
See you online?

Sent from my iPad

Posted via email from | joelabell |

Don't 'Diss Your Friends!

2010-10-18T16:54:00.001+11:00

So many Christians disconnect from their friends when they first come to Christ. Within a short while they realize that this gospel message must reach all people, so they go back and try to reconnect with their old friends only to realize the damage has already been done.
Jesus seemed to get this balance right!
He was often referred to as a friend of sinners and tax collectors yet maintained perfect unity with God the Father. He had compassion on the crowds but regularly retreated to get His identity and security in the Father. Jesus was not going to be lured by a false sense of security!
In a world where popularity makes all the difference, WAT do you do?
Matt 5:1-2 MSG. When Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a hillside. Those who were apprenticed to him, the committed, climbed with him. Arriving at a quiet place, he sat down and taught his climbing companions.

We must learn the secret of retreating to a higher place whilst not disconnecting with those in our world. Jesus was a master at this and He wants us to become Climbing Companions. W.A.T. makes all the difference!
1. Words.
We use words to build up and to tear down... Just decide to use your words differently.
Don't get involved in gossip. Use your words to speak life. James 3:5-6 says your tongue is steering your life!
"A word out of your mouth may seem of no account, but it can accomplish nearly anything—or destroy it! It only takes a spark, remember, to set off a forest fire. A careless or wrongly placed word out of your mouth can do that. By our speech we can ruin the world, turn harmony to chaos, throw mud on a reputation, send the whole world up in smoke and go up in smoke with it, smoke right from the pit of hell." MSG. Practice: Encouragement!

2. Actions.
Many of us only do the right things or good things when people are watching. We must learn to the right things at all times, and especially when nobody is looking!
Matt 6:1-3 says God is not impressed when you do things for attention!
“Be especially careful when you are trying to be good so that you don’t make a performance out of it. It might be good theater, but the God who made you won’t be applauding. “When you do something for someone else, don’t call attention to yourself. You’ve seen them in action, I’m sure—‘playactors’ I call them—treating prayer meeting and street corner alike as a stage, acting compassionate as long as someone is watching, playing to the crowds. They get applause, true, but that’s all they get. When you help someone out, don’t think about how it looks." MSG. There are lots of people we can include in our groups and conversations. It's way too easy to speak with those we are comfortable with and ignore people who long to be included, just watching us in our conversations. Practice: Hospitality

3. Thoughts.
I have been know to create the most amazing full scale epic documentaries in my own mind about a person or a situation before it even takes place. Why, I could even create my own TV series as a result of a confrontation with somebody and be already up to episode 3!!!
Mark 2:5-8
5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” 6 Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, 7 “Why does this fellow talk like that? He's blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 8 Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, “Why are you thinking these things?
There heave been many times where the Holy Spirit has said to me, "Why are you thinking these things?" And I have no answer : )
Why read into people's emails with a negative bias?
Why create a conversation about what somebody may be thinking?
Why have a fight or an argument with somebody in your head?
Practice: Generosity!
Phil 4:8
8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.
------
So don't 'Dis your friends and don't lower yourself to their level. Learn to retreat with WAT — Words, Actions & Thoughts and become a Climbing Companion.

Posted via email from | joelabell |

Do Your Clothes Match?

2010-10-05T22:31:00.001+11:00

In a world where labels mean so much to us, this verse could never be more profound!
Luke 5:36
“No one cuts up a fine silk scarf to patch old work clothes; you want fabrics that match."
Jesus was in conversation with leaders who were all caught up with their title and position.
In fact, many of these religious leaders used their positional power to keep many others suppressed.
I'm sure Jesus would have worked with these religious leaders if they had "fabrics that matched". What we wear actually does have a lot to do with it.
Of course Jesus is only using clothes as a metaphor and this is continued throughout Scripture to where we see clothing talked about as character and attitude —> Col 3:11-12
We are to clothe ourselves with compassion and kindness and humility, and the list goes on.
There are two take home values here:
1. What I look like.
This is where I must ensure that I live a congruent life. That everything about me is saying the same thing. It just seems too easy these days to try and stick some big smile over the top of a gaping big attitude. Or pretend to be humble whilst full of pride.
2. What we look like.
Just as every person has a character, so does a group or a community.
Don't be alarmed by discovering there are people with different character or attitudes where the "fabrics don't match". Jesus was unable to work with their unwillingness to change.
Make sure your clothes match!

Posted via email from | joelabell |

Why Do Crowds Gather?

2010-10-04T23:17:00.001+11:00

I took this photo about 30mins before we opened the doors @HillsongNYC and the crowd goes down the street and the same length around the corner!
Hillsong New York hasn't even officially started but people are voting with their feet. What is it that makes a crowd gather?
Why would people wait like this??

My next question is: how long can we sustain this?
Will a crowd always gather like this?
Will people always line up or is there a shelf life?
—> would be great to hear thoughts from people who were in this line!

Posted via email from | joelabell |

Why ChurchOnline?

2010-09-09T17:26:00.001+10:00

Why ChurchOnline??
Jesus said, in Matt 16:18, "I will build my church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it"
As a church leader, I must endeavour to build what Jesus said He is building - His church!
Church is where we connect, grow and serve the ever expanding community of those whom God is adding to us daily. For me, that just happens to be Hillsong.
We have wondered for years if online community would be the very thing that inhibits the human touch of people in their daily routine. Largely because God said, "It is not good for man to be alone" Gen 2:18.
So, through watchful, and sometimes skeptical, teachable eyes, we have waited to search for the fruit of social media in our world. Would it provide more opportunities for humans to connect, become more confident in relationships and allow for people to venture out into new relational territory again? We found the fruit to be available and authentic in many instances.
This has caused us to question:
If social media has given people more confidence to interact and not isolate; is it possible that ChurchOnline can do the same?
We believe the answer is yes!
ChurchOnline is an attempt to:
1. Connect with people who don't or can't meet regularly in a corporate community of believers.
2. Grow people into an authentic relationship with Jesus.
3. Serve every person possible and give them opportunity to Connect, Grow and Serve in God's Kingdom.
ChurchOnline is not a destination as Heaven is our home.
People do life better in community - with God and each other. We want to help facilitate this.
ChurchOnline is just another Kingdom expression to help us do life better offline.
See you online...
Joel.

Posted via email from | joelabell |

Harmony in Politics

2010-08-20T15:07:00.001+10:00

Download now or watch on posterous
Harmony in Politics - iPhone.m4v (6974 KB)

We need Harmony in Politics as Australia votes for a new PM...

Posted via email from | joelabell |

Get On Your Bike!

2010-08-07T10:22:00.001+10:00

Can you remember how old you were when you first started to ride a bike?
Mine came out of the garage on Christmas day with colored streamers out of the handle grips and shiny silver spokes on what seemed to be the future of transportation in my little mind!
Just to gaze at it was magnificent. And then I had to get on and learn how to ride it.
The more confident I became, the more daring I was to prove that I could do this but it wasn't long (same day) before there were tears and blood and refusal to to continue on what had started out to be the best day of my life.
Oh how life can change!
What came next was completely unexpected "Get on your bike".
Why on earth would my Dad want me to suffer again like that?
I guess we fall off many times throughout our lives and the temptation is to stay off and figure out a different way to move through the years.
I am learning that my response to every situation in life determines whether I will be willing to get back on my bike and keep going.
Many times I have wanted to just stay on the ground and wait for God to come and find me, and help me. It has been my experience that God most often meets me on the run, even in the middle of a wobble or the getting back on part.
Is 59:5 My deliverance arrives on the run, my salvation right on time.
No matter where life's situations find you, let me encourage you to take a big, deep breath, lift your head and Get On Your Bike!

Posted via email from | joelabell |

Just Keep Building...

2010-07-31T21:42:00.001+10:00

There is so much to do in this life and there always seems to a limitation of time to do it. This is why it's so important to not be distracted by people who demand you meet their expectations. Now it's biblical to make amends and right the wrongs - and this takes time, but this is not the distractions I'm talking about. Nehemiah 6:2-5
There were those who demanded that Nehemiah stop what he was doing and attend to their demands. But it was clear that these people did not have God's mission at heart.
Nehemiah's response was: "I am carrying on a great project and cannot go down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and go down to you."
Jesus said, "I will build my church and the gates of he'll not not prevail against it."
Stand strong, keep the faith, build God's house and serve our city!
Posted via email from | joelabell |

Above Average

2010-07-24T13:39:00.001+10:00

What does it mean to be above average?
Average is often used negatively but in many ways it is simply a definition of location. If average is just where most people are, then it is easy to identify where you are for a bench mark. Likewise, above average is also a location of being above where most people are positioned. When I was at school, I was below average height. This means most people were taller than me. By the end of my senior years I had climbed to be in the average height of where most were. But my first year out of school, I grew so fast that I was now above average height. 2 Cor 8:7 says...
But just as you excel in everything, in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness, and in your love for us, see that you also excel in this grace of giving. To be above average is to excel but is it possible to be above average in everything?
Think about the world we live in and how destructive things are. Much of our society lacks grace toward one another and criticism is at an all time high. All we need to do is think about the smaller community of people we do life with and ask one question: What are most people like?
If most people in my neighbourhood don't wave and say hi, then for me to wave and say hi is more than most - above average. If most people in my work place are constantly talking negatively about other peers, then its relatively easy for me to be above average. There are hundreds of daily situations that afford all of us the opportunity to be more than most people choose to live. And this is for no other reason than to allow Jesus free reign through us to influence others for His glory. How we relate and respond to people around us is critical to God's story in their lives. To excel in everything is simply the choice to live a life above average. Remember: it is your responsibility to work on your Response Ability. Sent from my BlackBerry® from Optus
Posted via email from | joelabell |

How old do you have to be to get baptized?

2010-06-20T22:58:00.001+10:00

It was my greatest privilege tonight to baptize our daughter in water. She has been asking us for months now but we weren't always in the same campus when it came up.

I sat with her this afternoon and explained what it all meant and the significance of what Jesus had done for us on the cross. She really got the whole deal about sin and it separating us from God and why Jesus had to die on the cross for everyone. Man, she really loves Jesus. We are one proud mum & dad!

Posted via email from | joelabell |

The Gospel

2010-06-08T22:57:00.001+10:00

I am not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ for it is the power of God for salvation to all those who believe...
There is a need to preach the gospel to all mankind for there is no other name by which people may be saved, other than Jesus Christ. How will people know unless someone tells them?
Cameron posted a comment on one of my previous blogs:
At the fundamental level, any Gospel presentation should include these five elements:
1. An explanation of The Holiness of God - His character and nature.
2. An explanation of man's depravity - define and explain sin.
3. The necessity of judgment - heaven and hell are real places where real people go - that God is bound by His character and nature to punish sin.
4. Christ's atoning work and resurrection - that Christ fulfilled the law that sinners break, and took God's wrath on the cross in the place of sinners and that the resurrection verifies God's satisfaction with Christ's payment.
5. The call on all men everywhere to repent of their sin and believe the Gospel.
I back this up biblically here (read from the bottom up)
http://onceuponacross.blogspot.com/search/label/Anatomy%20Of%20The%20Gospel
This is a great summary from Cameron but what do you do when time is of the essence?
Some days present with enough time to clearly explain Cameron's 5 points but other days do not. Is it really impossible for someone to receive salvation if you don't get to articulate all 5 points?

Posted via email from | joelabell |

Spirit Led Conversations.

2010-06-05T16:49:00.001+10:00

Are all conversations spirit led conversations?
If someone is a Christian does that mean that everything they say is led by the Spirit?
What if you don't actually hear the word "Jesus" in my conversation - does this mean its not spirit led?
Is it possible that spirit led conversations can be about any topic as long as there is evidence or a trace of God's nature in the conversation?
Rom 8:5
5 Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.

Posted via email from | joelabell |

Critics...

2010-05-29T12:48:00.001+10:00

Critics are like bugs, they just make the same repetitive noise but when you draw near to them they go silent. I am so reminded by the caution Paul gave the people of Corinth: Love builds up but knowledge puffs up. In the words of Ps Brian, I would rather be a song writer, not a song critic; a church builder, not a church critic. Critics would have you join their band but there is no melody, no room for symphony, no tolerance for different instruments. Their noise is tuned to a repetitive theme with broken sticks and an emptiness of soul. Don't be drawn in by the loud abrupt tone that always reveals their intensions. Instead, open your eyes to the exuberant colour of God's kingdom of light and your ears to the vibrant sounds of His Heavenly majesty which is clearly displayed in all He is doing! People are amazing and broad in their differences. Let love prevail and His grace abound!
Posted via email from | joelabell |

How the brain works.

2010-05-27T23:26:00.001+10:00

I cdnuolt blveiee that I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd what I was rdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid, aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it dseno't mtaetr in what oerdr the ltteres in a word are, the olny iproamtnt tihng is that the frsit and last ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can still raed it whotuit a pboerlm. This is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the word as a wlohe. Azanmig huh? Yaeh and I awlyas tghuhot slpeling was ipmorantt! If you can raed this forwrad it

Posted via email from | joelabell |

Sinful Statistics

2010-05-24T20:27:00.001+10:00

Everything living grows!
We start life from a very dependent perspective and as we continue to grow, we become more independent. The same can be said for different stages of life and even the different seasons and tasks at hand.
The challenge to growth is self reliance.
To get to where we want to be requires strong trust in God but when we get there it is just too easy to become self reliant and stop trusting God.
King David trusted God and built an amazing community of people with a sting army.
One day he sent his commander to count the entire community and get a census of his strength.
2 Sam 24:10 But when it was all done, David was overwhelmed with guilt because he had counted the people, replacing trust with statistics.

We count every one because every one counts!
We measure so we can monitor!
But every leader must beware of the sin of statistics... when counting your strength moves you to self reliance.
- trust in the Lord!

Posted via email from | joelabell |

Brian Houston comments on Chanel 7 program.

2010-05-20T21:51:00.001+10:00

Hi There Dear Church,
I trust you are having a great week, and that you are winning some personal victories.
As I write to you I am on a plane back across the Tasman Sea toward beautiful Sydney. I have just spent two days speaking in Auckland at LIFE Conference, which was a blessed time, as always.
Bobbie and I have been overwhelmed this week by the huge response we've had (from across Australia and other parts of the world) about the interview that was screened last weekend on Channel 7's Sunday Night program. The consensus seems to be that it went well; and MANY have been testifying of the great conversations and opportunities that have resulted to speak with family, neighbours, friends and work colleagues following the story.
I am so relieved and pleased to hear that the program may have helped and pray that there will be people who choose to visit Hillsong this weekend as a result. Let's also pray that many of them can find answers through Christ.
It was good to have the chance to be heard, even in a limited way, without our words being misconstrued or skewed negatively. We spent hours and hours filming with the Channel 7 team, and they had footage of so many of the good works and community endeavours of the church both locally and overseas, but obviously there wasn't time for it all to be used.
With these things there is always some level of "cringe factor", but overall, the producer and reporter were true to their word and created a relatively hard-hitting, but fair profile on Bobbie and I, and on Hillsong Church. Praise God.
We are now at that time in church life where both the Heart for the House offering, AND Hillsong Conference are fast approaching.
My prayer is that every ONE of you is thinking about your part and readying yourselves to be fully involved. I could not over emphasise how critically important these two events are for the ongoing vision of Hillsong Church and how important your part in them is!
On another note, we are excited about celebrating ONE YEAR for Hillsong Brisbane this Friday night. What a great year it has been - God is SO good!
We love you all, and thank you again for your incredible support. The greatest resource in our church - by far - is in its people.
Every blessing to you,
Brian (and Bobbie) Houston
Senior Pastors
PS. I am looking forward to speaking, along with Carl Lentz, in many of our services this coming weekend!

Posted via email from | joelabell |

Waterspout off Bondi

2010-05-18T18:59:00.001+10:00

I was on my way to a relaxing family lunch yesterday when we were interrupted by one of nature's amazing wonders - a water spout!
We pulled over as it was descending from the clouds and waited for a touch down. Amazing! It was pulling up so much water from the ocean back into the clouds. Ps Brian has been speaking about Holy Momentum, and this made me think of how all the effort that is executed is a real let down unless we have connection. When this twister had a touchdown, we let out a big cheer. I put a picture out on Twitter and then NineMSN rang Hillsong Church looking for us to get the photo. Pretty funny. Anyway, just saw it online. Here it is: http://news.9msn.com.au/article.aspx?id=1053443
Posted via email from | joelabell |

#iStart

2010-05-08T16:52:00.001+10:00

There has been lots of activity about this subject but I still feel it's one way, which is "people to the world". How about we create some "people to people" dialogue!
So, why was iStart so helpful?
Posted via email from | joelabell |

iThirst

2010-05-05T22:57:00.001+10:00

Have you ever wondered what Jesus meant when He said "I thirst" in John 19:28? Was He really thirsty? We know Jesus never mixed His words and everything He said was on purpose! Is it possible that Jesus was declaring: "My last drink was to quench your eternal thirst"?
Posted via web from joelabell's posterous

WOW!

2010-05-03T16:49:00.001+10:00

Julia was speaking at our Hills campus last night about "Keeping your WOW about Life" and it was a real wake up because there are so many times where we just take things for granted!
How big does a moment have to be before we will be impressed?

She showed a photo of our son (Eli) who was opening one of his Christmas presents and was so WOW!
The funny thing is that he was like this in every instance.

Here are two great thoughts Julia left us with.

How to keep the WOW:
1. Remain Childlike
2. Maintain a grateful heart

Posted via email from joelabell's posterous

iHear

2010-04-26T16:55:00.001+10:00
I wonder if you really believe that God hears you?
There are so many people on the planet, with so many needs.
Does God really have time to hear me?
Matt. 27:46 has always interested me.
'About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?"—which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"'
Q: What was Jesus really saying??
Q: Did God really turn His back on Jesus?
Q: Was Jesus really feeling abandoned?
John 12:49 says, "For I did not speak of my own accord, but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and how to say it."
And John 14:10, "Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work."
It is clear that Jesus never wasted His words!
Actually, Jesus said everything on purpose.
So when He cried out from the cross, "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?", He must have been referring to something else!
The Ancient writings were in scrolls, not with chapter and verse. (that came in AD325)
The way they used to refer to passages of Scripture (without chapter & verse) was by quoting the first verse of a passage. We see this many times throughout the New Testament.
This is why, in most Bibles, there will be a little letter after Matt 27:46 - mine has a 'c' which, in the footnotes, says to go to Psalm 22:1
And guess what Ps 22:1 says? - "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?"
Ps 22:24 declares that God has not hidden his face from him, proving that Jesus was declaring to all who were at the foot of the cross (in a loud cry) Psalm 22!!!
Not only did God hear Jesus but all this happened to give us confidence that He hears us too.
Think about it... If God turned His back on His only begotten Son, what chance do we have?
But God didn't disown Jesus...
2Tim. 2:11-13 Here is a trustworthy saying:
If we died with him, we will also live with him;
If we endure, we will also reign with him.
If we disown him, he will also disown us;
If we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself.
All those dreams that are taking so long to be fulfilled; that promotion that just always seems to be out of reach; that friendship that doesn't seem to working; that sickness that just won't leave; or that opportunity that seems to keep bypassing you.... don't give up praying because Jesus cried out from the cross, iHear.

Do, Don't do...

2010-04-20T23:19:00.001+10:00

There are so many things to do as a leader and discovering which ones has to be a key objective.
What things should I do and which things should I, don't do?
Exodus 18:13-23 is an amazing scene in Scripture where Moses is confronted with the ugly truth... "What you are doing is not good!"
The advice from Jethro, his father in law, is brilliant.
Leaders should never do what others can do but should always do what others cannot do!
As a father, there are some things that my kids cannot do, and these are things I must do. There are also things that my kids can do and should be careful to let them do it.
My kids would have a great disadvantage if I kept trying to do all the things that they are actually capable of doing.
How will they grow up if I don't empower them?
How frustrating for them if I expect them to do things that they are just not capable of doing?
Same is true with leadership.
I must never do what others can do but should always do what others cannot do!
It all comes down to Who & When.
1. Who, is all about example.
- this has to do with Availability and Capacity.
Think about your team...
So people have plenty of availability but not a huge capacity.
What's sad is we often reward the person with lots of availability, even they have small capacity and hold back opportunities from the people with small availability, even if they have a massive capacity!
2. How, is about empowerment.
- this has to do with Maturity and Competency.
Maybe you are competent at a task but lack the leadership maturity to see the bigger picture.
If I was to confront you about a failed task and request that you ask before doing it next time, you could easily feel that every part of your job has now been restricted to seeking approval before trying again.
But what if I explained the 5 different levels of Empowerment and showed you that all of your different tasks could be at different empowerment levels??
This is attached but let me describe it briefly:
1. Ask
2. Recommend
3. Do it but report immediately
4. Do it & report routinely
5. Do it
- this is Stephen Covey's 8th habit but let suggest how you should use it...
Step 1 - Create 10 Task Areas.
Take all the tasks of your job and group into 10 areas.
Step 2 - Get Feedback.
Ask for some time with your leader and simply get them to mark each task area with their empowerment level.
All you need to know is how empowered you are with each different task area!
- is this something I should always ask first?
- is this something I should just do and not bother you with?
- which of these do you require to report back on?
These are just some examples but this has already sparked some interest so we would love to continue the discussion online - facebook.com/joelabell

Intimidation

2010-04-17T06:39:00.000+10:00

I have been reading about David on the run from King Saul and how he won't as much as lift a finger against the King, even though David is completely innocent.
Seems that your own integrity is worth more than trying to fight the battles that others would try to engage us in!

Holding your stand in Christ is the greatest thing you can do.
Let God fight your battles.
When people intimidate us it is usually to draw us into the smallness of their own battles.
I love how David trusts God in the middle of Saul's smallness of mind.

Psalm 27:6 God holds me head and shoulders above all who try to pull me down. I'm headed for his place to offer anthems that will raise the roof! Already I'm singing God-songs; I'm making music to God.

If you remember, the Bible describes Saul as a stand-out kind of guy, who was head and shoulders above all others....including David.
I take great encouragement that David sees God as lifting him head and shoulders above the one man who was head and shoulders above everyone!

So if you are feeling small or intimidated, allow God to lift you, head and shoulders above your circumstances.

Greatness

2010-04-02T22:28:00.001+11:00
How 'GREAT' is our God!
God is great.
To be great is to be like God.
We were made in His likeness.
So we are like God.
But Adam & Eve ate to be like God.
Then God said, they are like us.
So God removed them from the garden.
Every child must grow up.
Once grown up, we must remain childlike.
Every child wants to be like his daddy.
Then you want to be like yourself.
The journey of self is often a pathway of promotion.
Promotion is not position or prominence.
To live is to love.
To love is to serve.
To grow up is to grow in.
Always a child.
Always a student!

A Heart to receive!

2010-03-27T12:08:00.000+11:00
Joshua 7-8 are two amazing chapters with a story that is very soul
searching!
Israel had just crossed the Jordan River at flood stage and were about
to take their first part of the promise land - Jericho.
The instructions were very clear. Totally destroy this city and hand
every part of it to the Lord as an offering. No part was to be kept
for themselves.
The next city - Ai - was to be taken but all treasures were for the
Israelites personally. When they advanced against Ai, they were
shocked to be driven back and defeated by them! Upon enquiry, they
discovered that Achan had sinned against the Lord by taking for
himeself what should have been devoted to the temple.
Once this sin was dealt with, God simply said now try again and take
Ai -be completely confident.
The lesson: I give to God what belongs to Him so that what belongs to
me does not destroy me!
My offerings to the Lord help my heart not to be consumed with the
things of this world.
I am always amazed at the mindset of giving and how easy it is to
think that I am about to go without. What will I have left.
Perhaps we need to develop a mindset of receiving so that we
understand I am only positioned to give if I have received!
For me to truely give I need a heart to receive.

When is Tomorrow?

2010-03-22T22:31:00.000+11:00

Ok, I thought of you when I came across this verse. See it at YouVersion.com:
http://read.ly/Isa48.7.niv It's from Isaiah 48. I see one day as one day and one year as many days although a day is like a year - if it drags out :)
The bigger question is about time itself!
Tomorrow being planned is different to tomorrow being completed.
The plan can be completed but the detail must be executed - and that takes time!
Therefore, tomorrow hasn't happened yet.

The God of your father!

2010-01-20T07:50:00.000+11:00
Wow, so I just read Gen 26:24 which is God speaking to Isaac and saying 'I am the God of Abraham your father; don't fear a thing because I am with you.'
What kind of life must I live for God to be able to say that to my kids?
In every healthy family you will find kids wanting to be like their parents. Julia and I do have the most amazing children - 2 of them. We love spending time with them and I think its obvious that they love spending time with us.
My daughter has just finished building her first website and I'm so proud of her. I was doing some proof reading for her before uploading it and noticed she had said "my dad likes to go surfing".
Now she is 100% right! I do like to go surfing and have enjoyed it this last 25yrs. It must rub off on my family because they all surf.
We are often at the beach together as a family but I have been stirred this morning to make sure that my kids clearly see my friendship with Jesus.
What areas can I make more obvious?
How can I involve them more?
I know there will be a day where they have to trust God and rely on for themselves and on that day I want God to be able to say to them:
'Don't be afraid, I am the God of your father'

A Stirring Selection

2010-01-15T11:13:00.001+11:00
There is a crazy passage of Scripture in John 5 that seems to have far more going on than it appears.
It starts with Jesus turning up to Jerusalem for the Feast and culminates in chapter 6 with Him putting on a feast for others and eventually revealing Himself to be the Bread of Life!
I am sure Jesus had His eye on the end of all of this from the start of the feast and asked Himself a very simple question: Who could I select to stir up the City that would result in a crowd responding to what I have to give them?
Jesus turns up to a pool that has all kinds of needy people that are waiting for the miracle stirring of the water.
- this is where we often fail to realize that Jesus wants to stir something up inside us!
Jesus selects a person who will defy the cultural norms of the day, which is to pick up your mat and walk on the sabbath.
- this is where we must overcome the pressure that says perfection is required before performance!
Having a need makes us eligible for God to move in and through us but willingness is required.
The willingness of this one man to break man-made customs caused the City to become aware of something that was actually always available but seemingly hidden at the time.
At the stirring of the pool, Jesus found one individual that He could use to stir up the City and create intense hunger.
Chapter 6 sees a great crowd follow Jesus to a mountainside because of the miracles in the City, and then He miraculously feeds them all.
The climax is in v35, 'I am the bread of life...'
It is way too easy to sit by our pool-side familiarity waiting for some routine of life to satisfy us!
The Challenge: allow Jesus to call you to stand in the midst of your need and walk for Him.
Jesus wants to select you and stir up your neighbourhood so their hunger is ultimately met by turning to Him!
A Stirring Selection!

Does God like what He sees?

2010-01-04T09:14:00.000+11:00

I am still so humbled by God's amazing grace and can't even fathom what it must have been like for Him when He looked upon the Earth and was sorry that He made the human race.
How sad that God would create us in His own image and we would trash that precious gift of life.

Gen 6
Noah and His Sons 5 God saw that human evil was out of control. People thought evil, imagined evil—evil, evil, evil from morning to night. 6 God was sorry that he had made the human race in the first place; it broke his heart. 7 God said, "I'll get rid of my ruined creation, make a clean sweep: people, animals, snakes and bugs, birds—the works. I'm sorry I made them." 8 But Noah was different. God liked what he saw in Noah.

God is intimately involved with His creation, and how we respond to Him actually does influence our relationship with Him.

John Bevere once said 'You are as close to God as you want to be!'
- this comment threw me at first because I always thought my relationship with God depended solely on God.

Is God waiting for me?
Is there deeper intimacy waiting for me on the other side of my proactivity?

This all came from thy verse in James 4 - 'Draw near to God and He will draw near to you'

I know I am no more special than anyone else but find it devastating that God would look upon the whole human race, all those He loves, and be so sorry that He made them.

But then I take great encouragement from the fact that Noah was different and God liked what He saw in Noah!

Religious Lace

2010-01-03T15:35:00.000+11:00
I have sent a few emails and instant messages lately with sentences like, 'I pray that...' Or 'praying for you...' And to be honest, I often question myself just as I'm about to hit the send button...am I REALLY praying for them or will I actually remember to follow through??
Like most, my prayer life could sure increase but I'm more talking now about the need to sound spiritual. Whenever I used the words 'hoping things work better etc', I wondered if 'hope' was a good enough thing to say.
Maybe what I'm really suggesting is that I didn't feel spiritual enough.
Would people think I was committed to them?
Would people see 'hope' as token?
Would my concerns for people have more weight if I used the word 'pray' instead?
But if I do use a different word, like pray, how weighty is it really if I don't pray??
And why do I feel the need to look bette than I really am anyway?
Julia, my wife, just read this verse to me in the message:
Matt 5:34-35
And don't say anything you don't mean. This counsel is embedded deep in our traditions. You only make things worse when you lay down a smoke screen of pious talk, saying, 'I will 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.
This dilemma is more common than we realise and speaks to a deeper issue within humanity, which is the need to be accepted!
Our words need not to be used to impress one another but to help one another.
I am learning all the time that my words have greater impact when they flow from a heart that believes in people instead of the need to be accepted and using Religious Lace.

Perpetual Praise

2009-12-27T07:41:00.001+11:00
- the ability to keep worshiping God!
I am intrigued with this verse in Rev 4:8-11 where the Bible describes the throne of God and the four living creatures and the twenty four elders.
The four living creatures never stop praising God but 'whenever' they do, the elders fall down and worship God.
It all seems spontaneous and yet perpetual!
In my experience, the more frequent I do the same thing, the less spontaneous it is.
How do you continuously, spontaneously do anything?
It is so easy in our distracted society to disengage.
We disengage because we have become familiar.
When was the last time I had a moment of celebration with God; or thanked Him intensely for some crazy outcome; or took a moment, longer than usual, just to linger in His presence??
Everything in this world says 'take charge, be in control, don't let go' but perhaps its our vulnerability that allows us to see the magnificence of God.
The wonder of God will always lead to Perpetual Praise!

Religious Compensation

2009-12-19T08:22:00.001+11:00

1 Peter 3:3-4 your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight.
I have 2 beautiful girls - my wife Julia, and my daughter Harmony.
Not only are they pretty on the outside but they are beautiful on the inside. I love watching them get ready to go out. Any makeup and jewelry only highlights what already exists!
There are some extremists that say women are not to wear makeup or jewelry, and would often quote the same verse I am using here. But a closer look at this Scripture reveals the truth about freedom - 'Your beauty should not come from...'
The question is where does your beauty come from and how do you work on it?
Religious Compensation says bring your face down to your spirit - its wrong to make your face (outside) look better that your spirit (inside).
But religion always focuses on the external, the outside. Jesus wants us to focus on the internal, the inside, the inner self!
If you work on the unfading beauty of a quiet and gentle spirit, makeup will only highlight what cannot be ignored!

Active Repentance

2009-12-11T07:10:00.000+11:00
Because we are saved by faith and not by works, it stands to reason that we are cautious of anything that promotes works.
Q: How do you prove you are saved?
- Jesus said, by their fruit you will recognise them.
Jesus is the vine and we are His branches, so whatever is growing from must resemble the fruit of the vine!
Repentance is where I say 'No more bad fruit!'
Acts 25:20 ... I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds.
I am not saved by good works but they prove I have saved by God's grace!

Talk is cheap!

2009-11-25T08:21:00.001+11:00
1 Cor 4:20 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.
How easy it is to slip into 'talk' mode, where what we mean is not necessarily seen! Where what we know is not what we show!
I'm reminded of that great movie 'Good Will Hunting' where college students wax lyrical their intelligent minds but lack the power of a transformed life.
What is the message of the gospel if there is no evidence of God's power to transform? Surely Christ didn't die in vein! He talked about giving His life as a ransom that all who believe in Him could receive God's gift of life.
Talk is cheap!
If Jesus had not followed through, there would be no power to bring about the reality of all He said.
The one act of love from Jesus puts an exclamation at the end of everything He said.
Now God's power confirms everything Jesus speaks.
Talk was cheap.
Sacrifice became priceless!

Availability and Capacity

2009-11-24T22:47:00.003+11:00
These are two of the great releasing words in Leadership!
Availability relates to the time I have to invest my skills, whereas Capacity relates to my actual ability to do the job at hand. Capacity is my whole skills bank.
So, for example, I may have the skill to drive a car, but lack the skills of negotiation, so that driving down the street with lots of traffic may cause intense anxiety - because I don't have the capacity! Capacity takes all associated skills into consideration for efficiency and effectiveness.

I may have all the time in the world but not have the ability (or Capacity) to do what is required.
I may have great capacity but very little time.

So, where do we see this all played out?
Sadly, it is most severely played out where leaders do not understand the difference!
The better a leader is at working out these two key words (Availability and Capacity), the better they will gather people and grow them!

I have met too many people with great capacity who were seemingly punished because of a lack of availability. All that was required was a leader who understood the difference.
Can you imagine, if as leaders, we were the ones who adjusted to the people we are meant to be serving?
I mean, what if we looked at people differently?
What if we saw that everyONE was a unique individual and requires differences in the way we relate to them and empower them?

I sat with someone recently who has great capacity. She was "sheepishly" telling me how things at work were changing and her ability to keep serving at church was proving more and more difficult. She was stressed and I could see it. Her work promotion was something worth celebrating but she only felt guilt for what she was not still able to do as a leader at church.

I immediately shifted the conversation into the difference between Availability and Capacity.
Whilst affirming her amazing Capacity, I started to explain that life has many seasons where Availability changes, and as long as Capacity keeps growing, then my job as the Leader was to adjust with her!

Transitioning her to a job that matched her amazing Capacity, and honouring her limited Availability has not only kept her involved but has caused her to come back and say "I think I am ready for more again"!

Understanding

2009-11-10T06:50:00.000+11:00
Luke 24:45 - Then He opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.
I have been reading the Bible for about 25yrs now so you can imagine I have read certain parts over and over again.
There are some portions of Scripture I have never completely understood. There are other parts I thought I knew the meaning of but, out of nowhere, clarity has defined it in such a way that's its now obvious I had not really understood it.
One thing I do understand is that unless God opens my mind to His word I will only have a very limited view of the truth.
God's word is so living, so active, so helpful.
- Lord, please open my mind to all You have placed in the Scriptures.

Shut Up!

2009-10-22T14:25:00.000+11:00

It is alarming to me how many times I keep going when my body is saying stop!
This is so obvious when it comes to communication. Have you ever been in that situation where you know you have already said too much and for some strange reason you keep speaking? Crazy huh!
Don't you just wish someone loved you enough to say Shut Up!
Well, think about Shut Up from a different angle.
Neh 13:19 says, When evening shadows fell on the gates of Jerusalem before the Sabbath, I ordered the doors to be shut and not opened until the Sabbath was over. I stationed some of my own men at the gates so that no load could be brought in on the Sabbath day.
Wow!
Is there a day, or even a part of your week, every week, where you stop and cease from regular activity?
I am getting better at guarding the city walls of my life but, I must admit, there are times where I still leave the gates open for regular transactions and trading to occur.
The Proverbs encourage us to guard our heart will all diligence because the issues of life flow out from our heart.
From my experience, the best way to guard my heart is to Shut Up!
If my heart is a city, I need to close the gates to regular trading.
Find a day and create a space.
Today, if you can hear His voice, take action and Shut Up!

Thoughts from Above

2009-10-18T08:31:00.000+11:00

Anytime I get the opportunity to be on a plane I am always overwhelmed with the view. There is always a clear distinction between how I normally live on the ground and how I remember it to be from the air.
Its so easy to get lost down there. I mean I have friends who would find it difficult without a GPS but from up here I can see the city at a glance.
Its so easy to feel lonely down there. Some days it seems like there is nobody around but from up here I can see people everywhere.
Its so easy to get stressed down there. There are times when smallest of details becomes a big deal but from here the bigger picture seems obvious.
Its so easy to think its just another day like any other down there. I mean what is so different about today? But from up here every day seems to be a new day filled with endless possibilities.
Is 55:9 'As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts - God.
Its so encouraging to know that whatever I'm experiencing down there I always have alternative way to think about things.
Lord help to see from your perspective!

Patience or Patients?

2009-10-08T05:07:00.000+11:00

Prov 25:15 - through patience a ruler can be persuaded...
How often do we expect others to change and give us a break?
I find whenever I am getting frustrated with not getting an answer from someone its because I don't want to change!
But to get frustrated requires a change from being not frustrated.
Patience is obviously tested the longer you have to wait. And if I am waiting its seems that the person I'm waiting on doesn't need to change. And the more I get frustrated, the more the other person will not be able to be persuaded.
Remember - through patience a ruler can be persuaded.
If I don't show Patience toward you there will be Patients around me!

Above the Haze!

2009-09-23T13:38:00.001+10:00

I'm 30,000 feet above what was responsible for grounding and delaying so many flights for Sydney this morning! This orange haze I see out the window of the plane is a giant dust storm across NSW. In fact, by the time we took off at Brisbane, the dust storm was arriving there too.
As I sit looking down at the Earth, I notice a vast difference above and below! Above is blue and clear, below is Orange and hazy. - a metaphor perhaps?
Isaiah 55:9 - as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts - says God.
V7 says, Seek the Lord while He may be found; call on Him while He is near.
Perhaps we have been allowed to see the reality of our planet today?
Perhaps today is a snapshot of how our world is spiritually?
Perhaps the regular reality of our daily routine is leaving a dust storm in our wake?
V11 is all about God' word coming down bringing clarity to accomplish what He desires!
So soak up this strange phenomena today and understand that God wants clarity of purpose for everyONE!