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It's all about the popcorn!

10/23/2019

Romans 2:11 For GOD does not show favoritism

So, this past Sunday I was coming from BICM in NJ, standing on the crowded subway platform, eating my freshly popped popcorn. All of a sudden, invading my space, there is a woman asking me for my popcorn. I moved back and say, no! She shows me her bag of pretzels and offers me one. I say, no, thank you. She moves on.

Immediately, I am no longer enjoying my popcorn. I start to reason within myself. She couldn’t have been hungry, she had a bag of pretzels. But that doesn’t help me. Then comes to my mind the picture of the little girl months back who wanted my popcorn, and who I readily responded to. To the cute little girl, here, have my popcorn. But, to the roughly dressed, maybe homeless woman, I gave a quick, no.

GOD shows no favoritism, and expects us not to. Could it be any clearer in this case?
M. Buehler
Member of Breakthrough in Christ Ministries
Professional Tennis Instructor at MPRC, Manhattan, NYC
Founder and Executive Director, Abundant Waters Inc., non-profit after-school program, Manhattan

Just Delighted!

9/21/2019

The Lord delighted me so on Sunday morning in a most surprising way. I was taking a walk in Riverside Park circling the promenade, as I like to call it. It’s a lovely tree-lined circular walk around a grassy area with a beautiful community garden at the upper end.
Nearing the end of my walk, I stopped to do some tricep dips on a park bench facing the Hudson River. With my back to the promenade, from behind the bench I am suddenly greeted by a very happy dog with a bright turquoise frisbee in his mouth. He carefully lays the frisbee at my feet and looks right up at me. Let’s play!

Delighted from the core of my being, the joy of childhood rose up within me. No cares. Pure joy. Pure surprise play! And play I did. I picked up that frisbee, and immediately the dog dashed to the grassy area and lay down - poised - ready for the catch. I threw that frisbee, he caught it outright, and raced back to me for another round. We did this three glorious times. I then spotted his owner across the promenade, waved goodbye, and with bubbling joy in my heart, went on my way.
Thank You, Lord, for this gift. You surprised me, and that was part of the delight. You know I’ve been weighed down with burdens for so long, and I’d forgotten what it felt like to be carefree and joyous like a child, Your child. Thank You for surprising me with pure, simple, fun, joyous, light, unfettered play and showing me that that is who You are, and that is Your love.
“...casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” I Peter 5:7

By: Carol Docher

Out of the mouth of Babes...

5/28/2019

Psalms 8:2
Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast Thou ordained strength. . .
Matthew 21:16 . . .Thou has perfected praise

As I was walking a little 4 yr old to meet her mother and older sister, and we were crossing the street, she asked if we could go to the deli while we were waiting for them to come. I said, ok. Her response was, “ Hallelujah!!” I said, “you know that word means ‘Thank the Lord’ ”. She looked at me earnestly and said, “ you mean Jesus”. Out of the mouth of babes. “Yes”, I said. Yes.

M. Buehler
Member of Breakthrough in Christ Ministries
Professional Tennis Instructor at MPRC, Manhattan, NYC
Founder and Executive Director, Abundant Waters Inc., non-profit after-school program, Manhattan, NYC
mmb

Just one...

5/4/2019

Mark 10:15
“whosoever shall not receive the Kingdom of GOD as a little child, he shall not enter therein.”

Yesterday I was returning from BICM and bought a bag of fresh popped corn in the train station tunnel just before surfacing above ground. As I got to the top of the stairs I found myself in the middle of travelers going the opposite way, into the train station. I instantly noticed a tiny little girl holding her hands out for my popcorn, maybe she was 3, a tiny 3. I asked her mother, “is it ok for her to have popcorn?” She replied “yes”. I held the bag out to the little one, she took one popped kernel. In the background were an older brother and sister, very politely standing by. I asked if they wanted some. They nodded. I extended the bag. They each took a small handful.

I looked back to the little one, again her hand was out, eyes so clear, so open. I held out the bag, she took one popped kernel. I started to go on my way, turned and told the mother, “better them than me” and put the bag in the little one’s still outstretched hands, and saw the big smiles on the faces of her sister and brother.

I walked away, crossed the street, but I was still enthralled with the eyes and the
outstretched hands of the little one. And the above verse came to me. She was that picture of something this verse speaks to, hands outstretched, eyes wide open,expecting, asking, seeking, wanting, not holding back, unafraid. Clear and pure washer intent, no guise, no hidden agenda, no preconceived notions, but clean and open, her eyes said it all. And she ended up getting it all.
M. Buehler
Member of Breakthrough in Christ Ministries
Professional Tennis Instructor at MPRC, Manhattan, NYC
Founder and Executive Director, Abundant Waters Inc., non-profit after-school program, Manhattan, NYC

What's holding you back?

8/7/2017

This is a very interesting story about elephants. It can be quite confusing when you think of a massive huge creature like an elephant can be held by only a small rope tied to their front leg. No chains, no cages. It is obvious that the an elephants could, at anytime, break away from the ropes they are tied to at any time, but they do not.

When an elephant is young and much smaller and weighs approximately 200 pounds, its securely tied with a heavy-duty rope. The elephant tries to break through its limitation. It whines, tugs and tries to chew through the rope, but it is unable to break free.

Finally, the elephant gives up its will, and accepts it's circumstances. It's spirit is broken. As they grow up, they are conditioned to believe they cannot break away. They believe the rope can still hold them, so they never try to break free." The elephant believes there is absolutely no chance to free itself and overcome it's "limitation." This is recognized as a "defining moment." A defining moment is the exact moment a "Mindset," a belief that alters their life. They accept this "Mindset" as "truth," regardless if it is true or not. Because the brain accepts repetition of thought and deduction as "the truth," the rope reigns sovereign in its mind .

With this "mindset" the elephant's is permanently dis-empower. This animal could at any time break free from it's bonds but because it believed it couldn't, it is stuck right where it is.

Like the elephants, how many of us go through life hanging onto a "Mindset," that dictates what you can and cannot do, simply because of fear and what was told to you at a young age?
We must not act like an elephant. We must BREAKTHROUGH the confining ropes in the mind. When you're faced with change, change your perspective. When you're overwhelmed with something new; change your view. Use affirmations, to eradicate limitations and nothing will be impossible for you!

Philippians 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

What's love got to do with it?

2/14/2017

Valentine’s Day has been recognize as a day to focus on love. To remember those that are special to us with cards, flowers, and other expressions of affection. Yet, at times we may wonder or question if its inspired by love, guilt or obligations?
Is this “love” just a temporary emotional triggered by the day on the calendar or is this a love that will last? This is a time when Believers must turn back and focus on their faith and what love really is.
When we remember that God Himself is love (1 John 4:8), that love is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22), and that God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8), then we will understand that this "LOVE" is relevant everyday of the year. The Bible states, that love “does not envy” or draw attention to itself, nor that its “puffed up” and it does not rejoice in others mistakes, or weakness but will look for the best in everyone. This love “bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” When people fail us God’s love is dependable. It “never fails” (1 Corinthians 13:4-9). The Bible reminds us that the reason we can love others is that God first loved us. That we are all recipients of that love, and that this love is sincere. Its great for us to express our love to others. But may we never forget to let the love of God flow through our lives daily.

What's a Breakthrough?

1/28/2017

Breakthrough. It sounds good. It even sounds like something everyone should WANT IN IN THEIR LIVES.
To understand what breakthrough means and why it is an important WE MUST DEFINE WHAT IT IS!
According to Webster’s Dictionary a breakthrough is defined as:
1warfare : an offensive military assault that penetrates and carries beyond a defensive line

2: an act or instance of moving through or beyond an obstacle
3a : a sudden advance especially in knowledge or technique <a medical breakthrough>b : a person's first notable success

Lets look at how we can obtain a BREAKTHROUGH IN OUR PERSONAL LIVES!

The Lord is known by many names in the Bible and His names reveal His character.

In, 2 Samuel 5:20 20 So David came to Baal-perazim and defeated them there; and he said, “The LORD has broken through my enemies before me like the breakthrough of waters.” Therefore he named that place Baal-perazim.
’Baal- Perazim’ means ’Lord of the Breakthroughs’

To understand the meaning of "breakthrough" you have to understand where and how David was positioned - he was positioned in a place to receive a BREAKTHROUGH!

2 Samuel 5:19 19 Then David inquired of the LORD, saying, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will You give them into my hand?” And the LORD said to David, “Go up, for I will certainly give the Philistines into your hand.”

He was positioned in a Valley.(AT TIMES WE ARE ALSO IN THAT PLACE)
the Valley of Rephaim.
The Valley of Rephaim is where David obtained a signature victory over the Philistines; it was higher than Jerusalem which is why David asked, “Shall I go up against the Philistines?”

WE MUST ALSO DO WHAT DAVID DID:
-WE MUST GO UP
- WE MUST MOVE
-POSITION OUR SELVES INTO A POSITION TO OBTAIN THE BREAKTHROUGH!

The Hebrew word for "breakthrough" is pereṣ and it means "a gap, a break. It refers to a rupture, a tear, a breaking up or shattering of something: a breach created in a wall of an enemy (2 Sam. 5:20); the breaking or rupture occurring in the process of childbirth (Gen. 38:29)." Maybe you need the God of the breakthrough to manifest in your life. Is there some obstacle, an invisible wall that blocks your way from walking in all that God has for your life?

Start speaking that God is breaking through in your situation. Make it present tense, not future tense. God is the God of the breakthrough today, not the God of the breakthrough some day in the future. Faith is now. Faith is present tense.

Our God is the God of the breakthrough. There is nothing that can stop Him. We must invite Him to participate in our problems and situation. Start to know Him as the breakthrough God, who will tear your problem to shreds. Seek a word from the Bible and bring it to Him in prayer, believe the Word, and begin to look for the breakthrough.

Forgetting Things

11/4/2016

Philippians 3:13-14 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Isaiah 43:18-19“Remember not the former things, nor consider the
things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not
perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.

We genuinely want something new "now". Our mind is made up, our hearts are set on this newness. We wait and wait with frustration and with questions of WHY newness is not happening. We miss the revelation in the scriptures that to begin something new "a thing must die". There is a season of allowing the "thing" to die.
Before it can become “new,” before the press there is a letting go - a period of walking towards and walking ahead that there is a distance between the old and the new. Forgetting does
not mean that you don’t have a memory or you will have amnesia it means that
when the "thing" comes to mind or you remember it there will be no "sting" no
"affect" no imprint in your soul.
In fact, it may only come back to memory when God uses it for His witness. God wants us to have a new beginning, a new start but before the newness there is a "putting away" "putting off" so a new season of newness can over-ride or delete the old, and a new season is downloaded into the soul. As it’s in the natural so it’s in the spirit. There must be a transition from one season to another before the change can take an affect.
2 Corinthians 5:17Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

A CLOUD WITH A SILVER LINING

9/24/2016

There are times in our lives we feel that the sun will not appear and all that surrounds us are rainy days and stormy nights. The darkness becomes a blanket that weights so heavily in our souls that it’s difficult to lift our head towards the sky. But as the weight of the dark clouds begins to move there appears on the darkest cloud an outline of light “the cloud with the Silver Lining” and it has become visible bring hope that the sun will break through and penetrate the darkness of the clouds.

We have all been there in some period of our lives when it seems that the sun will shine and then the clouds will return again. For some people this is a part of life. This is what there life is like. Bright days in dark situations.

I want to submit today that God breaks through into our lives from time to time like that. He breaks through to show us His plans and His will.

There are many ways God has shown his love to us in dark areas of our lives as seen in Genesis, 1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. 3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.
Dark, and formless was the earth but then something happen, then the shift occurred and light broke through. And what was dark has now become “daylight,” and NOW light has come to the world. From that light came life.

The dark clouds of sin and evil covered the skies and blocked out the perfect rays of Gods light prevent God from directly having communication with His creation that He had formed.

But even with the darkest night and the blackest cloud God gives us the break through by the Holy Spirit.

Today, God breaks though into our lives through Jesus as we pray, through the scriptures as we read His word and, through the working of the Holy Spirit in us.

God still breaks through to reveal His plans. The only obstacle is in our part when we do not regularly read His word and the lack of desire from us, as we do not spend time praying and listening to His voice.

God wants to communicate more and more to us. He wants to continue to do it, but it’s up to us to walk with Jesus, to speak to Him so that He can break through the clouds for us so His glory can be seen.

Life in the Pain

1/20/2016

As we are ending 2015, what can we expect in the “new year." It’s almost difficult to “expect” when so many may be ended the year with difficulty, pain and disappointment. Yes, we are all thankful that we are given a new year to experience the journey of life. But many are struggling to see victory IN pain, and life IN death.

How can we take the “pain of life”, and find purpose in it, and know that there is purpose in the pain. It’s hard to believe and receive that we can have victory through all trials. At times we can become stuck in the pain (John 11:20 Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house) and we can be blinded by our tears (“Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. (Psalms 30:5) and feeling hopeless in disappointments BUT God have a plan. The disciples of “Christ” couldn’t understand that Christ on the Cross was life and hope of them. They couldn’t see that the wounded Christ is the light of the world.
What they expected and what they were seeing was a contradiction or what they thought was a contradiction of their faith in Christ. God was giving them a great victory in the death of Christ.
They couldn’t see the resurrection. They couldn’t see the out-pouring of
the Holy Spirit. They couldn’t see that God was going to use them to change the world.
Like them, we may have difficulty seeing the victory in disappointment.
We may have lots of tears to wipe away to see the “Son” rising on the new
horizon bring healing in the wings and revelation for a new day.
“John11:21-27“Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.” Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”
Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the
resurrection at the last day."
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
“Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the
Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”