Discover three methods you can use to hear God's voice. Once you can hear God's voice, you are able to act on His Word and fulfill his purpose for you. Click the Play button below...
Have a fabulous week,
Jonathan Hostetler
 
 
I was just skimming through Isaiah 61 this morning when verse 8 caught my attention. "For I, the Lord, love justice..."

All of Isaiah 61 is about God blessing His people. Have you ever received a blessing and felt inadequate or undeserving of the favor given to you?

Let me ask you another question. Imagine that a criminal is brought to trial, and the judge says, "You've murdered a person, and the law says you must be punished, but I'm making an exception. You can go free without any penalties or punishment."

Wouldn't that judge be considered unjust? But if another person could take the criminal's punishment for him, justice would be accomplished.

So it is with us. Since Jesus has taken our punishment, we are no longer undeserving of God's favor, grace, and love. We deserve it.

Not that we should arrogantly receive God's blessings, but rather we ought to take delight in the true miracle, which is...

God has made us deserving of all of His physical and spiritual blessings.

May you receive every blessing that God has for you,
Jonathan Hostetler
 
 
I was amazed and delighted when the Spirit of God led me to Isaiah 35 this morning. I've read many healing scriptures from the Bible before, but for some reason, I don't recall ever reading Isaiah 35.

Let me skip right to the part that talks about healing. Verses 4-6 say...

Tell those who panic, "Be strong! Do not fear!
Look, your God comes to avenge!
With divine retribution he comes to deliver you."
Then blind eyes will open, deaf ears will hear.
Then the lame will leap like a deer,
the mute tongue will shout for joy;
for water will flow in the desert,
streams in the wilderness.
Isaiah 35:4-6

Notice that the first thing to do is to be strong, not to fear, and then to recognize that God is the True Deliverer. THEN, the blind eyes see, the deaf hear, the lame walk, and the mute speak.

So be strong, and you WILL SEE the deliverance of the Lord!

Peace in Christ,
Jonathan Hostetler
 
 
I was surfing Youtube for some interesting animated "short story" movies, and found a very interesting one that's worth sharing...
It certainly took some skill and creativity to weave those two stories together.

Hope you enjoyed it. Be blessed!

Jonathan Hostetler
 
 
How many times have you heard yourself say "I am a champion?" The more you hear yourself saying positive things about yourself, the faster you'll achieve all the good things God has planned for your life.

A champion is "someone who has defeated or surpassed all rivals in a competition" (Oxford American Dictionaries).

Maybe you're facing some big challenges or obstacles in your life right now. You may be wondering, "How can I call myself a champion when I still haven't defeated all my obstacles?" 1 John 4:4 gives the answer...

"You are from God, little children, and have conquered them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world." (NET Bible)

I know, that passage is talking about conquering the evil spirit of the antichrist, but it can also refer to conquering the obstacles in your life.

Jesus - the one "who is in you" - has already fought your battles for you! All you have to do is receive that victory as your own, and thank Jesus for His help.

That's how you can call yourself a "champion," even if you see obstacles in your path. Jesus paid the price to make YOU a champion. That's how much he cares about you. :)

Be empowered in Jesus name,
Jonathan Hostetler
 
 
People can fight over whether or not they think God wants us to be rich. But it's really simple if we'd just read the Word of God and believe it.

Deuteronomy 8:18 instructs us to "remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you the ability to produce wealth."

And then there's 2 Corinthians 8:9, "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich."

Here's a great perspective on wealth and God, explained by a Christian woman named Gina Paris...
So what do you think? Does God want you to be rich? Sure sounds to me he's not trying to make anyone poor!

Be wealthy in Christ,
Jonathan Hostetler
 
 
Let me show you a simple strategy you can use to instantly change how you feel.

Sometimes, when someone asks how you're doing, you might not be doing very well at the moment. If you have a close relationship with them, and if they're genuinely asking how you're doing, share your heart.

But if the person asking how you're doing is just an acquaintance or someone else just trying to be respectful, respond with something positive, like "I'm doing really well!" or "I feel great!" or something that describes how you want to be, and not how you have been feeling lately.

Then, let yourself feel that way... allow yourself to feel "really well" or "great." If you do it immediately, your situation will change immediately. The thing that has been making you feel "down" might not change instantly, but your attitude about it will change instantly, if you do what I just said.

This is just one of many methods of using your words to improve your life. If you want some good, Biblical teaching on how to use your words to change your circumstances, Charles Capps is a great person to learn from.

A good place to start is Charles Capps's Website (click here). On that page, click "What Confession Does" (about half way down the list), or click here for the direct link. Listen to that 8 minute teaching, and you'll have a completely new perspective on your words!

Remember, you're a champion in Christ, destined for great things, and empowered by the Spirit of God Almighty!

Be encouraged,
Jonathan Hostetler
 
 
You probably already have a Facebook account, and maybe even a MySpace account. These sites are great for keeping up with friends and letting other know what you're up to, but did you ever think about this advantage of social media...? (see video below)
I'd love to connect with you on Facebook and MySpace if we're not already "friends." Check me out on Facebook and on MySpace.

Looking forward to connecting,
Jonathan Hostetler
 
You Can! 08/20/2009
 
Those are two very powerful words! You. Can.

What is it you want to do?...

Are you trying to build a successful business? You can do it!

Are you trying to be a great mom or dad to your children? You can do it!

Are you wanting to be a faithful child of your Father God? You can do it!

Whatever it is you want to do - as long as it's in line with God's Word - you can do!

Just had to share those words of encouragement with you today.  :)

Stay cool in Jesus,
Jonathan Hostetler
 
 
Be inspired by this testimony about a young boy who believed for the impossible and made it possible...

"There Is A Healer."  Click here!

Be blessed and healed in Jesus' name,
Jonathan Hostetler