• My key word for 2011 is COMMITMENT
• My key scripture is “Let your ‘yes’ be ‘yes’ and your ‘no’ be ‘no’!” (James 5:12).
• My prayer for this new year is simple – “Help me to honor (pray to) You morning, noon, and night each day like Daniel did. Help me to abide in You in a deep and rich way daily that I might bear much fruit for the Kingdom and Your glory.“

Well, how have I done with this so far in 2011 after 3 months. I’d give myself a “3″ and that might even be generous.

Out of financial desperation, I keep moving on to the next thing before catching up with prior commitments. I’m robbing Peter to give to Paul. This is not OK.

On February 27, Pastor Matt Gregory had Darren preach in his place at Soul Purpose Church. Darren preached a great message titled “The Road To Restoration” using Luke 15:11-24 as the key scripture – the story of the Prodigal Son.

Luke 15:11-24 – Then He (Jesus) said: “A certain man had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.’ So he divided to them his livelihood. And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living. But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want. Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.”‘ And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; ‘for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry.”

Darren said every one of us has been in the “far country.” It’s easy to be judgmental.

Jeremiah 2:11-13 – Has a nation changed its gods, which are not gods? But My people have changed their Glory For what does not profit. Be astonished, O heavens, at this, And be horribly afraid; Be very desolate,” says the LORD. For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, And hewn themselves cisterns-broken cisterns that can hold no water.“

Darren went on to share three key words on your road to restoration

1) RECOGNIZE the far country is not where we are meant to be
2) REPENT – turn around and face God (Psalm 51:17)
3) RETURN to the place we were designed to be, with our Father

Psalm 51:17 – The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart - These, O God, You will not despise.

Brokenness precedes blessing! Well, I’m there. One of the favorite stories I have ever read is The Story of Bamboo by Renato Amato. In his message, Renato wrote

The famous evangelist, Paul Rader, was once asked: “Why are the laborers always so few?” He replied: “They can’t seem to be broken fast enough, and God can only use truly broken men and women!”

The writing continued: “How true! God only uses broken men and women, no others will do! Others are too self-confident in their own strength! God has to break them, melt them and mold them again in the hands of the Potter to make them better vessels! But He won’t force it! The breaking depends upon you, your yieldingness and willingness to be made willing, total humility, which is synonymous with total love, so you’re willing to go anywhere, anytime, and do anything, for anybody, and be nobody, to please Him and help others!”

Sin is not trivial. Sin is treason against God.

Psalm 103:8-14 – The LORD is merciful and gracious, Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy. He will not always strive with us, Nor will He keep His anger forever. He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor punished us according to our iniquities. For as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us. As a father pities his children, So the LORD pities those who fear Him. For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust.

Condemnation will remind you of what you’ve done!
God will always remind you of what you can become!

On Tuesday March 29, I received an email from Nancy Slocum stating, “Good morning Joseph, I always read these prophecy bulletins in the morning and they always seem to be right on target! Immediately when I read it, I was impressed of the Lord to forward it to you. Blessings and have a fruitful day! // SMALL STRAWS IN A SOFT WIND by Marsha Burns: Resist the temptation to take on more than you can effectively handle. Any over-extension could deplete your resources physically, emotionally, financially or spiritually. Exercise sound judgment when making choices, and you would do well to be conservative. The enemy would love to stretch you beyond your abilities. If you need wisdom ask Me and I will give you the guidance you need, says the Lord. // James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

At 5 am on Saturday April 2, I went to pray from 5-6 am at SPC during their 24 hours of prayer. When I got there, Doris Gatewood and Tara Martin were there. Some amazing things happened during this time.

1. God birthed the desire in my heart to start the “How To Hear God Speak” series for those interested at SPC and beyond during the Easter season.
2. GIVING: After Doris Gatewood prayed, Holy Spirit prompted me to gift a WWAB to her.
3. After I was prompted to pray Psalm 91 out loud, Tara told me that Psalm has been the main thing God has her focused on this year.
4. While praying initially, I thanked God for His promise to never leave nor forsake us. Then after Tara and Doris prayed, I was prompted to read out loud Joshua 1, starting with verse 5 – “No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you.”
5. The key scripture for Saturday April 2 was Joshua 1:5-9 – “No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

This morning while journaling, the LORD told me my key message for 2011 is Nancy’s straw she sent me.

The keyword for me today, this week, and this month is ORDER. I am to bring order to my desk, order to my commitments, order to my decision making.

Prayer Power
O God, I don’t want to be a hypocrite. I confess that I’ve been working too hard, that I’ve failed to keep prior commitments before making new ones, that I’ve been robbing Peter to give to Paul. I acknowledge that I desperately need Your help to change my ways. I choose to turn around and face You. I choose LIFE. I choose to run home to You. I ask You to forgive me and choose to forgive myself. You’re my all-in-all. Nothing else and no one eles will do. I lay all the messes I’ve made at the foot of the cross. I choose LIFE. This Book of the Law shall not depart from my mouth, but I shall meditate in it day and night, that I may observe to do according to all that is written in it. Thank You for Your unconditional love and forgiveness! Amen and Hallelujah!

Blessings to resist the temptation to take on more than you can effectively handle!

Joseph

Joseph Peck, M.D.
“Blessed to be a blessing”
Dr. Breakthrough, THE CONNECTOR, and The Journal Guy
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UNCOMMON Journaling is the key
to unlock YOUR dreams!

Randy, you’re most welcome. I appreciate your heart of gratitude. I want you now to cut and paste some scriptures and messages that jumped out at you this morning while listening to your scheduled iTunes playlist for Day #18.

Let Freedom Ring by Dennis Jernigan

I AM Track #3: “God of symbols: I AM found in my appointed feasts. I AM the anointing oil. I AM the bright cloud that comes to you. I AM the synagogue, church, tabernacle, and temple. I AM the living water of life. I AM the shofar trumpet. I AM the fountain of Israel. I AM Israel’s living star. I AM the Passover. I AM the Ark of the Covenant. I AM the door. I AM the altar of the tabernacle. I AM the balm of Gilead. I AM the rose of Sharon. I AM the tree of life. I AM the God of Bethel. I AM the lily of the valley. I AM the God whose Sabbaths are a sign between you and me. I AM the rainbow’s color. I AM the Rock; there is no other. I AM the glory in the cloud of the temple. I AM the bread of life. I AM your rock, full of living water. I AM the light of the world. I AM a consuming fire. I AM the north, your promoter. I AM the bright and morning star. I AM the light – luminous, glowing, and radiant one.

• Ps 89:1 I will sing of the mercies of the LORD forever; With my mouth will I make known Your faithfulness to all generations.
• Ps 89:14-15 Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; Mercy and truth go before Your face. Blessed are the people who know the joyful sound! They walk, O LORD, in the light of Your countenance.
• Ps 89:52 Blessed be the LORD forevermore! Amen and Amen.
• Ps 90:4 For a thousand years in Your sight Are like yesterday when it is past, And like a watch in the night.
• Ps 90:12 So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom.
• Ps 90:14 Oh, satisfy us early with Your mercy, That we may rejoice and be glad all our days!
• Pr 18:1 A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; He rages against all wise judgment.
• Pr 18:12 Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty, And before honor is humility.
• Pr 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.
• Pr 18:24 A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
• Ac 18:4-11 And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded both Jews and Greeks. When Silas and Timothy had come from Macedonia, Paul was compelled by the Spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ. But when they opposed him and blasphemed, he shook his garments and said to them, “Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” And he departed from there and entered the house of a certain man named Justus, one who worshiped God, whose house was next door to the synagogue. Then Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his household. And many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed and were baptized. Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, “Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city.” And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.

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CHAPTER 18 – Her Deliverance
Source: The Power of a Praying Husband by Stormie Omartian

Picture yourself out sailing on a beautiful, clear, sunny day. A gentle wind is blowing in your face and rustling the sails. The water is calm as you glide along peacefully. You sense the open sea giving you life. You can feel it seeping through your pores and into your innermost being. You have a renewed sense that life is good. You can relax and enjoy the moment as you sail to your destination.

Carefree sailing like that only happens when it’s done right. The sails have to be positioned perfectly to catch the wind so the boat can move forward. If they don’t catch the wind properly, the boat can be tossed unpredictably. You can end up going around in circles revisiting the same old territory, and never actually getting anywhere. Or worse yet, you can lose control and capsize.

The same is true for us. If we are not positioned right in our relationship to the Lord, we never catch that wind of His Spirit that enables us to sail against the tide of our limitations and circumstances and arrive at our destination. We keep coming back to the same old places, and we never get free. And the ride can get rough and unpleasant. We sometimes lose control and get the feeling that we’re sinking. But when we move with the Spirit of God, He never leaves us to wander around where we are. He moves us on to where we are supposed to be.

The problem is, we can’t move on to where we are supposed to be if we have dropped anchor in the past. Whether it’s something that happened 30 years ago or only as recently as yesterday, the past can keep us where we are if we don’t pull in our anchor. God wants us to sail freely. He wants us to leave those old broken places behind so we can become whole people. This is especially important in a marriage, because that’s where the mirror of our lives is held up to us daily. We see what we’re made of, good or bad, moment by moment. The more whole we are individually, the better our marriages will be. But if we don’t seek that fresh wind of God’s Spirit to carry us, we never arrive at that place of wholeness and peace.

THE NEED FOR FORGIVENESS

We can never sail smoothly out of our past and into the future God has for us without forgiveness. That’s because our greatest hurts usually come from people.

HE SAYS…
BY NEIL T. ANDERSON

Neil is the president of Freedom in Christ Ministries and author of Victory Over the Darkness and The Bondage Breaker. He and his wife, Joanne, have been married for 33 years, and they have two children and two grandchildren.

In the spring of 1986 my wife had eye surgery to replace a defective lens. It should have been a fairly routine surgery, but Joanne did not respond well to the anesthetic. She suffered a phobic condition, which led to a major depression lasting 15 months. Nothing her doctors did reduced her symptoms. In the midst of it, I got caught in a major role conflict. Was I her pastor, discipler, or counselor (which I had been for many people)? Or was I her husband? I realized I could only be the latter. I was in a situation I could not fix or control.

During this trial we lost everything we had. We were stripped down to nothing, and I realized for the first time that if God is all I have, then God is all I need. My ministry was to hold onto Joanne every day and say, “This too will pass.” And it did pass, through prayer and humble dependence on God. The Lord brought me to the end of my resources so I could discover His. It’s only God who can bind up the brokenhearted and set the captive free. Out of this period of brokenness, Freedom in Christ Ministries was born. And our marriage has been greatly strengthened.

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Ok, Jesus, I finished with that. Now I’d like to thank you for leading me to the summary videos about Tiger Woods. Thank you for making me aware of Tiger’s public apology.

12/11/2009 Tiger Woods taking hiatus from golf By Tiger Woods
http://web.tigerwoods.com/news/article/200912117801012/news/

I am deeply aware of the disappointment and hurt that my infidelity has caused to so many people, most of all my wife and children. I want to say again to everyone that I am profoundly sorry and that I ask forgiveness. It may not be possible to repair the damage I’ve done, but I want to do my best to try.

I would like to ask everyone, including my fans, the good people at my foundation, business partners, the PGA Tour, and my fellow competitors, for their understanding. What’s most important now is that my family has the time, privacy, and safe haven we will need for personal healing.

After much soul searching, I have decided to take an indefinite break from professional golf. I need to focus my attention on being a better husband, father, and person.

Again, I ask for privacy for my family and I am especially grateful for all those who have offered compassion and concern during this difficult period.

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Thank you for Tiger’s decision to take an indefinite hiatus from golf to focus his attention on being a better husband, father, and person. Bless Tiger, Elin, and their two children. Help restore their family and the intimacy in their marriage. Protect from the barrage of negative words from the media and even family and close friends. Restore them, O God. Deliver Tiger from his sexual addiction. Grant him and grace and mercy to be an overcomer. Bring him into Your throne room of grace, where “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; Mercy and truth go before Your face.” (Ps 89:14). Thank You Jesus that Tiger apologized to the world and asked for forgiveness. I forgive him. I know You do too. Lift him up that Your holy name may be exalted for Your Father’s glory.

Mt 16:19 “And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

Randy, I will restore Tiger and his family. He has chosen the high road after his series of personal mistakes. I have forgiven him because he has asked for forgiveness. I will make Tiger a trophy of my love and forgiveness. I am the LORD God; there is no other.

Thank You Jesus! I love you.

At least 50-60 people gathered to give thanks and praise and pray to the King of kings and LORD of lords, opening a gateway to heaven. People came from communities throughout Virginia and even Washington D.C.

Nehemiah 12:24 And the heads of the Levites were Hashabiah, Sherebiah, and Jeshua the son of Kadmiel, with their brothers across from them, to praise and give thanks, group alternating with group, according to the command of David the man of God.

Our special guest speaker was Benjamin Atkinson, who heads up the IHOP (International House of Prayer) in Richmond. Benjamin and his wife Nadia are intercessory missionaries and personal friends of Chauncey and Joan. They were call by the LORD in 2006 to come to Virginia to serve the prayer movement through the Commonwealth of Virginia.

The prayer retreat was divided into three main sessions:

Session 1: Drawing close to the presence of the LORD
Session 2: The essence of the secret place
Session 3: The Awakening!

During Session 2, Benjamin talked about “texting” God,” in essence 2-way journaling. He then gave each of us a chance to practice that using three scriptures he gave us about MERCY. Benjamin asked us to start out by writing down the three scriptures and then to “text God” asking “LORD, what does mercy mean?” Then we were to write down a definition of mercy.

After about 15 minutes, Benjamin asked 3-4 volunteers to share with the large group what the LORD told them. Each response was unique and heart-touching. While I did not volunteer to share my entry at that time, later that evening I was prompted to share what the LORD told me with Jim Goodhart, a new friend I met who is passionate about Jesus and the Word of God.

Here is what the LORD told me:

Mt 9:13 “But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”

LORD, what does mercy mean?

Randy, mercy comes from the heart and goes out to those whose hearts are open to receive My mercy. Mercy comes from looking at people the way I do, not because of what they’ve done. Mercy is very different than rules. It’s an act of the free will. It comes from the heart – my Father’s heart actually. When someone feels or experiences My mercy, it’s a touch by My Father’s love, my Father’s unconditional love.

Mic 6:8 He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?

LORD, what does mercy mean?

Randy, mercy is loving people where they are at, not for what do or who they are. Mercy and love are very similar. In fact they go hand in hand. Mercy and forgiveness go hand in hand. You can’t have one without the other.

Mt 5:7 Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy.

LORD, what does mercy mean?

Randy, mercy is loving people the way I do, unconditionally. It’s removing all form of judging. It’s forgiving 7 x 70 times. It’s allowing people to grow at their own pace on their own spiritual journeys. It’s praying for people believing My Father wants the best for them. It’s speaking words of life over them.

That’s not how you treated Ben and Renato. Mercy is patient and kind.

Summary (definition) of mercy

Mercy is treating people with unconditional love and unconditional forgiveness. It’s seeing them as perfect in Christ as My Father does. Mercy and judgment are opposites. Remember The Shack. Mercy and humility are partners. Mercy and pride can’t be in the same room.

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Forgiveness is a beautiful thing. Unconditional forgiveness is even better. As a result of this prayer retreat, the LORD prompted me to write an email to Ben and Renato asking for their forgiveness. Making myself completely vulnerable, I now share that email and Ben and Renato’s responses to bless you.

My question for you is “Who do you need to ask for forgiveness to prepare your heart to make this the most special Thanksgiving and Christmas season ever?”

James 2:14,17-18 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? …  Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.

From: Dr. Randy Peck
Date: Mon, Nov 23, 2009 at 7:04 PM
Subject: Please forgive me for my non-servant attitude
To: Ben Stewart , Renato Amato

Dear Ben and Renato,

During the all-day prayer retreat with about 50-60 people on Sat Nov 21, the LORD made it very clear to me I was to write both of you and ask for forgiveness in making you feel like you couldn’t have access to me.

I was wrong in how I treated both of you when we met after I got back from Hawaii. I’m sorry for being so arrogant. Please forgive me.

The LORD’s doing a big work in my life rearranging me schedule dramatically to allow much more time to Rest in Him.

http://journal777.com/wfj-rest-in-me/  

Blessings to both of you for a wonderful holiday season!

Randy
“Blessed to be a blessing”
THE CONNECTOR and The Journal Guy

P.S. I love you both dearly and there’s nothing you can do about it!

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From: Ben Stewart
Date: Mon, Nov 23, 2009 at 10:53 PM
Subject: RE: Please forgive me for my non-servant attitude
To: Dr. Randy Peck
Cc: Renato Amato

Dear Brother Randy,

Thank you for your kind note. You are forgiven. Please forgive me for any misunderstanding or expectation that I may have communicated without thinking through the process of delivering against expectations.

Rest well and know that our Love for each other is in Christ and shall not be broken. We are all a work in progress.

Rest well.

Your brother Ben

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From: Renato Amato
Date: Tue, Nov 24, 2009 at 6:38 AM
Subject: R: Please forgive me for my non-servant attitude
To: Dr. Randy Peck
Cc: Randy Peck

Dear Randy,

Thank you for your humility and kindness.

You have already been forgiven and washed by the blood of the Lamb. How can I do any less?

Please forgive me for not delivering to your expectations.

None of us is perfect and we are all men of like passion and in a growing stage. The only “bond of perfection” is love!

Scriptures that come my mind as I read your note below are:

Colossians 3:12 Put on therefore, as God’s elect, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, longsuffering; 13 forbearing one another, and forgiving each other, if any man have a complaint against any; even as the Lord forgave you, so also do ye: 14 and above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to the which also ye were called in one body; and be ye thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts unto God. 17 And whatsoever ye do, in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

May these bless your heart and give you peace.

I’m thankful to be your brother and friend.

Renato

P.S.: Please check my WFJ’s of this morning:

#WFJ: All relationships restored!”: http://renatoamato.com/en/wfj-all-relationships-restored/

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Prayer Power
Heavenly Father, thank You for sending me to Charlottesville for the all-day prayer retreat to encounter You in a new and fresh way. Thank You for helping me better understanding what mercy means and then prompting me to apply what I learned very quickly. May You deeply touch the hearts of those who read and listen to this message to make this Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons their most special ever. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen! Praise the LORD.

Blessings to experience and share God’s mercy in profound ways this holiday season!

Randy Peck, M.D.
“Blessed to be a blessing”
THE CONNECTOR and The Journal Guy

P.S. As I post and reflect on this message, the LORD is telling me He is reaching out to bless you in extraordinary ways. But to receive His blessing, you must believe, receive, and act on what He shows and tells you.