LIVE NOW – NOT IN YESTERDAY
by edmontgomery on June 07, 2009 in Uncategorized with 40 Comments
Every day brings about challenges. And like you, I realize it takes a lot to stay focused – to stay on the path. And the “where-did-THAT-come-from” punch that life can surprisingly deliver. But I have a saying: “Having faith doesn’t always make things easy – but having faith sure makes things POSSIBLE.”
How unproductive to live in houses we build as monuments to our failures, hurts, weaknesses and regrets – that’s the past.
However…I chose to LIVE NOW!
QUESTION: What is your dream? The dream you want to …LIVE NOW? Talk to me – especially some first time bloggers. I want to hear from you this time.
Ed
Live Now! Seems to be the reoccurring command that the Holy Spirit is instilling in me to do. I am getting a sense of urgency when I hear people who refuse to change. I’m not perfect but I do have a productive pray life that allows me to be lead and directed by God. Now is the time to have a perfect life in the midst of economic rebirth and turning of the guard. I beleiving God for a miracle.
My dream is to be financially independent, so I can sow seed into ministries and into the lives of individuals. New Schools and Universities need to be built and filled with our children. 50% high schooler drop out. Obviously, they do not know who they are or whose they are… They must be taught. Train up a child in the way they should go and they will not depart from it… Our children, teens and young adults need our support. As I stand on the word of God I believe my dream will come true. Your words of wisdom have been so edifying. I just want to let you know I appreciate you very much. I’ve been listening to the ministry of you and your wife for years now. May God forever bless you and yours. Min Geri
Dr. Ed;
Everytime I receive an email from you, It’s always what I need at that appointed time and they inspire me to make a change. I thank God for the Holy Spirit bringing all things back to my rememberance. On the days when challenges or obstacles come my way, the Holy Spirit began to lead and guide me in the way to go. It’s up to me to follow His leading. I also thank God for being a shield around me, protecting me from the things that are seen and unseen. Sometimes I want to yield to my flesh but God makes a way for me to escape. Praise God! My prayer is to stay focus that I may continue to obey the leading of the Holy Spirit.
My dream is to open my youth foundation as well as a place for Young Saved Christians to hang out at during the week and/or weekend. However, my major dream is to shake this doubt spirit, failure spirit, and money mismanagement spirit. I been going without for a while and need to get my health back in order. I know that I can not do nothing until I get my teeth fixed. That situation causes me to not smile, praise like I should, and perform my current job. I have plenty of dreams but to scared to open my mouth.
Pastor, I so agree with you. This past year has been a hurdle for my husband and I. We moved to Austin Texas in Spring of 2008 with a sure, “God said.” Little did we know that we would be back in Atlanta, GA taking care of my Mother-n-law.
Now that she has passed we are asking God, “Now what?” He has answered us with, “Finish the assignment.” We were thinking that He would have said, stay were you are comfortable, here with our family. But He is pushing us to greater, and even with the economy we have to remind ourselves that we are not in a recession, but, we’re in a process of vision. We have declared to “Live Now.”
Thank you Pastor for all the encouraging emails that you send to me. They are always right on time for the moment that I am going through my process.
Thanks,
Pastor Freda
Pastor, I so agree with you. This past year has been a hurdle for my husband and I. We moved to Austin Texas in Spring of 2008 with a sure, “God said.” Little did we know that we would be back in Atlanta, GA taking care of my Mother-n-law.
Now that she has passed we are asking God, “Now what?” He has answered us with, “Finish the assignment.” We were thinking that He would have said, stay where you are comfortable, here with our family. But He is pushing us to greater, and even with the economy we have to remind ourselves that we are not in a recession, but, we’re in a process of vision. We have declared to “Live Now.”
Thank you Pastor for all the encouraging emails that you send to me. They are always right on time for the moment that I am going through my process.
Thanks,
Pastor Freda
Thank you for the encouraging devotion…We experience fiery trials and tribulations each day, but we just have to remember God is still in control.
I can’t figure out my dream. I chose to retire 4 years ago and now I am having to go back to the same place I worked before.. My dream at that time was to remarry my ex, but that did not work out “you can’t go back”, and be able to stay at home and work part time when I wanted too. When I dream for me it always is others I have to help. Maybe it was too soon at least I am able to go back to work but my fear is that it won’t work out either. I ahve tried new ventures and avenues but they don’t pan out either.. Is this what you asked or am I over stating. Am I frustrated YEP! But in it all I know that God is in control, and I am grateful for the opportunity to go back. So if I say that I live in the now and not the past or later it would be true, as Paul stated I am content to be where I am now having all that I need and wanting for nothing.
Every year I choose a song that speaks to my spirit and last year it was “How You Live” turn up the music, turn it up loud, take a few chances let it all out, were some of the key phrases that got me through 2008 and for this year it is a song titled “How Many Kings” how many kings would die for me, how many kings would give up their son for me, reminds me of the love that God has for me and that Jesus died for me and I am worthy of that love.
Every broken dream is a result of a broken focus.When we committ ourselves to growth it’s when we can keep focus on or dreams and the promises of God.
Thank you Dr Montgomery for your uplifting and thought provoking e-mail. This past year has been turbulent to say the least, I am still running from falling debris from the effects of it; while the rest of the country is in turmoil I am choosing to allow God to order my next steps..
I think God for everthing he has already given and more, to much be his Glory . And more that’s all we can do and do. God Bless
This may surprise some, but my dream is too live out Father Jehovah’s will and plan for my life. I have seen it, marveled at it, at first could not believe it, accepted it and am now prepared and ready to live it.
Juana
“…how unproductive to live in houses we build as monuments to our failures…” hey, I like that statement, it is filled with truth, a truth that took me many years to learn. The time spent learning is well worth it even though it wasn’t easy. God continues to keep His Word and carry me over mountains that without Him it would be impossible to travel. As the song goes “one day at a time” is all I ask, because yesterday is definitely gone, it is not coming back, and only God really knows tomorrow. One thing for sure, wherever we are, HE IS. Thank you pastor Montgomery for giving me the opportunity to share that. More blessings to you and yours.
My live now dream is to see all my family and friends saved and working in the kingdom. And to see Jesus do signs, wonders, and miracles like the move of revival on Azulza street. My dream ministry is to work with children and one day own my daycare. What a blessing it will be to see God move through the children. I now for a fact that they carry a different anointing from the adults.
My dream is to start a record label and speaking ministry. It’s so close but yet it seems so far. I know God has ordained this and I’m ready but time, finances, and life is causing me to stretch my patients. Some days it’s close, others it’s so far away. Beyond my reach and then right in front of me. With God’s help I will Prevail!
Live Now! Haha… It hit me – your message- just as I have been laid off, fiance broke off, school let out and my lease is up! I love my life and yes – I choose to live now!!! The Holy Spirit is wonderfully surprising when the next step for ur life is “OUT ON FAITH you go” Get off/out of ur comfort zone and discover what God has for u to do. Life is big and we make it small to stay in control. I want to use my talents to gain consistant, never ending financial stability and set off fireworks of glory.
Pastor thank you for that topic. it really makes you think,, Live now, and leave the past behind is the key, life brings about challenges that will blow y our mind and if we are not careful we will fall in the mist of it all. but surely having faith in the Lord will have its rewards, just recently God allowed me to go thru some things that made me sy those words”where did that come from” he made me realize that he wants me to let go of that darkness and come to him as I susposed to and start to live the life that he has already set out for me. I can surely say that to LIVE NOW is the key. My Dream is that God Knows my desires and that in his time he will reward me for my faithfullness and obedience in him,,,,, Amen
The Dream I want to Live Now is,
The call that I have put off for so long but am now preparing for in an M.Div. program. To empower young folks to live beyond their environments and to dream bigger than ever before! To share Coping and Leadership tips to my peers, to stand for my brothers to Man Up and my sisters to let us while being a Lady!
And finally to Love and Be Loved in return as we prosper and stay in good health even as our souls proper!
May His will be done, in Jesus’ name!
Live Now, wow!!!!!!!!! My dream has been since getting out of the military is to be associated with the Federal Government again. The Lord has answered that prayer and soon I will be embarking on that journey. Yes, my personal saying is Possibilities. I truly believe that ALL things are possible through Christ. I know sometimes in this walk I dont always do that which I should but He has never left me nor forsaken me. I know that it was Him who brought this about because to be totally honest with you, I personally felt I blew the interviews, But God. I have a dream to also be financially stable. I believe that it will come to pass also. Pastor Montgomery you just dont know how much your devotions that I receive on Wednsday Mornings lift my spirits. Thank you for allowing God to guide your steps and reaching out to the masses. As for the past; I am gonna leave it just where it is IN THE PAST!!!!!
My dream has not really changed in the last 15 years of my life. I want to live a life that makes me feel whole at the end of the day. I am a real person so I understand that everyday in every life there is some kind of burden to bare. What i want is at the end of every struggle to feel like I did my best, I made some progress and I can be proud of my accomplishments or even my failures. I want to not feel alone in the struggle. I want to feel accepted and appreciated. Walking in Gods light gives me that. but to be honest the hardest part for me is walking that walk. I think that is the craziest thing ever. I know the rewards of Living in Christ but its is so easy for me not to do it. It starts off not reading a passage just this one night before bed and then its a whole week before you know it the creek is rising and you havent gave worship in six months. Ridiculous. Worst part being any dream can be reality if only you put every part of you into the word of Jesus Christ.
My now dream is to be married, living in my dream home with all my needs met and all my bills paid. I even have the plans for the house and I know the man I would like to be married to. Sounds superficial? Maybe, however, I also want to be blessed with few million dollars so that I can be a blessing to others and to help fund the Kingdom”s work here on earth.
I have lots of DREAMS, some I’ve seen come to pass and some I’m waiting to see come to pass. It’s waiting to see the dream flourish. The patients is the challenge for me, because in between the wait there are situations that say it won’t happen, but I believe by faith it will. So I press through the obstacles that say contrary to the word of God. Faith is RIGHT NOW the substance in my favor that fights for me and helps me to belive God for my dreams & my desires. I’ve been BLESSED and I’m detemined by Faith (the spoken word of God) to believe what has been promised to me Now! and Eternal! I will receive, so my LIVING NOW is by Faith!
I have lots of personal Dreams- financial freedom, motherhood, healthy living, successfull marriage, owning a business, giving back, but ultimately all i really want and dream is for God’s purpose in my life to be fulfilled here on earth..AMEN! LIVE NOW in God.
thanks Pastor as always your great,
Brother Ed,
I have been through a lot of hardship, like most. I find your words both of encouragement and hope. I also have found some great strength from a new book by Tim Storey.. I know he came out a few years ago, any change we can get Brother Storey out again? I think he could help bring us all a little more hope!
Live NOW—live BETTER
One of my dreams and expectations is that my living CONDITIONS testify to the abundant life that is mine in Christ.
I have a problem with well-meaning people who say that there are many who have it worse (true); but I think that view tends support the idea to rest in “survival” mode. How do I lend to nations from that place?
Your admonishment that skyscrapers require deep foundations keeps me focused and not so impatient when I think, “Now, Lord?”
i was given a dream back this weekend. i had buried it when i was achild. i wanted to write books. i am always reading and changing others storylines. i also have a very active imagination. God gave me direction this weekend that this dream was not impossible. i have recently enrolled in school with a major in english. i did not want to go back to shool but God had other plans and at 34 i have spent the last 7 years waiting on a boaz and not doing all that i could be for the kingdom because i wanted to wait on him and we do these things together. But i am so grateful to God that he has placed me here so while i’m carrying out God’s will Boaz will find me working on the threshing floor.
Dear Pastor Montgomery,
Thanks you so much for your words of encouragement. They are always timely. I hope one day to attend your church and meet you and the First Lady. My dream??? Besides seeing all my loved ones saved, my personal dream is to know the Lord’s perfect will for me, to be able to write my book, pursue my creativity, and live a lifestyle that is in the overflow financially. I know my ministry comes from Luke 4:17-18. I have a close walk with the Father and are always seeking to grow closer, but it seems like I’m always in the Land of Just Enough. I know this too shall pass. My prayer is that the Father will continue to increase you more and more…you and your children. Psalm. 115:14-15.
Dear Dr. Ed,
Due to what took place at your church on June 17th let you know that you are severly damaging the devil’s kingdom. Eventhough this man destroyed the eqquipment that still doesn’t stop God’s worship from going forth. KEEP ON PRAISING FOR JESUS!! Whatever darts that little god might through at you KEEP ON PRAISING GOD! Your breakthrough it right around the courner.
First off I think that it is totally awesome that you have a blog pastor lol I love it!!!! hahaha and that every email you send out is awesome and uplifting and its great to get em lol
As for dreams. . . . hmmmmm thats a hard one for me lol I dream that I can be greater than anything that I ever could imagine. It just seems that no matter what I think, plan, or expect in my life God just works his majic and it all seems to work out. Ya know?
OHHHHHHH okay lol I GOT IT! I dream that I can be sucessfull at doing something I love. I don’t care what it is but that it is something that I TRULY love. I dream that I will be a better money manager. hahahaha (dont we all, right) but Im just determined to try harder to do better.
Sometimes I feel like I dont even have to dream. . . because what is the point of it, ya know? If God is just gonna blow my dreams outta the water everytime. lol
And as for what happened on Wed my only response is WHATEVER lol
“making more room for more blessings. . . ”
get it?
JUST A SAINT IN OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST WITH A COMMENT:
THE SITUATION THERE AT ALC WAS FOOLISH AND TRAGIC BUT I THINK THAT SOME LIGHT TO THIS IS WAS ANY LIFE RUINED? I AM GLAD TO KNOW THAT WE HAVE A HIGH ROCK TO STAND ON AT ALL TIMES IN ALL SITUATIONS OF THIS LIFE. IT WAS THINGS IN THE CHURCH BUILDING THAT GOT DESTROYED BUT NOT THE SPIRIT IN THE SAINTS THAT WORSHIP THERE. HOPEFULLY NOT ANYWAY….. WITH LOVE IS THIS COMMENT.
In response to how do I want to live I have to say that I want to live where peace resides. I want to make a difference in the life of people who are lost and hurting and confused. I know what pain feels like in all forms. God has brought me through many trials. He never ever failed me. When I could not understand the trials, when I did’nt think I would make it through the pain, you taught me Pastor to look beyound myself and see how big my God was. I want people to see the same thing. There is no hurt, Jesus cannot heal. People need to know that their lives matter to God and that he cares deeply for each and every person. I want them to know that God wants to help them in what ever area there is a lack. He serve a Mighty God. I want to live in the Now knowing that God has my back and in Him I live and breath, and I do not have to worry about anything anymore because Jesus takes all of my cares, worries and concerns and carries them for me. Thank you Pastor for all your years of teaching us the living word of God.
My dream is to live a life of happiness in a home of love, as my parents did. Recently, my boyfriend and I were faced with a hurdle – a big one! I want to LIVE NOW, but I’m finding it extremely difficult to get past yesterday. And I know in my heart it can work.
HI,Pastor Ed I am one of your daughters of ALC. Ihave been in and out of service for a while and there is no settling in my spirit I can’t seem to get back to GOD.I have so many struggles that I can’t seem to let go of.I’ve held on to them so long ,that I can’t let go H E L P I’m loosing it here. I see the people being buried that hurt me so much and that is how I will get my peace from them I am so tired of this nightmare, I’m destroying myself and I feel safe just being away from people. I’m locked up in the prison of my past the same room my grandparents locked me up in. I can’t stay around people long I feel like just going home locking up in my room .I feel safe there.I did’t have to be beat when I was in that room,I didn’t have to hear that I was never going to be nothing, and nobody was ever going to want me,that old black one. WHO am I PASTOR? I can’t even see the woman in the mirror. I stand there but i can’t see her. WHY DOES IT HURT SO BAD?
Great Question!!! What is my dream? I originally thought my dream was to graduate from college, get a job, get married, and have children. I must admit, I have been blessed to bring my that to reality. As Dr. Montgomery poses the question, I ask myself and I am not sure. At 32, I am standing at a cross road! I have stopped dreaming. I have faith but I lack the desire to WORK. I am dead, my dreams are dead. I have stopped dreaming for me and now dream of what I want for my daughter, and son.
I will make time each day to DREAM. Dr. Montgomery, thank you for the challenge! I will find my dreams and begin to live toward them while including my family.
MY DREAM IS TO MARRY AGAIN,AND FOR THE HONEYMOON,TAKE A CRUISE TO THE HOLY LAND,IN THAT ORDER,SOUNDS LIKE A
FAIRYTALE,WELL LOL WITH GOD THERE ARE NONE,NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE.
My dreams? hmmm. I once thought I would like to be a writer. I wrote and published a book, submitted it to Borders and Barnes & Noble and they both accepted it. Then I thought I would like to be a poet so I wrote poems and had them published but I still felt empty. Then I thought I wanted to be an inventor and had struggled for three years on creating an invention that would change the world by combining photovoltaic cells with light emitting diodes. WHen I got close to completeing it and knew it could be done I quit because all the challenge was over…still felt empty. The only thing I have truley ever loved to do is sing. But not just sing…sing to God. It’s the only thing that I have ever done that makes me feel fulfilled. I would like to do it professionally but finding the money to do that kind of thing in an economy like this is near imposibility. I’m tired now and it feels like my dream is dead. Hopefully the Lord will come soon then I could really sing to Him at his throne…that would make me happy.
My drean is an Azusa visitation by THE SPIRIT AND WORD OF GOD. In Delaware.I fasted and prayed for it for 2 plus years weekly when Bob Mumford pastored here.Now my heart is stirred again,to pray that God may use my Pastor Jones and our Church to do it now, 40 years after Bob left here.I long to experience here, before God calls me to himself.I fond truth and Spirit,rare gift from God,I want to share wit others. Lola Cook.please pray for us and with us. thank you.
I am believing God to do some awesome things this year of 2010. Eyes have not seen Ears has yet to hear what God is still doing in the lives of his people. God does not change but things are for ever changing. This move of God that is taking place right now in the earth it is not like anything we have ever seen. Yes we have heard of the moved its right in the word. While the kingdom is moving we must grab hold and live today and it will take care of tomorrow and forget about yesterday. Since your pass is now behind you!
My household is believing the power of God to provide a gusher everyday.No matter what God we know has the ability to keep us in his saving care.