What Are You Looking For in 2020

Isn’t it always the age-old question as we enter a new year and a new season – what will this year bring?

Maybe not, I’m sure there are some of you who are focused and have clear goals and a plan of action in place. Whether it be for your relationships, your career, your racing season or just life in general.

Or maybe you’re like many of us and you know what you want but just don’t have a clue how to get there. Below find a very true quote I found floating around social media last week that applies not only to our morals but to all that we do in life.

In the image above Chief Sitting Bull (no relation) talks about feeding his inner self. About whatever he gives the most attention and thoughts too, that emotion or action will prevail.

Have you found that your life is much the same? Have you ever wondered why? Or maybe you just don’t know why you are getting the results you are.

Unfortunately, many are never taught information like this. I know I hadn’t been exposed to anything like this until I was in my late 20’s, oh how I wish someone would have explained this to me earlier in life.

Let’s look at another angle and see what the Bible has to say along similar lines.

The above scripture comes from the Book of Matthew 7:7-8

Ask, Seek, Knock

7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

**Below message is for both believers and non-believers**

Now, I’m not sure what your beliefs are but wouldn’t it be great if it were just that simple. Wouldn’t it be great if you got every sale you asked for, or that every person you asked on a date said, yes.

Maybe you just need a few extra bucks to get through the week, wouldn’t it be cool if you just asked this imaginary God and an envelope showed up on your doorstep.

I’m here to tell you that if you will dig into the scriptures in the Bible and that if you can have the unshakable Faith, that God wants you to have everything that you need and desire.

That if you’re willing to trust in God, then take the actions described in those words in the Book of Matthew, that your envelopes will be full, that you’ll have the relationships you desire and that you will reach all your goals in the coming year.

I’ll ask you to not take my word for it, but to explore these truths for yourself. To reflect when there was a time you needed something and said that little prayer and it miraculously came true. When maybe you had some fear holding you back and you broke through the barrier and took action, and all of the sudden it really wasn’t that bad after all.

I must urge you to be careful here, however. Let’s return to the wisdom that Sitting Bull shared with us above. This principle will work for both good and bad.

If you seek good and productive things you can achieve that goal but in the same token, if you are feeding yourself or seeking negative or unproductive thoughts you will get the equal result.

So make yourself a promise in this new year and this new season. That you will ask for what you need and have faith it will be given. That you will seek out new ways to improve your life and that you will knock on the door of happiness and results and accept it into your life.

One last thing, even if you have to go hide in a corner to do it. Read that little black book called the Bible and ask God daily for your wildest desires.

As always, if you need help or have questions, contact us here or at Jim Bull Talks on Facebook.

https://www.facebook.com/Jim-Bull-Talks-664276770301656/

Let 2020 Be Your Best Year Yet

Hi everyone - hoping you all had a joyous holiday season. Christmas is a time that we are supposed to spend time with our family and reflect on the many blessings that we have received through out the past year.

Of course, the season can mean many different things to individuals depending upon your beliefs and outlooks. I know that not everyone feels Blessed at this time of the year. There could be many reasons you are happy but their may be many reasons why you're not.

I would ask you no matter what your current circumstances are, whether it was the best one ever or whether you were feeling lost and all alone, to believe the best is yet to come.

Of course that is entirely up to you and what actions and beliefs you partake in the coming year. I know many of you reading this already believe that we celebrate Christmas because of Jesus' birth. That God sent his son to earth 2000 plus years ago to carry the weights of the world and to set us free.

I'm sure that many too who may be reading this either don't believe or aren't quite sure what to believe. I'm also sure that if you've read this far that you either do know Jesus' love or that you are looking for an answer, wondering how 2020 could be your best year yet, or maybe just even a little better than what 2019 was.

At this point I could quote many scriptures from the Bible that I believe hold the keys to wisdom and happiness in this life, but today I want to quote you one of my favorites, Its not one we typically associate with this time of year, but one I believe is the key to success and happiness while we spend our years walking this earth.

Matthew 7: 7 says - Ask and it Shall be Given.

The Bible tells us that whatever we ask God for that if we believe thru faith, that it shall be granted to us by Him. Its such a simple concept yet so easy to forget or hard to believe. You see there is the key, knowing who God is and believing that he wants to Bless us beyond our greatest imaginations.

Please be careful here and use some wisdom however, because this can work for the good or bad.

I've been a believer in Christ for over 20 years now and I've found just recently again, even when my Faith lacks, that God comes through and takes care of me. In times of sadness, worry, financial struggles, it doesn't matter what you've been through and what you are going through today, that God has a great and glorious plan for you life.

That if you'll just be open and turn to Him, that He will make you smile again and again and Bless you with your greatest year ever in 2020. 

I know many have lost loves ones, are suffering with disease or sickness, maybe you've lost your job or way to support your family. I will tell you though, that if you want things to get better and if you open your heart to God that life can be grand. 

I'm not saying you'll become rich, or that your sickness will be cured, but I can tell you that your heart can be happy. It's up to you, the answers are at your fingertips, never easy but always worthwhile. Go ahead, give it a try, what do you have to lose compared to what you may have to gain.

If you need guidance on how to get started just reach out to us here or on FB, ask a friend, pick up a free Bible at a local thrift shop or just google it on your phone.

Go ahead, God is available and just waiting for your call.

Have You Done Your Mid-Year Checkup

Written for my racer friends but applies to anybody...

So, we’re midway through the 2019 racing season and I just wanted to check in to see how you’re doing, not only with your racing efforts but in your life as well.

With that question being asked - GOD WANTED ME TO TELL YOU, it shall be well with you this coming year. No matter how much your enemies try this year; they will not succeed.

You have been destined to make it and you shall surely achieve all your goals.

The paraphrase above comes from that little black book that I talk so much about – the Holy Bible. The scripture comes from one of the major prophets in the old testament.

Isaiah 3 (NLT) says:

10: Tell the godly that all will be well for them. They will enjoy the rich reward they have earned!

11: But the wicked are doomed, for they will get exactly what they deserve.

Now this can apply to everything you are trying to accomplish in life including your relationships with others, your work career, what you do for fun and of course your results on the racetrack.

There is a catch however and it’s found in the beginning of each of the verses above. You see whether you know it or not, God has great plans for your life. He wants you to have the best of everything.

But on the other hand, his competitor the Devil, he wants things to go the other way for you.  He wants you to crash, not to finish the race, not to get the things that God has so grandly planned for you.

I know the Devil tries to make the bad or wicked things look cool, but unfortunately, it’s just his way of leading you into the bad line, to get you to cut the course and as verse 11 above states you’ll get exactly what you deserve.

The good news is that if you seek God, that if you make the effort to learn how he would like you to live that you will finish strong, that you’ll earn the riches you so greatly deserve.

I would challenge you not to believe me, but to find out for yourself. Start each day by just talking to God and then listening to what you hear back. To download the Bible App and read just a little bit of scripture each day. It doesn’t matter which, just choose one and read.

You just might be surprised what you find.

As always, if you need help or direction, contact us here or at Jim Bull Talks on Facebook.

The 5 Most Important Things In Life According to Charles Stanley

From Jim Bull's October Chaplains Corner

“Obey God and leave all the consequences to him” – George Washington Stanley

Image by Jodie McCarthy

In an autobiography I’m reading by Doctor and Pastor Charles F. Stanley he claims this was one of the most important life lessons that his grandfather Pastor George Washington Stanley taught him that had a profound impact on his life.

He says in his book, as a matter of fact, if God told you to run head first into a brick wall to do it, and to know that God would make a hole to fit your head through by the time you arrived. What Faith!!

Charles Stanley, if you don’t know him is 86 years old and has been lead pastor of First Baptist Church in Atlanta, Ga since 1971. His “In Touch Ministry” over the years has been broadcast in 107 languages around the globe. Pastor Stanley has had a major impact on local churches and has changed the lives of millions.

I wanted to share with you the “Top Five” beliefs that he has incorporated into his life that he recommends that we do with our lives.

1. The most important thing in your life is your relationship with God.

2. Obey God and leave all the consequences to him.

3. God will move heaven and earth to reveal His will to you if you really want to know and do it.

4. God will provide for all your needs.

5. God will protect you.

I’m not sure your beliefs but would encourage you to step out on faith a little and give the above strategy a try.

2 Chronicles 16:9

The eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely his.

For prayer or to learn more please contact us here or follow along on our Facebook Page – Jim Bull Talks.

Lessons from the Congo - repost

I believe I wrote this for a church newsletter 3 - 4 years ago, but I can't say exactly when. I found it on my hard drive today while looking for some other material and thought it worth sharing.

Lessons from the Congo

By: Jim Bull

Every Sunday when I wake I wonder to myself, what lesson will I learn at church today? My family and I started attending New Danville about six months ago and I can honestly say that it was Gods Hand that led us here. The congregation has welcomed us with open arms and every time I attend I feel God working in my life and see him making a difference in my family’s life. 

This past Sunday would be no exception. As I awoke I remembered that we had a combined service and I told my family that we should get to Church a little early, that it was going to be crowded. I forgot completely however that we were having visitors from half way around the world.

As the service started the pastor from one of our sister churches took the stage and gave us some background on our visitors and then their worship team took the stage. They sang in a combination of English and French and my first impression was wow, this is really loud and it’s really not the way I worship.

Secondly I saw my young grandson and he seemed a bit afraid and I knew that his mother had been suffering from a migraine headache for a week. I’ll just be honest with you here because God already knows, I thought to myself, maybe we should have just stayed home today.

A few minutes into their singing however I could see the joy from the group in the message they were sharing. I saw members from the congregation with their hands in the air and people on their knees praising God. I looked at my daughter to try and get a read on her thoughts and she says to me, “Dad, this is awesome”. I asked her how her head was and she said it’s the first time in days that she had no headache. Yes, God is in control.

As the worship team finished and Pastor Maurice and his wife took the stage I was finding myself mesmerized in the message and totally impressed in the way that they praised and worshipped God. As they told their story I thought to myself about how weak my faith is at times, about how Iittle I really do to serve my God, the same God that they serve.

And again I hate to say it, but I thought it so I’ll share it. About how we as Americans and I’ll speak for myself here. About how I take for granted what God has provided for me and my family.  About how selfish I am with Gods message. About how I can set in a pew on Sunday mornings and not jump completely out of my skin for my love for Jesus. About how I can worship on Sunday knowing what Pastor Maurice and his family knows and not go sing it to the world.

I thank God that he delivered our Congo brothers and sisters to New Danville last Sunday morning. For their trials and tribulations and for the message of joy and thankfulness they share because of it. For their sold out belief that God is the only reason we exist, that he is leading the way and for reminding me that we need to be joyful and share the message of Jesus Christ to the world.

May God continue to bless their efforts and may they continue to be faithful to him. I know I am better for it.

Free Health and Wellness Seminar Lancaster, Pa. March 19, 2018

Do you struggle with your health, do you feel fatigued, stressed out or maybe feel like you could stand to lose a few unwanted pounds. Maybe you're looking for more energy or stamina to get through your day or improve your workouts.

        

Unfortunately most tradition diets don't work and many people just give up and except their current situation. If you'd like to feel and look your best and wake up everyday to have full control of your life then you owe it to yourself to at least come explore if this could be your chance at really doing it this time.

A tremendous opportunity exists this coming Monday March 19th in Ephrata. Lancaster County, Pa. to see if this nutritional system may be a fit for you. We have an expert from the Health and Wealth industry coming to town to share his 30 plus years experience on how you can improve your health and also talk about how you too can be a part of the multi billion dollar health and wellness industry if that is something you desire.

The event kicks off Monday evening and is purely informational. Space is limited however and as much as we want you to be there, we do need to reserve your seat for this life changing event.

Please contact me by text or phone as soon as possible: 717.951.5620 or contact me online

Please enjoy some other recent life transformations below.

This local personal trainer and body builder has achieved fantastic results.

My friend has lost well over a 100 pounds and has changed his life forever.

Think this hasn't made a difference in this couples life?

Don't hesitate - contact me today to reserve your seat and see if this may be the answer you've been looking for. 

Important Motley Church Update - What Does The Future Hold

Hey everyone, I wanted to share an update for those of you that are following along or even a little bit curious about this Motley Church thing I keep talking about.

Motley Church has seen different formats over the years and has had different core groups over the last three. End of summer last year Pastor Robert Brody and I met up to discuss this urgent call I was feeling once again on my life. After some good Sal's Pizza and an hour of conversation and prayer, Robert says to me, why don't we try to revive Motley.

Motley was the brain child of Rachel C. Rachel was a regular in a youth group that Robert ran at a different local church when she was in high school. As an adult she was curious and wanted to learn how to grow her relationship with God so she started coming to church. 

Like many of us however on most Sundays she would leave a sermon with tons of questions and not having a way to understand what she just sat through. Not that the sermon was bad, its just a little difficult in most churches to put your hand up and stop the pastor mid sermon. (see video below)

Then a week later you go back to maybe a totally different topic or lesson from the Bible, but still no answers.Some other early attenders of the group have been people who were curious but just not comfortable walking into a church setting for one reason or another.

So after some discussion with Pastor Robert they decided to launch a separate small group or gathering where people could come together to get answers, discuss what they were learning and really seek out the truth and guidance that the Bible has to offer. Hence Motley was born.

Fast forward to today. We  re-launched Motley in early October when I shared my testimony with a small group of people around a campfire. We've been meeting two Sunday evenings a month since then, sometimes to a large crowd and other times there's been only two or three, but each time we met, we've needed to be there for each other. 

Matthew 18:20

For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them."

Lets face it, we all have junk in our lives and there is nothing better knowing that somebody cares. That you have a safe place to go where you won't be judged and where you can find spiritual support and hopefully answers to whatever may be going on in your life, whether good or bad.

Anyhow - our biggest dilemma to date has been where and when to meet and how often do we do this, blah, blah, blah. Unfortunately its hard to accommodate everyone's schedules all the time but we have come to a change/decision on how to move forward.

Beginning Wednesday February 7th Motley will be meeting at New Danville Mennonite Church from 6:30 - 7:30 and we will meet every Wednesday night at the same time and place. We are also discussing once the weather gets a little nicer that we would have a Sunday night meet up once a month just to hang out and have fun at a park, do a picnic or some other extra curricular activity some where.

We know that Wednesday may be difficult for some but for the core group that's been attending that works best for now. We hope that any and all past attendees can make the schedule work, even if its only once or twice a month or maybe even our Sunday night meet ups. You'll also be able to follow along on our Facebook page and through my blog as I plan to keep regular lessons and updates here as well.

Our hopes are to discover the real truths in the Bible and to help each other do the same. If you are reading this and don't know whats in the book - we invite you. If you are reading this and do know whats in the book, we invite you too. No matter who you are, what you've done or what may have happened to you in your life, we invite you.

Motley is an open discussion forum where we all learn together, where you can come as you are and where we'll never judge you. We hope to see you all on February 7th as we will be starting our study of the book of Matthew that begins the New Testament. 

Thanks for reading this long post and we hope to see you then.

Matthew:1-1

The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.