I heard a pastor tell this quote of a deacon’s prayer once “Lord, may you do something special today that is not listed in the Sunday bulletin.” This quote hits close to home for many of us: Have you prayed a prayer on Monday and wonder by the end of the week why God has not answered it yet? Ever doubted your purpose or direction in life? Wonder why your ministry is not growing? Only give what the checkbook says you can give? Is your life so planned out that God doesn’t fit in it anymore? Is your church service so planned out that you leave no room for something special?
Either we are not asking or we don’t believe….and leave room!
James 1:5-6
5 If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. 6 But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind.
“I struggle with doubt often. Although I pray and say I trust God. I tend to be a doubting Thomas at times by the way I live my life. If Bill Gates was my uncle and he promised me to give me anything I needed at anytime, and all he wants me to do is ask in faith. It would be stupid to ask him for 20$ and walk away from him with the expectation that he wouldn’t give me just 20$ for gas or some other need. Because he has billions of dollars and he’s promised to give me anything I need, why would I doubt him for 20$. Then why would God, who has unlimited resources and unconditional love for us, promise to give us our essential needs and then not come through? I tend to pray prayers and then immediately start thinking about how I can accomplish my prayer in my time without Gods help. I’ve challenged myself with giving my needs to God and instead of trying to accomplish them in my power; I’m asking God for wisdom in faith and keeping my eyes open for opportunities, but not worrying about them at all.”-The Watchman
Is your vision too small? Have you factored God in that equation? “Factor God in that equation”-means asking yourself “is this goal man’s or God’s?”…where is the glory going- you or God?…have you retuned your vision to make sure your holding the course? Maybe today is the day. Refocus today not because you read an email, but because that is what the Lord is asking of you. Leave room in your walk for God to show up…leave room in your marriage for God to show up…leave room in your day to see…leave room in your day to listen…leave room to meet others…leave room for God to show up in your life!
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Forward Focus
"So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people. GALATIANS 6:10"
Some think opportunity has passed them by…some think their opportunity has never been there…some have lost the drive…while others have never been concerned about others. Have you ever considered that maybe you were created for such a time as this? Today! 2010! I used to be told I was too young to fulfill of hopes and dreams that could never be achieved. But now that I am older and the grey in my hair grows, these hopes and dreams have become unrealistic expectations.
Why are they unreal? Because you were told…or because you've never seen them in others…or are you just believing the lie? The lie of “how can I make a difference?”
If you're alive, then you have opportunities: give, write a card, dream big, think small, send an email, make a call, send a text, write a check, give a glass of water, pick up trash, do your best, read more, think more, pray more, love more, sing a song, encourage, speak up, move, change careers, speak less, write more, study less, study more. “…while we have opportunity” My hope is that you will stop believing the lie and know you are right where you are supposed to be…some roads have been tough and unexplainable…some unrealistic to think about…but as you look back to that path you just came from know this-you made it! “…let us do good to all people.”
“You can get busy dying or you can get busy living”
“You might not be able to change the world but you can change the world for one person”
Some think opportunity has passed them by…some think their opportunity has never been there…some have lost the drive…while others have never been concerned about others. Have you ever considered that maybe you were created for such a time as this? Today! 2010! I used to be told I was too young to fulfill of hopes and dreams that could never be achieved. But now that I am older and the grey in my hair grows, these hopes and dreams have become unrealistic expectations.
Why are they unreal? Because you were told…or because you've never seen them in others…or are you just believing the lie? The lie of “how can I make a difference?”
If you're alive, then you have opportunities: give, write a card, dream big, think small, send an email, make a call, send a text, write a check, give a glass of water, pick up trash, do your best, read more, think more, pray more, love more, sing a song, encourage, speak up, move, change careers, speak less, write more, study less, study more. “…while we have opportunity” My hope is that you will stop believing the lie and know you are right where you are supposed to be…some roads have been tough and unexplainable…some unrealistic to think about…but as you look back to that path you just came from know this-you made it! “…let us do good to all people.”
“You can get busy dying or you can get busy living”
“You might not be able to change the world but you can change the world for one person”
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Be a Foot Washer
I have been on the road lately and when I get on the road I think a lot…and for some reason I thought back to the last two years that God has open some doors for me to speak at. In those two years I have seen and witness some amazing moments…first ever school I spoke at, we were able to save the life of a 14 year old girl that heard me that day and call the HopeLine that night. The following year I had a 13 year old girl come up to me after I was done speaking and said these words “I was going to commit suicide today…” the key to that sentence is “was”
Now you might be thinking “why in the world are you bringing up these stories?”…or for those who know me, you might be thinking “how cool to serve in that way “. In John 13:15 we read these words, “I have given you an example to follow.., do as I have done to you.” Now, be careful when reading those words, because those words are not about me but about a greater servant than I. I read these words just the other day:
Be a Foot Washer- Washed any feet lately? You don’t have to wash someone’s feet in order to serve like Jesus. You could spend time playing with a very young child to help a busy mother. You could read to someone who is feeling sick and in need of company. Take a faith step. Wash someone’s feet today!”
Look around you today and how could you wash some feet: be intentional, be open, look, listen, and lastly move into action. You are exactly in the place where God wants you…you have been through struggles for a reason…you are reading this because maybe you need to be reminded that the greatest of us was a “Foot Washer” himself.
Church-stop serving just on Sundays…you’re missing the other six days a week.
Friends-get outside your comfort zone and meet new people to serve…hanging out at the house won’t cut it
Work-are you a servant or a dictator…can people see a servants heart in you?
Stop making excuses, stop telling me why you can’t, stop telling me it’s not your job anymore….because the last time I looked you are still on the earth for a reason. Maybe this was for you or maybe you have been wrong all your life…it’s not too late to become a foot washer.
Now you might be thinking “why in the world are you bringing up these stories?”…or for those who know me, you might be thinking “how cool to serve in that way “. In John 13:15 we read these words, “I have given you an example to follow.., do as I have done to you.” Now, be careful when reading those words, because those words are not about me but about a greater servant than I. I read these words just the other day:
Be a Foot Washer- Washed any feet lately? You don’t have to wash someone’s feet in order to serve like Jesus. You could spend time playing with a very young child to help a busy mother. You could read to someone who is feeling sick and in need of company. Take a faith step. Wash someone’s feet today!”
Look around you today and how could you wash some feet: be intentional, be open, look, listen, and lastly move into action. You are exactly in the place where God wants you…you have been through struggles for a reason…you are reading this because maybe you need to be reminded that the greatest of us was a “Foot Washer” himself.
Church-stop serving just on Sundays…you’re missing the other six days a week.
Friends-get outside your comfort zone and meet new people to serve…hanging out at the house won’t cut it
Work-are you a servant or a dictator…can people see a servants heart in you?
Stop making excuses, stop telling me why you can’t, stop telling me it’s not your job anymore….because the last time I looked you are still on the earth for a reason. Maybe this was for you or maybe you have been wrong all your life…it’s not too late to become a foot washer.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Take it up...
Recently a friend of mine informed me that he and his family were moving away because of…
What if you were to pack up one day and move away because the Lord told you to? Could you? I can already hear some of you saying, “If God told me to of course I would move!” I am talking more about how you know it was the Lord telling you to move because I know some of us are poor listeners…or maybe that’s just me!? So, maybe the Lord has not asked you to pack up your family and move to a foreign land or city…but maybe the Lord did ask you to: Give, pray, serve, witness, love, forgive, read.
The funny thing about that list...it is only between you and the Lord. When was the last time you had a little “me and Jesus time?” Time to listen…time to ask…time to remember that all this is “His”.
Truly, I am going to miss my friend and his family, but I know we serve the Kingdom together and the King is asking him to go. I pray that you would hear the Lord’s voice in whatever He is asking you to do…and not just hear but act.
Matt 16:24 - "Then Jesus told his disciples, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.'"
What if you were to pack up one day and move away because the Lord told you to? Could you? I can already hear some of you saying, “If God told me to of course I would move!” I am talking more about how you know it was the Lord telling you to move because I know some of us are poor listeners…or maybe that’s just me!? So, maybe the Lord has not asked you to pack up your family and move to a foreign land or city…but maybe the Lord did ask you to: Give, pray, serve, witness, love, forgive, read.
The funny thing about that list...it is only between you and the Lord. When was the last time you had a little “me and Jesus time?” Time to listen…time to ask…time to remember that all this is “His”.
Truly, I am going to miss my friend and his family, but I know we serve the Kingdom together and the King is asking him to go. I pray that you would hear the Lord’s voice in whatever He is asking you to do…and not just hear but act.
Matt 16:24 - "Then Jesus told his disciples, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.'"
Thursday, April 22, 2010
We need to get past...
We need to get past…complaining about music in church…style of worship…how we serve the lost…the fear of man…excuses for not serving the Kingdom.
We need to remember…the cross…what it’s like to be a visitor again…prayer…worship.
Whose voice are you listening too? Some of you have given up and moved on because that is easier than trying to take a stand: please serve…please pray…please love your family… those around you…and your Heavenly Father. Have you ever thought God place you there in this moment for a reason?
Our God is Greater than anything…death, lies, and even you!!!! People ask why you keep trying to organize events, lunches, participation and sending out all these darn emails. Why-because of our God is greater than Man and the enemies of this world…and He is Risen!
WK
We need to remember…the cross…what it’s like to be a visitor again…prayer…worship.
Whose voice are you listening too? Some of you have given up and moved on because that is easier than trying to take a stand: please serve…please pray…please love your family… those around you…and your Heavenly Father. Have you ever thought God place you there in this moment for a reason?
Our God is Greater than anything…death, lies, and even you!!!! People ask why you keep trying to organize events, lunches, participation and sending out all these darn emails. Why-because of our God is greater than Man and the enemies of this world…and He is Risen!
WK
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