Good morning! This morning as I write to you, I have felt that I needed to address those of you who feel stuck in a rut. Think about the way many of us describe our days and our work: “The daily grind,” “the rat race,” and “keeping your head above water.” For many people the call of their life has become a burden and has lost its joy.
The longer I walk with God, the more I see that often times He puts me in a holding pattern. It is important to remember that God sees everything. His vision is not limited to here and now. We on the other hand can only see here and now and what is behind us. The Bible gives us many great truths about waiting upon the Lord. Today I wanted to focus in on this verse from Isaiah:
Isaiah 40:31 (NLT)
But those who wait on the Lord will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.
Wow…what a great promise! This verse certainly sounds good, but how does this really work? I want to paraphrase for you an email story I received several years ago that I think sums this one up very well.
God appeared to a man one night in a vision. During this vision Jesus told the man that everyday, all day long, He wanted the man to push on a large boulder in front of his home. In obedience the man went out every day and pushed against this large boulder. Hours upon hours he spent pushing against this boulder and in all types of weather.
After a number of years, Satan paid the man a visit. “You fool!”, Satan said, “You have been pushing this boulder for years and it still hasn’t moved. You’ve wasted your time, God has forgotten you!”
The man began to reflect on all Satan had said. He became dejected, because he had invested so many years of his life into pushing against this boulder, but truthfully, the boulder had never moved. So he began to cry out, “Lord why are you ignoring me?” “Why have you abandoned me?” “Why have allowed me to be in this position?”
That night God appeared to the man once again. As the man began to complain about his situation, Jesus stopped him. “Look at your legs,” God said, “See how muscular they have become. Look at your back, the broadness of your shoulders. Look at your arms how well defined and strong they are.” God then told him, “If you will remember, I never called you to move the boulder, I simply called you to push against it. By your obedience you have become stronger and more developed. I am the one who moves the boulders.” At that, God removed the boulder from this man’s life.
Why has God allowed you to remain in your situation? Maybe he has allowed finances to be tight, to make you a better manager of resources. Maybe he has allowed that bothersome individual to remain in your life to instill patience. Maybe he has allowed you to stay in that job to build endurance. Eagles don’t immediately fly they have to strengthen their wings.
If you find yourself in a holding pattern today, instead of asking God to remove you from the situation, ask Him to teach you through the situation. Ultimately God will take you through or He will cause you to rise above…but you must be willing to wait patiently upon Him and His perfect timing.
Until next Monday, may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.
Carl
Monday, September 26, 2005
Friday, September 23, 2005
The Power of Purpose
This is an essay that I wrote for a writing competition last year. I hope you find some morsels of wisdom and encouragement.
Carl
What do you want to be when you grow up? What do you want to do with your life? Like me, many people vividly remember questions like these that were a common staple of our adolescent years. From our earliest years we were programmed to think in terms of doing. What will I do? What will I accomplish? Driven to excel, to achieve, always striving for a defined image of success.
In the process of doing we have ignored and all but forgotten the process of “becoming.” What am I to become? When the titles, accolades and achievements are stripped away who is the person that is revealed? The process of becoming is God’s divine plan for building men of purpose.
It has been said that “knowledge is power.” There is no greater knowledge a man can have than to understand and know God’s purpose in his life. The man who understands his purpose is a man of focus and passion. Like the focused light of a laser beam, the understanding of his purpose cuts through the darkness and ambiguity that life so often brings. The man who understands his purpose has a clear mental picture of who God intends for him to become. The purpose of his life becomes the filter through which all activities, questions and decisions are passed A man who becomes all that God wants him to be, will accomplish all that God wants him to do. In this process of “becoming” the result of “doing” naturally takes place.
So how does one harness the power of purpose? How does one come to know and understand the unique calling upon his life? For me the starting point of understanding my purpose was the realization that God had created me with a specific finished product in mind. A purpose that is as unique to me as my fingerprint. Consider the words of Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”[1] Understanding that God had a specific plan for me was the foundation for this process of becoming. It is exciting enough knowing that God has a unique plan for my life, but to understand that God’s plans are for my personal development and fulfillment is simply amazing! The realization that God has not left life to be a random series of events, but instead the planned shaping and refining process of a Master Builder brings unshakeable peace.
Consider the power of unshakeable peace. On March 4, 1933 President Franklin D. Roosevelt was sworn into office. The country was in the midst of the Great Depression and fear had gripped the nation. In his inaugural speech, President Roosevelt spoke these famous and profound words: “So first of all let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear…is fear itself…nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance.” What prevents men from reaching higher and pushing themselves further? Fear! Throughout time great men have been paralyzed and defeated by fear. Fear of failure, fear of exposure, fear of ridicule and fear of death. The prophet Elijah was a great hero of the Bible, the accounts of God working in his life are simply amazing and inspiring, but the Bible shows something else in Elijah’s life. Elijah knew firsthand the paralysis of fear. Look at this account from 1 Kings 19:3-5: “Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, while he himself went a day’s journey into the desert. He came to a broom tree, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” Then he lay down under the tree and fell asleep.”[2] Elijah was a man defeated by fear. Like Elijah many of us have been held back by our fears, but what about the man with unshakeable peace? The man who understands his purpose does not view adversity as a source of harm, but instead sees it as a tool of refining. The man of purpose enters into the turmoil of life with the confidence of knowing that his trials are part of a larger plan to shape and mold him. He is at peace with all inevitable outcomes knowing that his God given path has already been laid out before him. He no longer faces adversity wondering when it will end, but instead anticipates the changes it will bring about in his life. Adversity is no longer measured by the pain inflicted, but instead by the lessons learned. The man of purpose is no longer hampered by his fears; he is at peace under all circumstances. As a result of his unshakeable peace, he is willing to undertake challenges that ordinary men will not face. His purpose drives him to move forward when others retreat. The fulfillment of his purpose is worth any risk or challenge that may be faced.
Have you ever watched a hamster or gerbil on an exercise wheel? They run their little hearts out and yet they remain stationary. Many people today live their lives in much the same way. Running here and going there from the time their feet hit the floor in the morning until their head hits the pillow at night. Our world is filled with busyness as we try to squeeze as much into our days as we can, yet most people still do not give adequate time to the priorities of life.
Consider the power of purpose when it comes to determining priorities and the allocation of our most precious resource…time. A few years ago I received an inspirational mouse pad from Successories, Inc. On this mouse pad is the following thought: The Essence of A New Day: “This is the beginning of a new day. You have been given this day to use as you will. You can waste it or use it for good. What you do today is important because you are exchanging a day of your life for it. When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever; in its place is something that you have left behind…let it be something good.”[3] The man of purpose views each day as a precious gift from God. He is aware that tomorrow is not promised or guaranteed and therefore he seeks to be the best steward of his time that he can be. Purpose becomes the filter through which all demands on his schedule are filtered. The man of purpose makes time for those things that contribute to the fulfillment of his life’s purpose. Those things that do not lend themselves to fulfillment of that purpose are eliminated from the calendar or given a lesser priority in his life. As a pastor, I have had the opportunity to interact with many people during the final days of their lives. I have yet to hear anyone say that they should have put in just a few more hours of overtime, worked a few more weekends or been away from home a little more during their lifetime. More often than not what I hear are the recurrent themes of faith, family and friends. The man of purpose is intentional to keep the priorities of life a priority. He realizes that his time is a non-renewable resource. Once a moment has been spent, it is gone for good and the man of purpose is not willing to waste one precious minute. At the end of the day the man of purpose is energized, because he sees that the use of his day has contributed towards the fulfillment of his God given purpose.
What is your legacy? What will be the impact of your life? I once read an email that suggested that each of our lives is represented by a dash...the line between the date of birth and the date of death on our tombstones. The email ended with the question, “how will you spend your dash?” When it comes to the issue of purpose there is no greater power than the power to have a lasting influence on the life of another person. When I consider who I am as a man, I see the fingerprints of a few key men and women upon my life. God used these individuals to mold, shape, encourage and at times correct me as I have traveled through this journey of life.
It was Godly parents who provided the Christian influence of my childhood. It was their instruction in the Bible and their fellowship within a local church body that provided the solid moral foundation of my life. Upon this foundation, God has continually built through the input of others.
I vividly remember one powerful shaping encounter with my friend Dean. Dean is more than 30 years my senior and is more than a friend; he has at times been like a second father to me. As a man in my late twenties, Dean approached me about serving as a Deacon in our local church. I quickly dismissed the idea and informed Dean that I was not ready to take on that type of role. I shared with him that I had way too many faults and shortcomings to be a leader in a local church. At this point Dean said “If not being ready is your reason for not serving, you will never serve, because you will never be ready. There will always be something in your life that could be better.” That was a turning point in my life. Those words helped me to understand that my availability was much more important to God, and others for that matter, than my skills, talents or abilities ever would be. Today, Dean may not even remember that conversation, but because he lived out his life’s purpose as a Godly example to other men, my life was dramatically affected. Each life that my ministry has had an impact upon, may have never been touched, had it not been for those simple, but profound words spoken years ago. Dean was not doing anything out of the ordinary; he was merely living out the calling on his life…to be a Godly man of influence.
The yielding of my life to God’s plan and purpose is the greatest act of worship I can offer. To become the fulfillment of his divine design brings honor and glory to him. My greatest reward will be to one day stand before him and hear the words “well done thou good and faithful servant.”
[1] The Holy Bible, New International Version®
Copyright© 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society
[2]The Holy Bible, New International Version®
Copyright© 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society
[3] Copyright© 1998, Successories, Inc.
Carl
What do you want to be when you grow up? What do you want to do with your life? Like me, many people vividly remember questions like these that were a common staple of our adolescent years. From our earliest years we were programmed to think in terms of doing. What will I do? What will I accomplish? Driven to excel, to achieve, always striving for a defined image of success.
In the process of doing we have ignored and all but forgotten the process of “becoming.” What am I to become? When the titles, accolades and achievements are stripped away who is the person that is revealed? The process of becoming is God’s divine plan for building men of purpose.
It has been said that “knowledge is power.” There is no greater knowledge a man can have than to understand and know God’s purpose in his life. The man who understands his purpose is a man of focus and passion. Like the focused light of a laser beam, the understanding of his purpose cuts through the darkness and ambiguity that life so often brings. The man who understands his purpose has a clear mental picture of who God intends for him to become. The purpose of his life becomes the filter through which all activities, questions and decisions are passed A man who becomes all that God wants him to be, will accomplish all that God wants him to do. In this process of “becoming” the result of “doing” naturally takes place.
So how does one harness the power of purpose? How does one come to know and understand the unique calling upon his life? For me the starting point of understanding my purpose was the realization that God had created me with a specific finished product in mind. A purpose that is as unique to me as my fingerprint. Consider the words of Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”[1] Understanding that God had a specific plan for me was the foundation for this process of becoming. It is exciting enough knowing that God has a unique plan for my life, but to understand that God’s plans are for my personal development and fulfillment is simply amazing! The realization that God has not left life to be a random series of events, but instead the planned shaping and refining process of a Master Builder brings unshakeable peace.
Consider the power of unshakeable peace. On March 4, 1933 President Franklin D. Roosevelt was sworn into office. The country was in the midst of the Great Depression and fear had gripped the nation. In his inaugural speech, President Roosevelt spoke these famous and profound words: “So first of all let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear…is fear itself…nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance.” What prevents men from reaching higher and pushing themselves further? Fear! Throughout time great men have been paralyzed and defeated by fear. Fear of failure, fear of exposure, fear of ridicule and fear of death. The prophet Elijah was a great hero of the Bible, the accounts of God working in his life are simply amazing and inspiring, but the Bible shows something else in Elijah’s life. Elijah knew firsthand the paralysis of fear. Look at this account from 1 Kings 19:3-5: “Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, while he himself went a day’s journey into the desert. He came to a broom tree, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” Then he lay down under the tree and fell asleep.”[2] Elijah was a man defeated by fear. Like Elijah many of us have been held back by our fears, but what about the man with unshakeable peace? The man who understands his purpose does not view adversity as a source of harm, but instead sees it as a tool of refining. The man of purpose enters into the turmoil of life with the confidence of knowing that his trials are part of a larger plan to shape and mold him. He is at peace with all inevitable outcomes knowing that his God given path has already been laid out before him. He no longer faces adversity wondering when it will end, but instead anticipates the changes it will bring about in his life. Adversity is no longer measured by the pain inflicted, but instead by the lessons learned. The man of purpose is no longer hampered by his fears; he is at peace under all circumstances. As a result of his unshakeable peace, he is willing to undertake challenges that ordinary men will not face. His purpose drives him to move forward when others retreat. The fulfillment of his purpose is worth any risk or challenge that may be faced.
Have you ever watched a hamster or gerbil on an exercise wheel? They run their little hearts out and yet they remain stationary. Many people today live their lives in much the same way. Running here and going there from the time their feet hit the floor in the morning until their head hits the pillow at night. Our world is filled with busyness as we try to squeeze as much into our days as we can, yet most people still do not give adequate time to the priorities of life.
Consider the power of purpose when it comes to determining priorities and the allocation of our most precious resource…time. A few years ago I received an inspirational mouse pad from Successories, Inc. On this mouse pad is the following thought: The Essence of A New Day: “This is the beginning of a new day. You have been given this day to use as you will. You can waste it or use it for good. What you do today is important because you are exchanging a day of your life for it. When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever; in its place is something that you have left behind…let it be something good.”[3] The man of purpose views each day as a precious gift from God. He is aware that tomorrow is not promised or guaranteed and therefore he seeks to be the best steward of his time that he can be. Purpose becomes the filter through which all demands on his schedule are filtered. The man of purpose makes time for those things that contribute to the fulfillment of his life’s purpose. Those things that do not lend themselves to fulfillment of that purpose are eliminated from the calendar or given a lesser priority in his life. As a pastor, I have had the opportunity to interact with many people during the final days of their lives. I have yet to hear anyone say that they should have put in just a few more hours of overtime, worked a few more weekends or been away from home a little more during their lifetime. More often than not what I hear are the recurrent themes of faith, family and friends. The man of purpose is intentional to keep the priorities of life a priority. He realizes that his time is a non-renewable resource. Once a moment has been spent, it is gone for good and the man of purpose is not willing to waste one precious minute. At the end of the day the man of purpose is energized, because he sees that the use of his day has contributed towards the fulfillment of his God given purpose.
What is your legacy? What will be the impact of your life? I once read an email that suggested that each of our lives is represented by a dash...the line between the date of birth and the date of death on our tombstones. The email ended with the question, “how will you spend your dash?” When it comes to the issue of purpose there is no greater power than the power to have a lasting influence on the life of another person. When I consider who I am as a man, I see the fingerprints of a few key men and women upon my life. God used these individuals to mold, shape, encourage and at times correct me as I have traveled through this journey of life.
It was Godly parents who provided the Christian influence of my childhood. It was their instruction in the Bible and their fellowship within a local church body that provided the solid moral foundation of my life. Upon this foundation, God has continually built through the input of others.
I vividly remember one powerful shaping encounter with my friend Dean. Dean is more than 30 years my senior and is more than a friend; he has at times been like a second father to me. As a man in my late twenties, Dean approached me about serving as a Deacon in our local church. I quickly dismissed the idea and informed Dean that I was not ready to take on that type of role. I shared with him that I had way too many faults and shortcomings to be a leader in a local church. At this point Dean said “If not being ready is your reason for not serving, you will never serve, because you will never be ready. There will always be something in your life that could be better.” That was a turning point in my life. Those words helped me to understand that my availability was much more important to God, and others for that matter, than my skills, talents or abilities ever would be. Today, Dean may not even remember that conversation, but because he lived out his life’s purpose as a Godly example to other men, my life was dramatically affected. Each life that my ministry has had an impact upon, may have never been touched, had it not been for those simple, but profound words spoken years ago. Dean was not doing anything out of the ordinary; he was merely living out the calling on his life…to be a Godly man of influence.
The yielding of my life to God’s plan and purpose is the greatest act of worship I can offer. To become the fulfillment of his divine design brings honor and glory to him. My greatest reward will be to one day stand before him and hear the words “well done thou good and faithful servant.”
[1] The Holy Bible, New International Version®
Copyright© 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society
[2]The Holy Bible, New International Version®
Copyright© 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society
[3] Copyright© 1998, Successories, Inc.
Monday, September 19, 2005
Monday Morning Encouragement - September 19, 2005
Good morning! If you are like me, many of you started off your Monday morning by looking at your calendar, day planner or Outlook™ to formulate your game plan for the day and possibly even the week. Depending on your personality type you may be so detailed that nearly every minute of your day is charted out before you, with little room for flexibility.
Today I want to talk about divine interruptions to your schedule. When we choose to walk daily with God, we need to understand that our priorities are not always His priorities. We may have one agenda, while God has a completely different purpose for our time, talents and energies. This morning’s encouragement comes from the 16th chapter of Acts:
Acts 16:6-10 (NLT)
Next Paul and Silas traveled through the area of Phrygia and Galatia, because the Holy Spirit had told them not to go into the province of Asia at that time. [7] Then coming to the borders of Mysia, they headed for the province of Bithynia, but again the Spirit of Jesus did not let them go. [8] So instead, they went on through Mysia to the city of Troas.
[9] That night Paul had a vision. He saw a man from Macedonia in northern Greece, pleading with him, "Come over here and help us." [10] So we decided to leave for Macedonia at once, for we could only conclude that God was calling us to preach the Good News there.
In this account we see that as Paul and Silas were traveling the Holy Spirit was directing their path. There were some areas that Paul and Silas wanted to go and yet God was preventing them from entering those areas. Ultimately, God had an entirely different destination in mind for Paul and Silas, but the destination was not revealed until the time was right. When it was all said and done, God had narrowed down the choices for Paul and Silas and there was only one direction they could go.
Many times we set out on a particular course for our day, week or even our life. We are so committed to following that course of action that we become inflexible. At these times, God often closes doors in our lives or puts detours and barriers in our way to redirect us to the place that He is leading. For example you may get caught up in a meeting and end up going to lunch at a different time. During this altered lunch time you have the opportunity to encourage someone you might not normally see. What started out as an inconvenience now has become a “divine” appointment.
On a larger scale there may be times that you experience the death of a dream or goal, because God wants to take you in a different direction. I started life as a Police Officer. It was my goal to put in my 25 years and retire at age 46. God however changed my course and redirected me. To be obedient to God’s leading, I had to let my dreams and my goals die. I had to be willing to sacrifice my pursuits, noble as they were, so that God’s best could be a part of my life. During times like these, I have watched God close many doors, so that His leading was undeniable.
Today you may find yourself moving in direction different form what you had planned. Don’t let this be a point of stress, but instead look for the divine moments in your day. Who are the people God is bringing across your path? What are the circumstances that are changing before your very eyes?
Until next Monday, may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.
Carl
Today I want to talk about divine interruptions to your schedule. When we choose to walk daily with God, we need to understand that our priorities are not always His priorities. We may have one agenda, while God has a completely different purpose for our time, talents and energies. This morning’s encouragement comes from the 16th chapter of Acts:
Acts 16:6-10 (NLT)
Next Paul and Silas traveled through the area of Phrygia and Galatia, because the Holy Spirit had told them not to go into the province of Asia at that time. [7] Then coming to the borders of Mysia, they headed for the province of Bithynia, but again the Spirit of Jesus did not let them go. [8] So instead, they went on through Mysia to the city of Troas.
[9] That night Paul had a vision. He saw a man from Macedonia in northern Greece, pleading with him, "Come over here and help us." [10] So we decided to leave for Macedonia at once, for we could only conclude that God was calling us to preach the Good News there.
In this account we see that as Paul and Silas were traveling the Holy Spirit was directing their path. There were some areas that Paul and Silas wanted to go and yet God was preventing them from entering those areas. Ultimately, God had an entirely different destination in mind for Paul and Silas, but the destination was not revealed until the time was right. When it was all said and done, God had narrowed down the choices for Paul and Silas and there was only one direction they could go.
Many times we set out on a particular course for our day, week or even our life. We are so committed to following that course of action that we become inflexible. At these times, God often closes doors in our lives or puts detours and barriers in our way to redirect us to the place that He is leading. For example you may get caught up in a meeting and end up going to lunch at a different time. During this altered lunch time you have the opportunity to encourage someone you might not normally see. What started out as an inconvenience now has become a “divine” appointment.
On a larger scale there may be times that you experience the death of a dream or goal, because God wants to take you in a different direction. I started life as a Police Officer. It was my goal to put in my 25 years and retire at age 46. God however changed my course and redirected me. To be obedient to God’s leading, I had to let my dreams and my goals die. I had to be willing to sacrifice my pursuits, noble as they were, so that God’s best could be a part of my life. During times like these, I have watched God close many doors, so that His leading was undeniable.
Today you may find yourself moving in direction different form what you had planned. Don’t let this be a point of stress, but instead look for the divine moments in your day. Who are the people God is bringing across your path? What are the circumstances that are changing before your very eyes?
Until next Monday, may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.
Carl
Monday, September 12, 2005
Monday Morning Encouragement - September 12, 2005
Good morning! Today I want to share with you the following account from the book of Acts:
Acts 5:15-16 (NLT)
As a result of the apostles' work, sick people were brought out into the streets on beds and mats so that Peter's shadow might fall across some of them as he went by. [16] Crowds came in from the villages around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those possessed by evil spirits, and they were all healed.
As we discuss this passage this morning I want for you to get a clear mental picture of a boat moving through the water. When a boat moves through the water it leaves a wake in its path. This wake spreads out from behind the moving vessel and affects other vessels on the water. The wake can be gentle if the boat is moving slowly and is not displacing a great amount of water. On the other hand, a fast moving vessel displacing a large amount of water can be very disruptive to the other vessels.
As we move through life, we also leave a wake in our path. Our wake can be life giving or can be destructive. For example a kind word can make somebody’s day, but a harsh word can destroy their spirit. In this account we see that Peter’s wake was a life giving wake.
Notice that the hope was for Peter’s shadow to fall on the sick. Peter was not praying over the sick, he was not even laying his hands on them. He was simply walking past and yet those in his wake were experiencing the healing touch of God. How did that happen? Let me take you to an earlier set of scriptures in Acts:
Acts 4:8-13 (NLT)
Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Leaders and elders of our nation, [9] are we being questioned because we've done a good deed for a crippled man? Do you want to know how he was healed? [10] Let me clearly state to you and to all the people of Israel that he was healed in the name and power of Jesus Christ from Nazareth, the man you crucified, but whom God raised from the dead. [11] For Jesus is the one referred to in the Scriptures, where it says,
'The stone that you builders rejected
has now become the cornerstone.'
[12] There is salvation in no one else! There is no other name in all of heaven for people to call on to save them."
[13] The members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they could see that they were ordinary men who had had no special training. They also recognized them as men who had been with Jesus.
There are two things that we need to see. First of all Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit. Acts 1:8 tells us that when the Holy Spirit comes upon us we receive “power” to be the witnesses of Christ. So Peter was operating not under his own strength and power, but under the power of God. Remember the Peter we see being so bold here is the same Peter who had only a short time earlier denied Christ three times.
Secondarily, Peter was so fully surrendered to Christ that His influence was evident in all that Peter did. Look at the final two sentences of verse 13. The members of the council saw that Peter was an ordinary man…but they recognized he had been with Jesus. People were being healed not because of anything Peter was doing, but because of God’s presence in his life. Peter was so surrendered to Christ, that to be in Peter’s presence was to experience the presence of God.
Did you notice? Peter is not actively involved, so his ego is not getting the best of him. People are being healed by the passing of his shadow and not the touch of his hand. What is so exciting about this is that all of the glory belonged to God. Peter quite frankly was out of the loop.
How surrendered to God are you today? Do those in your wake experience His touch? As you move through life is the focus about you and what you are doing or is the focus what God is doing through you? Today I encourage you to look behind your boat are you leaving a life giving wake or a wake of destruction?
Until next Monday, may God’s richest blessings be yours.
Carl
Acts 5:15-16 (NLT)
As a result of the apostles' work, sick people were brought out into the streets on beds and mats so that Peter's shadow might fall across some of them as he went by. [16] Crowds came in from the villages around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those possessed by evil spirits, and they were all healed.
As we discuss this passage this morning I want for you to get a clear mental picture of a boat moving through the water. When a boat moves through the water it leaves a wake in its path. This wake spreads out from behind the moving vessel and affects other vessels on the water. The wake can be gentle if the boat is moving slowly and is not displacing a great amount of water. On the other hand, a fast moving vessel displacing a large amount of water can be very disruptive to the other vessels.
As we move through life, we also leave a wake in our path. Our wake can be life giving or can be destructive. For example a kind word can make somebody’s day, but a harsh word can destroy their spirit. In this account we see that Peter’s wake was a life giving wake.
Notice that the hope was for Peter’s shadow to fall on the sick. Peter was not praying over the sick, he was not even laying his hands on them. He was simply walking past and yet those in his wake were experiencing the healing touch of God. How did that happen? Let me take you to an earlier set of scriptures in Acts:
Acts 4:8-13 (NLT)
Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Leaders and elders of our nation, [9] are we being questioned because we've done a good deed for a crippled man? Do you want to know how he was healed? [10] Let me clearly state to you and to all the people of Israel that he was healed in the name and power of Jesus Christ from Nazareth, the man you crucified, but whom God raised from the dead. [11] For Jesus is the one referred to in the Scriptures, where it says,
'The stone that you builders rejected
has now become the cornerstone.'
[12] There is salvation in no one else! There is no other name in all of heaven for people to call on to save them."
[13] The members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they could see that they were ordinary men who had had no special training. They also recognized them as men who had been with Jesus.
There are two things that we need to see. First of all Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit. Acts 1:8 tells us that when the Holy Spirit comes upon us we receive “power” to be the witnesses of Christ. So Peter was operating not under his own strength and power, but under the power of God. Remember the Peter we see being so bold here is the same Peter who had only a short time earlier denied Christ three times.
Secondarily, Peter was so fully surrendered to Christ that His influence was evident in all that Peter did. Look at the final two sentences of verse 13. The members of the council saw that Peter was an ordinary man…but they recognized he had been with Jesus. People were being healed not because of anything Peter was doing, but because of God’s presence in his life. Peter was so surrendered to Christ, that to be in Peter’s presence was to experience the presence of God.
Did you notice? Peter is not actively involved, so his ego is not getting the best of him. People are being healed by the passing of his shadow and not the touch of his hand. What is so exciting about this is that all of the glory belonged to God. Peter quite frankly was out of the loop.
How surrendered to God are you today? Do those in your wake experience His touch? As you move through life is the focus about you and what you are doing or is the focus what God is doing through you? Today I encourage you to look behind your boat are you leaving a life giving wake or a wake of destruction?
Until next Monday, may God’s richest blessings be yours.
Carl
Monday, September 05, 2005
Good morning! Today being Labor Day, I’m sure many of you are planning to spend time with family and friends. Labor Day is typically a day of campouts, barbeque and laughter. Today, however, many will be fighting for their very survival as a result of Hurricane Katrina.
Many of us have been glued to our televisions over the past week watching the devastation and suffering. So what is our response supposed to be when faced with these types of needs? Does the Bible offer any guidance?
Matthew 25:31-40 (NLT)
"But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne. [32] All the nations will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate them as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. [33] He will place the sheep at his right hand and the goats at his left. [34] Then the King will say to those on the right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. [35] For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. [36] I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.'
[37] "Then these righteous ones will reply, 'Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? [38] Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? [39] When did we ever see you sick or in prison, and visit you?' [40] And the King will tell them, 'I assure you, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!'
This morning I want to challenge you to be more than a spectator, I challenge you to get your hands dirty. So what can you do?
Pray – Spend time praying for those who have been devastated by this disaster. Pray for the orphans, the widows, the sick, the destitute. Ask God to move on their behalf to bring comfort and healing and His loving touch. Ask God to show you what you need to be doing…offer yourself to Him for service.
Give – The easiest thing to give is your money. Every dollar counts, even now our denomination’s disaster relief teams are providing over 300,000 meals per day. What about your time? People will be needed to help clean up, pack up, feed, build and just be a friend. Could this be you? Take that other week of vacation and volunteer your time and talents.
Open your home – Got an extra bedroom? Offer to house a family who has lost everything. Work with your church or a local disaster relief agency to identify those who need a roof over their head.
At some point all of us will face a crisis of some sort…weather, health, business, war, etc… When the time comes you will be thankful for those who have given of themselves to care for you. Today commit yourself to being a blessing for those who are hurting.
Until next Monday, may God’s richest blessings be yours.
Carl
Many of us have been glued to our televisions over the past week watching the devastation and suffering. So what is our response supposed to be when faced with these types of needs? Does the Bible offer any guidance?
Matthew 25:31-40 (NLT)
"But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne. [32] All the nations will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate them as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. [33] He will place the sheep at his right hand and the goats at his left. [34] Then the King will say to those on the right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. [35] For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. [36] I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.'
[37] "Then these righteous ones will reply, 'Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? [38] Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? [39] When did we ever see you sick or in prison, and visit you?' [40] And the King will tell them, 'I assure you, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!'
This morning I want to challenge you to be more than a spectator, I challenge you to get your hands dirty. So what can you do?
Pray – Spend time praying for those who have been devastated by this disaster. Pray for the orphans, the widows, the sick, the destitute. Ask God to move on their behalf to bring comfort and healing and His loving touch. Ask God to show you what you need to be doing…offer yourself to Him for service.
Give – The easiest thing to give is your money. Every dollar counts, even now our denomination’s disaster relief teams are providing over 300,000 meals per day. What about your time? People will be needed to help clean up, pack up, feed, build and just be a friend. Could this be you? Take that other week of vacation and volunteer your time and talents.
Open your home – Got an extra bedroom? Offer to house a family who has lost everything. Work with your church or a local disaster relief agency to identify those who need a roof over their head.
At some point all of us will face a crisis of some sort…weather, health, business, war, etc… When the time comes you will be thankful for those who have given of themselves to care for you. Today commit yourself to being a blessing for those who are hurting.
Until next Monday, may God’s richest blessings be yours.
Carl
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)