Good morning! I hope you had a great weekend.
1 Kings 19:19-21 (NASB)
19 So he departed from there and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, while he was plowing with twelve pairs of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth . And Elijah passed over to him and threw his mantle on him. 20 He left the oxen and ran after Elijah and said, "Please let me kiss my father and my mother, then I will follow you." And he said to him, "Go back again, for what have I done to you?" 21 So he returned from following him, and took the pair of oxen and sacrificed them and boiled their flesh with the implements of the oxen, and gave it to the people and they ate. Then he arose and followed Elijah and ministered to him.
There are times when God gives us a new direction in life. These times often require us to leave the comfort and security of things we know and love, to enter into a place of uncertainty. To follow requires great trust in God's sustaining hand.
I pointed to the account of Elisha's calling today, because of the way Elisha dealt with his choice. He closed the door to his past life in a dramatic way. Once the decision was made, there was no turning back for him. I find that all too often, we try to keep our foot in the door, just in case things don't work out. By doing so we declare with our actions that we do not fully trust God's direction or provision.
Today, God may be calling you in a new direction in your life. Are you willing to cut the lines to the securities of your past, so that you can move forward into the fullness of God's plan for you life? I hope today you will choose the best and not simply settle for "good enough."
Until next Monday, may God's richest blessings be yours this week.
Carl
Monday, October 18, 2010
Monday, October 11, 2010
A New Direction
Good morning! I hope you had a great weekend.
Acts 22:6-15 (NASB)
6 "But it happened that as I was on my way, approaching Damascus about noontime, a very bright light suddenly flashed from heaven all around me, 7 and I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?' 8 "And I answered, 'Who are You, Lord ?' And He said to me, 'I am Jesus the Nazarene, whom you are persecuting.' 9 "And those who were with me saw the light, to be sure, but did not understand the voice of the One who was speaking to me. 10 "And I said, 'What shall I do, Lord ?' And the Lord said to me, 'Get up and go on into Damascus, and there you will be told of all that has been appointed for you to do.' 11 "But since I could not see because of the brightness of that light, I was led by the hand by those who were with me and came into Damascus. 12 "A certain Ananias, a man who was devout by the standard of the Law, and well spoken of by all the Jews who lived there, 13 came to me, and standing near said to me, 'Brother Saul, receive your sight !' And at that very time I looked up at him. 14 "And he said, 'The God of our fathers has appointed you to know His will and to see the Righteous One and to hear an utterance from His mouth. 15 'For you will be a witness for Him to all men of what you have seen and heard.
There are times in our life when we need a radical shift in our lives and God intersects us to bring about the change that is necessary. Saul was one of the people we find in scripture. He was a zealous pharisee who would stop at nothing to bring an end to the spread of the Christian faith. God had a greater plan for Saul, but it would take a powerful experience to reshape him into the man we know as the Apostle Paul.
I find that many times in life God takes me far outside of my comfort zone, often to a place of utter helplessness in order to bring about a shift in my life. These become some of the defining moments that, just as Paul is doing here, become the testimony of God's work in my life. When God brings me into those times there are generally two things that happen. First my viewpoint adjusts to conform more with His will. Second, there is generally a new assignment that comes with these experiences.
Today you may find yourself way out of your comfort zone and perhaps even flat on your back. Pay close attention as God is seeking to bring about His purposes in you. With this experience will come new vision, renewed strength and a testimony that you will share for years to come.
Until next Monday, may God's richest blessings be yours this week.
Carl
Acts 22:6-15 (NASB)
6 "But it happened that as I was on my way, approaching Damascus about noontime, a very bright light suddenly flashed from heaven all around me, 7 and I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?' 8 "And I answered, 'Who are You, Lord ?' And He said to me, 'I am Jesus the Nazarene, whom you are persecuting.' 9 "And those who were with me saw the light, to be sure, but did not understand the voice of the One who was speaking to me. 10 "And I said, 'What shall I do, Lord ?' And the Lord said to me, 'Get up and go on into Damascus, and there you will be told of all that has been appointed for you to do.' 11 "But since I could not see because of the brightness of that light, I was led by the hand by those who were with me and came into Damascus. 12 "A certain Ananias, a man who was devout by the standard of the Law, and well spoken of by all the Jews who lived there, 13 came to me, and standing near said to me, 'Brother Saul, receive your sight !' And at that very time I looked up at him. 14 "And he said, 'The God of our fathers has appointed you to know His will and to see the Righteous One and to hear an utterance from His mouth. 15 'For you will be a witness for Him to all men of what you have seen and heard.
There are times in our life when we need a radical shift in our lives and God intersects us to bring about the change that is necessary. Saul was one of the people we find in scripture. He was a zealous pharisee who would stop at nothing to bring an end to the spread of the Christian faith. God had a greater plan for Saul, but it would take a powerful experience to reshape him into the man we know as the Apostle Paul.
I find that many times in life God takes me far outside of my comfort zone, often to a place of utter helplessness in order to bring about a shift in my life. These become some of the defining moments that, just as Paul is doing here, become the testimony of God's work in my life. When God brings me into those times there are generally two things that happen. First my viewpoint adjusts to conform more with His will. Second, there is generally a new assignment that comes with these experiences.
Today you may find yourself way out of your comfort zone and perhaps even flat on your back. Pay close attention as God is seeking to bring about His purposes in you. With this experience will come new vision, renewed strength and a testimony that you will share for years to come.
Until next Monday, may God's richest blessings be yours this week.
Carl
Sunday, October 03, 2010
Only Believe
Good morning! I hope you had a great weekend.
In Mark 5 we read the account of Jairus. Jairus was a synagogue leader whose daughter was deathly ill. Jairus came to Jesus, believing that the touch of His hand would bring healing to the young girl. Jesus is delayed when a woman with severe bleeding touches the hem of His garment. While Jesus is speaking to the woman, Jairus is informed that his daughter has died. I want to focus on Jesus' response:
Mark 5:35-36 (NASB)
35 While He was still speaking, they came from the house of the synagogue official, saying, "Your daughter has died ; why trouble the Teacher anymore ?" 36 But Jesus, overhearing what was being spoken, said to the synagogue official, "Do not be afraid any longer, only believe."
Maybe you've been there. At your wits end, holding out hope for a miracle. You know Jesus is the key to that miracle, but the answers to your prayers are not coming quickly. Others are having their prayers answered and it seems like Jesus has forgotten about your request. Then before you know it, things actually get worse.
As you watch your dream die, the words of Jesus ring in your ears: "Do not be afraid any longer, only believe." In the case of Jairus, they arrive at the house to find people in mourning. Jesus dismisses the crowd and enters the girl's room. He takes her by the hand and raises her to her feet, alive and well. In the end Jairus received the thing he was seeking to being with...a daughter who was well. It was the journey to get there that took great faith.
I find often times that God takes me to the end result I was asking for, but the journey to get there takes me into some of my deepest doubts and fears. By going through these places of my soul, my faith is ultimately strengthened and the glory of God is revealed to an even greater degree.
Today you may be waiting for prayers to be answered. Don't lose hope, but simply believe. God is working in ways you can't even imagine.
Until next Monday, may God's richest blessings be yours this week.
Carl
In Mark 5 we read the account of Jairus. Jairus was a synagogue leader whose daughter was deathly ill. Jairus came to Jesus, believing that the touch of His hand would bring healing to the young girl. Jesus is delayed when a woman with severe bleeding touches the hem of His garment. While Jesus is speaking to the woman, Jairus is informed that his daughter has died. I want to focus on Jesus' response:
Mark 5:35-36 (NASB)
35 While He was still speaking, they came from the house of the synagogue official, saying, "Your daughter has died ; why trouble the Teacher anymore ?" 36 But Jesus, overhearing what was being spoken, said to the synagogue official, "Do not be afraid any longer, only believe."
Maybe you've been there. At your wits end, holding out hope for a miracle. You know Jesus is the key to that miracle, but the answers to your prayers are not coming quickly. Others are having their prayers answered and it seems like Jesus has forgotten about your request. Then before you know it, things actually get worse.
As you watch your dream die, the words of Jesus ring in your ears: "Do not be afraid any longer, only believe." In the case of Jairus, they arrive at the house to find people in mourning. Jesus dismisses the crowd and enters the girl's room. He takes her by the hand and raises her to her feet, alive and well. In the end Jairus received the thing he was seeking to being with...a daughter who was well. It was the journey to get there that took great faith.
I find often times that God takes me to the end result I was asking for, but the journey to get there takes me into some of my deepest doubts and fears. By going through these places of my soul, my faith is ultimately strengthened and the glory of God is revealed to an even greater degree.
Today you may be waiting for prayers to be answered. Don't lose hope, but simply believe. God is working in ways you can't even imagine.
Until next Monday, may God's richest blessings be yours this week.
Carl
Monday, September 27, 2010
Teach Me Your Ways
Good morning! I hope you had a great weekend.
This week I was working on some training videos for my business team. In these videos I took them step by step through different tools and techniques I use for online marketing. These videos were put together to reproduce my skill sets in the team, so that they can accomplish the same outcomes as I do.
Psalm 25:4 (NASB)
Make me know Your ways, O LORD ; Teach me Your paths.
The Christian life is all about God reproducing His holy ways in us. It begins with the desire to become a greater reflection of Him everyday. Without this desire, we will never undertake the process of transformation that is required for us to draw closer to Him. God honors our desire by revealing His nature to us day by day. As we apply that which is revealed to us, we find God's presence becoming more and more evident in our daily lives.
Today I would encourage you to seek out the ways of God. Ask Him to show you His ways and then step into those ways as they are revealed to you.
Until next Monday, may God's richest blessings be yours this week.
Carl
This week I was working on some training videos for my business team. In these videos I took them step by step through different tools and techniques I use for online marketing. These videos were put together to reproduce my skill sets in the team, so that they can accomplish the same outcomes as I do.
Psalm 25:4 (NASB)
Make me know Your ways, O LORD ; Teach me Your paths.
The Christian life is all about God reproducing His holy ways in us. It begins with the desire to become a greater reflection of Him everyday. Without this desire, we will never undertake the process of transformation that is required for us to draw closer to Him. God honors our desire by revealing His nature to us day by day. As we apply that which is revealed to us, we find God's presence becoming more and more evident in our daily lives.
Today I would encourage you to seek out the ways of God. Ask Him to show you His ways and then step into those ways as they are revealed to you.
Until next Monday, may God's richest blessings be yours this week.
Carl
Monday, September 13, 2010
Complete Renovation
Good morning! I hope you had a great weekend.
Over the weekend, I moved my marketing blog from the Quickblogcast system to Wordpress. This changed required me to not only re-design the appearance of the blog, but I also had to rebuild the entire infrastructure of the blog. In the end, the only thing that remained the same is the website address and the posts I had made to the original blog.
2 Corinthians 5:17 (NASB)
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature ; the old things passed away ; behold, new things have come.
The same could be said of the transformation that takes place when we put our faith in Jesus. He begins a transformation process that not only changes our outward presentation to the world, through a change in word and deed, but he also does an interior renovation as well. Our thoughts and feelings are transformed by the presence of the Holy Spirit. We begin to see with spiritual vision not just physical sight. The only thing that remains when this process is complete is our name and the experiences of our lives, everything else is made new.
As you examine your life today, you may see evidence of this ongoing renovation project. Don't get impatient for the work to be finished, in due time the transformed you will be on display and the world will see the glory of Christ displayed through you.
Until next Monday, may God's richest blessings be yours this week.
Carl
Over the weekend, I moved my marketing blog from the Quickblogcast system to Wordpress. This changed required me to not only re-design the appearance of the blog, but I also had to rebuild the entire infrastructure of the blog. In the end, the only thing that remained the same is the website address and the posts I had made to the original blog.
2 Corinthians 5:17 (NASB)
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature ; the old things passed away ; behold, new things have come.
The same could be said of the transformation that takes place when we put our faith in Jesus. He begins a transformation process that not only changes our outward presentation to the world, through a change in word and deed, but he also does an interior renovation as well. Our thoughts and feelings are transformed by the presence of the Holy Spirit. We begin to see with spiritual vision not just physical sight. The only thing that remains when this process is complete is our name and the experiences of our lives, everything else is made new.
As you examine your life today, you may see evidence of this ongoing renovation project. Don't get impatient for the work to be finished, in due time the transformed you will be on display and the world will see the glory of Christ displayed through you.
Until next Monday, may God's richest blessings be yours this week.
Carl
Monday, August 30, 2010
Are You Trying To Lend God a Helping Hand?
Good morning! I hope you had a great weekend.
Genesis 16:1-4 (NASB)
1 Now Sarai, Abram's wife had borne him no children, and she had an Egyptian maid whose name was Hagar. 2 So Sarai said to Abram, "Now behold, the LORD has prevented me from bearing children. Please go in to my maid ; perhaps I will obtain children through her." And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai. 3 After Abram had lived ten years in the land of Canaan, Abram's wife Sarai took Hagar the Egyptian, her maid, and gave her to her husband Abram as his wife. 4 He went in to Hagar, and she conceived ; and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her sight.
Have you ever tried to give God a helping hand? I think at some point all of us are guilty of doing that very thing. Abraham and Sarai were a perfect example. God had promised Abraham that he would be the father of a great and mighty people, even though his wife Sarai had been barren and they were advanced in age. The fulfillment of that promise was not immediate in coming and as the years passed it seemed to be out of the realm of possibility. So Sarai decided it was time to give God a helping hand. She offered her maid Hagar to her husband, that she might give birth to a child for him.
In the end, Hagar did end up giving birth, but this was not the joyous celebration Sarai had imagined. In fact it became a source of great conflict and resentment. When we seek to assist God in bringing about His promises, we often end up in the same place. The plans that made sense in our minds create pitfalls that we never imagined.
The walk of faith requires patience and obedience. What God has spoken, He will accomplish in His perfect timing. We have to trust in the validity of His words to us and not deviate simply because we get impatient or the fulfillment of those promises appears to be impossible. It is in these moments we must cling tightly to the words of Jesus:
Matthew 19:26 (NASB)
26 And looking at them Jesus said to them, "With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.
It is through these situations of impossibility that God brings forth His glory through our lives. When the impossible becomes reality there is no other choice, but to give Him the credit.
Today you may be impatient in waiting for the promises of God to be fulfilled in your life. Take a deep breath and remember that He has your best interest at heart. By trying to lend a helping hand, you will only create new problems in your life. In the end, the glory of the promise fulfilled will be well worth the wait.
Until next Monday, may God's richest blessings be yours this week.
Carl
Genesis 16:1-4 (NASB)
1 Now Sarai, Abram's wife had borne him no children, and she had an Egyptian maid whose name was Hagar. 2 So Sarai said to Abram, "Now behold, the LORD has prevented me from bearing children. Please go in to my maid ; perhaps I will obtain children through her." And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai. 3 After Abram had lived ten years in the land of Canaan, Abram's wife Sarai took Hagar the Egyptian, her maid, and gave her to her husband Abram as his wife. 4 He went in to Hagar, and she conceived ; and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her sight.
Have you ever tried to give God a helping hand? I think at some point all of us are guilty of doing that very thing. Abraham and Sarai were a perfect example. God had promised Abraham that he would be the father of a great and mighty people, even though his wife Sarai had been barren and they were advanced in age. The fulfillment of that promise was not immediate in coming and as the years passed it seemed to be out of the realm of possibility. So Sarai decided it was time to give God a helping hand. She offered her maid Hagar to her husband, that she might give birth to a child for him.
In the end, Hagar did end up giving birth, but this was not the joyous celebration Sarai had imagined. In fact it became a source of great conflict and resentment. When we seek to assist God in bringing about His promises, we often end up in the same place. The plans that made sense in our minds create pitfalls that we never imagined.
The walk of faith requires patience and obedience. What God has spoken, He will accomplish in His perfect timing. We have to trust in the validity of His words to us and not deviate simply because we get impatient or the fulfillment of those promises appears to be impossible. It is in these moments we must cling tightly to the words of Jesus:
Matthew 19:26 (NASB)
26 And looking at them Jesus said to them, "With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.
It is through these situations of impossibility that God brings forth His glory through our lives. When the impossible becomes reality there is no other choice, but to give Him the credit.
Today you may be impatient in waiting for the promises of God to be fulfilled in your life. Take a deep breath and remember that He has your best interest at heart. By trying to lend a helping hand, you will only create new problems in your life. In the end, the glory of the promise fulfilled will be well worth the wait.
Until next Monday, may God's richest blessings be yours this week.
Carl
Monday, August 16, 2010
No Turning Back
Numbers 14:3 (NASB)
"Why is the LORD bringing us into this land, to fall by the sword ? Our wives and our little ones will become plunder ; would it not be better for us to return to Egypt ?"
Sometimes the promises of God are only fulfilled after a long journey or refining process. Staying the course during those times can be challenging. Everything within you screams "go back!" In spite of this inner turmoil there is something deep within you that keeps you pressing forward. The promise of God rings in your ears and rises up deep within you. You draw deep from His presence and somehow find the courage to keep going.
This might best be equated the labor a mother goes through to bring her precious child into the world. Every contract hurts worse than the previous one, but there is no turning back. The only choice is to endure the pain and push. Each wave brings the knowledge that the birth of the child is that much closer.
Today you may find yourself struggling with the pain of moving forward in the promises of God. Focus in on the glory of the moment when those things are realized and find the courage to press on.
Until next Monday, may God's richest blessings be yours this week.
Carl
"Why is the LORD bringing us into this land, to fall by the sword ? Our wives and our little ones will become plunder ; would it not be better for us to return to Egypt ?"
Sometimes the promises of God are only fulfilled after a long journey or refining process. Staying the course during those times can be challenging. Everything within you screams "go back!" In spite of this inner turmoil there is something deep within you that keeps you pressing forward. The promise of God rings in your ears and rises up deep within you. You draw deep from His presence and somehow find the courage to keep going.
This might best be equated the labor a mother goes through to bring her precious child into the world. Every contract hurts worse than the previous one, but there is no turning back. The only choice is to endure the pain and push. Each wave brings the knowledge that the birth of the child is that much closer.
Today you may find yourself struggling with the pain of moving forward in the promises of God. Focus in on the glory of the moment when those things are realized and find the courage to press on.
Until next Monday, may God's richest blessings be yours this week.
Carl
Monday, August 09, 2010
You Are Being Refined
Good morning! I hope you had a great weekend.
Psalm 66:10 (NASB)
For You have tried us, O God; You have refined us as silver is refined.
We each go through times in our life where the heat of our circumstances is almost unbearable. We cry out to God for relief and yet we find the heat remains. It is in these times that we may even questions God's love for us. Why would he let me go through so much challenge?
What we later realize is that we were in the midst of God's refining process. God is transforming our lives into a thing of beauty that brings about His glory. Unfortunately the only way we purify anything in this world is by heating it up. We purify water by boiling it. We purify metal by melting it down and skimming the impurities. Heat is the mechanism of purification. As the heat is applied to our lives, the hidden darkness within us gets revealed as it surfaces. Once visible, God forces us to deal with that darkness and our purity increases.
Today you may find yourself in the crucible of refinement. Remember that God is purifying your life and that with each passing day you are becoming more radiant to the world around you.
Until next Monday, may God's richest blessings be yours this week.
Carl
Psalm 66:10 (NASB)
For You have tried us, O God; You have refined us as silver is refined.
We each go through times in our life where the heat of our circumstances is almost unbearable. We cry out to God for relief and yet we find the heat remains. It is in these times that we may even questions God's love for us. Why would he let me go through so much challenge?
What we later realize is that we were in the midst of God's refining process. God is transforming our lives into a thing of beauty that brings about His glory. Unfortunately the only way we purify anything in this world is by heating it up. We purify water by boiling it. We purify metal by melting it down and skimming the impurities. Heat is the mechanism of purification. As the heat is applied to our lives, the hidden darkness within us gets revealed as it surfaces. Once visible, God forces us to deal with that darkness and our purity increases.
Today you may find yourself in the crucible of refinement. Remember that God is purifying your life and that with each passing day you are becoming more radiant to the world around you.
Until next Monday, may God's richest blessings be yours this week.
Carl
Monday, June 28, 2010
Are You Hiding?
Good morning! I hope you had a great weekend.
In the book of Samuel the people of Israel had been crying out for a king. God had directed Samuel the prophet to anoint Saul as king over Israel. When it came time for Saul to be formally recognized as God's choice for king, the scripture records the following series of events:
1 Samuel 10:20-22 (NASB)
20 Thus Samuel brought all the tribes of Israel near, and the tribe of Benjamin was taken by lot. 21 Then he brought the tribe of Benjamin near by its families, and the Matrite family was taken. And Saul the son of Kish was taken ; but when they looked for him, he could not be found. 22 Therefore they inquired further of the LORD, "Has the man come here yet ?" So the LORD said, "Behold, he is hiding himself by the baggage."
When it was time for Saul to step up into his rightful place, he was nowhere to be seen. Saul was hiding from the role and responsibility that was being given to him. Unfortunately, many of us are just like Saul when it comes to taking our rightful place and the fulfillment of our God given role. We know God would have us do something greater, but instead we hide amongst the activities and goings on of life, hoping that no one will notice.
Because God has selected Saul, He was not going to allow Saul to remain in hiding and He revealed Saul's whereabouts. The same is true for you and I. No matter how hard we try to hide ourselves, when God has chosen us for His purposes, we will always be found. Everywhere you go, God will continue to put you in positions that bring you into the role He intends for you to fill. I've heard many pastors, myself included, talk about how they tried to avoid God's call on their lives and how they could not escape that call on their life.
When you recognize that God has called you to a specific purpose in life, it is important that you make the adjustments necessary to bring your life into harmony with that purpose. When we come into harmony with God's purposes, the the power and presence of God works all around us in incredible ways, equipping and empowering us to fulfill our role.
Today you may be "hiding" from God's call on your life. I challenge you to step forward and embrace that call. Allow God to use your life for His glory as He brings you into the role you were created for.
Until next Monday, may God's richest blessings be yours this week.
Carl
In the book of Samuel the people of Israel had been crying out for a king. God had directed Samuel the prophet to anoint Saul as king over Israel. When it came time for Saul to be formally recognized as God's choice for king, the scripture records the following series of events:
1 Samuel 10:20-22 (NASB)
20 Thus Samuel brought all the tribes of Israel near, and the tribe of Benjamin was taken by lot. 21 Then he brought the tribe of Benjamin near by its families, and the Matrite family was taken. And Saul the son of Kish was taken ; but when they looked for him, he could not be found. 22 Therefore they inquired further of the LORD, "Has the man come here yet ?" So the LORD said, "Behold, he is hiding himself by the baggage."
When it was time for Saul to step up into his rightful place, he was nowhere to be seen. Saul was hiding from the role and responsibility that was being given to him. Unfortunately, many of us are just like Saul when it comes to taking our rightful place and the fulfillment of our God given role. We know God would have us do something greater, but instead we hide amongst the activities and goings on of life, hoping that no one will notice.
Because God has selected Saul, He was not going to allow Saul to remain in hiding and He revealed Saul's whereabouts. The same is true for you and I. No matter how hard we try to hide ourselves, when God has chosen us for His purposes, we will always be found. Everywhere you go, God will continue to put you in positions that bring you into the role He intends for you to fill. I've heard many pastors, myself included, talk about how they tried to avoid God's call on their lives and how they could not escape that call on their life.
When you recognize that God has called you to a specific purpose in life, it is important that you make the adjustments necessary to bring your life into harmony with that purpose. When we come into harmony with God's purposes, the the power and presence of God works all around us in incredible ways, equipping and empowering us to fulfill our role.
Today you may be "hiding" from God's call on your life. I challenge you to step forward and embrace that call. Allow God to use your life for His glory as He brings you into the role you were created for.
Until next Monday, may God's richest blessings be yours this week.
Carl
Monday, June 14, 2010
I Can Do All Things
Good morning! I hope you had a great weekend.
In Philippians 4, the Apostle Paul spoke about his contentment in all circumstances, whether he found himself lacking or with plenty. He summed up the reeason for this contentment in verse 13:
Philippians 4:13 (NASB)
I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
One of the things I think we are all too guilty of is thinking we "can't." We are convinced that because of our circumstance, personality, situation of life, etc... that there simply are things we are unable to do. If we are simply looking at things from the perspective of our own strength and abilities, then there is a sliver of truth in this type of thinking; however, this type of thought negates the power of God that is at work in our lives.
Time and time again I have seen God do things in and through me that I did not think were possible. I have seen His strength propel me past obstacles, doubts and fears to bring the impossible into reality. I have learned that my "position" in life has no bearing on God's ability to work in, through and around me.
Matthew 19:26 (NASB)
And looking at them Jesus said to them, "With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."
Today you may be facing a circumstance in your life that you believe is impossible to overcome, change or survive. Remember that in your strength that may be entirely true, but in God's overwhelming power all things are possible.
Until next Monday, may God's richest blessings be yours this week.
Carl
In Philippians 4, the Apostle Paul spoke about his contentment in all circumstances, whether he found himself lacking or with plenty. He summed up the reeason for this contentment in verse 13:
Philippians 4:13 (NASB)
I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
One of the things I think we are all too guilty of is thinking we "can't." We are convinced that because of our circumstance, personality, situation of life, etc... that there simply are things we are unable to do. If we are simply looking at things from the perspective of our own strength and abilities, then there is a sliver of truth in this type of thinking; however, this type of thought negates the power of God that is at work in our lives.
Time and time again I have seen God do things in and through me that I did not think were possible. I have seen His strength propel me past obstacles, doubts and fears to bring the impossible into reality. I have learned that my "position" in life has no bearing on God's ability to work in, through and around me.
Matthew 19:26 (NASB)
And looking at them Jesus said to them, "With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."
Today you may be facing a circumstance in your life that you believe is impossible to overcome, change or survive. Remember that in your strength that may be entirely true, but in God's overwhelming power all things are possible.
Until next Monday, may God's richest blessings be yours this week.
Carl
Monday, May 31, 2010
Tell your story
Good morning! I hope you are enjoying your Memorial Day. Take time to thank God for the freedoms you enjoy and for those who gave their lives to pay for those freedoms.
Acts 22:15 (NIV)
You will be his witness to all men of what you have seen and heard.
Each of us has a story to tell. Some stories are more dramatic than others, but the fact remains that each of us has a unique story. Our life experiences are unique to us and because they are personal, they are also stories that we tell with passion.
There is great power in the telling of your story. When we talk of where we have been, God's power is revealed in our lives. His presence in the mountains and valleys of life is revealed. His helping hand in times of trouble is seen clearly through our own experiences.
The telling of your story is an encouragement to those who hear it. Sadly, all too often we keep our stories to ourselves. We hold back our experiences from others, depriving them of the strengthening that our story would bring.
As Christians we have been called to “bear witness” to the work of Jesus in our lives. Telling our stories is a key part of our ongoing witness.
Today I encourage you to share your life with someone. Tell a part of your story as the opportunity arises. You never know how God will use that story to change a life in a powerful way.
Until next Monday, may God's richest blessings be yours this week.
Carl
Acts 22:15 (NIV)
You will be his witness to all men of what you have seen and heard.
Each of us has a story to tell. Some stories are more dramatic than others, but the fact remains that each of us has a unique story. Our life experiences are unique to us and because they are personal, they are also stories that we tell with passion.
There is great power in the telling of your story. When we talk of where we have been, God's power is revealed in our lives. His presence in the mountains and valleys of life is revealed. His helping hand in times of trouble is seen clearly through our own experiences.
The telling of your story is an encouragement to those who hear it. Sadly, all too often we keep our stories to ourselves. We hold back our experiences from others, depriving them of the strengthening that our story would bring.
As Christians we have been called to “bear witness” to the work of Jesus in our lives. Telling our stories is a key part of our ongoing witness.
Today I encourage you to share your life with someone. Tell a part of your story as the opportunity arises. You never know how God will use that story to change a life in a powerful way.
Until next Monday, may God's richest blessings be yours this week.
Carl
Monday, May 24, 2010
Unmet Expectations
Good morning! I hope you had a great weekend.
All of us have expectations in life. We expect things will occur according to our preconceived ideas and plans. Sometimes things do not happen as we expect, and our response to those unexpected events can determine whether or not we miss out on God's best for our lives. To illustrate this point consider the account of Naaman from 2 Kings chapter 5:
2 Kings 5:9-14 (NIV)
9. So Naaman went with his horses and chariots and stopped at the door of Elisha's house.
10. Elisha sent a messenger to say to him, "Go, wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored and you will be cleansed."
11. But Naaman went away angry and said, "I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, wave his hand over the spot and cure me of my leprosy.
12. Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than any of the waters of Israel? Couldn't I wash in them and be cleansed?" So he turned and went off in a rage.
13. Naaman's servants went to him and said, "My father, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more, then, when he tells you, 'Wash and be cleansed'!"
14. So he went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, as the man of God had told him, and his flesh was restored and became clean like that of a young boy.
Naaman had an expectation that he would be met by Elisha the prophet, not Elisha's messenger. Naaman was a highly regarded military leader, he could not believe that this prophet would disregard him. Naaman found himself at a decision point.
As we see in verse 11-12, Naaman got angry and left. Naaman was getting ready to miss out on God's best for his life. Naaman was more concerned about not having his expectations met than he was about his true need, healing. Isn't it interesting how having our expectations unmet can often make us lose sight of the greater needs in our life.
Fortunately for Naaman, his servants were the voice of reason in his life. They brought his focus back to the need for healing. When Naaman considered the truth of their words, he once again remembered the reason he had come in the first place. He needed to be healed. In the end it was Naaman's simple obedience to the instructions he had been given that brought about his complete healing...and to think, he nearly missed it, because his expectations were not met.
Today you may have some unmet expectations in your life and just like Naaman you are at a crossroads in your life. Don't lose sight of the greater need that God may be trying to meet in your life. Realize that god wants to meet that greater need, but he may forsake your ego in the process.
Until next Monday, may God's richest blessings be yours this week.
Carl
P.S. I've re-released two of my books as e-books. Check them out at troubles.carlwillis.com and lessons.carlwillis.com
All of us have expectations in life. We expect things will occur according to our preconceived ideas and plans. Sometimes things do not happen as we expect, and our response to those unexpected events can determine whether or not we miss out on God's best for our lives. To illustrate this point consider the account of Naaman from 2 Kings chapter 5:
2 Kings 5:9-14 (NIV)
9. So Naaman went with his horses and chariots and stopped at the door of Elisha's house.
10. Elisha sent a messenger to say to him, "Go, wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored and you will be cleansed."
11. But Naaman went away angry and said, "I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, wave his hand over the spot and cure me of my leprosy.
12. Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than any of the waters of Israel? Couldn't I wash in them and be cleansed?" So he turned and went off in a rage.
13. Naaman's servants went to him and said, "My father, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more, then, when he tells you, 'Wash and be cleansed'!"
14. So he went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, as the man of God had told him, and his flesh was restored and became clean like that of a young boy.
Naaman had an expectation that he would be met by Elisha the prophet, not Elisha's messenger. Naaman was a highly regarded military leader, he could not believe that this prophet would disregard him. Naaman found himself at a decision point.
As we see in verse 11-12, Naaman got angry and left. Naaman was getting ready to miss out on God's best for his life. Naaman was more concerned about not having his expectations met than he was about his true need, healing. Isn't it interesting how having our expectations unmet can often make us lose sight of the greater needs in our life.
Fortunately for Naaman, his servants were the voice of reason in his life. They brought his focus back to the need for healing. When Naaman considered the truth of their words, he once again remembered the reason he had come in the first place. He needed to be healed. In the end it was Naaman's simple obedience to the instructions he had been given that brought about his complete healing...and to think, he nearly missed it, because his expectations were not met.
Today you may have some unmet expectations in your life and just like Naaman you are at a crossroads in your life. Don't lose sight of the greater need that God may be trying to meet in your life. Realize that god wants to meet that greater need, but he may forsake your ego in the process.
Until next Monday, may God's richest blessings be yours this week.
Carl
P.S. I've re-released two of my books as e-books. Check them out at troubles.carlwillis.com and lessons.carlwillis.com
Monday, May 17, 2010
Time for an audit
Good morning! I hope you had a great weekend.
Psalms 139:23-24 (NIV)
23. Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.
24. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
This morning I have a yearly compliance audit in one of my businesses. During this audit my entire business will be evaluated. Client files will be examined, my regulatory files will be examined and the operational soundness of my business will be evaluated. These examinations are thorough and conducted regularly for a reason. They ensure that I operate my business with integrity.
I believe that our lives as Christians really should be no different. We should regularly be making the request of Psalms 139:23-24. When we allow God to examine our hearts, we find that He reveals those things that harm our Christian walk. He shows us the thoughts, feelings and attitudes that cripple our testimony. He identifies those actions that are going to draw us away from Him.
This however is not simply a fault finding exercise. God is diligent in showing you His way. When He pinpoints a problem in your life, He will always direct you towards the appropriate remedy as well. His examination is meant to bring you into the fullness of life in Him.
Today you may realize that it is time for a spiritual audit. Allow God to examine your heart and show you His way. In the end your life will be a greater reflection of His glory and His purpose for you.
Until next Monday, may God's richest blessings be yours this week.
Carl
P.S. I have re-released my first book "The Troubles of a Righteous Man" as an e-book. Proceeds will help
fund my church planting ministry. http://troubles.carlwillis.com
Psalms 139:23-24 (NIV)
23. Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.
24. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
This morning I have a yearly compliance audit in one of my businesses. During this audit my entire business will be evaluated. Client files will be examined, my regulatory files will be examined and the operational soundness of my business will be evaluated. These examinations are thorough and conducted regularly for a reason. They ensure that I operate my business with integrity.
I believe that our lives as Christians really should be no different. We should regularly be making the request of Psalms 139:23-24. When we allow God to examine our hearts, we find that He reveals those things that harm our Christian walk. He shows us the thoughts, feelings and attitudes that cripple our testimony. He identifies those actions that are going to draw us away from Him.
This however is not simply a fault finding exercise. God is diligent in showing you His way. When He pinpoints a problem in your life, He will always direct you towards the appropriate remedy as well. His examination is meant to bring you into the fullness of life in Him.
Today you may realize that it is time for a spiritual audit. Allow God to examine your heart and show you His way. In the end your life will be a greater reflection of His glory and His purpose for you.
Until next Monday, may God's richest blessings be yours this week.
Carl
P.S. I have re-released my first book "The Troubles of a Righteous Man" as an e-book. Proceeds will help
fund my church planting ministry. http://troubles.carlwillis.com
Monday, May 03, 2010
Understanding the Purpose of Your Delays
Good morning from Kitale, Kenya. I hope you had a great weekend.
My visit to Africa has been marked by obstacles and delays. Everything from the Iceland volcano to the illness of a driver has created delays for every conference I have been scheduled to speak in. I am reminded of this description of Paul's missionary travels in Acts 16:
Acts 16:6-10 (NASB)
6. They passed through the Phrygian and Galatian region, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia ;
7. and after they came to Mysia, they were trying to go into Bithynia, and the Spirit of Jesus did not permit them;
8. and passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas.
9. A vision appeared to Paul in the night : a man of Macedonia was standing and appealing to him, and saying, "Come over to Macedonia and help us."
10. When he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.
I find that the reason for obstacles often becomes apparent on the back side of those obstacles. In my experience on this trip, I have seen how God has used others to take on new roles of leadership, simply because I was delayed. He has allowed me to hear a word of encouragement that I would not have received had I been "on schedule." A greater excitement to my ministry has been experienced, because of the delays that took place. In each instance though I can see the hand of God at work.
There may be some issues in your life that seem delayed today. I can ensure you that there is a purpose to your delay. The purpose may or may not become evident to you, but make no mistake the delay is according to God's plan. This is the place where trust comes to bear. You must trust in God's direction and leading during these times of uncertainty. When the time is right the answer will become evident.
Until next week (if I have internet access), may God's richest blessings be yours this week.
Carl
My visit to Africa has been marked by obstacles and delays. Everything from the Iceland volcano to the illness of a driver has created delays for every conference I have been scheduled to speak in. I am reminded of this description of Paul's missionary travels in Acts 16:
Acts 16:6-10 (NASB)
6. They passed through the Phrygian and Galatian region, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia ;
7. and after they came to Mysia, they were trying to go into Bithynia, and the Spirit of Jesus did not permit them;
8. and passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas.
9. A vision appeared to Paul in the night : a man of Macedonia was standing and appealing to him, and saying, "Come over to Macedonia and help us."
10. When he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.
I find that the reason for obstacles often becomes apparent on the back side of those obstacles. In my experience on this trip, I have seen how God has used others to take on new roles of leadership, simply because I was delayed. He has allowed me to hear a word of encouragement that I would not have received had I been "on schedule." A greater excitement to my ministry has been experienced, because of the delays that took place. In each instance though I can see the hand of God at work.
There may be some issues in your life that seem delayed today. I can ensure you that there is a purpose to your delay. The purpose may or may not become evident to you, but make no mistake the delay is according to God's plan. This is the place where trust comes to bear. You must trust in God's direction and leading during these times of uncertainty. When the time is right the answer will become evident.
Until next week (if I have internet access), may God's richest blessings be yours this week.
Carl
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