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
Monday, May 31, 2010
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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