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

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