It's early on a Thursday morning, so this will be short, but there's something I need to share. In the past days, God has been revealing Himself to me in amazing ways. It's been coming for a long time, and now I'm starting to see tiny pieces of His plan come together in powerful and mighty ways. So here are two truths you have to know.
1) We are blessed to be broken. Yes, broken and blessed. God uses broken, messed up people to accomplish His will, and it is in our brokenness that we reach out to the God of the universe, finding that our strength is not in ourselves but in the God who lives in us. He lives inside each one of us, and when our strength is gone, His is perfect. PERFECT! I don't have to be perfect; I just have to need God, honor God, seek God. He is PERFECT! What a blessing!
2) God's promises are real. They are true. They don't change. They are enough. What promises? He loves us! He has a plan for our lives. He will carry us through the fire. He will reveal Himself to us when we spend time seeking Him. The promises go on and on. My favorite one right now is that He has given me the authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and over all power of the evil one! What a powerful promise! And another? I am NOT to cast away my confidence in God and His Word for in that confidence is great reward!
Okay . . . this is not great writing but it sure is truth. Call out to God today. Don't wait another minute. Spend time with Him and let Him put His desires in your heart so that what you want is what He wants for you. If you are thinking, "I just don't know where to start," then just call out His name. It will be enough because He is there waiting for you. He is a tenacious God, and He never gives up on us, so let Him love you today. I sure intend to do the same, and precious friends, you will be in my prayers as I hit my knees this morning. Bask in God's love and let Him enjoy you as His precious child!
Be broken, be humble, and be tenacious!
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Monday, January 17, 2011
Great Thoughts for 2011
I am on a short but needed sabbatical from my music position at church, so I am visiting other churches for worship in January. Yesterday I went to The Rock with my daughter and son, and I was blessed by the pastor's words. He preached about Joseph (Old Testament), and he made some big points. I'm not going to steal his thunder because they were his words, but I want to share something simple but profound that he said: everything points to Jesus. Everything. Not a few things. Everything.
Think about it.
I am in a time of searching, seeking, and listening for God's voice concerning my life and my future ministry, and everything points to Jesus. Everything in my life has been preparing me to serve Him, love Him, and honor Him. And I don't just mean the good stuff. God has allowed me to go through some nasty junk, but He has used it to teach me about compassion (still working on that one, BTW), forgiveness, humility . . . He has not wasted one thing in my life, but has used it all to point to Him. I'm reminded of that song that is used at many weddings -- "Bless the Broken Road" --, but ever since I heard it sung as an ode to God, I think of the lyrics differently: "I couldn't see how everything pointed straight to You, but every long lost dream led me to where You are. Others who broke my heart . . . they were just northern stars leading me on my way into Your loving arms . . . This much I know is true: God blessed the broken road that led me straight to You." So again, I am reminded that everything points to Jesus.
If you are suffering today, for whatever reason, let your suffering draw you closer to God. If you have been hurt by people and life's unfair circumstances, let these things draw you closer to Jesus, the one who suffered on the cross for you because He loves you so much. If you have been blessed, let your praise and thanksgiving point straight to God. Let everything in your life be an arrow, pointing you directly to the One who gives you life and desires for you to live abundantly in His grace. You will never be sorry that you got in His boat and paddled in His direction. He is waiting with anticipation.
Thanks, Kevin (Pastor Kevin Childs, The Rock) for reminding me once again of this eternal truth. Your God-inspired sermon pointed to Jesus, and I was blessed.
Think about it.
I am in a time of searching, seeking, and listening for God's voice concerning my life and my future ministry, and everything points to Jesus. Everything in my life has been preparing me to serve Him, love Him, and honor Him. And I don't just mean the good stuff. God has allowed me to go through some nasty junk, but He has used it to teach me about compassion (still working on that one, BTW), forgiveness, humility . . . He has not wasted one thing in my life, but has used it all to point to Him. I'm reminded of that song that is used at many weddings -- "Bless the Broken Road" --, but ever since I heard it sung as an ode to God, I think of the lyrics differently: "I couldn't see how everything pointed straight to You, but every long lost dream led me to where You are. Others who broke my heart . . . they were just northern stars leading me on my way into Your loving arms . . . This much I know is true: God blessed the broken road that led me straight to You." So again, I am reminded that everything points to Jesus.
If you are suffering today, for whatever reason, let your suffering draw you closer to God. If you have been hurt by people and life's unfair circumstances, let these things draw you closer to Jesus, the one who suffered on the cross for you because He loves you so much. If you have been blessed, let your praise and thanksgiving point straight to God. Let everything in your life be an arrow, pointing you directly to the One who gives you life and desires for you to live abundantly in His grace. You will never be sorry that you got in His boat and paddled in His direction. He is waiting with anticipation.
Thanks, Kevin (Pastor Kevin Childs, The Rock) for reminding me once again of this eternal truth. Your God-inspired sermon pointed to Jesus, and I was blessed.
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