"When the world squeezes you, what comes out?" My spiritual dad asked our congregation this simple question on many occasions in an attempt to take us to a place of personal reflection about how we react to life. I don't know about you, but I find myself in a place of too much reacting...too much being caught off guard when life strikes back.
In Paul's letter to the Corinthians he gives us an insight into victory over the squeeze. 2 Cor. 12:9-10 - But He said to me, My grace (My favor and loving-kindness and mercy) is enough for you [sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully]; for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and [a]show themselves most effective in [your] weakness. Therefore, I will all the more gladly glory in my weaknesses and infirmities, that the strength and power of Christ (the Messiah) may rest (yes, may pitch a tent over and dwell) upon me! AMP
On this journey I'm on, I find myself more often than not, trying to be perfectly powerful instead of glorifying in my weakness. I get the squeeze and out comes fear, worry, anxiety...did I mention fear & worry? Oh, how about frustration, "why me", "why now"? (Because in this world there will be trouble..duh?) He tells me not to worry...that He's got this, but I still find myself taking back what I try to lay at the alter of prayer. As if my emotions add one bit of help to the solution.
I say I get it...I preach that I get it...but then comes the squeeze...and I see by my reacting that I'm still working on it. Too much of me comes out in the squeeze. Not enough of Him. I speak doubt, worry, fear, even hysteria at times. And then I calm down...It's as if I have to get rid of all that emotional junk inside of me before I can step back and let His still small voice remind me that He didn't leave the room.
I want to get it...I want to live like it, act like it, talk like it, respond like it! When I get squeezed, and I will get squeezed, the first thing I want the world to see is the Word in me...and not me. And so the journey continues....
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Monday, August 24, 2009
The Power of Doing Good
After Jesus took on the place of the lowest servant in his culture and washed the feet of his disciples, he spoke these words...
John 13:15 - I've laid down a pattern for you. What I've done, you do. I'm only pointing out the obvious. A servant is not ranked above his master; an employee doesn't give orders to the employer. If you understand what I'm telling you, act like it—and live a blessed life. MSG
Jesus is revealing what I like to call the "meaning behind the moment"....if we get it...then live like it - Be a Servant.
As a disciple, or Christ Follower we are to follow Jesus and learn how to duplicate the life, spirit and work that He came to do. Bill Hybels said, "In my view, people are never closer to living out the teachings of Christ than when they are adding value to someone else’s life." Each generation is to produce those who devote their lives to the good of other.
I am convinced that as we engage the world (by doing good) right where the world is and become a solution to their needs (by doing good), the door opens for us to share the redeeming message of Christ. Why do we do good? It is our destiny. As we engage in the ministry of the practical, the door opens for us to minister in the spiritual.
Where do we do good? Right where we are. Wherever it needs to be done! It's not that there's not good to be done, often we just don't have the eyes of Jesus to see the need that is all around us. Our lives will never be more fulfilled that when we are adding value to the life of another. They are all around us.
How do we do good? However the Spirit leads. John Chpt. 10 says, “the Father is speaking to you at this very moment…” I would encourage you to continue to hook into the power of the Holy Spirit. It’s His job to speak to you,to nudge you. A small assignment, a task, a simple act of kindness that will change a person’s life. What an awesome God we serve who would redirect our paths to serve in a small way.
The Spirit of God wants to speak to each of us today…that the power of doing good lies in demonstrating the goodness of the Gospel in practical, everyday ways to the world around us.
NOW DO SOME SOMETHING…ACCEPT YOUR TASK…EMBRACE THE POWER OF DOING GOOD!
John 13:15 - I've laid down a pattern for you. What I've done, you do. I'm only pointing out the obvious. A servant is not ranked above his master; an employee doesn't give orders to the employer. If you understand what I'm telling you, act like it—and live a blessed life. MSG
Jesus is revealing what I like to call the "meaning behind the moment"....if we get it...then live like it - Be a Servant.
As a disciple, or Christ Follower we are to follow Jesus and learn how to duplicate the life, spirit and work that He came to do. Bill Hybels said, "In my view, people are never closer to living out the teachings of Christ than when they are adding value to someone else’s life." Each generation is to produce those who devote their lives to the good of other.
I am convinced that as we engage the world (by doing good) right where the world is and become a solution to their needs (by doing good), the door opens for us to share the redeeming message of Christ. Why do we do good? It is our destiny. As we engage in the ministry of the practical, the door opens for us to minister in the spiritual.
Where do we do good? Right where we are. Wherever it needs to be done! It's not that there's not good to be done, often we just don't have the eyes of Jesus to see the need that is all around us. Our lives will never be more fulfilled that when we are adding value to the life of another. They are all around us.
How do we do good? However the Spirit leads. John Chpt. 10 says, “the Father is speaking to you at this very moment…” I would encourage you to continue to hook into the power of the Holy Spirit. It’s His job to speak to you,to nudge you. A small assignment, a task, a simple act of kindness that will change a person’s life. What an awesome God we serve who would redirect our paths to serve in a small way.
The Spirit of God wants to speak to each of us today…that the power of doing good lies in demonstrating the goodness of the Gospel in practical, everyday ways to the world around us.
NOW DO SOME SOMETHING…ACCEPT YOUR TASK…EMBRACE THE POWER OF DOING GOOD!
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