It’s much easier to say than to do.
To put our confidence in the character of God and the promises of God more than what we immediately see is tough.
It’s where faith comes into play.
It’s where we do what doesn’t necessarily make sense.
Today, I’m trusting in the promise and character of God, and not just the profit from God.
Yesterday, I posted about 6 lessons I learned while reading through Acts 9 a few days ago.
These are some really applicable lessons, no matter who you are or what you do.
I thought they deserved a little more explanation…
1. Significant impact is often made by ordinary people with extraordinary potential. No matter where we look in scripture, we constantly see God using people that may have seemed like they weren’t the best candidates to do the most significant things. Whether it be Moses who had a hard time talking or Peter who had a hard time listening, scripture is filled with stories of these people. You and I can’t overlook people because they don’t seem to be someone that has great ability. At the same time, never let anyone tell you that you are too messed up for God to use you… HE CAN.
2. Never let what seems to be interfere with what can be. We’re great at making excuses. We’re great at looking at a situation and deciding before we even start that it’s impossible. Aninias had heard about Paul. In fact, Aninias wasn’t diggin being anywhere near Paul. But, Aninias was willing to obey God in spite of who Paul appeared to be. Paul was a changed person. Had Aninias not look past what seemed to be and believed that God could do the impossible, this story would have turned out a lot differently. Yours can too!
3. When God calls you to serve, don’t attempt to command. Aninias was willing to serve Paul. He didn’t try to tell Paul what to do. Instead, he touched Paul and Paul was able to see again. We have to be intentional about serving people…not just telling them what to do.
4. When God calls, don’t hesitate. We’ve heard the saying, “He who hesitates is lost.” It’s true with God too. God wants our immediate obedience. God placed a call on Paul’s life and we see him immediately obeying it. This is the beginning of Paul’s ministry. Paul didn’t wait and pray more about what God had told him. Paul didn’t wait until the circumstances were perfect. Paul obeyed God. We must do the same.
5. Allow people to help you. Paul was in the hot seat. Jews had figured out what had happened with him, and were wanting to kill him. Paul didn’t act like he knew what to do, instead, he was willing to accept help. Accepting help doesn’t show weakness, it often prohibits mistakes.
6. Remember that persecution often brings growth. The persecution that the believers went through brought about growth in the believers. In fact, throughout the book of Acts we see where persecution made the body stronger. If you’re dealing with some persecution know that when you make it through, you will be stronger. Be faithful.
I very well could be the most impatient person in the world.
I’ve never liked waiting.
No matter what I have going on or how much or little I have to do,
I always tend to be in a hurry.
Lines don’t make me happy.
Traffic makes me mad.
Slow people get me frustrated.
It’s just something I’m not good at…waiting.
It often gets me in trouble though…
I often miss out on what I could have because I’m unwilling to wait.
I’ll buy something that seems really good only to see something better in stores a few weeks later.
I try to make things happen in my timing.
I sometimes miss out on God’s blessing because I’ve jumped the gun.
So…
I’m learning….
Trying to learn.
That the best sometimes comes to those who wait.
What are you waiting on?
It happens to all of us from time to time.
Some may see it as what it is,
others may be a little more naive.
It may be the work of the enemy,
it may be the work of the flesh.
It’s that thing that tries it’s best to pull us from God.
I’ve always heard the saying that, “If God seems far away, you moved.”
There’s a ton of truth in that statement.
God is consistent.
His ways are perfect.
His truth remains.
His character is unchanging.
Our surroundings change and move.
It may be someone we care for.
It may be someone we can’t stand.
It’s that thing that keeps attempting to pull us from God.
For those of us that are holding onto Christ,
these situations can cause a lot of confusion.
We’re holding on to Christ,
that thing is pulling us away.
Eventually, we must choose what to let go of.
Eventually, we won’t be able to give enough of our selves to both.
If you find yourself in one of these situations today…
Let go of the inconsistent…
hold onto God.
The inconsistent is just that…inconsistent.
It’s not guaranteed to be there tomorrow.
It’s not guaranteed to sustain.
God is.
For eternity.
Let go of the garbage, hold on to God.
Quick post today, but here’s what’s on my mind…
Anyone that has been in church for any amount of time has heard a statement similar to this:
“God has a purpose for your life.”
I think we often hear that, process it, and move on to the next thing.
However, think about that statement again.
“God has a purpose for your life.”
Did you catch it?
The God of the universe.
The God that has always been.
The God that created everything we see.
The God that makes the oceans roll.
The God that controls the clock of the sun.
The God that threw the stars in the sky.
The God of Adam, Abraham, and Moses.
The God that holds the power to do anything He wills.
God has a purpose for your life.
Not because you deserve it or have something to offer Him that He doesn’t have,
but because of His grace and love for us.
In fact, we get to help Him tell a story that we didn’t deserve to hear in the first place.
Don’t walk through life as if it were simply a process, live life in the power of your purpose!
