Monday, November 26, 2018
If Only We Had The Faith
“If Only We Had The Faith”
By Zach Wood
Acts 20:22-24 NLT
And now I am bound by the Spirit to go to Jerusalem
The Apostle Paul was one of the most bold and courageous men
we could ever read about in the New Testament.He went from persecuting Christians to becoming one and then went on to
do things for the Kingdom that makes most of our jaws drop in awe.Paul was a bold man and he was on fire for
the Lord!
Read through this passage a few times and let the words sink
in.Think about what Paul is saying
here.He did not know what awaited him, except
that troubles and jail were in his future and he accepted that. The passion he
had was so strong that it didn’t matter what was going to happen to him along
the way.
Paul also said that his life meant nothing unless he could
use it to spread the Kingdom message.Nothing else meant more to him than this mission.
What about us?Do we
have this faith?Come on, be
honest!I will tell you that I often do
not have this faith, but I wish I did.I
think about it and am ashamed so often that I back down at the smallest
obstacles that come to me.I get timid
to share my faith with non-believers.I
have no problem sharing my experiences with those who are in the faith, but I
am not good at it with non-believers.So
many fears stop me and I become timid.
I fear that so many of us have fallen prey to the
convenience of life that we live each day.We have so many things at our fingertips and the conveniences just go on
and on.We don’t have to wait for much
these days and so much is catered to us.We like convenience!Let’s admit
it!The moment something arises that
brings us out of that convenience and comfort, we tend to back down.
I’m wondering what it will take to bring us to a point where
we are as bold as Paul?We all have
different personalities and respond to situations in different ways.However, God does not excuse us from fulfilling
His mission because certain things become uncomfortable and inconvenient.
I cannot help but read words of Paul and ask myself, “If
only I had the faith!”
Do we?
Tuesday, November 6, 2018
We All Need A Sunrise Moment
“We All Need A Sunrise
By Zach Wood
John 14:27 NIV
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do
not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and
do not be afraid.
Last Monday morning, as I was driving my oldest daughter to
school, there was a beautiful sunrise that took my breath away.As I drive her to school each morning, I
always wonder if we will see a great sunrise or not.Some mornings are really neat, but this one
was really spectacular.What was especially
cool about this sunrise was that both my daughter and I needed it to brighten
up our morning..
Did the sunrise take all of our worries and concerns
away?No.Did the sunrise make everything perfect that
day for her or for me?No.What it did do was create a moment of peace
in the midst of a somewhat chaotic morning.For a few moments I felt an overwhelming sense of awe coming over me.It was like all frustrations and concerns
left me for a few moments so that I could just enjoy seeing part of God’s
wonderful design.I was just in awe of
God and His beauty!
Sometimes, we just need a sunrise moment.With all the chaotic moments in our lives so
often, we need something to take our focus away from the chaos so that we can
focus on God’s beauty to be reminded that He is always with us.The world easily throws us into chaos, but
God wants to remind us each day of His beauty and that He is in control.
Do you need a sunrise today?Do you need a sunrise moment in your marriage?Do you need a sunrise moment in the
relationship you have with your teenager?Do you need a sunrise as you face your difficult job?Do you need a sunrise as you face losing your
job unexpectedly?Do you need a sunrise
moment as you deal with a friend or family member who has a life-threatening
disease?
We all need sunrise moments to feel a sigh wash over us and
just feel at peace from God’s promises that He is with us.How is He trying to remind you that He is in
control?He gives each of us sunrise
moments to soak in and enjoy seeing His beauty.The last thing God wants is for our hearts to be troubled.It is so easy to get overwhelmed quickly with
life.He so much wants to give us
sunrise moments so that we can be overwhelmed by Him and not the world.
Look for these sunrise moments through your day.Take them in and enjoy them.Let God’s peace surge through you and refresh
you.
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