Just A Man

Given November 8, 2007
Many great things have been done by people who were just ordinary folks. I was reminded of one recently and the Holy Spirit brought him to mind again during my devotion time this morning. He is Ananias.

In Acts 9, we read the story of Saul's conversion to Paul. The Spirit of Jesus knocked Saul off his donkey, blinded him, then told him to get up and go into the city of Damascus and wait for further instructions. He waited there three days, (Acts 9: 1-9).

In the mean time, here's this believer Ananias, a regular guy, who was going about his daily business and the Lord called him in a vision. Ananias answered and Jesus told him to go pray for this guy who'd been throwing Christians in jail. He gave him the guy's name and the address where he was staying. Ananias was a little hesitant about confronting this bad dude, (aren't we just like that?), but the Lord said "Go" and Ananias went, (Acts 9: 10-17).

Here's the point: God had a plan, Ananias was chosen to perform a task in that plan, he did it, and went back to his regular life. We don't hear of him again. The Lord called, Ananias obeyed, God's plan was implemented, and the world was changed! Just for the obedience of one regular guy!

I'm sure Ananias didn't realize the impact his obedience would have. He probably went back to his wife and said something like, "Honey, you won't believe what just happened over on Straight Street". Indeed. But, what if Ananias had not obeyed? Would God have chosen someone else? But because he did obey, I imagine he and his family enjoyed overflowing blessings even though we didn't hear about it.

We are just regular people too and God could call us, (and probably has), to do something for Him. Notice, He didn't just call some bum off the street in Damascus; He called a believer. I want to be ready when God calls me. How about you?

Walk This Way

Given May 2, 2007
God has provided a way for each of us. I wrote about this recently relating to some erroneous advice I'd given my boys about their future and recently God showed me another way to look at it.

Isaiah 30:21 says, "Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it"." So, I get the picture of a path laid before me, it's a good road and I can see pretty far up ahead. That's not too hard to follow especially if God is behind me encouraging me to go on.

But, what about when the way ahead is really foggy and you can't see where you're going? You're almost walking blindly into who knows what. That's where trust and faith comes in. We don't need to see where we're going if God has planned our journey and is behind us telling us to keep moving. God told Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you. Genesis 12:1". Abram didn't know where he was going but he trusted God to know what was best for him and his family. We must do the same. If we trust God and keep moving, eventually the fog will disipate and the path will be clear. Besides, there may be distractions along the path God doesn't want us to see.

I will be entering into the ranks of the retired soon and I was sort of whining to God in prayer recently about Him not telling me yet what He's got planned for me. The scripture above immediately came to mind along with the phrase, "You'll know when we get there." Okay!

Be What You're Meant To Be

Given April 10, 2007
I realized something on this day that I had been saying wrong for years. My wife and I have four wonderful sons and all of them did very well in school. I told each them that, because of their intellectual ability, they could be anything they wanted to be. No occupation or dream was out of their reach. Sounds like pretty good advice.

However, after hearing a teaching on God's plan for each of us, I realized what I'd been telling them and others was in error. "In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will. Ephesians 1:11". God has a plan for each one of us. Even before we were born, God had our lives planned out but He gave us a free will; we can do our own thing or seek His plan.

That's where I've been in error with what I told my boys. God has blessed them, and us too, with many blessings which are to be used to accomplsh His will in the earth. So, it's not, "You can be anything you want to be." but, "Discover what God wants you to be and be that". God will help us be what He wants us to be but if we leave God out of it, we're on our own! "And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, Isaiah 30:21". We each have unique talents and abilities and they fit in perfectly with some vocation or assignment. We should all pray, meditate on the Word, listen to the Holy Spirit and be what we're meant to be.

My Space

Given April 14, 2007
No, this is not a post about the popular social networking site. It's about the space you have responsibility for. Everyone who is of age, has "your space" that you're in control of and your responsibility for that space changes and expands as you get older...maybe.

In I Timothy, the qualifications of a church leader are listed and one of them is: "One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) I Timothy 3:4-5". These men, and it's the same for all men whether applying for church leadership or not, should have dominion and control over their house, or space. I, as head of my house, have responsibility for my space and everything in it. That includes my wife, kids, grandkids, (when they're at my house), all my stuff and my property. I don't have control of the nation but I do have authority in my space.

Some people have authority over bigger areas. "So the Lord established Jehoshaphat’s control over the kingdom of Judah. All the people of Judah brought gifts to Jehoshaphat, so he became very wealthy and highly esteemed. 2 Chronicles 17:5". Before you can be given dominion like that, however, you must be tested and proven. God is not going to give me control over my state just because I ask for it and claim it. I would have to prepare, be tested and proven in smaller areas.

But, I have been given control over my space and I have the authority to kick the devil off my property and out of my affairs in the name of Jesus. Take your God-given control in relation to your space and God will be pleased, (not to mention your family).