"'So you are Simon, the Son of John? You shall be called Cephas.'(which means Peter." (John 1:42)
Andrew was there when John the Baptist declared of Jesus, "Behold the Lamb of God." Andrew wanted to know more and followed Jesus. Once he was convinced that this was the Messiah, he went and found his brother Simon and brought him to Jesus. In fact, everytime we encounter Andrew in the NT, he is bringing someone to Jesus. When Simon met Jesus for the first time, the Lord declared his future potential.
Who were you as you first met Jesus? All of us are sinners separated from God. But if someone used one word to describe you before you followed Jesus, what would they name you? The amazing thing is that in a moment Jesus unlocked all the potential that God had created in this man Simon. He said, "You will be." I believe that is the Lord's way with every person He encounters. He sees us not so much for what we are, but for what we can become under His transforming power.
As you consider your life, how will you finish the course? If someone were to write a name on your tombstone if life ended today, what would they name you? What would you like for everyone to remember about you? Who has God designed you ultimately to be? Surrender to the potential in God's transforming power in your life today.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Thursday, October 8, 2009
"What's Your Back-Up Plan?"
"...with him he took a present for his brother Esau." (Gen. 32:13)
Jacob was headed home, but he was afraid. He had a promise from God for his welfare and safety, but Jacob's men had said, 'Esau is coming and he has 400 men with him.' And the scripture had said, 'Jacob was greatly afraid.' Jacob had tricked his brother out of his birthright, and the Bible records that Esau had promised to kill Jacob.
Jacob had an incredible time of prayer in 32:9-12. But now, just in case God doesn't come through, he puts his own back-up plan in motion. Just in case God cannot handle the situation. So how often do we do the same thing? We come to God in prayer, turn it all over to Him, and then plan out what we will do, 'just in case'.
Are you trusting God with all of your heart? As Prov. 3:5-6 says, Are you doing that without leaning to your own understanding? How often do we affirm in a worship service or in our Quiet Times that we need to lean wholly on God only to turn right around and put our own plan in motion? Maybe we don't think God works fast enough? Maybe we think He is too busy to be bothered with our need?
Sometimes God tells us to make plans. But when He has promised to act and told us to wait on Him, it is simply a lack of faith on our part that we put our own plan in motion. The opposite of faith is most typically expressed as fear. Don't let your fears keep you from trusting God?
Jacob was headed home, but he was afraid. He had a promise from God for his welfare and safety, but Jacob's men had said, 'Esau is coming and he has 400 men with him.' And the scripture had said, 'Jacob was greatly afraid.' Jacob had tricked his brother out of his birthright, and the Bible records that Esau had promised to kill Jacob.
Jacob had an incredible time of prayer in 32:9-12. But now, just in case God doesn't come through, he puts his own back-up plan in motion. Just in case God cannot handle the situation. So how often do we do the same thing? We come to God in prayer, turn it all over to Him, and then plan out what we will do, 'just in case'.
Are you trusting God with all of your heart? As Prov. 3:5-6 says, Are you doing that without leaning to your own understanding? How often do we affirm in a worship service or in our Quiet Times that we need to lean wholly on God only to turn right around and put our own plan in motion? Maybe we don't think God works fast enough? Maybe we think He is too busy to be bothered with our need?
Sometimes God tells us to make plans. But when He has promised to act and told us to wait on Him, it is simply a lack of faith on our part that we put our own plan in motion. The opposite of faith is most typically expressed as fear. Don't let your fears keep you from trusting God?
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