| Devotions NOVEMBER 2009 |
 |
 |
 |
| Devotions |
Give Up...Give In...Give Out...In the Midst of it Allby Rod Myers
Study includes:
A. Prophetic EncouragementLiving in the “Information Age” has added some interesting dynamics to our lives. The earth is groaning – earthquakes, hurricanes, floods – and we get to see it firsthand, in full color, and almost instantaneously. The starving children, the dying soldiers – we can see it all. We watch the families in our neighborhood struggle with addictions. Relationships are strained. Jobs are lost. Dreams die. At times we’re hurt, at times, offended. We seem to have more questions than answers. But in the midst of it all, there is a place where we can live. It’s time to leave the place of fear, to live in a new place – a place where the Father’s perspective is our perspective. Where hope conquers despair and love dispels fear. This is our destiny, to live in a new place – in the midst of it all.
B. Devotional TeachingWhen Jesus prayed, “My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one” (John 17:15), He indicated that we can remain in the midst of trouble, but still be in a place of protection. Running and hiding isn’t an option for us. So what should we do? Try harder? Have a plan? Do more? Give more? Pray more? We want to succeed in our personal journey and make an impact in the world, but how do we get there? The other morning I sat in my prayer (easy) chair, praying for one of the youth leaders that I was to have coffee with later in the day. I had this keen sense that Holy Spirit had a download for this young man. As I waited, a portal of revelation opened and Holy Spirit began to speak to me about the relationship between our effectiveness in ministry and our personal walk with Jesus. He gave me three phrases: Give up, Give in. Give out. As revelation flowed, I realized just how significant these three areas could affect our ability to live in a new place – right in the midst of it all. Give UpI believe there are two major battles that we are fighting – the fight for our own lives and the fight for others’ lives. In both cases, the only way to win is counter-intuitive. It flies in the face of today’s wisdom and was modeled by Jesus as He hung on the cross. It is Surrender. We need to give Jesus our life in exchange for His. The new place we can live in is His place. His plan. His life! We have been crushed under the responsibility of getting it right, of carrying the weight. Now it is time to embrace the fullness of the Shepherd’s heart for us: green pastures, quiet waters, soul restoration, comfort, goodness, love (Psalm 23). Even in the midst of tough circumstances, we can surrender and follow Jesus into His place. Horatio Spafford wrote the hymn, “It is Well With My Soul” while passing by the very place where his four daughters were lost at sea. Just before that, he had lost his only son and was financially ruined by the Chicago fire. In the midst of tragedy, he had found a place to live. My own story involves the loss of my mother on the mission field and the loss of a son at the age of two. Admittedly, I have had a lot of questions. It might be time for me to surrender. The same kind of exchange needs to happen in our fight for our friends and relatives. We surrender our agendas and our efforts and give Him the responsibility for their lives. In some cases, we need to trade our hopeless, wailing prayers for His empowerment and perspective. Our prayers and actions ARE different when we live in His place. Once we have given up, we are ready to actively engage in another process – giving in. Give In“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23). Sounds good. We all want to grow the fruit. We can see God’s character in it. Are we ready to give in to God’s agricultural process? How about the pruning? (John 15) God has invited us into the process where he conforms us to “the likeness of his Son” (Romans 8:29). He is making us into a beautiful sculpture that looks like Jesus. How do we opt in? We just say yes. When the rough edges are being knocked off, we say yes. When the sanding gets irritating, we say yes. But what if things happen that we don’t understand? A husband leaves. A job is lost. A friend dies of cancer. If we understand God’s character, we know that He wouldn’t allow that kind of suffering just to knock off our rough edges. But can we still say yes to God’s character building process in the midst of it all? It’s a new place to live. But it IS a choice that we can make: To opt in and embrace the process of character development. Perhaps saying yes will have an effect on our relationships with others as we look beyond our own journey and give out. Give OutHave you ever been around someone that has given up (is totally dependent on Jesus) and given in (has embraced the process of character development)? Chances are, they can speak life to your soul and bring courage to your heart. You feel safe because they don’t have their own agenda. You feel loved because they can relate to your brokenness. You know that they are living in a special place, in the midst of it all, and you want to know that place. You don’t need pat answers and religious formulas. You need the real deal, and they seem to have it. What you need is godly wisdom: “pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere” (James 3:17). It is the ability to give people real answers that lead them to the Tree of Life and away from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Just like the act of giving up, the impartation of godly wisdom is often the opposite of man’s wisdom; God’s secret wisdom (1 Corinthians 2:7). ConclusionAs Holy Spirit continued to speak that morning, I saw an image of a multitude of Christian leaders that people were following. He showed me that only leaders that had given up were effective in inviting people into that special place to live in the midst of it all. Only leaders that had given in could effectively model the process of character development, and invite people into that process. Only leaders that had given up and given in could be imparters of godly wisdom that brings life. The revelation became clear. We cannot lead people to where we haven’t been. Our personal spiritual walk cannot be separated from our ministry. Who we are is what we lead others to. It is time to give up, give in, and then others will be blessed as we give out. C. Weekly Scripture MeditationWeek ONE – Psalm 23, John 17 D. Resource Corner
Behold, What manner of love is this that one would not only lay down His life for His friends, but also for His enemies. For it was while we were yet sinners that he died for us and not for us only, but for the whole wide world so that all who believed in Him would not perish, but have everlasting life. This is love *GOD* and He loves YOU with an everlasting love.
During challenging times of change and upheaval, there is one constant you can always rely on – God! He never changes. His promises are always yes and amen. And His word never fails! In this booklet, Patricia King and her team have crafted a collection of EXTREME DECREES for EXTREME TIMES -- truths and teachings that culminate in prophetic expressions of God’s heart for you. Each Extreme Decree powerfully reminds you who you are to God, who He is for you, and the inexhaustible blessings of heaven that have been given to you through the cross.
This Live CD captures the longing heart of God for His people. His invitation is for every one of us to come into full revelation of His heavenly kingdom. This worship/soaking CD is a powerful collaboration from three of the most anointed prophetic worshippers of our day. If you have heard Messengers of Fire and Eternity, you know what happens when Swanson, McFatter and Mitchell join their spirits and voices in worship! The prophecies that are sung on this CD are already coming to pass, so listen with an expectant heart and let the anointing wash over you as you hear the voice of God calling you deeper.
"Deeper Still" features a continuous soaking session recorded live at the Vineyard Community Church in Albany, Oregon. It is a keyboards and vocal album which contains spontaneous songs. These items can be ordered on line at our Store or by calling our toll free order line at 1-866-765-9286.And remember, God loves you with an everlasting love! |
