Acts 5 tells the story of how sick people would position themselves in places where Peter's shadow would fall across them as he passed by so they would be healed. The power was not in Peter's shadow. The power was in Peter, but not from Peter. It came from the Holy Spirit by the name of Jesus Christ, the Light of the world.
Two things are necessary in order to cast a shadow: a light source and something on which the light falls that is positioned in relation to the light. Peter had positioned himself in relation to Jesus in such a way that he cast a shadow as the light of Christ fell on him. His relationship with Jesus put Peter in a position where even the shadow he cast had the power to transform lives. That same power to save, heal, and transform lives still exist in us who believe and have been given the Holy Spirit. If we position ourselves in relation to Jesus Christ, the Light of the world, then we, too, will cast a shadow as He shines on us and through us. We become more effective warriors and servants of God as we stand in His presence so that our shadow is cast as a result of His radiance. If we are in right relationship with the Lord, then even our shadows become lethal weapons against sickness or anything else that comes against us.
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Unfulfilled Vision
Psalm 42:1 says, “As a deer pants for water, so does my soul pant for the book I wrote to be published.” Wait, that’s not right. I think it’s more like, “so my soul pants for my company to be successful.” No, that’s not right, either. Oh, yeah. “As a deer pants for water, so my soul pants for You, oh God.”
I was recently reminded that it’s all about Jesus and not about my vision to serve Him. It’s never about our vision, but it’s always about His love. I know this is not some new revelation, but it became very clear to me over the last couple of days. I must be willing and able to praise God with joy in my heart, even if I give everything I have and still don’t see my vision come to pass. If I can’t do that, then it’s better to lay down my vision and walk away than to give everything I have and walk around disgruntled, angry, bitter, grumbling, and complaining because things didn’t work out the way I thought they were supposed to.
I’m not saying to walk away from God, just my expectations of what I think God is supposed to do through my vision. 1 Timothy 1:5 reminds us that the cause of any vision should always be the love of Christ. If my unfulfilled vision leads me to a place where people see anger, frustration, and bitterness in me, then I have the wrong vision, or worse, the wrong cause. My cause needs to be so strong that it must still be achieved, even when the vision fails.
Here’s where brutal honesty comes in. I need to be able to answer this question before I take one more step. Can I give all I have and still praise Him if it doesn’t work out like I thought it would? If I can truly answer “yes” to that question, then what am I waiting for? It’s time to get up and get going. If I’m not so sure then I need to be very careful about how I proceed. Although some good may come from the vision I pursue, I may do more damage in my frustration. Who wants to follow a Savior whose people are angry, bitter, or depressed?
Really think about this. Don’t take the easy way out and say what you think you’re supposed to say. Can you give everything you have to the cause of Christ and still praise Him if your vision does not come to pass? If yes, go and do it. If not, find a new vision, but let the love of Christ remain your cause. His love never fails, though our visions might.
I was recently reminded that it’s all about Jesus and not about my vision to serve Him. It’s never about our vision, but it’s always about His love. I know this is not some new revelation, but it became very clear to me over the last couple of days. I must be willing and able to praise God with joy in my heart, even if I give everything I have and still don’t see my vision come to pass. If I can’t do that, then it’s better to lay down my vision and walk away than to give everything I have and walk around disgruntled, angry, bitter, grumbling, and complaining because things didn’t work out the way I thought they were supposed to.
I’m not saying to walk away from God, just my expectations of what I think God is supposed to do through my vision. 1 Timothy 1:5 reminds us that the cause of any vision should always be the love of Christ. If my unfulfilled vision leads me to a place where people see anger, frustration, and bitterness in me, then I have the wrong vision, or worse, the wrong cause. My cause needs to be so strong that it must still be achieved, even when the vision fails.
Here’s where brutal honesty comes in. I need to be able to answer this question before I take one more step. Can I give all I have and still praise Him if it doesn’t work out like I thought it would? If I can truly answer “yes” to that question, then what am I waiting for? It’s time to get up and get going. If I’m not so sure then I need to be very careful about how I proceed. Although some good may come from the vision I pursue, I may do more damage in my frustration. Who wants to follow a Savior whose people are angry, bitter, or depressed?
Really think about this. Don’t take the easy way out and say what you think you’re supposed to say. Can you give everything you have to the cause of Christ and still praise Him if your vision does not come to pass? If yes, go and do it. If not, find a new vision, but let the love of Christ remain your cause. His love never fails, though our visions might.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Total Deliverance
How often do you feel oppressed by the enemy? If you’re like me, you probably hate to admit that you feel that way all too often, especially when you consider that we should know better than that. The enemy has no authority or power over those who are in Christ, but, it’s still easy to fall into that trap. So, what can we do to avoid oppression? Become true disciples of Jesus until we think as He thinks, walk as He walks, speak as He speaks, and do as He does. Consider the Word of God from Judges 4.
The Israelites were being oppressed by a ruthless king. They cried out to the Lord and in His faithfulness He delivered them, though they didn’t deserve it (I can relate to that.) In this story from Judges 4, there was a day, a single point in time, when the Lord delivered Israel from the captain of the army who had oppressed them so cruelly. But, total deliverance from the king came as Israel grew stronger. There was a process in place to get from the point of victory to the point of total deliverance.
This story can serve as a metaphor of the victory and total deliverance we have in Christ. There was a day, a single point in time, when Jesus said, “it is finished.” On that day, the victory over Satan was complete. We can’t share in that victory, though, until we come to the cross of Christ and freely receive what He has done for us. On the day we receive Christ, we have the victory over all things that oppress us. But, just like total deliverance came as Israel grew stronger, so does our total deliverance come as we grow stronger in the Lord. This happens as we move past the cross, through the empty tomb, and become a true disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ. As we study His Word, get to know Him, and enter into an intimate relationship with Him, we become stronger through the power of the Holy Spirit. As we do so, Satan becomes weaker. When we have become so strong so as to be like Jesus, Satan has no choice but to leave us alone. Think of Jesus in the wilderness. God had already publicly declared Jesus to be His Son, but Satan came to tempt Him, anyway. As Jesus continued to resist and, some might say, grow stronger, the devil had no choice but to leave Him alone.
If you have already received Christ, then I rejoice with the angels in Heaven over you. But, I urge you to not stop at the cross. There’s so much more the Lord has for you. I encourage you to take the time to develop an intimate relationship with Jesus. You can do it by reading His Word, spending time in prayer, praising and worshiping Him daily, and just talking with Him. As we become true disciples of Christ, our deliverance becomes more complete until we are with Him in Heaven. We must be careful, though, not to confuse religion with relationship. It’s not about being religious in the activities of reading His Word, praying, and worshiping Him. It’s all about the relationship we have with Jesus as a result of reading, praying, and worshiping Him.
The Israelites were being oppressed by a ruthless king. They cried out to the Lord and in His faithfulness He delivered them, though they didn’t deserve it (I can relate to that.) In this story from Judges 4, there was a day, a single point in time, when the Lord delivered Israel from the captain of the army who had oppressed them so cruelly. But, total deliverance from the king came as Israel grew stronger. There was a process in place to get from the point of victory to the point of total deliverance.
This story can serve as a metaphor of the victory and total deliverance we have in Christ. There was a day, a single point in time, when Jesus said, “it is finished.” On that day, the victory over Satan was complete. We can’t share in that victory, though, until we come to the cross of Christ and freely receive what He has done for us. On the day we receive Christ, we have the victory over all things that oppress us. But, just like total deliverance came as Israel grew stronger, so does our total deliverance come as we grow stronger in the Lord. This happens as we move past the cross, through the empty tomb, and become a true disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ. As we study His Word, get to know Him, and enter into an intimate relationship with Him, we become stronger through the power of the Holy Spirit. As we do so, Satan becomes weaker. When we have become so strong so as to be like Jesus, Satan has no choice but to leave us alone. Think of Jesus in the wilderness. God had already publicly declared Jesus to be His Son, but Satan came to tempt Him, anyway. As Jesus continued to resist and, some might say, grow stronger, the devil had no choice but to leave Him alone.
If you have already received Christ, then I rejoice with the angels in Heaven over you. But, I urge you to not stop at the cross. There’s so much more the Lord has for you. I encourage you to take the time to develop an intimate relationship with Jesus. You can do it by reading His Word, spending time in prayer, praising and worshiping Him daily, and just talking with Him. As we become true disciples of Christ, our deliverance becomes more complete until we are with Him in Heaven. We must be careful, though, not to confuse religion with relationship. It’s not about being religious in the activities of reading His Word, praying, and worshiping Him. It’s all about the relationship we have with Jesus as a result of reading, praying, and worshiping Him.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
It Is Written (so do something with it)
No matter what level of maturity I may consider myself as a Christian, I must spend time in the Word of God if I’m ever going to grow closer to the Lord in my relationship with Him. Whether it’s an in-depth time of Bible study, a daily devotional, or a quick verse-for-the-day, I have to make it a priority to read what God wrote to me in His Word.
However, at some point I’m going to have to put the Book down and go out and do something with what I’ve read. It says in Romans 15:4 that everything was written to teach and encourage us so that we may learn to have hope through endurance. What is it, exactly, that I’m suppose to endure if all I do is sit around with a head full of Book knowledge and never venture out into the world to bring the love and light of Christ to a lost and dying generation? Think of it in terms of someone learning to ski. I can read a book about skiing so that I understand the concept and mechanics of skiing, but I won’t really know how to ski until I go up the mountain. Once I’m out in the snow I can apply what I learned in the book. I may fall a couple of times, but instead of becoming discouraged, I will recall what I read before I went up the mountain. Then I will get up and try again. By the time I’ve conquered the mountain I will know how to ski. Only then will I know it to be true in practice, not just theory.
It’s the same with God’s Word. We can read it and have a foundational understanding of His precepts, but until we go up the mountain and apply it, we won’t really know it in our heart. We will certainly fall, but the Holy Spirit will remind us of what His Word says so we will get up again and press forward. Only then will we be able to attest that what we read in His Word is True and applies to our life.
This is important because we must understand His Word to be Ture in practice, not just theory. Knowing those parts of scripture that we can experience to be True gives us hope in those parts of scripture that we have not yet experienced, namely, our eternal life in Christ at the end of this age. That is the hope of our faith, being glorified and resurrected with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. So, spend time in the Word of God, but, take the Word planted in you and go forth into the world and live it. Prove it to be True through endurance as the Holy Spirit encourages you with what you have read. Then your hope will be sure as you look ahead at the glory set before you.
However, at some point I’m going to have to put the Book down and go out and do something with what I’ve read. It says in Romans 15:4 that everything was written to teach and encourage us so that we may learn to have hope through endurance. What is it, exactly, that I’m suppose to endure if all I do is sit around with a head full of Book knowledge and never venture out into the world to bring the love and light of Christ to a lost and dying generation? Think of it in terms of someone learning to ski. I can read a book about skiing so that I understand the concept and mechanics of skiing, but I won’t really know how to ski until I go up the mountain. Once I’m out in the snow I can apply what I learned in the book. I may fall a couple of times, but instead of becoming discouraged, I will recall what I read before I went up the mountain. Then I will get up and try again. By the time I’ve conquered the mountain I will know how to ski. Only then will I know it to be true in practice, not just theory.
It’s the same with God’s Word. We can read it and have a foundational understanding of His precepts, but until we go up the mountain and apply it, we won’t really know it in our heart. We will certainly fall, but the Holy Spirit will remind us of what His Word says so we will get up again and press forward. Only then will we be able to attest that what we read in His Word is True and applies to our life.
This is important because we must understand His Word to be Ture in practice, not just theory. Knowing those parts of scripture that we can experience to be True gives us hope in those parts of scripture that we have not yet experienced, namely, our eternal life in Christ at the end of this age. That is the hope of our faith, being glorified and resurrected with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. So, spend time in the Word of God, but, take the Word planted in you and go forth into the world and live it. Prove it to be True through endurance as the Holy Spirit encourages you with what you have read. Then your hope will be sure as you look ahead at the glory set before you.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Great Expectations
As Paul wraps up the 9th chapter of Romans, he talks about Gentiles obtaining righteousness, though they did not pursue it, while Jews failed to obtain it even though they pursued a law of righteousness. The difference is that the righteousness of the Gentiles is grace-based grounded in faith whereas the Jews pursued a works-based righteousness grounded in religion.
When I consider God’s promises, I find that I too often expect them because of what I do for the Lord as I serve Him. It’s like I somehow think I deserve His promises because I’ve tried hard to be faithful and diligent to follow His Word. That type of thinking comes from a religious spirit that says I will see God’s promises because He owes me for doing all the right things. If that’s the case, then all I have is a works-based expectation that’s no different than the Jews who pursued a law of righteousness, yet did not attain righteousness. Instead of a works-based expectation, I must renew my mind to have a grace-based expectation of receiving God’s promises. I didn’t deserve His forgiveness and salvation, but Jesus died for me, anyway. His promises are no different. They are not based on a check-list of what I did and didn’t do; they are based on His love, righteousness, faithfulness, and grace. Romans 11:29 says His Word is irrevocable. He will do what He has promised to do, but not because of a religious works-based expectation. Only out of a grace-based faith will I see God move in mighty ways in and around my life.
When I consider God’s promises, I find that I too often expect them because of what I do for the Lord as I serve Him. It’s like I somehow think I deserve His promises because I’ve tried hard to be faithful and diligent to follow His Word. That type of thinking comes from a religious spirit that says I will see God’s promises because He owes me for doing all the right things. If that’s the case, then all I have is a works-based expectation that’s no different than the Jews who pursued a law of righteousness, yet did not attain righteousness. Instead of a works-based expectation, I must renew my mind to have a grace-based expectation of receiving God’s promises. I didn’t deserve His forgiveness and salvation, but Jesus died for me, anyway. His promises are no different. They are not based on a check-list of what I did and didn’t do; they are based on His love, righteousness, faithfulness, and grace. Romans 11:29 says His Word is irrevocable. He will do what He has promised to do, but not because of a religious works-based expectation. Only out of a grace-based faith will I see God move in mighty ways in and around my life.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Decisions without Regret
As much as the Word of God applies to every aspect of my life, there are times when I have to make a decision without a clear direction from what His Word says. That lack of clarity can cause a great deal of anxiety. If you've ever been there, you know what I'm talking about. Maybe it was a decision about a job, buying a house, or moving to another city. Whatever it is, there just doesn't seem to be a scripture that points one way or the other. Or, perhaps different scriptures seem to support different decisions. Either way, the resulting confusion can test our faith in ways we are not used to.
Paul's comments in 1 Corinthians 7:25 and again in verse 40 give us hope that if we seek God in these moments, He will guide us in His mercy by His Spirit. When I have no clarity about what I should do in a given situation, I can trust that the mercy of the Lord will lead me to make a decision that will not displease Him. That doesn't mean I will always make the best decision, but if I seek the Lord's guidance, I can rely on the fact that His mercy will not allow me to make a decision that displeases Him. Verse 38 says it's possible to do the right thing, but it's also possible to do even better. So, the decision I make may not be the best one, but I can live with that as long as I know it's a decision that did not displease the Lord. That assurance brings me peace so I can make those decisions without regret.
Paul's comments in 1 Corinthians 7:25 and again in verse 40 give us hope that if we seek God in these moments, He will guide us in His mercy by His Spirit. When I have no clarity about what I should do in a given situation, I can trust that the mercy of the Lord will lead me to make a decision that will not displease Him. That doesn't mean I will always make the best decision, but if I seek the Lord's guidance, I can rely on the fact that His mercy will not allow me to make a decision that displeases Him. Verse 38 says it's possible to do the right thing, but it's also possible to do even better. So, the decision I make may not be the best one, but I can live with that as long as I know it's a decision that did not displease the Lord. That assurance brings me peace so I can make those decisions without regret.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Built and Planted
In Jeremiah 42:10, the Lord says that He will build His people up and plant them if they just obey. That sounds simple enough and should give us reason to hope in His blessing, but think about what it means to be built up and planted. When a house is built, the wood has to be measured and cut. Then the wood is joined together with hammer and nails. Cutting, hammering, and nailing all sound pretty painful, but it is necessary for the house to be bulit. And what about planting? You can't just put a seed on top of the soil or else the birds will devour it. You must break the ground, clear the stones away, and bury the seed. That takes work and the fruit of that effort may not be readily visible for some time. If you're following the Lord with all your heart and you find yourself going through some pain or being broken, rejoice! For the Lord is building you up and planting you so that you may flourish in His courts! Let the wood be cut, let the stones be cleared away.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Man on Fire
Moses was drawn to holy ground because he saw a burning bush, yet the fire did not consume it. Once there, he heard the voice of God and knew without a doubt that He is the great I AM. 1 Corinthians 3 says that Christ is the foundation and we are God's building. This chapter also says that what has been built will be tested with fire. If we surrender to GOD and let HIM build us into who HE wants us to be, the fire will only refine us. But, if WE build OURSELVES into who WE think God would have us be, then what we have built will be consumed by the fire. Make no mistake, fire will come to each of us. You may be on fire right now. The question is not whether the fire will come, the question is what will happen WHEN the fire comes. Will you be destroyed by it or will others see the fire in your life and be drawn to holy ground because you are not consumed by it? Are you letting God build you into who He wants you to be so that you can pass through the test of fire? Fire burns and we would prefer to avoid it, but we can rejoice in knowing that the fire we are tested by may be the burning bush that draws others to holy ground where they may hear the voice of God and see that He truly is the great I AM.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Frustration By Design
Have you ever been frustrated that you’re not seeing “the promises of God” in your life? You’ve been following after Him with all your heart, but you just don’t see the evidence of it in the things surrounding your life. No matter what you do you feel more like a survivor than a conqueror? Take heart because the frustration you feel is by God’s design.
Romans 8:18-21 says the creation (us) has been subjected to this frustration in order to be free from bondage so that His glory may be revealed in us. Anytime we are frustrated it is because things didn’t work out the way we wanted them to or thought that they would. We base our expectation on what we see and understand, so when something doesn’t work out like we thought it would we become frustrated because we don’t understand it. It’s that type of bondage or dependence on our own understanding that God wants to free us from. That’s why He designs the frustration for our benefit so we come to a point where we say, “God, I just don’t understand.” That’s why He says in Proverbs 3:5 to not trust in your own understanding, but to trust in Him with all your heart.
If we could get by and get through based on our own understanding, where would our faith be? Faith is not believing in what you see and understand. Faith is believing in what you don’t see and can’t understand. Hebrews 11:6 says that without faith it’s impossible to please God. Times of frustration bring us to the point where we have to throw our hands up and say, “I just don’t get it, God.” Here is where our faith takes hold. We must be willing to say, “I don’t get it, but I trust you, Lord.” When we can learn to trust in the Lord, even when we don’t understand what’s happening around us, then His glory can be revealed through us.
If you are frustrated right now because you have followed the Lord, yet you don’t see the promised results in your life, rejoice! The frustration you feel may be the Lord’s way of telling you to let go of your own understanding and trust in Him with all your heart. Do that and then wait for His glory to be revealed through you.
Romans 8:18-21 says the creation (us) has been subjected to this frustration in order to be free from bondage so that His glory may be revealed in us. Anytime we are frustrated it is because things didn’t work out the way we wanted them to or thought that they would. We base our expectation on what we see and understand, so when something doesn’t work out like we thought it would we become frustrated because we don’t understand it. It’s that type of bondage or dependence on our own understanding that God wants to free us from. That’s why He designs the frustration for our benefit so we come to a point where we say, “God, I just don’t understand.” That’s why He says in Proverbs 3:5 to not trust in your own understanding, but to trust in Him with all your heart.
If we could get by and get through based on our own understanding, where would our faith be? Faith is not believing in what you see and understand. Faith is believing in what you don’t see and can’t understand. Hebrews 11:6 says that without faith it’s impossible to please God. Times of frustration bring us to the point where we have to throw our hands up and say, “I just don’t get it, God.” Here is where our faith takes hold. We must be willing to say, “I don’t get it, but I trust you, Lord.” When we can learn to trust in the Lord, even when we don’t understand what’s happening around us, then His glory can be revealed through us.
If you are frustrated right now because you have followed the Lord, yet you don’t see the promised results in your life, rejoice! The frustration you feel may be the Lord’s way of telling you to let go of your own understanding and trust in Him with all your heart. Do that and then wait for His glory to be revealed through you.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Sickness Is A Lie, Stop Believing It
Sickness is a lie and attack of the enemy. I’m not saying that people don’t get truly sick and even die, but it’s a lie that your body has to go through sickness at all. Romans 8:11 says that if the Spirit who raised Christ from the dead lives in you then He will also give life to your mortal body for the glory of Jesus.
To think that God uses sickness to teach us humility or anything else is to not understand the character and love of God and it causes you to miss the power of God in you. Don’t point to Paul’s “thorn” and say that it’s God’s way of teaching us that we must suffer in order to see that His grace is sufficient for us (2 Corinthians 12:7-10). Paul, himself, calls it a messenger from Satan sent to torment him. Instead, see it as God’s way of taking something the enemy meant for bad and doing something good with it so He would be honored. In Romans 8:28 this same Paul writes that all things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose. Though the devil may have intended to discourage Paul and keep him from completing his mission by tormenting him, God has used it countless times to encourage His people who are going through something where they need to be reminded of His grace that covers them.
The point is, don’t accept sickness as a given part of our human experience. Stop saying, “The Lord is trying to teach me something through all this suffering.” That’s just plain nonsense! Jesus came to heal the sick as part of His ministry and mission because He is so against it. Sickness in our mortal bodies was never part of God’s plan for us.
If you have received Jesus as your Lord and Savior, then the Spirit who raised Him from the dead is in you. The Spirit takes from what is Christ’s and makes it known to us so that He is glorified (John 16:14-16). Moreover, as co-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17), we can take from what is His (now ours) and make it known to others who are sick so He may be glorified. Reject sickness, accept life, and make His name known among those who are sick. Proclaiming freedom from sickness is not just our right, it is our responsibility as children of the Most High God. As Jesus said in Luke 4:18-19, “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."
To think that God uses sickness to teach us humility or anything else is to not understand the character and love of God and it causes you to miss the power of God in you. Don’t point to Paul’s “thorn” and say that it’s God’s way of teaching us that we must suffer in order to see that His grace is sufficient for us (2 Corinthians 12:7-10). Paul, himself, calls it a messenger from Satan sent to torment him. Instead, see it as God’s way of taking something the enemy meant for bad and doing something good with it so He would be honored. In Romans 8:28 this same Paul writes that all things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose. Though the devil may have intended to discourage Paul and keep him from completing his mission by tormenting him, God has used it countless times to encourage His people who are going through something where they need to be reminded of His grace that covers them.
The point is, don’t accept sickness as a given part of our human experience. Stop saying, “The Lord is trying to teach me something through all this suffering.” That’s just plain nonsense! Jesus came to heal the sick as part of His ministry and mission because He is so against it. Sickness in our mortal bodies was never part of God’s plan for us.
If you have received Jesus as your Lord and Savior, then the Spirit who raised Him from the dead is in you. The Spirit takes from what is Christ’s and makes it known to us so that He is glorified (John 16:14-16). Moreover, as co-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17), we can take from what is His (now ours) and make it known to others who are sick so He may be glorified. Reject sickness, accept life, and make His name known among those who are sick. Proclaiming freedom from sickness is not just our right, it is our responsibility as children of the Most High God. As Jesus said in Luke 4:18-19, “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Hidden Away
Do you know what great thing God would have you do for Him? Are you frustrated because you know what you want to do - even what He would have you do - but, it just seems so far away? Take courage, because you are not alone.
Consider some of the people in the Bible whom God used to do great things. There is a common element in the lives of these people. Before Joseph was made second in command over Egypt, he was hidden away in a dungeon. Before Moses led the people out of bondage, he was hidden away in the desert. Before David killed the giant, he was hidden away in a shepherd's field. In the New Testament, after Saul encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus, he was hidden away for three years in the wilderness until he emerged as Paul and became the greatest evangelist who ever lived. Even after Jesus was baptized by John, He was hidden away for 40 days in the wilderness until He began His public ministry. Have you figured it out, yet? The common theme here is that before God uses us to do great things, He will hide us away. The hiding is for our benefit. Each of the people mentioned above learned absolute dependence on God during their time in hiding. Each learned to hear the voice of God.
You may know what you're supposed to do, but it can seem so far away. It's possible that God is hiding you right now to prepare you for the race you will run for Him. Instead of letting the enemy frustrate you during this time of waiting and preparation, rejoice that the Lord is giving you time to learn what it means to be completely surrendered to Him. You are a light and He will not hide you away forever. He will place you on a lamp stand so the light of Christ's love can shine through you.
Consider some of the people in the Bible whom God used to do great things. There is a common element in the lives of these people. Before Joseph was made second in command over Egypt, he was hidden away in a dungeon. Before Moses led the people out of bondage, he was hidden away in the desert. Before David killed the giant, he was hidden away in a shepherd's field. In the New Testament, after Saul encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus, he was hidden away for three years in the wilderness until he emerged as Paul and became the greatest evangelist who ever lived. Even after Jesus was baptized by John, He was hidden away for 40 days in the wilderness until He began His public ministry. Have you figured it out, yet? The common theme here is that before God uses us to do great things, He will hide us away. The hiding is for our benefit. Each of the people mentioned above learned absolute dependence on God during their time in hiding. Each learned to hear the voice of God.
You may know what you're supposed to do, but it can seem so far away. It's possible that God is hiding you right now to prepare you for the race you will run for Him. Instead of letting the enemy frustrate you during this time of waiting and preparation, rejoice that the Lord is giving you time to learn what it means to be completely surrendered to Him. You are a light and He will not hide you away forever. He will place you on a lamp stand so the light of Christ's love can shine through you.
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