The other day I pulled my car into the garage - nothing spectacular to be sure, but upon shutting off the car and beginning the extraction process I had an epiphany.
I opened the car door and went to leave the vehicle when there was this strange resistance keeping me bound in the car. I tried a second time to vacate the premises, but with a similar result. Then it suddenly dawned on me that I still had my seat belt on! Sheepishly I reached down and un-clicked the seat belt! I then was able to walk into the house without this strange force holding me in my seat.
Walking into the house pondering this moment in time, I had my epiphany. In order to leave the confines of the former space I had to remove the constraints that held me there! The same is true of those who wish to leave the constraints of the sinful life! Too many individuals try to make a fresh start, to allow Christ to come into their life - allowing them to start fresh. Yet even as they try and leave they try to live this new life setting in the same seat, and under the same constraints.
In order for us to live a new life in Christ, we must move to a new place and un-click the restraints in order to actually move to a new place.
As you begin this New Year in a matter of hours, what are the restraints that are holding you back? What things do you need to un-click so that you can move to a new place?
As you begin this New Year may you know the joy of a fresh start and in a fresh place!
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Power In Prayer
In the life of any pastor, there are weeks, and then there are weeks. The last seven days, has been one of those weeks! So many things have occured.
The season of Advent, is in and of it self a time where there is so much to be done. Layered over that, the formulation of a budget for the next year, end of the year items that must be cared for, several families in crisis of various sorts, the death and home-going celebration for a wonderful man of God - well, i think you get the idea.
Sunday, as i had a conversation with someone in crisis, I was gently reminded of how limited I am to meet the needs of those I shepherd. I have no magic wand to wave, nor pixie dust to gently blow, that will magically make everything all better. I was reminded that I do have the ability to pray and lay it all at the feet of Jesus. He, through the power of the Holy Spirit, is much more effective at supplying the needs of His children! So I prayed.
Monday was a wonderful celebration of Ken Clements home-going that also reminded me what daily Christian living is about -- loving God, loving others, and looking forward to Christ's return. What a woship celebration. I thought I would be stressed, but the more I leaned on the Lord, the more peace I discovered! Isn't God wonderful!
Yesterday, I followed up on my Sunday conversation, sharing with that individual my frustration on one hand of not knowing what to do, and knowing that I could and was praying for them -- trusting God. The individual looked at me with the biggest smile on their face, and began to share with me how God had helped resolve the crisis, and brought healing and restoration. Isn't God wonderful!
One of the other crisis situations, seems to still be a crisis unresolved, filled with hurt, frustration, and pain . . . I'm still praying. I'm trusting God. I believe He is wonderful, and almighty God no matter how this situation unfolds.
Maybe you have a situation, or situations in your life that you need to take to Jesus, and share with Him in prayer. One of my favorite quotes is: "Christians need to be reminded, more than they need to be informed". I have been reminded about the power of prayer -- now you can consider yourself reminded, and together we can give God the glory!
The season of Advent, is in and of it self a time where there is so much to be done. Layered over that, the formulation of a budget for the next year, end of the year items that must be cared for, several families in crisis of various sorts, the death and home-going celebration for a wonderful man of God - well, i think you get the idea.
Sunday, as i had a conversation with someone in crisis, I was gently reminded of how limited I am to meet the needs of those I shepherd. I have no magic wand to wave, nor pixie dust to gently blow, that will magically make everything all better. I was reminded that I do have the ability to pray and lay it all at the feet of Jesus. He, through the power of the Holy Spirit, is much more effective at supplying the needs of His children! So I prayed.
Monday was a wonderful celebration of Ken Clements home-going that also reminded me what daily Christian living is about -- loving God, loving others, and looking forward to Christ's return. What a woship celebration. I thought I would be stressed, but the more I leaned on the Lord, the more peace I discovered! Isn't God wonderful!
Yesterday, I followed up on my Sunday conversation, sharing with that individual my frustration on one hand of not knowing what to do, and knowing that I could and was praying for them -- trusting God. The individual looked at me with the biggest smile on their face, and began to share with me how God had helped resolve the crisis, and brought healing and restoration. Isn't God wonderful!
One of the other crisis situations, seems to still be a crisis unresolved, filled with hurt, frustration, and pain . . . I'm still praying. I'm trusting God. I believe He is wonderful, and almighty God no matter how this situation unfolds.
Maybe you have a situation, or situations in your life that you need to take to Jesus, and share with Him in prayer. One of my favorite quotes is: "Christians need to be reminded, more than they need to be informed". I have been reminded about the power of prayer -- now you can consider yourself reminded, and together we can give God the glory!
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