His Purpose, Not Your Project

It’s Aloha Friday! That means the weekend is just hours away. As you go throughout your day and weekend, may you remember the purpose for which Christ had redeemed you. He has a plan for your life. Let’s bear fruit for Him.

For those in Hilo, I hope to see you this weekend. We will be delving into Acts 10. Familiarize yourself with it and let’s get ready for God to do something great.

Aloha,
Allen

Thoughts
Growing up I don’t recall ever going to a garage sale. For one, no one in our neighborhood had a garage. And, if they did, they probably didn’t want people in it. So, I had some life lessons to learn when I worked alongside a ‘professional’ garage saler in Tennessee. T Bandy (his real name) was part of the world’s longest garage sale, stretching through two states. He took it seriously.

In his life, T Bandy has redeemed the lives of more tools, clothes, and otherwise unwanted items than one can possibly imagine. And, for everything he redeemed he had a purpose and a plan. His eye was trained for how each item could be restored and made useful again.

There’s a lot to unpack spiritually from T Bandy. It seems he might have learned some lessons from the greatest Redeemer. Isn’t it just like God?! Though He’s not a rummager, He sifts through life’s mistakes, broken pieces, shattered dreams, and disfunction for a people He can use for His purpose and plan. He has a way of using every life to fulfill a part of His plan.

I find it arresting that one of the first things the resurrected Savior says to Saul in his Damascus road encounter is “Get up and go into Damascus for I will show you what you must do.” God had a plan for Saul. He would take all of his failures, blunders, and boneheaded decisions and transform him (and them) into Paul, one of His greatest apostles.

God has spared us all from the rubbish den called Hell. But He hasn’t saved us for nothing. He has spared us because He loves us and has a purpose for our lives. We are a tool He is using to build this thing called His Kingdom.

Our challenge is to not accept His redemption and then selfishly work on our own project. We tend to get upset when God’s purpose messes with our projects. We love projects that include His blessing, prosperity, comfort, etc. However, the apostle was told ‘how much he must suffer for Christ’s sake’. When you’re challenged in the future, don’t get upset at the Redeemer. He saved you for His purpose, not your pet project.

Application:
How has God used your mistakes, mishaps, and miseries for His purpose?

Have you ever focused more on your projects than God’s purpose? What is your focus right now?

Do you know God’s plan for your life? If not, are you asking Him for it?

Prayer
Father,

Thank You for redeeming me. Seeing past my failures and disfunction, You saw something for which You could use me. Today, I ask that You would continually refine me for Your work. As my mind and motives drift toward my projects, may You return my focus to Your purpose. You have chosen me and You desire that I bear fruit for You (Jn. 15:16). And, I long to honor You.

In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Turning Point: Confronting the Past

Aloha,

It seems as if it’s been forever since I’ve been behind the screen on my daily devos. I am currently working with a Community Service Worker and my time has been diverted elsewhere in the mornings. This is both good and bad. On a positive note I am able to reveal God’s love to another individual. On the downside, I have yet to find my rhythm for the mornings.

Over the last few weeks we have taken a look at the transformation of Saul/Paul in Acts 9, 22, and 26. In our 3 week mini-series we talked about the necessity for God encounters, confronting our past, and accepting our new appointments. Today and tomorrow I will try to recap some of the highlights of the latter two.

Enjoy your day,
Allen

Thoughts
Proverbs 28:13
        He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, But he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion.

Following his encounter with the risen Savior, Saul, on his way to becoming Paul, had to make a hard confrontation with his former self. Realizing the validity of Jesus Christ, the apostle had a lot of wrongs that he couldn’t make right. His zealous attempt to extinguish the fire of Christianity had been nothing more than an outright attack on the One he believed he was fighting for. Though he would be changed, the apostle would not be able to bypass the reality of his former life.

Each of us have a past. And, for most of us, that past is filled with selfish, despicable acts that are in direct violation to the person Christ longs for us to be. It is my challenge that if we truly desire a turning point in our lives, we must confront our past. We cannot ignore it, down play it, or blame it on someone else. Confronting your past is the key to confession. I must be able to own my sin and my past, as painful as that might be.

In an article concerning the apostle Paul, Jimmy Sighers wrote:

“Mercy tempers the shock of our sinfulness leading us to genuine repentance rather than despair. The experience of God’s mercy fosters a deep sorrow for and a profound detestation of sin. Then we can declare with St. Paul: “Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom 7:24-25)!“ (ST. PAUL AND CONFRONTING ONESELF By Jimmy Sighers; http://www.totustuus.com/StPaulAndConfrontingOneself.pdf)

The follow-up to the first statement is this: Confession brings forgiveness and forgiveness leads to new life. 1 John 1:9 makes it clear that our confession leads us to Christ’s forgiveness. It is when we are able to confess that we have a sinful past and our inability to fix it ourselves, then Christ’s forgiveness comes as natural by-product of our confession of Him. However, if we avoid the confession, we forfeit the forgiveness and the truth is not in us (1 Jn 1:8,10).

Here are a few brief lessons the apostle Paul learned following his transformation experience on the Damascus road:

        1. Your former acquaintances are former.
                As Paul began to share of his revelation of Jesus, his old companions sought to kill him. Once his friends, they were now his enemies. He later writes in 1 Cor. 15:33, “Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company corrupts good morals.’” If we’re going to truly be transformed, we will have to change the circle of our old friends.

        2. Allow time for your new life to be accepted.
                We often times talk about turning over a new leaf and we often times let people down because we do not truly change. So whenever truly experience transformation, we must understand that it takes others time to recognize the true change Christ has made in us. It took the original apostles a bit of time to warm up to the idea that Paul really was transformed and not an impostor. Allow people time to accept your transformation.

        3. Freedom from our past comes from our faith in Christ for our future.
                Thankfully, there was an encourager like Barnabas that testified, by faith, of the transformed Paul. While others were questioned his authenticity, Barnabas leveraged his reputation on behalf of Paul. Here we find that true freedom from our past comes with our faith in Christ for our future. More than believing in Paul, I believe Barnabas believed in the Christ who lived in Paul. I can find freedom from my past when I trust Christ for my future.

Application
According to 1 John 1:9, what are the differences between forgiveness and confession?

Is it possible that we want forgiveness without confession?

Has someone believed in your future and leveraged that for your benefit? Have you helped someone else overcome their past reputation?

Prayer
Father,

Thank You for the freedom from our past. As pilau (rotten) as the apostle Paul was, and I am, You offered forgiveness through his confession of his sins and faith in Christ. As I continually seek to live more like You, help me to ever keep confession as a part of my life and faith as a part of my freedom. I acknowledge my past, but I find freedom for my future in my faith in Christ. Lead us to become an overcoming Church in Your name.

In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Turning Points

I didn’t expect to go where I went with today’s devo, but was extremely challenged in the end. It’s amazing how little images throughout life give us insight into spiritual circumstances. My prayer is that you might be challenged as I was.

Aloha,
Allen

Thoughts
When I was younger I loved visiting the livestock market. From the stadium-style seating to the fast-tongued auctioneer to the walkways that were suspended over all of the cattle pens, it was a sensory overload (especially to the nasal passages!). The hustle and bustle of ‘sale’ day was a welcomed break from the day to day activities on the farm.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Of the many intriguing aspects of the sale barn, I was always amazed at the men who were responsible for sorting the cattle after they had been sold. At times, dozens of animals were flooding the alleys and were being sorted in as many directions within seconds. A pivotal gate between two lanes, merely inches apart, determined the fate of an animals life. One led to a peaceful life in the pastures of an elderly retired couple. The other in between two sesame seed buns, topped with wilted lettuce, partially ripe tomatoes, and a bitter cucumber. Oh, the fate of the gate!

Life is filled with gates. Gates that determine little outside of the few individual moments sporadically placed throughout our lives. They’re turning points. Brief moments that sending us careening down one path or another. And, on most occasions, their meaning escapes us in the moment of our encounter.

The apostle Paul, Saul at the time, faced one of those destiny changing gates on his way to Damascus (Acts 9:1-9). Seeking to extinguish the flames of the Gospel, he was at once consumed by it and became it’s greatest propellent. Two paths merged on one road and one Gate determined the destiny. In John 10:9 Jesus declares that He is that ‘gate’.

All along life’s journey there are turning points marked by the Gate. Though the two paths seemingly overlap, they are two distinctive paths and how we choose to respond to Jesus determines which one we choose. If you’re at a turning point today, don’t be deceived into thinking they’re the same. Despite how close they seem at the moment, they lead to two totally different places. Choose wisely.

Application
What gates have you gone through in life that seemed insignificant at the moment but were monumental in hindsight?

It is possible that two opposing paths can seem to be the same? How have different choices ‘seemed’ to be the same at the moment of decision but have led to two totally different ends? (To be better picture this, imagine a maze)

What path are you choosing today?

Prayer
Father,

I have been challenged with the thought of how closely two opposing paths seem at the moment of decision. Like the stockyard gates, the paths are merely inches apart but lead to two totally different lives. Thank You for placing Jesus as our Gate. As Your Holy Spirit prompts me at life’s gates, may I remain faithful to choose You. I ask for discernment when the paths seem so close, but have such different endings. Lead me in Your ways.

Not For Hire

It’s been a hectic week and it’s not looking any slower for the weekend. Today, I’ve pulled a first. In my rush for time, I’ve copied my sermon notes and packed it into this devo. If you weren’t with us on Sunday, maybe you can catch the gist of where we were at.

Also, don’t forget we are praying that God will reveal Himself to the ‘Saul-like’ tough people in our lives. We are asking Him to transform them as He did with Saul-Paul. These names will not be released. We will pray for them in our services for the next three weeks. You can add someone to our list be click here.

Don’t forget to grab your Krispy Kreme doughnuts tomorrow a.m.!

Aloha,
allen

Thoughts
I must admit, I am a sign reader. If something is written on a billboard, vehicle, or building, I generally read it out loud, even if I am by myself. One of the statements on tow trucks that always catches me off guard is the words “Not For Hire” posted on the side. It’s a bit perplexing. If you’re ‘not for hire’, why are you hauling that vehicle?

So, I looked up the meaning of this phrase. After tons of DOT sites and questions, this is the most succinct answer I found:

“It means that vehicle is not for sale [hire] at that time for doing what it can at that time, i.e. a tow truck with that would mean that that tow truck is not available to you at that time. You cannot use its services.” (http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_does_not_for_hire_mean_on_trucks)

As a minister there are some things that I, by the nature of my calling, must know how to do. I can pray. I can offer biblical counsel. I can find answers. I can share Scriptures and lead someone to Jesus. These are all aspects of what I am called to do as a minister. As a tow truck is designed to tow, a minister is designed to minister. It’s why we are created.

However, because a tow truck is designed to tow doesn’t mean that it is meant to stop on its way to one accident to help you with your stalled car. There is a proper procedure that you must go through. You must call and request help from their dispatcher. It is your responsibility. It is not the driver’s responsibility to contact the dispatcher and get you moved up the list. He’s there to assist, but he’s not for hire.

Likewise, God’s ministry is not for hire. God has not created and gifted ministers to go around doing spiritual work for you. We can certainly pray for you, but our prayers mean nothing if you are not aligning yourself with God. Peter could not pray for judgment to bypass Simon, if Simon was unwilling to repent. God’s ministry is not for hire.

We cannot expect people to pray us through to victory if we are unwilling to pray ourselves through to victory. The ministry of the body is designed to assist us in our spiritual development and growth. It is not designed as a rental center where we can enact the services of others to do it for us.

Application
Have you ever asked someone to pray for something for you that you were unwilling to obediently fulfill? (e.g., praying for an addiction that you have no plans to give up, etc.)

Describe the balance between the role of a minister in spiritual assisting and not being for hire.

Is there an area in your life right now that you are asking people to pray you through, but are unwilling to make the changes yourself?

Prayer
Father,

Much could be said about the importance of ministers in my life. They are incredible equippers and encouragers for me. May I never begin to treat them as mediators between myself and you. No one can pray a repentance prayer for me. It is my responsibility. Though others pray for me, the difficult marks of discipleship must be made by me. Help me today to commit to that process.

In Jesus’ name. Amen.