Area Director's September Devotional

“Gator aid” or “Gatorade?”

    Long before the University of Florida (Gators) developed “Gatorade” in 1965 as a sports drink to replenish the carbohydrates and electrolytes of the school’s student-athletes, an enterprising lieutenant* had his own version of ‘gator aid.’   In the early 1940’s in a sweltering hot Florida training camp preparing GIs for World War II, the lieutenant had a real quandary.  On the final stretch of the endurance test designed to strengthen the men’s resolve, they were to cross a rope strung across a shallow pool of water.  Increasingly, as the men saw the inviting water below them, instead of pressing through their discomfort to cross the pool, they purposely let go of the rope mid-way.    The problem was quickly resolved when the lieutenant made the pool home for a large alligator.  From that day on, the recruits left the ground 15 feet from the water’s edge and fell sprawling in the dust on the other side.  

    How insensitive could this lieutenant be when judged from the perspective of comfort!  Fortunately for those recruits, the goal wasn’t comfort but battle readiness and survival.   How often do we as believers complain when God allows the alligators of our lives to threaten us and push us to the other side of the pool?    But wait!  His design and purpose for our lives is not comfort but conformity, i.e. He predestined us to be conformed to the image of His Son (Rom. 8:28-30).    It’s not about your comfort but your growth.   Don’t waste your trials.  Grow. Grow up and grow in Him.    As the Psalmist said,  ‘My suffering was good for me, for it taught me to pay attention to your decrees (Psalms 119:71 NLT).   Whatever alligators may be threatening from below chose to set your gaze heavenward.   God is preparing you for the battlefield.     Souls weigh in the balance.

 

*The story of the lieutenant was taken from July 3, 1997 Daily Bread

August Devotional from Area Director

Weeding and Weeping 

After being gone 5 weeks, I was amazed at how green our lawn looked except for the few places where the grass was dying leaving patches of dirt.  Upon closer inspection, the stark realization hit me: the green I saw wasn’t the grass but the weeds!   Deceptively, the weeds were growing under the grass, killing the grass but everything looked good.   The most treacherous weeds had grown comfortably under the cloak of the healthy grass and were multiplying with a vengeance.

With weeding on my mind, I went to church and heard a message on repentance. That’s when it hit me:  weeding and weeping have a lot in common.  Joel 2:12-13 states: “Turn to Me with all your heart, with fasting and with weeping…rend your heart and not your garments.” NKJV

As missionaries we do have a public self (garments) and a private self (our heart) to attend.   Although they are both important, God is more concerned about our hearts than the image the public has of us.   Or as Joel states it, “rend your heart and not your garments.”   God help us to be broken and to weep during these critical days in which we live.    Don’t allow weeds of bitterness, despair, anger or doubt to be hidden by your missionary mystic.   Be real.  Weed your garden because everything that really matters flows from the issues of the heart.

Area Director's July Devotional

A Moment to Cherish, a Fire to Rekindle

Although missionary renewal this year had a diversity of speakers, the Spirit orchestrated their testimonies into one dominant theme: Be in awe of God and His destiny for our lives.  We were challenged by Greg Mundis to keep it focused and real.   We were moved by Judy Graner to magnify God and choose joy despite pain and suffering.   We were reminded by Bryan Jarrett to have a sense of wonder in God’s call, His destiny for our lives.   We were invited by Paul Trementozzi to declare to all the random trash heaps of our lives that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose.   Tonight, it all came together as we commissioned the new missionaries.   As we prayed and laid our hands on those Called by God, we could sense the fresh fire of God.   It was a moment to cherish.   For all, it was a reminder to rekindle that fire as we stood in awe that God has a Call and a Destiny for each one of us.  As Paul said to Timothy “I often think of that genuine faith of yours….I now remind you to stir up that inner fire which God gave you at your ordination.  For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power and love and a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:5-7 J.B. Phillips

What is in a name?

 

What’s in a name?  In the annals of history the name “Geronimo” is synonymous with being a real fighter.  Geronimo was a fearless Apache war chief who fought to defend his people.  His real name wasn’t Geronimo; it was Goyathlay, “One Who Yawns”.  The seminal event that changed his name was a vicious attack by Mexican soldiers that killed his family.  Goyathlay, the yawner becomes Geronimo, the warrior.    

The seminal event in the believer’s life is just as dramatic though not necessarily as tragic as Geronimo’s.  The call of God disrupts our former life and awakens us to God’s destiny for our lives as we spend quality time with Jesus. 

When Simon Peter answers Jesus’ question of Who He was, Peter responds: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”  Peter knew who Jesus was, because he had spent time with Him and God gave him divine insight.  Jesus affirms him, “I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church”.  Mat 16:18

What’s in a name?  Our God-given identity.  As we spend time with Jesus, He tells us who we really are.  He whispers our new names.  He awakens us to His divine purpose for our lives.  Energized believers are how he builds His church.