ADs July Devotional

A well-dressed street musician stands statute-like holding his string bass instrument. It’s Saturday, May 19, 2012 at 6 pm in the middle of a prominent plaza in Sabadell, Spain. A little girl around 10 years old runs up and drops a coin in a hat lying upside down by his feet.  He begins to play a deep and beautiful tune, “Ode to Joy” from Beethoven’s 9th Symphony. Soon, one by one an entire orchestra and two choirs join in the celebration of joy that mesmerizes and delights everyone within hearing distance of this captivating flash mob.
   Sure, this “spontaneous event” was orchestrated and sponsored by Banco Sabadell in celebration of its 130th anniversary. Sure, the 100 members of the orchestra and two choirs had spent their lives in disciplined training for occasions just like this one. Sure, someone had meticulously planned where and how this experience was going to take place, but don’t tell this little girl! As she stands transfixed by the impromptu crescendo of the members of this group, she knows! She started the music! It was her coin that began it all.
   At times in ministry, all we have to give is a small coin. Our talent, resources and time may seem insignificant (Matt 13:31-32). Let’s be honest. It has never been about our resources, but God’s. Take your little coin. Drop it at God’s feet. Then watch in wonderment. God has already prepared a joyous event. Soon His joy will be evident in all that hear His music.
http://www.Godtube.com/watch/?v=WKKZ6LNX

ADs June Devotional

 

Just Too Much Stuff in Our Heads!

One of our granddaughters (GRD) had just petted a black bunny rabbit in a pet store and was in a crisis.  Riding home in the van, she cried for 15 minutes desperately trying to convince her mother, “I don’t want to wash my hands.  I don’t ever want to wash off the bunny.  I want to feel it forever and remember it forever.  (Sob)  I want that black bunny…Stop laughing Mom!”  One hour later…”I feel like I should be able to have my own things now.  I feel like I should be married now.”  Her Mother, “Oh yeah…”  GRD, “Yeah, because I am the oldest one.  So, I am old and young.  And I should be able to have my own bunny now.”  Her younger sister, “Why are you still talking about this?  You are killing me!”  GRD, “You are killing ME!”  Younger Sister, “You’re the one who won’t stop talking about a black bunny”.  GRD, “There is just too much stuff going on in my head right now, the bunny, math, 5 and 10s, clean the cage, feed the dog, feed the fish, feed the hamster, there is too much in my head, I can’t handle it!”

Sometimes as missionaries we’re just like my granddaughter…too much stuff in our heads!  In those times of insanity, we need to find our peace in Jesus.  As Isaiah 26:3 (TLB) says, “He will keep in perfect peace all those who trust in Him whose thoughts turn often to the Lord!”  Whatever your black bunny crisis is put it in right perspective as you turn your thoughts often to Jesus.

ADs May Devotional

 

Never Underestimate the Power of One

In a LACC chapel following a powerful sermon, the invited speaker challenged the students to be available to God for ministry.  The anointing was there.  There was a genuine desire to respond but peer pressure kept the students in their seats.  Finally, one brave boy came forward to declare his commitment.  As his peers looked on, the Holy Spirit began to convict others.  Soon, the altar was full.  One student’s bold declaration of faith broke the fear barrier.  God used the one to reach the many.

Never underestimate the power of one.  As Edward Everett Hale said, “I am only one, but still I am one.  I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.”

As we seek God’s anointing, believe with me for great victories.  “For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.”  (Deuteronomy 20:4)

ADs April Devotional

Not Owning it Could Lead to Disowning it: Neutrality is not an Option

The 1989 song “In the Living Years” captured the sense that each generation bears the burden of the previous one.  The lyrics assert, “Every generation blames the one before…I know that I am a prisoner to all my father held so dear.  I know that I am a hostage to all his hopes and fears.  I just wish I could have told him in the living years.”  The hopes and dreams of his father exasperated him yet the songwriter was tethered to those values and lived with regret for not telling his father so.  Each generation must respect the past while staking claim on the future.  If AGWM and AG are going to be resilient and relevant in the years to come, the next generation must fashion their own vision or be in jeopardy of losing everything, neutrality is not an option.  There is an ominous message in 2 Chronicles 24 where Joash, a semi-committed young leader sealed the fate of a nation.  When he was seven years old he became king.  While Jehoiada the priest was his advisor, ‘he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord’ (v.2) but his commitment was superficial.  Although he fought to have the Temple restored, all that changed when Jehoiada died.  Leaders played to his ego and persuaded him to abandon the Temple.  When Jehoiada’s son Zechariah confronted his disobedience, he had him killed.  He disavowed his loyalty to his childhood adviser by killing his son.  Then he disowned the God of his Calling.  His people suffered defeat, turned on him, and killed him.  “He was buried in the City of David, but not in the royal cemetery” (V.17-25).  What a sad ending for a passionate young man who lacked his own vision!  With the 100th year anniversary of the Assemblies of God taking place this year, we need ministers and missionaries with a fresh vision for the future.  Our past formed us.  Our values have sustained us.  Now we need to own our own vision that will carry us into the future.  Own it or lose it!  It’s our time now!