AD's November 2015 Devotional

Moving your witness from the abstract to the concrete

A famous child psychologist, known for affirming children, had a sidewalk poured in front of his house.   When the neighborhood children wrote their names in the fresh cement, he lost it, “You stupid kids, get off my property.”   The neighbors were shocked and confronted him.   He defended his outburst saying, “It’s true, I do love kids but only in the abstract…I can’t stand them when they’re in my concrete!” 

Hopefully we are not like that psychologist, loving people in the abstract but not connecting with them in our real lives, in our concrete.   We need to reach people in where we actually live!   Here a simple formula on how to keep it real, i.e. how to R.E.A.C.H. people:  Keep it Relevant and Relational, Easy, Anointed, Christ-centered and Honest.    

We also need to watch our attitude!   When Jonah was called to a specific group of people that he resented, he rebelled because he was afraid that God “was a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.”   Jonah 4:2.  When our “righteousness” keeps us from loving the very people that God loves, we need an attitude check.   Let’s keep our witness fresh as God keeps us broken and our witness authentic.

From SO CAL devotions: https://vimeo.com/142902026

AD's October 2015 Devotional

It’s Not Over Till It’s Over

The world had written Roberta Vinci off.   Serena Williams, the U.S. women’s tennis darling, was making a bid at history.   Williams was going after the coveted Grand Slam, winning all four major championships in a single calendar year.  All that was between Serena and her desired goal was a semi-final match against Vinci, an unseated Italian, and then the final match.   The sports commentators were so focused on Williams’ final match that it seemed that Vinci didn’t count.    It was assumed that Williams would quickly dispose of Vinci since the odds were 300 to 1 against Vinci.

Vinci knew that in all likelihood she would lose.  She had in fact scheduled a flight home immediately after her expected loss to Williams.   The morning of the match, Vinci decided that the dream of beating Williams was so absurd that she determined just to concentrate on putting the ball in the court and NOT to focus on Williams.   And then it happened…Vinci beat Williams in a historic upset that stunned the sporting world.   This confirms what I believe as a believer: “It’s not over till it’s over!”

As believers in the Almighty God of all creation, we should realize that’s it’s not over, until it’s over.   David, the young shepherd boy, refused to submit to fear when his kin mocked him for facing Goliath.   Instead of focusing on the odds against him, he shouted to Goliath,  “You are coming to fight against me with a sword, a spear and a javelin. But I’m coming against you in the name of the LORD who rules over all. He is the God of the armies of Israel. He’s the one you have dared to fight against.  1 Sam 17:45 (NIRV)

Whatever giant you may be facing in this very moment, take heart, “It’s not over till it’s over.  So, keep your eye on the ball and leave the results to God.

AD's September Devotional

 

 

Created by God to move forward

The current Australian Coat of Arms features two of their iconic animals, a kangaroo and an emu, proudly supporting a shield, which symbolizes the six states. There is a lot of speculation why the kangaroo and the emu were chosen over other animals such as the koala bear. The one I like the best is that both animals have something in common. Their bodies were designed to move forward while awkward if they try to move back-wards. The shape of the kangaroo’s body and its long tail impedes backward motion. The Emu’s strong legs were shaped to run fast while the joints in their knees make backward motion difficult. The use of the two animals brilliantly conveyed what the 1908 version of this Coat of Arms boldly proclaimed, “Advance Australia.”

Perhaps Apostle Paul had this same sentiment in mind when he affirms, “But one thing I do…I press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus (NIV).” J.B. Phillips translation renders Paul’s thoughts this way, “But I keep going on, grasping ever more firmly that purpose for which Christ grasped me.” Philippians 3:13b-14  

This “one thing” that Paul desired to obtain included three steps:  

1.      Forgetting those things that are behind.

2.      Reaching to the things ahead.

3.      Pressing toward the goal of the Call of Christ.  

Whether we are talking about the way God fashioned the kangaroo and the emu or the intense passion God placed in his followers, we’re designed by God to move forward in Him. Press in, press on, and hear our God’s heavenly Call with ever-increasing clarity.

ADs AUGUST 2015 Devotional

Are you a victim or a victor?

It depends on your attitude. John Maxwell develops 7 axioms for an overcomer in “The Winning Attitude.” Axiom # 3 declares: “Often our attitude is the only difference between success and failure.” Maxwell asserts, “This could be called the principle of the slight edge [over defeat or victory].”

   The former Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir underlined this truth in one of her interviews. She said, “All my country has is spirit. We don’t have petroleum dollars. We don’t have mines or great wealth in the ground. We don’t have the support of a worldwide public opinion that looks favorably on us. All Israel has is the spirit of its people. And if the people lose their spirit, even the United States of America cannot save us.”

   When Apostle Paul was under house arrest in Rome, he could have felt like a victim. Arrested in Jerusalem for preaching grace to the Gentiles and under a threat of death by the Jews, he appealed to Caesar. Sent to Rome, he did not see himself as a victim of either the Jews or of the Romans but rather; he was a “prisoner of Christ Jesus” for the sake of the Gentiles (Eph 3:1). To the Gentiles he affirmed, “We can go to God with bold confidence through faith in Christ. So then, I ask you not to become discouraged by the troubles I suffer for you. In fact, my troubles bring you glory.” (Eph 3: 12, 13 GW)

   Paul, the victor kept his identity in Christ in tact, understood his calling and refused to play the victim even in unjust circumstances. Let’s be people of the Spirit. Let’s be victors in Christ!