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! 

ADs March Devotional

 

“But it doesn’t matter.”

      A disgruntle teenager chaffing at authority hears the frustrated threat of her mother, “Clean up your room or you’ll be grounded for life.”  She moans in resignation, “Yeah, whatever!”   In an act of defiance strangely mingled with compliance, she is saying, “I hear you but it really doesn’t matter.”  Acquiescence to a fate not of our choosing is the normal sense of “it doesn’t matter” which is a destructive and hopeless fatalism.   Unwanted circumstances plus the inability to determine one’s destiny equal resignation and fatalism.

     But when Paul, the man of God, uses those words, the victim becomes the victor.   He’s in prison.   Some insecure colleagues jealous of his ministry seize upon his misfortune to “preach about Christ for selfish and wrong reasons, wanting to make trouble for (him) in prison.”  (Phil. 1:16 NCV)  Paul’s reaction?  “It doesn’t matter.”   He knows God is in control.  Paul is confident that whether it’s for the right or wrong reason, people are still hearing about Christ and in that he rejoices.   His resolve is strengthened.

     He exclaims, “So I am happy…. I expect ... that I will not fail Christ in anything but that I will have the courage … to show the greatness of Christ in my life…” (Phil. 1:18-20 NCV portions)   Unwanted circumstances plus trust in the Greatness of God to work despite the circumstances equals rejoicing and greater commitment.  

     Your circumstances don’t determine your destiny.   God does and He is at work in your life!   “We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him.”  (Romans 8:28 NIV)  Live on the victory side of your circumstances!