Month: July 2018

Don’t Wait

We just returned from SOAR 2018 (Sold Out and Radical) youth conference.  One of the great things that happened this week, is the conference recognized modern heroes of the faith.  Two such men, Bobby Tucker and James Schoenrock, both surrendered to God’s call to preach young, 13 and 11 years old.

This prompted me to think back on my life.  I surrendered to special service at about 12 years old.  From then until I was 17, I had plans which didn’t include much thought of God nor the commitment I had made.  As that last year wound down, I started an elaborate negotiation with God.  I bargained with every possible position in His service of which I could think.  Finally, as my senior year in high school began, I yielded to His will wholeheartedly without any lines I would not cross.  The rest is history!

This week made me wish I had not waited.  My advice to all would be yield to His call now.  Don’t wait for the right time and place.  Don’t wait until it is more convenient.  Like Samuel in 1 Sam 3, when God calls, respond, “speak Lord, your servant is listening.” And respond as Isaiah does in Isaiah 6, “here I am, send me”.

Don’t wait, yield to God today!

The Rock

Have you ever had a book change your life?  As a kid, I discovered JRR Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings series.  I read them many times.  I was captivated by the struggle of good versus evil and the little guy playing a major part in the final outcome.

There is another book which captivated my mind and heart at a young age which still impacts my life.  As a young child, Momma would read us Bible stories.  The heroes of my childhood were Samson, David, Moses, and Joshua.  Later, I learned about the teachings of Paul, John, and Jesus.  I still learn something new and see how the word of God shapes my life.  It is no wonder the prophet Isaiah sad “The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.”  Isaiah 40:8  NIV

God’s word is alive and works within us to conform us to the image.  They key is to put it into practice.  Jesus said, Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” Matthew 7:24  NIV Jesus instructs us that life built on the rock of His word stands the test of time.  He also contrasted that life with a foolish one. “ 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” Matthew 7:26-27 NIV.

God’s word is a solid foundation upon which we can build our lives.

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