Revelations From The Road

Given January 25, 2010  

What does it take to be a superstar for God?  What does it take to be a superstar in anything?  You might say dedication, talent,  work, luck, inherited ability, sacrifice or many other factors.  You might say a star athlete was born with natural abilities that destine him or her to reach a level of performance others could never reach.  And it’s true but that person would not fulfill their potential siting on the couch.  What about a world-class musician.  They would of course need some God-given talent but along with that must be added years of practice; developing and perfecting that talent.  A person without the in-born talent could dedicate all their time to practice but may never reach the level of the one born with it.  What do top runners do?  They run!  What do top singers do?  They sing!  Do you see where I’m going with this?  People who want to be highly successful in any endeavor must give themselves to it.  It must consume their thoughts, actions, and desires.

So, what does it take to be a top follower of Christ?  You have to “give” yourself to Him; His Word, precepts, commands, thoughts, and actions.  If you do this, you will develop into a superstar for Him, He will get all the glory, and you will want it that way.  “But wait a minute!  I thought you said superstars are first born with the talent and abilities.  I was born a regular person.”  Yes you were but, when you were BORN AGAIN, you got the superstar genes!  God recreated you to do good works,(Ephesians 2:10), and all that Jesus did, you can do; (John 14:12), you’re born to do it!  But you gotta get off the couch!

One more thing.  It’s never about you and your fame.  As the image above depicts, Jesus was a spiritual superstar but He was a servant to all.  Go and do likewise.

Given February 2008

People who use computers are familiar with files and folders.  Computer folders are like file folders in file cabinets, a place to store items organized in a structure where they can be easily found.  There can be folders inside folders which are inside other folders…on and on.  When you look at a computer folder or file cabinet, you don’t really know what all is inside.

Imagine a “God” folder. You see a little plus sign next to it indicating there are other folders inside.  Some people never “click” on the plus sign to see what else is in there.  There’s also “Jesus” and “Holy Spirit” folders with plus signs.  You open the Jesus folder and see Salvation, Blessings, Healing, Provision, Mercy, Grace, etc. all with plus signs.  As John Bevere says on our Wednesday nights DVD curriculum “Are you seeing this?”.  Inside every folder are other folders and files of the good things God has for us; an infinite number of things, and most people, Christians included,  never expand the folder structure to see what is there.

“For of him, and by him, and in him, are all things: to him be glory for ever. Amen.” Romans 11:36.  The Bible, prayer, and fellowship with God’s people is where you will find the folders with the plus signs.  Go there and “click” and keep on clicking to see the wonders God has for us all.

Given October 2006The idea or concept of giving is mentioned throughout the Bible.  The story of the “Widow’s Mite” (Mark 12:41-44), illustrates how Jesus feels about giving small amounts.  He also says in 2 Corinthians 9:10, “Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness;”.  Seed is a small thing but God will use it to multiply and feed many.  Also, remember the fishes and loaves?The concept of Kingdom Coins is the dame thing.  Watch this video done for a local TV program which tells the story: http://cablecountry.tricitiesblogs.com/cablecountry/article/kingdom_coins/38893/  There is also a website related to this concept at: http://kingdomcoins.org.  My desire is that everyone who reads this will think about starting a Kingdom Coin project of your own.  God will bless you for it and His people will be blessed.

Given January 5, 2010

I wrote recently about God’s plan for each of us and that He DOES have a plan for us and things He wants us to do in this life.  More on that today.  “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.” Romans 8:29.  God knew us before we were born and we are set up to be like Jesus.  That’s awesome but, of course, we have a free will to make the choice to go with God’s plan or one of our own.  I want God’s plan, how about you?  Also it says in the old testament that God knew Jeremiah even before he was born and had great things for him to accomplish.  “I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb.Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.” Jeremiah 1:5.  God told Jeremiah that He knew him even before he was born and He already had a plan for him.  “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8.  If He did it for Jeremiah, He’ll do it for us!  Have you found God’s plan for you yet?

Given January 4, 2009

A couple of revelations to encourage you:

“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesisns 2:10.  If you ever think you are worthless or not needed, repeat this verse.  God prepared some good works to be done then made you to do them.  You were created for a purpose and God wants you to fulfill it.

“But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” 1 Corinthians 12:18 & 27.  Just think about it; in this grand plan that God has, He made a place for each of us and He has placed us in and among each other to do our part.  We are just in the place He wanted us to be and if we all work togethr, the “body” will thrive.   I want to do my part.  How about you?

Given January 1, 2009
My wife and I had a good discussion this morning.  We talked about our aspirations, dreams, and goals and how they might align with God’s plans for us.  We concluded, which we both already knew, that God has a plan for us, (and everyone), and we needed to submit ourselves to His plan, increase our focus in that and decrease in our own plans.  In the new year, we want to be what God wants us to be, do what He wants us to do, and have what He wants us to have.

This all reminded me of some of the things I’ve been saying to my staff recently.  At the Workforce Center, we have been going through re-organization and getting away from the way things were done in the past and updating policies and procedures.  I frequently will hear, “That’s not the way we used to do it.”  So I have been stressingtot my staff, “Forget how it used to be done and do things the new way!”  The Lord reminded me this morning of this and that I should take my own advice, forget the past and look to God for the future.  I think it’s good advice for all of us today: If we want to see real success in 2010 and beyond, we must operate in God’s plan.  And, make no mistake, He has a plan for you and I!    I may have had some ideas or plans for my future but they may not have been in line with God’s plan for me.  I want to be right in the middle of God’s plan whether I can see any sense in it or not.  I know He’s already started things in motion with me and I am taking my own advice and taking my eyes off my little piddly plans, looking up with out-stretched arms, and saying, “Father, not my will but Yours be done.” Luke 22:42.  Paul said it this way, “Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14.  Amen!

We are in a constant battle between our flesh and our spirit.  I want to consentrate in 2010 on building up and training my spirit to react according to God’s will for me in every situation.  Whatever He has planned for me personally, in my family, at work, in ministry, or whatever, I’m with Him!  And it’s going to be good!  He said, “Call on Me and I will answer thee and show thee great and mighty things which thou know not.” Jeremiah 33:3, and God told Moses to tell the people at the Red Sea with Pharoah’s army behind them, “Stand and see the deliverance of the Lord.” Exodus 14:13.  I’m standing and I’m expecting.  How about you?

Given December 24, 2009

We have had a devastating snow storm in our part of Virginia and many were without power and water for several days.  The Dotson household went 5 days without electricity and it has changed our traditional Christmas and made me think about all this.  As I was driving home from delivering a gift to my brother and his family, I saw all the Christmas lights shining now that power is back on and thought about the shopping, eating, traveling, and other “traditions” surrounding the holiday.  I prayed, “Jesus, you don’t think too much about all this do you?”  You only want us to remember why you came and to follow your lead as we live our lives.”  I felt like He was saying, “You’ve got it Bill.”

It would still be Christmas even without all the “stuff” we have tagged onto the holiday.  Happy birthday Jesus!

Given December 19, 2009

We are in the middle of a giant snow storm here in Southwestern Virginia with no electricity for two days and everything that goes with that.  However, we have a gas stove which provides warmpth and a cooking option and we are making it OK.  I tend not to worry too much since Jesus has told us all several time not to but my puppy gave me a fresh look at that yesterday.

The snow was so deep, Fudge the puppy, got out of his secure pen and met me in the driveway whild I was shoveling snow.  He was happy to see me and wanted to jump and play.  I thought, “Fudge, can’t you see we have problems here.  Why are you  so happy?”  Then the Holy Spirit reminded me of why.  “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life.  And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6: 25-34.  That’s why Fudge wasn’t worrying and I shouldn’t either.  Thank you Lord!

Given December 13, 2009

I was riding along in my Silverado on this fine day and was declaring some encouraging scriptures which I often do for edification.  I was saying, “Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.” (1 John 4:4).  “If God is for me, who can be against me?” (Romans 8:31).  Then I thought, “Wait a minute…there ARE people against me.  What about that?”  Immediately verses came into my mind, “No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn.” (Isaiah 54:17), and “The LORD will grant that the enemies who rise up against you will be defeated before you. They will come at you from one direction but flee from you in seven.” (Deuteronomy 28:7), and “Submit to God, resist the devil and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7), and “You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you,” (2 Chronicles 20:17).

I was encouraged and comforted that as long as I trust in the Lord, no matter what happens or how things look, I WIN!  You win too.

Given March 2006

I am constantly reminded of who I am, what I have, and what I can do in Christ.  Following are just a few of these to encourage you.  I suggest you use these to start your own list as the Spirit gives them to you.  I have a list of “Declarations” is read every morning based on scriptures such as these to remind me I’m above and not beneith - the head and not the tail…oh, here it goes again.  Be lifted up by the Word of God for you.

You are a child of God – (Galatians 3:26, John 1: 12)
You are an heir with Jesus – (Galatians 3:29)
You are a king and a priest – (Revelations 5:10)
You are righteous – (2 Corinthians 5:21)
You are strong – (2 Corinthians 12:10)
You are already healed – (Isaiah 53:5 & 1 Peter 2:24)
You are a temple of God – (1 Corinthians 3:16)
You are blessed – (Galatians 3:14)
You have an inheritance – (Galatians 3:14)
You have favor – (Psalms 5:12 & 84:11)
You have more than enough – (Luke 6:38)
You have the victory – (John 19:30 & 1 John 4:4)
You can always win – (2 Corinthians 2:14)
God loves you as much as He loves Jesus – (John 17:23)
You can do anything – (Philippians 4:13)
Nothing is impossible for you – (Mark 9:23)
You can chase the devil away – (James 4:7)

There are many more of these encouraging truths contained in God’s Word.  I suggest you take these, look each one of the verses up, and let the Holy Spirit speak to you about them.  Did you know you were, had, and could do all these things?  Now you know…and there’s so much more!  Please comment with some truths God has shown you.