God's plan | Revelations From The Road

Who Do You Think You Are?

September 4, 2016 by Bill Leave a Comment

Given April 8, 2011

When you read this question, what answers came into your mind? Who are you? If you are not saved, your answers would be different than someone who has, “believed in his heart and confessed with his mouth that Jesus is Lord”, (Romans 10:9). Most of the time we answer that question according to what we do; our work, school, who we’re married to or related to. But if we are Christians, we have a spiritual heritage and who we are is based on what Jesus did for us. But it seems like we have spiritual amnesia. We forget who we really are.

Teenager David went out to take lunch to his brothers who were on the battlefield but hunkered down behind rocks afraid of the Philistine giant Goliath. David knew who he was in God and went out and took care of business. Joseph knew who he was and, even after several devilish obstacles, kept his faith and integrity and ended up second in command in Egypt. Joshua and Caleb knew who they were and who their God was but were hanging around a bunch of negative-thinking, speaking people and had their blessing delayed for forty years. But they got into the Promised Land. And…Jesus knew who he was, lived his life accordingly, did many miracles, and gave His life so we could have a chance to be like Him.So, who are we?

We have been made the righteousness of God in Jesus. (1 Corinthians 5:21)
We are kings and priests. (Revelation 5:10)
We are loved by God, (Romans 8:35) and He thinks of us. (Jeremiah 29:11)
We are more than conquerors, (Romans 8:37)
We can do all things, (Philippians 4:13) and nothing is impossible for us. (Luke 1:37)
We are children of God. (John 1:12)
We are temples of the Holy Spirit. (1 Corinthians 6:19)
We are forgiven. (Colossians 1:14)
We are part of Christ’s body with each other. (1 Corinthians 12:27)

There are many more aspects of who we are. But be aware that we will act like who we THINK we are. Who do you think you are?

Conversations with God

August 13, 2016 by Bill Leave a Comment

Given July/August 2016

God speaks to us in many ways; through His word, through a preacher, a song, or by inspiration during prayer. Prayer, by the way, is just talking with God and here are some examples of conversations we might have with God.

When God gives you a task to accomplish, you might say: “God, I’m not good enough, I can’t handle it.” And God says, “Great, I’m glad to hear you say that.” “No, you’re not and you can’t, that’s why I’m here.” “Now, let me help and we’ll get ‘er done!”

“Lord, I’m feeling sort of messed up today, why is that?” “Well, child, it’s because you’ve cluttered your mind with all these other things in your life except Me.” “I keep reminding you, ‘Seek Me and my Kingdom first and all these other things will be OK.’” “Oh yeah, I remember.” “I’m sorry Lord; I don’t know why you keep putting up with me.” “Child, it’s because I love you and I’ve got some great things I want you to accomplish.” “Now let’s go.”

“Lord, don’t let our country, founded on your principles, go down.” “Show yourself mighty, strong, loving, compassionate and merciful.” “Yes, I can do that but I have millions of people who claim to be my followers who are just sitting by and doing nothing with those things you mentioned, which I’ve place in them.” “If my people will get up and do something, then you will see My power displayed and change will happen.”

“Yes, I’m a follower of yours Jesus.” “Well, get up and follow me!” “It takes more than just saying you’re a follower to be my follower.” “Get up and come on, we’ve got work to do.”

“That’s just the way I am, I can’t help it!” “Well child, that’s true to a point.” “You were born with a sin nature because of Adam and Eve’s sin but I sent Jesus to save you out of that and now, you’re a new creation, you’re different.” “You have power and a free will to say no to sin and the devil.” “Now, THAT’S just the way you are and you CAN help it!”

Spend some time every day just talking with God.

I’m With You

August 4, 2016 by Bill Leave a Comment

Given May 2015

As I was driving to work on this cloudy morning, I was feeling pretty down and discouraged. It had been a busy week; my mom had been in the ER, I had a doctor’s appointment, and I had a problem with my car that had to be fixed. As I pulled up, depressed, to the traffic light, I saw a sign on the truck in front of me, “When you’re down to nothing, God’s up to something.” I said, “Thank you God for that message.”

The light changed and I continued on. After about a quarter mile, I saw a billboard on the side of the highway for a local car dealership that displayed in large letters, “FREEDOM”. I thought, “I’m free.” “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36). Then immediately, in the overcast, 7:40 AM, semi-dark sky, I saw a beautiful rainbow! It reminded me of the covenant God made with Noah and that He was there with me and would not let me be harmed. I also was reminded me of other promises God made to Adam, Abraham, and Jesus.

Then a thought crossed my mind; I thought you needed sun to form a rainbow but it was overcast! Then I noticed in my rear-view mirror, peeking over the top of our Southwest Virginia mountains, the sun was shining brightly. It was behind me and I didn’t know it. “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” (Isaiah 30:21). “Thank you Father for encouraging me this morning.” was my prayer. God is like that. He’s there even when we don’t know it encouraging us by whatever means He chooses. For me on this day, it was a truck sign, a billboard and His rainbow in perfect succession. Wow!

The Path to Comfort

August 2, 2016 by Bill 2 Comments

Given August 1, 2016

I recently had a niece lose her young husband in a drowning accident while attempting to save his three young daughters from a rip current at a North Carolina beach. The morning of the funeral during my devotion, I asked the Lord what I could say to her for comfort and I immediately heard in my spirit, “The 23^rd Psalm”. I had written about portions of this famous passage in my blog a few years ago and I was directed to begin with verse four. The following is the picture I received as I recited these verses. It is my prayer that these verses and the images painted through them will be a comfort to anyone going through a difficult time.

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil:” During these trying times when someone we love has died, we are surely walking through a dark valley. The main point here is to keep walking through; do not stop and camp there! That’s what the enemy would want you to do. But this verse says, “the valley of the shadow of death”, a shadow will not hurt you and you don’t have to be afraid of it. When we were kids, a shadow in a darkened bedroom would scare us and Mommy or Daddy would come in and assure us that everything was OK. But in order for there to be a shadow, there must be some light; Jesus is the light. So we need not fear any evil that may be lurking in the shadows as we are moving and looking forward.

“for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” As you’re walking, the devil may jump out of the shadows and threaten you. I can see the Great Shepherd who is with you extending His rod and saying, “Devil, stop right there or I’ll knock you out!” And the devil knows those words are true and he runs away. Then sometimes you may take a wrong step and fall off the path or into a ditch and that’s when God will reach out His staff and pull you back to safety. And you continue on. It’s a comfort knowing God is there.

“Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:” Soon, you see the light at the end of your dark valley and there is a large banquet hall before you. God opens the door and directs you inside. As you step into the large room, you’re greeted by thunderous applause from the many people who are in attendance! You turn to God and ask, “What is this?” God says, “It’s for you; you are the honored guest.” The room is filled with tables, food, drinks and all the trimmings of a banquet and servants standing ready to serve. But you notice, standing around the outside wall, several people, some of which you recognize, with aggravated looks on their faces and some demons who have been harassing you as well. You ask God who they are. He replies, “Those are your enemies and they must stand there and watch as you are honored and there’s nothing they can do about it.” (This banquet is here on earth and not in Heaven because your enemies won’t be in Heaven.)

“thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.” Anointing the head with oil was a practice among Jews which showed respect paid by a host to his guest. So the fact that God, as the host, is anointing your head is a great honor and everyone there knows it. As the oil runs down your face, you turn to look at God and He smiles down at you and nods His head. Then the banquet begins and a servant brings your food and pours your drink into your vessel. But he keeps on pouring after the vessel is full and it runs over on the table cloth. You look at the servant with a puzzled look and God interjects with, “I told him to do that as an indication of the blessings you are to receive after coming through your dark valley will be more than your cup will hold.”

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” After the banquet is over and all the people have come by to hug you and wish you the best, God says, “Now, it’s time to continue your journey.” “It’s going to be different than it was before the dark valley but remember, I will always be right there with you.” “And to assist you on your way, I’m going to send a couple of my people with you.” “Goodness and Mercy, come over here.” “I want you to follow my child the rest of her life and bless her with your namesakes.” Then God gives you a big hug and says, “Child, be strong, be courageous, be loving, be generous and thankful as you go.” And take care of those babies; I’ve got great plans for them and for you.” “And remember, I’ve already got your room ready in My house where you’ll live forever.” “And, there are some people there who are looking forward to your arrival.” “Have a blessed trip, I love you.”

Four Steps to Service

July 16, 2016 by Bill Leave a Comment

Given June 2016

Recently at church, many of us were standing at the altar after a convicting message by our pastor Wayne Hager in which he encouraged us to be like the prophet Isaiah when he said, “Here am I. Send me.” (Isaiah 6:8). As I stood there in prayer, I felt like Isaiah who previously had cried, “Woe to me!” (V. 5), because he felt unworthy to be sent by God on the mission. I saw myself as a damaged vessel that leaked and was of little use to the Lord. Then suddenly, as I prayed, these words came to me: Forgive me, Fix me, Fill me then Forward me. As I stood there asking God to use me, I asked Him to do these four things so that I would be a useful vessel capable of being successful in whatever He wanted me to do. Of course God can do all these things but He won’t force Himself on anyone; He needs our willingness to serve as His signal to work with us. So, I’d like to go a little deeper into these four steps of service.

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” (Romans 3:23). The first step in being prepared to serve is to admit that you have sinned and ask God’s forgiveness. We are all vessels made by God but we have done things that have contaminated and damaged our vessel so we must confess and repent of those things in order to be repaired. “Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes,” (2 Timothy 2:21a).

Second, we need to be fixed. We need to ask God to repair the cracks in us so that we can be a vessel useful for His purposes. “made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.” (V. 21b). Fill the cracks, repair the clay so we can hold whatever God want to pour into us.

Thirdly, now that we are forgiven for our damaging actions and have been fixed and repaired in order to hold the contents God wants us to have, we ask Him to Fill us with Himself. “And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness.” (Acts 4:31). When we are filled with the Holy Spirit of God, nothing will be impossible for us, (Matthew 19:26). And personally, I ask God to fill me to overflowing with His Spirit so that, as I meet people each day, that Spirit will slosh over on them.

And fourth, now that we are forgiven, fixed and filled, it’s time to ask God to Forward us on to the assignment He had planned for us to accomplish. “Here I am Lord, send me, I’m ready now.” God created us in His image to begin with but the sin nature that originated with the disobedience of Eve and Adam in the garden made us, as vessels, damageable. But God wants to rework us, rebirth us, back into vessels of honor so we can continue serving and accomplishing the plans He has for our lives.

This four-part prayer might be something you’d want to pray each morning as you begin your day with God. “God, forgive me, fix me, fill me and forward me.” And God says, “Okay, let’s go!”