Insight into God's word, delivered from behind the wheel and from God's Word.
Occasionally I am reminded of a post I did in the past that is still relevant today. My pastor at Zion Family Ministries delivered a message this morning that reminded me that most of us get off the path of righteousness sometimes and need to call out to God for direction. Enjoy this revelation from February 2009: https://roadrevelations.org/?p=245
Given October 8, 2011
Have you ever failed God? Have you ever done something bad and then later realized what you had done and were overwhelmed with guilt? Sure, we all have. But the fact that it really bothers us shows that we are repentant and are sorry. At that point, we need to ask God to forgive us, ask Him for His help not to do it again, and accept his forgiveness. He will forgive us and get us back on the right path to where He wants to take us.
If you think you’ve failed Jesus too badly or too many times to get back in His good graces, let me remind you of Peter, the disciple. Jesus called Peter, “the Rock”, (Matthew 16:18), when he correctly answered Jesus by saying He was the Messiah. When Jesus told them at the last supper that they would all deny Him, Peter was quick and bold to say, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.”(Matthew 26:33). But later that night, Peter, the Rock, not only denied Jesus but did it three times, the last time with cursing. Then… he heard the rooster crow and remembered what was said earlier and he was overwhelmed with guilt. Peter failed Jesus, he blew it badly. And so have we. But all is not lost…
The words of the song from 1980 by Don Francisco, “He’s Alive”, come to my mind relating to Peter:
“And Jesus stood before me, with his arms held open wide.
And I fell down on my knees and I just clung to Him and cried.
Then He raised me to my feet, and as I looked into His eyes.
The love was shining out from Him, like sunlight from the skies.
Guilt in my confusion, disappeared in sweet release.
And every fear I’d ever had, just melted into peace.”
Peter, as bad as he had failed Jesus, was forgiven. Jesus got him up off the floor, looked him straight in the eye, and, I imagine, said, “I love you Peter, I know you are sorry, and I forgive you. I bet He gave him a big hug too. And, Jesus will do the same for you. Look into His eyes… what do you see? That same love is there. Let go of that guilt today. Jesus is standing there with His arms held open wide. Go to Him.
Given July 2008
Our Pastor at Zion Family Ministeries has been preaching on “Living by the Book” for the past few weeks and we’ve learned how important the Word of God is to our lives. Once we make Bible reading a part of our daily lives, the Word will be in us and we will begin to live that Word and speak it over situations. The prayer listed below can be used to confess God’s Word over our lives every day and I challenge each of you to do just that. You will see changes in your life as God’s Word becomes part of it. I’ve included scripture references from the Bible.
Father, in the Name of Jesus(1), I commit myself today to walk in Your Word.(2) I recognize that Your Word is integrity itself– steadfast, sure, eternal(3)–and I trust my life to its provisions.
You have sent Your Word(4) forth into my heart. I let it dwell in me(5) richly in all wisdom(6). It does not depart out of my mouth; I meditate in it day and night so that I may diligently act on it(7). Your Word is an incorruptible seed(8), abiding in my spirit, and it’s growing mightily in me now, producing Your nature, Your life.
I thank You, Father, that Your Word is my counsel, my shield, my buckler(9), my powerful weapon in battle. It is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path(10). It makes my way straight before me, and I never stumble or fall for my steps are ordered by Your Word(11).
I recognize the strategies and deceits of Satan(12) and I put a stop to them by speaking Your Word out of my mouth in faith(13).
I am confident, Father, that You are at work in me both to will and to do Your good pleasure(14). I exalt Your Word(15). I hold it in high esteem and give it first place in my life. I boldly and confidently say that my heart is fixed and established(16) on the solid foundation–the living Word of God(17). Amen.
1. John 16:23 2. Isaiah 30:21 3. John 1:1-2 4. Psalms 107:20 5. John 15:7 6. Col. 3:16 7. Prov. 4:20-21 8. 1 Peter 1:23
9. Psalms91:4 10. Ps 119:105 11. Psalms 37:23 12. John 10:10 13. Eph. 6:13 14. Phil. 2:13 15. Psalms 56:4 16. Deut. 19:15
17. Luke 6:47-48
Given September 28, 2011
“Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” (1 Corinthians 12:27). This letter written to the church at Corinth compared the church to a body and reminded the people that all of them had a part and the body wouldn’t work properly without all members doing their part. Research shows that in the typical American church, only about 20% are doing the work of the body. Eighty percent only attend services and don’t even give to support the ministry.
Think of it this way: What if, on a football team, only the center, quarterback, and one tackle did their job? They couldn’t score or, on defense, they couldn’t prevent the other team from scoring. Unthinkable right? Or, what if, on a baseball team, seven players just stood there in the field watching the game and listening to the announcer? You’d say, “What’s wrong with those players?” On both these teams, the players who ARE doing their part get worn out and frustrated because they can’t achieve the goals of the team. Theoretically, if, on that football team, every player did his part, the team would score every time. But they don’t because no one is perfect and they have opposition, the opposing team. They may need more work, training or practice. It also involves commitment and sacrifice. But they’re a team and they care about each other, feel for the one who gets hurt, and cheer when someone scores because it’s their team. Your church is just like that team!
I had a vision once that is relevant to this situation. There was a large wagon, like a farm wagon, at the front of my church. The wagon was packed with church members and our pastor had hold of the wagon tongue trying to move “the church” forward. It took great effort on his part but he was, inch by inch, moving us forward. Then, one of the church members, seeing what was happening, jumped out of the wagon and began helping the pastor pull. Then another, then another until there were several helping pull the load and the wagon was moving. However, there were still many who were content to just sit in the wagon and let the few pull them around. My question today is this: In your church body, are you in the wagon or are you helping pull? What is your part in the bodyof Christ where you attend? Ask God about it. Ask your pastor about it. Each of us have special gifts that God want to use in His body. there are great and wonderful things God want to accomplish through your church body but everyone has to do his or her part. If you’re not already doing so, make it a point to get out of the wagon and help pull! “As each individual part does its job, the body builds itself up in love.” (Ephesians 4:16).
There was a time in my life when I went through a very trying time; a trial that I certainly did not want and prayed frequently for God to deliver me from. However, He chose not to get me out of it but rather to go through it with me. That began for me a spiritual journey that took me far beyond where I had been in my Christian walk and made me realize there is so much more to being a Christ follower than I had ever known since my salvation 35 years earlier. God did take me through that trial and I was not only restored but God has opened doors for me in ministry and is teaching me every day what it means to be a servant.
In the year 2005, as I was getting deeper into God’s Word and my relationship with Him, He began giving me revelations; short “light-bulb-above-the-head” insight into scripture. When these revelations would come, I felt I needed to write them down because someone else might benefit from hearing them as well. So I kept a small notebook in my vehicle, (since most of the insights came while I was driving and listening to preaching), eventually I got a voice recorder for driving safety and where I do my morning devotion. I wasn’t sure how I was going to share these gems but God knew.
I worked in public education as an Instructional Technology Coordinator, and taught how to use web logs or blogs. That was it; a way to create an online presence to share my thoughts and God’s revelations. So in October of 2005, I launched this blog, Revelations From The Road, as a forum to share what God was showing me with the world. It has not become one of the mega-blogs yet but many of you are reading my posts and are being encouraged. God continues to give me insights on a daily basis and I’ve got notes and recordings by the hundreds which will someday show up on the blog. I even have an idea for compiling some of them in a book that could be used as a devotional. I use the revelations when I have the opportunity to minister locally and am encouraged myself as I go back and read what God showed me in the past.
When I was going through that trial in my past, I learned that God wanted to teach me something I needed to learn. I was suffering but He wanted to take me to a higher level; He wanted me to be a success. When we go through trials, we can complain and blame God or we can turn it all over to Him and take the attitude of, “Lord, what are you trying to teach me here?” We’re going to suffer, the Bible says so, but I chose to suffer successfully and God did not let me down; He never will.