trust | Revelations From The Road

Re-revelation, What’s Your Dream?

January 4, 2014 by Bill Leave a Comment

Given November 2008

I was on the Board of Deacons at my church and we had a deacon’s meeting on this evening. After the normal “business” of church administration, our pastor directed us to think about what our dreams were for our church. Our AG church, I think, is a progressive congregation focusing on Jesus and leaning toward the contemporary style of worship. Our pastor is a gifted leader and is not satisfied with, “church as usual” and, thus, our church is different than most in our area of Southwest Virginia. The early church was different too, wasn’t it?

As we talked about what we, as deacons, dreamed for our church, some things mentioned were, “500 for Saturday night prayer.”, “A place where miracles happen regularly.”, and “Hosting a youth conference with thousands in attendance.”. All these things sounded great and I know they can all come to pass. “All things are possible to him who believes.” (Mark 9:23). So, what would God say about our dreams?

I got this vision, or revelation, as I frequently do, of me telling God my dreams for our church. As I told God one dream, He’d say, “OK, no problem.”. I’d tell Him another and He’d say, “I can do that.” With another, He’s say, “All these things are easy for me and I want to make your dreams realities but you’re not dreaming big enough! And, you know, your dreams depend on you too. Do you really believe I can and will do these things? Are you reading My Word and following My commands? Are you willing to sacrifice and pray to help make these dreams come to pass?”. I realized many of the things we ask God for, things we pray for, He is ready and willing to speak them into existance but is waiting for us to do our part.

“Be ye doers of the Word and not hears only“. (James 1: 22). This is so important. What’s your dream for your church, your family, your job, or your life. God is able, God is willing, and He could very well be waiting on you. Ask Him what you are to do. You probably already know.

Get Rid Of Jesus!

December 28, 2013 by Bill Leave a Comment

Given December 25, 2013

As we contemplate the just-past Christmas season and look forward to a new year, there are some things we need to think about. We look back in history and read that King Herod heard about this baby that had been born and the prophecy and belief that he was to be a new king. King Herod was worried and all of Jerusalem with him, (Matthew 2:3). Why was a king worried about a little baby? It was because he had heard the talk about this baby and believed it; this baby was going to grow up to be a king. That would infringe on Herod’s territory and he couldn’t allow another king to do that. So how did he deal with his problem? We shudder at his plan to remove this new king from the territory and condemn him for what he did; he ordered all Jewish boys in the area under two years old to be killed! That would surely include this Jesus baby! How awful for someone to go to those lengths to remove Jesus from society.

But…look at what is happening in our society today. Many people want to take God out of the classroom, the courtroom, the Congress, out of the media, and remove His name, His influence, and His authority from all public life. And could it be that our private lives are next? Why? They say it’s to prevent anyone from being offended but consider this; when you do away with God, there’s no higher power than yourself, so you get to play God! Isn’t that what the Babylonians did, in Genesis 11:1-9 they said, “let us build ourselves a city…so that we can make a name for ourselves“. They wanted to do away with God so they could call the shots. Does this sound familiar? The prophet Jeremiah told the people what God said, “For my people have done two evil things: They have abandoned me–the fountain of living water. And they have dug for themselves cracked cisterns that can hold no water at all!” (Jeremiah 2:13). They had done away with God and did things for themselves. It’s happening in our country now.

What can be done about it? The recent flap over Duck Dynasty’s Phil Robertson gives us some insight to the solution. The liberal, Babylonian-thinking, segment of our society wanted to punish Phil over his beliefs stated in a magazine interview. “The people” reacted in vast numbers to support Phil’s beliefs and A&E and Cracker Barrel backtracked on their actions. The people stopped sitting on their beliefs, spoke up en mass and made a difference. In the Bible, when the church leaders wanted to silence Jesus for a parable He told which referred to them, they wouldn’t do anything because they were afraid of “the people”, (Mark 12:12). Oh that “the people” would have such an influence in our day!

King Herod wanted to get rid of Jesus so he could have control. The Babylonians wanted to do things for themselves. The Jewish leaders wanted to run religion their way. We know what happened in each of these situations; God was supreme and His word won out. Jesus’ first coming was foretold and came about to the letter just as it had been predicted and every prophecy concerning His second coming will come to pass too. Do you want to get rid of Jesus? If not, stand up and say so!

Lessons From Football, Part 3 – Comittment

November 10, 2013 by Bill Leave a Comment

Given November 3, 2013

There are three types of people who are involved in a football game, really four. First, many people choose NOT to be involved in the game. They stay home and do their own thing; they don’t have any interest in the game or other things in their lives take precedence. They’re not committed to the game at all.

Second, there are those who go to the game. They may wear their team’s colors, sit in the stands with other like-minded folks and cheer their team on to victory…they hope. They’re committed to the team and take part in the game, but from a distance…where they’re sitting.

Third, attending this game are the players. They’re on the team, wear the team equipment, have been through a training process, and are willing to do whatever they can, with the talents they have, to promote the success of the team. These players are under the direction of the coach who has put them through some hard drills but they’re willing to do it because they have a deeper commitment to the team.

Finally, on this team, there are those who do most of the playing; the first team. They’re usually more experienced, stronger, and have put in the time and effort to get to the athletic level required to be successful against their opponent. They get in the game. They get to use what they’ve previously learned in practice in the game. They’re not just on the team, standing on the sidelines, but have made the greatest personal commitment to the success of the team.

If you go back and read the four types of commitments, you’ll see that they’re the same as those involved in the game of life. Some don’t care about the game (church); some go to the game (church) but only watch from the stands (seats). Others have chosen to be on the team but spend most of their time on the sidelines. Then, there are those who have made the commitment to get the job done (God’s plan). Do you see yourself in any of these categories? “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” (Luke 9:23). That’s the commitment Jesus wants.

Lessons from Football – The Field

October 21, 2013 by Bill Leave a Comment

Given October 19, 2013

We are in the middle of football season on many levels and many people are into the game. This week we will begin a series of articles on some Biblical lessons we can learn from the sport of football. Ready? Hike!

First, let’s look at the field. It’s 100 yards long with yard markers every ten yards and areas at each end called end zones. One end zone is defended by one team and the other end zone by the other team. Each team’s name or logo is painted in their end zone. Do we have a mental picture of the field?

Now picture this: In one end zone, the devil and his demons are all gathered. On the opposite end, God and His angels are standing. We see many people standing on the fifty yard line looking both ways trying to make a decision on which end zone they will move toward. The devil’s bunch is hollering and waving from their end for the people to move toward them. They’re making all kinds of good-sounding promises if people will come join them. (Actually, the devil wants to kill, steal, and destroy them, (John 10:10)). On the other side, God is just holding out His arms with love shining out from His eyes saying, “I love you, come to me, I’ll make everything alright.” (Matthew 11:28). Which way should the people go?

As some start moving toward God, some of the demons run around, get in their way, and try to lie and trick them into turning around. As some move toward the devil, God’s small, Still voice whispers in their ear, “Don’t do this, it’s not what I made you for, (Jeremiah 29:11), turn around and come to me.” Some keep moving, some stop to think, some turn and go in the opposite direction. As we look at the field, we see many people between the 50 yard line and the goal line on both ends. Where are they going to end up? Where are you on the field? The clock is running down.

Picture This – Heaven’s Gates

October 19, 2013 by Bill Leave a Comment

Given October 3, 2013

What is your attitude when going before the Lord with a problem? This may shed some light on how it should be.

A believer comes to the gates of the King with the intention of presenting his need to the King for resolution. As he worriedly walks up, he sees the gatekeeper standing there who says, “Can I help you?” The man replies in this pitiful, whiney voice, “Yes, (sniff, sniff), I have this terrible problem that I need the King to help me with.” “Please let me in the gates to see the King.” The gatekeeper says, “Now wait a minute, you can’t enter the gates with an attitude like that.” “The King has already said He would help you so you must do this…’Enter His gates with thanksgiving‘. (Psalm 100:4a). “Do you think you can do that?” The man thinks about it and says, “Yes, I will do that.” “Thank you King for caring about me and letting me in to see you.” “Thank you for meeting my need.”

“Now, that’s much better.” says the gatekeeper. “Keep that up as you go in the gates.” “And when you get into the King’s court, start praising Him.” “That way, you’ll be prepared to go in to see the King.” “And you know what?” “Many people find that when they get in before the King that their problem has already been solved.” “So, go on in.” “Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise.” (Psalm 100:4b).

Our attitude which reflects our belief and trust makes a difference.

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