When God Stops Speaking

Have you ever found yourself in a place where God stops speaking? When the well seemingly begins to run dry? When it seems like you’re left by yourself with no where to turn?

Well, if so, this message is for you.

Enjoy!

God bless,
J.W.

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The Place of Nothingness
Os Hillman
May 27, 2009

The Place of Nothingness

"Be still and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10)

Do you find yourself in a place of nothingness? There is a time and place in our walk with God in which He sets us in a place of isolation and waiting. It is a place in which all past experiences are of no value. It is a time of such stillness that it can disturb the most faithful if we do not understand that He is the one who has brought us to this place for only a season. It is as if God has placed a wall around us. No new opportunities - simply inactivity.

During these times, God is calling us aside to fashion something new in us. It is a place of nothingness designed to call us to deeper roots of prayer and faith. It is not a comfortable place, especially for a task-driven workplace believer. Our nature cries out, "You must do something" while God is saying, "Be still and know that I am God."

You know the signs that you have been brought into this place when He has removed many things from your life and you can't seem to change anything. Perhaps you are unemployed. Perhaps you are laid up with an illness.

Many people live a very planned and orchestrated life where they know almost everything that will happen. But for people in whom God is performing a deeper work, He brings them into a time of quietness that seems almost eerie. They cannot see what God is doing. They just know that He is doing a work that cannot be explained to themselves or to others.

Has God brought you to a place of nothingness? Be still and know that He really is God. When this happens, your nothingness will be turned into something you will value for the rest of your life.

Copyright 2000 by Os Hillman.

Os Hillman
TGIF (Today God Is First)
www.marketplaceleaders.org

Which Side Are You On?

Today, as we honor our soldiers and veterans for their service to this country, a common scripture comes to mind.

For Ephesians 6:10-20 reads:

“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”

It continues:

“Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.

And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.”

As Paul so boldly professes, when you become a Christian, you are entering a war. The Bible says that there is a spiritual war taking place that will end when Christ returns. When you choose to give your life to Christ, you become an ambassador, a soldier, for God in His war against the devil.

So, who’s side are you on? Have you even picked a side yet?

If not, choose the side that has guaranteed you victory.

God bless,
J.W.

“Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” ~ Romans 8:37-39

How Will You React?

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned in being married is the importance of staying focused on my own actions.

Why?

Because at the end of the day, as much as I may not like the things my wife does or says, my actions are the only thing I can control.

And as far as I’m concerned, it’s the only thing that God cares about.

That may sound selfish, but, at the end of the day, God won’t take into account what the other person has done. Rather, he’ll hold each of us accountable for our own actions.

So…

My wife could hate my guts, and I would still be called to love her.

She could call me every name in the book, and I’d still be called to uplift her.

She could hit me, push me, kick me, spit on me, and I would still be called to honor her.

Why?

Because the Bible gives us directions on the best way to live, and how effective a life we have depends solely on how well our actions match up with what’s written in the Holy Book.

As far as we should be concerned, God doesn’t care about what others do. He’ll deal with their behavior.

What he really cares about is how we react to what they do.

Will we get upset and curse them out, or will we act in a way that’s pleasing to Him?

How will you react?

God bless,
J.W.

“But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you.” ~ Luke 6:27-31

Strength in Weakness

The most freeing thing about having a relationship with God is that I don’t have to know everything. I don’t have to pretend to be an expert on anything or front like I’ve got it all under control.

Why?

Because I know the One who actually does know everything, the One who is an expert on everything, the One who does have it all under control.

His strength is made perfect in my weakness.

God bless,
J.W.

“And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” ~ 2 Corinthians 12:9

What Doesn't Kill You...

For some reason, people often have this misconception that once you commit your life to God, everything will be perfect.

Well, let me be perfectly clear… This Christian walk is not easy. There’s hardship and struggle. Pain and persecution.

But, just like iron sharpens iron, and fire perfects gold, so too are we perfected through persecution.

That is why the Bible says that every thing works together for good to those who love God (Romans 8:28). Pain and persecution is good for you.

God bless,
J.W.

“But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra—what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” ~ 2 Timothy 3:10-12

To Live Is To Suffer

How ironic is it that in order to live in Christ, we must die to self?

How more ironic is it that by Christ dying for us, we must now live for Him?

Most ironic, however, is that by Christ dying for us, we must now die and suffer for Him.

It’s not a message that is very popular in today’s society (in fact, most preachers won’t even preach on the subject), but it’s true nonetheless.

To follow Christ is to suffer with Him, to bear the cross, to walk the narrow path.

It requires sacrifice, obedience, and doing things you may not want to do sometimes.

But the thing about it is that the rewards you receive for your obedience makes it worth every minute of your suffering.

God bless,
J.W.

“Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 25 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.” ~ Matthew 16:24-25


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4J0Pcy2GLMg

Little Things

Sometimes, we pay so much attention to the big things that God does for us or is about to do for us that we miss some of the small things He does everyday… like making the sun rise every morning or the stars to shine at night… or something as simple as waking up in the morning or allowing your car to start everyday.

Today, take some time to appreciate the little things in life.

Enjoy the day for what it is.

Be thankful that God has blessed you with life, health, strength, or any combination of the three.

Just being alive, being able to breathe, sing, walk, or run is a blessing in and of itself.

God bless,
J.W.

“This was the LORD’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day the LORD has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” ~ Psalm 118:23-24

A Mother of Nations

“And I will bless her and also give you a son by her; then I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of peoples shall be from her.” ~ Genesis 17:16

Happy Mother’s Day!

God bless,

J.W.

Jesus Loves Me

"Jesus loves me, this I know
For the Bible tells me so
Little ones to Him belong
They are weak, but He is strong.
Yes, Jesus loves me
Yes, Jesus loves me
Yes, Jesus loves me.
For the Bible tells me so."

Remember when you used to sing that as a little child.

It was so simple, but oh so powerful.

But that’s how the Gospel is. We make it complicated but it really is a simple message:

Jesus loves you for the Bible tells you so.

Remember that as you go throughout your day… your week… your month… your year.

Jesus loves you. The Bible tells you so.

God bless,
J.W.

“Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work.” ~ 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

Burdens

If you’re being weighed down by a problem or situation, give it over to God.

He knows what you’re going through and has the power to take your burden away.

God bless,
J.W.

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” ~ Matthew 11:28-30

Friend of God (Part III)

Are you a friend of God?

Do you want to be?

He wants to be yours.

All He requires is that you open up and talk to Him.

So, who are you talking to today?

God bless,
J.W.

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” ~ Revelation 3:20

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ty0SO7IvtXM