Write The Vision

“Then the Lord answered me and said: Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time; but at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.” ~ Habakkuk 2:2-3

Sometimes, I think we miss the importance of writing things down.

We often use phrases like “I got it all in my head” or “I can remember that.”

But often times, it’s not about our ability to remember.

See, writing things down makes them plain.

It makes your thoughts tangible so that God can use and work with them.

As the scripture above indicates, writing things down allows a herald (an angel) to run with it, to work on your behalf to make it happen.

As I’ve mentioned before, Michele and I wrote down our goals for 2009 at the beginning of the year and doing so has made achieving them so much easier.

Each day, I try to write a to-do list of everything I want to accomplish that day, and more often than not, I do it all or at least accomplish more than I would have had I not written things down.

So, as you go throughout the day, remember the principle of writing things down.

God has promised that if you write down the vision that He’s given you, though it may take a minute to come to fruition, though it may not come when you want it, it will surely come to pass.

God bless,

J.W.

Are You A Garbage Truck?

The other day, I was reading the online series called “The Daily Encourager.” It sends me an inspirational message every day.

This particular message was called “The Law of the Garbage Truck” and the author told a story about a time when he was in a cab and the driver almost had an accident.

“We were driving in the right lane when suddenly a car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us,” the author writes. “My taxi driver slammed on his brakes, skidded, and missed the other car by just inches!”

Ironically, however, it was NOT the taxi cab driver who was upset, but the driver of the other car. “[He] whipped his head around and started yelling at us. My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy.”

The author questions the taxi driver: “Why did you just do that? That guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!”

The taxi driver answered: Some people are like garbage trucks. They walk around full of garbage -- frustration, anger, disappointment, resentment -- and as their garbage begins to pile up, they need a place to dump it. Sometimes they'll dump it on you.The taxi driver adds: But don't take it personally. Just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on.

You see, people who are truly spiritually and emotionally mature don’t let others disrupt their day. They are thermostats where others are thermometers. They set the temperature. They control the situation. They influence the circumstance rather than allowing the circumstance to influence them.

So, I ask you. Are you a garbage truck or a garbage remover?

Are you a thermostat or a thermometer?

God bless,
J.W.

“I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.” ~ Matthew 5:43-45

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