Reliance

I am not sure what this trip will bring.  In my life I am continually being taught and reminded of the lesson of reliance.  Only Him, only you Jesus.

The reality of being used so much is setting in now.  Hard to hold on to the truth that if I remain available, God will do great things through me.  Just writing that sentence is incredible.  A small man from Kentucky going to such a large place, to share with so many, for God's glory.  Amazing and yet scary.  Scary because I know my flesh may creep in.  What I mean is that there is room for pride, arrogance, and self-glorification.  If those begin to show, the message is suddenly mine, not His.

However, if God keeps me broken, relying only on Him, there is no room for pride.


Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?   Matthew 6:25-7

4 Deadly Questions

For encouragement and teaching I ask the 4 deadly questions.  These questions are fantastic for any evangelical engaging in a conversation.  Usually the follower of Jesus asks these questions to get to the heart of a non-believer they are talking to.  What if the tables are turned?  In talking about Jesus as the Savior, the only way to eternal life, the forgiver of sins, our physician, our King; How would you answer these 4 questions?

The 4 Deadly Questions

1) "What do you mean by that?"

2) "How do you know that is true?"

3) "Where do you get your information?"

4) "What happens if you are wrong?"

This is my topic for the first conference.  Please pray for 1 Timothy 3:16 and 2 Timothy 3:16 moments.

Reminding Me Whose Trip This Is

"How am I going to get all this planned out?"

That's the question I asked.  My initial plan of teaching has to be changed.  The timing given to me to talk to the pastors won't work with what I had planned.  So back to square one.  With life, ministry, family, and everything else, I cry out the question.  Then the answer came, "You've forgotten whose trip this is."

This is not my trip.  I am working for the God of the universe.  I am in His service.  I have forgotten that very important fact.  How many time has this happened?  How many times have I came up with "my plan" to do "His work"?  It sounds near blasphemy when you say it out loud like that.  So, I must yield.

God know what He wants taught.  He has prepared the message in advance.  I need to listen and yield my pride.


And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and [unto] magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say: For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say.  Luke 12:11-12

I am Small, He is Big

Right now I am learning about being small.  Real small.  There is a lot going on in our personal life, church life and this mission trip.  Way more than I can do alone.  That is hard for me.

I have always been prideful about my ability to perform.  Give me the task, I'll get it done.  Show me the destination, I'll arrange and juggle to get us there.  But that's not working anymore.  There is too much.  Too much need, too much hurt, too much "stuff".

And God is big.

Real big.  Showing me that relying on Him isn't just a phrase in His Word.  Showing me that my place is following Him, not forging my own trail and dropping postcards along the way.

Thankfully, I am hearing.

To India!

On November 9th I'll be leaving for India on a mission trip.  I'll be returning on the 19th.  I'll be using this blog space to record the journey along the way.  Feel free to email or comment with questions, etc.

-Bill

a Heart Like His by Beth Moore

a Heart Like His by Beth Moore

a Heart Like His is a study of the life of David.  This book is part Bible study, part devotional, and part refreshment.  Ms. Moore takes the reader through 52 lessons while looking at David.  Each lesson takes a real look at pain, struggles, praises and triumphs in David's life.  Then, the reader is encouraged to look at their own life and apply the lesson, all the while with an undercurrent of the true life-changing power of Jesus.

One thing that always impresses me about the Bible is that it never tries to paint over something ugly.  I mean that sins and struggles are written with stark honesty.  This book is true to that form.  David is not idolized, instead he is shown as a real person with struggles, but with a heart toward God.  It is this relationship that pulls him through the difficult and allows him to finish well.  Ms. Moore also shares her struggles and stories from her heart as each chapter unfolds.  This is a great study for seeing the power of God in our lives.

I'd give it 4 out of 5 stars.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free as part of a book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” 

Chazown by Craig Groeschel

Chazown by Craig Groeschel
Define Your Vision. Pursue Your Passion. Live Your Life on Purpose.


Chazown is a Hebrew word that we translate into vision.  The goal is that if we as followers of Jesus can find our vision, then we can truly find our purpose.  What an awesome truth!  The God of the universe has made us for something unique.  Something He fashioned for us and has been equipping us to do.  The author takes us through steps to begin to identify our own vision.,  From there, Craig leads the reader through exercises to take our vision and make it possible through a series of goals, and a lot of prayer.  Finally, there are some maintenance areas to look at to make sure our lives stay on track and the vision (or ourselves) are not lost.

I truly like this book.  It pushes for an unlocking rather than just coasting in the faith.  My plan is to lead a book study very soon to bring this idea to others and push them to find their own vision.

I'd give it 5 out of 5 stars.

VIDEO: What's Chazown?
Read Chapter One
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from WaterBrook Multnomah as part of their book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”