24 hours ago I stood in the pulpit and delivered a message that
was about the gifts of the Spirit, about the ways that God, the Holy Spirit,
empowers you and me. I asked a question repeatedly of the congregation – “What do
you want to do for God, with God, to change one thing in your world?” I invited them to dream God-sized dreams. At a meeting that evening, I listened to Peter,
the man who will be taking the position as our Head of school, talk about his
vision for that place and I heard someone dreaming aloud.
Do you dream anymore? Share your dream, especially one
involving significant change, and a common response will be something like this
– “Get Real!” The world is full of people
like Mr. Wonderful on “Shark Tank.” Ever watch that TV program? Entrepreneurs bring their dreams to the panel
looking for partners and funding. Kevin
O’Leary, a member of the Sharks, is frequently beyond critical, mean, making
fun, predicting failure. Why does doubt, fear, and negativity come so easily to
us? Why
are faith, courage, and positive attitudes so scarce?
I want to take you to the story of a man with a God-sized
dream- Moses. It was the divine time for
the descendants of Abraham to return to Canaan, the Promised Land, after living
in slavery in Egypt for 4 centuries. The tiny clan that went to Egypt to avoid
starvation during a famine had grown. We
are not sure but most likely their numbers exceeded a half million persons! The Lord needed someone to lead them and he selected
a man who was a former prince of Egypt, now a fugitive off 'on the
far side of the desert' tending Jethro's sheep. Moses had been there for 40 years. He had put his dreams
away and settled down! God needed to get
his attention and He did so with a desert shrub that appeared to be on fire but
which was not actually burning up. When
Moses went over to check it out, God spoke his name. He tells Moses that He is ready to move,
that He has a plan, and then He says - "So
now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of
Egypt." (Exodus 3:10, NIV)
So now, go! Moses needed a lot of coaxing, offering excuses
as to why he was not suited, why the task was too big, what was impossible.
But, God told Him – “I will be with you.” It was the answer to all Moses’ objections.
Interestingly, the Lord did not say, “All
the problems are solved. The path is cleared. It’s a smooth road.” It wasn’t. Moses met opposition, disappointments,
and hardships, but his anchor was the Presence of the Living God.
God is calling you, too!
He says, "So now, go!" to
your family, to your neighbors, to the people with whom you work, to your city,
to the world. There are people to love
that only you can reach. There is a something that needs to be done in a place
that only you can fill. Nobody can love
your kids like you do. So now, go. Let yourself dream God-sized dreams; not fantasies of escape, not silly dreams
about riches or fame, but real visions of making God’s love real to others.
Stop stammering your
excuses! Paul was inspired to tell us
that "Each person is given something
to do that shows who God is: Everyone gets in on it, everyone benefits. All
kinds of things are handed out by the Spirit, and to all kinds of people!"
(1 Corinthians 12:7, The Message) Decide
to obey and a hundred voices will tell you why you cannot or should not do
this. The enemy of God and good wants you to live an insignificant life safe on
your living room couch letting day after day drift by.
I want to be all that He wants me to be, to do all He wants
me to do, to risk it all for the glory of God.
I know I will not always get it right.
My history proves that too true.
I know I am not perfect (I heard that loud "Amen!") I know that I will fail for reasons that are
sometimes my fault and sometimes beyond my comprehension. But I also know this - God is greater than my
flaws, has promised to never leave me to
fight alone, and has a rich reward in reserve for me when I finish the race
obediently. The results are in His
hands. Obedience is my responsibility!
Meditate on this passage today. Ask the Spirit to cause it to inspire you to
respond with a ready, "Yes, Lord," when He says, "So now,
go!"
" Pray
diligently. Stay alert, with your eyes wide open in gratitude. Don’t forget to
pray for us, that God will open doors for telling the mystery of Christ, even
while I’m locked up in this jail. Pray that every time I open my mouth I’ll be
able to make Christ plain as day to them. Use your heads as you live and work
among outsiders. Don’t miss a trick. Make the most of every opportunity. Be
gracious in your speech. The goal is to bring out the best in others in a
conversation, not put them down, not cut them out. " (Colossians
4:2-6, The Message)
_______________________
(a worship song and prayer at this link)
I've tried in vain a thousand ways
My fears to quell my hopes to raise
But what I need your word has said
Is ever only Jesus
You died you live you reign you plead
There's love in all your words and deeds
This weary heart finds all it needs
In ever only Jesus
I want to know you Jesus my Lord
King of the Heavens king of my soul
I trade my treasure and all my rewards
Jesus to know you then know you more
Though some should curse me for your name
I have no fear I have no shame
You stand with me for all my days
My ever only Jesus
Like wave after wave on the ocean
Like all of the sand on the shore
Your beauty and glory are endless
O Jesus I must know you more
James Proctor | Jonny Robinson | Michael Farren | Rich
Thompson
© 2016 Farren Love And War Publishing (Admin. by Capitol CMG
Publishing (Integrity Music [DC Cook]))
Integrity's Alleluia! Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG
Publishing (Integrity Music [DC Cook]))
CCLI License # 810055
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