ENERGY

there is a formidable drive, inherently hidden in the creative part of our humanity  that propels us to excel in ways we are not conscious of or persuaded by

this drive, is an indescribable energy, that pushes us to greater things as if it were not under our own directives, but under the directives of the power of god

it is inexplicable at best, for there are times when i do not have the motivation to accomplish the vision of god in my life, and to perform the things that are necessary for success

yet when i reach that point of frustration and irritation, something  internal rises to propel me into the action needed for victory

this can be understood through the experience of paul as he struggles through understanding the source of the drive that brings him back from ultimate defeat

“therefore i take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for christ’s sake, for when i am weak, then am i strong” (2 corinthians 12:10

after experiencing the mentioned infirmities, when laden with reproaches, surrounded with necessities, followed with persecutions and facing the weakness in himself to bear and go through all these things

then he was upheld by the strengthening power of god to be able to sustain conflict but was able to triumph in the midst of the adversities

what would account for this sudden change in attitude and energy that would create a source of strength out of a moment of weakness

“let the weak say, i am strong” (joel 3:10)

joel says don’t plead your weakness but declare their strength and enter into any struggle with courage in god’s ability to bring them through

There is always energy to achieve!

EVERYTHING IS OUT OF CONTROL BUT ME!

One of the things that is especially troubling to us is having the ability to
manage unplanned eventualities. Our entire nature is heavily based upon some
level of organization and order for there to be efficient measurable progress or achievement. Even though we crave order there are some things that God ordains that will disrupt our best laid plans. “Let all things be done decently and in order” (I Cor 14:40) suits us just fine because it is far easier to follow a given path than to trail blaze one!
   We all remember the account in Mark 4 when Jesus finishes teaching the multitudes, then explains hidden truths to his disciples and then decides to take a trip in a ship across the waters to the other side. A great storm disrupts the trip with such force and unpredictablility that the disciples fear losing their lives. The assignment was simply to pass over to the other side but this storm
disrupts their plans! An ordained storm changes the routine order of the disciples! Likewise God will use a storm to redirect our lives and sometimes we do not even recognize it is the Lord’s doing!
  The storm term used here is “loelaps” meaning a great concussion or shaking of water resulting in a great storm with torrential winds that cause the surrounding water to whip upward and downwards in an unpredictable fashion. Here again is the unpredictable nature that we must all deal with even though it resists our need for organization and order. This whirlwind effect, inexplicable and
unpredictable, challenges even the skill of the experienced and seasoned fishermen aboard. They had seen storms before and survived, but this particular storm needed more than skill and
experience than they possessed combined! This storm needed the Master of the Sea.
  It is obvious that Jesus wanted to do something in the deep. Until this time He is asleep and fairly unconcerned about what appears to be happening in the lives of the disciples. It is interesting that He is sleeping in the “hinder part of the ship” somewhere near where the stern, a place of control! Everything else seems to be out of control except Jesus. If we could only take our lead from our Leader. Though the storm was at its highest, if Jesus is not concerned then why should we be. When you have the power to handle all eventualities and unpredictabilities, the concern is removed because the storm is not greater and never will be greater than you!
  Everything else can be out of control but the power is within you to quiet your circumstances and speak to your situation. If Christ is not concerned about how things are going to work out, then rest assured in His ability and trust His take on what He is taking you through.

WALK WITH HIM - Today's Thought is Remember!

I remember the day. I remember the call. I remember the voice. I remember the silence. I remember how long I wrestled with the call before accepting what I am persuaded was God’s will. What is even more of a struggle is having no idea what His will is? But accepting it anyhow. Now I know that knowing God is vital. When you discover what He re­quires of you it calms your initial fears during the early stages of your walk with God in ministry. Did I always know? I be­lieve not. And yet there was always a willingness to serve Him in some way. I remember possessing a true love for worship in my youth. I was gifted to play the piano long be­fore I was tall enough to sit on a chair. I would teach myself to play tunes by stretching my little arms to reach the piano keys and pick out the melody of hymns I had been taught in Sunday school, or by my parents. My father would teach all of us hymns to sing in the Church. I remember the words to the hymn “Be Still My Soul” like it was yesterday.




It’s funny how God reminds you of particular incidents in your life, which clarify His presence with you even before your ministry is manifested in later years. When you take the time to wander back through your life you discover what you share with individuals today is the sum total of each and every experience in which God has permitted you to grow.

NOT GOING THROUGH THIS FOR NOTHING

Paul talks about "For our light affliction.." (2 Corinthians 4:17)..I think he is hitting at an idea that we all battle with and that is how do I deal with the now, when I believe my future is brighter and greater. On the way to that wonderful thought, we tend to evaluate every step we make to ensure that progress is being made. Sometimes things are not happening, they are preparing to happen. One of the skills to learn in managing our faith walk and life, is that we are always in preparation for something. Genesis 8:22 helps us see that there are only two states we exist in. Either we live in seed time or harvest. When I am not sowing, I am reaping. The benefit for me is knowing that when I am not reaping that is the next thing that is about to happen. All of what we go through is light affliction because it prepares us for greater things. Sometimes it does not make sense until you get to the step, but it is getting you ready.
Peace be multiplied!
PJ

WAIT OR WEIGHT!

Recently I traveled to Orlando, Florida and due to inclement weather I could not return home. It's pretty amazing the emotions that we process when we are faced with disappointing circumstances. No one likes having their plans changed, especially when there is a special occasion you are trying to get to. I checked out my attitudinal journey, moving from frustration to justification of the circumstances. Knowing everything happens for a reason and purpose and ofcourse Ecclesiastes reminds us daily that there is "a time and purpose to everything under heaven". The challenger of our purpose, in an attempt to continue to frustrate us will present "weights" of indecision and disappointment to further complicate our times of waiting. Do not allow these weights to complicate and confuse your wait. God is workng out His purpose in our lives even during missed opportunities or changes in our circumstances. Remember this, that while we are waiting the Psalmist challenges us to "be of good courage" and then strength will come. The challenger would prefer that we become anxious. God has many ways to work out our schedules and if He decides to alter, cancel or rearrange our appointments it is for divine purpose and our empowerment. Enjoy the weight!
PJ

You're Left With More Than You've Lost!

How eager are we to pine over the things in life that we lose! It seems almost second nature to spiral into a world of disorientation just over the thought of being without things we esteem important. In Mark 10 Bartimaeus is blind and certainly disadvantaged over the loss of his vision. Somehow he manages to negotiate his way to be positioned by the highway where he spends his time begging. Position is key! He is begging but he is by the highway where the probability of connecting with a miracle is increased. The stages of his miracle are quite amazing. Bartimaeus hears, with the ears that he does have, that Jesus was coming by. He cries out, with the voice that he does have and when commanded rises to walk on the feet that he does have! What have you lost that blocks the release of your other abilities and talents. Bartimaeus teaches us that the loss of sight does not mean the loss of vision as it was his vision that mobilized his other abilities to receive his faith miracle. God is His awesome wisdom leaves you with more than you will ever lose. Until then!