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Desire in the Desert

A few thoughts from Chuck Proudfit with the Marketplace Minute™ . . .

God sometimes uses the desert experience to get our undivided attention.  It’s a good thing, too, because most of us have a lot of trouble paying attention.

We don’t need sand and camels to find ourselves in a desert season at work.  It could be a time when we find ourselves unemployed, or seemingly trapped in a dead-end job.

Hosea 2:14 says “I will lead her into the desert and speak tenderly to her” . . . it alludes to the idea that God can lead any of us into a workplace desert, all so that he can reach us. 

Don’t be afraid of the desert.  Just as with Moses, David, Paul and others, God uses the desert to prepare His people for greater spiritual service.  Think of a desert experience as a time of purification, when we release the things of the world that hold us back; and as a time of direction, when we realize the things of the heavens that God is holding forth.

Reflection:

 

  1. Have you had a desert experience in your work history?  What did you learn from it?

 

  1. What steps can you take to hear God more deeply in these stark seasons of work life?

 

Prayer: 

 

Dear Lord, without You, our lives are nothing more than a desert.  With You, they become a spiritual oasis in a parched work world.  Lead us closer to You through our desert experiences at work, so that we can then be a stronger witness to others.

 

At work on Your purposes - Amen

The Marketplace Minute™ is brought to you by At Work on Purpose, a non-profit work life ministry on the web at www.atworkonpurpose.org

 

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Timing Is Everything!

 

If you keep still, deliverance and rescue for the Jews will originate from some other quarter,

while you and your family shall be destroyed.

And who knows but you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?

Esther 4:14 NLT

 

I am the Master of moments—My pattern is shown in sovereignty. I sometimes work miracles anonymously. Although My Name is not mentioned in the book of Esther, I am behind the scenes of events, directing the drama.

 

I am the Savior of sinners—My purpose and plan is to save. I sent Joseph ahead of his nation to rescue their lives, and I worked through Esther to save the Jews. Those long ago and far away stories are being retold today when people share how I changed their direction, replaced their despair with hope, and changed their panic to peace.

 

I am the Lord of Life—your part in the great drama of redemption is to speak. I make a time for everything, a season for every activity, a time to be silent, and a time to speak up. Pray for wisdom to understand the proper timing to give voice to your convictions. Be sensitive to the urgency of joyfully and boldly praising Me for the miracles you have seen. Be humble enough to realize you are not indispensable. If you should choose to stay quiet, the stones would burst into cheers in My honor!

 

I placed Esther in a royal position to be My means of blessing. I place believers in royal positions—chosen people, royal priesthood, and holy nation—for the purpose of shining My light into earth’s darkness. In your home, workplace, neighborhood, and nation—you are a king, queen, prince, or princess I can use to work miracles in your world.

 

Your place in time is not accidental—it is because of the Almighty’s timing. Your responsibilities are not the result of good luck—they are orchestrated by your Good Lord. Your circumstances are not coincidental—they are providential. In My blueprint for you, you are not a lifeless puppet on a string. Like Me, you have a heart, a mind, and a will. You can feel deeply, think things through, and choose wisely. You could decide to observe My miracles and be mute—the better choice is to praise Me with your lips and your life.

 

I give you this day—make every hour count for eternity. Seize the moment!

 

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© 2013 Johnny R. Almond

Pastor, Hull’s Memorial Baptist Church

Author, Gentle Whispers from Eternity

 

 

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“Love . . . is not easily angered . . .” (1 Corinthians 13:5b NIV).

Potentially the most impulsive—and most destructive—weakness in your life and mine is poorly controlled anger. We are inundated with angry incidents that—if we are not careful—can lead us to give ourselves “permission” to imitate those lapses of control: fiery dialogue in politics, fist fights at supposed sports events, rage on the roads, violent actions and reactions in media “entertainment,” and vicious words at home.

  God’s call to Christlike calmness in this 13th chapter is connected to Christlike patience, which we discussed in an earlier segment of this series. In fact, since patience, humility (also an earlier topic), and calmness each require significant self-discipline, this is an appropriate time to talk about self-discipline in general—albeit in the context of anger management.9570809869?profile=original

  Think of self-discipline as “focusing on worthy goals instead of on distractions.” A person who is self-disciplined is, first, not easily angered. Second, if that person does become angry, the anger is controlled, subordinate to that person’s focus on a related but worthwhile goal.

  God’s warnings against angry outbursts are ancient and changeless. In Proverbs 14:17, for example, He says, “A quick-tempered man does foolish things. . . .” How well we know.

  Interestingly, the same Greek word used by Paul in this warning against anger in 1 Corinthians 13:5b is used by Dr. Luke to describe Paul himself in Acts 17! What happened?! Did his own actions contradict his teaching?

  On the contrary, his actions demonstrated his words. Acts 17:16 tells us that Paul became very angry at the many, many idols worshiped in Athens. He knew they distracted people from knowing the true God.

  However, he did not throw a temper tantrum for the public to see. Instead, he reasoned with others about this issue in the synagogue and marketplace. He disciplined himself. His mind ruled his emotions. He was “not easily angered,” but when provoked by that widespread worship of false gods, he managed his anger and channeled it into robust apologetics.

  Privately or with some friends, how would you answer these questions?

  • Conviction: What does our self-discipline reveal about our trust that God loves and leads us?
  • Kindness: On whom are we focusing—and not focusing—when we lose control and allow ourselves an angry outburst?
  • Worship: How is self-discipline an act of worship?

  Do you want to honor Him and do what matters most to Him? I do. Let’s cultivate self-discipline—especially over our anger.

  How do you expect that it will be tested this week?

  How do you expect that it will be tested today?

  What will you do to discipline anger when you feel it building up inside?

© 2018 John C Garmo

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An Antidote for Bullying


One of the ways I am processing the unexpected death of my brother is by remembering the fun times of our youth. The memory verse at one year’s Vacation Bible School was Ephesians 4:32, “Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you (KJV),” and Bob had committed it to memory from the King James Version of the Bible – which is mostly what we had back then. There were a few other translations, but our Southern Baptist leaders assured us that all the others were liberal. Being ten years older, I became very good at harassing Bob. In fact, I “bullied” him (in an older brother kind of way) before bullying was so much in the news. Following this VBS experience, Bob had a come-back for all my bullying attempts. On every occasion, Bob would respond with, “Be ye kind!” Obviously, his new favorite verse, was not very popular with me. A more mature look at the verse shows me that there are three things Paul wants his readers to “be.” We are to be “kind” or gentle. One of those “liberal” translations calls this benign courtesy. We are to be “tenderhearted” or compassionate, feeling warm sympathy toward others, especially if they have been hurt in some way. Finally, we are to be “forgiving,” which is the natural result of being “kind” and “tenderhearted.” As if this were not enough, Paul then holds up Christ as the example for this kind of attitude and action. Without knowing it, Bob had discovered an antidote for bullying, a lesson it would take me a few years to learn. Try kindness this week.

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When You Feel Cornered

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O our God, won’t you stop them? We are powerless against this mighty army that is about to attack us.
We do not know what to do, but we are looking to you for help.
2 Chronicles 20:12 NLT


Feel under siege by formidable powers of the shadowy world? Sense that the dark prince and his demons are ganging up on you, hoping to see you fall morally so they can revel in your pain? Is hell’s battle formation leading you to conclude you
are in a losing situation?


Do not give up! You are weak, it is true; but you are strong when reinforced by My might. When you are powerless, pray desperately for My help—I will rescue you from Satan’s traps.


I direct intergalactic traffic patterns—I can make sense of your life. I hold the earth up with invisible hands—I can hold you together when everything nailed down is coming loose.

At a loss, look for My guidance. Pay attention to signals from heaven—listen for My voice and watch for hints in changing circumstances. Impossible situations are no problem for My infinite strength. Even in your fiercest battles with evil, My blessing ensures victory.

When this reality sinks in and you rely on this truth, you will experience marvelous results.Realizing it is My battle, not yours, you are unusually brave. Knowing I fight for you, you do not have to lift a finger in self-defense. Fear gives way to optimism.
Discouragement vanishes in light of trust. Quicksand panic is replaced by solid-rock faith. Captivated by Christ, you march in the King’s victory parade.


I am for you, so you are no coward—you are a valiant warrior. The cross becomes a plus sign, canceling negativism. You are able to face any challenge with the Captain of heaven’s mighty hosts on your side. Worry diminishes as you worship. Panic dissolves in praise. The valley becomes a place of blessing. Sighing gives way to singing. Mourning is transformed into music.


Peaceful inner-stances transcend chaotic circumstances. You learn heaven’s recipe for a worry-free life—pray about everything, tell Me what you need, thank Me for all I do on your behalf, and then you can relax.


Do not know what to do? Turn your eyes toward the Eternal One. With heaven’s help, you will do more than just survive—you will win!

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(c) 2013 Pastor Johnny R. Almond

Gentle Whispers from Eternity, Day 173

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Courage to Come Close

A few thoughts from Chuck Proudfit with the Marketplace Minute™ . . .

“The people remained at a distance, while Moses approached the thick darkness where God was.”  This scripture in Exodus 20:21 paints a powerful picture of the hunger Moses had to know God personally, even when it meant overcoming the fear of the unknown.

 

How many times have you held back from a divine encounter?  It can seem unbelievable that God would want to spend time with each one of us, but that’s the way it is.  God created us for relationship with Him, and He is waiting right now to connect with you.

 

When we have the courage to step forward, God is right there to take our hand.  He loved us so much that He sacrificed His one and only Son, paving the way for our salvation.  If God can give that much, don’t you think he can give you the wisdom you need for work?

 

Take that first step to encounter God, and experience the full pleasure of His presence.

 

Reflection:

 

  1. When you encounter something unfamiliar, is your first instinct to explore it or to keep a wary distance from it?

 

  1. Does it excite you, or make you nervous, to consider what God would have to say about the spiritual state of your work?

 

Prayer: 

 

Dear Lord, it can be emotionally overwhelming to contemplate an audience with You, an audience with the great I AM.  We know in our heads that you cared enough about relationship with us to take human form.  Please help our hearts to accept this gift.

 

At work on Your purposes - Amen

The Marketplace Minute™ is brought to you by At Work on Purpose, a non-profit work life ministry on the web at www.atworkonpurpose.org.  

 

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The Folly of God-Making

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Do you really think you can stand against the kingdom of the Lord led by the descendants of David?

Your army is vast indeed, but with you are those gold calves Jeroboam made as your gods.

2 Chronicles 13:8 NLT

 

I am the True and Living GodUnmade Maker, Uncreated Creator. I am the Potter; you are the clay. I made you, not the other way around. Do not forget this reality and begin to think of yourself as self-made; if you were, that would relieve Me of a tremendous responsibility!

 

How foolish it is to attempt to construct lifeless gods. How different they are from the Giver of life, breath, and every perfect gift. Idols may be convenient—it was “too much trouble” for Israelites to travel to the holy city. I challenge you to always travel the high road.

 

False gods of the heart are corrupting and degrading—I am holy and life-changing.

 

Idols are a waste of time—I am worthy of heartfelt worship.

 

Idols reflect the evil and selfish characteristics of people—I am absolutely holy.

 

Lesser gods are counterfeit—I am the Only Real God.

 

Idols are powerless—I am Unrivaled Sovereign of the cosmos.

 

Idols are relics of superstition—I am Ruler of time and eternity.

 

Idols can be manipulated—I am Director of life’s drama.

 

Idols are things made by people I made—I am Designer and Architect of the far-ranging universe.

 

Idols are ephemeral trinkets—I am Eternal Trinity.

 

Idols are mere lucky charms—I am the Lord of Glory and Master in charge of everything.

 

I am unlimited by time and space, unparalleled in your experiences, unmatched in majesty, and unsurpassed by earthly powers. Live humbly in My Presence—be truly wise!

  

9570814482?profile=original© 2013 Johnny R. Almond

Pastor, Hull’s Memorial Baptist Church

Author, Gentle Whispers from Eternity

 

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When You Think You Have It Made

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When Rehoboam was firmly established and strong, he abandoned the law of the Lord.

2 Chronicles 12:1 NLT

 

Rehoboam’s reign mirrors your own life. In him, you see your attitudes and predispositions. How easy it is for you to become intoxicated with your intelligence, take pride in your position, trust in your title, feel secure in your strength, and think humility is a virtue others need.

 

You are not as skilled at brinkmanship as you think. Feel you do not have limits? Strike out on your own, and you will find out the hard way. Arrogance makes you feel invulnerable, at the same time making you more vulnerable. Conceit makes you strut, weakening your armor and leaving you open for attack.

 

The greatest possible tragedy is that you would abandon My law. Think you are a law to yourself? Ready to attempt self-government? That would be moral suicide. Surrender to Christ as King of your heart—and you will inherit all the treasures I have in store for Him. Subject yourself to the world’s god, and you will discover it is much harder not to follow Christ.

 

Slavery to Satan kills joy, steals enthusiasm, and destroys influence. I am the Liberator who binds with chains of love—My yoke is easier than the evil one’s addiction, My burden is lighter than legalism’s obsession, and My freedom is better than the tyranny imposed by the dark prince. Take My Word for it!

 

Realizing your inherent tendency to transgress and rebel, considering the awful possibility of apostasy—humble yourself in My Sovereign Presence. Keep on the alert for vicious attacks from the Devil. He would like nothing better than to tear you limb from limb, then take pleasure in your pain. In My strength, stand your ground against him. Resist his wicked suggestions, and he will leave. Then you can throw a victory party.

 

Set your heart on walking with Me. You are maturing in faith, but you are not above sin. You are growing stronger, but you are not as strong as you think. John Bunyan got it right in The Pilgrim’s Progress: “He that is down, need fear no fall; he that is low, no pride; he that is humble ever shall have God to be his guide.”

 

The meek, not VIPs—inherit paradise. The wise, not sophisticates—share My reign. The humble, not entertainment superstars—shine in glory.

 

Advance My eternal kingdom, not your ephemeral one; rely on My almighty power, not your puny strength; honor Me, do not call attention to yourself—then you will forever have it made!

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© 2013 Johnny R. Almond

Pastor, Hull’s Memorial Baptist Church

Author, Gentle Whispers from Eternity [this devotion Day 171]

 

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“Love . . . does not boast; it is not arrogant. . . .” (1 Corinthians 13:4b ESV).

 

As we continue our journey of discovery into what matters most to God, there is a fourth quality that God seeks in the hearts of His followers. It is a quality that we all wish other people would show toward us, but that we sometimes only grudgingly show toward others: humility.  

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In his letter to Corinthian believers, Paul describes a believer’s potential lack of humility in a couple behavioral ways. First, he says that bragging does not reflect the love of God in one’s heart. Considering the context of the prior and following chapters, some believers may have been bragging, drawing attention to themselves about their ability to speak in tongues. Paul says that being a self-promoting windbag is not loving others as Christ loves us.

 

Second, he says that arrogance does not reflect the love of God in one’s heart. This same Greek word pops up earlier in Paul’s letter. Several times in chapter 4, and again in chapters 5 and 8, he warns about the wrongness of being puffed up in one context or another.

 

A puffed up person is a disappointment to God. Knowing that the eyes of Almighty God are on us, how dare we become so full of ourselves, so pride-filled, that we act arrogantly toward others?!

 

Stated in the positive, a person who does not boast and who is not arrogant is a person who is humble. Think of humility as “honoring others by drawing attention to them instead of to our self.” Think not, however, that meekness means weakness. Meekness—humility—is actually strength that is self-controlled. Humility is one of the special ways that we can show respect to others.

 

One of the best examples of humility is Jesus Christ Himself. Philippians 2 gets very specific about the ways that Jesus—“Emmanuel”—demonstrated humility. Again while praying on the Mount of Olives before His imminent crucifixion, Jesus said:

Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me.

Nevertheless, not My will, but Yours, be done.

(Luke 22:42 ESV)

His example is sobering and powerful.

 

Privately or with some friends, please ponder the relationship of humility to these issues:

  • Conviction: What does our humility reveal about our trust that God loves and leads us?
  • Comparisons: On whom are we focusing—and not focusing—when we stoop to bragging about our self and/or acting arrogant toward others?
  • Aspiration: How does Christlike humility (e.g., Philippians 2) relate (or not relate) to our personal and professional aspirations?
  • Thankfulness: How does thankfulness affect humility?
  • Worship: How is humility an act of worship?

 

Do you want to honor Him and do what matters most to Him? I do. Let’s take our eyes off ourselves and fix our eyes on Jesus, the Pioneer and Perfecter of our faith. Let’s cultivate humility.

 

This week.

 

Today.

 

© 2018 John C Garmo

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Acceptance and Change

As much as we would like to change things, some things are just unchangeably real, and there’s not much we can do about it. To say that in a popular way, “It is what it is.” Jesus does not change. The writer of Hebrews proclaims, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). Even while society changes, human nature does not change. Reality is real. Hanging on my wall as I grew through my teen-age years, was a plaque containing the words of American theologian Reinhold Niebuhr, entitled “The Serenity Prayer” – “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.” More recently, I have come across a line from American Author Byron Katie, “If you want reality to be different than it is, you might as well try to teach a cat to bark.” I have prayed Niebuhr’s prayer again this week and decided to cease trying to teach cats to bark. I have also asked God for wisdom to change the things I can.

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A Test with Hard Questions

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When the queen of Sheba heard of Solomon’s reputation, she came to Jerusalem to test him with hard questions.

2 Chronicles 9:1 NLT

 

Conduct a self-test to see if you have been accepted into kindergarten. Then you can dream of applying for graduate school. Personal faith is the basic test. Until you know Jesus Christ as Savior, you are not ready for higher education. As long as you trust in yourself—feeling you are somehow good enough to please Me—you will fail this test. As long as you depend on your imaginary self-righteousness, you will never pass the test of reliance on Christ.

 

With the most basic question settled, you can take the entry-level exam for the University of the Spirit. It is not necessary to endlessly repeat the basic introduction to Christian living. It is mandatory that you grow in Christlikeness and understand the connection of Truth to every life issue. There are many required courses in heaven’s curriculum for the heart—unselfish love, invulnerable joy, indefinable peace, enduring patience, understanding kindness, sacrificial generosity, unflinching faithfulness, angelic gentleness, and supernatural self-control.

 

Life is a test with some hard questions you will have to answer—

 

Are you holy? Are you faithful to Me? How is your thought life? Do your eating and spending habits honor Me?

 

Are you honest? Are you fair? Do you treat other people justly? Do you always choose to do the right thing?

 

Are you humble? Are you for real? Do you know who I am? Do you know who you are? What price tag have you placed on yourself? Do you consider yourself too good to hang out with ordinary folks?

 

Are you happy? Can you lighten up and enjoy life? Uptight?

 

Are you hard working? Planning your work? Working your plan? Zeal for My cause flagging? Warming up for a burnout?

 

Are you heavenly-minded? Current events sadden you? Able to see beyond earth’s turmoil to My promised bright tomorrow?

 

Are you hospitable? Are you friendly? Do you share what I have given you with others who have less?

 

Study for your final exam—score high and graduate with honors.

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(c) 2013 Johnny R. Almond

Pastor, Hull's Memorial Baptist Church

Author, Gentle Whispers from Eternity

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Lord of Your Rocking Boat

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Rembrandt -  Jesus Calming the Storm

 

 They were in absolute awe, staggered. “Who is this, anyway?” they asked.

“Wind and sea at his beck and call!”

Mark 4:41 THE MESSAGE

 

 

I am the Everlasting Father – the God with a loving heart.

     When you feel like frantically pushing the panic button, seek My help.

     Some think it eccentric that you believe I care for you, but you know I do. 

     Let Me carry your burdens for you, so you can travel light.

     Before I sculpted mountains into being, I was your Home – I still am.

     I am the same today I was yesterday, and will be forever – rest assured.

     When life gets crazy, I am your Anchor —

          stabilizing your heart as you ride rapids of changing circumstances,

          building your confidence that you will not drown in responsibilities,

          quelling your anxious hand-wringing in the midst of pandemonium. 

 

 

I am the Prince of Peace – the God of eternal hope.

     I still subdue fierce winds to a gentle breeze – I still calm high seas.

     In fact, people who focus their minds on Me experience perfect peace.

     I raised My Son from the dead, and I give you all you need to do My will. 

     When life gets noisy, I am your Shepherd –

          letting you rest in green meadows, changing accelerando to adagio;

          guiding you by peaceful brooks, changing fortissimo to pianissimo;

          providing a quiet place in hectivity, changing agitato to sostenuto. 

 

 

I am the Wonderful Counselor – the God of emotional healing.

     Faith in Me overcomes fear of anything that would terrorize you.

     The Immortal God is your Helper, so why tremble before mere mortals?

     My grace is with you in every situation, so why go catatonic?

     Enrolled in Adversity University?  Be sure you learn My lessons well.

     Experiencing thunderstorms?  Look for a rainbow after the rain. 

     When life gets stormy, I am your Storm Shelter –

          granting you peace of mind too wonderful for words,

          supernaturally protecting you from all that would harm your soul,

          guarding your life from demonic forces that would tear you apart.

 

 

I am the Mighty God – the God of miraculous help.

     Do not underestimate My ability to handle any crisis that comes your way.

     Life is often problematic for you, but nothing is too hard for Me to handle. 

     My Spirit hovered over the swirling waters of an amorphous earth,

          channeling waters into one place so humans could find a foothold. 

     I have My way in the whirlwind, so do not worry about hurricanes.

     I hush the sea to sleep so you can.

     When life gets chaotic, I am Lord of your rocking boat –

          keeping you safe no matter how threatening the waves,

          directing your course to an ultimate serene harbor,

          keeping your small boat on an even keel on My great sea.

     Who am I?  Trust Me, and find out.

    

9570812495?profile=original(c) Pastor Johnny R. Almond

Author, Gentle Whispers from Eternity

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Navigating the SUDDENLIES & the SLOWLIES

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned this year is that God can work either suddenly or slowly. I’m incredibly glad the Bible calls Him “the Lord of Breakthroughs” (1 Chronicles 14:10-11 NLT), because we all need a sudden breakthrough of His miraculous power at one time or another.

But God also presents Himself as “the Lord of the harvest” (Luke 10:2). While some harvests occur more quickly than others, this word picture is quite different than for a breakthrough.

By definition, a breakthrough is something that comes SUDDENLY, while a harvest is something that develops more SLOWLY, in response to seeds that have been sown over a period of time.

Before a harvest comes, there’s a period in which you may think nothing is happening. Although the seed is growing, it’s still in the hidden realm beneath the soil.

I’ll be honest: I’ve always liked God’s breakthroughs more than His harvests, because I like His suddenlies more than His slowlies.

That’s why I love Bible stories like the one where God “suddenly” sent an earthquake to deliver Paul and Silas from prison (Acts 16:25-26). And it’s thrilling to read about the outpouring of the Spirit on the Day of Pentecost, when the breakthrough awaited by Jesus’ followers came “suddenly” (Acts 2:1-4).

However, I’ve found that some of God’s greatest miracles happen slowly rather than suddenly. For example, aren’t you glad babies are born after a slow, nine-month process rather than just suddenly appearing on your doorstep? They come as the awaited harvest of a seed implanted months earlier.

A Kingdom Parable

Although Jesus often healed the sick, cast out demons, or raised the dead after proclaiming the nearness of God’s kingdom (Matthew 4:23-24), His parables about the kingdom often presented a much different side of the equation. For example, Jesus began His brief parable in Mark 4:26-29 (NLT) by saying, The Kingdom of God is like a farmer who scatters seed on the ground.” 

When I read this recently, it was a LOL (Laugh Out Loud) moment. Think about it: Of all the ways Jesus could have described His mighty kingdom, He said it was like being a FARMER!

Hey, I have great admiration for farmers. But I’m a city boy, and I’ve never really thought of myself as a farmer for the kingdom of God.

Yet Jesus wanted us to know that many of the miracles in His kingdom come as the result of a process rather than an immediate breakthrough of power. Instead of the miracle in this story coming all at once, Jesus said it was progressive:

First a leaf blade pushes through, then the heads of wheat are formed, and finally the grain ripens. And as soon as the grain is ready, the farmer comes and harvests it with a sickle, for the harvest time has come (vs. 28-29).

The harvest in this story took a while to develop, but that didn’t mean the farmer had any doubts about the outcome. In fact, Jesus said this man was so confident in his seeds that he went to sleep after planting them!

The apostle Paul made a similar statement in Galatians 6:9 (NKJV):

Let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

Notice Paul’s unwavering confidence that the harvest would come. “We SHALL reap…” he declared. It was as good as done.

However, he also warned against our tendency to expect the harvest to always come quickly. Yes, we can be confident our harvest will come, but only “in due season.”

You see, farmers always must deal with the GAP between their season of planting and their season of harvest. No wonder patience is one of the earmarks of a good farmer (James 5:7).

And as farmers in God’s kingdom, Paul says we must “not lose heart” while we’re waiting. How sad it is when we give up hope right before our prayer is about to be answered.

Suddenly or Slowly?

So, what does all this mean on a practical level? If you are seeking a breakthrough in some area of your life today, I pray it will come soon and suddenly. And one thing is for sure: The closer you draw to “the Lord of Breakthroughs,” the better positioned you will be to receive the miracle you need.

But while you’re waiting, don’t forget about the lessons of the farmer. Although he had to wait, he was confident in an eventual harvest. He knew he had sown powerful seeds in preparation, and he was trusting the ground to do its work.

In the same way, farmers in God’s kingdom must rest securely in His great faithfulness (Lamentations 3:21-24). Our miracle may come suddenly, or it may come slowly. And in some cases, the breakthrough won’t occur until we pass into eternity.

Let me leave you with a word of advice and encouragement from the psalmist: Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass” (Psalm 37:5 NKJV). This is such good news. When you commit your difficult situation to your Heavenly Father and heed His instructions, you can trust the outcome to Him. The answer may come suddenly or slowly, but He will always be faithful.

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A few thoughts from Chuck Proudfit with the Marketplace Minute™ . . .

It’s hard to discern God’s will for our work when we aren’t tuned in to his direction.  When we get discouraged or distracted, we can tune God out.  This is the absolute worst thing to do!

 

God’s voice is never more important to hear than when we have a pressing need to hear it.  We’re limited in our ability to communicate, but God isn’t. 

 

As scripture reminds us in John 8:47 . . . “He who belongs to God hears what God says.  The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.”

 

Belonging to God is more than just trusting Jesus Christ as our savior – it’s following Him as our Lord.  Belonging is about accepting the Good Shepherd, embracing, listening and responding to His voice.  My friend, let Him direct your path in the marketplace.

Reflection:

 

  1. God’s voice takes many forms in our lives, sometimes as subtle as a “nudge” in our spirit.  Have you experienced that before?  Do you respond?

 

  1. Do you have friends and colleagues in your life who seem “tuned in” to God’s voice in their lives?  What can you learn from them?

 

Prayer: 

 

Dear Lord, Your voice is the most important voice in our lives.  Please give us the ears to hear Your guidance, and the heart to embrace it.  Thank you for caring about the work of each and every one of us.

 

At work on Your purposes - Amen

The Marketplace Minute™ is brought to you by At Work on Purpose, a non-profit work life ministry on the web at www.atworkonpurpose.org.  

 

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High school has got to be the most stressful period in a student’s life. In high school, there are so many things you have to worry about. You worry about being popular, getting good grades, wearing the right clothes and hanging out with the right group among other things. However, college is different and they are a number of things you shouldn’t lose sleep over when you get to college. Here are a number of things college students never worry about.

  1. Popularity

College is like a clean slate for most people. In college, most people do not know what you were like in high school unless you went to the same school. This means no one cares whether you were popular or not. College gives you the opportunity to be your authentic self without any apology.

  1. Dressing

In high school, most people dress to be accepted. Students place a lot of effort in wearing the latest styles and keeping up with the rest. In college, this is a non-issue. You can dress in anything you want and no one will judge you. How amazing is that? Well, this is the freedom that comes with being a college student.

  1. Doing your own homework

In high school, you have no choice but to complete your homework by yourself and on time. The great thing about college is that you can always hire essays writers to do your assignments and complete difficult projects that you are unable to do. This is possible because you can meet the expenses easily when in college. In case you need these services, our company fastessays.co.uk/essay-writers has experienced and professional writers who will ensure you assignments meet all your instructor’s expectations. Call us today.

  1. Relationships

In college, you can date whoever you want without worrying about whether or not you are the cutest couple. There is no such thing in college because everyone is busy doing their own thing. Therefore, make sure you take advantage of the young love you develop for people even if they might not necessarily be what you are used to. You might end up making incredible life-long relationships.

  1. Prom

Not having a prom date is probably the worst thing for most high school students. You get judged and people stay away from you because they feel like something is wrong with you. In addition to this, you have to worry about dressing up, dancing and making an impression on your date and the rest of the student. Good news; this is something you do not have to worry about because there is no prom in college.

  1. Stressing about college

From the moment students get to high school, they are constantly worrying about where they will go to college and which major they will choose. This is something that doesn’t bother you in college because the decision has already been made. All you have to do is work towards making your dreams come true.

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Home -- A House With A Heart

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Unless the Lord builds a house, the work of the builders is useless.

Psalm 127:1 NLT

 

I am the Builder of your home.

My power is the foundation of your holiness.

If you do not base your home on My grace, it is a mud hut.

Construction without My Holy Spirit builds a house of cards.

My protection is the fortress of your hope.

 

I am the Beauty of your home.

Alarm systems are useless without My wall of power around you.

Encompassed by My loving care, there is no need to worry at all.

My provision is the food of your health.

 

I supply daily bread for your home.

I give you time to rest; I also set your table lavishly with all you need.

Make Christ the Head of your house—the Unseen Guest at every meal.

 

I give you children—the birthright of your home.

My plan is the family of your help.

Your children reflect heaven’s smile—a reward from the Creator.

 

I grant you good times with your children—the blessing of your home.

My peace is the fun of your happiness.

Be happy for—and with—the children and grandchildren I give you.

“Home is where the heart is, the soul’s bright guiding star.

Home is where real love is, where your own dear ones are” (Anonymous).

 

Positively influence your society through the beliefs of your home.

My Providence is the future of your honor.

Like arrows going where you cannot, your children change the world.

They are your legacy of faith to tomorrow’s culture.

Live so your children and your Heavenly Father can be proud of you!

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 © 2013 Johnny R. Almond

Pastor, Hull’s Memorial Baptist Church

Author, Gentle Whispers from Eternity

 

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Christian Hallmark

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Those who become Christians become new persons.

They are not the same anymore, for the old life is gone. A new life has begun!

2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT

 

Believe in Christ and you will develop a new perspective. 

Live by faith in eternal unseen realities, not by trust in temporary things. 

I sprinkle star dust on your heart – think vertically, not just horizontally.

You have inside information – you know I am in control, so you can relax.

Trust Me and enjoy new hope, instead of old despair.

 

Receive My gift of tranquility and you will experience a new peace.   

Those who reject Me cannot find the missing peace they desire.

Those who fix their thoughts on Me know perfect peace only I can give.

Do not push the panic button – pray; do not wring your hands – fold them. 

Lean on My everlasting arms and find new calm, not old pandemonium.

 

Follow My orders and you will discover a new purpose.

Work hard to persuade others to trust Me and you will be My shining star.

Give up your old selfish way – live My new sacrificial way.

I have commissioned you ambassador for the King of kings – serve Me well.

Live with a new motive to honor Me, not an old self-advancing treadmill.

 

Depend on My grace and you will be reinforced with a new power. 

You are only human, so you need divine help with life’s problems.

Seek My face and you can soar above mediocrity, temptation, and lethargy.

I am your secret of courage to whistle in the dark until the tunnel’s end.    

Relying on Me you have heaven’s new enthusiasm, not earth’s old ennui. 

 

Trust in My unfailing love and you will become a new person.  

Invite Me into your heart and I will change you from the inside out. 

Not the same old attitudes, but new ones will revolutionize your life.

My Spirit makes new hearts, My Breath new vitality, My Word new people.  

Give up your old way of death, and enjoy My new way of life. 

 

Yield to My control, and you will be transformed by a new process. 

Gradually, gracefully ... I work to change you for the better. 

My dream and your destiny is that you will ultimately become like Christ.

The supernatural process will continue until you see Me face to face. 

The new metamorphosis is undoubtedly better than sin’s old slippery slope.

 

It is always springtime in hearts surrendered to the One who makes all new.

Freshness flows from My nature – newness originates in My mind. 

Everything about those who sincerely believe in Me is brand new.

NEWNESS in all things is the hallmark of people who give Me their heart.   

 

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© Johnny R. Almond

Pastor, Hull’s Memorial Baptist Church

Author, Gentle Whispers from Eternity

 

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. . . I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.” (Philippians 4:11b ESV).

 

If you just joined our journey of discovery into what matters most to God, we are taking a reflective walk through 1 Corinthians 13:4. The third quality that people see in followers who reflect Christlike love is the absence of envy.

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The envy noted here is not a casual desire to match someone else’s house or professional status. It is a strong word expressing a hot jealousy about—and a craving to have—the advantages, perks, possessions, or success that someone else has. Not desirable in a disciple . . .

Stated in the positive, a person not consumed with envy is a person who is content. Think of contentment as “wanting what I have rather than having all I want.”

 

One of the best examples of Christlike contentment in the Bible is the apostle Paul. Although imprisoned and life-threatened, he does not express envy of other Christ-followers who enjoy freedom and comparative safety. Rather, he writes:

. . . I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.

I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound.

In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret

of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.

I can do all things through him who strengthens me”

(Philippians 4:11b­–13 ESV)

 

That final line explains how such a counter-cultural response to life’s situations is possible: God is with us. God works in us. God works through us. He is our Enabler. Without Him, we are unable to embrace this lifestyle.

 

Significantly however, Paul says he has learned to be content. Christlike contentment does not automatically appear in our lives simply because we trust Christ as our Redeemer. A disciple is, by definition, an active learner and practitioner—not a passive receptacle. If Paul needed to learn and cultivate Christlike contentment, it is no surprise that we need to learn and actively cultivate it, too.

 

Privately or with some friends, please ponder the relationship of contentment to these issues:

  • Trust: What does our envy of others say about our trust that God loves and leads us?
  • Comparisons: On whom are we focusing—and not focusing—when we succumb to envy?
  • Aspiration: How does Christlike contentment relate (or not relate) to our personal and professional aspirations?
  • Thankfulness: How does thankfulness affect contentment and envy?
  • Worship: How is contentment an act of worship?

 

Do you want to honor Him and do what matters most to Him? I do. Let’s take our eyes off others and fix our eyes on Jesus, the Pioneer and Perfecter of our faith. Let’s cultivate contentment.

 

This week.

 

Today.

 

© 2018 John C Garmo

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“What’s the difference?” It’s the question of a learner, a thinker, a person who’s comparing two not-quite-the-same concepts.

When I taught English in Asia I realized that motivated students have lots of these questions. I remember being asked, “What’s the difference between ‘affect’ and ‘effect’? Or between ‘than’ and ‘then’? Or ‘farther’ and ‘further’?” Most of the time I knew, but occasionally the question itself caused me, the teacher, to realize that I didn’t understand clearly. The power of this profound little question isn’t limited to language learning. “What’s the difference?” can also unearth new insights about disciple making.

As I work with pastors and church leaders, I’ve learned there are some discipleship terms that people confuse, misuse, and abuse. Today we begin a new series entitled, “What’s the Difference.” This series will provide greater clarity and definition around similar, yet divergent disciple making terms.

Today we’ll consider, “What’s the difference between mentoring and disciple making?”

Is mentoring is the same as discipling? Or is disciple making simply religious language for mentoring? Or is it the other way around – mentoring is corporate speak for disciple making?

There’s clearly a lot of similarity between these two. Both a mentor and a disciple maker seek to help another grow, both function within the framework of a relationship, and both desire to see the other person succeed at something. Additionally, in both instances, the influencer is typically older and more experienced than the one they are influencing. With all these commonalities, you may be wondering what’s the big deal if they are used interchangeably?
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The problem of confusing the two lies at their root. Let me illustrate the difference by comparing what a famous adage says about fishing and what Jesus taught about fishing.

The adage says, “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach him how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.” Jesus taught, “Come follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

Though both teach about fishing and both are interested in helping others their essential message is very different.

9570812061?profile=originalThe message of the first is that it’s better to give someone a hand up than a handout. Mentoring is excellent at this. Mentoring historically began with and continues to be focused on helping a person develop in a specific area. Most often it’s related to a career-field or a defined skill. The mentor is a guide who brings his career/skill based knowledge and experience to help the mentee. The objective is to help the mentee grow in that area. Both the destination and the agenda is set by the mentee. Conversations are framed around the questions and struggles of the mentee. The mentor only plays defense. In other words, the root of mentoring is focused on just a slice of the mentees life and its entire purpose is to benefit the mentee.

To be clear, mentoring is beneficial in many contexts. I’m not anti-mentoring! Mentoring has great merit! But Jesus did something different. Jesus made disciples.

When Jesus taught about fishing he said, “Come follow me and I will make you fishers of men (Matthew 4:19).” Jesus didn’t come to help them do what they were already doing better, he came to change the very purpose of their lives. Jesus’ essential message is to follow me to become like me, to trade in their purpose for His purpose, to exchange the temporal for the eternal.

Disciple making is very different from mentoring in at least four ways:

1. A disciple making relationship must be holistic. It’s not limited to a slice of life or specific skill but rather seeks to impact every aspect of life. It must be this way because who we are impacts everything – our attitudes, thoughts, words, and actions.

2. The discipler puts herself forward as the model. She echoes what Paul said in 1 Corinthians 11:1, “Follow my example as I follow the example of Christ.” She doesn’t say, “Be who I used to be,” or “Do what I used to do,” but rather “Be who I am. Do what I do.” It requires the discipler to be mature enough to live a life worthy of reproduction and humble enough to share where she falls short. This posture is risky because a discipler offers herself and may be rejected. If a mentor’s knowledge or experience is rejected it doesn’t create such personal wounding.

3. Disciple makers play both offense and defense. On the offensive side, they have a destination in mind. They have an agenda that’s known and agreed upon. A disciple maker intentionally looks at the needs of those he disciples and develops a plan to help him grow. Many times the person being discipled doesn’t see or appreciate these needs, but it’s the job of the discipler to help him develop vision. Like a mentor, the disciple maker also plays defense, but he doesn’t let it take over the process. I wrote expansively about offense and defense HERE.

9570812271?profile=original4. Disciple making is generational. One of the primary reasons Jesus wanted to help the disciples was so that they would “fish for men.” In other words, He helped them so they’d help others. The focus wasn’t them! Jesus was focused on multiplication, not addition. In fact, the success of disciple making relationships should be measured by whether or not they go on to disciple others who then go on to disciple others. I often tell guys I’m discipling that I haven’t made a disciple until they have made a disciple. Yes, it may be slightly overstated but they need to see the fruit disciples are to bear are other disciples.

Do you see the difference? Disciple making and mentoring are not the same. This is essential for us to understand because many good-hearted Christians end up making mentors not disciples. Again, mentoring is good, admirable, and beneficial, but it doesn’t go far enough. It doesn’t demand enough from either side of the relationship.

Disciple making demands both sides lay down their lives and in faith trust God to produce many.

Justin Gravitt is Dayton (Ohio) Area Director for Navigator Church Ministries. Read more from Justin at his blog, One Disciple to Another.

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Learning from Five Presidents

I knew five men who served as President of my seminary – one while I was a student, three while I was on the faculty, and one who was Interim President between two Presidents.

 

While they were very diverse, each had his strengths, and each made lasting contributions to the school. Each impacted the lives of future ministers. I considered each to be my friend. I learned from all of them.

 

One took the first Chapel of each semester to welcome the new students and pronounce them, “Southwesterners . . . You’d rather die than dishonor the name!” He was so punctual that one day he went to the pulpit while a long-winded Chapel speaker was continuing past his time, put his arm around the man, and said, “Excuse me brother, but I’m going to go ahead and lead our closing prayer while you finish your sermon.” I loved him. He taught me to honor the clock.

 

Another was loved by everyone on campus. He would enter the Auditorium from a side door, three minutes before the beginning of Chapel, index card in hand, shake hands with whoever was praying that day and be on the platform by the top of the hour, in time to begin. He modeled proper time management for me.

 

Another President would enter the auditorium for Chapel from the back door, work his way down the aisle, shaking hands, speaking to everyone within sound range, calling some by name. He never applied to be President. When asked in the interview why he wanted to be President, he is reported to have replied, “I’m not sure I want to. You invited me. Why do you want me?” Love it. He taught me not to be afraid of honest answers.

 

Still another President, entered the auditorium for Chapel from the back door, shaking hands with a few, calling fewer by name, some incorrectly (such as Dr. Don Crawford), taking the platform to be in charge, often commenting on the sermon, after the day’s preacher had finished. He was always gracious with me, even when we disagreed, which we did on several occasions. He taught me how to disagree without being disagreeable.

 

One Interim President and I shared a three-office suite, only he took up two of the three, so as to have room for all his slides of the Holy Land, that he showed in class and in dozens of churches. I enjoyed watching students enter his office to discuss a bad grade on a test, likely made because they dropped their pen and missed getting a thousand years of history in their notes. Most came out weeping. They learned that while they were saved by grace, they had to pass by works. Even though we differed considerably in age, he taught me how to be a colleague. I’ve learned that one does not always get to choose with whom he works, but one can always work with respect and honor, whomever are his associates.

 

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