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Triumphal Procession

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The apostle Paul worked tirelessly for the sake of the Good News Gospel. He endured hardship that most of us will never comprehend – all because of His love for Jesus Christ. But Paul was still human, and even someone of his caliber makes mistakes.

Paul reveals one of his mistakes in Chapter 2 of Second Corinthians. He says, “Now when I went to Troas to preach the Gospel of Christ and found that the Lord had opened a door for me, I still had no peace of mind…so I said good-bye to them and went on to Macedonia.”

Paul admits that the Lord opened a door for Him to share the Good News in Troas, but he didnt do it. Instead, he left. Paul disobeyed the Holy Spirits leading.

And yet, the great thing about this passage is what Paul writes next. “But thanks be to God,” he says, “who always leads us in triumphal procession and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him.”

God is so much bigger than the mistakes we make! Paul realized that, and its an important reminder for you and me as well. If you have disobeyed the Holy Spirit, simply confess it to the Lord. Ask for another opportunity, and for the boldness to do what Hes called you to do. God will use you again, in tremendous ways!

God’s Holy Spirit

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Are you feeling spiritually dry? Discouraged? Unmotivated? Have you had a recent failure, either a personal mistake, or the death of a dream? Does it seem like all your hopes and prayers of God using you have come to nothing?

The Lord says to you today, “Keep dreaming great dreams, and planning great plans to reach your world.” Jesus says in John 14:15, “I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.”

What an incredible promise of our potential to reach our world for Jesus Christ! When Jesus says Hes going to the Father, that means the Holy Spirit is coming to us! And its Gods Holy Spirit who indwells us. His Spirit gives us power to accomplish whatever evangelistic vision God has given us.

You and I have serve a God who says, “I know youre discouraged, I know you feel dry, but keep dreaming great dreams and planning great plans, because the Holy Spirit will empower you to accomplish them!” Gods Spirit is the power and the anointing that we need to do great things for Jesus Christ

Strength in Christ

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Gods best isnt always what the world considers best. One of my favorite illustrations of this truth is the story of Joni Eareckson Tada.

Joni was paralyzed in an accident when she was a teenager. But instead of being bitter, Joni settled her disappointment with God and said, “OK, the Lord somehow has a plan for my life that is better than my dreams.”

Joni eventually met and married a fantastic guy. Today she sings, and she paints beautifully with a brush in her mouth. Joni also ministers to people in a way she never could have if she still walked. Shes being used of God to touch millions of disabled people, all over the world.

Is there someone, or something, that has crushed your hopes and dreams of a perfect life? God doesnt make mistakes! Whatever youve gone through, whatever your disabilities, or insufficiencies, or insecurities, God can use them for His glory!

In Second Corinthians 12 Jesus says to the apostle Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Ask God to use your weaknesses in a way you could never imagine for his Kingdom.

Responding to Pain

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Are you hurting inside? Do you feel like giving up on life?

When a crisis arises, one of the worst mistakes you can make is to pretend that nothing is wrong. To find relief from your problems, you must first acknowledge them and the inner despair they cause. Only then can you embrace the “Father of all mercies and the God of all comfort.”

Remember, each time we face a crisis, people are watching for our reactions and wondering how we will respond. They want to see if being a follower of Jesus Christ really makes a difference when life gets tough. Its important to acknowledge the reality of our pain. But we must also show our friends that no matter what we face, the Holy Spirit enables us to have a peace that passes understanding. God Himself is our source of encouragement and consolation.

The apostle Paul experienced desperate need–physically, emotionally and financially. But because he also experienced the God of all comfort meeting every one of his needs, he was able to declare to the world: “My God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” We, also, need to proclaim those powerful words to the lost in our world.

Average or Avid?

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Lets say youre not merely an average basketball fan, lets say you make great sacrifices to support your hobby. You buy season tickets to watch your favorite team. You wear your teams colors. Not even a stranger could mistake your love for basketball!

Now, thats an AVID fan – they are FANATIC you could say. Theres also the AVERAGE fan. This person says he likes basketball. But the average fan really doesnt have a favorite team, doesnt care if he misses a game, and wouldnt pay for tickets, for sure.

When it comes to following Jesus Christ, are you a fanatic, so to speak? Or are you like the “average” basketball fan? Are you content with missing opportunities to reach your world for Jesus? Are you satisfied being just an “average,” instead of ACTIVE, Christian?

In the Bible Jesus says, “He who is not for me is against me, and he who does not gather with me, scatters.” When you are not living all-out for Jesus, you are not engaging in the spiritual battle for eternal souls.

Today I ask you again: are you a threat to the Kingdom of Darkness? Are you actively sharing as well as living your faith? People really do need to hear the Good News of eternal life and forgiveness.

I was reading in John 17 just this morning, and boy was I challenge that people need to hear that God is calling them. So do it, and be Gods mouthpiece.