Here is the message from yesterday’s service. ELIJAH: Discipled

DISCIPLED

Over the last six weeks I have been working on a new project.  I have been compiling all of my devotional writings over the years and putting them into a book.  In 2003, I published From The Shepherd’s Heart and I have rarely publicized it.  I’m not very good at promoting my own stuff. It feels kind of weird.

Recently, God laid on my heart to work on another book called Thoughts For The Journey: Things To Ponder Along The Way.  This new book will have what was included in my first book compiled with a great deal of new writings that I have written since then.

I am excited to see this come to completion.  A dream that I have had since I was in elementary school is to write books.  On my heart are several ideas for new writings, so Thoughts For The Journey is the first step to working on this dream.

Within the next month or so, Thoughts For The Journey will be available for Kindle, Ipad and most e-reader applications.  I will also be working on getting it in print form as well.  Please pray for me as I go through the grueling task of editing.  I am nearly done with the editing and then will be formatting the book for publishing.  Keep posted for updates on when this new book will be released.

My goal is also to complete a book I began working on in 2007 called Wounded: Finding Healing From Church Hurts.  It is a book with practical advice and scriptural insights in to how we can overcome the ugliness of church conflict.  It was sparked by years of pastoring churches that had been through splits and major conflict.  Though this book is to a more targeted audience my prayer is that it will impact many people.  Stay tuned for updates on this project as well.

The reason I share these things publicly is to help keep me motivated to see these things through.  If no one knows about it, I will put it on the back burner. But if I share it publicly, I will stay focused.

One of the Classic Christian Authors  that can instantly stir the passions of my soul is Andrew Murray.  He spoke often of our relationship with God and our lives of prayer.  Read these words and let your prayer life be stirred:

 “The first and chief need of our Christian life is, Fellowship with God. The Divine life within us comes from God, and is entirely dependent upon Him. As I need every moment afresh the air to breathe, as the s sun every moment afresh sends down its light, so it is only in direct living communication with God that my soul can be strong.

The manna of one day was corrupt when the next day came. I must every day have fresh grace from heaven, and I obtain it only in direct waiting upon God Himself. Begin each day by tarrying before God, and letting Him touch you. Take time to meet God.

To this end, let your first act in your devotion be a setting yourself still before God. In prayer, or worship, everything depends upon God taking the chief place. I must bow quietly before Him in humble faith and adoration, speaking thus within my heart: “God is. God is near. God is love, longing to communicate Himself to me. God the Almighty One, Who worketh all in all, is even now waiting to work in me, and make Himself known.” Take time, till you know God is very near.

When you have given God His place of honor, glory, and power, take your place of deepest lowliness, and seek to be filled with the Spirit of humility. As a creature it is your blessedness to be nothing, that God may be all in you. As a sinner you are not worthy to look up to God; bow in self abasement. As a saint, let God’s love overwhelm you, and bow you still lower down. Sink down before Him in humility, meekness, patience, and surrender to His goodness and mercy. He will exalt you.” 

Having a great time on vacation. Did a couple hikes at Petit Jean State Park.

Why is it so hard to trust?
After all we know it’s a must

To turn our lives to Him is tough for sure
What does it really mean to make Him our Lord?

I like to control my life, my future, my destiny
I like my life to be mine, not His, just me

But surely there arises a problem so great
God knows more than me, He knows my fate

He let’s me control as longs a I choose
But when I do, I always seem to lose

It should be a lesson learned that I surrender all to Him
To give Him all of me, to return from where I have been 

God, O God, This Is Hard For Me To Pray
Take my life, whatever I have, I’ll follow Your Way 

-Danny Cheney-

“Far better to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in the gray twilight that knows not victory, or defeat.”
-Theodore Roosevelt-

Are you willing to risk anything for God?  Are you afraid of taking a step of faith and doing something you have never done before?

Too many people live a life of mediocrity because they are content with staying the same, doing things the same way they have always done.  They live in a land of comfort, unwilling to trouble the waters to dare something different, to do something spectacular for the glory of God.  

There are two roads we can take in life.  The road of ease which is a road that knows no risk or change.  Or we can take the road less traveled.  The road of daring which is a road that knows not what is at the end but finds excitement in discovering, that if we only would take a risk for God, He will bring us to another place.  This road of daring is only traveled by brave soldiers of the Cross who are not afraid of failure and who are willing to face failure to do something significant for the kingdom of God. 

Which road are you traveling on?