So, yesterday morning, I got to Converse and got out of my car to find that I had a flat tire. It wasn't flat when I left home, and I didn't hear or feel anything on the drive to Spartanburg that would make me think I had a flat tire, but, BEHOLD, it was flat as could be.
Well, to make a long story short, we got the tire taken care of, and everything is fine (even though I didn't get my afternoon off to relax like I had planned).
As I was leaving Home Depot today after work, my friend Casey told me to go look at her right rear tire because it was flat. She just got her tires recently, and just got her car back a couple weeks ago from a body shop after a wreck she had. Anyway, I asked if she wanted me to change it, and she said no because her dad was heading down from Easley to take care of it. I said okay and started to leave. Well, as I got to my car, I thought to myself, "Michaelangelo (that's what I call myself), how can you let her dad drive down from Easley to take care of this when you're there and are perfectly capable of changing the tire." Again, to make a long story short, I got Casey's keys and changed the tire for her. It's no big deal; it's just a tire change. I didn't have anything spiritual in mind while doing the work, but I figured it made more sense that way.
So, fast forward 15 minutes to me leaving to head to Crossroads to doublecheck some things before Sunday morning: the Holy Spirit brings some Scripture to mind (funny how that happens when we don't expect it). 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 says, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God." Now, I know that a flat tire isn't a massive affliction that burdens our hearts and minds, but it's a little thing that kind of irritates you simply because it doesn't fit into your schedule. But maybe, just maybe, God gave me a flat tire yesterday so that I would be not only willing to change someone else's today, but that I would be compelled to do it, since I know that it sucks to have a flat tire and have to change your schedule for it.
What's the point? you may be asking. The point is simply that sometimes God brings us through things, however large or small, that may be intentional on His part so that we, in turn, can be intentional in helping others. Ever thought of it that way? The next time something unexpected comes your way, even if it is something that is in your opinion bad, stop and pray about it and ask God how he wants to use this affliction for His glory through your life.
Saturday, June 30, 2007
By This All Men Will Know
So, this blog is inspired by a friend of mine, who I'll call Raphael (his name is NOT Raphael, but how cool would it be if it was!). Raphael lives in TN and seeks the Lord with all his heart. Recently, that heart has been broken. I don't get to see or talk to him very often, but he and I have a unique connection and are still very close. Over the last week, my heart has been burdened for Raphael because of the pain he's been dealing with. Now, as most of you know, a broken heart is a pain common to most people, and yet everyone who is in his position feels as though they are all alone and that no one has ever been there before. Of course, that's not true, but just how often does how we feel reflect things we know to be true?
Anyway, I've been longing to find a way to help Raphael carry his burden. It breaks my heart to know that a Brother in Christ is struggling with pain in his heart and spirit. Isn't that what we're commanded to do? Didn't Paul write that we should "Bear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfill the Law of Christ" (Gal. 6:2)? As the Body of Christ, I think we've lost track of that somehow. Of course, when some members or a local church go through something tragic, people are there to help them, but what about the day-to-day burdens that really eat away at our strength and confidence and sometimes even our faith? Why don't we make it a point to bear those burdens for each other? I don't know if Raphael has other Believers in TN with him who are intentionally seeking him out and bearing his burdens with him, but I do know that he needs that, just like all of us do.
Where is the love that claim to express? Not in times of extreme hardship, but in daily actions. It's just my opinion, but I think if we abandoned seeking new ways to reach the lost in our community, quit trying to have bigger and better worship concerts, and stopped being more concerned about people's opinions than we are about their hearts, and then put all of that energy into loving each other wholeheartedly, unconditionally, God would do a mightier work than any we've ever imagined (He said He'd do it, ya know).
By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." -John 13:35
Anyway, I've been longing to find a way to help Raphael carry his burden. It breaks my heart to know that a Brother in Christ is struggling with pain in his heart and spirit. Isn't that what we're commanded to do? Didn't Paul write that we should "Bear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfill the Law of Christ" (Gal. 6:2)? As the Body of Christ, I think we've lost track of that somehow. Of course, when some members or a local church go through something tragic, people are there to help them, but what about the day-to-day burdens that really eat away at our strength and confidence and sometimes even our faith? Why don't we make it a point to bear those burdens for each other? I don't know if Raphael has other Believers in TN with him who are intentionally seeking him out and bearing his burdens with him, but I do know that he needs that, just like all of us do.
Where is the love that claim to express? Not in times of extreme hardship, but in daily actions. It's just my opinion, but I think if we abandoned seeking new ways to reach the lost in our community, quit trying to have bigger and better worship concerts, and stopped being more concerned about people's opinions than we are about their hearts, and then put all of that energy into loving each other wholeheartedly, unconditionally, God would do a mightier work than any we've ever imagined (He said He'd do it, ya know).
By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." -John 13:35
Friday, June 29, 2007
First Words from the Eudoxus
Well, this is my first regular blog, and it won't be very interesting. Basically, I'm going to repost some of my old blogs from MySpace, so feel free to check them out! That way, for those of you who haven't seen them before, you can see what's up inside my head.
The Glorious Truth of the Gospel
Reposted from Tuesday, March 7, 2006
God doesn't need you. That's right. He doesn't need you. I believe this is the glorious truth of the Gospel of Christ. God existed forever without us, so why do we think we are crucial to His existence. However, even though He doesn't need us, God WANTS and LOVES us. Isn't it so much more special to be wanted than needed. Christ didn't die because it was necessary for Him to live, but because it was necessary for us to live WITH Him.
God doesn't need you.
Vision Vs. Provision
Reposted from Monday, August 7, 2006
Well, the past week or so God has really laid on my heart the fact that so many times we think He isn't working in something or doesn't want us to pursue something because He hasn't already provided the means to do whatever it is we're considering. I know that's how I've done things so many times..."the money wasn't there so it must not have been His will" or "if this is what God wants He'll make it obvious to me." I was reading in 1 Samuel 14 about Jonathan's victory over the Philistines. Have you ever read it? He tells his armour bearer, "Come and let us cross over to the garrison of these uncircumsised; PERHAPS the Lord will work for us..." (NASB, italics mine). Jonathan and his servant went to the enemies camp by themselves (and by the way, the armour bearer wouldn't have his own armour) and Jonathan basically said, "Maybe God will show up." He didn't wait for the provision from God before he went. He didn't receive a vision from the Lord and then go...he just went. God did provide a victory for the two of them, but Jonathan didn't know if He would or not.
Basically, I just want to encourage my fellow followers of The Way to just step out and do something for the cause of Christ. Maybe God will bless your efforts; maybe He won't and you'll fail, but at least you'll fail attempting to further the greatest cause ever known--"...the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God" (Acts 20:25b). Stop waiting for the Provision. God has given you a vision...act on it.
Amen and Amen.
Well, the past week or so God has really laid on my heart the fact that so many times we think He isn't working in something or doesn't want us to pursue something because He hasn't already provided the means to do whatever it is we're considering. I know that's how I've done things so many times..."the money wasn't there so it must not have been His will" or "if this is what God wants He'll make it obvious to me." I was reading in 1 Samuel 14 about Jonathan's victory over the Philistines. Have you ever read it? He tells his armour bearer, "Come and let us cross over to the garrison of these uncircumsised; PERHAPS the Lord will work for us..." (NASB, italics mine). Jonathan and his servant went to the enemies camp by themselves (and by the way, the armour bearer wouldn't have his own armour) and Jonathan basically said, "Maybe God will show up." He didn't wait for the provision from God before he went. He didn't receive a vision from the Lord and then go...he just went. God did provide a victory for the two of them, but Jonathan didn't know if He would or not.
Basically, I just want to encourage my fellow followers of The Way to just step out and do something for the cause of Christ. Maybe God will bless your efforts; maybe He won't and you'll fail, but at least you'll fail attempting to further the greatest cause ever known--"...the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God" (Acts 20:25b). Stop waiting for the Provision. God has given you a vision...act on it.
Amen and Amen.
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