I am just getting back from vacation. I am glad to be back in front of the computer this morning, doing what I love to do. Before I jump back into the series we are in, I feel led to share a few things with you about my vacation, under the theme, “The Love of God.”
So what does this mean to you today? I believe you will be able to glean a few golden nuggets.
1. The love of God is always focused on others.
a) Taking time off is important. Rest is spiritual. Spending time with my wife and children is paramount. My first ministry is to my family. God would not be pleased if I were a hero to strangers, but a zero at home. I truly enjoyed spending time with my family and resting. That said, even while on vacation, we focused on BEING a blessing to others.
b) Ministry is a family business for us. Even while on vacation, we were picking out backpacks and school supplies for underprivileged children. Our children know how important it is to give back and to focus on sharing the love of God with others.
c) While on vacation I preached twice. Both messages were about God’s love. So while I was taking time away from my vacation, per se, to do what I believe God wanted me to do, I did it knowing that He wanted me to share His love with others. The opposite of God’s love is selfishness. God’s love is always focused on someone else.
d) The Lord had me to preach in Jail last night. I preached about God’s love (not surprising). They could not come to us, so we went to them. We told them that God loves them. And God’s love changed them from the inside out.
e) When your heart is rooted and grounded in God’s love, you live your life focused on others. Your life becomes an offering to God. God then takes your life and pours it out into the lives of others. I believe this to be the will of God for us all.
2. It is important to establish altars in your life.
a) Taking time to reflect is critical to maximizing your purpose and potential. It’s important to look back over your life and meditate on God’s goodness along the way.
b) While on vacation the Lord had me to share a part of my life-testimony with a friend. As I shared story after story, of what God has done in my life, and of what He has said about my future, I did not realize it at the time, but God was setting me up to be blessed. I thought I was sharing these things with her, to be a blessing to her (which I believe I was). But in the days since we had the conversation, I have found myself thanking God continually for all He has already done in my life, and all He has promised that has yet to come to pass. One conversation of reflection has led to hours of thanksgiving and excitement concerning my future. Sometimes it’s important to look back, in order to look forward.
c) In Biblical times, the Lord led His people to establish altars. The altars served as a “remembrance” of what God had done. Whenever people needed encouragement, even generations later, they could look back in order to look forward. Establish some altars in your life. You never know when you may need to “trace yourself” (remembering God’s goodness), in order to “pace yourself” moving forward.
Closing Confession: Father, this is a year of Great Victory for me. I say this without reservation. My confidence is not based in me or my performance. My confidence is based in You and Your tireless dedication to me. You love me with an everlasting love. I did nothing to cause You to start loving me and nothing I do will make You stop. I believe Your love. I receive Your love. I embrace Your love. And I become a conduit of Your love in this world. You bless me, SO THAT I can BE a blessing to others. I live my life focused on sharing Your love with the world! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
