2nd Passage for Study: Study focus on Acts 9: 26 – 30 … Acts 9 linked for study …
My Journal for Today: Wow! I really identify with today’s passage from Acts 9 [ see verses 26-30]. Here we have the former hit-man for the Sanhedrin coming home to Jerusalem; and he desires to meet and become a part of the inner circle of the Apostles; but they won’t have anything to do with him because they’re afraid of his past.
Why? And the answer is simple … fear! They wouldn’t have anything to do with him because of his past “rep.” And it is with this I truly identify. In the year 2000, we began a ministry at my church which the Elders let me lead. It was – and still is – known as Battle Plan Ministry [BPM]; and BPM reaches out to help Christians who desire to walk free from habitual sexual sin. And many in my church knew that I became the leader of BPM because God had delivered and discipled me out that plague of habitual sin in my life, leading me to have burden to help others do the same. You can read about BPM by going to this link.
Well, as I began to lead BPM in my church, many of the men in our church didn’t want to be near me lest they might be identified as someone who needed the help of BPM. They simply didn’t want to be seen – because of fear – as having the problems with which BPM dealt. Ironically, many of them may have needed the help of BPM but stayed away from me, hiding their shame and their weakness from others. So, Bill Berry became the “Battle Plan Ministry guy;” and few would sit with me at men’s breakfasts or other church events. Couples shied away from being friends with my wife and I because of my identity and past baggage. The rejection was obvious and somewhat painful.
But like the Apostle Paul, a few “Barnabas” types came forward and became quiet encouragers. They were men who were led to stand with me; and a few of them were leaders in the church, Elders and Staff who let it be known that they were standing with Bill Berry and BPM no matter how emotionally laden was a ministry like this one. It felt great; and as I’m sure it must’ve felt for Paul, it was great encouragement for me to have someone stand with me when others were rejecting me out of fear. Barnabas became an advocate and a personal encourager for the Apostle Paul … a behind the scenes hero, who lived up to his very name, “Barnabas,” which means “son of encouragement” in Hebrew.
If you’ve had a past, I hope you have a Barnabas or two in your life who stands with you no matter what your past as been like. But if you don’t, take heed; … you still have Jesus; and He will never leave you nor forsake you (see Hebrews 13: 5, which is a restatement of Deut. 31: 6 or Joshua 1: 5. You may be rejected because of human fear or ignorance; but God can and will use your past for His glory if you let Him; so, stick in there, and pray that God sends you a Barnabas to help and encourage you in these times … until you can let the past baggage go and you can let God help you to carry it (see Matt. 11: 28-30).
My Prayer for Today: Lord, I’m so thankful You sent me several Barnabas supporters when I need them to lift me up. And You never forsake me when I’m doing Your work. Amen
Showing posts with label support. Show all posts
Showing posts with label support. Show all posts
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Friday, June 26, 2009
2009 – Day 176.June 26 – Look Up
2009 – Day 176.June 26 – Look Up
Passage of the Day: 1st Kings 19 … Linked for your study ...
My Journal for Today: As Elisha left the cave where God had provided re-creation and renewal for His Prophet, we see God’s mercy and grace in abundance and a reminder that God wants us to live and work in community … what we know of as the fellowship of believers … or in this day, the Church.
As we read in 1st Kings 19, God leads Elijah out and provides him with a charge and a companion. In this case we’re introduced to God’s new standard bearer, Elisha, who not only was to be Elijah’s friend and co-minister; but God’s provision of Elisha was given to Elijah to minister to the needs of our Prophet-hero as well.
So, can we see how important it is look up to God and follow Him as God’s word instructs us in Luke 9: 23? For not only will The Lord provide us with a plan, His purpose, and His power; but He will also provide us with our needs in the community we know of as the Church. The promise of Matt. 18: 20 comes to mind here, where Christ says clearly to His disciples, … “For where two or three are gathered together in My Name, I am there in the midst of them.” And there is the exhortation of God’s word in Galatians 6: 9 – 10 as well as Hebrews 10: 24 – 25, which tells us that we should never be Lone Ranger Christians … that we were meant to live and work and have our being in community.
And in this passage today we see how God moves His plan and purpose forward, providing for the passing of the baton of service from Elijah to Elisha; and in the process God provides them both with friendship and a co-ministry companionship. I have experienced this type of torch passing in my life. God brought me to a man of God in my mentor, Dr. Bob, years ago. And he became my friend and biblical guide for a dozen years as he discipled and taught me. Then, he told me, “Bill, it’s time for you to be mentoring others;” and he passed the mantle of leadership to me with a commission to fulfill God’s Great Commission [see Matt. 28: 19 – 20]. Now, I have been given the charge and privilege to mentor several other men in the ministry God led me into a number of years ago; and all of these younger men have been friends, companions, and co-ministry warriors with me.
I pray that, as a “Timothy” in this life, God has provided you with a “Paul” to help shape you more fully into Christ’s image; and then I pray that once you’ve become a “Paul,” God will lead you to pass the torch of ministry on to a “Timothy” by mentoring others to carry the banner of Christ forward.
Look up, dear one, and let God guide you in this trek to Christlikeness and Godliness.
My Prayer for Today: Lord, I look to you to bring me those I need to carry your standard in life. Amen
Passage of the Day: 1st Kings 19 … Linked for your study ...
My Journal for Today: As Elisha left the cave where God had provided re-creation and renewal for His Prophet, we see God’s mercy and grace in abundance and a reminder that God wants us to live and work in community … what we know of as the fellowship of believers … or in this day, the Church.
As we read in 1st Kings 19, God leads Elijah out and provides him with a charge and a companion. In this case we’re introduced to God’s new standard bearer, Elisha, who not only was to be Elijah’s friend and co-minister; but God’s provision of Elisha was given to Elijah to minister to the needs of our Prophet-hero as well.
So, can we see how important it is look up to God and follow Him as God’s word instructs us in Luke 9: 23? For not only will The Lord provide us with a plan, His purpose, and His power; but He will also provide us with our needs in the community we know of as the Church. The promise of Matt. 18: 20 comes to mind here, where Christ says clearly to His disciples, … “For where two or three are gathered together in My Name, I am there in the midst of them.” And there is the exhortation of God’s word in Galatians 6: 9 – 10 as well as Hebrews 10: 24 – 25, which tells us that we should never be Lone Ranger Christians … that we were meant to live and work and have our being in community.
And in this passage today we see how God moves His plan and purpose forward, providing for the passing of the baton of service from Elijah to Elisha; and in the process God provides them both with friendship and a co-ministry companionship. I have experienced this type of torch passing in my life. God brought me to a man of God in my mentor, Dr. Bob, years ago. And he became my friend and biblical guide for a dozen years as he discipled and taught me. Then, he told me, “Bill, it’s time for you to be mentoring others;” and he passed the mantle of leadership to me with a commission to fulfill God’s Great Commission [see Matt. 28: 19 – 20]. Now, I have been given the charge and privilege to mentor several other men in the ministry God led me into a number of years ago; and all of these younger men have been friends, companions, and co-ministry warriors with me.
I pray that, as a “Timothy” in this life, God has provided you with a “Paul” to help shape you more fully into Christ’s image; and then I pray that once you’ve become a “Paul,” God will lead you to pass the torch of ministry on to a “Timothy” by mentoring others to carry the banner of Christ forward.
Look up, dear one, and let God guide you in this trek to Christlikeness and Godliness.
My Prayer for Today: Lord, I look to you to bring me those I need to carry your standard in life. Amen
Thursday, May 21, 2009
2009 – Day 140.May 21 – A Sheltering Tree
2009 – Day 140.May 21 – A Sheltering Tree
Passage of the Day: 2nd Samuel 15: 1 - 18 … Link to passage for study …
My Journal for Today: Once again in David’s life in today’s passage, we read that he has to flee from those who had expressed love to him. In the past it had been Saul before David became king. Now, in our passage today, David is King of Israel; and he must flee his own son, Absalom, who had grown strong and was plotting to take over the kingdom. Strategically, David had to retreat from the “city of David,” Jerusalem.
And, as Swindoll points out, it had to be uplifting that a number of David’s men stood with him, providing the cover of their loyalty and standing with their King. Swindoll points to the poet Samuel Coleridge who likened friendship to a “sheltering tree.” And the point of this study is that we all need strong trees to cover us when the heat goes up or a tree to lean on when the wind blows.
And our devotional author, Chuck Swindoll, asks if his readers have at least one strong tree to provide shelter and support when the sun bears down or the storms of life come our way. David had his brothers in arms, … friends who would die for him and stand with him – no matter what. Do you have such friends? I know that I am blessed to have more than one band of brothers, as David did, whom I believe would stand over me, with me, and around me – no matter what! And as David felt, I’m sure, having friends like this is often the strength which will carry one through when things get hot or when the winds of the times blow hard.
I hope that any who read here have a grove of trees, or at least one such strong tree, which [or “who”] will be there to cover you when the heat of life beats down or to provide support when the storms of life blow. As I’ve said so often over the years, “Lone Ranger” Christianity just doesn’t cut it in this life. Christians need to stand together, needing and providing mutual support when things get hot or stormy. Swindoll encourages his readers from the devotional for this day to have or find a tree, or preferably more than one, which will be there in the tough times of life to supply shelter and support. With such “trees” in life, the heat is bearable and the support is so welcome. But without such shelter/support, life is going to be very difficult to bear.
My Prayer for Today: Lord, thank You for the support I have in life. Amen
Passage of the Day: 2nd Samuel 15: 1 - 18 … Link to passage for study …
My Journal for Today: Once again in David’s life in today’s passage, we read that he has to flee from those who had expressed love to him. In the past it had been Saul before David became king. Now, in our passage today, David is King of Israel; and he must flee his own son, Absalom, who had grown strong and was plotting to take over the kingdom. Strategically, David had to retreat from the “city of David,” Jerusalem.
And, as Swindoll points out, it had to be uplifting that a number of David’s men stood with him, providing the cover of their loyalty and standing with their King. Swindoll points to the poet Samuel Coleridge who likened friendship to a “sheltering tree.” And the point of this study is that we all need strong trees to cover us when the heat goes up or a tree to lean on when the wind blows.
And our devotional author, Chuck Swindoll, asks if his readers have at least one strong tree to provide shelter and support when the sun bears down or the storms of life come our way. David had his brothers in arms, … friends who would die for him and stand with him – no matter what. Do you have such friends? I know that I am blessed to have more than one band of brothers, as David did, whom I believe would stand over me, with me, and around me – no matter what! And as David felt, I’m sure, having friends like this is often the strength which will carry one through when things get hot or when the winds of the times blow hard.
I hope that any who read here have a grove of trees, or at least one such strong tree, which [or “who”] will be there to cover you when the heat of life beats down or to provide support when the storms of life blow. As I’ve said so often over the years, “Lone Ranger” Christianity just doesn’t cut it in this life. Christians need to stand together, needing and providing mutual support when things get hot or stormy. Swindoll encourages his readers from the devotional for this day to have or find a tree, or preferably more than one, which will be there in the tough times of life to supply shelter and support. With such “trees” in life, the heat is bearable and the support is so welcome. But without such shelter/support, life is going to be very difficult to bear.
My Prayer for Today: Lord, thank You for the support I have in life. Amen
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