This week's 'thought'
comes to you from a man named David
Greco. It is found in his book: "Renew Me --
Finding the Holy Spirit When in Spiritual Crisis."David (who is tri-lingual) is a man of extraordinary
gifts and abilities. He grew up in the church, attended Bible College and
seminary, and went on for his doctorate in theology at Temple University in Philadelphia.
He became involved in a radio outreach
ministry based in New York City, which broadcast to Cuba, Puerto Rico, the
Dominican Republic, and parts of Central and South America. All
went better than anyone could have ever hoped -- until a group of
people started to spread false accusations about his motives, and accused him
of fraud and deception and using monies raised for the ministry for personal
gain. Everything started to unravel.
He writes: "The Lord told us... "Don't defend
yourselves, I'm working"... However, when there are slanderers and
malicious people; when accusations stain our reputations and our whole vision
(and life work) is in danger, it isn't so easy. My life revolved around
the ministry. If the ministry collapsed, so would my life."
Things deteriorated
rapidly as funds dried up, lawyers threatened action, and "Jesus didn't move; He
didn't even seem to react." Then, after an
extended time of anxiety, struggle, tears, and both mental and physical exhaustion, he took a trip to Orlando,
Florida, where he heard a preacher share a message about Abraham from Genesis
17. He shared how at 99 years old Abraham faced an impossible situation
and found himself waiting for a miracle. That's where our
selection picks up. I trust his words will encourage you. Enjoy.
"The message was for
me. God had spoken to me. I had to follow Abraham's example. In the final
prayer I promised God that even though I didn't understand the details, I was
going to obey His Word. That same morning we packed our suitcases and
returned to New York. I honestly didn't remember much of the trip, even though
I was driving. My wife and girls slept most of the way. In those silent hours,
the Holy Spirit cut my heart in a thousand pieces with His sword. I felt
small, incapable, and ignorant. I felt like a beggar, a man in need, an
invalid.
This was the work of the
Holy Spirit. Although I felt weak, I didn't feel desperate. There was a
confidence in me that I couldn't understand. The smaller I felt, the more
confident and secure I felt. Confidence in my own knowledge and skills disappeared. My trust in
the almighty God, El Shaddai, grew. He, only He, could produce a miracle.
He, only He, could change my heart and renew me...
How different
are God's ways! How many times we think that He prefers strong,
solid, and victorious believers. We think God prospers those who try hard,
those who are always doing something in the church. Are not these the
ones who are constantly testifying about what God is doing in their
lives?
My wife and I have two
girls and a little boy... We love them all the same. However, when one gets
sick or doesn't feel well, we devote all our efforts to comfort and take care
of that child. Why? Because the son or daughter who is sick needs our attention
more than those who are well. If we, being imperfect parents, know how to give
good gifts to our children, how much more will our Father, who didn't
spare His own Son, protect us and take good care of us...
Are you going through
a desert of loneliness? Has God promised you something that you haven't
received? Are you waiting for God's direction, and it won't come? Is there a
threat over your life, over your family, or over your marriage? Are you
rejected? Are your talents despised? Do you feel abandoned? Don't despair! The
almighty God is about to appear in your life...
In the midst of a critical
situation, God captures our attention. In the midst of a crisis where there is
no way out, we look for alternatives. This is where the hunger begins. Renewal
begins with the hunger for God --hunger to reach new experiences, new signs,
and new insights of God's work in our heart. Because of my pride and my self-sufficiency, I had never developed this
desperate hunger. However, through this trial, God was humbling me...
I have prayed, begged and
interceded with God to set us free [from the hindrances
some have caused to our radio ministry]. But my prayer hasn't been
answered -- yet. God hasn't removed those obstacles yet... The reality is I
haven't seen the fulfillment yet. The
obstacles still remain, but they don't bother me anymore. When I look at
the problems, I give thanks to God because I know He is already removing them.
I have faith. My faith didn't come because I heard an inspiring message. My faith
came from the Word of God and the preaching of the Word...
I don't produce faith. I
don't have to manipulate my emotions to be able to feel faith. I don't have to
enter into a psychological frenzy to be able to feel enthusiasm, optimism
and hope. Faith is a gift of God. Faith is a gift God gives to worshipers
who share with Him in communion.
Without
grace, there is no faith.
Without communion (with God), there is no faith.
Without true prayer, there is no faith.
Without worship, there is no faith.
Without the revelation of the heart of God, there is no faith.
Faith
is my response to such revelation... The revelation of God's heart, the
manifestation of His will and purpose during times of communion with Him --
that is what produces faith."
As Martin Luther
once said, "Until God makes a man
nothing, He can make nothing out of him." There is a blessedness in being broken.
Like a sealed alabaster jar of ointment, the fragrance does not spill out until
the jar is broken open. The Spirit's power is actually hindered by our
"togetherness." What we need is not to be in control, and have
it all together, but be pushed beyond
our limits until God breaks us of our need to feel like we must be in control. For so long as we
are trying to control things, we effectively quench the Spirit.
In this sense Isaiah
30:15 is revealing: "In
repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your
strength." Not in
frenzied activity. Not in more programs and meetings. Not in more
strenuous efforts or grand personal achievements. Not in the things
done by us, but in repentance for thinking we could ever do the work of
God in our own feeble strength. In a determination to rest in His
love, good purposes and provision, and sovereign unstoppable might!
In a determination to be quiet before Him and trust Him to move in response to our heartfelt prayers.
To Him who is able to do
immeasurably more than we could ever ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20), Pastor
Jeff
