Tuesday, April 13, 2010

"Stand Up"

I don't know about you but sometimes I fell like I fall so short of what God wants to do in my life and how God wants to use me. Sometimes I get focused on my weakness and failures and feel that I have very little to offer to God or others. But then God reminds me that He chooses to use those who are weak and broken-those who have failed and will fail again. All He asks of me is to "Stand Up."

Peter had failed Jesus-he had denied him three times and deserted him. Peter had even gone back to fishing-but then He encountered the Risen Lord and Peter's life was changed. Peter was the first one to stand up and speak to the small band of disciples in the upper room (Acts 1:15). Peter was the first one to stand up and speak to the large crowd who had gathered on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:14).

God chose to use a weak and broken man-one who had failed miserably. All Peter had to do was "Stand Up". When he did, God did some amazing things.

I wonder what God will chose to do today in my life if I am willing to "Stand UP"? I don't know, but I do know I will never know if I don't "Stand Up". So, today I will "Stand Up". What about you, will you "Stand Up"? Let me know, I'd love to hear what God is up to in your life.

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Real Life Change...

I love stories of life change.

I attended a Graduation Event at the Reno/Sparks Gospel Mission last night. All I can say is WOW and Praise God.

Eleven men and women had completed an intense, in-house recovery program that lasts anywhere from 13-16 months. And believe me, it is intense and comprehensive. What a great celebration of Life-change. It reminded me that it's never too late for real life change.

They shared story after story of addictions, ruined lives, guilt, shame and broken relationships that had been transformed by the power of the gospel and the commitment of the mission to address real life issues for everyone. A story of a broken marriage-put back together. A story of a mother who was reunited with her child. Stories of addictions that were broken and lives with no direction or hope filled now with both.

Some shared they came against their own wills and wanted nothing to do with Jesus Christ. Some came because they were at the end of their rope and had nowhere else to turn. Everyone of them talked about how they had encountered Christ and He had changed their lives. That's the power of the gospel.

I can away energized about continuing to preach the gospel and being reminded about the Hope that we have through the resurrection of Jesus Christ for our lives to be transformed. Whatever challenges are in front of you, whatever personal battles or addictions you may face today, there is Hope for your life to be transformed by the power of the gospel and there is Hope for those that you love as well.

I don't know about you, but that excites me...