reverb

Mirror

MIRROR. Have you looked in a mirror today? What did you see? I would suggest that to a great extent, it's what others see when they look at you.

James says that God's Word is like a mirror. How's that? When we look into the Word, it reveals to us what God sees in us and how He sees us. He sees us for who we are in Him and at the same time, were we're currently at in contrast to that wonderful image. The more we look into His Word and see ourselves the way He does, the greater the potential for positive transformation!

The reason I say potential transformation is because in the context in which James is speaking here, he's telling us that looking into God's Word is good, but it's not enough...it's not the most important thing. What is? Doing what it says!

James 1:22 (NIV)"Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says."

Think about it...if you look in a mirror and don't like the image that's looking back at you...simply disliking what you see, won't change what you see. You have to do something about it! The same is true with God's Word...simply looking into it, whether by reading it, listening to it or even studying it won't change us. We must do what it says! The need is not more information or deeper revelation, but rather, application! Just do it!

Trust

TRUST. That certainly seems to be God's word to me this week on many levels. Julie and I were able to get away for a little R & R last week. It was great! However, upon return we received some news that quickly depleted whatever renewal had been restored.

A little like your 401K...about the time you think it's being built back up, there's another drop in the market. That's where trust comes into the picture. I would add, more importantly who or what are we placing our trust in.

Whether it's the economy, a personal crisis or a mission that God has invited you to join Him in---it all comes back to trust and trusting Him! Trusting God completely means having faith that He knows what's best for your life and He will work it out. You expect Him to keep His promises, help you with your problems and do the impossible.

Imagine being in Noah's shoes...it took him 120 years to build the ark. I imagine he faced many discouraging days. With no sign of rain year after year, he was most likely criticized as a "crazy man who thinks God speaks to him." I can only imagine how embarrassed his kids were by this giant boat being built in their yard. Yet Noah kept on trusting God!

Psalm 147:11 (TEV) "...but he takes pleasure in those who honor him, in those who trust in his constant love."

Testify

TESTIFY.  Have you ever been called on to 'testify' in court?  Such an assignment is typically a little unsettling due to the fact that the circumstances are most often related to something negative.

However, to 'testify' in and of itself is not negative, but rather neutral.  It really comes down to what we're testifying about.  After all, God has called on each of us as His witnesses (ACTS 1:8) to 'testify' about His activity. To testify means to make known or to declare publicly. The writers of the Psalms talk about declaring the wonders and works of God...

PSALM 105:1 (NIV)  Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name;  make known among the nations what he has done.

It is our responsibility as His followers to make known what He has done, to 'testify' about His activity in and among us. I want to invite/challenge you to 'testify'... make known what God has done in your life.  Here are a few suggestions.

1)       Tell your family, friends, small group.
2)       E-mail me or post your 'testimony' on my blog (ReVerb)
3)       Easter Weekend...via a cardboard testimony and/or water baptism.  To testify means to declare publically or to make a declaration of faith. Water baptism is a public declaration of our faith. Let's work together to make this Easter the best ever as we 'testify' to a hurting world about the goodness of our God!  Let's make His praise glorious!

Keith

Morrison Gathering

Spending time at our Morrison Pre-launch Gathering.