Click on the title to this post and it will take you to a commentary on John 5. It is long but will change your life's view on mercy.
One of my all-time favorite sermons from my pastor, Gary Simons, is from John 5. I can see myself in the sanctuary when he taught on this just like it was yesterday and it was probably 2-3 yrs ago. I know the section where I was sitting but I do not remember what I was wearing. I remember the Power of God hitting me to where I jumped up and down with my right arm pumping in the air and my Bible tucked under my left arm. I remember being stirred up when he laid down on the platform describing the lame man who was near the pool for 38 yrs but never made it in when the waters were stirred by the Holy Spirit. I remember the stirring inside of me getting stronger the more Pastor Gary scooted himself to the edge of the stage describing how when we want to be healed by God bad enough, we will find a way to get in the water. My spirit exploded when he rolled down the stairs! It was one of the most awesome experiences in my life thus far.
Well somehow God will connect my study time this morning to my request to have a "heart for God". I believe this means that when I ask Him for things and do things that my primary motive is to please Him and glorify Him on earth. I know He is cleaning some things out and replacing those spaces with Him but I do not understand all that I am changing into. All I know is that I am excited and I am trying hard to surrender my agenda and embrace His. It is harder than it seems because of my list of things I wanted to read and study this summer. Right now all I hear from Him is, "Focus on the love." Focus on loving people. Learn how to love differently. Listen to their hearts not look at their actions. Show mercy, compassion and love. People need it. This involves risking rejection, people thinking I am a fanatic or Jesus freak and I have to embrace that. Part of the commentary link I read this morning for John 5 stated that as Believers we must pass through evil and good reports, plus avoid listening to both. The good reports of what others say God is doing in our lives could make us boast on us and not God; and the evil reports of what God is not doing right now could make us depressed.
Prior to asking for a "heart for God", I continously ask for wisdom. I have received a lot in my 41 yrs but I really want a heart for God. I read in an article from Dr. Charles Stanley how Solomon was one of the wisest men that ever lived but did not always make wise decisions. Plus in the midst of his wisdom, he let go his heart for God and sin just took over his life. Love supercedes wisdom so that's what I am going after and believing that the love will bring wisdom also. Thank You Holy Spirit for the pool of Mercy I am in right now!
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Gas Light and Door
I believe I have learned my lesson now to not wait until my gas light comes on to get gas. I use to ride around a few more kilometers estimating how many more miles I had left before I would be driving on grace and fumes. Thanks to my Lord and Savior I have never had to walk due to running out of gas or any other malfunctions so Lord I truly appreciate Your grace!
Well today I ran errands, went to work, ran more errands, went back to work and as I was heading home the gas light came one so I thought I better get gas now or I won't make it to church in the morning. Plus I do not have time to stop in the morning so I actually drove by my apt complex to the closest gas station. My intent was to get only $5 because their gas is higher than most gas stations and tomorrow afternoon I would stop at a cheaper station and fill up. This would be enough to turn off the "low gas" light and to another gas station tomorrow.
Jammin' to Toby Mac as I pulled into the station and having a positive attitude as usual, I turn off the radio, take out my debit card, turn off the A/C then the ignition. Same routine for me. Push down on the lever to pop the door to my gas cover and nothing happened. I do it 5 - 6 more times and nothing. My first thought is that this has to work because I need gas.
After standing in 90+ degree heat praying over my car, thanking God Duchess is not with me, hoping anyone of the men who keep pulling up to buy gas would offer to help me since I am using my keys to try and pry it open but none offer. I go inside and ask a man who I saw pull up in a car with the same make as mine and asked if he knew of another way to open it and he suggested using my keys to pry it open. I go back out to try it and afraid to break the door and/or my keys so I stop. I go inside and ask the store clerks for a screw driver and they ask a customer to help me. He takes two screw drivers and is concerned about breaking the door so stop after he sees he is scratching my car. Scratches were the least of my concerns.
So I call my neighbor for suggestions but no answer. I call my friend and no answer but text reply she is unable to talk. So I text her my dilemma and she responds with suggestions. I call roadside assistance but they cannot help because it is considered maintenance and they only offer towing or fuel. I need fuel and the door to the fuel open but that did not apply.
So my friend tells me to call her husband. He recommends going to Auto Zone or Pep Boys and asking one of them to pop it open. I was not forsure if I had enough gas to make it a mile up the street to Auto Zone but what other choice did I have. So without shame, I laid my hands over the door of my gas tank and prayed out loud and asked God for favor to make it to Auto Zone and for someone who could resolve this issue. I agreed to drive by faith and not by sight.
All three traffic lights turned green between the gas station and Auto Zone so I did not have to stop and idle. When I got inside, I tried my best not to look distressed or desperate but realized I was because I began babbling to the clerk when I was asking for help. He was cute but that was not on my mind at the time. Somehow he deciphered that I was asking him to pop the door to my gas tank.
He came out to my car with the screw driver but nothing would budge. He pushed the lever down on the inside of the car that failed for me, and wahla- the door opened. I asked how he did it and he jokingly began asking me how long I have had the car as if I did not know how to operate the gas door lever. Then he pulled the lever up and the trunk and gas door opened. That's not suppose to happen. We closed the gas door to make sure it was fixed and it would not open again. I began praying out loud and asking God for help not thinking or caring what the Auto Zone employee would think. He seemed determined to help me and he did. He stuck his hand through the lining inside the trunk and pulled out the mechanism that releases the latch to the door. He showed me that it was worn out and rightly so after six years of use. If we both weren't sweaty, I would have hugged him. Instead I just told him to pray I make it across the parking lot to Quik Trip to get gas and I did.
While my tank was filling up with gas, I went inside and bought him a gift card. That was the least I could do for him helping me for free. He provided excellent customer service and technically I was not a customer. Anyway, I drove back to Auto Zone, gave him the gift card, briefly watched his surprise and jetted down the street toward my home.
God is sooooooooooo faithful and gracious that I had to post this!
Jammin' to Toby Mac as I pulled into the station and having a positive attitude as usual, I turn off the radio, take out my debit card, turn off the A/C then the ignition. Same routine for me. Push down on the lever to pop the door to my gas cover and nothing happened. I do it 5 - 6 more times and nothing. My first thought is that this has to work because I need gas.
After standing in 90+ degree heat praying over my car, thanking God Duchess is not with me, hoping anyone of the men who keep pulling up to buy gas would offer to help me since I am using my keys to try and pry it open but none offer. I go inside and ask a man who I saw pull up in a car with the same make as mine and asked if he knew of another way to open it and he suggested using my keys to pry it open. I go back out to try it and afraid to break the door and/or my keys so I stop. I go inside and ask the store clerks for a screw driver and they ask a customer to help me. He takes two screw drivers and is concerned about breaking the door so stop after he sees he is scratching my car. Scratches were the least of my concerns.
So I call my neighbor for suggestions but no answer. I call my friend and no answer but text reply she is unable to talk. So I text her my dilemma and she responds with suggestions. I call roadside assistance but they cannot help because it is considered maintenance and they only offer towing or fuel. I need fuel and the door to the fuel open but that did not apply.
So my friend tells me to call her husband. He recommends going to Auto Zone or Pep Boys and asking one of them to pop it open. I was not forsure if I had enough gas to make it a mile up the street to Auto Zone but what other choice did I have. So without shame, I laid my hands over the door of my gas tank and prayed out loud and asked God for favor to make it to Auto Zone and for someone who could resolve this issue. I agreed to drive by faith and not by sight.
He came out to my car with the screw driver but nothing would budge. He pushed the lever down on the inside of the car that failed for me, and wahla- the door opened. I asked how he did it and he jokingly began asking me how long I have had the car as if I did not know how to operate the gas door lever. Then he pulled the lever up and the trunk and gas door opened. That's not suppose to happen. We closed the gas door to make sure it was fixed and it would not open again. I began praying out loud and asking God for help not thinking or caring what the Auto Zone employee would think. He seemed determined to help me and he did. He stuck his hand through the lining inside the trunk and pulled out the mechanism that releases the latch to the door. He showed me that it was worn out and rightly so after six years of use. If we both weren't sweaty, I would have hugged him. Instead I just told him to pray I make it across the parking lot to Quik Trip to get gas and I did.
While my tank was filling up with gas, I went inside and bought him a gift card. That was the least I could do for him helping me for free. He provided excellent customer service and technically I was not a customer. Anyway, I drove back to Auto Zone, gave him the gift card, briefly watched his surprise and jetted down the street toward my home.
God is sooooooooooo faithful and gracious that I had to post this!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
