Monday, March 23, 2009

Godly Positioning Scripture


Colossians 1:9-10 - For this reason we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of His Will through all Spiritual Wisdom and Understanding. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God.

“So Kenny, how do you like the Garmin GPS (Global Positioning Satellite receiver) you received for participating in a the Emerald Extra (agricultural herbicide use program) program last year?” Frank inquired as Kenny sipped on his afternoon coffee. Kenny jokingly responded, “I don’t know, I have to have my son in-law set it up, or program it for me.”

We discussed the benefits of traveling with the services of a GPS unit. While riding to a meeting with a co-worker in Omaha, his GPS instructed him to move to the right lane where he would exit in ¾ of a mile; once at the stop light after exiting; he was told to turn left and proceed one mile. These segment-by-segment instructions continued until we arrived at the conference’s host hotel. Confusion would incur if given too many instructions at once.

With too many advanced instructions, we may attempt shortcuts. I recall an evening in Manhattan when a couple of my teammates and I needed to stop by a home before attending the end of the season banquet. I was unfamiliar with this part of town; I wanted to follow the systematic directions. Daniel claimed he knew a better way to arrive at our desired destination, his way proved to be more scenic, winding around several neighborhoods, and time consuming; perhaps you may define this as ‘better’. Daniel and I laughed a long time over his ‘shortcuts’.

This is how life is frequently for me, how about you? Do you ever attempt shortcuts in life? When I do attempt shortcuts, a greater amount of time is required in reaching my destination, the route winds around. However, efficiency occurs when I tune in to the Holy Spirit, He programs His GPS as I study scripture, and fervently pray, continually seeking Him. The voice of the Lord instructs me on positions and exits, including which way to turn. This voice often speaks through our conscious, and our ‘hunches’.

Often, just like traveling in a city, I do not see the destination until I arrive. Without Godly Positioning Scripture (GPS), I am lost in my life’s journey. With Godly Positioning Scripture, we attain our destinations efficiently and peacefully; yet, we still must drive. We must seek God’s Will through Spiritual Wisdom and Understanding. Just as a GPS in our vehicle mandates our attentiveness, our Lord necessitates our attentiveness in life.

Kenny may not know how to program a Garmin GPS, however, I listen to Kenny share wisdom acquired in his 60+ years of life. Kenny is an intelligent man, a successful farmer. He humbly denies credit for any of his success, acknowledging his blessings. He remains positive despite losing both of his sons.

Kenny a man of deep faith knows a great deal about Godly Positioning Scripture (GPS). He continually points his life’s ambitions to our Lord. Kenny listens studies scripture, fervently prays, listening to the Holy Spirit; continually seeking God’s Will through Spiritual Wisdom and Understanding.

You may or may not have a handheld Global Positioning Satellite unit; nevertheless be sure to continually use Godly Positioning Scripture in allowing the Holy Spirit to guide your life. This too comes in many hand held varieties.

I pray God continually fill you with the knowledge of His Will through all Spiritual Wisdom and Understanding.

See Christ, Believe Christ, Achieve with Christ!
Rick E. Meyer
www.rickemeyer.com






Sunday, March 1, 2009

Listen and Give Generously

"The Righteous Give without Sparing, he who has, receives even more" ~ Proverbs

Have you ever thought you were hearing and obeying God, yet the results appeared opposite of what you believed God promised you?

I visited with a friend, Gene, concerning a scenario he recently encountered. Gene is a contract worker; he places and submits bids to committees, they compare his offerings and bid versus his competitors. Gene placed a bid, confident in the attainment, he knew his service matched exactly what the committee was seeking and he heard the still small voice of the Holy Spirit speak to him. The voice assured him he would, after tithing and setting a portion for savings; pay for half of a long-term debt from the money with the accepted bid.

Gene recognized the voice of the Holy Spirit from numerous conversations; including hundreds of definitive affirmations throughout his life. Gene continually thanked the Lord in prayers and thanksgiving for the opportunity and the income. The committee delayed their decision, initially promised in a week, to five weeks. Before receiving a reply, Gene once again heard the Holy Spirit instruct him to increase his tithe and offering an additional twenty percent (20%). Gene believes in tithing (10%) all gross income, including all travel expense reimbursements, such as meals and hotels.


He believes God’s anointing of this money and activities are equally important as any other income he receives. The voice assured him this obedience would result in the promised income, paying half of a debt.

Absent human logic and drastically tightening his budget, Gene responded in obedience. Gene’s obedient actions produced the overwhelming Peace of God surpassing all human understanding. Conversely, his checkbook indicated a lack of prudence. Have you had this experience? A few days later, Gene received the phone call he had been expecting for a month from the committee chairwoman rewarding the contracts. However, the response contradicted the promise of the voice Gene obeyed. A competitor received the contract, not Gene.

How would you respond? Naturally, Gene was disappointed; he lacked understanding of this apparent failing. Did he miss diagnose the source of the voice? Did he only respond in partial obedience to the voice? While lacking the answers, he praised God for the opportunity, continually requesting additional wisdom. Two weeks later, Gene received his statement of his long-term debt. The account statement displayed an anonymous payment, equaling the precise amount promised Gene from the voice of the Holy Spirit. Gene did correctly understand his financial needs are met as promised by the Holy Spirit, once again he did correctly hear the voice of God. Has this ever occurred to you?

Gene’s only error came in the logic of needing the contract before receiving the money. Why does God work this way, instead of simply rewarding Gene the contract? God’s wisdom is infinitely greater than ours! The possibilities are endless. God reminded Gene to always trust Him to supply his needs. God’s actions often exceed the correlation of our human logic. When you fail to receive a pray request, explore deeply. Is God answering you, meeting your needs differently than you envision.

I shared this story of Gene, with permission, with my friend Chuck. Chuck related the experience of adopting their daughter several years ago. The need originated for additional funds beyond the stated amount for the adoption. Chuck related he and his wife were disappointed, especially since they were unaware of how to attain the additional monies. He responded the only way he knew, praying to Jesus Christ, listening to the voice of the Holy Spirit, they doubled their offering. An abundance of money poured in, the adoption complete.

Listen to the Lord, tune in to His voice. Be obedient and faithful, He will fulfill His promises in your life.

Make it a Great Day in Christ!
Rick

Rick Meyer Speaking