GOOD NEWS APPOINTMENTS

The Good News Appointments are probably my favorite type of appointment that God arranges for me. This is when you are given an opportunity or God has arranged an appointment for you to bring a bit of Him verbally into a situation. The appointment may be to speak a word of truth, to tell a part of how God is working in your life,to interject his name, or even to invite a person into life in Christ. Peter, in his letter, says that we need to always be ready.

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect… 1 Peter 3:15 NIV

Ready for the Good News Appointments God is preparing for us. I had one of these appointments this past week at the desk of the motel I was staying at. I was in conversation with the young woman behind the counter and began to ask if she were involved in a church or spiritual things. She answered in a way many people do. She mentioned involvement in a church but not really active or engaged. I casually mentioned that the great thing about Jesus is that more than going to church, He wants us to know how much he loves us and wants the best for us. It was simple. It was true. And it was Good News.

She didn’t kneel down and receive Jesus as her Lord and Savior. But Good News was planted; and she and I were blessed. Look for these Good News opportunities. And, by the way, notice how Peter describes us doing this: gentleness and respect. It will make for a much better and more enjoyable appointment if you remember his words of guidance.

Your partner in the gospel,
Pastor Paul

PRAYER APPOINTMENTS

You’ve had this happen haven’t you? Your sitting at your desk minding your own business and all of the sudden someone comes into your mind and you have this sense that you should be talking to God about that person. This is a God Appointment and in particular a Prayer Appointment.

A Prayer Appointment is a prompting from the Holy Spirit to intercede (pray) for someone. Often times you might not even be aware of why you are praying. You just know that God has placed this person on your heart or in your mind. And so you bring their name before God.

Other times you are completely aware. Like a man named Epaphras (if you are looking for names for your kid this is a good one). The Apostle Paul mentions that he is wrestling in prayer (kind of an interesting description) and that he had specific things he was praying about.

Epapharas, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured. Colossians 4:12 NIV

I know that many of us don’t think we are “good at prayer.” Well, these Prayer Appointments are wonderful opportunities that God give us. I have a prayer quote that I have committed to memory: The people around you need prayer and you need the practice.

Go ahead be ready for these God Appointments – the promptings to pray!

Your partner in the gospel,
Pastor Paul

GOD APPOINTMENTS

Many of us have experienced it. We experience the sense that we are in a situation that God has designed a particular moment for a higher purpose. He planned for this arrangement to take place and, thankfully, you stepped in and made yourself available! I like to call these God Appointments. An appointment that God planned and we had the opportunity to step into it.

God Appointments are all around us and I believe prepared for us every day. To be honest I miss them often, but I am seeking to be more aware and attentive to His presence and therefore his appointments.

These God appointments are wonderful and truly do have impact. Sometimes when I am in a God moment I realize it right away. Other times I become aware after the fact. But the reality is, when I step into the appointment and serve His purpose, God uses me for a higher purpose, for the sake of His Kingdom. I love that and I am honored.

“…created in Christ Jesus to do good works which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

In the next few posts, I would like to briefly describe some of the types of God Appointments that God will make for us. Feel free to contribute yourself stories and appointments that you have been blessed to experience.
Your partner in the gospel,
Pastor Paul

I have been rereading Brother Lawrence’s classic book: Practicing the Presence of God. And partially because of that book I am seeking to be more attentive and aware of the presence of God in my life. And I am inviting those at HOPE, the church that I pastor, to participate in this discipline with me. We are calling it the 1,3, 10 Practice. The Practice is like this:

1 – Go on a God Hunt each day and find look for the evidence of His working in you, through you, or around you each day and then to tell someone about how you noticed Him.
3 – At least 3 times a day acknowledge God’s presence with you. The added benefit is that as we acknowledge His presence we will also be reminding ourselves to be more attentive and aware.
10 – For 10 minutes each day give yourself to being specifically attentive God through a time of personal devotion. This is a 10 minute commitment to prayer, silence, listening, reading or whatever helps you be specifically attentive to Him.

Now here is the kicker. I have struggled with this the last few days. It seems like I am struggling with it more than normal. But it shouldn’t surprise me! The Enemy does not want me to do is to be aware and attentive to the presence of God. Further, the Enemy does not want me living in the specific presence of God communicating with Him and living with Him. The Enemy does not want me Emmanuel-ing. And so, it seems, that he has specifically kicked up the attack. My attitude has been ugly, my schedule busy, blah blah blah.

The big question is am I going to let the enemy keep me sidelined? NOPE!

Hey, if you are seeking to grow spiritually and taking steps to make that happen...don’t be surprised if the enemy seeks to thwart your efforts. But remember: “…the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4

Your partner in the gospel,

Pastor Paul