Monday, November 30, 2009

Little Things Part 2














At certain times of the year there are words none of us like to hear. In April it’s the word “taxes."

During the holidays it’s the word “debt” and when you were younger it was “cuties.”

But year round there is perhaps one word in the English language that none of us enjoy hearing regardless of age, and that’s the word “obey.”

In Exodus 3, we see God calling Moses to destiny; the burning bush encounter. Moses then goes to his father-n-law to tell him the news and starts heading to Egypt. Then we read in just a few verses later, “And it came to pass on the way, at the encampment, that the LORD met him and sought to kill him.” (Exodus 4:24)

As we read, we discover the reason why. Oh, and keep in mind the God of the universe who knows everything, who knew the “issue” before He called Moses in Exodus 3:4, still called Moses.

“Then Zipporah, Moses’ wife, took a sharp stone and cut off the foreskin of her son and cast it at Moses] feet, and said, “Surely you are a husband of blood to me!” So He let him go. Then she said, “You are a husband of blood!”—because of the circumcision." (Exodus 4:25)

She knew what the issue was, not obeying God’s command about circumcision

Life principle number two when it comes to little things; “little things hamper the power of God in our lives.”

Moses was a Hebrew and knew that all Hebrew boys were to be circumcised. His son was not, and really if you listen closely you can understand why he wasn’t. You can hear the reasoning at the dinner table. Zipporah, who was not Hebrew tells Moses, “I don’t want that done to my son, besides Moses, you’ll never see your people again, what’s the point?” At the time I’m sure this made sense to Moses. He had no plans to return.

What seemed like a little thing at the time now has become a big problem.

Sound familiar?

Isn’t that true how we justify and rationalize our reasons for not obeying?

The problem is, we are not God. We don’t see everything and know what the future holds. How we choose to obey God’s commands either facilitates or hamper the power of God in our lives.

Choose today to not allow any little act of disobedience to hamper the power of God in your life. Remove those seemingly harmless little justifications for sin or self pleasures that grieve God and allow the power of God to flow through you to fulfill the call He has for you.

Live out your destiny in power.

Sunday, November 29, 2009

Little Things: Part 1














In the Hebrew vineyards, there were watchtowers placed throughout. Men would watch for possible thieves, for animals looking for food. Once an intruder was discovered it was quickly disposed of. However on many occasions the tops of the vine would rot and die to many of the watchman's surprise, they'd then discover the base of the vine had been eaten on and they could not spot this problem from their towers.

Solomon pens these words, "it's the little foxes that spoil the vine." (Song of Solomon 2:15)

Smaller animals not big enough to be seen from the watchtowers were going unnoticed and killing the harvest.

I'd like to share with you four thoughts about "small things" that I'm currently developing a series on, I hope you enjoy them.

Psalms 137:9 is one of the sickest verse if you read it by itself, in fact, it would be some very confusing counsel if followed without the fullness of it's content.
At the time, King David is writing songs about many of the great things of God, and many of the sorrow of Israel. These words that David writes come after an enemy nation's army burnt down their homes, taken their men into captivity, raped their women and killed their children.
David writes, "happy is the one that takes and dashes your baby's heads against the rocks!"

Life principle number one when it comes to little things; "little things don't stay little."

David knew that one day those little babies would grow up and one day be warriors that Israel would do battle with, that would burn their homes, rape their women and kill their men.
In our lives we must be aware of the "little things" that we are playing with and think are "no big deal" or "can give up anytime" or "nothing wrong with" because the truth is, little things don't stay little. God told Cain that "sin lies at the door and it's desire is to rule over you."
Notice God said, "lies" He didn't say busting down the door, or barges in. Sin waits, it starts small, it creeps.
It's a little thing now, but over time it will grow.
Little things don't stay little.

Join me in the ongoing quest to ask God to help me get rid of the "little things" in my life that I've allowed to creep in. He is faithful and His mercy and grace are sufficient to help us overcome the little things before they become big.

Happy bashing.

Saturday, November 7, 2009

Wisdom from a Child

"Daddy, what did you want to be when you grew up?" My six year old daughter asked me.

"Well, for a while, I wanted to me an architect and build things. But then I thought about pursuing acting to become an actor." (mainly due to my drama friends in high school)

"What's an actor?" She responded.
"You know a person who you see on videos and movies. But I really found out what God wanted me to be when I started pastoring." I replied.

"It sounds to me you do all those things; you built a house, churches and us beds and you're in lots of videos and you pastor lots of people." She responded.

Hmm... A people builder, media engaging Pastor. Yes, that does sound about right.

I'm currently putting together information that I will release in January concerning the next steps in our journey as we follow God.
If you'd like to receive an information packet about our next steps and pray with us about it, email me at ministry@vincefarrell.com

Yours for His Kingdom,
Vince Farrell
www.vincefarrell.com

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

I'd like some wisdom, please.

There is a saying that goes, “with age comes wisdom.”

Sounds nice, should even be true, right? If you’re like me you’ve met some older people who have no more sense than when they were teens.

James 1:5 says, “if any of you lacks wisdom, ask God, who gives liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”

I notice in this verse that there seems to be no age limit on who can ask or receive wisdom. In fact I believe the older I get the more and more I need wisdom.

My father-n-law and I have been talking, praying and seeking God about some plans I’ve shared with him concerning church planting. I want to make sure the time and place is a God thing and not a Vince idea.

He has told me, “Vince, if you make a mistake, you can recover. But at my age if I make a mistake, I die with that mistake.”

Why?

Recovery time.

The older we get the more and more we must seek God’s wisdom. A life that constantly seeks out Godly wisdom will one day get the luxury of saying, “at my age, I’ve got some wisdom.”