Be Present: Rejoice by Robert Dickerson

Adversity, and perseverance and all these things can shape you. They can give you a value and a self-esteem that is priceless. --Scott Hamilton

Rejoice in all things, big and small, good times and times when circumstances don't go as planned. Rejoice when your efforts pay off and rejoice when unexpected blessings come into the life of others. You're part of a much bigger plan in action, we don't always get to see what's coming up, but in everything we need to remember that GOD’s working behind the scenes and so in every event that happens to us, our family, friends, or fellow believers is an opportunity to shower GOD with praises.  He is in our midst . . . always.

Encounter the Word:

What I'm getting at, friends, is that you should simply keep on doing what you've done from the beginning. When I was living among you, you lived in responsive obedience. Now that I'm separated from you, keep it up. Better yet, redouble your efforts. Be energetic in your life of salvation, reverent and sensitive before God. That energy is God's energy, an energy deep within you, God himself willing and working at what will give him the most pleasure.

Do everything readily and cheerfully—no bickering, no second-guessing allowed! Go out into the world uncorrupted, a breath of fresh air in this squalid and polluted society. Provide people with a glimpse of good living and of the living God. Carry the light-giving Message into the night so I'll have good cause to be proud of you on the day that Christ returns. You'll be living proof that I didn't go to all this work for nothing.  –Philippians 2:12-16 [Message]

Paul, locked up in prison, didn't know if he would survive and be released. He took the opportunity presented him and preached GOD’s message to everyone in the prison he could and praised GOD for the chance presented him. If those had been his last days, he chose to praise GOD because he knew the gospel he'd spread had reached the right people who would continue GOD’s work. If he were to be released, he knew that there were going to be more chances in his future to share GOD’s grace with more people who desperately needed it.

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
    I will be exalted among the nations,
    I will be exalted in the earth.”

The Lord Almighty is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our fortress.  --Psalm 46:10-11 [NIV]

It's easy to try and stay focused on the big things, but by doing so we miss so many little things around us that GOD has had His hand in. So many lives that have been touched and all of the possibilities presented to us. Find a still and quiet moment and look back on the last week or last few days. It could be as simple as turning off the radio on the way to work and just listening to GOD as He shows you how He was involved in your life or the life of someone else. Remember to praise GOD for everything in your life because each event, each person you've come across, each story you've heard is an opportunity for growth in Christ.

Encounter Prayer:

Heavenly Father, help me to -- Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not put out the Spirit’s fire. Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject whatever is harmful.

May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it. Amen. –1Thessalonians 5:16-24 [TNIV]

Encounter:

• What do I need to turn off today, so I can listen more intently to GOD?
• What are five things I can praise GOD for this week?
• Who in my life can I offer encouragement to someone to persevere?

Devotional by Robert Dickerson.  Posted by A. Allan Martin by permission.

Be Present: Travel Together by Robert Dickerson

Encounter the Word:

In light of all this, here's what I want you to do. While I'm locked up here, a prisoner for the Master, I want you to get out there and walk—better yet, run!—on the road God called you to travel. I don't want any of you sitting around on your hands. I don't want anyone strolling off, down some path that goes nowhere. And mark that you do this with humility and discipline—not in fits and starts, but steadily, pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love, alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences.

You were all called to travel on the same road and in the same direction, so stay together, both outwardly and inwardly. You have one Master, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who rules over all, works through all, and is present in all. Everything you are and think and do is permeated with Oneness. –Ephesians 4:1-6 [Message]

The church is the people who have come together in Christ's name to worship and honor His name. It's not about individuals, such as your youth leader, a local pastor, or a religious spokesperson. It's about us. . . being together, in Jesus.

Paul was in jail, the local authorities thought that incarcerating this mastermind, "the head honcho," would disable the movement. But the government didn't understand that Paul wasn't the head of the church, Christ Jesus was back then, and He is today. The body of Christ, the believers, kept on going because Christ still lives.  As we travel together, the good news continues to be shared by the church.

The passion and task of spreading the gospel isn't limited to a handful of people, but it is the task of every follower of Christ. We are all one body, with one Master, who have all been baptized in His name and received His presence directly into our hearts. We are all headed down the same path and it is GOD’s desire that we maintain a constant pace, not running ahead, pausing, take a step back, run ahead some more. It is through constant progress that keeps us from burning out or holding back the rest of the body. As we travel together, we are to be in sync with the body of Christ.

When we are baptized into Christ, we accept Him as our sole source of life. He is the ultimate voice in our life, guiding us in our actions and words. But just because you've been baptized is no excuse to stop pursuing GOD. In the grand scheme of things, you're still an infant and how easy is it to deceive and distract an infant from their ultimate goal. Renew your passion for Christ Jesus. Being a part of the body of Christ means continually pursuing His word and will for our lives, staying in constant contact and listening to His voice in the quiet moments. In doing these things, we'll continue to grow and mature and because of that, the devil will have a harder time grabbing your attention. As we travel together, we grow together...becoming more like the One.

Encounter Prayer:

“O GOD, in the course of this busy life, give us times of refreshment and peace; and grant that we may so use our leisure to rebuild our bodies and renew our minds, that our spirits may be opened to the goodness of your creation; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”  —The Book of Common Prayers

Encounter:

• Have you been listening to GOD lately?  What is He sharing with you through this devotional?
• Read Ephesians 4:1-16. What of Paul's counsel is particularly relevant to your life today?
• Being present with GOD helps us grow stronger in our love of His body, the Church. With whom in His body is He asking you to share kindness and grace?  How?

Devotional by Robert Dickerson of Younger Generation Church. Posted by A. Allan Martin by permission.

Be Present: On the Inside by Robert Dickerson

Encounter the Word:

There was a time not so long ago when you were on the outs with God. But then the Jews slammed the door on him and things opened up for you. Now they are on the outs. But with the door held wide open for you, they have a way back in. In one way or another, God makes sure that we all experience what it means to be outside so that he can personally open the door and welcome us back in.

Have you ever come on anything quite like this extravagant generosity of God, this deep, deep wisdom? It's way over our heads. We'll never figure it out.    Is there anyone around who can explain God?
   Anyone smart enough to tell him what to do?
   Anyone who has done him such a huge favor
      that God has to ask his advice?

Everything comes from him;
   Everything happens through him;
   Everything ends up in him.
   Always glory! Always praise!
      Yes. Yes. Yes.

--Romans 11:30-36 [Message]

Do you remember when you were on the outside without GOD in your life, always wondering aimlessly around, going through the daily motions, trying to keep up with the rest of society? It was rough right? Without a sense of direction and purpose, it was tough knowing how to live and who to trust.

But now that you've accepted GOD’s call, you can't look down on those that haven't because they are in the same place where you were. Without accepting GOD’s call you'd still be out there, but because you've accepted His will for your life, you have the opportunity to be used by GOD to reach out and touch the life of someone, showing them GOD’s endless love, showing them how to listen for GOD’s voice, His personal message to them. 

GOD: "Hit the pause button on life. . . breathe in. . . breathe out. . ."

Me: "Speak Lord, for your servant is listening."

Just as Paul never gave up on Israel, so to must we never give up on our family, friends, coworkers, and classmates. You have been called to be a beacon to others, to show them how to let GOD light their path, giving them direction and purpose. GOD is all-knowing and the wisest of the wise, so trust that He knows where your talents are needed. Trust that He'll prepare you and guide you to someone in need of His saving grace. Be a door holder, welcoming others into GOD’s presence.

For a day in your courts is better
    than a thousand elsewhere.
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
    than dwell in the tents of wickedness. –Psalm 84:10 [ESV]

Encounter Prayer:
This is all for you Lord. I give myself completely, without reservation or fine print over to you. Let me be a door holder. Use me so that my praises of You and the way I live my life for You will be a solid witness to someone that's just needlessly spinning in circles. Thank you for calling me in and thank you for the task You've laid out for me. May I always remain faithful to You, for You are my sole reason for living. You are my only reason to praise. You are my everything. Amen.

Encounter:

• As you reflect, who are the people who come to mind that are still “spinning in circles?”  Write their names down and keep them in your prayers in the coming days.
• What role will humility play as you serve as a door holder for GOD’s courts?
• What steps will you take today to make yourself available to others?  What will you need to say "no" to, in order to say “yes” to GOD’s plan for you today?

Devotional by Robert Dickerson of Younger Generation Church. Posted by A. Allan Martin by permission.