Holy Anticipation

The Batterson Blog - Thoughts on Life and Leadership

Posted: 03 Feb 2010 06:23 AM PST

I live my life with a holy anticipation. I genuinely believe that God could come out of nowhere at any given moment, invade the reality of my life, and change everything forever!


I'm reading in Ezekiel this week and I love the specificity of Ezekiel 40:1: "In the twenty-fifth year of our exile, at the beginning of the year, on the tenth day of the month, in the fourteenth year after the city was struck down, on that very day, the hand of the Lord was upon me."


In the margin of my Bible I wrote: this could be the day.

This could be the day that God gives you a vision. This could be the day you experience a breakthrough. This could be the day God does a miracle. This could be the day the hand of the Lord comes upon you.


I also like the New Testament version of this Old Testament truth. The Message translation of Philippians 4:4 says: He could show up any minute!


May we live with that holy anticipation.
 
Mark Batterson

Keep the Faith

This morning I read Hebrews 11. When I looked at that reference, I thought "hey, I've read that or part of that chapter before, I know what it's about". Last night I really felt like I was losing faith. In many things in my life...and if that's every happened to you, you know that's not a good thing. Losing faith can lead to a plethora of bad things: lack of motivation, hope, depression..the list could go on and on. One of my pet peeves is repetition, but Hebrews 11 does a good job of repeating things and I have to say, I like it. "By faith..." "By faith..." "By faith..." "By faith..."....Over and over and over. Various accounts of different people are told and how they did one thing or another "by faith". We can't have faith in circumstances or even people. Well, we can, but we shouldn't have the bulk of our faith there. Our faith, our hope needs to be in God, first and foremost, then it can trickle down into the other areas. If we lose hope in the small things, we need to remember that we should still have hope in God because He is the ultimate source of everything. Of our strength, our hope, our joy, and our faith. Every once in awhile, you may lose faith in what you are doing or people or whatever. If that happens, turn back to God. Ask Him to remind you of your faith in Him, or if you've even started to lose faith in Him, ask Him to restore your faith in Him. God's good at restoration...it's one of many things that He does. He'll restore you back to where you should be or need to be, all you have to do is seek Him. This morning, my prayer is that we will seek God in such a way that we regain our faith in everything. Starting with Him and flowing down to each and every area that is lacking or, if not lacking, giving it a little extra. You can never have too much.



Keep the Faith

Dove Sister Adeola Oyelabi

For God or To God?

From The Batterson Blog - Thoughts on Life and Leadership

Posted: 03 Feb 2010 05:16 AM PST

I read a verse that stopped me in my tracks this morning. The Holy Spirit arrested me. If I were completely honest, I'd have to admit that most of "my ministry" has been for God not to God. I don't think that is just semantics. It's a whole different paradigm. So many of us are so busy ministering for God that we rarely minister to God.


Ezekiel 44:16 wrecked me today: "They shall enter my sanctuary, and they shall approach my table, to minister to me, and they shall keep my charge." Makes me think of the original commission in Matthew 10. Before Jesus "sent them out" he called them "to him." I think one of the greatest dangers leaders face is this: we get focused on what God wants to do THROUGH us instead of what God wants to do IN us.


Are you ministering for God or to God?
I think it's both/and, but you better prioritize ministry to God.

Hello everyone! I just realized that it has been a while since I've updated you all on upcoming events. This week marks the beginning of our Virtuous Woman Campaign entitled THE HUNT. We are searching for the most wanted woman in the Kingdom. While most of these events are geared towards Wednesday, check out the panel and The White Room, where those of the male persuasion are greatly encouraged to attend, as it shall be poppin! Here goes:

Monday:
"A Woman's Worth" Dining With the Doves | Fuddruckers | 7pm meet in front of Blackburn

Tuesday:
"Who's That Lady?" Afternoon Tea | Chapel Lounge | 12-2pm

Wednesday:
"Career vs. Calling" Panel Discussion | Locke Auditorium | 7:29pm

Thursday:
The White Room: Virtuousity | East Ballroom | 7:29pm

Friday:
Prayer at the Flagpole 1pm
"High Maintenance" Pampering Session | Annex Seminar Room | 5-7pm

Saturday:
"Royalty" Princess Mentoring Session | Lincoln Heights | 10:30am-4pm

Hope to see yall there!!!!