Tag Archives: laurie

Crowded Out – Greg Laurie

February 8, 2013 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

“The seeds that fell among the thorns represent those who hear the message, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the cares and riches and pleasures of this life. And so they never grow into maturity.”—Luke 8:14

I have always been amazed by weeds. You can take a little flower, plant it in the perfect location, water it, and make sure there are no pests to threaten it. You can do everything possible for that flower, and it will slowly grow. But then, in the same amount of time, some weed springs up from a little crack in the sidewalk, and that weed chokes out the flower.

But the weed doesn’t suddenly burst out of the ground, grab the flower, and start shaking it. The process is gradual. First, there is a flower growing, and then the weed appears. The next day, the weed is a little closer. And on it goes until the weed starts to wrap itself around the flower and choke out its growth.

That is what Jesus was describing in the parable of the sower when He spoke about those who are “choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity” (Luke 8:14). This is not something that happens overnight; it happens over a period of time.

I also find it interesting that it is the “cares, riches, and pleasures of life” that prevent the seed of God’s Word from maturing and producing fruit. These are not necessarily bad things, in and of themselves. But these are good things that became the most important things and choked out the spiritual things.

This is not a picture of someone who says they don’t want to pray, read the Bible, or go to church. Rather, this represents someone who thinks those are good things to do. But over time, they start losing interest, and the things of this world become more important to them than the things of the next world. And that is what chokes them out spiritually.

Rocky Road Hearers – Greg Laurie

February 7, 2013 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

“The seeds on the rocky soil represent those who hear the message and receive it with joy. But since they don’t have deep roots, they believe for a while, then they fall away when they face temptation.”

—Luke 8:13

Some people like the idea of having their sin forgiven and going to heaven, but when it comes to Jesus’ command to deny themselves, take up the cross, and follow Him, their response is, “Uh, I don’t know. . . . That sounds a little hard. I don’t think I want to do that.” And they turn away.

I believe that if someone professes faith, falls away, and never comes back, it is not an issue of losing their salvation; it is an issue of someone who never was saved to begin with. I base that on 1 John 2:19, which says, “These people left our churches, but they never really belonged with us; otherwise they would have stayed with us. When they left, it proved that they did not belong with us.”

However, I do acknowledge that you can make a commitment to Christ, fall away, and return. A prodigal always will come home. But people who leave and never return are not prodigals; they never were believers. Otherwise, they would return.

Maybe it was unbelief that set in and caused them to fall away. Every new believer, especially, will be hit by tests of their faith. And one of the first things the devil whispers in the ear of a brand-new Christian is, Do you really think God saved you? It isn’t real. That whole Christianity thing isn’t real.

But the assurance of our salvation is not based on our emotions; it is based on what God’s Word has to say. Our confidence should be in Christ Himself. And when we build our foundation on Him, we will be able to weather any storm.

No Other Foundation – Greg Laurie

February 6, 2013 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have —Jesus Christ—1 Corinthians 3:11

How is it that someone could appear to be radically converted and so passionate about their new faith and then, without warning, suddenly give up and walk away?

I have met people who were emotional about Jesus and fired up about their faith, only to later fall into gross sin. What happened? I think they really never were rooted in Christ. Some people are just impulsive by nature. They are always into the latest fad. Whatever gets their attention, that is what they want to be into.

Case in point: exercise equipment. Just walk though a neighborhood on a Saturday afternoon when people have their garage doors open. See all of those exercise machines? How many times have you actually seen someone working out on one of them? Instead, there are usually things hanging on them. Someone decided they were going to get into shape, but their enthusiasm didn’t stand the test of time.

That is what happens with some people who make a commitment to Christ. They may be excited in the beginning, but it doesn’t stand the test of time. One possible explanation is they put their faith on the wrong foundation.

Maybe they decided to follow Christ because their friends did. Or maybe they put their faith in a certain church, and they found out that it wasn’t perfect, that it was filled with flawed people like them. Perhaps some pastor didn’t measure up to their expectations. Whatever the problem was, they didn’t build their foundation on Christ. The Bible tells us, “For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have—Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 3:11).

This is the only foundation that will sustain us as Christians—not a person, not a preacher, not a church, but Jesus Christ.

A Lesson from the Sower – Greg Laurie

February 5, 2013 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase —1 Corinthians 3:7

The parable of the sower is an illustration Jesus used that shows different reactions to the gospel message. In this story, a sower goes out and sows seed, and it falls on four different types of soil. Today, we might go and prepare the ground, carefully put in the seed, and use an irrigation system and all kinds of sophisticated hardware to help us get the job done well. But back then, it was a little more primitive.

Basically, the sower would reach into his sack with his hand and then throw out the seed . . . to the left . . . to the right . . . forward . . . backward. And wherever the seed went, it went. Some of it fell on good ground, some of it fell on rocky ground, and some of it fell along the roadside and so forth. Finally, some fell and was very productive. The actual act of plowing was done later, and then the sower would harvest whatever kind of crop he had.

The same could be said of so-called crusade evangelism, or proclamation evangelism. At Harvest Ministries, we throw out the seed in a stadium. We throw it out over the Internet. Then we throw it out over the radio. And so the seed gets thrown out further and further and further, but it is God who ultimately does the work of conversion. Jesus said, “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him . . .” (John 6:44).

Some people are critical of this type of evangelism. But my question is, why wouldn’t we want to reach as many people as possible, using every form of media available? Our job is to reach as many as we can.

Plug In and Keep Charged – Greg Laurie

February 2, 2013 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

When I travel, I take my laptop computer with me, because I try to work on my messages. But often I must work off the battery, so whenever I get the opportunity, I plug in to the nearest electrical outlet. Why? Because my battery is running down, and I need to recharge.

I think a lot of us function that way as believers. We come to church and get plugged in spiritually, and then we try to run off that energy all week long. We don’t realize that the power is wherever we go. We need to get plugged in all the time.

But we have to make time for it. We must grab it where we can get it. Read some Scripture verses when you get up in the morning. Listen to some worship music or a Bible study on your way to work or school. Take the moments where you can find them to plug in constantly and stay tapped into all that God has for you.

The Bible is our portable battery. We can take it with us everywhere, and it will always provide us with the energy and inspiration we need to keep moving forward. So when you are feeling distressed, or you are not sure you have the energy to keep spreading the message, make sure to spend time in the Word. Plug yourself into the outlet of God’s truth that always keeps you charged.

“Why, God?” – Greg Laurie

February 1, 2013 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

I say to God my Rock, “Why have you forgotten me? Why do I go about mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?”—Psalm 42:9

I don’t think it is ever a bad thing to ask God why. Some people will say that we should never question God. But I question God all the time. I don’t mean that I doubt His existence. But I do say, “Lord, I don’t understand why you have done (thus and so). . . . Why, Lord?”

As you read the psalms, you see that many times the psalmist cried out, in essence, “Why, God? Why have You allowed this in my life?”

And Jesus Himself asked, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27:45–47).

So don’t think it is wrong to ask, “Why, God?” It isn’t wrong. But let me add this: don’t expect an answer, necessarily. You can ask all you want. And maybe the Lord will give you an answer. But in most cases, He won’t. Quite frankly, I think that if He did, we wouldn’t understand it anyway.

So here is what we need to say: “Well, Lord, I don’t understand, but I trust you.”

Even Jesus struggled with God’s will. In the Garden of Gethsemane, under intense pressure, “His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground” (Luke 22:44). Jesus literally was perspiring sweat and blood, and He said, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done” (verse 42).

There has to come a point when we say, “All right, Lord. I will do it. I don’t feel like doing it. I don’t want to do it. I don’t even think it is a good idea to do it. But I am going to do it, because You told me to.”

That is what Jesus did. And that is what we need to do as well.

When We Say Yes – Greg Laurie

January 31, 2013 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

Then he invited them in and lodged them. On the next day Peter went away with them, and some brethren from Joppa accompanied him. —Acts 10:23

Sometimes when we share the gospel, people don’t want to hear it. I have had many situations like that when I got up to speak somewhere. I could see it on the faces looking back at me, as if they were saying, “What are you going to tell me?”

But then there are times when people are receptive and responsive and drink in every word.

That is what we find in Acts 10, when Cornelius and his friends and family had gathered to hear Peter speak to them. Peter gave them a classic gospel presentation. He reviewed the life of Jesus (verse 38). He spoke of His death and His resurrection (verses 39–41), telling everyone that He will return as Judge (verse 42). Then Peter offered salvation through Christ. And notice that Peter got the memo about it being for both Jews and non-Jews: “To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins” (verse 43).

This single sermon of Peter’s changed church history. And I find it interesting that it all started in a place called Joppa. Remember Jonah? He was connected to Joppa too. When God told him to take the gospel to the people of Nineveh, Jonah boarded a ship in Joppa that was sailing in the opposite direction.

So Joppa was the place Jonah went to get away from God, but it is also the place where Peter answered God’s call to go to Caesarea and reach some Gentiles.

In contrast to Jonah, who didn’t really want to go to his enemies, we have Peter, who was willing to go. If Peter had said, “Never, Lord!” that could have been the end of it. But he responded to God’s call.

Where is God calling you to go today?

Go to Them Anyway – Greg Laurie

January 30, 2013 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

“You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate.” —Luke 6:36

Because my mother was married and divorced seven times, I had a ministry of sharing the gospel with her former husbands. I spoke with many of them and had the opportunity to pray with two of them to accept Christ. The first was Oscar Laurie, from whom I received my last name. The other was on his deathbed, and I was able to pray with him only hours before he went into eternity.

But then there was another previous husband of my mother’s that I shared with. Along with my mom, he was an alcoholic, and they would get into horrible fights. One night, he hit her with a little wooden statute, knocked her unconscious, and she almost died. I felt hatred toward this man because of what he had done to my mother.

Fast-forward a number of years. I was preaching in a crusade at the Waikiki Shell, and he was living in Hawaii. I found out where he lived, which was very close to the venue. So I thought I should visit him and invite him to the crusade. I didn’t want to invite him, however, because I honestly didn’t want him to come to Christ. I was still angry with him. However, I recognized I had the wrong attitude, and I decided to make myself go see him.

So I went. And when I saw him, instead of feeling anger and hatred, I felt pity for him. Age had taken its toll, along with his hard drinking and all the rest. I shared the gospel with him and invited him to the crusade, and he politely but firmly refused.

Here is my point: Go to the person that you don’t want to speak to. Go to the person who has hurt you. Go to your enemy with the message of the gospel.

For the Sake of the Gospel – Greg Laurie

January 29, 2013 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

“But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.” —Matthew 5:44

Even in the church today, we can write off a lot of people, sometimes even fellow believers. It seems that sometimes the slogan is, “Us four and no more.” We can divide over minutiae and allow second-tier and third-tier issues to bring unnecessary division in our ranks.

I have had people criticize me for those whom we involve in our Harvest Crusades: “Why do you let that church come? If that church is coming, then our church isn’t going to participate.” Or, “Why did you let that pastor pray at the crusade? I don’t agree with that pastor, because in one of his books, he quoted someone who once had coffee with someone else, and it is guilt by association. I want nothing to do with any of this.”

But I will say, “Look at the essential areas where we are in agreement, and we can get together—even though there are some minor differences—for the sake of the gospel of Christ. That is all I am trying to do.”

If people want to withdraw over that, then I guess that is what will happen. But I am going to keep doing what I do and keep preaching the gospel and trying to get as many people to join me as possible. And I want to join as many others who are doing this too.

Here is the thing: Sometimes there are people we don’t want to bring the gospel to, because if we were honest (we probably would not verbalize it), we don’t want them to come to Christ. But the Bible says we are to love our enemies (see Matthew 5:44).

So here is my suggestion to you: Go to them. Take the message of the gospel to the people who have offended you and hurt you.

Strength for Today – Greg Laurie

January 28, 2013 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

As your days, so shall your strength be.

When they arrest you and deliver you up, do not worry beforehand, or premeditate what you will speak. But whatever is given you in that hour, speak that; for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. ♦ Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

The God of Israel is He who gives strength and power to His people. Blessed be God! ♦ He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength.

My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. ♦ I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. ♦ O my soul, march on in strength!

Romans 5:5; Isaiah 49:23; Jeremiah 17:7; Isaiah 26:3–4; Psalm 62:5–6; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 6:17–20

We’re sending a special Harvest edition of Daily Light to those who make a donation to Harvest Ministries during the month of January.

God Still Speaks – Greg Laurie

January 26, 2013 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

Is He interested in what happens to us as individuals? Does He really have a master plan for our lives? Or are we merely victims of blind chance?

God is indeed interested in us as individuals. He does in fact have a master plan for our lives, and He does truly want to speak to us. Jesus described Himself as our Good Shepherd (see John 10:11). And as His sheep, we can hear His voice.

But how can we know when God is the one speaking? We need to remember that God speaks to us primarily through His Word. He will never lead us contrary to anything He says there. We don’t have to go any further than the Bible to know the will of God for our lives. Psalm 19:8 says, “The statutes of the Lord are right.” In the original language, this verse means that God’s Word has set out the right path for us to follow. We don’t have to lose our bearings in the fog of human opinion or let our fickle emotions lead us astray. Instead, we have a sure guide: the Word of God.

We are to think about God’s Word, we are to ponder it, and we are to meditate in it day and night. C.H. Spurgeon said, “Nobody ever outgrows Scripture. The Book widens and deepens with our years.” As a result of spending time in God’s Word, you will bring forth spiritual fruit.

So listen to your Shepherd. Read His Word, and let it bear fruit in your life.

In God’s Hands – Greg Laurie

January 25, 2013 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

“For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” —Luke 19:10

I have a friend whose father died and never had a relationship with God. As a matter of fact, my friend wasn’t a believer at that time, either. But my friend told me how he went to visit his father in his hospital room and noticed that one day, not long before he passed, there was a copy of the Bible there in his father’s room. It was apparent that his father had requested it, knowing the end was near.

So I told my friend, “Look, if your father was really seeking God, then God would have more than met him halfway, because God wants us to know Him more than we could ever imagine.”

When a loved one who has not made a profession of faith in Christ passes away, don’t necessarily assume that he or she is not in heaven, because you never know what prayers go through the heart of a man or a woman when they are entering into eternity. Even if someone cried out to the Lord in the last final seconds of life, you can be certain that God would save them.

Jesus extended mercy to the criminal who was being crucified next to Him on the cross. Those who were crucified at that time typically were murderers or insurrectionists or had rebelled against Rome. Yet God forgave such a person in the last moments of his life, simply because he had said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom” (Luke 23:42).

I am not trying to give false hope, but neither do I want to give false condemnation. Let’s leave it in the hands of God and remember that God loves us, and God loves everyone. And we need to care about them and love them as well.

God’s Heart toward the Lost – Greg Laurie

January 24, 2013 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

“Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”—Acts 4:12

In our culture of moral relativism, the statement that Jesus Christ is the only way to God rubs a lot of people the wrong way, because the statement itself seems so narrow and dogmatic. In a way, it is. But this is what Jesus said: “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6).

The Bible clearly teaches that there is one mediator between God and man, and it is the Man Christ Jesus (see 1 Timothy 2:5). And Acts 4:12 says, “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

Many hearing this will assume this verse means that those who have never heard about Jesus automatically will be sent to hell. But that is a false concept of God and His nature, because if the cross of Calvary proves nothing else, it proves this: God loves people deeply. Why else would the God the Father send His Son to suffer and die?

Here is God’s heart toward lost humanity. In Ezekiel 33:11, He says, “I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live.”

The Bible also tells us that God is patient and doesn’t want anyone to perish (see 2 Peter 3:9). So God wants everyone to repent. You see, God is compassionate. He longs for fellowship with humanity, for friendship with us.

Jesus described God as a shepherd looking for a lost sheep (see Luke 15). That is God’s heart toward all of us. I believe that God will judge us according to what we know. God loves people. And I know He wants to save them.

Hope Does Not Disappoint- Greg Laurie

January 23, 2013 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

I am the LORD . . . they shall not be ashamed who wait for me. ♦ Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord. ♦ You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. Trust in the LORD forever, for in YAH, the LORD, is everlasting strength. ♦ My soul, wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be moved. ♦ I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed.

God, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath, that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us. This hope we have as an anchor for the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil, where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus.

Romans 5:5; Isaiah 49:23; Jeremiah 17:7; Isaiah 26:3–4; Psalm 62:5–6; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 6:17–20

Go . . . and Make Disciples! – Greg Laurie

January 22, 2013 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching—Hebrews 10:24–25

Jesus gave what is known today as the Great Commission, which is to “go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19–20).

But here is what is often left out of the Great Commission: “Make disciples of all nations.” Listen, every Christian is called to go into the world and make disciples. But I didn’t say that everyone is called to be a preacher. Not everyone is called to be a Paul or a Peter. You might be a behind-the-scenes person. You might be someone whom few people know about, but you are where you are, and you want to do what you do for God’s glory. So we are all called to go and make disciples.

Here is the problem: There are a lot of Christians today that have never done this. They have never even thought about this, much less made an effort to do it. In fact, I actually think there can come a point in your Christian life where you don’t need to go hear more Bible studies. (Now, don’t take that out of context.) What I mean is, there can come a point when you are sitting down and having a meal, and it is time to push away from the table, digest your food, and let it be turned into energy to do something productive.

I love Bible studies. I love teaching the Bible, and I want to help others understand the Bible. But if all you do is listen to Bible studies and never do anything with what you’re learning, then you will be in danger of stagnating.

Son of Encouragement – Greg Laurie

January 21, 2013 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

And when Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, and did not believe that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. . . .—Acts 9:26–27

You would think that, upon hearing of Saul’s (later known as Paul) conversion, the early church would have given him a standing ovation. The fact is that the believers were still suspicious, because in Acts 9:26 we read, “When Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples; but they were all afraid of him. . . .”

They must have been thinking, Really? Yeah . . . no. He is not a Christian. There is just no way.

Where was their faith?

But the same thing happens to us as well. We may hear that a certain person has become a believer, and we’ll say, “Oh, I don’t know if I really believe that.”

Even after someone makes a commitment to Christ, sometimes there are rough edges that remain, and we are very quick to criticize: “He is not a Christian because he cussed.”

True, he shouldn’t have cussed, but I wouldn’t say he isn’t a Christian because of that. I would say that perhaps he is a work in progress. Maybe we should put a little sign around a new believer’s neck that says, “Under construction.”

Has it really been so long since we began to walk with Christ that we have forgotten what it is like for new believers? They don’t know how it works yet. I am not excusing anyone’s sin, but all of us have some growing to do, don’t we?

Saul was converted, but many of the Christians didn’t believe it. Enter Barnabas, who put it on the line and backed up Saul’s story, taking him to the apostles. We need more men like Barnabas today. The name Barnabas means “son of encouragement.” And we need people that are encouraging, because often people fall through the cracks after they have come to Christ.

A Walking Light Bulb! – Greg Laurie

January 19, 2013 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”—Matthew 5:16

The religious leaders thought they had eliminated the problem when they crucified Jesus. But now, His disciples were preaching and performing miracles. It was as though Jesus had returned. And so He had—in the hearts and lives of His people.

This reminds us that one of the best arguments for the Christian faith is a transformed life. New believers are the best advertising God could have because their lifestyles change, their attitudes change, and even their countenances change. The greatest biography of Jesus is written in the words and actions of His people. Your godly lifestyle is a testimony, just as if you were a walking miracle, like the lame man whom Peter and John healed.

Jesus told us we are to be the light of the world and the salt of the earth. There is a place to let our lights shine and proclaim the truth of God. And there is a place for us to be salt.

Even if you don’t tell people you are a Christian, they will sense something different about you, and they will watch you. As a representative of Christ, you’re like a walking light bulb. If you continue to keep a sweet and patient spirit while you’re going through times of hardship and suffering, that light will burn even brighter, catching the eyes and the curiosity of even more people.

If you are being the kind of follower of Jesus that God wants you to be, if you are being a “salty” Christian, then your lifestyle will stimulate a thirst for God in others. The greatest compliment is when someone wants to know more, when he or she approaches you and says, “What is it about you?” That is your opportunity to. . .turn on the light.

One paraphrase of Scripture puts it this way: “Through thick and thin, keep your hearts at attention, in adoration before Christ, your Master. Be ready to speak up and tell anyone who asks why you’re living the way you are, and always with the utmost courtesy” (1 Peter 3:15 MSG).

For Such a Time – Greg Laurie

January 18, 2013 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

“For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”—Esther 4:14

When Esther won a beauty contest and ascended the throne in ancient Persia, she was a Jew. But she kept that information quiet. And one day, because of the wicked efforts on the part of a man named Haman, there was a plot conceived to have all of the Jews in the empire destroyed.

But Esther’s uncle, Mordecai, came to her and essentially said, “You are there in the palace. You are in a place of influence. You can go to the king and speak on behalf of your people.” But then he added this telling statement: “If you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14).

The idea behind Mordecai’s statement was this: “God put you where you are for a reason. Now, are you going to leverage that opportunity for God’s kingdom, or are you going to keep it all to yourself? Guess what? If you don’t do it, the Lord will find someone else.”

God has put you where you are today. You have a sphere of influence. You have a circle of friends. You have neighbors around you. You have coworkers and others with whom you come in contact on a regular basis. Will you go to them? Or will you run from them?

You might ask, “Well, if I don’t go, will the job still get done?”

As a matter of fact, it will get done. The reality is that God doesn’t need you. Certainly God doesn’t need me. But God does want us to participate in the process.

When God says go, what will you say?

A Choice in the Matter – Greg Laurie

January 17, 2013 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”—Acts 9:17

After hearing the voice of Jesus on the road to Damascus, Saul (later to become Paul) was left blind. He was led to the home of a man named Judas in Damascus, and he had no idea what would happen next.

Enter an unsung hero named Ananias. God appeared to him in a vision and said, “Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight” (Acts 9:11–12).

But Ananias said, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem . . .” (verse 13).

I can understand the reticence on Ananias’ part. The idea of Saul’s becoming a Christian would not even be believable or plausible.

Yet God was unmoved by Ananias’ protest. He said, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel” (verse 15).

So Ananias obeyed, and Saul received his sight. Everything happened just as God said it would.

Sometimes God will ask us to do something we may be reluctant to do. But we have a choice in the matter. We don’t have to obey God. When God told Jonah to go to Nineveh and preach to them, he went—in the opposite direction. And eventually Jonah ended up doing what God wanted him to do.

So you can be a Jonah, or you can be an Ananias. You can say yes, or you can say no.

Man has his will, but God will always have His way.

//

Planting Seeds – Greg Laurie

January 16, 2013 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow. It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow—1 Corinthians 3:6–7

We don’t read of anyone in Scripture actually sharing the gospel with Saul (who later became the apostle Paul). But God used a number of people to prepare his heart to receive it.

As far back as I can remember in my life, no one ever sat me down and said, “Greg, here is how you can come into a relationship with Jesus Christ.”

I would hang out at the Balboa Fun Zone in Newport Beach and lean up against walls, trying to look tough and cool. I would watch Christians hand out religious materials and engage people in conversation, and I would be saying in my heart, Please talk to me. But they would never talk to me—they just offered me their tracts.

I shoved those tracts into my pocket and never threw one of them away. I had a drawer at home designated for religious material, and I deposited everything that was handed to me into that drawer. Every now and then, I pulled out the drawer, dumped it on my bed, and read through the material, trying to make sense of it all. What I needed was someone to show me the way.

Then one day, I eavesdropped on a Bible study that was being held on the lawn of my high school campus. And that is when I first heard the gospel and became a Christian.

Looking back, there were different people who helped get me ready for that moment. My grandparents were Christians and took me to church. I had the influence of an aunt and uncle who were strong Christians. Even watching Billy Graham on television with my grandparents was one of the many seeds that were sown in my life.

You see, we all have a part to play in God’s kingdom. We all can do something.

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