A Word to Remember
Another Day Along the Way
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Another day,
Speaking to a youth group at their summer retreat was fun. Their words, smiles, laughter, energy: I wanted to borrow the youthfulness they owned.
On the last night when I drove home from the retreat center, I returned with so many thoughts of thankfulness. Teens who turned their lives toward God. Youth saying yes to the One who knows best. Energetic worship, sincere prayers, deep hopes, commitments to be changed.
During my final talk I asked them to pick one word to summarize what God was saying to them. I mixed and stirred it with all of my points for the week, not realizing God wanted me to also find a word - or, more accurately - let Him find a way to send me a word.
One word is not easy. Picking it, settling for it, receiving it. Not easy. I want a story, a paragraph, a sentence. Give me a summarizing statement, a strategic plan, a list of top ten goals. That is what I like. But what I asked the participants to receive and what God instructed me to also do, was this: receive one word to describe what God wants to do in your life.
The one word God sent my way is a good word, a needed word. But it is not easy. Not now, not ever. It is not a simple word to apply in life.
I claim to live that word. My doctrine gives my word a great defense. My God insures that the word is doable. My experience has taught me that I apply the word in life, misplace it, forget it, and search for it all over again.
Your turn. What is God saying to you? Summarize it in a word. Just one. Ask God to help you receive it. I am still asking Him to help me live the word. Trust me, it isn't easy. But it is correct.
And, that's my word. Trust.
Along the way,
Chris Maxwell
Powerful Statement: Those who know your name will trust in you,
for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.
(Psalm 9:10, NIV)
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Another day,
Speaking to a youth group at their summer retreat was fun. Their words, smiles, laughter, energy: I wanted to borrow the youthfulness they owned.
On the last night when I drove home from the retreat center, I returned with so many thoughts of thankfulness. Teens who turned their lives toward God. Youth saying yes to the One who knows best. Energetic worship, sincere prayers, deep hopes, commitments to be changed.
During my final talk I asked them to pick one word to summarize what God was saying to them. I mixed and stirred it with all of my points for the week, not realizing God wanted me to also find a word - or, more accurately - let Him find a way to send me a word.
One word is not easy. Picking it, settling for it, receiving it. Not easy. I want a story, a paragraph, a sentence. Give me a summarizing statement, a strategic plan, a list of top ten goals. That is what I like. But what I asked the participants to receive and what God instructed me to also do, was this: receive one word to describe what God wants to do in your life.
The one word God sent my way is a good word, a needed word. But it is not easy. Not now, not ever. It is not a simple word to apply in life.
I claim to live that word. My doctrine gives my word a great defense. My God insures that the word is doable. My experience has taught me that I apply the word in life, misplace it, forget it, and search for it all over again.
Your turn. What is God saying to you? Summarize it in a word. Just one. Ask God to help you receive it. I am still asking Him to help me live the word. Trust me, it isn't easy. But it is correct.
And, that's my word. Trust.
Along the way,
Chris Maxwell
Powerful Statement: Those who know your name will trust in you,
for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.
(Psalm 9:10, NIV)
27 Comments:
MY WORD FOR TODAY IS ONE YOU GAVE ME IN ORLANDO: HOPE. I NEED IT.
I guess my word should be "forgiveness"
My word is "elevate!" If we elevate Christ to be first in our lives, then He will elevate us to His perfect will. This word was given to me at a winter retreat.
Faith. THat's my word.
Chris, God's word to me is LOVE. He wants me to know He loves me. And, He wants me to love others; the way He loves me....unconditionally!
Suz
God's word to me is LOVE! He wants me to know He loves me. And, He wants me to love others; the way He loves me....unconditionally!
All the words that I seem to be hearing are negative. Maybe I don't want to hear the word God is trying to give. I'm jealous of people who hear Him so clearly.
Grace. Grace. Grace.
Thats the word.
My word goes along with your word but I'm not sure which is more difficult. My word is OBEY. When does it get easier?
You have always seemed to trust God pretty good. I want to trust him more too.
Hope I can someday soon TRUST God as much as you do. My life would be so much better if I could do that.
Help me learn how to do that.
compassion
Thank you.
Renee
repent
LOVE
thanks, chris.
one word answers are hard for me...i'll have to chew on that one for a while.
Confidence
-Brent C
Love. Though we are all different and have different giftings, Christ's love in us is how others will know us and what will set us apart from the rest of the world.
Hey Chris, it was a blessing getting to work with you these 3 AWESOME! days. I sincerely hope we can do something together sometime soon.
My word was Starving! because no matter how much of God I put in, it doesnt satisfy my spiritual hunger. I WANT MORE, MORE, AND MORE!!!
God bless you in all your ways
My brothers and I led worship on that particular night. My word is: Faithful. Seems simple enough, but it can be so difficult. Thanks again Chris!
Thomas
2West
Hey Chris! We really enjoyed leading worship for you at the youth retreat last week. We would love to come and minister with you again soon.
God Bless!!
2West
www.myspace.com/2West
www.2westmusic.com
praying. thats what i need to be doing this year. i need to be praying
Fogiveness is my word. Forgiveness even when it is not asked for or deserved. I have a hard time with that.
My word is: Surrender
God wants me to give myself completely to Him - all of me. He has a lot that He wants to work in me and through me, but I must be a willing vessel. Less of me and more of YOU.
My word is Maturity. God is taking me through a time of growth and growing up spiritually. God has shown me a lot this summer in preparation for leading other and has helped me take on a more serious attitude when it comes to living life.
To sum it all up in a verse, 1st Corinthians 13:11-12, 11"When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known."
Sincerely,
Kris N. <><
Sometimes, we spend more time listening to the "word" or words of others rather than God. We listen to old "tapes" played from our childhood or our life before Christ. Those words tear us down. God's words, delivered in love, build us up. mary d.
Apply.
-Ashley H.
My word is 'be'. Sounds passive but it is truly a call to action. It is dynamic (from my perspective) because what He is calling us to 'be' varies from day to day and moment to moment. Yet,it is unchanging (from God's perspective) because it is pre-ordained.- Cyn
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