Exasperated

Romans 5:2 (NLT) Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of highest privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God's glory.

Studying through the book of Acts at our weekend services, it’s always important to remember that we are reading the TRUE story of a small group of men and women who, in the power of the Holy Spirit, didn’t leave their world the same way they found it. They were ordinary people called upon to accomplish extraordinary things for Jesus even if, on occasion, they found themselves exasperated.

The work of God in the first century wasn’t done with intelligent marketing ideas or with polished plagiarized sermons, but rather God was working in and through the believers as they abided in Him. The indwelling power of the Holy Spirit helped these precious believers step out in incredible faith! The work of God in our century hasn’t changed. He’s not looking for slick people that know how to ‘work the system,’ but simple people who are wholeheartedly sold out to Him!

I know there are times when life leaves us exasperated. We get tired. We get scared. We get overwhelmed. Life takes it’s toll on us. I’m reminded of Jesus when He told us that we’d see trouble in this world (John 16:33). Yet we can also be of good cheer because Jesus overcame this world!

Your life is lived out in the power of the Holy Spirit. It’s always the Spirit of God, working through the Word of God, in the people of God. In those seasons of exasperation, perhaps the Lord is calling you to more deeply surrender to Him and His purposes. We cannot operate, cannot thrive, cannot move forward, and cannot impact our world without the Spirit!

Loving Jesus,
Pastor Ed

Response
I don't know if you have ever welded in your life, but it is a very solo technique. When I was at my old job at the Airport I really didn't do that much welding but I was in the weld training program and towards the end of the year we all knew that we were all getting laid off soon. I thought that a welding certificate would look great on the resume although my experience was very little. I thought it was so important to pass the tests that while I was practicing I decided to pray to God and ask for his skills to work through me and to give all glory to him. And like I was telling you about welding being a solo experience, when you are welding you can see nothing in your helmet except the task at hand and it is hard to hear anything with you helmet on so it was very easy to focus on my prayer and I would actually relax in the presence of Christ. Was God welding? I don't know myself but I found it very spiritual to talk with Christ about everything including the creed and giving him thanks and I never welded better when I tried to do it myself or hurry through. I am not sure if the welding certificates ever helped my resume or got me a job but I really felt at ease and enjoyed the experience of doing something along with Christ and seeing that it was better working with him, than the work I did alone.