Pastor Baker's Blog

Entry for October 9, 2006

Daily Reading: Genesis chapters 21 thru 24

Key Verse: Genesis 21:1

Our God is a God of impossibilities. It is only impossible to us but all things are possible through Him (Matt. 19:26). When we stop trying to accomplish through our own strength (Ishmael), we can allow God to do the impossible and fulfill His promise (Isaac).

Why do we try to accomplish things in our own strength? Because we feel secure when we believe we are in control of the situation. We take comfort in knowing what to expect. The truth of the matter is we are never really in control of anything. If we grasp Matthew 19:26, then Pillippians 4:13 will become a reality to us. God is the source of security and strength for His children. The only way we can "help" God is to trust Him at all times.

God called Abraham (100) and Sarah (90) to give birth to a nation. This call was a testament to their faith and to God's power. Jesus sent the disciples out into a storm for the same reason. Peter displayed his faith and Jesus displayed His power. God may send us through a storm for us to leave the security of our boat by faith and walk on water. God may call us to speak to some dry bones by faith so that they may live. God may ask us to sacrifice one meal in order to feed thousands of hungry people.

How many times have you recognized God calling you to be a vessel so He can perform the miraculous?

2006-10-09 12:18:56 GMT

Comments (5 total)

Author:Anonymous

My biggest hurdle in allowing God to use me was my view of myself. There is security in trying to maintain control of a situation because you do not want to fail or get hurt. However, when I began to truly understand what faith is and began to truly (not superficially) develop my relationship with Christ, I was able to establish my identity in Christ. The more I filled myself with Him, the less I needed to be in control. It's ok if things don't go the way I want them to go or the way I think they should go. Since I am not in control, I can rely on the fact that God's power is at work. When I look back at the tears I cried over situations I could not control, I can rejoice because I know it was all part of the plan leading me to this point in my life. It is a joy to be able to speak my testimony to someone who is facing something I dealt with in the past because I can say with confidence "God has a plan and everything is working together for your good." My recent prayer has been that I be so filled with the Spirit that I will overflow and be able to touch others. Being a vessel means you have to empty yourself of your stuff and allow God to fill you so He can work through you. I have witnessed the miraculous. I have seen answered prayer. It is a joy.
--Aundrea Baker
<mailto:abaker@thewaybiblefellowship.org>

2006-10-09 12:32:47 GMT

Author:Anonymous

I certainly have had to deal with control issues in my life, especially recently. I once heard a psychiatrist say that the reason most people that have a fear of flying, have that fear because they are not in control of the aircraft and, therefore, feel vulnerable. In reality, as Pastor Baker mentioned above, we aren't in control of anything, God is. However, I think that most Christians have that sense of loosing control of something they never had control over in the first place and that brings about a feeling of vulnerability and that, in turn, spawns fear. God has certainly been dealing with me in the area of my control issues and I had a revelation the other week when I was trying to figure out how to share Christ with one of my co-workers. My issue was that when I try to explain my faith to people, in my own strength, I tend to stumble over my words and can't seem to convey my message in a clear and concise manner. God clearly told me that I need to allow Him to speak through me instead of trying to speak out of my flesh. In essence, I should give Him control of those situations instead of trying to develop a "strategic plan" to lead this person to Christ. Since then my overwhelming desire to maintain "control" has began to fade and I'm lending more of myself to God so He can use me as He sees fit.
--Stephanie

2006-10-09 18:50:03 GMT

Author:Anonymous

I have heard God so many times. Sometimes I've listened and obeyed and sometimes I have questioned Him, even tried to avoid what He was saying to do. One thing that I've learned is that if God says do it, just do it. No matter how much it will cost. It can never amount to what Jesus gave up for our sins. I am learning every day to just trust Him completely and earnestly submit when He says "go" or "do". I understand that He has the very last say so.
Rosetta
--Rosetta

2006-10-09 22:48:25 GMT

Author:Anonymous

As chritians it takes so much for us to trust God with every aspect of our lives and, simply put, it's a matter of us wanting to feel like we are in "control". I can recall several storms I've been through in my life and what it took for God to get me to trust Him completely without doubting and trying to fix it myself. I now understand that I didn't fully grasp the concept of filling myself with Him and submitting to His will. I wanted to make the storms in my life all about me and not as an opportunity to draw closer to God, be obediant, and submit to His will. I thank God for using Pastor Baker as an instrument to help make His word more clear and become reality in my life.
--Amira

2006-10-10 01:34:29 GMT

Author:Anonymous

We are all on a quest to be the clay in the potter’s hand. The clay has no right to ask the potter “what are you doing” or “why”. God our creator knows exactly what He’s doing. Many beautiful vessels had to be refined many times over before the finished product was presented. God, the master potter, knows how much needs to be added or removed and at what temperature the vessels are refined. I had to come to the realization that I am only a vessel on display of the master’s work. I pray that we all will be vessels of honor in God’s cabinet.

Crucified with Christ,

--Pastor Baker
<mailto:pastorbaker@thewaybiblefellowship.org>

2006-10-10 01:49:57 GMT

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		Pastor Baker's Daily Devotional

		Entry for October 9, 2006 Daily Reading: Genesis chapters 21 thru 24 Key Verse: Genesis 21:1 Our God is a God of impossibilities. It is only impossible to us but all things are possible through Him (Matt. 19:26). When we stop trying to accomplish through our own strength (Ishmael), we can allow God to do the impossible and fulfill His promise (Isaac). Why do we try to accomplish things in our own strength? Because we feel secure when we believe we are in control of the situation. We take comfort in knowing what to expect. The truth of the matter is we are never really in control of anything. If we grasp Matthew 19:26, then Pillippians 4:13 will become a reality to us. God is the source of security and strength for His children. The only way we can "help" God is to trust Him at all times. God called Abraham (100) and Sarah (90) to give birth to a nation. This call was a testament to their faith and to God's power. Jesus sent the disciples out into a storm for the same reason. Peter displayed his faith and Jesus displayed His power. God may send us through a storm for us to leave the security of our boat by faith and walk on water. God may call us to speak to some dry bones by faith so that they may live. God may ask us to sacrifice one meal in order to feed thousands of hungry people. How many times have you recognized God calling you to be a vessel so He can perform the miraculous? 2006-10-09 12:18:56 GMT Comments (5 total) Author:Anonymous My biggest hurdle in allowing God to use me was my view of myself. There is security in trying to maintain control of a situation because you do not want to fail or get hurt. However, when I began to truly understand what faith is and began to truly (not superficially) develop my relationship with Christ, I was able to establish my identity in Christ. The more I filled myself with Him, the less I needed to be in control. It's ok if things don't go the way I want them to go or the way I think they should go. Since I am not in control, I can rely on the fact that God's power is at work. When I look back at the tears I cried over situations I could not control, I can rejoice because I know it was all part of the plan leading me to this point in my life. It is a joy to be able to speak my testimony to someone who is facing something I dealt with in the past because I can say with confidence "God has a plan and everything is working together for your good." My recent prayer has been that I be so filled with the Spirit that I will overflow and be able to touch others. Being a vessel means you have to empty yourself of your stuff and allow God to fill you so He can work through you. I have witnessed the miraculous. I have seen answered prayer. It is a joy. --Aundrea Baker <mailto:abaker@thewaybiblefellowship.org> 2006-10-09 12:32:47 GMT Author:Anonymous I certainly have had to deal with control issues in my life, especially recently. I once heard a psychiatrist say that the reason most people that have a fear of flying, have that fear because they are not in control of the aircraft and, therefore, feel vulnerable. In reality, as Pastor Baker mentioned above, we aren't in control of anything, God is. However, I think that most Christians have that sense of loosing control of something they never had control over in the first place and that brings about a feeling of vulnerability and that, in turn, spawns fear. God has certainly been dealing with me in the area of my control issues and I had a revelation the other week when I was trying to figure out how to share Christ with one of my co-workers. My issue was that when I try to explain my faith to people, in my own strength, I tend to stumble over my words and can't seem to convey my message in a clear and concise manner. God clearly told me that I need to allow Him to speak through me instead of trying to speak out of my flesh. In essence, I should give Him control of those situations instead of trying to develop a "strategic plan" to lead this person to Christ. Since then my overwhelming desire to maintain "control" has began to fade and I'm lending more of myself to God so He can use me as He sees fit. --Stephanie 2006-10-09 18:50:03 GMT Author:Anonymous I have heard God so many times. Sometimes I've listened and obeyed and sometimes I have questioned Him, even tried to avoid what He was saying to do. One thing that I've learned is that if God says do it, just do it. No matter how much it will cost. It can never amount to what Jesus gave up for our sins. I am learning every day to just trust Him completely and earnestly submit when He says "go" or "do". I understand that He has the very last say so. Rosetta --Rosetta 2006-10-09 22:48:25 GMT Author:Anonymous As chritians it takes so much for us to trust God with every aspect of our lives and, simply put, it's a matter of us wanting to feel like we are in "control". I can recall several storms I've been through in my life and what it took for God to get me to trust Him completely without doubting and trying to fix it myself. I now understand that I didn't fully grasp the concept of filling myself with Him and submitting to His will. I wanted to make the storms in my life all about me and not as an opportunity to draw closer to God, be obediant, and submit to His will. I thank God for using Pastor Baker as an instrument to help make His word more clear and become reality in my life. --Amira 2006-10-10 01:34:29 GMT Author:Anonymous We are all on a quest to be the clay in the potter’s hand. The clay has no right to ask the potter “what are you doing” or “why”. God our creator knows exactly what He’s doing. Many beautiful vessels had to be refined many times over before the finished product was presented. God, the master potter, knows how much needs to be added or removed and at what temperature the vessels are refined. I had to come to the realization that I am only a vessel on display of the master’s work. I pray that we all will be vessels of honor in God’s cabinet. Crucified with Christ, --Pastor Baker <mailto:pastorbaker@thewaybiblefellowship.org> 2006-10-10 01:49:57 GMT Site Home