Do you know where you were nine
years ago today? I vividly remember. Never in a million years did I expect to
live through the greatest natural disaster in American history: Hurricane
Katrina. Yet, in the midst of catastrophe, beauty comes out of the ashes …
lives are utterly transformed … miracles happen. I wouldn’t wish a disaster
upon anyone, but I wouldn’t trade what I’ve learned and have become for
anything. Out of my brokenness has come a liberation and freedom.
Recently, I’ve been meditating
upon the Apostle Paul’s STORM, SHIPWRECK and SNAKEBITE travel log in Acts
27-28. At outward appearance the voices of the day saw Paul’s calamities as God
was out to get him. However, a look through the Sovereignty and Providence of
God-lens revealed something far different:
1. Closed Doors are often just
Divine Detours.
2. God’s guides by a zig-zag and
not a straight line
3. God sometimes takes us
off-course to keep us on-course.
4. At times our plans need to
fail so God’s plans can win.
5. If you want to make God laugh,
tell Him too many of our plans.
6. God is never early, never
late, He’s right on time every time. You can trust His timing.
7. There are no coincidences,
only providence. No twist of fate, only divine appointments.
If Paul would have tried, as a
preacher-boy or a jailbird, to get an appointment with Governor Publius of
Malta or Nero of the Roman Empire, it would have been impossible. Yet, SUFFERING,
a STORM, a SHIPWRECK and a SNAKEBITE changed everything. Is it no wonder an
angel would tell Paul beforehand, “Do not
be afraid Paul, you must stand before Caesar” (Acts 27:24)? This was all
part of the fulfillment of Paul’s calling to be a chosen instrument of Jesus to
bear His name to Jews, Gentiles and Kings.
Nine years after Katrina I can’t
miss God’s sovereignty and providence in my life. I’ve experienced a few rogue
winds, shipwrecks and snakebites in order for God to get me where he wants me.
If I would have asked for an appointment with elected officials nine years ago
they would have probably laughed, and I would have had nothing to say. I think
back upon this last month alone. I have had more key appointments with elected
leaders, pastors and business leaders than I’ve had in any other month. Only
God could open these doors to have me at this place, in this time, in these
ways.
Paul finished his Capitol
Commission calling. By 60 AD the message of Jesus had reached the highest
echelons of power in the empire. It was so extensive Paul could send greetings
from those in Caesar’s own household. Paul had reached out to the capital
cities of Cypress, Pamphilia, Galatia, Lyconia, Macedonia, Greece, Achaia and
Proconsular, Asia as recorded in the book of Acts. Today, our ministry and
those I work with around the state and country are reaching a new generation of
political leaders in state capitals, Washington D.C. and local officials by
focusing on Jesus Christ and the timeless Word of God.
Praise and Prayer
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| Speaking at Capitol Commission Event |
2. Pray for the establishment of
a North Shore Leaders Forum targeted to launch October 29. Pray for the Prayer
Breakfasts in St. Tammany and Jefferson Parish on September 19 and October 24.
Pray for the Men’s retreat on September 26-28. A few slots are still open.
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| Interaction with an Elected Official |
3. Pray for a God revitalization in our country. Most of our problems are spiritual and family related. Laws cannot transform hearts. Jesus can.
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| Capitol Commission Gathering Meeting Room |
4. Pray for strength for Donna
and pray for Jonathan as he travels to do consulting in Chicago for three
months or so.
Betting the Farm on God,
Michael
