A 10,000 % Return On My Investment !
One of the things that my beloved father told me is there no such thing as a ‘sure thing’ here on this earth. This is no doubt due to one simple fact – people are fallible. We make mistakes. Even with the best of intentions we simple ‘mess up’ . No 100% promise or guarantees.
What if I were to tell you that I could get you a 10,000 % return on your investment ? You would probably call the squad and say ‘take Bill away’ or as Jimmy Stewart put it in the movie “It’s A Wonderful Life” “He’s gone off his nut !” . Rest assured that my feet are planted firmly on the ground – the solid rock of Jesus Christ. Listed below is how to get that return on your investment:
Matthew 19:27-30 (New Living Translation)
“ 27 Then Peter said to him, “We’ve given up everything to follow you. What will we get?”
28 Jesus replied, “I assure you that when the world is made new[a] and the Son of Man[b] sits upon his glorious throne, you who have been my followers will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or property, for my sake, will receive a hundred times as much in return and will inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are the greatest now will be least important then, and those who seem least important now will be the greatest then] “
You may have noticed that I was ‘absent’ last week on Facebook. I was feeling very frustrated a week ago Sunday. Wondering why my prayers were not being answered – very much like the line on the Natalie Grant song ‘I Will Not Be Moved’ that goes ‘thou sometimes it feels like my prayers are bouncing off the sky’. I emailed several of my Christian friends. One came back with a awesome suggestion. A technology fast – no posting on Facebook, no job hunting, no emailing, no unnecessary commerce, along with that I expanded that to going to chapel at 7 AM (yes 7 AM) , having radios playing at my apartment 24/7 from the local Christian radio station (104.9 The River) , and listening to online sermons from other pastors (oneplace.com). On Wednesday I expanded it even further to fast lunch.
The world would say ‘your nuts – you can’t stop your job search !’ and ‘how can you survive without Facebook and email ?’ Here’s why:
1 Corinthians 3:19 (New Living Translation)
“19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness to God. As the Scriptures say,
“He traps the wise
in the snare of their own cleverness.” ‘
I do need to say that I kept in touch with family and a few friends but spent a majority of my time focused on God.
The benefits ? The blessings ? Well as I put it to a good friend of mine ‘it would be like trying to count the grains of sand on the seashore’ – impossible ! But I will list a few:
One is God’s presence. I really mean the presence of Jesus with you. It is truly something that you cannot put into any form of communication know to man. It is so awesome to know he is right there with you !
God focus. Both of my radios have on ‘The River 104.9’ 24/7 – where God’s presence is satan cannot be. Plus I have also listened to some awesome online sermons at oneplace.com. God is really in focus all day – every day !
Giving God my first fruits of the day. Starting each weekday off with chapel has been such a moving experience. Doing this every day reminds us of what all that God has done and is doing and will do for us. Bearing one another’s burdens. Communion. Wow.
Peace about my job search. God has replaced any anxiousness on my part with complete peace. And reassurance that God is moving and working in this area as evidenced by several phone calls. And reminding me of all who area praying for me in regards to this.
Exercise. During the time I normally spend eating lunch, I have decided to go to the driving range. I now have Will going with me as well. The tendonitis that was in my right shoulder is pretty much gone. I am hitting a golf ball better than at any other time in my life which feels great. And I say a quick prayer (aka ‘flare prayer’) before each shot. I feel strength returning to my upper body that I thought I never had.
Losing weight. Yes fasting is not easy. But the benefit is that my stomach is shrinking. I don’t nearly eat as much at dinner. And I am losing weight !
Family. My kids and I are close. I feel that through this I am drawing even closer to them and am praying that I am providing an example of what a Godly father should be like in their lives. I told them that God woke me up to pray for Victoria and Peter at 3 AM the other day and had that confirmed by them – God goose bump kind of stuff for sure !
Friends. Simply put I have received a 10,000 % return on ‘my investment here’ – Ephesians 3:20
Ephesians 3:20 (Today's New International Version)
'20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, '
Do I have all the answers to all my prayers ? No. Is God still working on me ? A resounding YES !
I am continuing fasting lunch for several specific prayer requests. I am going to 7 AM chapel until God blesses me with the job. I am continuing having the radios on all the day for God’s presence at my place. I am hitting the driving range rain or shine to get that exercise.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (New International Version)
‘ 16Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.’
I am closing with the lyrics and music video for the song ‘Whatever Your’e Doing (Something Heavenly)’ by the group ‘Sanctus Real’ .
Go get your 10,000 % return on your investment – the reward is truly ‘out of this world’ !
“It's time for healing time to move on
It's time to fix what's been broken too long
Time to make right what has been wrong
It's time to find my way to where I belong
There's a wave that's crashing over me
And all I can do is surrender
(Chorus)
Whatever You're doing inside of me
It feels like chaos but somehow there's peace
It's hard to surrender to what I can't see
but I'm giving in to something Heavenly
Time for a milestone
Time to begin again
Reevaluate who I really am
Am I doing everything to follow Your will
Or just climbing aimlessly over these hills
So show me what it is You want from me
I give everything I surrender...
To...
(Chorus)
Time to face up
Clean this old house
Find More lyrics at www.sweetslyrics.com
Time to breathe in and let everything out
That I've wanted to say for so many years
Time to release all my held back tears
Whatever You're doing inside of me
It feels like chaos but I believe
You're up to something bigger than me
Larger than life something Heavenly
Whatever You're doing inside of me
It feels like chaos but now I can see
This is something bigger than me
Larger than life something Heavenly
Something Heavenly
It's time to face up
Clean this old house
Time to breathe in and let everything out “
