Based on “Unlimited Opportunities, Part 11” by Pastor Mark Balmer; 4/2-3/11,Message #MB501; Daily Devotional #4 - “Surf the Wave”
Preparing the Soil (Introduction): I like to surf when I get the chance. Through my experience surfing I have come to understand the potential power in the waves. Sitting on shore watching the ocean you can guess at the wave's power, yet it has no effect on you. The only way a wave can have any effect on you is for you to be out there in it. And on top of that, without timing and position you cannot experience the full potential of that wave. You can paddle around all you want, but if your timing and position are off you will not experience the power of that wave giving you a great ride. Getting your timing and position right requires a watchful eye. Just before the wave breaks is when it has the most potential power. If you are too close, too far out or not paddling at the right speed, you will miss it. You need to be watching to see what is coming, then you will know when and where to go.
Planting and Watering the Seed (Growth): I have found it to be the same in my walk with the Lord. I have spent a lot of time on the beach, watching God work in and through others’ lives, with no real personal effect in my life. I could see God's power off in the distance. It was impressive, yet it did not change my life. There have been other times when I have jumped out into the water to experience the power, and I did, to some extent. Yet I did not see all that God could do. My timing and position were off. Over the years I have learned to watch and see where God is working, where His power is, and join Him there. Only then do I experience for myself the awesome power of God (Ephesians 1:18-20).
Harvesting the Crop (Action/Response): I could never have learned how to surf and let the power of the wave give me a ride if I had stayed on the shore watching. It is the same in your life with Christ. You experienced the power of salvation for yourself when you jumped in the water with Him. But now where are you? Are you sitting on the shore watching God work through others? Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. (1 Corinthians 9:24–27) Are you telling God what you want to do and asking Him to bless your plans, paddling all around on a day with no waves? Jesus gave them this answer: “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, to your amazement he will show him even greater things than these. (John 5:19–20) God has made His unlimited power available to us, if we will seek after Him and His work. It is our choice to use it. Choose to ride the wave of His power working through your life.
Cultivating (Additional Reading): 2 Corinthians 10:3–6; Psalm 89:9
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All Bible references are from the New International Version (NIV) unless otherwise noted.