A couple of nights ago I had the pleasure of going to a Joel Osteen event. His wife and kids were there, his brother Paul was there along with local ministers. I did not pay for my ticket and believe it or not, I was picked up in a white hummer with black tinted windows... "my limo", I called it. This event was literally given to me. I got to spend the evening with two of the most amazing women and we had a BLAST. With all of that to be so grateful for, I find that my sights are set on the greatest gift given to me that night.... Philemon 1:6.I really hate admitting this, but I have never read Philemon and I don't know why (it's 1.5 pages for crying out loud!!!). I want to say that it's so small and easily missed, but that isn't a reason.... made even less of a reason since I have tabs that extend from my Bible that don't know 50 pages from 1.... no excuses. Honestly, BECAUSE it's so small, it really should not have gone unread. Could ANY book of the Bible be easier to read? Well, all that changed, and changed in a big way, at the Osteen event. The Osteen's theme for the night was A Night of Hope. It was clear that they were there to lift others up in a tough time when our government is in crisis, our economy is in crisis and our families are in crisis. And lift everyone they did! It was a packed house with thousands in attendance singing and laughing, but you could have heard a pin drop when a tearful Joel recited Philemon 1:6. Philemon 1:6 says, "and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ." The King James version words it this way, "That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus." So what I'm getting here is that faith is "turned on" or effectual by knowing, acknowledging and sharing the good within us. What a gift... Negativity stifles faith, plain and simple and nicely packaged within 1.5 pages! I got it Joel! Thank you God for that wonderful message and the incredible gift of that night!
A big thanx to the Osteens for the awesome event and the getting me to read the 1.5 pages that NEEDED to be read. It went directly to my heart!
Comments
Mercy!!