A Stop by Quiet Waters

By

Dr. Richard A. Germaine

Allowing Christ to Work in Your Life

Recently, I took a day of prayer (I do this monthly) and was reflecting on my life and how greatly God has blessed me and used me for the work of His Kingdom. I believe He showed me the pattern in my life by which He was able to work.  I want to pass this on to you for your encouragement as it holds hope and promise for each of us who seek to know and serve our Lord Jesus Christ.

Prayer of Vision

The first element is prayer - a prayer of great vision and faith.  Oftentimes, we pray within the confines of human thinking.  We restrict God’s ability to work in our lives by the limited view we have of our own gifts and abilities.  We look at what we can do, not what God can do through us.  We have to reverse that thinking.  Each of us must have a specific vision set before the Lord, from God’s view.  We must spend time with Him to earnestly seek His will.  Pray with an expectant heart and the Holy Spirit will show you what your vision is for the Kingdom of God.   A promise we can take hold of is found in Psalm 32:8NLT:  “The Lord says, ‘I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.  I will advise you and watch over you.’ “  Be sure to document that vision as it will serve as a measuring stick as you walk with and for the Lord.

For me it was this prayer back in the mid-1960s: :"Father, will you prepare me for
the day when you can put me in the pulpit of a mainline, liberal, New
England church so I can see the power of the gospel in my lifetime."  I am
still amazed at how He took me seriously in this prayer and all He has
brought to pass in the intervening 35+ years.

The answer will come, but not with the quickness we may wish to expect.   Remember that Abraham waited nearly 25 years from the time that God told him he and Sarai would have a son to the time Isaac was actually born (and he was 100 years old!).

Surrender
The second element is surrender.  If we are going to have and see God work
in our lives we must surrender ourselves and all our plans to Him.  But
this is not just a one time act of surrender.  You will have to do it again
and again as new choices to go in different directions present themselves.  You must keep your eye on the vision you put before God in prayer, and repeatedly choose it over all the other things which come along and vie for your commitment.

For me it was a commitment to stay in Hopkinton for as long as He wanted me to be there.  I first committed myself to ten years.  At the end of the ten years I surrendered to Him to stay in Hopkinton the rest of my life unless He made it abundantly clear to me that I was to leave.  This is different from thinking that just because an offer for a better position comes along it must be the will of God.  Why is it that so many pastors think that a better position is always God's will?  I
did have some very attractive offers made to me, but in each case I knew
they were not God calling me to move.

How so?  It was clear that what I had asked Him for in bringing me to that position was not yet completed.  I would ask Him, "Is there more for me to see here yet, Father?"  And He would tell me there was still more to come.

Obedience

The third element is obedience to Him and His will for you.  This too, is
a process.  Submitting to His will must happen over and over as you face opportunities and other decisions that demand an answer.   Do what He commands you to do and do it consistently. 

Faith & Trust

The last element is faith/trust in Him to lead you every step of the way
and to provide you with all you need in order to bring the vision to pass.
If He has put you in a place to do a work for Him, then He will supply you
with everything necessary to do the job, even the people necessary to stand
with you.

I came to the place where I prayed again and again, "Lord, would
you please give me 'winners' to work here with me." By that I did not mean
only staff people, but spiritually healthy lay people who could build the
Kingdom of God along side me.  Paul told us in Romans 8 that since God gave
us His own Son, He will also give us everything else as well.  You need
people to come into your work with you who are already spiritually
healthy people.

Be bold for Him - dare to ask great things from Him - dare to attempt great
things for Him - you will see the kingdom of God grow around you and God
will bless you and prosper you.  Take it from one who knows, for I have
experienced this, and I am NO DIFFERENT THAN YOU ARE!

Hang in there!  Don’t give up to discouragement!  Don’t give in to temptation!  You will be successful in the ministry God has called you to no matter what you are facing!!!

Scripture Resources

“And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you.  For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will not be plowing and reaping.  But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.”   Genesis 45:5-7 NIV

“But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid.  Am I in the place of God?  You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”  Genesis 50:19-20 NIV

“Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance, character; and character, hope.  And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.”  Romans 5:3-5 NIV

“Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.”  Jeremiah 33:3 NIV

“The Lord says, ‘I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.  I will advise you and watch over you.” Psalm 32:8 NLT

“I have told you all this so that in me you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world.”    John 16:33

“Now glory be to God!  By his mighty power at work in us, He is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope.” Ephesians 3:20 NLT

(I have a concordance so I can look up more Scripture if you’d like based on whatever topics you suggest)

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