by Sterling Brown

A broken vase won’t hold water. A broken bicycle won’t ride. And a broken foot won’t support weight. And if you’re anything like me, you know what it’s like to feel broken. Sometimes we feel broken because of our mistakes. Other times it is because of loss and pain. But whatever the reason, I believe God has great purposes for us even when we feel broken.

In Judges 7, we find the story of Gideon. Gideon is called by God to lead the army of Israel and to defeat their enemies. However God gives Gideon one of the craziest battle strategies of all time. He “divided the 300 men into 3 groups and gives them each a ram’s horn and a clay jar with a torch in it” (v.16).The story goes, as they approached their enemies what they were to do was break the jars while lifting up the torches and blow the trumpets. I remember reading this thinking ” That’s it??? Clay pots? Horns?! Where are the swords??? Crossbows? Catapults?” Here’s a brief application.

To point people far from God to Life in Christ means we will face opposition. But it’s obvious the Lord doesn’t need our ingenuity, our weapons or great numbers for us to succeed in our mission. May I suggest we pray and consider how to do two simple things:

1. Break the clay pots – The clay pots symbolize our hearts. Paul says “But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.” He’s talking about the incredible treasure of the Spirit of God that comes to dwell in the heart of every person who believes in Him. It’s interesting to note that Gideon’s pots each had “a torch in it.” The candle/torch is a classic picture of the Spirit of God among His people.

We know what it’s like to feel broken and sinful. And because of God’s grace, we don’t need to cover up our weaknesses or our brokenness, but first take them to the cross to be healed. And secondly, share with others the areas of brokenness in our own lives. Chances are, if you do that, you’ll find you’re not alone in the things you struggle with and you’ll grow in real relationships (James 5:16, 1 John 1:7-10).

2. Blow the trumpet – The trumpet symbolizes telling your story and sharing the Gospel. Again, the Apostle Paul gives us insight “Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle?” In fact, the Apostle John learned this is absolutely key to overcoming evil in the world (Revelation 12:11).

We have the greatest story in history to share with a culture that is already broken. No need for cover ups or hiding out. If you have been forgiven, then you have a story to tell.So break your pot, blow the trumpet and let’s see Jesus glorified in Atlanta!

by Steve Murrell

I thank God that I was born in a nation with religious freedom.

I was not born in a religious family, but I was born in a religious state – Mississippi – the belly that the Bible-belt is wrapped around.

And because of freedom, Ron Musselman, an upstart Presbyterian youth pastor was allowed to visit my high school every week and do Bible studies during lunch break. Eventually, after about six months of Ron’s pitbull persistence, I turned to Christ in repentance and faith. Many others did the same, and no one went to jail for expressing their faith.

I have been to many nations where people are persecuted and prosecuted for things Americans take for granted. We call them rights. I have friends who have suffered in jail, and some who are still in jail, for living out their Christian faith. They don’t have rights. But they have convictions.

So many of my friends all over the world are ready and willing to make great sacrifices for their faith, while many in the West live anemic spiritual lives. But that is a topic for another blog. This one is about me being thankful for the freedoms my forefathers fought to preserve.

May God bless America with a spiritual revival that results in thousands of missionaries going to restricted and dangerous nations with the gospel.

What do you do with your freedom?

Steve Murrell is a missionary, pastor, and the author of “The Reluctant Leader” and “The Accidental Missionary.”

by Jason Staggers

This is not only the title of my preach tonight but the anthem of my life this week.

We went in for the 20-week ultrasound day before last to find out what we are having.

Technician: “Is this your first ultrasound?”
Us: “Yes”
Technician: “So you didn’t know that there’s two in here?”
US: “Um, what?”

We proceeded to laugh and cry and get really excited because TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE!

But onto my preach…

It’s the first in a series called Standing Strong in Difficult Times.  And what better place to start than a preach about living in community?  When I think back over the difficult moments of my life, thanks to Jesus’ brilliant idea called Church, I’ve always had amazing people alongside me from whom I’ve drawn strength.

Here’s my points:

1. In community we never fight alone.

2. In community we’re challenged to live transparently.

3. In community we’re challenged to lift our game.

by Sterling Brown

Ever feel in over your head? Ill-equipped and unprepared for the task at hand? Unqualified? Whoever said “God will never give you more than you can handle” was flat lying. In fact, I think that whole notion was just made up to keep our faith weak and our thoughts small. After all, why should I try to tackle something out of my comfort zone, beyond my skill set and above my pay grade? Recently, I’ve been writing a series of posts inspired by the movie Kung Fu Panda. He is singled out to be the “dragon warrior” and singlehandedly face the impending wrath of the bad guy. Needless to say, he too, feels rather unqualified.

Well, if you feel that way, don’t worry, you’re in really good company…

When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. (Acts 4:13)

There’s something about being with Jesus that brings out courage and taps the unseen reservoirs we didn’t know existed. And if there’s one thing I love about God is that he loves using people who aren’t “qualified” for the job. That’s because it’s neither about our being qualified or unqualified, but about Christ who freely qualifies us on the basis of his grace (Col.1:11-13).

But then, if you’ve read any of the bible this should come as no surprise. Remember:

Moses… Moses said to the LORD, “O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.” (Exodus 4:10) He wound up accomplishing some pretty big things.

Gideon… “But Lord , ” Gideon asked, “how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.” (Judges 6:15) This guy delivered a nation with a 300 person army; after about 30,000 people ran in fear or were disqualified.

Jeremiah… “Ah, Sovereign LORD,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am only a child.” (Jeremiah 1:6) This man stood alone for the better part of a generation speaking the words of God when no one else liked him.

Esther… a young, uncertain virgin girl conscripted into the harem of the presiding King who eventually delivered her people.

David – he was no professional soldier, but a young shepherd/musician willing to face a man-slayer of a giant with nothing more than the Name of his God, and the skills he had acquired while living in quiet obedience.

Chances are, if you are walking with Jesus he’s going to (or already has) put you in a place where you feel unqualified for the job. That’s good. He’d rather you be desperate for him and dependent on his grace than your own ability anyway, so get over it. And as you look to him, stand in faith and do what he’s called you to do, what A.W.Tozer said will be said of you: “God is preparing His heroes and one day they will appear and the world will wonder where they came from.”

Sterling Brown is the lead pastor of Resolution Church and the author of Sterling Brown Walking in the Light.

by Dave Hess

As many college students take final exams this week, I thought thought it would be a great time to pose the question: “How would Jesus study?”.

In Luke 2 there is an interesting story of Jesus as a twelve-year-old boy. As the story goes, his family had gone up from Nazareth to Jerusalem for a religious feast. After the feast was over they left and were traveling with a large group of family members, so even though they didn’t see Jesus personally, they just assumed that he was with some of the other relatives whom they were traveling with. However, as they continued along their journey they realized that he was not with them at all.

Mary and Joseph became very worried at this point, so they went back to Jerusalem (which was no small city) to look for Jesus. “After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers.”  (Luke 2:46-47)

In this instance we read that Jesus was so engaged in this activity of study that his whole family had left him behind in the big city, and he hadn’t seen them for three days.  Apparently he thought it was so important that he was willing to risk even upsetting his adopted parents. Imagine this situation with any twelve year old kid you know. Imagine if as a twelve year old you had a family reunion in Orlando and then your whole family left without you and you didn’t see them for three days, and they didn’t even know about it!

Jesus was in preparation for the task that God had sent him. This was something he was focused on, and he was willing to take extreme measures.

Some may say, “well he was studying the Law of God. If all my classes were about the Bible then I would be more diligent in my studies.” While this passage of scripture does have application to how we should read our Bible’s I think it goes much beyond that.

Instead of limiting your diligence merely to Bible-reading, you ought to be diligent in all your work, including your work as a student. If your work is inherently immoral, or not worth doing then don’t do it at all. But if you have committed to doing something, and even more if you have both committed to do something and are paying thousands of dollars to do it, (like a college education) you really ought to get the most out of it. Do it with all your might! To do anything else is foolish.

Colosssians 3:23 gives a clear command to this effect saying,  ”Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance.”

When you study this week, study as for the Lord. Maybe you need to eliminate virtually all social time with friends, make a vow not to check Facebook and do nothing but eat, sleep and study for three days straight. Go hide in the library, and leave your cell phone at home if you have to!

Consider what task might God be preparing you for? If you are like most people, you dream of doing something great one day.

How important do you think it will be to be prepared when you day of opportunity comes? Will you be ready? Are you willing to do what it takes to prepare?

Dave Hess is a Campus Director at Florida A & M University and the author of DaveHess.com.