Each day I receive a report telling me how many people subscribe/unsubscribe to/from Words for the Day. Hardly a day ever goes by that several folks don’t do one or the other, but in spite of doing nothing to advertise it, the subscribes outweigh the unsubscribes and the subscriber list has grown far beyond what I ever thought it would, and now even goes to countries scattered around the world.
I’ve found through the years that some read it one day and it has little meaning, or they disagree with whatever I’ve said, and then the next it is as though it was written just for them. As testimony to this, nearly every day I receive very encouraging remarks from someone. (And yes often I also receive naysayer hate mail too. I chalk those up to satan not liking what I’m doing.)
More often than not I’m absolutely amazed how something that I’ve written or said so deeply impacts other’s lives. Often I consider whatever it is to be subpar and/or of little value, but then it turns out to be the very thing that someone needs to hear at that very moment in their life and they write and earnestly tell me it dramatically changed their life forever.
In 15 years of writing Words for the Day five days per week I’ve received many, many, thousands of such letters, but every time I receive one it still “blows me away”. I wish I could say I was clever and that I planned it all out, but I cannot. I just sit down with no pre-planning and start writing whatever the Holy Spirit puts on my heart on the spur of the moment each day, and the same holds true when I’m addressing an audience.
Sunday I spoke in church and talked a little about regrets and low self-esteem. Recently I have been inundated with speaking engagements and Honey Lake projects and I really felt bad because I didn’t spend any time preparing or thinking about my remarks for last Sunday’s service. Actually I hastily prepared them mere minutes before going over to the church and delivering them.
This is an excerpt from one of the many letters I received after that service:
“Yesterday my Family attended your Church Service for the first time. Hearing you talk about regrets . . . My God . . . I thought you were talking to me? One thing you said was that, “You are exactly where God wants you to be.” At that very moment, 1000 lbs. was lifted off me by an Angel. You also said, “Even though some people are successful and have lots of money, that doesn’t mean that they are doing well in God’s eyes.” I think at that point, you and I were the only ones in that Church. While I know God gives me the skills and passion to deliver on his promise, and that there still could be changes in my Life career wise, God and I made a connection yesterday morning. He took the yoke of burden off my shoulders and said, “I got this”. You were my Angel that morning Bob. I think you should know that while you may have touched many lives that morning, I wanted you to hear back from at least one you did . . . so I could say “Thank you”.
Hmmm . . . All I can say is that the Holy Spirit is alive and well and moving in people’s lives. He knew exactly what this man needed to hear in the way of encouragement that morning and mysteriously provided it to him through me. I can assure you that it had nothing to do with me and I give God all of the credit for popping whatever I said that so deeply impacted this man into my gray head that morning.
If you missed Sunday’s service you missed an outstanding one. Several folks told me that it was the best one so far. Kenny Munds was filled with the Holy Spirit and the entire congregation sang along with him and clapped away on most of the songs that he performed. There were smiles on the entire congregation’s faces and everyone that I saw was leaving the service refreshed and happy. It was how a church service ought to be.
All I can say is if you are not witnessing the power of the Holy Spirit moving in your life, you are missing out on life as God intended it. It is so fun that it brings tears even to an old tough guy’s eyes but they are tears of joy.
I’ve tried a little of everything this life has to offer including putting together mega multi-million dollar deals and none of it can compare even slightly to providing the joy of seeing the Holy Spirit move through a church congregation, prison yard, or even over the Internet in the form of a blog.
Man oh man the Holy Spirit is powerful! Yep, yep, He is powerful, but oh so subtle, gentle, and the very source of rest and peace in our lives . . . Ask Him to touch your life today as you go in to work or about your daily life. It is something to behold I tell you!
Matt.11:29
Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.