Friday, September 17, 2010 40 Days of Prayer & Impact: 23 Days to Launch

Today, there are 23 DAYS before the Encounter Grand Opening on 10-10-10. We are asking you to join us in what God is doing and is going to do in these last 40 days.

Pray with us. Act with us. Imagine the impact we could have in Helena if each one of us is individually involved in making Helena a better place. Imagine the lives that could be touched. Imagine how the spiritual landscape of our community could be changed even BEFORE the grand opening.

Waiting for the Promised Land?

Today, we are looking at Exodus 3:5-6a ...

"Do not come any closer," the Lord warned. "Take off your sandals, for you are standing on holy ground. I am the God of your father—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob."

When Moses woke up that morning, I'm sure he felt it would be just like any other day. He had probably tended his sheep around this location before. But the bush was never on fire before. And even more, Moses had never seen a bush on fire that was not consumed by the flames. This was certainly out-of-the-ordinary. It was out of the routine.

After catching his attention, why do you think God told Moses that he was standing on holy ground? Sure, it was a place of God's presence. But here's something to think about: God chose this ordinary, routine location and made it a place of a holy encounter. As Mark Batterson says, "The holy ground was not the Promised Land, it was right were Moses was standing."

Don't wait to follow God till you get to the Promised Land.

TODAY'S PRAYER

We are a lot like Moses. We are caught up in a routine going along our normal, everyday lives. And because of this we tend to take for granted the amazing miracles God performs all around us. When was the last time you said to God, "Wow! Thanks for allowing the sun to rise this morning. I was really worried about that." The point is, we can worship God and follow Him along the way — we're not supposed to wait until we get to the Promised Land.

Pray that God would speak to you amidst your routine. Ask that your routine NOT get in the way of following and worshiping Him. And stop waiting for that "Promised Land," that time and place in the future. He can help you find a change of perspective that inspires you to do something significant for Him today.

TODAY'S IMPACT

Change of Place + Change of Pace = Change of Perspective

This simple equation can help you break out of the routine and find the change of perspective you need, in order to hear God better. Your impact today is to purposely carve out some time today to seek out both a "change of place" and a "change of pace."

Perhaps drive a different route home. Maybe take a walk after work or school. Plan to come to Sunday's Sneak Peek Worship Gathering, or even help out with Encounter as we launch. Decide today you'll no longer wait for your "Promised Land" to begin following God's purpose for you. Seek to Worship Him and follow Him along the way, and you'll begin to see the miracles He's already performing in your daily life.