Dominic & Lindsay Russo

devo - 06.19.09

I was reading the other day in 2 Corinthians where it talks about being an "Ambassador for Christ."  I don't know about you, but to me that sounds like a mouthful!  What does it mean to be an ambassador?  In the literal sense, an ambassador is an "authorized messenger of the highest rank sent as a representative for a specific mission." (I cheated, dictionary.com)  I have heard so many preachers speak about being Christ's ambassador and going to the nations of the world to give food to the hungry, clothe the needy and so on.  Although these things are wonderful (and we're heading to Nicaragua to do just that in 1.5 weeks!) I want to know what it looks like to be Christ's ambassador on a day-to-day basis.  Other than the obvious, like trying our best to posses the fruits of the spirit (or as many as we can pick that day! ) what exactly does it look like?

2 Corinthians 6:3-8 states it very well:

"We live in such a way that no one will stumble because of us, and no one will find fault with our ministry.  In everything we do, we show that we are true ministers of God.  We patiently endure troubles and hardships and calamities of every kind... We prove ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness, by the Holy Spirit within us, and by our sincere love.  We faithfully preach the truth.  God's power is working in us...We serve God whether people honor us or despise us, whether they slander or praise us."

Okay, I know that was loaded with a lot of controversy, but just think about it.  I don't know about you, but I haven't experienced things half this bad and still didn't show patience and kindness!  I think it is so profound that the only way that we can endure these things with the right attitude is with the Holy Spirit within us. We cannot do it alone! I cannot do it alone!  And if you think you can, God bless ya, but I don't want to try!  

The Bible also says that living this way is considered a "fearful responsibility" (2 Cor. 5:1) and we shouldn't take it lightly, because God will shine through us even in the worst of times.  Have you ever noticed that people always seem to be looking at you under a microscope when things aren't going your way, just to see how you react?  What we do during challenging situations quite possibly could be one of our greatest witnesses.

This week, think of the verse above and pray for God to fill you with patience, kindness, understanding and sincere love for others, especially the ones who do you wrong.  You never know how you may change someone's life just by letting the Holy Spirit react for you instead of your own emotions!

-Lindsay

the definition of wait: 1. to remain inactive or in a state of response, as until something expected happens 2. to be available or in readiness 3. to remain neglected for a time 4. to look forward to eagerly

Let me just start off by saying that I hate to wait!  Especially when it pertains to something that I am extremely excited about or looking forward to.  Time literally stands still as the hours, days or even weeks pass painfully slow until I experience what I am waiting for. (I probably wasn't the right person to have an 11 month and 3 week engagement!)

I know what you're thinking -- no one likes to wait. Why, then, does God sometimes make us wait before He answers our prayers?  I can think of many circumstances that I've had to wait for, like knowing what to do after high school, finding my husband, or trying to figure out God's master plan for my life.

Although it would be nice to get quick and immediate answers (and sometimes we do),  God often takes us on a journey of waiting in order to either teach us something along the way or to build anticipation for what's to come.

I am reading an amazing book called Nurture by Lisa Bevere.  There is a chapter in the book that deals with waiting as it relates to Hannah in the Bible. She waited on God to bless her with children for a longgg time.  (I don't like to wait days for God to answer me - let alone years!)  Lisa says something profound that really opened my eyes to the concept of God's timing:

"God will use a barren season of life to increase our capacity for more.  Hannah cried out for a single child and in addition to Samuel the prophet, she was given a household."

Although the timing seemed painfully long, God not only fulfilled His promise to her, but He also fulfilled it exceedingly and abundantly more than she could ask or think!

Please take a moment to read the following poem with an open heart and mind - there might just be something that God is trying to do inside of you while you're waiting.

"The Wait Poem" by Russell Kelfer

Desperately, helplessly, longingly, I cred; Quietly, patiently, lovingly, God replied. I pled and I wept for a clue to my fate…and the Master so gently said, “Wait.”

“Wait?  You say wait?” my indignant reply.  “Lord, I need answers, I need to know why!  Is Your hand shortened?  Or have You not heard?  By faith I have asked, and I’m claiming Your word.

My future and all to which I relate hangs in the balance and You tell me to “Wait?”  I’m needing a ‘yes’, a go-ahead sign.  Or even a ‘no’, to which I’ll resign.

You promised, dear Lord, that if we believe, We need but to ask, and we shall receive.  Lord, I’ve been asking, and this is my cry:  I’m weary of asking!  I need a reply.

Then quietly, softly, I learned of my fate as my Master replied again, “Wait.”  So I slumped in my chair, defeated and taut, and grumbled to God, “So, I’m waiting…for what?”

He seemed then to kneel, and His eyes met with mine…and He tenderly said, “I could give you a sign.  I could shake the heavens and darken the sun.  I could raise the dead and cause mountains to run.

I could give all you seek and pleased you would be.  You’d have what you want, but you wouldn’t know Me.  You’d not know the depth of My love for each saint.  You’d not know the Power that I give to the faint.

You’d not learn to see through the clouds of despair; you’d not learn to trust just by knowing I’m there.  You’d not know the joy of resting in Me when darkness and silence are all you can see.

You’d never experience the fullness of love when the peace of My spirit descends like a dove.  You would know that I give, and I save, for a start, but you’d not know the depth of the beat of My heart.

The glow of My comfort late into the night, the faith that I give when you walk without sight.  The depth that’s beyond getting just what you ask from an infinite God who makes what you have last.

You’d never know should your pain quickly flee, what it means that My grace is sufficient for thee.  Yes, your dearest dreams overnight would come true, but oh, the loss if I lost what I’m doing in you.

So, be silent, my child, and in time you will see that the greatest of gifts is to truly know Me.  And though oft My answers seem terribly late, My most precious answer of all is still ‘WAIT’.”

Enjoy the journey!

-Lindsay

"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer."

Romans 12:12

Devo - 06.09.09

The Book of Hebrews opens with this straightforward statement, “Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. 2 And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son.” Hebrews 1:1,2a

In no uncertain terms, this passage communicates that God unveils who he is and how he operates to this “last days” generation through the life and ministry of His Son Jesus Christ.

If Jesus is the ultimate revelation of God, it always amazes how little people focus on what he said and how he acted. Several months ago I was talking with my wife. I said Lindz if we really truly believe Jesus was God in the flesh why don’t we spend hours pouring over his words and more time carefully studying his life.

Jesus said something so simple, yet so profound to his disciples one day. "Then Jesus said, "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?" John 11:40

First of all, look at that word “IF.” To Christians all over the world, Jesus still says “IF.” He says “IF” because there are only a handful who really BELIEVE. To BELIEVE deals with the disposition of your heart and mind. It means you truly have a confident expectation of God’s activity in your future.

“If you believe, you would SEE the glory of God.” In that single word, SEE, we find that the Glory of God Jesus is referring to is not some mystical substance or intangible presence. Jesus says the Glory of God is something you can SEE.

I believe what Jesus is referring to when he says the “Glory of God” is God intervening in our lives in a notable, undeniable way. One day when Jesus saw a blind man, the Religious leaders insisted he was blind because of a sin. Jesus insisted it was so that the “GLORY of God” would be revealed in his life, then he healed the man (John 9:3 – 7). The “Glory of God” was God intervening in that man’s life to fix what was broken.

Now more than ever, I am hungry for the Glory of God in my life. I want him to intervene in an undeniable level like only He can. Jesus is saying to me and to each of you looking for the same thing. Only BELIEVE. Keep the disposition of your heart in the place where you are confident and expectant of God’s intervention, and we WILL see His glory.

- Dominic