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Somebody Pinch Me, This Has To Be A Dream…

Posted on December 13, 2012 by Jared Meredith

One thing after another, right after another. Somebody says this, or you overhear somebody saying that. You stubbed your toe immediately followed by hitting your head on the way up. You just overdrew your checking account only to realize 3 other checks haven’t even cleared yet. You just bought a car and two days later see it totaled. Your pet totally destroyed a family heirloom that you told all of your family about that you were going to display for Christmas. You are 45 minutes late to something you were supposed to not only be there for but lead. In all reality I am thinking on some of these scenarios and yet the truth is that sometimes life can get so bad that we surely think that it has to be a dream.

Can you relate to some of these? Is it bringing thoughts to your own mind where the worst case scenarios decided to show up uninvited? Does this connect with you at work, at home or at church? For all of us it is safe to say in a very down to earth way that we have all been through some things! I am sure you could add some stories here that are some real ‘doozies’!

When I think about some ‘doozies’ in the bible it brings me to mind the life of Jonah and the humor that you find in Gods wisdom.

The bigger part of Jonahs testimony seems almost like a dream (to think that one minute he is riding on a boat trying to get away from something he felt was too hard to do, followed by being tossed out to sea and being in the depths of that sea in a whale!). I am sure somewhere through that whimsical journey in the inner parts of this mammal that he must have thought to himself “this can’t be happening!”…well at least I think that is what I would have said!

Looking back now I can see at least 8-10 different moments in my life where I can remember saying to myself “this cannot be happening” or “when is there an end to this?!?” If I knew back then some of the things I have learned now I would not be able to write this today. Through the experience of a testimony I can say to everybody I know that though at times life seems grim that there still is hope for all through Jesus Christ!

Do What You Do For God And Love Doing It!

Posted on September 2, 2011 by Jared Meredith

Let me share something personal with you. When I am at home, I love to stand in front of my piano and play songs of worship. It brings a sense of peace and joy about me and begins to calm everything that is going on in my life. Doing this every now and again is so refreshing because it is something that God has anointed me to be able to do; it is a true God-given gift for me to not only do but to enjoy doing as well! I realized a long while back that it was not only for going out and using in the ministry, but for the personal trials in my own life. I cannot tell you how many times that it has helped me along the way to be able to sing songs like “Thank You Lord For Your Blessings On Me” and “Above All” to begin to allow God’s spirit to be with me in the very room I stand!

Now then, I want to express how much further that goes than just singing! We are called to do something spectacular. As God created each and every one of us He purposed us with something unique and for His glory. When we begin to not only use it for the strength of others but for our encouragement it begins to be something that we can really enjoy. I say this in humor but I have seen way too often people singing about the Lord giving strength not being able to believe the words they sing and it simply being words on the page. When it begins to pour out from your heart and come alive inside of you (from the part of you that God begins to move in) it can start making a difference out in this world!

Let’s learn to do what God has called us to do and to actually enjoy it! Don’t be ashamed or afraid, but simply do it in love and let people see the witness of God in your life! It can then truly be a blessing, whether it be out of key or not how you rehearsed it! It can reach out to those in need even if that part of the message wasn’t in your notes that you are teaching or preaching! Be a witness of God through the active demonstration of the joy of the Lord, for He is good and what He has placed in you is more than enough to conquer each and every battle you come to!