BOLD Ministry

In today's "TGIF Today God Is First" for Monday, December 15 2008, written by Os Hillman, I was struck by the insightful accuracy of Paul's understanding of what was necessary for his call.

“Nor did I go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went immediately into Arabia and later returned to Damascus. - Galatians 1:17

He [Paul] tells us that he clearly understood the call Jesus placed on his life. He did not have to consult other men about this calling. But before he was released to begin his own mission, He went to Arabia for three years. Why did Paul have to go to Arabia for three years before he ever met another disciple of Jesus Christ?

The Scripture does not tell us plainly why Paul spent three years in Arabia. However, based upon many examples of God placing special calls on people's lives, we know it often requires a time of separation between the old life and the new life.”

I remember in one of the BOLD meetings hearing or saying, "The greater the delay, the greater the glory." Delay in God's kingdom is more often a matter of time adjustment rather than denial. The key to time adjustments is having the discernment to know accurately with what to fill that time. Are there some things "not happening in your life?" It might be a matter of filling that time not with activities but with a person -- Christ and the Holy Spirit.

Before God ever desires us to do ANYTHING, He usually wants to make sure that we are saturated with Him first. One of the tools that I use to keep saturated is reading Os Hillman's devotional. His resources are really outstanding.

I highly recommend subscribing to Os Hillman's FREE email devotional. Go to www.marketplaceleaders.org

BOLD Ministry, originally founded in 1989, is a marketplace outreach to the NYC professional with a mission to bring the relevance of Jesus and His presence into the workplace. It meets @ St. Bart's every Tuesday from 12:45pm - 1:30pm. BOLD also hosts a bible study downtown which is the oldest, longest running, marketplace study in the city Tuesday mornings from 8:00am-8:45am, 74 Trinity Place, 2nd floor. For information email: boldministry@gmail.com.