When God Shows Up E-Book

Robert Noland

• Herausgeber: BroadStreet Publishing Group, LLC
• Kategorie: Religion und Spiritualität
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2015

Beschreibung

In the early 1970s, America was in great turmoil. As the "sexual revolution" took hold, thousands of young people, desperately searching for truth, began following Christ, launching what became known as "The Jesus Movement." In 1973, Woodlawn High in Birmingham, Alabama was forcibly integrated with 500 students bussed into the school. Hatred and racism ruled the day. But a spiritual awakening captured the hearts of the football team. The love of Jesus miraculously changed the face of a community. Woodlawn is the true story of this journey to revival, bringing about the largest high school football game ever played in the city with 40,000 attending and the rise of its first African American superstar football player—Tony Nathan. Is a spiritual awakening possible today? Can the powerful presence of God turn the tide? The answer is yes—but it begins with you. The Woodlawn Devotional book provides a 40-day pilgrimage toward renewal and transformation through faith in Jesus Christ. Follow the inspiring story of Touchdown Tony Nathan and the Woodlawn team who changed a city, while looking into your own heart for a fresh start and a new outlook of hope for a brighter day.

Leseprobe

Published by BroadStreet Publishing Group, LLC

Racine, Wisconsin, USA

www.broadstreetpublishing.com

WOODLAWN—WHEN GOD SHOWS UP

Copyright © 2015 by Woodlawn Rights, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Based on the motion picture Woodlawn, an Erwin Brothers film. All content from the motion picture Woodlawn is used with permission. Copyright © 2015 by Woodlawn Rights, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Written by Robert Noland and published in association with the literary agency, WTA Services LLC, Franklin, TN

ISBN: 978-1-4245-5088-3 (hardcover)

ISBN: 978-1-4245-5089-0 (e-book)

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form, except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without permission in writing from the Publisher.

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. / Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. / Scripture taken from The Message. Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. / Contemporary English Version® Copyright © 1995 American Bible Society. All rights reserved. / The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. The Living Bible, TLB, and the The Living Bible logo are registered trademarks of Tyndale House Publishers. / Good News Translation® (Today’s English Version, Second Edition) Copyright © 1992 American Bible Society. All rights reserved. / © Christian Literature International / Scripture taken from the New Century Version®. Copyright © 2005 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. / NLV © Christian Literature International / ERV Copyright © 2006 by World Bible Translation Center

Cover design by Chris Garborg at www.garborgdesign.com

Interior typesetting by Katherine Lloyd at www.TheDESKonline.com

Stock or custom editions of BroadStreet Publishing titles may be purchased in bulk for educational, business, ministry, fundraising, or sales promotional use. For information, please e-mail [email protected].

Printed in China.

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CONTENTS

Introduction

Day 1

Cut to the Heart

Day 2

Only One Explanation

Day 3

End Zones & Comfort Zones

Day 4

Battling Boundaries

Day 5

A House Divided

Day 6

Dialing Down Differences

Day 7

Enter—ruptions

Day 8

The Finer Points of Persistence

Day 9

But Everything to Gain

Day 10

The Bond of Belief

Day 11

From Bleachers to Battlefield

Day 12

God’s Growth Gauges

Day 13

Spirit Speak

Day 14

Discover Divine Destiny

Day 15

The Faith Factor

Day 16

The Fire of Faith

Day 17

Confidence is a Contact Sport

Day 18

The Reach of Speech

Day 19

Living on the Fault Line

Day 20

Rise Up & Run Strong

Day 21

Called & Courageous

Day 22

On This Day!

Day 23

New Day, New Life

Day 24

Of Blood & Water

Day 25

The Father’s Heart

Day 26

Message Manifesto

Day 27

If You Want God

Day 28

Faithful in a Fallen World

Day 29

Time to Call “Time Out”

Day 30

Risk, Reward & Reassurance

Day 31

Makin’ Space for Grace

Day 32

Eternal Exchange

Day 33

Courage vs. Cowards

Day 34

Friday Night Lights

Day 35

When God Shows Up

Day 36

Father Favor

Day 37

Speaking Your Heart

Day 38

Goal–Line Glory

Day 39

Miracle Moments

Day 40

Leaving a Lasting Legacy

When God Shows Up—In Your Life!

About the Author

INTRODUCTION

Mark 1:35 tells us Jesus got up early in the morning and went away alone to pray. One of the most life changing spiritual disciplines in which you can invest is a daily and dedicated time alone with God. No distractions. No devices or noise and no one else around. Here are a few steps for success in utilizing this book:

1. Decide to commit. Purpose to use this book for the next forty days, one day at a time. Set aside the time to make a habit of engaging with the words contained here. If you miss a day, just pick back up. Don’t quit. Commit.

2. Pick a time. While spending time with God first thing in the morning is best to set the pace for your day, choose a time that is optimum for your schedule. You may need to experiment a bit, but pick a time and stick with it.

3. Choose a place. You need a quiet and peaceful setting. Get away from distractions. Turn off the phone. The place is crucial for you to be focused and comfortable as you engage with God.

4. Read. Take in the content—every word. Carefully read the Bible verses. If you prefer to use your own version of Scripture each day, feel free to do so.

5. Journal. To answer the closing questions and open-ended statements at the end of each day, consider using a journal or notebook during these forty days. Write out anything you hear from God or feel you need to express from the challenge given. Journaling is a powerful tool God can use to help you process your spiritual walk.

6. Pray. Allow time to speak with God and tell him everything as you would a best friend. If you have never spent time in personal prayer, the next forty days could revolutionize your spiritual growth.

7. Listen and obey. Close your time with a quiet moment to hear God speak. Then obey what you hear and “walk out” what He tells you each day. The goal is to complete these forty days and allow Jesus to change your life!

“Here’s what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won’t be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace” (Matthew 6:6 MSG).

DAY 1

CUT TO THE HEART

The setting is the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas. The iconic football arena is filled to capacity with an estimated 100,000 young people. An evangelist, standing on the platform, voice echoing through the sound system, calls out, “Let this moment be the spark of a spiritual fire that will sweep all over this land. This is a desperate generation, void of hope and meaning. A generation begging for something more than the life they are now living!” He pauses a moment, then boldly states to the crowd, yet as if he were face-to-face with each individual, “What are you gonna do about it? Change begins with you!”

The minister’s message sounds so current, so relevant to this culture, so on target for today, but when this scene actually took place might surprise you.

The year was 1972—the peak of the “Jesus Revolution.” The event was Explo ’72, sponsored by Campus Crusade for Christ. The evangelist who spoke those words was Wales Goebel. Billy Graham also spoke. Johnny Cash sang. Revival had broken out in the land. Young people, proudly known as “Jesus Freaks,” had converged en masse on the Texas landscape in the blistering summer heat.

Here’s another scene, another crowd, another powerful moment led by an evangelist.

Jews from every nation were gathered in Jerusalem for Pentecost. Suddenly, a sound like a violent wind swept through one particular house. The Holy Spirit, the One Jesus had promised to His disciples, had come. The crowds nearby heard this strange noise so, bewildered and curious, they began to assemble nearby. Then a quite intriguing occurrence took place. They began to hear their native tongues being spoken—many languages, simultaneously, with a message of redemption and hope.

Scripture says that “Parthians, Medes, Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs” all heard the wonders of God declared in their own tongues. Amazed by this miracle, they began to ask, “What does this mean?” (Acts 2:9–12 NIV).

Peter, the impulsive and impetuous disciple who had taken a sword to the guard’s ear in the garden and denied Jesus in the courtyard, boldly stood to speak. He quoted from the prophet Joel and then explained in detail about Jesus’ mission. Take a look at his conclusion and the culmination of his message in Acts 2:36–41:

“Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day (NIV).

Three thousand believed with one message! This was the start of the original “Jesus Revolution.”

If you are a Christ follower, the result of that first sermon is the reason you know the gospel today. Verse 37 says, “When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart.” Herein lies the root catalyst for true revival—people “cut to the heart” by the truth of God.

Can we still be “cut to the heart” in our self-absorbed culture? How might revival—the next “Jesus Revolution” take place today? … Or can it? Are we too far gone?

The answer lies in the evangelist’s question to the Cotton Bowl crowd: “What are you gonna do about it? Change begins with you!” True revival saturates the hearts of people—one at a time—just like the message of Jesus did in that first century. A new Jesus Revolution can indeed happen today—starting with you.

Complete these open-ended sentences on your journal page:

We need a revival today because …

I need a personal revival in my life because …

Jesus, please “cut me to the heart” today by …

When God shows up …a city can be saved.

DAY 2

ONLY ONE EXPLANATION

The city of Birmingham, Alabama, became known as “Bomb-ingham,” after suffering over fifty bombings since 1947, due to racial tension.

Martin Luther King called Birmingham “the most thoroughly segregated city in the United States.”

On June 11, 1963, Governor George Wallace stood in the doorway of The University of Alabama, vowing that the school would never integrate.

Amid much controversy, Alabama football coach Paul “Bear” Bryant invited USC’s fully integrated team to play in Birmingham on September 12, 1970.

Tandy Gerelds, the head coach at Woodlawn High School in Birmingham at the height of the segregation and bussing battle, reflects, “If you’d have asked me in 1973 if I believed in miracles, I’d a-said, ‘Absolutely not.’ I’d a-told you that it’s a brutal world out there and my only comfort in it is that I am the master of my own fate. I’m the captain of my soul. Some people call what happened here in Birmingham a miracle. And there is only one explanation; only one way any of this could have happened.”

We humans are contradictory creatures when you consider we want so desperately to believe in something or someone bigger than ourselves, yet are so doubting and distrusting all at the same time. Literally, walking contradictions.

The one thing no one can argue or debate is a life God has forever changed. Living proof is hard to explain away when, as Coach Gerelds declared, there is “only one explanation.”

When anyone asked the apostle Paul to explain what happened in his life he might have also said, “There is only one way any of this could have happened.” When Paul was still Saul, he was not only the master of his own fate, but had taken it upon himself to decide the fate of many others as well. Imagine Ananias’ crisis of belief when God told him to go find Saul of Tarsus—the murderer of Christians—to pray for him and his healing.

But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! I have chosen Saul for an important work. He must tell about me to those who are not Jews, to kings, and to the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name. So Ananias went to the house of Judas. He laid his hands on Saul and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus sent me. He is the one you saw on the road on your way here. He sent me so that you can see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Immediately, something that looked like fish scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he was able to see again! Then Saul got up and was baptized (Acts 9:15–18 NCV).

It’s funny how we don’t believe in miracles, until we experience one; how we question if God is real, until we cannot possibly deny His presence; and how we believe we are the master of our own fate, until we are backed into a corner with no answers.