Continuing Without A Team Member

September 11th, 2011

Written by Anita Carman

Dear Faithful One,

Have you ever faced the loss of a team member while knowing the mission is still ahead of you? How do you continue without losing momentum?

After Jesus ascended into heaven, those who journeyed with Him were probably sensing the loss of His physical presence.  Yet in this time of loss, Acts 12:1-2 tells us that “It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them.  He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword.” Imagine having to deal with another loss. Moreover, this was the loss of an intimate team member who was part of your life from the beginning and has journeyed continuously with you for several years.  What kept Peter going in spite of the loss of his friend James?

Acts 11:4 tells me Herod’s men arrested Peter.  Peter was thrown into defending the gospel immediately after James’ death.  Instead of withdrawing from the world and dwelling on your loss, is there a way you can put yourself in the midst of what God is doing?  In other words, put yourself where the action is. Verse 7 tells us that while Peter was in prison, “Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell.”  It is when we are in the midst of where God is working that we will experience God’s miraculous deliverance.

Acts 11:11 tells us that Peter said, “Now I know without a doubt that the Lord sent his angel and rescued me from Herod’s clutches and from everything the Jewish people were anticipating.” When we put ourselves where God is working, we open the door to experience God’s intervention. When God intervenes, He transports us into a different dimension and reminds us that life is so much bigger than our immediate losses.  Is it time for you to get out of your small world and start living in God’s world?

I pray this devotion encouraged you in a special way. When I pray for you, I hear a victory song. I believe in you because I believe in the power of God’s Word in you as you put His Word into action.

Love, Anita