Mike

Dyson

Contributing Writer

Mike Dyson is a small business owner and minister residing with his wife in Pensacola Florida. He is called to encourage, to activate the gifts and callings in peoples' lives and to help people reach the God given destiny that resides inside. He and his wife minister wherever the Lord leads and have seen many miracles. God has placed a Love in Mike for those that are hurting and just need a touch from Heaven.

More from Mike Dyson

Misfits

One of my favorite Christmas shows is "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer." It's hard to imagine that in my adulthood I would still enjoy the Christmas classic, but the story carries so many meaningful messages.

In the beginning, Rudolph seems positioned as a favorite when it comes to the reindeer games. After all, his father was Donner. However, as we all know, Rudolph wasn't born the same as everyone else; he had a very shiny nose. His parents try to cover up Rudolph's flaw so no one will notice. Their attempt creates something else - he now talks funny. Well I could go on and on, but you know the story. His cover is blown, everyone makes fun of him, and he decides to run away.

It is amazing how the very characteristics God gives us may seem to be a curse or make us feel out of place because we are different. We may try to compensate for these differences by becoming something we were never intended to be; and in the mix of that we sound, and at times, look very funny.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) (NLT) says, "For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."

In Jeremiah 1:5 "I knew you before I formed you in your mother's womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations." OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) , the Lord says He knew Jeremiah before He formed him in his mother's womb. It is amazing how we start believing that our natural tendencies (that maybe others don't like or appreciate) must not be the characteristics God intended.

Now don't get me wrong - we can distort those gifts when they are not under the submission of the Holy Spirit, but it doesn't negate that they are God's gifts. Just imagine if we were like everyone else. How could we be a peculiar/selected people as God says we are in Titus 2:14 He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) ?

We may think we should be heading downstream just like everyone else, that we shouldn't stand out the way we do, and certainly we should be able to blend with everyone else. This is not possible; for we are in the world, but not of the world. We are blood bought born-again saints of God and we will never be the same (and shouldn't desire to be). We travel a different direction than most. The truth of the kingdom is in opposition to the world's thinking.

We need to cultivate the gifts and talents God has given us through the power of the Holy Spirit and begin to embrace them. God doesn't make mistakes. It is the enemy who wants us to think we are useless and worthless. It is the devil's idea to hide, discard or cover up the things God has given us; but remember that Satan is the father of lies!

Towards the end, Rudolph, Cornelius, and Herby find themselves on the Island of Misfit Toys. This is how they thought of themselves: misfits and outcasts. Now Rudolph could relate to this feeling. However, we are not misfits. We are just how God chose to create us. We need to begin to trust and think of ourselves as God thinks about us: the plans, hopes, dreams, purpose, and destiny He has chosen for us. Don't let the world or our surroundings define how we look at ourselves. Instead, let the Word of God define who we are.

You see, Rudolph's affliction became the saving grace for so many others, including the misfit toys (those who had also been hurt). Rudolph left broken, but returned broken under the influence of Grace. We will always minister out of our brokenness, but it's the healing power of Grace that will affect other peoples' lives.

Remember, Rudolph changed on the inside, but his outward appearance was still the same - he had a shiny noise. For so many years I felt I could have been on this island, seeming to be so different. I have realized that God has created each one of us special. He's designed us to be exactly who and what we need to be to accomplish our destiny for God's kingdom.

The journey may not be easy. It may not always be popular. It may not look like we are going the right way. It may seem that nothing is happening. But remember, "And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns." (Philippians 1:6 And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) , NLT)

A WOW Moment

Have you ever had a WOW moment? One of those moments that really takes you by surprise. Maybe it was getting an unexpected check in the mail when you believed that somehow God would work out that financial issue. Perhaps it was seeing your child or grandchild doing something for the first time. It could be a new job or getting a raise. There are so many things that can produce one of those WOW moments.

Sometimes I tell people that when I say WOW I can even say it backwards. (I know a little humor, probably very little). Today was different. I really felt grieved in my spirit, and to tell the truth was a little disappointed. However, as I was exercising it came to me that this was a WOW moment. Notice I didn't say it felt like it was a WOW moment, but that it was one.

We can easily identify a WOW moment when something good happens; but I don't think I have ever seen it the other way, at least not like the Lord was showing me.

I have been through many valleys in my life and am sure to go through even more. I know the place we cling to Him the most is during troubled times, but I never really chose to see it as a WOW moment.

The New Testament book of Hebrews tells us that Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) ). The backwards WOW may not feel the same, but it really is a much bigger moment. Faith is required much more when things don't turn out as we had hoped or planned. Many times we fall into the exact opposite of faith and begin to feel disappointed. Disappointment comes from being result oriented. Sometimes we don't get what we want and then we get disappointed.

So, how could today be a WOW moment day? The answer is simple. God is still on the throne. Here are a few helpful Scripture verses that illustrate this point well:

We serve a mighty God and the Holy Spirit reminds us of all the promises that are in His word. If God is for us who can be against us (Romans 8:31 What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) ).
Conversely, 'Eye hath not see, nor ear heard, nor entered into the heart of man the things God has planned for those that love Him.' (1 Cor 2:9).
'Goodness and mercy will follow us all the days of our life.' (Psalms 23:6 Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life,and I will live in the house of the LORD forever. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) ).
'All things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose.' (Romans 8:28 And we know that God causes everything to work together* for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) )
'For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord, plans to prosper you not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.' (Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) ).

As hard as today can be, with unmet expectations, as Christians, it really is our decision on what we choose to believe. Today, as with any other day, may not be the result we wanted but God's ways are not our ways. Nothing shakes Him on the throne and we need to continue to trust that He will finish the work He began (Philippians 1:6 And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) ).

The disciples thought that it was over when Jesus was on the cross (John 20:9 for until then they still hadn't understood the Scriptures that said Jesus must rise from the dead. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) ), but it was anything but. As we know, His resurrection three days later showed that this was not the end but only the beginning.

Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1 Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) ). The enemy always wants to lead us into hopelessness or out of our faith. Stay hopeful even though the situation may seem to be just the opposite of what you would think God wanted and realize that, "WOW, what a mighty God we serve"! There will be other things we will face in the days and years ahead but remember what Jesus said: "In the world you shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world." OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) )

Mike Dyson is a small business owner and minister currently residing with his wife in Pensacola Florida. He is called to encourage, to activate the gifts and callings in peoples' lives and to help people reach the God given destiny that resides inside. He and his wife minister wherever the Lord leads and have seen many miracles. God has placed a Love in Mike for those that are hurting and just need a touch from Heaven. You can contact Mike at info@newlifepensacola.com or visit their website at www.newlifepensacola.com.