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GOING IT ALONE

Most people want to live an extraordinary life but feel trapped by ordinary circumstances. In truth, ordinary is the standard equipment we all receive. When we choose to incorporate a “God perspective” into our lives, we discover that He created each of us with the seeds of extraordinary.

Angus Buchan is a remarkable example of this principle. The circumstances of Angus’s life suggested little except a future of disappointment and heartache. The decision to include God opened pathways to an entirely different life. God is no respecter of persons; what happened in Angus’s life is possible for you! God used people to open Angus’s imagination to the God possibilities of life. God is using people to do the same for you. 

Throughout this study AMEN we’re going to learn from Angus’s life lessons and consider some remarks by Pastor Allen Jackson. These are intended to help you think deeply about the circumstances God is using to bring you toward Himself and show you His purposes for your life. With that possibility in mind, let’s begin our teaching for today. Welcome to this first session of AMEN.

A lesson from Angus

We cannot go it alone. We need God. I am not talking about belonging to a Christian organization, but rather meeting Jesus Christ Himself. He will be with you when you really need Him, when all your so-called friends have run away. In the middle of the night when you can’t sleep, He’ll be there.

Some people say that once you become a believer, all your problems will be over. That is a lie. I have had more trouble since becoming a Christian, but the Lord has never left me; He has never forsaken me (see Hebrews 13:5). He never said, “I will take you out of the fire.” Instead, He promised, “I will walk with you through the fire” (see Isaiah 43:2). I am no longer going it alone. I am walking in the power and in the strength of the Holy Spirit and I want to encourage you to do the same. You’ve got to open up and let God in and I tell you what, it is an exciting life. 

When you are going it alone, every molehill becomes a mountain. Since the day we gave our lives and our farm to Jesus, our family has been so blessed. I sleep well at night. If I have a problem, I know a Friend who sticks closer to me than a brother (see Proverbs 18:24). God never created you and me to be lone rangers, to be a one-man show. We are a team and we all need a family. 

Jesus Christ is walking with us and we have taken on that mountain and the next one and the next one. You can do the same!

Reflection Question: Mark 4:18-19 | Pulling weeds 

How are you going to protect your heart and mind from falling into the trap that you can go it alone?

Memory Verse - Hebrews 11:6

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your deliverance in Angus’s life. We rejoice that You are a God of restoration and deliverance. We choose to open our hearts to You today. Give us a revelation of Jesus that is more real than any pressure or concern we face. Grant us receptive hearts that we may know Your peace in our lives. May our lives be a living testimony to the world around us. Awaken us to the purposes for which we were created. In Jesus’ name. Amen.