Monday Morning Commentary

Blessed and Broken.

After my husband's final message this weekend, I went backstage to tell him how wonderful he did.  He looked at me and asked me if the message was too heavy.  I quickly responded that the message was heavy yet hopeful and that it was exactly the message for our church this weekend.

The message came from Luke 24, when Jesus walked with the men to Emmaus.  He pointed out that the men were on their way in the opposite direction of where they had been commanded to stay (Jerusalem), and how Jesus can meet you even when you are headed in the wrong direction.  He explained how Jesus walked 7 miles with these men but it wasn't until he broke bread with them that their eyes were opened to see that it was Jesus who had been with them.

He went on to share an analogy about how Jesus took the bread, blessed it, broke it and gave it.  He pointed out how Jesus did this in Luke 22 when he served passover to the disciples, and also when he fed the 5000.  Took, blessed, broke, gave.  And he reminded us of how this is a pattern we see throughout the scripture, and it is a pattern in our own lives as well.

TOOK- Have you ever had a time when you felt like God was taking you from something?  A relationship?  A job?  A move?  He told us that God doesn't take us from something to deprive us, he takes us so He can bless us.

BLESS- And after he takes us, he blesses us.  This is a wonderful time that God wants you to enjoy if you are in that stage.

BROKE- Then He breaks us.  No matter how painful a breaking period can be, it is in the breaking that we truly see Jesus.  And sometimes you learn that the breaking can actually be a blessing.  God doesn't break us because He is careless.  His breaking has a purpose, to give.

GIVE- And what a beautiful thing it is when God gives your life to further His kingdom.

My husband closed by pointing out that the bread never left Jesus' hands.  No matter what stage you are in, you can know that you are in Jesus' hands.

You can listen to the message all week at the Elevation Experience and in our archives later as well.

Have a great Monday!

Comments

[Michelle]

Thank you so much Mrs. Furtick! This is what I needed to read today.

[kelly webb]

Wow! I am so excited to go listen to this msg after seeing all these comments and reading your post, but what impressed me most was what a testimony of "hopefullness" YOU are to your husband - we truly have the power to tear down or build up - you built him up when it sounds like perhaps our enemy came right to him at the end wispering lies. Thanks for being that example of the power a wife has in believing in/ inspiring your husband. Just made that holiday pumpkin bread - absolutely delish! Blessings!

[Karen Summers]

Holly, I've tweeted, emailed, facebooked my comments about your husband's message yesterday yet I am still reveling in the aftermath of the message. As I was not serving this Sunday for the first time in (years?) a long time, my husband came with me. We are going through an extreme brokenness right now and we are desperately trying to find our way. This is by far not the first brokenness. We've lost a child, suffered infertility, my father's suicide, son's epilepsy, my own breast cancer, and other things, but this recent change of events has almost taken us under. Your husband's message yesterday blew life into our fragile psyche, and we left tear stained and hopeful. I prayed for a word for the two of us to hear, and we got the most powerful message your husband has ever preached. Bar none. I have listened to every single sermon he's preached and we've been attending since '08.

I am thankful for his willing spirit to go where the holy spirit leads and then to step aside and let God speak to His people. While I thought that sermon was just for me out of 10,000 people, I have spoken to SO many since who had the very same reaction. This one is a keeper on my IPOD. Could be a daily listen. No, it WILL be a daily listen.

Thank you for being the God-breathed people you are.

[Krystal Stewart]

What an awesome msg and so true, my husband is a church planter and we have been inspired many times from you & your husbands ministry.

Keep up the good work, very timely Word...

[Flo]

I haven't even heard the message YET but my heart hears the "message" of pastor's message.

Thanks for a wonderful blog post.

[Kim Sullivan]

This is exactly what I needed to hear today. Thank you!

[Marsha C]

I loved his message! Blessed by your ministry.

[Kimberly Seenarine-Pfeifer]

I have to tell you that the msg yesterday was the most amazing communion msg I've ever heard. I'm a PK (older now lol) & have heard sooo many sermons. Yesterday I was in tears & felt as if the msg was just for me. We've recently moved to Charlotte and could relate on many levels. God was broken for us, and viewing brokeness as a place of blessing is an exciting view on how to face your trials. I feel as if I was given a gust of wind and a heavenly view on my personal situation. Love your blog & your heart.
Kimberly

[Kat]

LOVED this sermon... I always walk away saying "This week was my favorite" but God really spoke clearly to me through this one. You're right, it was heavy but exactly the message I needed to hear!!!

[Keirstin]

Holly,
The message was exactly what you said, "heave yet hopeful" and "exactly the message for our church this weekend".

I prayed my entire drive to church yesterday evening. I prayed that the message Pastor Steven had would give me clarity in a difficult suituation. I prayed that I would not be able to deny what I needed to do after leaving the church.

It did just that. I walked out knowing EXACTLY what I needed to do. Now, it wasn't what I wanted to do. But, it is what I need to do.

Thank you, Holly for always standing beside Pastor Steven!!