Who Said It
Kenneth Ulmer

Kenneth Ulmer pastors the Faithful Central Bible Church of Inglewood, California. What was a congregation of 350 in the 1980s now owns and meets in the Great Western Forum, where the Lakers used to play. Kenneth also teaches in a seminary, and presides over a fellowship with congregations in the U.S. and five African countries. He's married to Togetta; their children are RoShaun, Keniya, and Kendan.

What He Said
How I Found My Focus

A new season loomed ahead for teaching members of the church I pastor. As I sought direction about where to focus, my conversations with God sounded like outtakes from an Abbot and Costello comedy routine:

"Where am I, God?"

Where I put you.

"Where is that?"

I'll let you know.

"When?"

When I let you know.

This spiritual place has no windows or doors but plenty of chairs. I choose one, sit in it, and wait. I make sure to sit, though, because I must be stabilized and centered when he blows my mind … again.

I was casually reading 1 Timothy 4, when what Paul wrote in verse 6 caught my eye: "If you explain this to the brothers and sisters, you will be doing your duty as a worthy servant of Christ Jesus." My study moved from casual to careful. Suddenly I was captured by a basic spiritual concept. I reread Paul's letters to Timothy and Titus, and discovered a recurring idea: godliness. I had my focus!

Adapted from Sailing Between the Stars (Revell, 2006) by permission.

Prayer for the Week

Lord, combine in my life self-effacing humility and quiet confidence in your power.

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