No Disconnect

What makes you feel disconnected from God?  

I was asked that question recently and knew right away what my answer would be.  Two things came to mind.  If I stop singing, and if I don't regularly pray in Spirit.  Then I feel that disconnect.  Yes, I know there are other things that can make us feel disconnected, but those two were the ones for me that most make me feel like there's a disconnect.

Since giving my heart to Jesus over 43 years ago, I love to sing!  Sing to the Lord, sing to my kids, my grandkids, and sing to myself, or whoever is around, doesn't matter . . . I start to sing.  For me it can be difficult to hold the song in, when you just can't help singing.  

There was a time when the singing stopped for a time.  I hadn't realized it, but my son Johnny brought it to my attention.  We were in UCSF in the cancer ward - Johnny was going through chemotherapy and things were not looking good.  Louie (my dear husband), and our other boys were so far away from us in Carson City.  Separated by the miles with schedules of work and school, there were times we just couldn't all be together during this 'regimen of treatment.'  It made me sad.  I quit singing.  And Johnny reminded me, 'Mom, you aren't singing.'  I smiled a weak smile.  I opened my Bible and thought I need to read a Psalm right now.  This is what I read - and after each verse I thought these things:
Psalm 137:1-6 
By the rivers of Babylon, There we sat down and wept, When we remembered Zion.  
O how I weep for my home, my family, my friends. 
Upon the willows in the midst of it We hung our harps. 
I hung up my voice, my music, my song.
 For there our captors demanded of us songs, And our tormentors mirth, saying, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion.”  
I felt that Satan was tormenting me - sing now to the Lord - don't you have a song in your heart now?
How can we sing the LORD’S song In a foreign land?  
How can I NOT sing to the Lord?  He's who is sustaining me - keeping me upright and strong in the midst of this battle!
If I forget you, O Jerusalem, May my right hand forget her skill.  May my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth If I do not remember you, If I do not exalt Jerusalem above my chief joy.  
O Lord, forgive me!  I have quit singing - please don't let me forget You, I do exalt You Lord, You are my joy and my song!  
And I began to sing, but even now if the singing stops, I feel disconnected and I remember, I will sing to the Lord.

After Johnny went to be with Jesus, I found great comfort and peace when I prayed in the Spirit.  The Bible tells us to build yourselves up, edify yourself, by praying in the Spirit, yes, pray in your understanding but also pray in the Holy Spirit.  I must use and practice my spiritual language that was given when I received the baptism of the Holy Spirit by the laying on of hands.  

No, I may not understand what I may be saying, but inwardly the Holy Spirit is building my faith in Jesus Christ.  I become stronger in what and Who I believe in.  So, never let a day go by, without praying in the Spirit.  The power of the Holy Spirit makes me a bold witness of the great things God is doing in my life, and gives me gifts to give away so that others will know God is REAL, He is ALIVE, and I want to share that with everyone!  So when I get downcast and feel disconnected - I pray in the Spirit.  

Jude 20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,

Eph 5:19 Speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord;

Look Up!

Scripture
Galatians 6:9
Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.

Observation
Have endurance, patience, be steadfast.  Establish and strengthen your heart.  Do not be fainthearted, because in the right moment, the season of harvesting, we will reap the fruit and good rewards of what we have been sowing into the lives of others.  Don't give up or be too tired - keep at it!

Application
Look up!  When I look down and see what I have been planting, all I see is dirt, weeds, and the unfinished work of my labors, and know there is so much more to do.  I feel tired, and the sweat dripping off my brow, the stinging tears in my eyes.  I see the birds eating what I have just sown - there are thorns and fallow ground not yet turned.  On days like this, I feel like giving up - like it will never happen.  
But God says, 'Look Up!'  Look to Him for my strength.  Don't quit!  Keep sowing!  Keep doing good!  The Bible says I will reap if I don't grow weary.  God is my strength when I am weak.  Look up, and see what GREAT things God is doing!  Remember what He has already done!  Look to Jesus and keep pressing on.  When I am only looking down, I'm focused only on what I can see.  But when I look up to God, I begin to worship and sing, and pray to Him, and my perspective changes and I begin see what God sees.  
Prayer
God, show me what You see.  Show me what You will do.  Help me to keep doing what You have called me to do and not lose heart.  I want to finish well.  
In Jesus Name, A-men.

Marching Orders

Scripture 
Deuteronomy 1:6-8 The Lord our God spoke to us at Horeb, saying, 'You have stayed long enough at this mountain.  Turn and set your journey, and go to the hill country of the Amorites, and to all their neighbors in the Arabah, in the hill country and in the lowland and in the Negev and by the seacoast, the land of the Canaanites, and Lebanon, as far as the great river, the river Euphrates.  See, I have placed the land before you; go in and possess the land which the Lord swore to give to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to them and their descendants after them.'

Observation
The Lord says, "OK, it's time to move!  You've stayed long enough in this place!  No more aimless wanderings in circles around the mountain, no more hanging back!  It's time to move forward and possess the promise for you and your children, and your children's children.  You have your marching orders!"

Application
Be equipped, be ready, armed for battle, turn and go!  The Lord has placed the promise before me and it is the promise that is for me and my children!  Obey, trust, have courage, have faith, and follow the Lord.  Love Him with all my heart, and take hold of what He has given me today!  Forward March!

Prayer
O Father God, 'Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.'  I hear You calling me and saying it's time to move forward.  It's time to possess the promises You have given me.  You lead me and guide me in the direction and path I will go.  (Ex. 33:15)  "If Your Presence does not go with me, do not lead me up from here."  
Change is difficult Lord.  Help me to embrace the 'new' and let go of the 'old'.  I'm ready to move forward and follow You.  In Jesus Name,  A-men.

Serving

Scripture
Acts 6:3-5,8,10 Therefore, brethren seek out from among you 7 men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business, but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.  And the saying pleased the whole multitude.  And they chose Stephen a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit.  
v8  And Stephen, full of faith and power did great wonders and signs among the people.
v10 And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke.

Observation
The Church is growing and there are now a multitude of Christ followers, and with the increasing number of disciples comes its challenges and the need for more oversight of areas.  Those selected needed to be qualified for the position, good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit, wisdom, and faith . . . and these were the cafe' workers managing the food pantry, serving tables, and caring for the widows.
The apostles then were free to pray and minister God's word and not have to worry about the business part of ministry.

Application
Serving in this capacity does not limit the Holy Spirit power working through those serving - it enhances what God wants to do.  So I will serve wherever needed!  No matter what we do in service for the Lord and His work, God can use us.  Whether it's food distribution, ushering, cleaning the church, singing on the worship team, teaching Sunday School, office work, serving in Youth Group, or even giving a missions report, or being part of a mission outreach, no matter where I serve, God will be glorified when I give Him my all.  The Holy Spirit working through me will bless the multitudes accompanied with signs, wonders, and miracles.

Prayer
Father, serving You, loving You, loving and serving people is all part of worship. Your Holy Spirit will meet the needs of the people as I avail myself to be used by You.  The Holy Spirit who lives in me, is the same Spirit who worked through Stephen who did signs, wonders, and miracles speaking with such wisdom the people were not able to resist the words that flowed from his mouth; who when people looked on him, they saw the face of an angel.  
Shine Jesus Shine through this yielded vessel I pray and bring glory and honor to Your Holy Name, in Jesus Name, A-men.

Here I Am, Send Me

Scripture

Acts 5:29, 40, 42  But Peter and the apostles answered, "We must obey God rather than men."  ... and after calling the apostles in, they flogged them and ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and then released them.  And everyday, in the temple and from house to house they kept right on teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.

Observation  

Standing up before the Council and being questioned by the high priest, the apostles spoke boldly before these religious, learned men who were jealous because of the apostles increasing popularity among the multitudes.  Not only were they jealous, they were also perplexed that these guys were out of prison - 'Didn't we put them in jail - who let them out?  And what are they doing?  Teaching again publicly, out in the open, telling crowds of people about Jesus.  Preaching in that name after we told them not to!'  
Peter and the apostles stated clearly, they must obey God rather than man.  They were beaten and warned not to teach or preach in the name of Jesus.  But they did anyway.  They went every day to the temple and the people would gather to hear them.  They went to private homes, to any who would listen, they proclaimed the good news of Jesus Christ, and were not afraid of what man might do to them.  They instead rejoiced that they were considered worthy to suffer shame for Jesus. 

Application  

I too choose to obey God and proclaim my faith to whoever will listen.  I don't need to be afraid of rejection or even verbal or physical abuse when I am obeying God.  I will trust God for the outcome of the words of life and salvation.  Some of the hearers may even plug their ears when they hear His name, unless it were to be used in a profane way.  I know I can speak boldly for Christ, I can trust in the Him for safety.  

I remember a mission trip to Mexico City back in 1985.  We were doing street drama, singing gospel songs in Spanish, and managing a puppet theater too.  It was exciting in that we were drawing a crowd of spectators - until the tomatoes started to fly and then we ran for cover.  Wow!  We got blasted by tomatoes for sharing about Jesus.  Later two of our high school boys on the team, began playing soccer and it wasn't long before the Hispanic boys that threw the tomatoes at us, joined the game.  After some sweat, great ball handling, and fun - we invited the players to a home meeting to feed them dinner and hear about Jesus.  A couple of them came, and ended up receiving Jesus as their Savior.  What started out to be a bit scarey for us had an interesting outcome.  Thanks to God.

Prayer 

Father God, Isaiah 6:8 says, 'Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: “Whom shall I send, And who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.”  I love that verse Lord -  because I hear You asking that question even now.  So my response is, 'Here I am Lord, send me' - I'm not afraid.  I'm trusting You for the outcome.  Give me the confidence and boldness, wisdom, and the saving words to speak at the right moment.  Fill my mouth and I will speak in Jesus' Holy Name.  Thank You for the privilege to serve You.  A-men.

Vows

Scripture 

Genesis 31:13,18, 20 

“I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed a pillar, where you made a vow to Me.  Now arise, leave this land, and return to the land of your birth.”

Now Jacob came safely to the city of Shechem, which is in the land of Canaan

Then he erected there an altar and called it El-Elohe-Israel (The Mighty God of Israel).

Observation  

Jacob’s name was changed to Israel after he wrestled all night with the angel of God – face to face with God.  Jacob’s vow to God, when he had the dream in Bethel: Genesis 28:20  “If God will be with me and will keep me on this journey that I take and will give me food to eat and garments to wear and I return to my father’s house in safety, then the Lord will be my God.”

Jacob – ‘Israel’ erects an altar and fulfills his vow to God, the Mighty God of Israel.  Proclaiming, that God is now His God – the God of “Israel”. 

Application  

God’s faithfulness, blessing and mercy is evident through 20 years of working for Laban, (his uncle and father-in-law).   Even though Laban was unfair and deceitful to Jacob, God prospered Jacob, and showed Himself strong in his life. 

I too, remember God’s faithfulness to me, and I remember the vows and promises I have made to Him.  And Lord, I will fulfill my vows.  Psalm 76:11 Make vows to the Lord your God and fulfill them.

Prayer 

Father God, You have said You are with me and that You will never leave me nor forsake me.  You have brought me to an open place where there is peace.  You have blessed me abundantly with a relationship with You, and blessed me with a family, and many friends.  You have led me and guided me and have given me hope, purpose, and a destiny I know I will fulfill.  You are my God, the Mighty God who always does great and wonderful things!  I pray you continue to show Yourself strong in my life as I follow you and obey you all the days of my life – this is my vow.   For Your glory.  In Jesus Name, Your maidservant.  A-men.

PS  Release me Lord I pray, from vows made mindlessly and foolishly and help me to fulfill the vows that lead me to a closer walk with You.  A-men.

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Living 'Under the Influence'

Scripture: Luke 4:1  Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led around by the Spirit in the wilderness.

Observation:  Jesus lived His earthly life led around, 'under the influence' of the Holy Spirit.  He was full of the Holy Spirit and withstood temptations, attacks from the enemy, He taught with eloquence, power, and authority.  He cast out devils, healed the sick, eluded hostile crowds, and the news spread of Him! Everyone was talking about Him!  And yet, Jesus found time to go to secluded, desolate places, or mountains, to be alone with God and pray.  

Application:  I want to live my life 'under the influence' of the Holy Spirit of God.  Totally trusting in Him, empowered to spread the good news; praying for those in need of healing or deliverance from the grips of evil.  Like Jesus, I need to be alone with God and pray.  It seems to be the most important thing I can ever do.  Praying and solitude, being filled to the full with the power of God to then go among the people, to be a yielded vessel for my Master's use; that He might be glorified in the great things He has done through my obedience to His will.

Prayer:  You are God in Heaven O Father!  There is none like You.  May I make those times with You my #1 priority.  To sit at Your feet and learn of You.  To cast all my care on You and that You would breakdown every barrier, and reveal anything in me that is not pleasing to You.  
I hear You say, 'come away', be filled, be refreshed, press in, go deeper still . . .  listen and obey.  This is my desire Lord, this is my prayer.  In Jesus Name, A-men.