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.

,

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.

Come to the Cross

Scripture
Mark 6:20 - 26
For Herod was afraid of John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and kept him safe.  And then when he heard him, he was very perplexed; but he use to enjoy listening to him. 

Observation
Herod was afraid of John the Baptist because he knew he was a man sent from God (John 1:6).  He was God's messenger.  John preached a baptism of repentance and forgiveness of sins.  All the country of Judea, and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him and they were being baptized by John in the Jordan River confessing their sins.  Herod kept John safe and was puzzled and uncertain, even bewildered but gladly listened to John.

Application
The Holy Spirit was at work in the heart of Herod.  He was aware of God's presence in John and was drawn to 'hear him' but did nothing to turn his heart to God and repent of his sins.  John was a man sent from God and walked in obedience to God and was righteous and holy.  God was the One who kept John safe - not Herod.  John's life ended because his days were fulfilled and his mission on earth accomplished.   
The Holy Spirit brings conviction that leads us to repentance but if we reject Him, we end up sinning even more.  Herod's adulterous sin with Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, eventually led him to murder the very man he was 'keeping safe,' who had spoken LIFE and TRUTH to him.  

Prayer 
Father, I pray as your Holy Spirit works in my life and convicts me of sins, that I will turn to You quickly, in total surrender and repentance.  Help me come to the cross of Jesus.  I want to be a do-er of the Word and not just a glad hearer of the Word.  I don't want my ears 'tickled' with the Words of Life, but I want to take them to heart and obey You.  Draw me close to You O God and never let me go.  Forgive me of all my sin and cover me with the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray.  
In Jesus Name, A-men.

Storms of Life

Scripture 
Mark 4:35
On that day, when evening came, He said to them, "Let us go over to the other side."  Leaving the crowd, they took Him along with them, just as He was; and other boats were with Him.  and there arose a fierce gale of wind, and the waves were breaking over the boat so much that the boat was already filling up.  Jesus Himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke Him and said to Him, "Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?"  And He got up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, "Hush, be still."  And the wind died down it became perfectly calm.  And He said to them, "Why are you afraid?  Do you still have no faith?"  

Observation
Other boats were with Him as well as the one Jesus was in.  The storm caused the waves to swell and the boats were taking in water!  I wonder how the other boats were doing.  Yet Jesus sleeps in the disciples boat.  Doesn't He care?
Sometimes it seems Jesus sleeps through the 'storms' we experience.  Where is He when we are trying to keep the boat afloat and our heads above the water?  Why are we so timid and unbelieving when we are going through times of trouble?  We know Jesus is with us, but nothing is happening and we feel we are sinking!  Isn't it enough to know He is with us?  Does He have to be doing something like 'bailing' us  out of our predicament for us to believe?   

Application
I hear the Lord saying, "Trust, have faith.  Don't be afraid, I Am with you."  Hush, be still O waves and wind!  Hush be still O my soul because I trust in God and have peace, because He is with me. 

Prayer 
Father, thank You for Your Presence.  May I trust and believe and have faith in You in all life's situations.  I know You are with me and fully aware of every detail that concerns me.  I know sometimes I am afraid when the storm is raging around me . . . calm my fears I pray.  I pray for all those experiencing real life storms today - especially those in harms way on the East Coast of our nation.  May they feel Your Presence and Your Peace as they trust in You and have faith knowing You are there.   
In Jesus Name, 
A-men.

No Fear

Scripture  
John 19:38  After these things Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but a secret one for fear of the Jews... Mark 15:43  Joseph gathered courage and went to Pilate for the body of Jesus.  

Observation  
Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of the council, was a secret follower of Jesus because he was fearful of the Jewish leaders.  Would they try to kill him?  What would they say about him if they knew?  What would they do to him?  His family?  Would he lose his reputation?  Although very much afraid,  Joseph 'gathered courage' and went to Pilate and boldly asked him for the body of Jesus that he might give him a decent burial.  

Application  
I am a Christ follower - a disciple of Jesus Christ.  I will shout it from the mountaintops, and sing of His praise quite freely now.  But there were times early on in my walk with Jesus that I was once like Joseph; I was a secret disciple too.  I was afraid of what others would think of me - those who knew the 'old' me.  Why was I afraid to speak up and tell my family, my friends, that 'I'm saved!  I'm forgiven!  I've met Jesus!  I've been baptized with the Holy Spirit of God and He has empowered me to go and tell of all the great things He has done for me!'  But, I was shy, timid, so afraid and hesitant.  Yes, I was a secret disciple too, but no longer. 

So, how do I gather courage?  How do I overcome the horrendous obstacle of fear?  

• I pray.  I ask for courage.  I've learned that God will give me what I need when I need it.  I remember it's ok to be afraid, and I still get a bit scared when I know I'm going to share with someone about Jesus or pray for them.  It's ok to fail too, but I've made a decision to be a life long learner and listener of Jesus and I will obey Him.  
• I recall scripture verses that have helped me when my knees are knocking.  The fear of man is a snare.  God has not given to you a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and a sound mind.  Fear not, for I am with you. When I am weak then He is strong.  Choose you this day who you will serve.  Keep pressing on.  Whatever He says, do it.  

That's what I do when I am afraid.  Bottom line, I trust in Him.  

Prayer  
O God, You are my God and I will ever praise You!  You teach me and show me Your ways and help me to find the words that I could not express otherwise.  You give boldness to this unlearned uneducated vessel and I give You thanks.  I'm amazed by Your great love and embrace the adventures You have prepared for me to walk in each day.  May I bring glory to Your awesome Name.  Show Yourself strong and save many.   In Jesus Name, A-men. 

With God - all things are possible!

Scripture

2 Kings 18:2-3, 5, 6  (2 Chronicles 29:1-2)

Hezekiah was 25 years old when he became king, and he reigned 29 years in Jerusalem; and his mother's name was Abi the daughter of Zechariah.  He did right in the sight of the Lord, according to all the his father David had done. v5 He trusted in the Lord, the God of Israel.  

v6 He clung to the Lord and did not depart from following His commandments.  

Observation 

Hezekiah was 25 years old when he became king reigning in Jerusalem for 29 years.  He did right before God - he trusted and clung to the Lord as his 'father' David had done.  His mom, was Abi, daughter of Zechariah.   Hezekiah had good 'influencers' in his life.  His mom, perhaps his grandfather Zechariah, and his 'father', David.  He was trained, instructed, admonished, corrected, and shaped by 'influencers' in his young life preparing him for his reign as King.   Hezekiah learned to trust in God for all things, to cling to Him in all seasons of adversity and of plenty, and to obey God's Word - he took to heart everything that was taught to him.  And so, he did right in the sight of the Lord. 

Application

I want to be a good 'influencer' to my sons & daughters, grandkids, & to all the men, women, youth, & little ones God has blessed me to be around in this season of my life.  

We raised our 4 sons (& my nephew for 5 years), teaching them to love God and listen and obey what He says.  We brought them to church with us, sang songs about Jesus with them, read the Bible to them, & encouraged them to read it when they were old enough to read for themselves.  We tried to be godly examples of what it is to be a Christ follower not just on Sundays but everyday.  We used the BEST 'how to' manual ever written - The Holy Bible.   We loved, trained, taught, corrected our boys the best we knew how including popping them on the 'booty' when they needed it.  We tried to finish our correcting times with love, hugs, and prayers.  Consistency was my biggest challenge, but when you realize parenting is a major responsibility, a gift from God & a huge blessing - then you take it more seriously; and so I worked at being consistent with their upbringing.  It's hard & it takes a lot of work, but well worth it in the end.  Without God, it was impossible, but with God, all things are possible!  

Prayer

Father, there's a whole new generation coming up that need to be loved, trained, & raised to worship You.  I'm available & will do right according to what Your word says in doing my part - leading them to You and helping the parents to raise their offspring to be Christ followers and worshipers.  Thank You for the privilege to serve You in this way.  With You God, all things are possible!  In Jesus Name, A-men.