Call Me

Jeremiah 33: 3 Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know.'

The Lord spoke these words to me a year ago and they are alive today as they were then. When the Lord says to “call me” He is not referring to a simple prayer requesting needs and wants. It is a call to get close to God to know what HE has in store.

The definition of call is:
1. get or try to get into communication with someone
2. shout: utter a sudden loud cry

You may wonder why we sometimes yell out during worship, we are simply calling on God. See if I want to talk to Malinda and she is at home and I am at my house I cannot just start talking and expect her to know what I said. No I have to get close to her or pick up the phone. But I have to do something that gets us together to communicate.

Worship is the connector that allows your prayers to be clearly heard. Don’t miss understand me, God is everywhere and He is not hard of hearing. But He desires for us to want Him near. Worship is not for Sunday mornings. It is for everyday to draw you into the presence of God. It is thanking and praising, crying and petitioning. Where the spirit of the Lord is there is freedom. Draw near unto God and He will draw near unto you. These are awesome promises for the Lord. Get away today and call to God, shout and let Him show you things that you never knew.

Support The Father's

1 John 2: 13-14 "I write to you, fathers, because you have known him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I write to you, dear children, because you have known the Father. I write to you, fathers, because you have known him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God lives in you, and you have overcome the evil one."

The word of God has much to say about roles of father and men in general. As a mother who has a son the first thing that comes to mind is the importance of raising Isaiah in the ways of the Lord. Much responsibility lies on the man and much authority is given to them. As I pondered my role as a mother which I love and take great pride in, I thought about my husband, the father. I will be the first to admit that I have put my children’s needs before my husband 80% of the time. This is a terrible sin and a danger for this awesome man of God. I have said many times that a woman can be a man’s greatest allie or greatest defeat. Look at Delilah and Samson. She could have supported him to greatest, but destroyed him instead. I, as a wife, can both uplift and empower my husband, or I can prey on his weakness and fight against him.

We already know that fathers all across this nation are missing not knowing that they are over comers in Jesus name. Men need as much attention and care as our children. Not that they are babies, but God created me first to be his helpmate, not a mother.

Lord, show me how better to serve and encourage Ant to be all You have called him to be. I pray that you empower him and relieve all stress, in Jesus name. Amen

Take Care Of Yourself

John 21: 20-22 Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, "Lord, who is going to betray you?") When Peter saw him, he asked, "Lord, what about him?" Jesus answered, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me."

After Jesus had risen from the dead He visited his disciples a few times and on this occasion He was having a discussion with Peter about his future. Fun how Jesus is giving Peter instructions on how he will serve God and Peter wants to know what’s up with John. So easily distracted, Peter wants to take the focus off himself and find out what is in store for John. I love Jesus answer, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me." In essences Jesus is saying, I can do whatever I want with John take care of yourself.

How often do we lose sight of what God wants to do in our lives because we are focused on something or someone else? It happens to all of us at some point. I will be honest as we get closer to embarking on our journey to Hawaii I do focus on who is coming with us and who is not. I truly feel God saying these words to me this morning, take care of yourself. Focus on what I have called you to do and I will do what I want with everyone else. This is hard for me as someone who likes to plan and if I don’t have all the pieces it makes it difficult. God does not need my plans; He just needs me to walk His.

Lord, I give up my plans for Yours. Help me to stay focused, not on what lies ahead, but on Your face. Lead me and I will follow. Thank you for Your gentle reminder. Amen

Overcome

John 16: 33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

This world is full of heartache and troubles. Jesus knew the daily struggles of people’s lives and lived through His own struggles while on the earth. With this understanding He gives what we all need…peace. Times are so uncertain and everywhere you go people are stressed and worried. Peace is the last thing people have but it is what is most desired.

Peace in the Hebrew is Shalom, which means completeness, welfare, and safety. Jesus was not just talking about a state of emotion, but was giving an assurance of safety, welfare, and completeness. In a time of insecurity Jesus tells them why He can give such an assurance, He has overcome the world.

As a child of God, I have placed my life in His hands. These hands are those of a conqueror. Have you ever watched the movie Taken? It is about a young girl who is kidnapped and her father is an ex-military assassin. He tells the kidnapper that he has a very particular set of skills that make him a nightmare for people like him. Wouldn’t you feel safe around him? My God has all the skills that makes demons run in fear. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tzwyww6Nr64 I cannot obtain peace apart from Him. But I have nothing to fear because He fights for me and always wins.

Whatever the circumstance you face today, receive the peace of God. My God has the skills to handle it. He has overcome the world?

Direction?

Jeremiah 10: 23 I know, O LORD, that a man's life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps.

Jeremiah’s prayer was heartfelt. God had commissioned him to relay a difficult message to the people of upcoming judgment. Being God’s spokesmen was an incredible honor but he also paid a price for his obedience.

God never promised me that serving Him would be easy or that I would always be liked. I have a great road ahead of me, one that I am excited about. However, there is also much uncertainty. I cannot plan my future I can only prepare and trust God with the rest. I live by faith and not by sight, because I live from God and God alone. I have a promise that He will never leave me nor forsake me. So I may not know what is coming next but I can rest assured that it is all good.

Lord, You are crazy good to me. I look back and You have never failed me and I know my future is secure as long as I don’t get in the way and mess it up. Thank you for Your faithfulness. I give You my life and my future. Amen

Marked

John 12:10,11 So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and putting their faith in him.

People will want to destroy me just for being a witness of God’s power. Those who are not benefiting from something want to shut it down. This is a sign of selfishness and insecure, people with no direction. Have you ever met someone who was negative about everything? People like that are not the most liked people because there view of life is gray. They kill projects and never produce anything. They know why everything doesn’t work but have no idea how to make it work.

The religious leaders of Jesus day did not want anything that benefited others that did not come from them and make them look good. Yet they had done nothing worthwhile.

I don’t mind being a ladder to elevate others to reach their potential, but don’t try to use me as a step stool to kick back on. I have wasted much time not taking risks for God and for what, to play it safe. No one who wants to wear the mark of God is exempt from hard times. I’m glad I’m not.

Thank you Lord, for blessing me and marking my life with miracles. I want to shine for you no matter the danger. New season here I come.

No Fear

John 7: 1 After this, Jesus went around in Galilee, purposely staying away from Judea because the Jews there were waiting to take his life.

Jesus more than once stayed away from places of danger. He was wise enough to know that timing is critical. Today, as I read this passage of scripture a thought came to mind. Was Jesus scared? Fear is not a sin it is a human emotion and Jesus was human and fully God. Hebrews 2:17-18 says” For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.”

This tells me that Jesus experienced fear just as we do; however, He did not allow it to dictate His next move. When God told Him to do something regardless of fear Jesus moved. Because of His dependence on God and not His human emotions we all benefit.

Fear is an emotion that we give way too much credit and power to. I thank God for this look into His life and how He knows what I deal with and will give me the strength to move beyond it.

Lord, You are awesome. Thank You for showing me how real and powerful You are. I pray that I will honor You and the sacrifice You made by going beyond my fears. Amen

Selfless

John 5: 43-44 "I have come in My Father's name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, you will receive him. "How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and you do not see the glory that is from the one and only God?

I work at a University and I seen this scene every day. People are only out to get glory for themselves. It’s all about who you know and what they can do for you. People are confused went you lift someone else up instead of putting them down. Jesus was not about SELF He was all about the Father. He wasn’t going around proclaiming His greatness. Can you picture it?

Jesus: people gather around as I make this lame man walk. Watch as I blink three times and make him jump.

Nope, not my Lord’s style, but certainly the worlds. He simply asked him if He wanted to be well. Jesus wanted to help this man and not use Him to help Himself. Every day we have a chance to help the people around us and we don’t need a pat on the back or some reward. Just to be a reflection of Jesus and give him glory.

Lord, thank you for the greatness example of selflessness. I pray that I would cease every opportunity to lift You up through my actions. Amen