Let me tell you about my Jesus

In recent weeks, we have been hearing all about the Holy Spirit coming in power and enabling the disciples to speak boldly, confidently, and passionately about the good news of Jesus Christ.

Lord, You already see me backing away from preaching boldly to the lost and unsaved. That would certainly take an act of the Holy Spirit to have me, as shy and quiet as I am, speak out like those disciples. I am just not wired that way. But I also know that Christ is my Sufficiency and the Holy Spirit is always around to direct and equip. It would most certainly have to be You making me speak with such confidence and passion to an unbeliever. Yet I know You can, would, and will empower me if and whenever You choose.

Speaking boldly and confidently does not mean head-bashing, loud and with insistent urgency. A calm approach with certainty and confidence - can also be effective in leaving seeds of faith. Whispers can get someone’s attention.

“And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper.” - 1 Kings 19:12 NLT

“… and after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.” - 1 Kings 19:12 KJV

It is comforting to me that the Lord can be found and heard through a soft, gentle, quiet voice. 

“If I speak in the tongues of humans and of angels but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.” - ‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭13‬:‭1‬ ‭NRSVUE‬‬

And another passage to consider:

“The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known. They speak without a sound or word; their voice is never heard. Yet their message has gone throughout the earth, and their words to all the world.” Psalms‬ ‭19‬:‭1‬-‭4‬ ‭NLT‬

And my favorite, most relatable verse:

“When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary, men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.”- Acts 4:13 NIV

Let’s not get intimated by how some share the good news. God has each one of us created and in place and He reaches others by all sorts of methods. Be only attentive to His directing of you. He knows how You are knitted together. He knows how to empower you to make impact beyond your own abilities. God knows how…

May His will be done.

 

OTW (on the way)

 

A “little” big prayer that people would be drawn into Christian action because they know the wisdom and power doesn’t rest on them alone. A prayer for the dreamers, that they pursue, and for those with visions forming in their heads - bring their ideas to fruition. A prayer for heart-winning miracles to happen. Lord, I may not see the results of this prayer, still, I ask for a lifting up of hearts and hands to You, with a desire to show up and get on the move about something You have placed on their heart. May they not easily shake You off and dismiss You. May there be leaps of faith as well as leaps of fire - for with God the possibilities are endless. Again, I know, Lord, You are speaking to me as well. I pray I don’t hesitate in obedience because I can’t be secure about the process or outcome. It’s only scary if I focus on my human limitations. Otherwise, with God all things, all kinds of things, are possible. May we not so quickly poo-poo dreams and visions - the ones God plants in our heads and wants us to pursue - but counting on Him and His all-sufficiency added to our willingness.

Show up. That’s the message of the day. Stop limiting yourself because you only see yourself. Remember now that the Holy Spirit is your plus-plus. It doesn’t matter that you are weak, lacking skill, ability, knowledge and flawed. The Holy Spirit extends your reach. Your words can make a greater impact than you could ever imagine and your actions can have a ripple effect way beyond your wildest dreams. Every believer has been breathed upon and so, every believer is capable of …. More.

But you will receive power and ability when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses (to tell people about Me) both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and Samaria, and even to the ends of the earth. - Acts 1: 8

God can do anything, you know - far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, His Spirit deeply and gently within us. - Ephesians 3:20 MSG

Prayer plus

Our Father…

Creator and Birther of you and me, in His heart and mind long before the world began.

Who is in heaven…

But also with us in the here and now. Closer than our next breath.

Hallowed by Your Name…

Name above all names. Great are You Lord, and greatly to be praised.

Your kingdom come…

My kingdom go. My finite ideas and abilities and desire for control.

Your will be done…

Your plan, Your desire - in and through me. Through us all.

On earth as it is in heaven….

Everywhere. At all times and in all places.

Give us this day our daily bread…

Sufficient in every way for this present day.

And forgive us our debts…

Sins, trespasses, transgressions - every single one.

As we forgive our debtors…

With the same completeness You offer us.

And lead us not into temptation…

Do not test my faith without Your Holy Spirit in me and by my side. The promised Helper.

But deliver us from evil…

Your protection from the devil’s wily ways. 

For Yours in the kingdom and the power and the glory…

 As it was in the beginning. Is now and ever shall be. God above all things, seen and unseen, mightier, greater, wiser, most powerful, beyond comprehension. There is none like You. Unending…

Thanks and praises.

Honor, glory, and blessing.

Reverence and respect.

Adoration and awe.

Worship and love.

Amen.

Rush hour

 

Multi-tasking. Flipping back and forth between two or more activities. But in reality, you are only present for a mere few seconds in one and then the other. And present in one is missing out on the other. And not really giving proper attention to either one because you need to remember to switch back - and soon! Your train of thought constantly interrupted. So distracting, isn’t it? Or aren’t you even aware? And it all feels oh, so, rushed! Like it all has to get done right now! Making you feel edgy, anxious and tired.

One of these distractions can be worry about the future. Worrying about the future causes you to miss out on what God is blessing you with in the right now. Do you really want to miss that?

And what if that which you are worrying about is three weeks away? Do you really want to take that chance of not catching God’s favor, God’s joys and blessings in the now because your focus is way down the road? Do you really want to surrender three weeks of your life to consuming thoughts of what might be?

And the cost of multi-tasking often leads to - mistakes. And having to go back and spend additional time fixing what may not have happened had you been more fully committed in focus. Oops! I forgot to include the attachment. Oops! I made a mistake in my knitting two rows back. Oops! I missed… and now, instead of saving time, you find yourself backtracking and redoing.

Today, let’s stop with the all rushing and hurrying. Let everything be experienced. Let everything be lived out more fully. The Bible says there is a time for everything. And purpose. So let’s trust the Lord to accomplish all that is truly necessary. In His time. Let’s try to be more aware - Where am I? What is happening right now? Can I find God in this? Can I enjoy God while doing this? And trust His timing and completion of the other…

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” - Matthew 11:30 MSG emphasis mine

Safe and Secure

 

Morning time with my cat, Max. He lets me rub his belly. He slings his leg over my arm and settles in. In peace he sleeps. Because He loves me. He knows I am a safe place. He can relax. He wants me near and so I am. He can’t see my hand, but he senses my presence and that’s enough. 

May it be the same for you with Jesus. You love Him. He is your safe place. You can relax. You want Him close by, guarding, protecting, watching - and so He is. Although you can’t see it, His hand is upon you. And it is enough…

“I cling to you; your strong right hand holds me securely.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭63‬:‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“ I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭23‬:‭4‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭91‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭4‬:‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Whether you are lingering in bed dozing in and out before you start your day, or enjoying an afternoon nap, or settling in after a full day - the Lord is near. His hand is upon you (whether you feel it or not) calling you to a safe and secure peace found only in Him.

Open my eyes, Lord

In John 21, the disciples fished all night and didn’t catch a thing.

But then, God…

Jesus enters the scene. And He totally removes the problem, pain, and disappointment. Their nets can barely hold all the fish! I am caught wondering if they prayed. For fish. It doesn’t say so in any translations I have read. In the midst of their tiredness and frustration, Jesus just shows up.

Jesus doesn’t always wait for us to ask. Some answers come after the seeking-prayer, but some come before a word is on our lips.

We’re already in the presence of God. What’s absent is awareness. - Richard Rohr

When our anxious thoughts get interrupted, we can see the Lord is present - clearly present - and already providing. And we will know it, see it, feel it when we stop focusing on the trouble. The goodness of the Lord is right there the whole time.

Maybe you prayed - but maybe you didn’t. Loud distractions can do that to you. But the Lord Jesus shows up anyway. And whatever thoughts or feelings you had, you are welcomed into His arms of grace.

Are you tired? Overwhelmed? Have you reached your limit in wisdom and strength? The Lord is near - to take over from there. Gladness is near. No more squeaking through. The joy of the Lord, the joy of Him stepping in and finishing it with abundance. Oh, yes! Surely goodness and mercy will follow my attempts at strength.

“Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.” Psalms‬ ‭23‬:‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.” Psalms‬ ‭16‬:‭11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Lord, I’m going to believe in Your provision, Your help, and Your abundant response. Great are You, Lord, and greatly to be praised! I will breathe in Your presence. I desire to eagerly seek You with open eyes to all the goodness of having You in my life. Whatever concerns I have, whatever problems may arise, it is already finished by You. They don’t need to consume me. You are the strength beyond my strength.

He Who began a good work in you is not deterred by hiccups along the way. God moves steadily forward to bring it to completion.

“for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them.” Acts 5:38b-39a