Bigger Not Better

Naaman's servants went to him and said, "My father, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more, then, when he tells you, 'Wash and be cleansed'!" So he went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, as the man of God had told him, and his flesh was restored and became clean like that of a young boy.

2 Kings 5:13-14

What is it about us that feels like worthy things only come through great acts? our pride lies to us by saying we're too good for that or people will only respect me by doing more grander feats. Naaman was humbled by his servants when they told him that it's not about the actual task that's involved but rather are you willing to die to your pride to faithfully follow God's ways. Once Naaman took his focus off the actual task but the one behind the task, he was healed and so many after that turned to the one and only true God. We too need to look beyond our pride and just obey.

Wow, where do I start with this. The thing that pops right out in my mind has to do with discipleship and small groups. If I were to be asked to lead this class or group that has a larger audience or being led to start up this small group consisting of only a handful of people, which would I choose? If God was calling me to sheppard this small group but an opportunity came along more appealing, where would I go? My flesh would say bigger is better. I have a feeling this is what happened with my calling to the Frontlines director role. I got confused with my calling because my heart was to help and I mistook that as my purpose. I'm already praying on this but now also about the direction of the small group. I know God will release me by reminding me of my purpose, my passion and my giftings.

Heavenly Father, I pray LORD that You clear my mind of confusion and distractions. Help my thoughts be pure and focused on my specific calling in this world. Many needs and opportunities arise but I'm reminded that it's not just me in this world, You have complete control. I pray that You release that burden and strengthen Your servant through prayers & fellowship. In the wonderful name of Christ Jesus I pray, Amen!

Speak Love

The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. Some have wandered away from these and turned to meaningless talk. They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm.

1 Timothy 1:5-7

Sometimes we get lost in knowledge. We seek out stuff like information and know-how but then lose the ultimate goal, love. Why or how does t his happen? This happens because of selfishness, greed or just short-sightedness. We start focusing in on the details and not the bigger picture. We think about our roles instead of God's plan. Our words, thoughts and actions should always reflect God's love in some way; otherwise, it's all meaningless.

A lot of the stuff that's been coming out of my mouth lately has been meaningless. It had to do with me, me , me... The more I spoke the more I knew I was distancing myself from God but yet I still continued. I realize that I became this way because I failed to love my brothers unconditionally. I hold onto bitterness and a loose tongue awoke; spewing anger, hate and destruction. My wonderful brother-in-Christ was my lightning rod and absorbed the rubbish (of which I'm so thankful). Everything that came out of my mouth, even if true, was meaningless because I did not speak out of God's love. I realize, especially in this season, I need to take intentional measures to speak God's love. I need to change my attitude towards all situations and allow the Holy Spirit to flow through each and every situation. Additional prayer time, additional worship & fellowship time is necessary to get my mind re-calibrated. Jesus will rescue me once again!

Praise to You my Father! You have pulled me out of so many bad times LORD, thank You so much! In this season, my perseverance and faith is being tested. I'm definitely at a crossroads and I need to choose all things wisely. I cannot concern myself with anything other than my relationship with You, My LORD. I pray that my faith and spirit is strengthened with Your unconditional love. Thank You for being here with me today. I love You, Lord Jesus! Amen!

Choosing Godly Counsel

Ahab king of Israel asked Jehoshaphat king of Judah, "Will you go with me against Ramoth Gilead?" Jehoshaphat replied, "I am as you are, and my people as your people; we will join you in the war." But Jehoshaphat also said to the king of Israel, "First seek the counsel of the LORD."... But Jehoshaphat asked, "Is there not a prophet of the LORD here whom we can inquire of?" The king of Israel answered Jehoshaphat, "There is still one man through whom we can inquire of the LORD, but I hate him because he never prophesies anything good about me, but always bad.

2 Chronicles 18:3,4,6,7

It's great to be willing to go to war as Jehoshaphat did but a willing and loyal heart needs to be submissive to God's calling. And hearing that calling is so critical because choosing the wrong path can lead to destruction. Ahab refused to listen to God's message because it wasn't favorable to him and he discredited the messenger, Micaiah. Sometimes it doesn't matter who the messenger of God's trust is, it's our willingness to accept whatever God desires.

I think it's natural for people to seek counsel in those who encourage and make us feel better. At the same time that's why people avoid or fall away from the body, they don't want to hear it anymore because it hurts to hear it. In this season, I'm thinking of all the reasons why I want to step away from ministry. I think about the counsel I want to seek out, those who just make me feel better. But that's not what people of God supposed to do . We're supposed to draw closer than ever to God, even when we don't' want to; even when it hurts to. In Pastor Dom's message last night he talked about the highs and lows in ministry. It's easy to serve in the highs but it's what happens in the lows that reveal our character. I need to first draw really close to Jesus by keeping the body close by and be willing to accept harsh and godly counsel.

Heavenly Father, You are the very same God that was there speaking through Micaiah to Ahab; he didn't listen. LORD, please direct my path. Grant me rest in the Spirit. Help me LORD to be refreshed by Your Spirit to cleanse and fill me up with Your love. I know You will speak clearly to me as I surround myself in fellowship, worship & prayer. Consume my Spirit LORD so that I will be able to follow Your lead. Father God, I love You for all You are! In the blessed name of my King and Savior, Amen!

Forgiveness is a Product of Love

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Colossians 3:12-14

Forgiveness is not about saying sorry or even vowing to change our ways; it’s about humbling ourselves by putting on the fruit of the Spirit so that a real change and transformation happens within. When this happens our very being and fabric of life will result is obedience and love. Forgiveness comes from a true Godly love that’s so special. We all need to seek this forgiveness that brings joy to this life.

I need forgiveness and to offer forgiveness to others. I’m at a beginning of a season where I look back and see so many failures in ministry. I asked my brother for forgiveness but there’s a hurt and pain that’s lingering within my spirit. It’s carrying through to another brother where I’m finding it hard to forgive. Everything that happens now in ministry I’m feeling isolated and targeted. I feel bitterness towards me and I’m harboring it in myself. As scriptures say, I need to forgive as the Lord forgave me. It’s an unconditional forgiveness. When I dig deeper, there’s forgiveness that I need to offer both these brothers. I can trace many things back to these two that in some way has scared me; little things that have chipped away at me to where I don’t even see the details anymore, it’s a feeling. I need to work on my self-control, gentleness, faithfulness, goodness, kindness, patience, peace & joy; so that my love is evident through forgiveness.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your wonderful & amazing love and forgiveness. I don’t understand how You can forgive me after all my sin but I am so thankful You do. As I continue in this season, LORD, please help me to be in the Spirit more and more; captivate my thoughts and let my deeds be evidence of Your presence. LORD, I offer my empty cup to You with an expectation that You’ll fill it with Your guidance and counsel to see and know You more. Help me to steward this season well. I love You Father God, Mighty Son & King with the covering of the Holy Spirit, Amen!

Striking Options

So Elisha left him and went back. He took his yoke of oxen and slaughtered them. He burned the plowing equipment to cook the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out to follow Elijah and became his attendant.

1 Kings 19:21

Elisha did not straddle the fence in ministry. He understood clearly his calling and left no other option to return to his old path. He completely wiped out his options and went full steam ahead with God's calling. We too need to remove distractions that pull us away from following Him to our calling.

This is exactly what I need to hear right now. I need to seek God's direction in my life on whether or not to remain the frontlines director at Sand Island. This season, I'm very busy with work so it's making me really pray hard on how I spend the time I have for ministry. Is God calling me into the frontlines ministry or into a discipleship ministry where I get to learn and teach the wonderful Gospel? Both are great areas to minister but which area does God want me in? I believe God is telling me through today's reading is that when I clearly hear His will, I need to make that choice known and remove all options to go astray. If I choose discipleship then I need to remove myself from leadership completely at Sand Island. If I choose frontlines I need to go all in and put to rest the idea of taking classes and other teaching opportunities. I can't be on the fence because my focus will always be blurry. Same thing with serving in the choir, I can't continue the leadership role with that anymore cause it pulls me away from my other options. I can continue to participate but my heart and service needs to be solid.

Lord God, mighty King, thank You for being with me on this wonderful journey. I know there are going to be many, many lessons and teachings You're going to equip me with in order to see Your face. Help me to see You clearly as Elisha did so that I could make Your desire the only option. I pray that relationships continue to grow and be repaired. Fan the fire within me to please You my King! Amen!