Action Requied

"Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding"- Proverbs 4:6-7 (NIV).

There's a childhood game of "Which would you choose?" and your two choices are opposites and uneven. So, which would you choose: To be extremely wealthy, but very ignorant, or to be very poor, yet saturated in wisdom? Consider this from a Chinese Philosopher: A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step (Lao-tzu: 604 BC-531 BC). You cannot find what you do not seek, arrive if you do not go, be satisfied if you do not partake. To obtain anything requires action. If we get wisdom, she protects...if we love wisdom, she shelters. James 1:5 reveals the required action: "If you lack wisdom, ask God and He will give generously." But, back to the game. According to Solomon, wisdom is priceless; therefore, one who possesses wisdom is extremely wealthy. The game was 'fixed'. Ask; you shall receive.       

Transformed

"Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, Whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah"- Acts 2:36 (NIV).

Peter was addressing thousands in Jerusalem proclaiming the resurrection of the Messiah (v. 31). Is this the same man who hid in the shadows during the arrest of Jesus and vehemently denied being acquainted with Whom he believed to be the Christ (Mark 8:29)? Peter moved from hiding behind locked doors, in fear, to publicly and defiantly spreading the Word of God. The day of Pentecost changed Peter and the other disciples irrevocably when the Holy Spirit poured into them (Acts 2:4). The same power of transformation took place for Saul on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-18). Saul, with letters of permission to track down and place followers of Jesus in chains, met the Lord and three days later, now called Paul, was proclaiming Jesus in the synagogues as the Son of God (v.20). The power of the Holy Spirit transforms unequivocally, that you may be Christ's witnesses (Acts. 1:8). There can be no doubt, no misunderstanding, of His presence.

Be Prepared

"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him"- 1 Corinthians 2:9 (NIV). 

God gave the Apostle John a vision of Heaven: There will be twelve gates, each made from a single pearl, and the streets will be made of gold, as pure as transparent glass (Revelation 21:21). It is certain no eye has seen such a brilliant, dazzling sight. John heard the roar of a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and peals of thunder, people shouting "Hallelujah" and praising God (19:6). No ear has heard such passionate levels of worship. Hall and Oates wrote a song: 'People Get Ready'. The lyrics speak of "a train a comin" and all you need is faith to get on board. Jesus ended the prophetic vision with the words, "Look, I am coming soon and My reward is with Me. Be prepared" (22:12). And those who love Him say, "Amen. Come, Lord Jesus" (v. 20). 

Gatherings

""My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in Me through their message""- John 17:20 (NIV).

Jesus prayed for those still needing to be gathered, those who would come to believe the message, all those years ago. We were on His heart and mind even then, and yet there are still others on His heart and mind. Through His example, following His resurrection and ascension, the men, including His brothers, gathered together in prayer 'constantly', and also the women joined in, including Mary (Acts 1:14). Prayer is both a private interlude with God, but prayer is also for groupings of gatherers. Any time a grouping of gatherers assembles, prayer should be the key component, modeling the Lord and past gatherers. What do gatherers do...they gather together and gather others. Thus, those who come to faith through their message are gathered under the same prayer, as those already gathered, the prayer of the Lord Jesus Christ. Pray for the prayer perseverance of gatherers and their message...and for those still needing to be gathered.

Flying Away

"I said, "Oh, that I had the wings of a dove! I would fly away and be at rest. I would flee far away and stay in the desert; I would hurry to my place of shelter, far from the tempest and storm""-Psalm 55:6-8 (NIV).

King David had enemies, friend and foe alike, and he became weary of the constant weight of the battles, physically, emotionally and mentally. Jonah, out of fear, ran away (Jonah 1:3). The Prophet Elijah prayed for death when he became overwhelmed and ran away from the fray. God's response was and still is, "What are you doing here?" It's in the tempest and storm that God's miracles happen: Seas parting to escape certain death, enemy armies turning upon themselves, Peter walking on water, Lazarus rising from the grave. Don't dread the storms. God was with them...He is with you (Deuteronomy 31:6). In the eye of the storm there is peace that passes understanding, guarding our hearts and minds in Christ (Philippians 4:7). Be still.

Obedient in Love

"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins"- 1 Peter 4:8 (NIV).

Freedom grows through serving each other in love. All of God's Word is summed up in a single statement, "Love others as you love yourself" (Galatians 5:13-14). We may feel inconvenienced at the time our love for others is called upon, but we feel so good when we choose to be obedient. Jesus told the parable of the two sons: The father told one to go work in the fields. One son said yes, but then didn't go. The other son said no, but went anyway. Which son obeyed his father's will? (Matthew 21:28-31). God gave us free will; don't stagnate the growth of your freedom through misaligned and misused free will. Choose to be obedient in love.

Prayer Warriors

"Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective"- James 5:16 (NIV).

Prayer partners are a wall around Christians. They are powerful and effective, because they believe they will receive what they ask for in the name of Jesus...as promised in Mark 11:24 and 1 John 5:14-15. Christ is the only Mediator between God and man (1 Timothy 2:5). When belief is strong, prayer is strong, removing doubts. A person who prays and doubts resembles a wave in the sea, driven and blown about by the wind (James 1:6). Prayer warriors also know God is in control. His answer may be different, but He is omniscient; His answer is always better, always more than we asked for. God knows the plans He has for you and your future (Jeremiah 29:11).

Present Sufferings

"I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us"- Romans 8:18 (NIV).

We await liberation from our earthly decaying bodies into the freedom and glory of being children of God (vv. 20-21). All of creation moans and groans awaiting God's transforming power, while the Holy Spirit intercedes for us in prayer, because we are weak and clueless how to pray. Abba Father has predestined us to be transformed into the image of His Son. This is His work, God's work, not ours (vv. 26-30). Many have suffered before us: Job, David, Paul, Barnabas, Peter, Lazarus, John the Baptist. God works out our salvation: He will justify, He will sanctify, He will glorify. Are you presently suffering? Be still and know that He is God (Psalm 46:10).

Recognizable

"But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven, He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous"- Matthew 5:44-45 (NIV).

What distinguishes the so-called righteous from the unrighteous? What matters most is what a person actually is (or does), not what they are called. William Shakespeare said, "A rose by any other name would smell as sweet." Can there really be a line drawn definitively labeling two sets of people: Christians and non-Christians? I've met many 'so named' non-Christians who 'smelled' more Christian than some of the 'so named' Christians I've known. If, indeed, the Spirit of God does not live in a person, they do not belong to Christ...regardless of what they call themselves (Romans 8:9). Paul and Peter advise Christians to examine themselves, test themselves, to make sure they haven't drifted away (2 Corinthians 13:5; 2 Peter 1:10). Each Christian is somewhere along the road becoming more like Jesus. Pay attention not to drift (Hebrew 2:1). The goal is for Jesus to recognize us when we arrive (Matthew 25:23). 

Overflow

"And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work"- 2 Corinthians 9:8 (NIV).

God prepares a table before you, in the presence of your enemies. He anoints your head with oil. Your cup overflows (Psalm 23:5). The Lord gives you all you need and more, so that the world may witness His Goodness and partake of the overflow He has given. The overflow shouldn't be withheld, fearing cessation, famine or thirst, or judging others not worthy to receive God's blessing...but, the overflow is not yours, the overflow is His. Friend, even you are not your own, but His. So Beloved, stand fast, abounding in the work of the Lord. No labor in the Lord is ever wasted (1 Corinthians 15:58). God's love is a fountain flowing deep and wide...overflowing through you.

Muster Up

"Have unity of spirit, sympathy, love for one another, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or abuse for abuse; but, on the contrary, repay with a blessing. It is for this that you were called--that you might inherit a blessing- 1 Peter 3:8-9 (NRSV).

It's easy to be a blessing to those who are, or will be, a blessing to you; but, trying to be a blessing to someone who is openly quarrelsome, bitter or angry takes strong will to act. Being a blessing to a sulky, depressed, negative or broken individual can require just as much effort in your motivation. Chances are these individuals won't return a blessing to you, maybe not appreciate the one you've given them. Giving a blessing isn't always easy...but mustering up, pushing through, and delivering a blessing to those whom you aren't comfortable doing so, puts you on the receiving end of the most powerful and faithful blessings of the Father. Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father in Heaven (Matthew 5:16). Muster up Christian!