Hand me a staff and cloak ’cause I’m feeling like Moses today.
Remember Exodus 4:10-12?
Moses said to the Lord,
“Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the
past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and
tongue.” The Lord said to him, “Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.”
Recently, I was asked to lead a workshop, Writing to Heal, for aone-day retreat specifically designed to minister to parents who’ve lost children.
I’ve journaled for years but I thank God I have no experience in this specific area of grief. Soon after accepting the opportunity, concerns began cropping up. What do I say? How can they relate to me? Where do I begin?
I feel so inadequate. And the truth of the matter is, I am.
But while studying Exodus 4 this morning, six words climbed from the Book and curled up snug against my concerns: Now go; I will help you…
My responsibility is to prayerfully prepare while resting in the knowledge that it is through my very weaknesses that God will be strong, and above all, glorified.
You will be known by your adequacy. God will be known by your inadequacy.
Cal Jernigan
Is God calling you to do something outside of your comfort zone today? Please share so I can be praying for you and I appreciate your prayers as well!
A prayer-filled friend is a powerful foe—not to the befriended—but to the father of lies, the deceiver, the sly one.
The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. James 5:16
I
recently met with Kay, a godly mentor of twenty years. I’d not seen her in awhile but during an extended time of prayer the week before, I sensed God prompting me to ask her to meet me. I’d been on a roller coaster ride for six months, and trust me, there were no Mickey ears in sight.
I knew from the moment our meeting was penned on her calendar Kay would begin praying, but I was especially humbled to learn how on that morning, she covered us in prayer from 5:00-6:15 a.m.
After returning home, I phoned another friend who was aware of my meeting with Kay. Before I could share all God had accomplished, she said God woke her up at 4:30 a.m. to begin praying.
An unspeakable appreciation swelled in my spirit as I thanked God for these friends, and those like them who I know would drop everything, wake up early, or stay up late to pray on behalf of others.
God used my prayer-filled friends to wield the weapon of truth in the face of my enemy that morning and life took a different direction as a result. Prayer-filled friends are incredibly powerful foes, which is why we so desperately need each other in the battle. I plan to share more about my non-Mickey roller coaster ride in the near future, but until then, please know this:
Prayer-filled people are not perfect people. They are, however, people who know who they are in Christ, have a clear understanding of Who they are praying to, and have faith that God has the power to accomplish His desires for those being lifted before His throne of grace. Prayer-filled people also tend to repent quickly and find deep abiding joy in their community with other Christ-followers.
Is there any doubt why James tells us that their prayers – those who are “right” before God – are powerful and effective?
Let us appreciate our prayer-filled friends — but may we also seek to be one ourselves.
“Prayer strikes the winning blow; service is
simply picking up the pieces.” S.D. Gordon
“I would rather teach one man to pray than ten men to
preach.” Charles Spurgeon
Guess it goes without saying that our granddaughter is rarely in the background, and for good reason!
On those rare occasions, however, when she realizes we’re not tuned in to her every word it doesn’t take long for her attention-antenna to intercept with two words that snap me back into full attention mode: Meeee-me! Meeee-me! (i.e. Grammy)
You would be hard-pressed to find words that so quickly melt this heart but I was reminded of another one during yesterday’s sermon on discipleship: repentance. Yes, it can be painful and heart wrenching but it is a powerful and magnificent gift made possible by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
As children of God, our attention antenna need never rise because His Word assures us that we never escape His notice. When we call out to our Father, He leans in to hear His children and stands ready to forgive and cleanse those who desire to turn away from their sin. It’s not about getting our act together or becoming more religious, for both come up empty—but it is about becoming humble and real on an ongoing basis before a living, loving, active, and holy God who desires His best for His children.
“The mark of a true disciple is joyful and regular acceptance of
God’s gracious gift of repentance.” -Kyle Estepp
(The
purpose of this blog is to share snippets of life and truth along the
way. To listen to our sermon series on discipleship and this week’s
sermon on repentance, please visit Summit’s site. It should be posted by Wednesday.)
Who else could belt out Joy to the World while nearly mowing down a couple exiting the local Bi-lo?
The expression on their faces coincided with a gentle shoulder tap from the One who didn’t become flesh to hear me sing about Him—but rather for Him—by remaining in tune with the Spirit.
Since that fateful night in the Bi-lo parking lot, I’ve been reminded just how powerful the practical can be when I am:
Igniting my prayer life before the engine, asking God to reveal divine opportunities in living out His joy, mercy, and love to those driving too slowly, the rude and weary waitress, or the woman who plops down 20 items in a 10 item lane.
Stopping for pedestrians at the malls, Target, Walmart and alike. (No doubt the couple wished I’d been enlightened on this one a bit sooner.) Better yet, stop and smile as you wave them on, assuring them they’re not an intrusion on your day, but a divine appointment. It’s also the perfect opportunity to pray for them as they make their way ever-so-slowly by your car.
Going the extra mile for Salvation Army bucket volunteers by picking up a bottled water for them in addition to your donation. If it’s nippy outside, consider delivering a hot cocoa from a nearby place, thanking them for their willingness to volunteer for the benefit of others.
Smiling. Sharing a warm hello. We never know who needs it the most, but God does (the beauty of God’s providential prompts!)
It matters not if any of the above actions are reciprocated. What matters is that we take every opportunity to impart God’s joy instead of simply singing about it.
Cathy Baker
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