II Timothy 4:1-4 - "Resurrection Power"

Last night before going to bed I asked the Lord if we could have a full night's sleep. I told Him if He needed to wake me to pray I was fine with it but I asked if there could be no other reasons to be woke up. Three times He woke me with Mordecei wanting to go out. That is very unusual for him to need out three times in a nine hour period so I knew it was the Lord. He probably knew Mordecei would be the only way to wake me as I was so tired. LOL. Before going to sleep He had me pray in general for pastors who would be in the pulpit today, especially Kevin who was starting at his new church. The first time He woke me it was for pastors who had services on Saturday night. He had me pray for those in the congregation to have changed hearts from the services. The second time He woke me it was for people who would receive His call on their life in services this weekend. He had me pray for them to respond with a 'yes' and go forward in a walk of obedience. He had me pray specifically for them to "not allow the enemy to put doubts in their minds through other people." I do not understand the call to preach on my life but I know He does. I do not understand how I can preach when Doc is the lead pastor. But I feel like I am on a 'need to know' basis and He will reveal that aspect of my call in His time. Until that revelation I will continue on the road of obedience in fulfilling my call. Receiving a 99.3% on my sermon from my professor confirmed my call and encourages me to continue on this road. The third time He woke me He had me pray for the pastors who returned or are returning from the mission trip to Guatemala this weekend. I hope they have someone filling the pulpit for them this morning. I prayed for them to be on-fire for God as they share their experiences. I also prayed for the work they completed to have planted seeds that will grow in abundance. The first thing I thought of when the clock went off was 'I need to pray for pastors who are preparing to go into the pulpit this morning.' Saturday night prayers for pastors is one of my favorite times of the week. I know people pray for me and I am blessed to be used as His servant to pray for others. Praying for pastors took a special part of my heart many years ago and continues to grow as I fulfill my call. There are few people who comprehend the life of a pastor unless they are one. Maybe that is why God has me praying for them.

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for the confirmation of my call to preach through the grade on my sermon. Thank You for the way You encourage me to continue this road even though I do not understand how it will all work out. Father, cleanse me so You can fill me. May You be my words, actions, and attitude throughout this day in a different, new way. Once again, be with all pastors today to be a beacon of light for You. I pray a special pray for Paula and Jack. May Your healing hand come down upon her in a mighty way. Thank You Jesus for being The One to Call Me. Amen.

Galatians 5:22-23 - "Resurrection Power"

When I was awake throughout the night the Lord had the words to "Resurrection Power" going through my mind. Specifically, these words...

Now I have resurrection power
Living on the inside
Now, I'm no longer bound by sin and darkness
Living in the light of Your goodness
You have given us freedom
Now I have resurrection power
Living on the inside
Jesus, You have given us freedom
Now, I'm no longer bound by sin and darkness
Living in the light of Your goodness
You have given us freedom

Woo hoo! There is a freedom in Him when we allow Him to live in us. When His love flows through us, there is nothing that can compare. I love living in the knowledge that He is working in and through me. I shared Galatians 5:22-23 with a friend the other day out of The Message. We both were raised in the church and know what the fruit of the Spirit are. When they are read in The Message they take on a deeper meaning...

Love - "affection for others"
Joy - "exuberance about life"
Peace - "serenity"
Perseverance - "develop a willingness to stick with things"
Kindness - "a sense of compassion in the heart"
Goodness - "a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people"
Faithfulness - "find ourselves involved in loyal commitments"
Gentleness - "not needing to force our way in life"
Self-control - "able to marshal and direct our energies wisely"

These gifts are received as we live in the Spirit. They are not received in a little way but instead in abundance. People can have some of these gifts without the Spirit living in them but it will not be the same. I desire more of God. I want more of His "Resurrection Power" to be inside of me and flowing out of me. Oh how I wish more people would 'get this' concept. I pray daily to be cleansed and filled. The walk of obedience I am on is not a one time of asking for repentance. I know in order to stay on the path He desires of me I must ask Him daily to cleanse and fill. One example of these gifts in my life came this week with my sermon not moving from the camera to the computer to upload. Being two days late on getting it to do so; the frustration of calling Best Buy and being told they had a product we could use to fix the problem, traveling thirty-five minutes there and then finding out they did not; repeatedly trying to approve it once it was downloaded; etc. would cause tears and frustration. Even though I was upset over the process I knew God was in control and it would eventually be resolved. When my thoughts went to 'I'm going to flunk this class over this mess, have to retake the class, and not be able to continue on with the second class of preaching" I knew I needed prayer from others because I did not want the enemy to have any open door. I asked three ladies to pray and once again received His peace in abundance. Living in His Spirit is the only way to live. It is the way He desires for everyone. These fruit may not show through me every minute of the day but the more I ask Him to cleanse and fill me the more they show through.

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for Your "Resurrection Power" that enables me to have the fruit of the Spirit flow in and through me. Thank You for cleansing me today so You can fill me to overflowing. Father, I pray for more of You. I pray for more of Your Spirit to flow in and through me. I ask that You would be my words, actions, and attitude today in a different, new way. May people see/hear You instead of me today. You are so glorious and so powerful. I desire the same for not only myself but for others. Thank You Jesus for being My "Resurrection Power"! Amen.

II Timothy 1:7 - "Healer"

Waking up from a dream that was more like a nightmare can be frightening. Yet the first thing God did was to bring II Timothy 1:7 to my mind. Experiencing something trying in a dream that you have already experienced in life is hard to shake when you wake up yet the Lord knew what I needed. He knew I needed to be reminded that it was just a dream and not life right now. I wonder if I would have prayed for Him to take over my dreams before going to sleep if I would have had it. Perhaps He wanted to remind me of how He empowers me every day. Or perhaps it was to bring people to my mind to pray for. There were people from Willard in it even though the setting was here. No matter what the reason I had it I am thankful for II Timothy 1:7 that comforts and empowers me. Paul wrote the letters to Timothy  to encourage him as a pastor. He wrote of the endurance needed for those in ministry. He also wrote to encourage him to continue to be faithful and courageous during troubling days.  In the words of Matthew Henry...

God has not given us the spirit of fear, but the spirit of power, of courage and resolution, to meet difficulties and dangers; the spirit of love to him, which will carry us through opposition. And the spirit of a sound mind, quietness of mind. The Holy Spirit is not the author of a timid or cowardly disposition, or of slavish fears. We are likely to bear afflictions well, when we have strength and power from God to enable us to bear them. 

"...bear afflictions well, when we have strength and power from God to enable us to bear them." Yes! His empowerment is the best way to get through physical issues in life. He will give exactly what is needed when we are open to allowing Him to do so. He will give peace in the midst of the storms of the unknown. He will love us through afflictions in a way that will not make sense. Plain and simple. He will. But first we must be willing to allow Him such freedom. Too many times doctors are sought first instead of the Great Physician. Or people will go to the doctor and expect him to preform a miracle when in fact God is the only One who can do so.

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for the reminder that You give me empowerment and not fear. Thank You for the way You use Scripture to encourage me. Thank You for all You have done for me in the past and all You will do for me in the future. Father, I pray for a cleansing in my spirit as You fill me with more of You. I pray for those who are going through tough days in their physical bodies. I ask for Your will to be healing. I know healing comes in many forms and Father I am asking 'whatever it takes' for their healing to happen. Thank You Jesus for being My Healer. Amen.

Galatians 5 - "Resurrection Power"

Last night we talked in Children/Teens about how we have freedom in this country to meet. We discussed how we celebrate the 4th of July because of our country's freedom but we need to celebrate every day because of the freedom we have in Christ. As I looked around the room, my heart was full. Seeing nineteen faces looking back at me and knowing they were my opportunities to be Jesus at that moment overwhelmed me. I was physically tired but God gave me the strength to do what He desired of me. He gave me the wisdom on when to knock the enemy down when he came knocking. He blessed me in abundance with the words of gratitude that came out of some of their mouths as they left. He also blessed me as I watched older ones interacting with younger ones in a different way than I've ever seen. The knowledge that He has me right where He desires me to be was once again sealed in my heart. Yesterday afternoon hearing, "I so enjoy being with you" from an older lady and then "Thank you Sheila for caring for me" from another one also sealed that knowledge. Things may not always go as I plan but praise the Lord they always go as He plans. He knows what is best and brings that into my life. It is only through the freedom of living a life for Him that I experience what I do. Paul writes in the first part of Galatians 5 about freedom in Christ. He speaks of a separation between us and Christ when we live life as we desire. We must keep our eyes on Christ. We must stay focused. Matthew Henry writes, "All true Christians, being taught by the Holy Spirit, wait for eternal life, the reward of righteousness, and the object of their hope, as the gift of God by faith in Christ; and not for the sake of their own works." As we live out a life of freedom in Christ we will know where we will spend eternity. We do not have to live in slavery to sin. Bondage is the worst place to be. When we live a life for Christ, there is freedom that is not found in living any other way. Paul continues in this chapter about how we are to walk by the Spirit. In doing so, we are to not think of ourselves first but instead love others. As we live such a life the fruit of the Spirit will flow in and through us. I love how Galatians 5:22-23 reads in The Message. These words describe the fruit of the Spirit in a wonderful way. When a person exhibits these fruit, they truly are living a Christ-like life. Jesus was the example while on this earth of what it means to live in the Spirit. We need to follow His example. He never manipulated situations to get His own way. We should never either. He listened to His Father and obeyed. We need to do the same. Paul tells us in verses twenty-four and twenty-five, "And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit" (NKJV). He is speaking of dying to self. Getting to the end of yourself and allowing God free reign. That way of living is where the best freedom in found.

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for all of the opportunities to be You yesterday. Thank You for the way You showed Yourself to me in so many ways. Thank You for Your Spirit that lives in me. Thank You for the way You empowered me to not become 'unglued' during the situation of my sermon video not working. Thank You for the people who prayed for the situation. Father, I pray You will become greater in me today...cleanse me...fill me. May Your words, actions, and attitude be mine throughout this day. I also pray for Doc for a physical empowerment as he goes to work. May he have your supernatural power to accomplish what he needs to do but most of all I pray for people to see You through him today. I pray for safety for many who will be traveling and celebrating this day. I pray for those who are lonely to have someone check on them. Thank You for being My Freedom! Amen.

Matthew 14:22-33 - "Walking On Water"

Helen Kellar was born deaf, blind, and couldn't speak yet she found her way out of the darkness of life and lived life to the fullest. She said, "Life is either a daring adventure, or it is nothing at all." Wow! She had a great outlook on life even in her circumstances. Many people would have given up yet she fought. She took risks when others would have quit. That is how a life of faith is. Risks are taken as things the Lord asks of you don't make sense. I think of Noah when he was told to build the ark or David when he was up against Goliath. Sometimes in this life there are times where we want to quit but that is not what the Lord desires of us. He wants us to continue on even when life is hard or doesn't make sense. I think of Peter and the disciples when they were out in a boat on the Sea of Galilee in the night with a storm. We read of this account in Matthew fourteen. Peter challenged Jesus in verse twenty-eight. "Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water." Jesus told him, "Come." As Peter started walking across the water, the storm scared him and he began to sink but Jesus saved him. Instead of Peter having his eyes of Jesus, he was looking at his circumstances. This happens to us today. Everything is going along great and something happens that rocks our world. Sometimes the first person we blame is God. Sometimes we feell like He failed us yet He hasn't. The times where our world falls apart are many times when He is trying to get our focus to stay on Him. It is during these times He stretches our faith. Peter learned that night that he must stay focused on Jesus to do imaginable things. No one other than Jesus had ever walked on water yet with Jesus empowerment Peter did. When we trust God, He will empower us with supernatural power that will enable us to do things unheard of. It is through such trust that miracles happen. People's bodies are healed of diseases, marriages are restored, prodigals are returned. The thing we must remember is that it will happen in God's time, not necessarily our time. Peter walking on water took getting out of the boat and experiencing the power of God. It took a step of faith. It took obedience no matter what the risk. It took saying 'yes' when Jesus was asking the impossible. It took overcoming fear and trusting. It took getting out of his comfort zone, although I'm not sure how comfortable Peter was in the midst of the storm! Peter knew he would be safe with Jesus and that is why he got out of the boat. His life was changed just as ours is today when we say 'yes' to Him. Life is never the same after taking that step. A song that was in my mind every time I was awake during the night goes...

There's no turning back
Nothing in the past
My eyes are on You again
Can't see nothing at all
But Your outstretched arms
Help me believe it
Though I falter

Saying 'yes' to God and 'walking on water' takes looking forward. It takes believing, trusting, and having faith to do whatever He asks. There are people I know right now on a mission trip to Guatemala. Before I went to sleep the Lord had me pray for them to 'walk on water' where He is leading them. I don't know what that means but He does and that is all that matters. He also had me pray for the family of a little guy who is going through some pretty tough things and may not be with them much longer. He had me pray for them to find Him so they could trust Him. He also had me pray for three ladies who are going through health issues and need to trust Him in the process. 

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for the reminder of Peter's supernatural experience. Thank You for the supernatural experiences You will put before me as I trust You. Father, cleanse me so You can fill me to overflowing with more of You. Lord, I continue to pray for this situation with my sermon video. I pray it will be resolved today. I also pray for Doc as he goes to work today. I continue to pray for an open door for him to not be in this position. Lord, may You be greater than his aches and pains today. May You be his supernatural empowerment. Bless our time with the children and teens tonight in a mighty way. Thank You Jesus for being My Supernatural Empowerment. Amen.

Psalm 148 - "So Will I"; "Not Today

Psalm 148 tells us to praise the Lord. What should we do on days when everything seems to go wrong? We should still praise the Lord. What should we do when we pray and do what the Lord tells us to do and yet there are obstacles in the way? Praise the Lord. Is it easy to praise Him when we feel like we are constantly getting stopped? No but it is necessary. If we do not praise the Lord through the ups and downs of life, the enemy will have a foothold. Two songs come to my mind this morning as I reflect on last night. One says that if every aspect of nature will sing praises to God "So Will I." Another one is about how we need to stand up against the enemy....

I'll sing the night into the morning
I'll sing the fear into Your praise
I'll sing my soul into Your presence
Whenever I say Your name
Let the devil know not today

If we expect to win over the enemy, we must do it in God's strength. The best way to have His strength is to live in His presence. The way to live in this manner is by dying to self and allowing Him control over our life. When we give the enemy one little inch to creep in, he will try to take over. A life directed by him is a life that is miserable. A life directed by God is a life where there is peace in the midst of the storms that come our way. I will admit I'm tired of the constant fight with the enemy. I'm tired of it seeming as if everything we try to do to further the Kingdom gets messed with. BUT I know my God is greater than the junk the enemy throws our way. My God is greater than county bureaucracy, cameras/computers not working together, etc. Plain and simple. My God is greater. I will continue to stand in His strength and empowerment. I will bask in His peace in the midst of turmoil. I will praise Him through every aspect of life. He will continue to be the One to empower me through the ups and downs of life.

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for the reminders of these two songs today. Thank You for the Scripture You brought to me. Thank You for the promises You give in Your Word. Father, I also praise You for the message You gave me to share yesterday and for the three who made a decision to draw closer to You. I praise You for my sister being released from the hospital. I praise You for the way You are going to work things out for my sermon to get uploaded to NBC. Father, I pray for those who are going through difficult days to find Your peace. I pray for those who need a spiritual touch to receive it. Most of all I pray for a cleansing in my spirit so You can fill me to overflowing with Yourself. Thank You for being The One I Praise. Amen.

Philippians 4:13 - "His Strength Is Perfect"

Last night before going to sleep I prayed for pastors. As I started praying God reminded me to pray for myself as I am preaching today. I do not want my sermon to be just a school assignment but prayed for people's lives to be transformed through the words God has given me. I also prayed for...

• my classmates who will be preaching this morning, especially those preaching for the first time.
• John Mulphas who will be preaching this morning with a heavy load as he has been ministering to the Bowers family with the loss of their husband/father/grandfather. 
• Other pastors who will be entering the pulpit with heavy loads such as physical illness in either their bodies or loved ones bodies. 
• Kyle Poole who begins his journey for his first Sunday as DS/pastor.
• A pastor who is dealing with their church being declared 'in crisis.' 
• Junior as he is dealing with Linda's illness.
• A pastor with a wife who has dementia.
• A pastor and his church with the loss of his wife in a terrible automobile accident on the way to church camp.
• Mike Dennis and others pastors who are on a mission trip.
• John Sgro who is filling the pulpit this morning while Scott Maglott is on vacation.

I do not think people realize how challenging of a life a pastor leads. The emotional ups and downs as a pastor leads people is unlike a normal person's life. The amount of time and energy a pastor puts into people is great and sometimes without much appreciation. They not only have the lives of many others to deal with but they also have their own family and self to attend to. When I was woke up at 4:00, the Lord had me pray for pastors who would be going into the pulpit drained this morning. He had me pray for them to realize they are not alone in life but instead need to allow Him to strengthen them. He told me if they do not allow Him to be their strength, they would soon crash and fall. 

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for the privilege once again to pray for pastors. Thank You for the ones you brought specifically to my mind. Father, once again I pray for myself and classmates who will be reaching today. I pray You will cleanse us so You can fill us to overflowing with more of You. I pray Your words, actions, and attitude will be ours. Lord, I also pray for the many pastors who need your strength. I pray for those who are hurting to be soothed by You. I pray those who need a physical touch will be healed. Give wisdom and discernment to all pastors as they are Your servants. Thank You Jesus for being My Strength. Amen.