BUSY

I’m guilty of using the excuse, “I’m busy!”  Everyone says at one time or another that they are too busy to be involved.  Too much time is taken away with work and children.  We don’t have anytime left for the Lord.  My mother in law said this to me when the discussion of busy came up.  She said, “If you give the Lord your time He will give you the time.  He will make the time for you to get things done.” 

Do you chisel out part of your day for the Lord or are you living by a to do list? 

It is difficult to find a time everyday to set aside for the Lord.  Satan loves this and he loves the word busy.  Why?  Because when you are busy you are disconnected from the Lord.  You are defenseless and you have no strength.  When temptation is placed in front of you, you will probably bite.  You ignore everything that is truly important and focus on the to do list.  You become busy in the non-essentials of life. 

Your to do list should start with 1. God.  You shouldn’t have to chisel out a portion of time for Him He should already be there.  He should be the first thing everyday. 

If you are too busy for the Lord then you are too busy. 

Matthew 11:28-30New International Version (NIV)

28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

FLOODGATES

As we were driving down the interstate, my phone alarm started to blare loudly.  The sound penetrated our ears and scared us to death.  Flash flood alert was given to the following area where we were driving.    Two to three inches of rain had already fallen and localized flooding was expected.  As we continued to drive up the mountains, you could see the waters rushing down the riverbeds in the valleys.  The rocks on the side of the mountains had a covering of water flowing down them. 

I can’t help but compare a flash flood to that of the Holy Sprit. 

The disciples waited in the upper room.  They were waiting for God’s promise and blessing.  It was the day of Pentecost when there came a rushing wind and the downpour of the Holy Spirit rained down on them.  They were all filled with the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:1-4)

That day those that were dry and parched the rain fell upon them filling them with the holiness of God.  Those that wanted to have a deeper relationship with the Lord, those that were dedicated to Christ and those who were true believers the Holy Spirit flooded their lives. 

Are you one who is dedicated to Christ?  If not are you ready to be?  Are you ready to form a deeper relationship with Him and allow the floodgates to open?

When we move to the upper room and give our life to Christ our floodgates are opened and the Holy Spirit drenches us with His blessings and His promises. 

Fervently pray for the downpour.  Let god pour his grace upon us.  Open the floodgates- Holy Spirit rain down on me!

https://youtu.be/UQjwtAQfpIw

FOLLOW

I’m so excited that we started a new book of the Bible with the First5 app.  The book of Matthew is the new study. 

Matthew was a Jew and his job was that of a tax collector.  This means he worked for the Roman government.  I guess you could somewhat call him a fence rider.  Why?  Because the Roman government hired the tax collectors and let them take a commission for the taxes collected.  Most of the collectors overcharged and kept the profits.  Not very nice.  If I had been a Jew I don’t think I would have been very fond of the IRS of those days. 

Matthew was working doing his job when Jesus walked into the city.  When Matthew heard Jesus’s words “Follow Me,” Matthew did just that.  He got up and followed. 

Are you ready to follow?  Would you leave your job to follow Jesus?  Would you with no hesitation get up from your life and walk with Jesus?

You probably are saying, “Of course I would,” but would you?  No hesitation.  That means instantly, promptly, rapidly, urgently, now, soon, at short notice, in a flash, in nothing flat, instantaneously, now, on the dot, right now, this instant, without delay and unhesitatingly.  Would you just get up from your life and follow or would you say I’m not ready yet?

We should be ready everyday to follow Jesus; actually we should already be following Him.  Don’t wait until Jesus comes back to earth to follow Him.  If we are already letting Him lead it will be easy to drop everything and physically follow. 

Be ready to physically follow Jesus!

GOOD NEWS

My heart is heavy.  It is difficult to describe the feelings that linger inside of me.  I had read some news yesterday on Facebook that brought me to my knees in prayer.  One of my little friends scans didn’t show what her parents were hoping for.  I can’t imagine the feeling that is going on inside her parent’s hearts.

News, we read it on paper and we see it on the television.  Many times it is information that we do not want to know.  It is depression not uplifting.  It is of turmoil and not of peace. 

As I was pondering over the word news I was brought back to Sunday night at choir rehearsal.  One of the songs in our Christmas Cantata is Good News.  I woke up singing it this morning.  Bring in the good news!

Jesus’s birth was good news.  How do you think Mary felt as she received the news?  She received the news from an angel that she was going to give birth to the child that everyone was waiting for.  God had called her and when she heard the news she responded with a “YES LORD!”  She loved the Lord and he resided in her heart.  Because of this when God spoke she said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.”

What do we do when we hear bad news?  We should still react as Mary did, here I am Lord.  Use me; let me be the reminder to others that you are the Messiah. Let me be your servant bringing joy to those who can’t seem to find the peace within the news.  Let me be the comforting word when the challenges of the news are difficult.  Let me be the warmth that touches the hearts when we are saddened by the news. 

Oh how I wish that all news we heard proclaimed good news, however at times it doesn’t.   When we encounter bad news remember to say these words:

Here I am Lord; allow me to share whatever blessings will come out of the bad news and use it for your good!

WELCOME

We had just finished singing at the FUMC Spiritual Revival Service and we all sat to listen to what our role needed to be in this new venture.  Our bishop has decided that the year of 2016 is going to be a year of transformation.  He is hoping to create vital congregations that make disciples of Jesus Christ. 

As we sat and listened chill bumps creped up my body.  My Bible studies have been making prayer blocks.  These are blocks of wood that we pray over and paint crosses on.  Located on the back of the blocks are the instructions.  The instructions tell the receiver to pray over this block for 40 days.  After 40 days, the prayer block is to be passed on to someone else.  They are to follow the directions on the block. 

This is the reason chill bumps lingered on my body. The first instructions that came with this transformation of our church was prayer.  The pastor said, “One of the first parts of this movement is 40 days of prayer.” 

Can you say the nudge of the Holy Spirit is working here?

It is when these things happen that you know you are doing the work the Lord is leading you to do.  No matter what the devil is telling you when you receive the HOLY SPIRIT CHILL BUMPS, you know you are headed in the right direction.  

The Lord will help you and guide you with what He is pushing you towards.  Many great ideas are kept from others because of fear and anxiety; don’t let this happen to you.  Step out of your box and share.  Do what the Holy Spirit is leading you to do.  You will be empowered to serve the Lord.  You will become part of Gods plan to build up His church.  You will bless many and also yourself. 

Romans 8:9

Don’t forget the NUDGE- Never Underestimate Decisions God Encourages!

Start praying today.  Holy Spirit you are welcome here!