Obedience to the Vision
I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven. First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and to the Gentiles also, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds. Act 26:19-20
Paul saw something…a vision from God of what he was to be and do on this earth. Obviously Paul’s vision was more pronounced and directive than what most would receive. But nevertheless, the Lord wants to show all believers a measure of what this vision is to be . . . and that was included in Paul’s calling, to share Christ and that all should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance.
What is our vision and call today. For me, the call is to win and disciple believers. Father I pray that You, by you Spirit, help me keep this vision fresh and clear. And I pray that you help me keep the vision simple and fruitful. I pray that I can look back over time and see the fruit of the vision and the fruit of discipling men and women. i pray that they will see and know the victory that you shared with me and that I can impart to them. This day I ask that you revive the vision! Strengthen the hands that hang down today. Renew my spirit with your spirit and passion to the end that I too can be obedient to the vision.
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you!
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you – Acts 1:8
Father God, I thank you today for the power of the Holy Spirit in my life. Power to overcome, power to lived free from sin, power to do the work of ministry, power to to be gifted by Holy Spirit, power to witness, power to heal the sick and cast out devils, power to pull down strongholds, power to intercede and pray in the Spirit. I thank you for all that your power brings to my life.
I very clearly remember a time when I did not have sufficient power to change or emotionally handle issues in life. That was a long time ago, but sometimes you remind me of those days so that I can appreciate what I’ve been given these past 32 years. Your presence, your annointing, your hope, your joy. I thank you for the Holy Spirit in my life. I thank you for the grace to pray in the spirit . . . and for the peace that it brings.
I know off into the future I’ll need more of your anointing to face hard times. It was a year ago that the curtain was pulled back and I saw my heart. I saw the fear, the anger, the frustration. This was not a pretty picture. It just goes to show what I really am like and what I need to do and be careful of. There will be changes again. How soon? Only you know. But today I need to make sure steps are taken to prepare for those changes and be ready to trust you, and lean on the only Spirit.
Thank you today for the Holy Spirit! Living in me for your power to be realized. AMEN!
Our God will fight for us!
Then I said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, “The work is extensive and spread out, and we are widely separated from each other along the wall. 20 Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, join us there. Our God will fight for us!” – Neh. 4:19-20
Judah was rebuilding the walls around Jerusalem. God was fulfilling His promise to restore. But the enemies also threatened to stop and avert the promises of God. Thus the typical scenario of the warfare we face as Christians. But notice that Nehimiah recognized that those rebuilding were spread out too thin. Thus they were vulnerable to attack by themselves. To remedy this potential weakness Nehimiah gave the direction that when the trumpet sounded, all the builders and warriors were to gather where the sound came from and then there was the declaration that “God will fights for us!”.
Thus was the prophetic call to gather at the sound of the trumpet. The prophetic voice today is the sound of the trumpet to call believers together in the face of the onslaught of the enemies of God. As we heed, respond, and gather, as one, the promised response was that God will do the fighting.
Lord, today do I hear the sound of the trumpet call. Who is blowing the trumpet call? Am I to be one of those sounding the trumpet. Are they many that are spread out thinly that are not hearing the sound of the prohpetic call to gather and fight. Father, in Jesus name I pray that today there be a sound of the trumpet to gather, shore up the weak spots and equip us to fight for truth and stand in your victory. The Bay Area belongs to you. . . San Jose belongs to You, my family, finances, future, faith, is all Your’s. I thank you for continuing to keep me and my wife and kids – to stay strong and overcoming in Your name . . . you fight for me.
Strengthened in Prayer –
When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow. “Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.” - Luke 22:45-46
Prayer- the term that denotes our communication with the Lord. It is the phrase we use when we talk to our Father. It is the essence of relationship, supplication, requesting, intercession, and friendship with almighty God. It’s what God sought with Adam in the cool of the day – fellowship.
Jesus was praying – knowing what was coming in a next few hours and days. The disciples were “exhausted from sorrow”. Jesus knew that He needed to pray – even in the time of great weakness physially, emotionally, mentally and in His soul. We’re told an angel appeared and strengthened Him. Oh thank God for the ministry of angels. But the disciples, well they fell asleep. Sleeping from sorrow and exhaustion.
I need to be careful to stay in a place of prayer – even in difficult challenges – and not allow “sorrow” or other emotional distractions to interfere with the time for prayer. Even when it gets to the point of exhaustion could it be that an angel will show up and strenghten me?
Father this day- I pray. I want to in a place of prayer to face the day, demons, and challenges. I desire to be in a place of receiving strength from an angel. I want to be in a place of blessing to others and encouragement to my brothers and sisters in Christ. This is the day that you have made Lord, and I going to rejoice and stand in a place of prayer to overcome as an overcomer that You have created me / us to be - AMEN!