A man carrying a pitcher

We never know when God will call us to do something uncommon. No matter how odd, strange or uncomfortable, do it. In Luke 22:10 Jesus tells the disciples to follow a man with a pitcher. Pitchers or jars of water was commonly carried by women. To see a man carry a pitcher would be very unusual. We don’t know who the man was or why he carried the pitcher but we do know God gave him a job to do and he did it! God directs us to do things but we chose not to for many reasons. I’m sure this man’s friends and family saw him, possibly talked about him and called him names yet he continued. By faithfully following God’s call, this man served God and Jesus in a unique way. He led the disciples to the last supper. When God calls us to do uncommon or unusual tasks do it. God takes the ordinary out of life and can make it extraordinary!  

Good Morning~ The Human Nature of Fear

The faith of Sarah

READ: Genesis 17:15-19

And so, after he had patiently endured, 

he obtained the promise Hebrews 6:15

Questioning God

How many of you question God after asking for a blessing? Your prayers teeter between belief and doubt simply because you cannot see it manifesting. So, how deep is your faith? If you teeter then you have the faith of Sarah.

When Abram was seventy-five years old, God made a promise to give him the land of caanan - “To your offspring I will give this land.”  God also changed Abrams name to Abraham – father of many nations.  At the age of ninety-nine years old, God made another promise - Abraham and his wife would have a son in their old age.  Both Abraham and Sarah laughed at God’s prophecy.

The faith of Sarah

Though Abraham laughed he also had a steadfast faith in God’s word. Abraham’s faith should be a model for us. Whenever hearing God’s voice Abraham entrusted Him for every promise, Abraham had great faith. He believed the Lord; he credited it to be righteousness (Genesis 15:6).

In contrast, Sarah’s faith was not very deep; she laughed and doubted God’s promise that she would birth a son at ninety years old! Many of us have Sarah faith.  God has promised you something – job, marriage, or a ministry. 

Through our carnal eyes we speculate as to how the blessing will come forth so we tend to take matters into our own hands.  Every possible job opportunity never materializes, each relationship fizzles out and there is no money to fund your ministry.  “It is impossible for God to do this!”

Doubting believers

We call ourselves believers yet we doubt God’s word. We have read the parables, heard of Jesus preaching, teaching, healing and casting out of demons yet we still doubt if God could perform these same supernatural encounters today.  Thus we have the faith of Sarah. 

At the time God spoke to Abraham (Genesis 12) Sarah doubted and question God’s promise. “It is no way I’m having a child so maybe he meant for Abraham to sleep with my maid servant”, Genesis 16:1-16. It was twenty years before God spoke the promise again about having a son.   

Waiting on God

Like many of us we take matters into our own hands.  Opposed to waiting on the Lord Sarah figured since she was seventy years old and had passed child bearing age, she would allow Abraham to sleep with her maid Hagar, so he could have a child. The son Ishmael was born. Contemplate this for a moment, what if Sarah had the same faith as Abraham and believed God’s promise could she have birthed a child earlier?

So often we forget that God’s ways are not our ways and his thoughts are not our thoughts. The word clearly states for a day in my court is like a thousand. How can we think like God the creator, who pinched the soil and made mountains,  gazed into the heavens placing each star in its place, spit into the dirt formed man in his own image and put man to sleep removing a rib to create woman. Do we still question and doubt God?

Focus on God’s word

What are praying for? What is your dream? What visions has God planted in your spirit? Do you question if it can come to life? Trusting in God’s word can change your situation instantly.  Jobs, finances, relationships, or whatever you are encountering right now trust in God’s word meditate and pray on it and it will come to pass.

Begin this day praying and focusing on God’s word.  Trust and believe in the word. If you so believe claim the victory in Christ today!  We can do all things through Christ that strengthens us, by his stripes we are healed, Lord show me your ways teach me your path and lead me to your truths and fill me with your wisdom.

Find scriptures and use them as affirmations as you wait upon the Lord. They become medicine for the soul while glorifying and honoring God.  God can do all things, so have the faith of Abraham not Sarah and watch God do a mighty thing in your life!

Prayer

Father, in the name of Jesus, I pray for complete healing and changing of the mind from any doubt fear and frustration.  Your word tells me that I can count on you if only I believe.  Help me to have the faith of Abraham and not of Sarah.  Strengthen my wisdom and understanding of your word.  There is nothing I cannot do as long as you are in it.  On this day Father I turn over to you all my doubts fears, and frustrations I place them on the altar.  I will begin a new resurrection in Christ. This is my prayer amen. 

The poorest sermon has a message – just listen

Read Psalm 85:6-13

I will hear what God the Lord will speak… Psalm 85:8

Poor sermons

When listening to a sermon or choir sing have you ever been agitated? The preacher seemed lost and unable to deliver?  The choir’s tone was terrible and “They didn’t sound like so and so choir!” Though well-meant they lack certain qualifications. Several years ago I learned how to enjoy the poorest of sermons and tone death choirs simply because God’s servants delivered the message.

God speaks to you

I ran across an article which proclaimed “At one point in every sermon God breaks through the words of the preacher and speaks directly to the people.”  It may be a phrase or sentence when God speaks directly to you.  Understanding this logic one cannot afford not to listen to the entire sermon or song.  Or neglect hearing that one illuminated moment when God speaks – bringing conviction, hope, strength or renewed faith.

Ignoring God’s word

So many people ignore that one word of God because they are comparing the preacher or choir with another recently heard.  For every person who God called to preach or sing it was based upon their unique personality, knowledge and aptitude.

Boring preachers

What would the world be like if all preachers and choirs sounded alike? It would be boring! God’s word can be like your favorite dish of food or the sound of good music that stirs the soul. One word, phrase or song can be the conduit to unite with God. It is us who often unplug from God the Father.

The next time you attend your place of worship listen intently for that one portion in the sermon and hymns which God intended for your heart. Hear what God the Lord will speak to you!

Prayer

Father God,

Open my ears that I may hear a word from you. Speak to my heart and refresh in me a renewed spirit.  Remove all interferences which impede me from hearing a word form you.  This I pray in your son Jesus Christ name. Amen

The unfamiliar voice of the Shepherd

The Shepard and his Sheep

Read: John 10:1-18

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. - John 10:27

The sheep know their voice

Two shepherds lead their flock to graze; one heading north the other south. As the men greeted each other so do their sheep, hundreds commingling into a sea of unrecognizable wool. 

There are no brands, or unique markings just sheep. So how do these shepherds separate their flock? Each man shouts a cadence or whistle, systematically parting the sheep like the Red Sea, triggering the flock to fall in line with their rightful master. What appeared to be disorder was resolved with a voice that only their sheep recognized.

God's sheep

Over 200 times sheep is mentioned in the Bible. Sheep where important to the people of that time as well as they are symbolically referred to as God’s people. David, a shepherd himself, wrote the 23rd Psalm which illustrates what a “personal” relationship with God should be like.  The Lord is my Sheppard and I shall not want. 

We like sheep often go astray, turning to our own ways Isaiah 53:6.  We pay attention to unfamiliar voices while seeking greener pastures of living. In the prime of life, we find ourselves following the voice of leaders, government, and even strangers forgetting that God guides us! All too often, in the mist of personal crusades, people find themselves lost confused and sometimes trapped. Their cries for help reach the ears of many, yet individuals who don’t have a relationship with Jesus, mistaken the Master’s voice with thieves, who want to physically and spiritually steal kill and/or destroy.

Hearing God's voice

Understand God's voice is not always audible it is unlike that of Cecil B. Demille’s version in the movies - a talking bush. Through and bible study, learn God’s voice.  Become acquainted with God’s communication by Practicing, resting, and abiding in God for spiritual comfort. There will be frustration during your process of tuning into Christ and keep in mind the green pastures, shadows of the valley, and flowing waters are temporary yet the message is to follow the shepherd and develop a relationship; these things will never fade.

The Good shepherd

A good shepard know their sheep

Jesus told his followers that he is the good shepherd his sheep know his voice and he calls them by name. To be one of the chosen, humble yourself and desire the need to commune with Christ. Shake off the negative characteristics of sheep: demanding, stubborn, straying, easily influenced, fearful, as well as restlessness. Make way for a better relationship by becoming totally dependent of the shepherd for every need. We all have fallen into ruts and are easily thrust aside in life, but thanks be to God, for Grace and Mercy which will allow us to live in His goodness and loving kindness all the days of our life

Tigner


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