God Is Looking for My Availability

In review of 2 Chronicles 16:9a, “The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.” (NLT)

This verse reminds me that God looks for those whose hearts are fully committed to him, to give them the strength they need. It is not a sin to use human means to solve our problems, however it is sin to trust in them more than in God, to think they are better than God's ways, or to leave God completely out of the problem-solving process.

Most people get to watch history; very few get to make it. However I’m reminded this morning that I can be one of those few history-makers. 

Thousands of years before I was born, God knew I’d be where I am right now. He knew I’d be studying this verse and reading this devotional. It’s because God has something special, something unique in store for me.

So, I’m not sitting where I am by accident. I haven’t had the experiences in my life thus far by chance. God designed my life to make a difference in the world.

No matter where I’ve been, what I’m afraid of, or what sin is in my past, God can still use me to make a difference in this world. What he’s looking for is a total commitment to him. God wants me to be all in on his plan for me.

It’s not about my ability; rather it’s about my availability.

If I can say, “I’m all in”, no matter what God asks, or how tough it is, anytime, anywhere, and anyplace,” God will do amazing things. His Word tells me he is looking for people to use to change the world. He is looking to me—yes, me—to be someone to help change the world.

It all starts with a committed heart on my part. I can start today. I just need to let God know that I’m committed to doing whatever he wants with my life, whenever he wants to use it, then ask him to use me.

In summary, God looks for those whose hearts are fully committed to him to provide the strength they need to do his will. I shouldn't rely on human means over God to solve my problems. God has something special and unique in mind for me. He designed me to make a difference in the world. To use me, he is looking for total commitment on my part, to be all in on his plan for me. It's not about any of my abilities. It's more about my availability to be used by him, no matter what he asks, or how tough it may be, just to be available anytime, anywhere and any place. I just need to commit myself so that he can use me.

As I reflect on this, it’s scary as I don’t really know what he’ll ask me to do. However, based on what I know of him, he would want me to be observant and listen to his promptings. Being available at anytime can be inconvenient. It seems these times come not when I’m ready but when I’m already occupied by something else or have a time commitment to keep. 

This morning Father I pray and commit myself to your plans and your promptings. Ultimately I want to make a difference in the lives of others, it to do so means that I commit myself to you to be used. I also need to trust you with what will happen in the future at work. You have a plan for me, and I just need to continue to do my best to help my organization and those who work for me. I know you will take care of me when I follow and trust in you. I also ask for wisdom and guidance for my day, my work, my leadership and my interactions with others. Help me to think clearly and finish up the estimates I need to provide to my leader for the POAMS. These things I pray through your Son Jesus name, Amen.

God Is Always Available

In review of Matthew 19:13-14 it says, “Then people brought little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked them. Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.’” Matthew 19:13-14 NIV

Today's passage comes from middle of Matthew chapter 19 in which we see Jesus allowing the children to come to him. In these passages we see that on one particular day some parents had brought their children to Jesus so that he could lay his hands on them and pray for them.

The disciples, still didn't really get it. They saw this as just an irritant and scolded the parents from coming and bothering Jesus.  

Jesus replied, "Let the children come to me. Don't stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.” Then he placed his hands on their heads and blessed them.

In this passage we see another lesson Jesus provides to his disciples about who the Kingdom is for and the type of heart that will inherit it. Jesus again uses the example of a child to illustrate the innocence and faith that a child can show. God's Kingdom belongs to those who have hearts such as these children.

By not letting the parents and children be driven away we can see the heart of the Father who is never too busy to be bothered with us.  He is always available.

In my own life, there have been times when I felt like I had really messed up. In these times I even felt as if I could not go to God because I was ashamed of what I had done.

In this passage, it is amazing to see the love that God demonstrates through Jesus. At one point, the disciples tried to stop people from bringing children to Jesus, but He said to let them come anyway. In Mark 10:14-15, Jesus explains that the kingdom of God is for those who will approach Him with childlike faith. God is always available for His children, for those who trust in Him.

I think this also means that to trust Him fully, I will have to believe in the way a child believes. The innocence and purity of a child gives the advantage of being able to trust God without any hang-ups or skewed perspectives resulting from negative life experiences.

As I decide to live with God in a place of innocent trust, I will find that He is always available. I can always approach God because I am his child. Nothing can hold me back. There is no person, sin, regret, or doubt that can keep me from God.

This morning Lord, I thank You for always being available to me, even in moments of sin or doubt. I pray that You open my eyes to trust You fully. Show me what it looks like to be Your child and to approach You with confidence and enthusiasm. I am so grateful that Your kingdom is at hand and that as a child, I receive it! In Jesus’ name.

Bottom Line:

God is always available.

What this means to me:

I can always place my trust in Him, he will always be available to me when I seek him.

Being Ready for Use

In review of Exodus 4:10-13, it says, 10 But Moses pleaded with the lord, “O Lord, I’m not very good with words. I never have been, and I’m not now, even though you have spoken to me. I get tongue-tied, and my words get tangled.”11 Then the lord asked Moses, “Who makes a person’s mouth? Who decides whether people speak or do not speak, hear or do not hear, see or do not see? Is it not I, the lord? 12 Now go! I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say.”13 But Moses again pleaded, “Lord, please! Send anyone else.”

Bottom Line:

Moses pleads with God to not do something, claiming what seems to be legitimate shortcomings on his pat. God let's Moses know that He, “God” is in control of what a man can or can’t do. He still wants Moses to go and tells him that He, “God”, will be with and guide him. Moses still tries to get out of it.

What this means to me:

When God asks me to do something, I may feel inadequate or unprepared for such a task. There’s no use in arguing with God about it. If God wants me to do something, he will provide everything I need in order to accomplish it. I need not do it on my own strength and abilities.

In these verses I see Moses pleading with God to let him out of his mission. After all, he was not a good speaker and would probably embarrass both himself and God. But God looked at Moses' problem quite differently. All Moses needed was some help, and who better than God to help him say and do the right things? God made his mouth and would give him the words to say. In the end, God still wanted him to go and told him, I will be with you as you speak, I will instruct you as to what to say. However even with this assurance, Moses still pleaded with God to send someone else.

Like Moses, It is easy for me to focus on my weaknesses and back away from what He asks of me. But if God asks me to do something, then he will help me get the job done. If the job involves some of my weak areas, then I can trust that he will provide words, strength, courage, and ability where needed.

I can’t count how many times God has prompted me to do something, but I’ve talked myself out of doing it feeling inadequate or having it be out of my comfort zone. These verses remind me that if God asks me to do something, he will provide what I need in order to do it. I just need to do it with humility and his strength, not my own. I really need to be conscience of these situations and not quickly dismiss them. Being obedient means responding when he asks and not delaying or taking time to think about it. I can always think back to the example of Moses and his life. Even after doubting his own abilities, he surrendered and did what God asked him to do. And the results of his actions are apparent in the book of Exodus and Deuteronomy.

Today, I ask that God forgive me for not responding when I should have in the past. I ask him to help remind me of his promise to help with whatever he has asked.

Friends Need Me To Share Their Pain

In review of Romans 12:15 it says, “Laugh with your happy friends when they’re happy; share tears when they’re down.”

Bottom Line:

Be happy with those who are happy, share their tears when they’re down (hurt with them).

What this means to me:

I am to be close enough to others that I can share in their happiness and also in their sadness (hurt with them). Rick Warren says “the interesting thing about pain and joy is that whenever you share a joy, it gets doubled. But it’s the opposite with pain. When I share a pain, it’s halved.” Therefor when friends are going through a crisis, they need me to help carry the load and lessen the pain. What I’m learning regarding sharing pain with my friends is that is not completely about sympathy. Sympathy says, “I’m sorry you hurt.” People don’t need my sympathy. What they need is my empathy. Empathy says, “I hurt with you.” Sympathy stands at a distance. Empathy draws close. The ultimate form of love is compassion. Compassion says, “I’ll do anything I can to stop your hurt.” In the Bible, I see that Jesus was repeatedly moved with compassion. He was willing to do whatever he could to stop others’ hurt, including going to the cross. He was willing to die to stop my hurt. That’s compassion. The Bible says in Romans 12:15, “Laugh with your happy friends when they’re happy; share tears when they’re down” (MSG). That means cry with them. Weep with those who weep. What do friends do? They show up. They share the pain, and they shut up. They don’t give pious platitudes. They don’t give advice. They don’t try to talk a friend out of his pain. They don’t say, “It’s going to be OK.” They just say, “We’re going to sit here with you. We’re going to be here for you. We’re going to hurt with you.” Real friends show up, and they hurt with you. Given this, Prayer is always a first thing, but after that, I think the best time to not say anything else but to be present is when you really don’t know what to do or to say.