A Minute In It - What Do You Want?

A minute in God’s Word will change your life. Take a moment to read the texts below and then answer the questions at the bottom of the post.

35 As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind beggar was sitting beside the road. 36 When he heard the noise of a crowd going past, he asked what was happening. 37 They told him that Jesus the Nazarene was going by.38 So he began shouting, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

39 “Be quiet!” the people in front yelled at him.

But he only shouted louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

40 When Jesus heard him, he stopped and ordered that the man be brought to him. As the man came near, Jesus asked him, 41 “What do you want me to do for you?”

“Lord,” he said, “I want to see!”

42 And Jesus said, “All right, receive your sight! Your faith has healed you.” 43 Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus, praising God. And all who saw it praised God, too. Luke 18:35-42 (NLT)

When the blind beggar heard Jesus was coming what did he do? Why?
Why were the people trying to quiet him?
As Jesus was walking in the middle of the crowd, what did he hear?
What did he do when he heard him?
What did he ask him?
Why didn’t Jesus just heal him from across the road?
If Jesus were to ask you “What do you want me to do for you?” what would be your answer?

Giving

Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!  Malachi 3:10 (NLT)

Many years ago when my children were young, we were super tight on funds. I was a single mom and it was hard. I had just gotten paid. I went to the Grocery store and when I got home I sat down to pay the bills. After that, there was a little bit left. I was excited about that because my daughter needed a new pair of shoes.

Then, I heard the Voice. “You didn’t pay tithe.” So I started reasoning. Lord, if I pay tithe I won’t have money for shoes. Silence. I have learned enough to know when I get the silent treatment from God it’s because He knows I know what I’m supposed to do.

Not sure what came over me because my inclination was to buy shoes but I paid the tithe.

A few days later I was at work and a lady walked into my office. She said “Don’t you have a daughter that’s 2?” I said yes. She said “My daughter is just a little older than that and I just went through her clothes getting rid of the things that were too small. Would you like them? Maybe they’ll fit your daughter.” I assured her I would definitely like the clothes.

She came back a little while later with a kitchen sized garbage bag full of clothes. I took them home and started going through them and guess what was at the very bottom. A pair of shoes just the right size with the tag still on them! Not only did I get a pair of shoes, I got an entire bag full of clothes!

I know we’ve all heard stories about this kind of thing. God’s faithfulness is timeless. But, I can attest to the fact that over the years, in more ways than I can count, he has provided for me when I’ve been faithful to him. Some days, the possibilities look scary until I remember who God is and all he has done. Then I realize the possibilities are endless.

Silencing Doubt

Joshua had given orders to the people, “Don’t shout. In fact, don’t even speak—not so much as a whisper until you hear me say, ‘Shout!’—then shout away!” Joshua 6:10 (MSG)

The people of Israel were camped outside the city of Jericho. The city was shut up tight because of the people of Israel. No one dared come in or out. They had heard about Israel’s God. This way, the residents of Jericho thought they were safe.

God told the people to march around the city once a day for six days. Do nothing. Just march. Say nothing. Just keep walking.

I wonder what they thought about this plan. There were a lot of people marching around the city. Do you think some of them wanted to complain because this seemed silly? Were there people who thought they had a better plan of attack? How about folks who knew all about fortified walls and were sure they could come up with something more effective?

What about us? When we are doing the same routine day in and day out with no end in sight, are we more apt to complain? Do we voice out loud the fact that God is not doing anything to change our current situation? Or do we keep walking? Do we trust that God has a plan and he is working that plan out even if we can’t see how it’s going to come together?

There are times, even when we want to do something different, we need to just keep walking. We need to trust that God’s plan is coming together. We may not see how he is going to bring the walls down, but one day we will. That’s when we get to shout!

Which Job?

With all this going for us, my dear, dear friends, stand your ground. And don’t hold back. Throw yourselves into the work of the Master, confident that nothing you do for him is a waste of time or effort. 1 Corinthians 15:58 (MSG)

I have two jobs. One is the job I do to make money and the other is the job God has called me to do. In the past, I would get frustrated because it was hard juggling these two things. I kept feeling that if I was doing the God thing, I wasn’t being committed to the pay thing. And visa versus. What I really want to do full-time is the God job but that is not what he is allowing (at least right now.)

The frustration kept bubbling around in my mind and honestly, it was derailing me so that I didn’t feel like I was doing anything well. Lately, God has been teaching me though. Can I share some of what I’m learning?

We all have two jobs. There is the thing you are doing each day as your “day job.” This could be working for a paycheck, being a stay-at-home mom, caring for elderly parents, etc. Then, we each have a call that God has put on our life. That call looks different for everyone and it is super specific to you. What I’m learning is there is usually a theme that runs through your day job and your call.

Usually, you are using the gifts you have been given by the Holy Spirit at both your “jobs.” You are just using them in different ways. And that’s OK because where ever you are and whatever you are doing is actually all for God.

I am learning that each day God places before me what he wants me to do. Some days that leans heavily toward my paying job. Some days it leans heavily toward my God job and some days it’s a complete mix. Instead of trying to make it look like I want it to, I am trying to let God lead. I am asking him to guide my day and make it what he wants.

Does it always look neat and tidy and predictable? Absolutely not. That’s probably what drives me nuts! But so far, I have not missed a deadline, I have not shirked on any major responsibilities (there are little things that don’t get done, I’ll be honest.) But most importantly, I feel that I am right where I need to be. I can let up on the striving. I can rest and let God be God and lead me where he wants.

One more thought, whatever God gives you to do today, do it with all your might. Every little thing we do should be for his glory.

Slowing Down To Be Saved

11 As Jesus continued on toward Jerusalem, he reached the border between Galilee and Samaria. 12 As he entered a village there, ten men with leprosy stood at a distance, 13 crying out, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” 14 He looked at them and said, “Go show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed of their leprosy. 15 One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, “Praise God!” 16 He fell to the ground at Jesus’ feet, thanking him for what he had done. This man was a Samaritan. 17 Jesus asked, “Didn’t I heal ten men? Where are the other nine? 18 Has no one returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” 19 And Jesus said to the man, “Stand up and go. Your faith has healed (or saved) you.” Luke 17:11-19 (NLT)

Normally, when we read this story we focus on the fact that nine men did not come back and thank Jesus. But as I read it again, two things stood out to me. Isn’t it great that each time you read something in the Bible God reveals something new?

Verse 14 says “As they went, they were cleansed of their leprosy.” This made me think of our lives. Most of the time, when we need healing from something, whether it be physical or spiritual, it’s a process. It’s something that happens as we go. This is especially true with spiritual things. Each day, as we look to Jesus, we are changed. Sometimes in ways we can’t even recognize until we look back. But all along the way he is working in our hearts. This process is called sanctification. I think the “as you go” part is especially important because God uses our challenges, our suffering and our lives in general to grow us.

Another thing that stood out to me was what Jesus said to the man who returned. He had already been healed. Jesus said “Your faith has saved you.” It’s never our external condition that saves us. It’s never about what we look like on the outside. It’s more about what is happening on the inside. It’s from the inside that we show our love and praise for God. The man who returned entered into relationship with Jesus. He didn’t just continue on his way. He stopped, he drew near and he praised. That is what saved him.

It’s so easy to continue down our path and not take note of what God is doing or has done. It is super important to stop, draw near to Jesus and ponder God’s goodness. Isn’t it?

How Big Is Your God?

It was by faith that Abraham offered Isaac as a sacrifice when God was testing him. Abraham, who had received God’s promises, was ready to sacrifice his only son, Isaac, even though God had told him, “Isaac is the son through whom your descendants will be counted.” Abraham reasoned that if Isaac died, God was able to bring him back to life again. Hebrews 11:17-19 (NLT)

What do you think went through Abraham’s mind when God directed him to sacrifice Isaac? God said, “Take your son, your only son—yes, Isaac, whom you love so much—and go to the land of Moriah. Go and sacrifice him as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I will show you.” (Genesis 22)

This wasn’t the same “Go” command that God gave him when he told him to “Go to a place I will show you.” This command was completely different. In this command, God seemed to be back stepping on everything that had happened to this point.

He had called Abraham to be the Father of a Nation and that Nation would come about through his son Isaac. How can he be the father of a Nation if Isaac was gone? How could his descendants be as numerous as the stars if there were no descendants?

God had worked miracles in the birth of Isaac. Abraham and Sarah were very old when Isaac was conceived. The fact that they conceived at all was a miracle. Why would God do that if he was going to take Isaac from him?

Abraham could have reasoned his way out of this situation. But he didn’t. He didn’t try to fit God into his scenario. Instead, he looked at his scenario in light of who God was.

The Bible says that Abraham reasoned that if Isaac died, God could raise him from the dead. He didn’t look at his chaotic circumstances and make a decision. He looked at God and made a decision. He knew who God was and what he was capable of. He trusted that above all else.

Let me ask you. Are you more likely to try to fit God into what is happening in your life or are you more likely to plan your life based on what you believe about God?

Speak Lord!

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 (ESV)

There is a song I used to sing a lot called Order My Steps. It was recorded by the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir. Here are the words of the chorus:

Order my steps in Your Word, Dear Lord
Lead me, guide me every day
Send Your anointing, Father, I pray
Order my steps in Your Word, YES
Order my steps in Your Word

These words took on more meaning as I began to seek God through His Word. It continually amazes me how he uses the Bible to guide my life. He uses it to speak into my chaos. So many times I’ve been pleading with him, asking for an answer or some indication that He is hearing me and I get the answer from the Bible.

And honestly, I don’t spend every moment pouring over the Bible. Wish I had time for that! But God delivers where we are. Last night I woke up in the middle of the night with a lot on my mind. I prayed and prayed. I was asking him for specific guidance. I told him I wanted to hear from Him. I didn’t want to make decisions based on my thoughts but on his thoughts.

When I got up this morning, I went to spend time with him. I started reading and felt impressed to turn to a book I am working through. I don’t always read the same thing every day. I jump all around during my quiet time. I turned to the book and my Kindle popped up and said “You are supposed to be on this page.” I clicked OK and it turned to the section only to discover I had already read it. But there was the Bible text I needed for today. I had already read that verse and honestly, skimmed over it. But today, it was exactly what I needed. It was such a strong answer to the prayer I had prayed the night before, I was in awe.

God has done this so many times. Answered by directing me, through impressions to turn to something I was not planning on reading, by a line that stands out when I read my Bible, through a thought that sticks in my head that makes me search. He will do the same for you. He speaks to us loud and clear. The Bible is alive.

If My People

Paraphrase of 2 Chronicles 7:14

If my people
Who are my people? Anyone who looks to me for life.
Who are called by my Name
God-followers, Christ-followers, seekers
Shall humble themselves
Let go of themselves, surrender, put down their agendas and their pride
And pray
Talk to me. Let’s have a conversation. Share your heart and let me share mine
Seek My face
Crave time with me - not as an optional thing but a necessary thing; to fill a passion that comes from within.
Turn from their wicked ways
Put down the things that motivate you. Loosen your grip on what you think makes you happy. Look in a
different direction. Look to me.
Then, I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin and heal their land.
I, God, will hear you. I will respond to you. I will do what my heart always wants to do. I will forgive you and
heal you. I will show up in your life. You will experience healing in more ways than you can imagine. Come,
let’s walk this life together. Won’t you come?