Jesus loves us so much, even though we may drive him crazy he still and always will have a heart for people. No matter how bad we mess up, he will always take us back. Jesus saw our hurting and foolish ways and wanted a better way for us he wants a change in us. And the Lord of Lords and the King of Kings cared so much for us that he commanded his disciples to pray for more leaders, “harvest hands” to help us and guide us.

As I read this I felt the compassion that Jesus had on the crowd. I thought about how he saw every ones hurts and how they were being confused by the world and it touched his heart. Even though some may not admit it, people really want a change, they really want a better way of life. You might be the only one that sees that or knows a persons pain and sometimes all you can do is pray for them. But know this, it’s one of the greatest things you CAN do for them. So just as Jesus commanded his disciples…. on your knees and pray! Having problems praying? Well then pray that you pray. Nothing wrong with praying for your prayer life.

Someone once said ‘evil prevails when good people do nothing.’ Even though you may take a “neutral” stance, you are not neutral at all, you are in fact taking a malevolent stance. Think about it.

Let me first start by saying being a Christian does not mean doing what you want and at night laying down your head to say the same rehearsed prayer you have said since you were 5 years old. Being a Christian doesn’t mean living holy on Sunday and the rest of the week being like the world. Being a Christian doesn’t mean only praying when the mortgage is due or the bill collectors are calling. Don’t say you’re something if you’re not walking it out. If you say it people better recognize the God in you baby!!

I’ve been here. I would say one thing, but deep down believe another. I never walked away from God, but there was a point in my life where I was going through the motions. Life wasn’t looking so great, my heart always felt empty and sad and friends were all walking away and in the process of walking they were stabbing me in the back. Friends who claimed to be Christians. I remember thinking — what’s the point of being a Christian if we only act Christian for 3 hours on Sunday??? My desire for God was slowly slipping away, my desire to get in His Word and read and breathe life was slowly slipping away. I felt like God didn’t hear me. I felt like maybe I messed up too much for God to ever hear me or maybe I had to do something to earn back His love and trust.

I remember one night just crying out to God asking Him why my life was going the way it was? Why was another person walking out of my life? Why would He put them in my life for them just to walk away? Why wasn’t He even hearing me!!! I was so mad, I was confused, but most of all, I was broken. That night God spoke to me and He said “unplug your ears and you’ll hear me” I remember thinking — what does that mean? I’m not plugging my ears to you God. I’m doing the opposite. That’s why I’m here, that’s why I’m asking You why You won’t answer me!!! He said it again “unplug your ears and you’ll hear me” So I was like ok God why am I plugging my ears (I probably had some sarcasm in my voice) He said “your plugging your ears because it’s your safety mechanism. You have been hurt by the things people have said about you, the things they didn’t say, or the empty promises that you were told.” I still didn’t understand…if that was the reason, why would I “plug my ears”? He said ”the reason why is “because those words went into your ears and pierced your heart. The words that were said you “HEARD” those things hurt you because they broke your heart so it was easier for you to shut your ears and close out people so they couldn’t hurt you, but in the long run you have closed me out too.”

WOW talk about being put in your place in a loving way. haha. I was seeing God as I saw the people who walked away and didn’t listen to what I had to say. I was scared of being let down so putting walls up seemed like a great plan!!! This night changed my life and perception of God completely!!! Since then I have realized that he will speak to me in different ways every time. It may be through the message on Sunday, the students in a youth service, or a cashier who is just doing her job. God will use whatever He wants to speak to us!!! It’s the still small voice on the inside of us (others seem to get it mixed up with their “6th sense.” Little do they know it’s Jesus speaking to their hearts)

Something else as Christians we MUST do is get in the Word!!! That would’ve cleared up a lot of questions I was having!!! For one, I would’ve been reminded that in His Word it says “I will never leave you or forsake you” Hebrews 13:5-6

We have the Word available to us. God has given us the answers to all the questions we have but sometimes we are simply too lazy to open the book or we don’t really want to know the answers. I know I was like that once. I knew what God would say and I wasn’t ready to listen or change. So, not getting in the Word helped me not to be reminded of right from wrong. We want the answer but don’t want to do the work. We would rather someone tell us how we should handle a situation or even do it for us. As the body of Christ we have the keys to the kingdom (Matt. 16:19) in our hands and we take it for granted sometimes. We are in a battle and we cannot fight without the word!! It’s sharper than a two edged sword (Hebrews 4:12)

Every question we have is waiting for us to discover the answer. To discover these answers we must get in the Word and digest every little thing so that when these questions and doubts try to come in we can say NO MY GOD WILL NEVER LEAVE ME, MY GOD WILL NEVER PLACE MORE ON ME THAN I CAN HANDLE, MY GOD IS FAITHFUL, MY GOD IS CLOSE TO THE BROKENHEARTED, MY GOD IS!!!

Thanksgiving is not a day, a season, or even a meal. But it is our attitude of the heart. These lepers whose fate seemed to be inevitable cried out, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” Jesus gave them an instruction. An instruction that they were willing to follow. Verse 14 says, “as they went they were cleansed.” How incredible that must have been. Out of the ten lepers that were healed only one came back to give thanks. How thankful are you? Or are you a grumbler and complainer? Unthankfulness blinds us to the goodness of God.

Let me share with you four things that I believe can help you cultivate the spirit of gratitude.

First of all, learn to be grateful for imperfect gifts. Because that is all you get in this life. Waiting on others to be perfect before you celebrate them, could cause you to wait a long time. Don’t just see whats wrong, look at whats right.

Second, learn to be thankful in times of anxiety and frustration.  Philippians 4:6 declares, “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” That is the key.

Third, express gratitude openly and often. Make a phone call, write a note, or send a card. Declare a fast on criticism. Proclaim that to the best of your ability, you’ll not be critical for seven days.

Fourth, develop worship in your life. Open your heart to God. What value is Jesus to you? Begin to thank Him for all He is and for what He has done.

Cultivate these things in your life and God will do great things.

In the Old Testament Abraham interceded before God on behalf of Sodom. Moses stood between God and Israel and saved Israel from destruction. When Achan sinned, Joshua brought the peoples case before God! We live in a day of dwindling regard for authority and its easy to add our voice to the crowd of critics. Even if you didn’t vote for those who are in power, the Bible says, Pray for rulers and all who have authority. It is simple, it pleases God. We should ask God to give our leaders three things.

First of all, humility, Proverbs 15:33 says, “before honour is humility.” Servant-leadership is the height of strength. It involves the acknowledging of our limitations and seeking God for guidance.

Secondly, our leaders need wisdom. Instead of praying for the advancement of our own political agenda, ask God to give our leaders sound judgement and ability to make wise decisions.

Third, our leaders need courage. Psalm 27:14 says, “Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.” In the face of global terrorism, financial unrest accompanied with a climate of fear, pray that God will give our leaders the strength to do whats right not just whats popular.

Only when you accept failure, are you a failure. Anytime you learn from failure, you take a step toward success. Babe Ruth, baseball legend, hit a record 714 home runs, but he also struck out over 1,300 times. During an interview he was asked how he overcame discouragement. Ruth replied, “If I just keep swinging the bat the law of averages says I’ll catch up. In fact, when I’m in a slump, I feel sorry for the pitcher because I know sooner or later he’s going to pay for it.”

How can I embrace my destiny? First, your destiny is a desire that won’t let you go. Second, your destiny will be a joy. Third, your destiny will unlock your creativity. When God called Gideon, “a mighty man of valor”, he was hiding by a winepress. But God wasn’t addressing his present condition, He was speaking to the potential within him.

What are you called to do?

Did you hear about the mom who prayed: “Lord so far today I’ve done okay. I haven’t gossiped, lost my temper, been nasty, greedy or grumpy. But in a few minutes I’m getting out of bed, then I’ll need all the help I can get.” We might laugh, but the truth is, its hard to acknowledge our need of help, especially in a world that almost worships self-sufficiency. The most critical time in your life is when you don’t think you need God. It’s impossible to say, I need you Lord, then act like everything depends on you. Your faith will be underdeveloped and when you don’t use your faith you can’t please God.(Hebrews 11:6) If your vision doesn’t require GOd its probably not from God. Without God’s help, do we truly make a difference? Until we humbly acknowledge that we are powerless over most things in life, we’ll not make progress.

Whatever you’re facing today, read these words carefully. Psalm 121 3-8 “He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.”