Great Lengths

When He entered Capernaum again after some days, it was reported that He was at home. 2 So many people gathered together that there was no more room, not even in the doorway, and He was speaking the message to them. 3 Then they came to Him bringing a paralytic, carried by four men. 4 Since they were not able to bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, they removed the roof above where He was. And when they had broken through, they lowered the stretcher on which the paralytic was lying.

Mark 2:1-4 (HCSB)

A simple thought today.  What are you willing to do to get someone to Jesus?  Are you willing to work harder?  Are you willing to embarrass yourself?  Are you willing to  inconvenience yourself?  The men in this passage knew this man needed Jesus and they would not be deterred from getting him there.  What will you do today to get someone to Jesus?

The Call: A Holy Moment

 When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called out to him from the bush, “Moses, Moses!”“Here I am,” he answered. 5 “Do not come closer,” He said. “Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.”

Ex 3:4-5 (HCSB)

You will probably not see a burning bush that is not consumed.  You will probably not hear an audible voice call your name.  But if you are a Christ follower, seeking Him you will receive a call.  It may come at the strangest time, in your estimation.  It may not sound like or look like what you think it will.  But God has a plan, purpose and call for each of us.  Here's what you need to remember.  Wherever, whatever and whenever you receive that call, remember it is a holy moment.   Don't view it as, "not a big deal."  It is a big deal!  No matter what it is that God calls you too, you have been called upon by an awesome God.  He plans to do extraordinary things through ordinary you and possibly ordinary circumstances.  But it is always a holy moment.  Be ready for it!

The Call to do what you already Know

Then the king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, one of whom was named Shiphrah and the other Puah, 16 “When you help the Hebrew women give birth, observe them as they deliver. If the child is a son, kill him, but if it’s a daughter, she may live.” 17 The Hebrew midwives, however,  feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt had told them; they let the boys live.

Ex 1:15-17 (HCSB)

Usually when we talk about God calling us we are looking for the big things.  We are looking for it to be written across the sky in an amazing show of God's direction.  The Hebrew midwives teach us a valuable lesson about God's call.  Most of the time God's call is simply to do what we already know He wants us to do.  They knew what God wanted and because the feared Him they obeyed.

Today seek to do the call of the things you already know He wants for you to do and recognize His divine calling in your life today.

Choices; for His Use

Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver bowls, but also those of wood and earthenware, some for special use, some for ordinary. 21 So if anyone purifies himself from these things, he will be a special instrument, set apart, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work. 22 Flee from youthful passions, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. 23 But reject foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they breed quarrels. 2 Tim 2:20-23 (HCSB)

God wants to use you but your choices make the difference of how or if you can be used for His service.  This movie scene is a fun way to illustrate the importance of choices:


What choice will you make?  Will you avoid youthful passions and pursue righteous living?  Will you chose to be a useful vessel today?

Knowing and Obeying

In the same way faith, if it doesn’t have works, is dead by itself.18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without works, and I will show you faith from my works.

James 2:17-18 (HCSB)

James tells us that our faith is really demonstrated not in knowing (faith) but in obeying (works).  To many who claim to be Christ followers talk about know Christ but don't demonstrate their faith by the actions.  We are to be people of action.  We can not continue to claim that we know Christ and have faith and then refuse to obey Him.  Evaluate yourself are you merely knowing or are you obeying.  There really is a difference.