Worship

Scripture

Bree and I met in Georgia. We dated for about a year before she told me she would be applying to work at a church in Conroe, Texas called The Ark. She told me it was a long shot, but it was an opportunity she always hoped for, so she at least wanted to apply. Well, a week later she finds out not only did they accept her application, but that they would like to fly her out to interview her. So, she went. I’ll always remember I was visiting my parents and stepped out onto their front porch when Bree called me to tell me she got the job and would start in a few weeks. After the initial excitement cleared the line fell kinda quiet until Bree asked, “So, what does this mean for us?”

You may think that I paced the porch nervously biting my nails. False. I had prayed about this relationship endlessly and I had already heard from God about His plans and directions for it. So, when I heard that the woman I was (and still am) in love with was moving across the country to pursue a new job, I knew I would be pursuing her there as well. I immediately started applying for bank jobs in the Houston area and Bree was only in Texas for two months before I landed a job.

It’s easy to make decisions in faith when you are “prayed up”. Everyone would take that first step if they knew God told them to step, but it’s when we are unsure or living through our own means when it’s difficult to walk by faith. When we rely on ourselves, we create this linear path that we are bushwacking with machete and flame. Reacting to every snake, rock, or leaf that finds its way in our path. It makes you touch, rigid, and paranoid. It keeps you from being guided in the gentle manner that the Holy Spirit guides us. 

I’m all too guilty to bushwalking my own path. Sometimes I even find myself walking down a path God directed me towards, but I get scared, I doubt, or the path gets dark; I can’t see the end and I panic. What always brings me back is simple – prayer and worship. It doesn’t matter if I know where the path ends if I know God is leading the way.

Prayer

HONOR GOD

Colossians 3:17

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Consider it a privilege that we get to be ambassadors for the Lord. The way that we carry ourselves and communicate should be a reflection of who God is. Thank him for bestowing that honor on you 

ASK GOD

Ephesians 6:18-20

With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

Ask God with perseverance. Knowing that when you knock on the door he listens. 

SUBMIT TO GOD

Romans 12:2 

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

The process of our minds being renewed is one of submission to God. Often we believe we know what is best for us, but let God’s word and His Spirit lead you to a place of transformation. 

CLOSING PRAYER

God, as I surrender to You fully. I don’t want anything to hold me back from the fruit You have available to me. Today I offer each and every area of my life to You, even the ones I’ve held onto in the past. Your ways are higher than mine and I can trust You with everything.  In Jesus Name, Amen.