Worship

Scripture

Have you ever met someone who is truly spiritual? Like those that could do no harm and wake up every morning at 3 AM to pray to God for 4 hours on behalf of everyone but themselves? I love those people and I wish I could wake up that early in the morning to do all the spiritual things they do. Maybe one day I’ll be able to, but for now I sleep until I can’t anymore. One thing that I have found true, and I believe all the 3 AM spiritual people would agree with me, is that everyone stumbles. Even them. Sometimes it feels like they don’t, but in reality they do. The same thing happens with pastors. Sometimes people think that pastors can’t stumble, but in reality they are human just like all of us. 

In today’s scripture in Hosea, we read about how Israel stumbled, Ephraim stumbled, and even Judah stumbled. Wait a second, ever Judah? Judah is like those spiritual 3 AM people. They are the really devout and zealous that would do no harm. The ones I would like to be like. Hosea 5:5 says,  “Judah also stumbles with them.” One thing I love about the Bible is that it doesn’t shy away from pointing out all the flaws of the biblical characters. Like how Moses couldn’t speak or Samson flirted with Philistine girls, and the list goes on. In fact, if you look at all the biblical characters in the bible, they all stumbled. Except for one. Jesus Christ. 

I don’t know who you look up to today. Maybe it’s a mentor, a boss, a pastor, author, or someone that you follow on social media or youtube. But I want you to know this: even they stumble. I’m not trying to get you to stop looking up to them or stop consuming their content. The Apostle Paul said, follow me as I am following Jesus, but I am trying to get you to realize that they can’t be the foundation of your faith. They also can’t be the intermediary to your relationship with Jesus. They will stumble and they will fail you, the only one that won’t is Jesus. Don’t settle for connecting with God only through someone else, but build your own personal relationship. 

1 Corinthians 3: 10-11 “By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.

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.