Wednesday, June 26, 2019
Building People of Substance for Works of Power
Listen carefully, Friend.
This last Easter, I wound up preaching in a church in Mexico that wasn’t on my schedule. In fact, I didn’t get the “invitation” until the night before during a service when the Pastor tapped me on the shoulder and said, “Puedes predicar mañana?” The week before, I had just returned from a foreign trip, and I had another trip planned the week after. I had fully intended to rest, write, and prepare. On Facebook saw a promo for a weekend event for Easter, but had no intention of going. As I looked at the roster of speakers, I had the thought, “You should just go and receive, and support your friends.” I was tired, I was busy, and I ignored it. The problem was that I kept having that thought. Not loud or condemning, but just a thought. After a few days, I finally told my wife, “Judy, I think I’m supposed to go to Mexico a week early.” We booked a room and away I went.
Sometimes, the voice of the Lord is a lot like a thought or a simple desire. David said that if I would delight in Him, He would give me the desires of my heart. As I make Him my first desire, I believe my heart and His heart will come to want the same things. If you’re a child of God, always pay attention to things that come into your mind and won’t go away. Spend time with the Lord, feed on His Word, and pay attention to what’s inside you. That is the holy place of interaction between you and the Spirit of God. Learn to attend to it, and it will lead you into divine errands.
On this particular Easter Sunday, I was the third of three speakers. I had never met the first guy, but I really enjoyed his ministry. I recognized a kindred spirit. After the service, he and his wife made their way to greet me. They were so excited! As it turns out, they had seen our Bible school program on the host church’s Facebook page. They had started following me on Facebook and had asked the Lord to show them how they might have this program in their new church some 600 kilometers away. When they saw me standing in the front row they realized God had answered their prayer. They began classes the next month. It’s a privilege to be part of an answer to someone’s prayer.
Somebody Said: “I think that God gives you your own will and choices. I don’t believe that we’re supposed to drag ourselves through life defeated and not see God’s blessings. But you have to make the right choices and follow that still, small voice within you. Because I think that’s how God leads us.” Joel Osteen
Scripture Reading: Trust in the LORD, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass. (Psalms 37:3-5 NKJV)
Here’s the Point: God is guiding you. His Spirit is in direct contact with your spirit. Take care what you put in your heart and what things you allow to divert your attention from your first love. In the quietness of the inner chambers of your heart, He places thoughts and desires that can only be heard if the listener is available. Delight yourself in the Lord, pay attention to your heart, and let Him think through you.
Pastor Virgil Stokes
3141 W. Ironwood Hill Dr.
Tucson, AZ 85745
520-792-3238
www.pastorvirgil.com
For many more resources, visit me at www.pastorvirgil.com.
pastorvirgil.com 