I’m Telling You…They’re Out There

Subway

Today the subway was packed with people. That’s not unusual in the mornings, but today was extra tight. I noticed a woman standing next to me reading the Bible and it got me thinking about how many people I see reading Scripture on the train. Of course, everyone’s usually doing something – reading, writing, listening to music – but there’s often someone reading the Bible.

So often we hear about how the Church is compacting and leaders ask the question, “Where are all the believers?”  While this is not necessarily a bad question to ask, God’s been showing me that He has believers everywhere.  Even in the darkest places His people are there.  They are praying.  They are seeking Him. They are the ones bringing the favor of God upon those places.  They are leading people out of the darkness.

What I’ve started doing when I see these people on the train is just praying for them.  Praying that God would show them something so incredible, so wonderful in that moment.  It’s the only place to start for my new brother or sister I didn’t know existed just minutes before.

Jesus is building His Church in the Earth.  Let’s look for each other.  Let’s encourage each other — even if we don’t always agree.  He’s worthy of that and so much more.

May we be His Body:

And God placed all things under his (Christ’s) feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way. – Ephesians 1:22-23

This will be a light week on the blog as I’m preparing to lead worship at Shelter Rock Church this weekend and Olivia and I are answering the question, “To move or not to move…”

Something Big

Recently, one of my Twitter friends stated, “what you ask of God reflects what you believe about Him.” 

If I don’t ask Him to meet seemingly unmeetable needs, do I not believe He can or would meet those needs (Phillipians 4:19)?  If I don’t ask him to heal the sick, do I actually believe He can do it (Isaiah 53:5)?  If I refrain from asking Him to make a way for me in my job/career do I somehow not really believe that He helps those who call on Him (Matthew 7)?

I want to believe God for great things.  Things that can’t be explained away rationally or with some natural answer.

Remember the movie Pay It Forward?  Haley Joel Osment’s character embarks on a project to do good things for others.  But the things have to be what he calls “Big.”  Not just holding the door for someone (that’s good), but something that alters someone’s life in a meaningful, impactful way.

That’s what I want to pray for, to ask God for.  For mountains in people’s lives to be moved, for the mountains in my life to be moved.

Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him! (Matthew 7:7-11)

Recently at work I saw a name of a foundation that said this to me: The Miami Project to Cure ParalysisThe namers of this organization weren’t aiming to make a few nice discoveries.  They were going for the end-all for those who are affected by paralysis: the cure.

That’s what I want to have the faith to ask for in my life…to get rid of all debt…to see my eyes healed…to have a song cut…and on to my family, on to friends, on to cities, on to nations.

Let’s ask God for big things!!

What are you asking for?

Very Nice Verses

I was writing a song with a friend recently and we started talking about beautiful Bible verses.  Today, as my recommendation post, I thought I’d give you a few of my favorites.  These are meaningful for life as well as beautiful language — kind of how I’d like my songs to be 🙂 — that’s a tall order to live up to!

Romans 11:29
…for God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable.

Proverbs 13:12
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.

Psalm 34:8
Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.

Proverbs 18:10
The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.

Psalm 37:23
The steps of a man are established by the LORD, and He delights in his way.

Psalm 121:1-2
I lift up my eyes to the hills—where does my help come from?
My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.

Psalm 37:4
Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.