BE PRESENT/BE AVAILABLE

Have you thanked Him?

Have you praised Him?

Have you made it your priority to agree and cooperate with Him today?

Have you taken that deep breath and listened for what He has for you today?

1 Timothy 2:1 (The Message)

The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know.

Be PRESENT.

Be AVAILABLE.

A couple of points made yesterday Jamie R., the youth Pastor at my home church in Xenia. 

I quickly jotted those down as they are GOOD thoughts for today; any day mind you.

Be PRESENT

Whitfield once said that being PRESENT helps you to stay centered, not fearing what you don’t know.  I would agree.  So, does Jesus.

Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes. – Matthew 6:34 (MSG)

We live in an intensely distracted society.  Just watch folks who are out to dinner.  Instead of being PRESENT with one another, they are checking their devices for the latest “like” or “heart”, forgetting that across the table are likely “many likes” and more than a handful of hearts to be enjoyed.

Dr. Alexander once attributed much of what we are seeing in the addiction space the result of a LACK of CONNECTION or being PRESENT with GOD and one another. 

I would agree. 

Many of us would rather slide off into cyberspace than connect.  But Jesus says that WHAT IS GOING ON AROUND US right now is intensely important.  He needs us to be present with Him so that we can get in tune for what He has for us to do today and often if we are paying attention will be spelled out because... we are the product of His hand, heaven’s poetry etched on lives, created to accomplish the good works God arranged long ago. Ephesians 2:9 (V)

And while being present important, Jamie reminded that we are to BE AVAILABLE as well.

Out of our “presentness” WILL come our assignments; the opportunities for those GOOD WORKS.  Therefore, we must not just acknowledge GOD and others but when called to action for either, be AVAILABLE to respond!

Remember the prophet Isaiah?

It was during his time of “presentness” that a DIVINE assignment was levied.  And remember his response?  I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.” - Isaiah 6:8 (ESV)

So, a couple of simple assignments.

Get present.  Seek His presence.

…His power & everything else we need is always found in His presence…Wimber

Then “stay present”. 

Be aware. Pay attention to what GOD is doing and be sensitive to the needs around you. 

And then listen for your assignment and if called upon today, you are available. 

God has uniquely gifted you to help someone. Be available as God opens doors for you to do so. - Joyce Meyer

I love you all!

OPPORTUNITIES for HOPE