PROMPTINGS

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.

Yesterday Pastor shared a pretty remarkable story about one of our budding leaders who was ‘prompted to pray’ recently.  Pressing our Pastor to share this from Paul...

(Ask) God to enable you to live a life worthy of his call. May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do. – 2 Thessalonians 1:11 (NLT)

As Pastor shared the story of this leader who “out of the church context” was pressed by the Holy Spirit to step out of his comfort zone to bring a little peace to a family who was grieving the loss of a loved one, I was both proud and inspired.

And while the leader felt a little awkward at first, even apprehensive, the PROMPTING was enough to move him to action and to prayer for whom the LORD had put in His path. And his act of obedience was a blessing and comfort not just to the family in need, but to him, the congregation and so many others.

He indeed accomplished a GOOD thing.

Divinely later in the day yesterday, motivated by the courage and faith of my fellow congregant, the LORD led Warren to my table at a big recovery rally I was a part of.  Warren had a friend Kevin who was deeply addicted and struggling.  And even though yesterday’s event wasn’t a faith-focused one, and even though I was there in my “secular” role, I was PROMPTED to pray with Warren for Kevin.

I think it surprised Warren but in a good way.  

We both were blessed, and GOD was glorified!

That is why I am most grateful for the story of courage that was shared yesterday by our Pastor as it REMINDED me to listen and respond to the PROMPTING.

Often the Holy Spirit will nudge us to “works of faith”.  Remember without “work”, without action, our faith is dead.  So, when prompted, when nudged, it is an opportunity to ENLIVEN our faith; to display it, to open the door for GOD and for Him to get glory.

Mother Teresa said it this way…

In order for us to be able to love, we need to have faith, because faith is love in action and love in action is service. In order for us to be able to love, we have to see and touch. Faith in action through prayer, faith in action through service: each is the same thing, the same love, the same compassion.

GOD as Paul confirms wants us to “do good things”.  GOD is faithful to open doors of OPPORTUNITY to do those things. We just need to be paying attention to the promptings.  Opportunities to LOVE, SERVE, and ACT are all around us.  It is just a question of whether we are willing to be vigilant and responsive!

Therefore, be on the lookout today for opportunities to put your faith to work.  Listen for the promptings. Like our friend from my home church, be courageous.  Step into the opportunity with faith and love.

GOD has put you there for a reason.  Have faith to intercede!

Calvin commented that…to make intercession is the most powerful and practical way in which we can express our love for them.

So, pay attention to that prompting!

Have a blessed day…

I love you all.

OPPORTUNITIES for HOPE