Tonight's Word 🌱

Fireside (Mike Moyers - Oil Painting)

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
- Acts 1:8

Different Stories. One Mission.

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to sit and spend some time at Jesus' feet? What would he speak about? What would you ask or tell him? What would it feel like? What would you be inspired to believe or do after such an experience? I believe that one cannot remain the same after spending time with Jesus. The disciples spent a few precious years with Him and their purpose was ignited by the Holy Spirit. They were now on a mission.

Story 1: One day this week, I spent some time house-cleaning. My parents and I were on a mission - de-clutter, clean, discard the unnecessary as much as possible. Focusing on the task was demanding but I must say it was rewarding. I sweat a lot, got some exercise, and it did a lot for me mentally. That night, I was tired in a good way, and as I finally started to settle down, I realized that I had spent most of the day off of my phone. I noticed that the thoughts crossing my mind during my day, I had converted into conversation with the Lord. Even the jokes that ran through my mind, I had a good laugh with Him. When I realized there was still a lot to be done, I asked Him to help me. As I reflected, for some reason that only God alone knows, a song title came to mind. It hasn't been the first time I have listened to this song, but when I looked it up to refresh my memory on it, all I can say is that my spirit drank it in like fresh pure water. The Word of God certainly tasted differently that day, after I had tuned out a lot of the usual daily incoming stimuli, focused on my own vineyard, and talked to the Lord as a friend. I was encouraged by the reviving experience.

Story 2: This week, we acknowledged World Teacher's Day. The students were on a mission. They greeted their teachers heartily throughout the day, and some went out of their way to give their teacher little tokens of appreciation. One student gave me flowers. To be quite honest, that day I wasn't really feeling very well, but being surrounded by all this goodwill, it buoyed my spirit, and I felt touched. Intentional acts of kindness changed the day from what could have been a regular day that I had to make it through, to a lovely day etched in my memory. I couldn't help but reflect on the greatest Teacher of all time. EG White in her reflections, shared: "Christ was the greatest teacher the world has ever known. He came to this earth to shed abroad the bright beams of truth, that men might gain a fitness for heaven." All the subjects that can ever be taught in school, pale in comparison to the gift of light and life He shared, and the example He lived. How can we show Him appreciation for all He has done for us?

A bouquet of flowers from a student (Thank you!)

Story 3: Last week I was asked to lead out in Friday night family worship in an online ministry I am a part of. I often lack confidence in my speaking skills. I lean toward thinking and writing for better clarity and articulation. However, by God's grace, I gave Him the best of the little I had and allowed it to be used for His service. Sometimes, we have to trust God with the little and allow Him to multiply it according to His will.

Friends, this week I was prompted to ask the question while reflecting at Jesus' feet... What can I do for You Lord? God has called out each one of us as part of His larger body of disciples. We all have gifts placed within each one of us. Is it time? Is it talent? Is it help? Is it charity? Is it a vocational skill? Is it a listening ear? Is it prayer? Is it speech? Is it a pen? What do you have in your hand? We all have gifts of the Spirit placed within each of us, that can be used for the mission God has called us out to: To know Him, amd to make Him known. We are not too young or too old. Shall we accept the mission? Shall we say yes to Him, allow ourselves to grow, to be sharpened, to be purposeful in the right direction? Shall we give our lives heartily to Him, allow Him to clear our paths of things that continue to cloud our minds and purpose, and serve Him faithfully in the way that is unique to who we are in Christ, in our part of the mission field? May God bless and guide each one of us as we give in to the sweet promptings of the Holy Spirit.

Prayer:
Father in heaven, thank You. Thank You for the purpose You place in each of us, and the gentle ways You continue to seek to awaken them in us. We give ourselves to You Lord, and we invite You in, knowing that You can do much more with us, than we can do by our own selves. We pray for the filling of Your Holy Spirit that was promised, so that wherever we are, we can be useful for the sake of the gospel. Change us from the inside out. In Jesus' name. 

Be blessed by the following song. It is a well-known song but my hope and prayer is that it be an encouragement and a reminder of our purpose, a renewal of our committment to the greatest Teacher of all. 🎧🙏🏽🙂

The Mission [Steve Green]