prayer | Revelations From The Road

Ask, Seek, Knock

July 9, 2010 by Bill Leave a Comment

Given May 28, 2010

Matthew 7:7-8 says, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.” Most of us a familiar with that verse. But God showed me something different this morning.
Ask – Pray and it will be given to you but probably not while you’re sitting on the couch or recliner.
Seek – After you pray, look for your answer; get up and go after it asking God for guidance as yu go.
Knock – Do something. Don’t just stand in front of the door and wait for it to open. Take your answer, it’s already been given to you.

I guess the point the Holy Spirit was making to me was to take charge of YOUR part in God’s plan. “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” James 1:22. When we pray, many times, God has something for us to do. We order something but we have to go to the post office or the mail box to get it. We pray for a job but we have to apply for it first, that’s our part. And many times when we ask for somethig of God, He will remind us of something He had already asked us to do. “Dad, can I have $20.00 to go out with my friends?” “Well Son, have you taken out the trash and picked up that pile of limbs like I asked you this morning?” Do you see what I mean? Let’s be active in our prayer life Ask but then go Seek and Knock.

Be Ready

December 25, 2008 by Bill Leave a Comment

Given December 23, 2008DC Talk sings, “I wish we’d all been ready.”, referring to the state of humanity at the second coming of Jesus. Of course we all need to be ready; to give our heart to Jesus and live our lives for Him. Being ready, I think, means more than a one-time thing. We must strive to be prepared every day so as not to miss an opportunity, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:” 1 Peter 3:15. Remember the disciples who couldn’t cast the demon out of the boy? (Matthew 17) Jesus told them that kind only came out by prayer and fasting; you had to be prayed up and prepared. The disciples obviously wern’t. We not only need to be ready for the second coming but be ready each day for what God may have planned for us.Think of Mary, the mother of Jesus. Do you think she was ready? You know, she wasn’t praying for God to send the messiah to earth through her. But God knew who she was. “And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.” Luke 1: 28,30. Whatever Mary had been doing had gained the favor of God; she was ready!We don’t know what God has planned for each of us, but there’s something. How sad it would be if God scours the earth for someone to do something for Him and He looks at us and says, “No, we can’t use them this time; they’re not ready.” I encourage you, as we celebrate the first coming of Christ, to be ready for His second coming AND the time in between. Be blessed!

Use The Time

December 19, 2008 by Bill Leave a Comment

Given November 23, 2008

We all seem to be pressed for time. Rushing here and there thinking what we “have” to do is so important. And when we’re in a hurry, doesn’t it seem like society is out to get us? It’s almost like a conspiracy; the light changes just before you get there, people slowly turning in front of you, the checkout line you’re in doesn’t seem to be moving, “Your call is really important to us…”. Sound familiar? And, how does all this make you feel when you’re in a hurry? Can you say, “Repent”? Yeah, me too.

But…I’ve found the solution! This blog is all about revelations God has given me. He shows me interesting ways of seeing things but, this time, He used my lovely wife to give me the revelation. When I was griping about having to “waste” time at the traffic light, she told me when that happens to her, she uses the time to pray. Wow, what a good idea! That 60-90 seconds can be put to good use. It’s not wasted time.

It’s amazing! Since that day, every time the light changes, I feel the aggravation coming on…then…I remember what God said through my wife. Use this time to pray. You know, I even found myself today hoping the light would change! Then, found myself smiling because the devil’s plan was thwarted again! “But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.“ Hebrews 3:13. All we have is today. Sin is trying to steal our time and distract us from things that are really important. We all have 24 hours each day. Use your time, even minutes you used to think were wasted. Trust me, now, red-light time for me is not wasted!

What’s Your Dream?

November 22, 2008 by Bill Leave a Comment

Given November 18, 2008

I’m on the Board of Deacons at my church and we had a deacon’s meeting on this evening. After the normal “business” of church administration, our pastor directed us to think about what our dreams were for our church. Our AG church, I think, is a progressive congregation focusing on Jesus and leaning toward the contemporary style of worship. Our pastor is a gifted leader and is not satisfied with, “church as usual” and, thus, our church is different than most in our area of Southwest Virginia. The early church was different too, wasn’t it?

As we talked about what we, as deacons, dreamed for our church, some things mentioned were, “500 for Saturday night prayer.”, “A place where miracles happen regularly.”, and “Hosting a youth conference with thousands in attendance.”. All these things sounded great and I know they can all come to pass. “All things are possible to him who believes. Mark 9:23.” So, what would God say about our dreams?

I got this vision, or revelation, as I frequently do, of me telling God my dreams for our church. As I told God one dream, He’d say, “OK, no problem.”. I’d tell Him another and He’d say, “I can do that.” With another, He’s say, “All these things are easy for me and I want to make your dreams realities but you’re not dreaming big enough! And, you know, your dreams depend on you too. Do you really believe I can and will do these things? Are you reading My Word and following My commands? Are you willing to sacrifice and pray to help make these dreams come to pass?”. I realized many of the things we ask God for, things we pray for, He is ready and willing to speak them into existanct but is waiting for us to do our part.

“Be ye doers of the Word and not hears only. James 1: 22“. This is so important. What’s your dream for your church, your family, your job, or your life. God is able, God is willing, and He could very well be waiting on you. Ask Him what you are to do. You probably already know.

I Will Heal Their Land

September 24, 2008 by Bill 1 Comment

Given September 20, 2008

“…I will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14

Does our land need healing? Can politicians and the government heal our land? Is the economy, the war, or health care really the issues? Who is responsible for this mess and who is responsible for cleaning it up? Does God want it cleaned up?

You may have heard of an “If-Then” statement. It says that IF a certain condition happens or is present THEN an expected outcome will occur. The THEN depends on the IF. “IF my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways,”. Are we God’s people? Yes, we are! Are we called by His Name? Yes we are! “God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful”. 1 Corinthians 1:9. We’re the ones!

To “humble ourselves” means to get off our high political horse, get on our knees, submit to God and pray. As we “pray”, we “seek His face”; and when we earnestly do that, He will show us what our “wicked ways” are. Then we must turn from our allegiance to a political party, a family tradition, or the influence of a slick TV ad and ask God what He would have us do.

“THEN will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” Brothers and sisters in Christ, it’s up to us; we are the responsible party. God is listening for and watching His people, ready to act on our behalf. If we, God’s people, will do what we’re called to do, the economy, threats from evil, our health, and everything else will be taken care of!

“If my people….I will”. He promised!