Ready to Go

Ready to Go

Acts 13: Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. ² As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” ³ Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.

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“LORD, what do YOU want me to do ?” was finally a sincere question I had asked. Up until then, I wanted raises and promotions and new cars. Within a week, the reorg was announced. Days later I was told I would be moving to another state.

• There were times when I had to get in the right mind to serve.
• There were times when I had to clear my thoughts in order to hear GOD.
• There were times when I had to be ready for anything in order to be used by GOD.

As the group gathered in Antioch were fasting and ministering to the LORD, the HOLY SPIRIT called Barnabas and Saul for a special work. The group obeyed so they fasted, prayed, laid hands on them and sent them. Fasting may have taken days but they were ready right away.

• GOD wants me to be ready to go where HE wants me to go at a moment’s notice.
• GOD wants me to know that I am sent versus complacent.
• GOD wants me to prepare for HIS journey when HE calls me to a work.

“Preparation” is the action GOD wants when HE calls. Rather than a fight for complacency, HE wants readiness to touch other lives through the power of the HOLY SPIRIT. GOD is always ready to send harvesters, but knows  the laborers are few.

GOD wants me to sincerely ask “LORD, what do YOU want me to do ?” so HE can decide where and when HE wants me to go and plant HIS seeds. Other people are waiting on my gifts and talents. I am glad GOD includes me in HIS plans.

• Are you being sent?
• Does GOD want you to meet new people so you can fast and pray for them?
• Will you accept GOD’s calling and prepare for where HE is sending you to do HIS work?

It is Time to Teach

2 Chronicles 17: ⁹ They taught throughout Judah, taking with them the Book of the Law of the Lord; they went around to all the towns of Judah and taught the people.

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“I could have said that better” is what I thought as the old man stammered through his words. I looked around and saw people asleep. When they asked for volunteers, I said “of course!” I prepared a very entertaining speech and of course added some scripture for flavor.

As I filled the hour with my rhetoric, I kept everyone awake but someone came up to me and asked me to explain the deeper meaning of the scripture. I stammered and couldn’t explain.

• GOD said “Go Baptize and Teach” to me.
• GOD said “Teachers and preachers will be held to a higher standard” to me.
• GOD said “Do not think more highly of yourself” to me.

I had surface knowledge of GOD’s word and thought it was boring, outdated and irrelevant so I figured I would spice it up with entertainment. GOD says, “Do not add a jot or a tittle to MY word” meaning I don’t need the flash and fanfare.

GOD wants us to understand that we no longer live by the Law, but HE hasn’t thoroughly thrown it away. HE actually wrote the Law on every human’s heart to show how serious HE is about what HE said. GOD then cleared the confusion by summarizing the entire law through this statement… “Love one another as I have loved you.”

GOD volunteered to die for me so HE became a human to do so. HE allowed HIMSELF to be accused, slandered and murdered by pastors, ministers, preachers, missionaries and teachers who misinterpreted HIS true purpose and twisted HIS word for their convenience.

To teach means to live GOD’s word. It means saying all the promises along with the consequences. It means saying things that apply directly to me before they apply to who I am saying it to. GOD holds me to a high standard so I must be careful with my words.

• Are you complaining about someone?
• Do you think they are crazy?
• Do you think GOD is calling you to become the teacher instead of the complainer?
• Can you begin looking at GOD’s truths more deeply so you can begin teaching?