Week 5 (May 3-9) -- Discover God's View
Week 5 (May 3-9) -- Discover God's View -- Focus on hearing from a broader circle of those from around the globe who would like to contribute.
This 5th week, can we wonder together how the disciples and those who had become accustomed to being with Jesus might have been doing as the reality was setting in. Most of their time with Jesus was filled with moving about among the people. Moving as Jesus moved. That meant going to a broader circle of those who had not yet been with him. His desire to go and be with those who did not yet know of God's love for them. Can we imagine and pray for a deeper longing for the body of Christ for that same thing in this current time? It is very possible, but we must believe! Back in the weeks that followed the Resurrection, the believers had to make a transition. They had to come to a point of a reality check. They were going to have to go to where they had never been before. Along the way, just as was the case for Jesus. The reality check of the Father's will is priority. When he arrived the people had already heard of him and were most times waiting. The Media-ization --"getting the Story out" was happening without our even as much as a marketing department. As the disciples were still moving about, did they recognize that the task of ssharing God's story now fell on them? What a place to be... yet they did not yet have the power that Jesus had spoken to them about. But, they did and would always have had, the testimony of having been with Him.
The amazing task of getting God's story out did happen as Jesus went among the people. The story went out as they went among the people. The Media-ization -- "getting the Story out" was truly a "God Thing". The same is true today, but eventually they too would have the power He spoke about. We have that power, the Holy Spirit. Looking back at the 5th week after Resurrection, the disciples were still hearing that Jesus was coming and showing up to be with those here on earth. They were in the last two weeks before Ascension and had no idea of the time table.
Do we understand not much has changed? We also have been tasked to "go and make disciples". We also do not know the exact time when Christ will return. We must be about the Father's business. This week we ask everyone to focus on hearing from a broader circle of those from around the globe those who would like to contribute.
Can we renew our commitment to "discover God's view"? His view was to see all, everyone come to know Him. What was true for the first century believers is still true today... it is going to take a broader circle of those around the globe who would like to contribute to share the Story with all those who still wait to hear.
Let us pray: Focus on hearing from a broader circle of those from around the globe would like to contribute.
Father, stir our hearts for a love for Your people, Your believers around the globe. May we be focusing on hearing from a broader circle of those around the globe. Those who are wanting to contribute and yet seem to be so far away in the area of being able to contribute. Open our awareness of Your power. Pour out Your Spirit upon us to be ready willing and able to reach out to listen and hear from a broader circle. Lord, let us as 1 Peter 4:8-11 shows:
“8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.”
Heavenly Father, let us continue to have a genuine love for those around us, friends and enemies alike, so that all that arises from conflict will not affect us, and our walk with you will not be hindered.
“9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:”
Lord, we ask that our spirits will delight in generosity, that we will look to serve and support those around us that are struggling. Let our spiritual gifts be used to their fullest extent to serve each other, and to bring glory to you.
“11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies”
We ask you, our loving Creator, to continue to fulfill our physical, mental and spiritual needs so that our focus can be on using our gifts to glorify you, and to bless our community. We receive every good thing through you, and are only strengthened through your grace. Let humility always cover us.
“—In order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”
In everything, let our will always be bent to you, God. It is only in you that we receive anything, and it is only through you that we live lives full of grace and love. It is well with our souls, to you everything and more. Let it be so. In Christ’s name and for His glory we pray. Amen
· The disciples wanted to do God’s will. Let us be people of the Word wanting to do God's will.
[*Please note: This information will be posted in the ION Blog section of the website http://orality.net/blog ]
http://ionprayer.com/2015/05/01/week-5-may-3-9-discover-gods-view/