Based on “iPray = Change” by Pastor Mark Balmer; 1/21-22/12,
Message #MB507; Daily Devotional #1 - “Pray with Obedience in Mind”
Preparing the Soil (Introduction): Pray with obedience in mind. For many years in my walk with Christ, I was looking for the big thing God wanted to do through me. I prayed about it all the time. I can honestly say I was diligent in my prayers. Yet in my eyes, no big thing came. I would wonder if I was good enough to be used by God. Many thoughts of discouragement went through my head. But I kept looking for that big door He was going to set before me so I could walk through. This went on for quite some time. All along, there were little things that would pop up, but I wanted to make sure I would be ready for the big thing, so I would let them go by. I did not want to be busy doing something small and miss the big thing.
Planting and Watering the Seed (Growth): In Pastor Mark's message this weekend from Luke 19:1-10, Jesus was walking through Jericho. He had an agenda. He was on His way to Jerusalem for the Passover, knowing the cross was before Him in a very short time. Yet along the way He saw a man in a tree. Now if this had been me in my earlier walk with the Lord, I would have ignored the prompting to talk to Him because I was in the middle of doing something big for God. Yet Jesus didn't; He stopped and talked to Zacchaeus. Why? I believe it was because He understood even the littlest thing is big in the hands of God. The seemingly small thing of stopping and talking with Zacchaeus changed the lives of Zacchaeus and his whole family. Scripture does not say it, but it most likely had a great impact in the community as well.
Harvesting the Crop (Action/Response): Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:12-13) As we pray for God to show us His plans for our steps, He will be faithful and answer. Yet we need to be ready to hear even the smallest things He has to say to us.
“‘Well done, my good servant!’ his master replied. ‘Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.’ (Luke 19:17) Do not look only for the big things; look for anything He has for you! Even if you are busy doing something important for Him, make sure you are still listening for how He might want to interrupt you. Jesus did and lives changed.
Small things in the hands of our big God can have a huge impact. As you pray, be ready to obey whatever He brings your way. Remember anything is big when God is in it.
Cultivating (Additional Reading): Luke 19:12-26
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Calvary Chapel of Melbourne; 2955 Minton Road; W. Melbourne, FL 32904; 321-952-9673
All Bible references are from the New International Version (NIV) unless otherwise noted.