Obey, Move, Ask!!

26 "Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, 'Go south to the road-the desert road-that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.' 27 So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all of the treasury of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, 28 and on his way home was sitting in he's chariot reading the book of Isaiah the prophet. 29 The Spirit told Philip, 'Go to that chariot and stay near it.'

30 Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. 'Do you understand what you are reading?' Phillip asked.

31 'How can I,' he said, 'unless someone explains it to me?' So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.

32 The eunuch was reading this passage of Scripture:

'He was lead like a sheep to the slaughter,

and as a lamb before the shearer is silent,

so he did not open his mouth.

33 In his humiliation he was deprived of justice.

Who can speak of his descendants?

For his life was taken from the earth.'

[Isaiah 53:7-8]

34 The eunuch asked Philip, 'Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?' 35 Then Philip began with that passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.

36 As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, 'Look, here is water. Why shouldn't I be baptized?' 38 And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him."

Acts 8:26-36

This is such a fabulous passage. There are a few things that we are going to look at today. First, the obedience of Philip. Next, Philip's willingness to take action. Finally, the eunuch's mindset.

Before we dive into the scripture we must understand a couple of things. First, when you read the Bible, you are listening to God. God shares a story with us in 1 Kings 19:11-12 about how he speaks to us. "The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by." Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper." It is in a gentle whisper. This is consistent even when reading the living Word.

Secondly, we must have a full understanding that we always have a choice. No matter what circumstance we are in, we always have a choice. This applies spiritually as well. Deuteronomy 30:19 declares "This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live" God will never push himself on you. He will never force you to make one decision or another.

Look at verse 26. "Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, 'Go south to the road-the desert road-that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.' The angel gave Philip a specific route to take, the desert road.  Philip could have rebuked  and said that road was called the desert road for a reason. What good would he be to God if he traveled where there were no people? There were a million reasons why he could have chose to go a different route, a more traveled route. Nevertheless, he started out.

Do you know what? The very next words after Philip obeyed are "and on his way he met". This isn't the only time Philip had to decide wether or not he was going to obey God. At this point he met up with a very important person, then God went a step further. He told Philip to "Go to that chariot and stay near it." There are two verbs in this command, go and stay. Philip obeyed both.

When we obey God, good things always come our way. Leviticus 26:3-4 "If you follow my decrees and are careful to obey my commands, 4 I will send you rain in its season, and the ground will yield its crops and the trees their fruit." You do not have to be a farmer to understand this analogy. 

The next thing that we need to look at is what Philip does after his obedience to the Spirit. 'Do you understand what you are reading?' Phillip asked. He heard the man reading scripture then he took it upon himself to ask the man a question. Scripture does not tell us that the Spirit told Philip to do anything further then go and stay near the chariot. Philip stepped up and stepped out to ask a question. My Pastor has always told me that God will not do for me what I can do myself. For each of that looks different. We must look at it through the eyes of parenthood. Let's say that you have a 2 year old who is incapable of getting something to drink on their own. When he is thirsty he must ask you for help. But when he is 13 years old he is fully capable of getting something to drink by himself. He no longer has to ask you.

It is the same for us as Christians. It is my observation that we go through this stage as Christians where we have to learn to get our own drink. We have been used to asking our Heavenly Father for everything and receiving what we ask for. Then as we start to grow, we can reach the shelf by ourself, we can carry the cup of water without spilling it, we can take a drink on our own, but we are unsure if it is okay. It is! We can never do life on our own, but we must learn and grow in everything. For everything we learn to do on our own there are 2 more things we learn that we need God to help us with. There will be new mountains and new races. But the things that we can do, we must. You can pray, so pray for someone when they share a need with you. You can serve, so serve a need. You can listen, so listen to those who need an ear. You can share what Jesus has done in your life, so share.

We will find that when we step up and step out, God blesses that. The result of Philip stepping up and stepping out was the salvation of this man which results in life change.

The story doesn't end there. Verse 36 shows us the eunuch's response, "Why shouldn't I be baptized?" Why shouldn't I?! There are so many things that we face and have no response when really our response should be, Why shouldn't I?! Why shouldn't I step out and take the job? Why shouldn't I step out in faith and trust God for this? Why shouldn't I?! American Christianity can be very watered down. The majority of the time I live a very watered down life. We must awaken to the fact that God has a greater purpose for us then going through the motions of life. He needs us to step out and write that book, sing that song, record that album, serve in that ministry, love that person, feed those people, go to that town, and many other things.

Today, reflect on where you are in this story. Do you need to be more obedient to God without the back talk? Do you need to step up in your relationship with Christ and start doing for you what you can do on your own? Do you need to be asking yourself the question, Why shouldn't I?! Then, do something about it!

~Awaken Us~

Brenna Stanford

Brenna Stanford

Our Place in the Body

"In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Grecian Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, "It would not be right for us to neglects the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit an wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them an we will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word."

This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procures, Nicanor, Timon, Parmesan and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.

So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith."

Acts 6: 1- 7

This seems rather snooty. "I can't wait on tables, I have better things to do..." It will seem that way if you have pride in your heart. 

2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

1 Peter 5:5 All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,

“God opposes the proud
    but shows favor to the humble.”

Proverbs 25:9 He guides the humble in what is right
    and teaches them his way.

"...so the word of God spread."

If those seven chosen men would have thought themselves too good to wait tables then the message would have been hindered.

Concerning Spiritual Gifts

12 Now about the gifts of the Spirit,(A) brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed.(B) 2 You know that when you were pagans,(C) somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols.(D) 3 Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,”(E) and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,”(F)except by the Holy Spirit.(G)

4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit(H) distributes them. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone(I) it is the same God(J) at work.

7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.(K) 8 To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom,(L) to another a message of knowledge(M) by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith(N) by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing(O) by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers,(P) to another prophecy,(Q)to another distinguishing between spirits,(R) to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,[a](S) and to still another the interpretation of tongues.[b] 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit,(T) and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.

Unity and Diversity in the Body

12 Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body,(U) so it is with Christ.(V) 13 For we were all baptized(W) by[c] one Spirit(X) so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free(Y)—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.(Z) 14 Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.(AA)

15 Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But in fact God has placed(AB) the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.(AC) 19 If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body.(AD)

21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” 22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24 while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

27 Now you are the body of Christ,(AE) and each one of you is a part of it.(AF) 28 And God has placed in the church(AG) first of all apostles,(AH) second prophets,(AI) third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing,(AJ) of helping, of guidance,(AK) and of different kinds of tongues.(AL) 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues[d]?(AM) Do all interpret? 31 Now eagerly desire(AN) the greater gifts.

13 If I speak in the tongues[a](A) of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy(B) and can fathom all mysteries(C) and all knowledge,(D) and if I have a faith(E) that can move mountains,(F) but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor(G) and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,[b](H) but do not have love, I gain nothing.

4 Love is patient,(I) love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.(J) 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking,(K) it is not easily angered,(L) it keeps no record of wrongs.(M) 6 Love does not delight in evil(N) but rejoices with the truth.(O) 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.(P)

8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies,(Q) they will cease; where there are tongues,(R) they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part(S) and we prophesy in part, 10 but when completeness comes,(T) what is in part disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood(U) behind me. 12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror;(V) then we shall see face to face.(W) Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.(X)

13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love.(Y) But the greatest of these is love.

We all have different abilities. We are all blessed with different talents. 

This skit explains it all.

Know that your gifting are special and unique. They are what God gave to you to use for his glory. At different times in your life He may give you different gifts based on what He needs you to do. Do it all with love. It doesn't matter how big or small you think the job is, do it for the Lord, because that is what matters. Colossians 3:23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,

Know who you are. God's Child.

Know that you are important.

Say this prayer with me.

Thank you Father for giving us your son Jesus, and your Holy Spirit. Guide us today. Make us fully aware of our place in your body. Show us how we are to serve in order for the whole body to benefit. Pour into us your love so that we can pour it right back out into the world around us. Awaken us to your calling. Keep us in step with your movement. 

In Jesus' name, Amen.

~Awaken Us~

Brenna Stanford

Monkey See, Monkey Do

Today I want to speak to all of the parents out there, all of the aunts and uncles, grandma's and grandpa's, teachers, and everyone who has any place in a child's life.

In the mornings while my sons and I drive to town we are usually worshiping and/or praying. The boys are 2 and 5 months, so really they are just there while mommy worships and prays. My 2 year old will sing and clap and dance and drum, even though he has no clue what he's doing, he's just having fun with mommy I know God smiles. He is learning. One day he will know exactly what he is doing.

Anyway, today was one of those Romans 8:26 mornings; "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express." As I was praying and I was crying, my heart was heavy. Then I hear my 2 year old do this: (please picture how a 2 year old looks and sounds, shaking his head in the "nana-nana-boo-boo" type way) lalalalala-lalalalalala..... I erupted with laughter!!!

These children, no matter how young or how old, see everything we do, they hear everything we do, and then they repeat everything we do. 

What are you doing? What are you doing when your children aren't watching? What are you doing when you think that your children aren't watching? What are you doing out in the open in front of them, weather you think they're too young to know what you're doing or not?

The truth is, yes they are too young to know what you're doing, but that doesn't matter. They will repeat whatever it is that you're doing and saying because they don't know. They don't  know if mommy and daddy's drink is an adult beverage or not, they don't know if the words they are hearing are good and pure or corrupt, mean, degrading and disrespectful. They don't know if daddy is hurting mommy. They don't know if they are or are not supposed to take baths or have food to eat. They don't know if they are lifting their hands in worship to the Lord. They don't know if mommy and daddy love each other or not. They don't even know what love is.

BUT THEY ARE BEING TOUGHT. 

One day these babies will know what is going on around them. The sad thing is they may not know that there is another way. We need to make sure that we are doing what the Bible says in Proverbs 22:6, "Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it."

God, awaken us this morning. Awaken us to what biblical parenthood looks like. Awaken us to see that we are influencing little lives all around us. We know that no one is perfect, your word says that we all fall short of the gory of God. You also tell us that a righteous man may fall down 7 times, but he get's back up. Today, lift us up. We accept your grace and your mercy. Show us today how to be a positive, godly influence to those around us. Help us to be your light. We thank you for your unending forgiveness and your never failing love.

In Jesus' holy name we pray,

Amen

Go. Be encouraged today. Be a godly example today. You are always an example, make sure it's a godly one.

~Awaken Us~

Brenna Stanford

Deal With It

For about a month we have been remodeling our bathroom, OURSELVES!! For about a month now I have been cleaning my bathroom just to have to sand something else, make another cut or knock something else out.

The reason for our remodel was because some of the tile surrounding the tub fell and along with it some sheet rock. So we went to our local store, we picked out all the things we need to make the bathroom all new and pretty!

So it began. We have gotten our cabinets sanded and painted and put back up with new hardware. We've bought the paint for the walls. Ordered the countertop, bought the sink and faucet. We've finally got it all cut and only needing to be secured, but not before I had to clean out all of the drawers in my bathroom and sweep saw dust and the dust from cutting sheetrock out of every corner and crevasse in my bathroom. Finally, after what seemed like days of cleaning it is starting to look pretty.

And yet the issue still remains.

So I decided to dive head first into the issue. I took a hammer and started beating the shower wall. Dust went flying everywhere. Little pieces of porcelain tile went flying, sheet rock just falling to pieces landing all over my bathroom. Things got messy, AGAIN.

Today a had a breakdown. My house can't stay clean!! We're trying to get this bathroom redone and I keep cleaning up mess after mess after mess!! WHY WON'T THINGS JUST STAY CLEAN?!?!?! During this breakdown I heard God speak to me, this is what we do. Christian or not, we see an issue in some one or ourselves, just like with my bathroom, then we imagine how pretty they (or we) could be without the issue. So it begins. We start buying all the new shiny things we need to complete the picture in our brain.

And yet the issue remains.

We can't have the new and pretty until we deal with the old and ugly. We must deal with it! We must understand that while dealing with it things get messy. Really messy!! 

For most of us messy upsets us. We do not like things to be dirty or out of place. We do not like anyone to see our mess. Sometimes the mess is big enough if anyone comes to visit there is no way to hide it.

We must deal with it. Mess is hard. No one likes cleaning messes, especially huge ones!! But if we deal with it, if we push through and get the mess cleaned up and fixed. If we deal with it, in the end we get the new and pretty bathroom we imagined!!

Today my words to you may seem harsh now, but you'll be happy someone told you.

DEAL WITH IT.

Let God show you how. He knows the mess, it does not scare him. He has the answers!!

For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 2 Timothy 1:6


Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, Phillipians 2:12


This third I will put into the fire; I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on my name and I will answer them; I will say, ‘They are my people,’ and they will say, ‘The Lord is our God.’” Zachariah 13:9


Some of the wise will stumble, so that they may be refined, purified and made spotless until the time of the end, for it will still come at the appointed time. Daniel 11:35


For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11


Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.” Jeremiah 29:12-14


Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6

~Awaken Us~
Brenna Stanford