Like a lion

Have you ever thought to yourself: there is no way God is going to use me like them. I'm just not equipped with those kinds of skills?

There have been plenty of times in my life, and walk with Christ, that I've doubted my potential. I've doubted that God could use me to reach out to those in need, or spread His word. I've doubted that little old me, in little old Satellite Beach Florida, could be used to do amazing things.

Acts 4: 13
When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. (TNIV)

The members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they could see that they were ordinary men with no special training in the Scriptures. They also recognized them as men who had been with Jesus. (NLT)

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus. (NKJV)

I think you get the point.

Each version points out 3 simple things.

1) Peter and John were courageous and bold.

2) They were just your average Joe's...just like us

3) By their actions, the men watching them, could clearly tell they had been with Jesus.

At the beginning of chapter 4, the author tells us that Peter and John were just hanging out one day (right after they had just given a man the power to walk {that's a whole different post coming soon!}), preaching the amazing story of Christs' resurrection, when they were "seized and put into jail" (vs 2). The next morning, the two stood before the rulers and elders and teachers of the law in Jerusalem and asked: "By what power or what name do you do this?" (vs 7).
Without a breath Peter replies: "It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead" (vs 10).

Which is where the first verse I listed shows up.

Bold.
Courageous.
Ordinary.
Unschooled.
Untrained.

If it hasn't clicked yet...Peter and John were just like you and me.
Unless you're reading this and you're a bible scholar who's had years and years of study, who stands on the street everyday preaching the Word.

Anybody like that?

I like being ordinary, because ordinary people can do extraordinary things too.

I loved that they could just tell that these two had been with Jesus; no I haven't actually ever hung out with Christ, but I hope people know that I have Him in my heart.

Beloved, we need to (all) realize that if we commit to God, He can do amazing things with our lives. He can use us in ways we never thought possible. Even if we are unschooled, ordinary, and untrained.
We just have to be bold for Him.

The wicked flee though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.-Proverbs 28:1

Bold like a lion.

{now that's boldness!}

I love how clear Scripture is. Bold like a lion.
What scares a lion? Have you ever seen a lion run the other way out of fear that they can't do something?

God has given us what we need to become bold. We just have to trust Him.
Is it possible that He's going to want us to do something that requires us to step out of our comfort zone: umm have you met God yet?!

Peter and John were just like us. They had families like we do, jobs like we do...but still had the boldness for Christ that we all need.

As we come to a new week, challenge yourself to be bold. Challenge yourself to step out in faith, and depend on God. Live a life that others will look and and just know that you follow Jesus Christ.
And most importantly...don't worry about what might be or might not be on a resume...God isn't accepting applications, you already got the job.

Be blessed!
Your sister in Christ,
Meg

Can I pray for you?

There I was, getting another order, asking the same questions, politely thinking that they were taking a bit too long, gathered the menus, turned to walk away when I heared:
"Wait, Megan...we're going to pray before lunch, is there anything we can pray about for you?"

I was silent.

"Yes please. That would be wonderful"
All I could mumble out was school, my husband, and my family.

I was shocked. Tears swelled up in my eyes as I turned to walk away, with a huge smile on my face as I heard them start to pray.

Have you ever done anything like that?

I was unfortunately really busy so I didn't have the time to speak to them. I wondered what church they went to. Not that it mattered.
I wondered how long they had loved the Lord. I wondered how they got the courage to do that.

Because lets face it...asking a server in a restaurant if you can pray for them is a pretty big step of faith.
What if I hadn't been a Christ follower and answered "um I don't believe in God" or "no I'm ok". Could you imagine the feeling in their stomach?

I imagine this is something they do all the time.
And I imagine it has taken some courage, and a lot of faith in God.

Jesus answered, "Have faith in God. I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, 'May you be lifted up and thrown to the sea' and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart. I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you've received it, it can be yours.

Mark 11:22

That couple knows that God is putting them into certain peoples lives for a reason.
For me, it was just to brighten my day and make me realize that even in my place of work, the light of Christ shines. For someone else, it could be to save their life and introduce them to their Savior.

I've worked in a restaurant for a while now, and that's the first time I have ever had that happen to me. And I can't get it out of my head. I'm pretty sure it's because God is telling me something.

I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly. Ephesians 1:16

Do you ever find yourself saying to people "I'm praying for you", but then never do? I do. I think it's become the response to anyone in a time of trouble, or when something great happens to them.
But what about when they're just having a normal day.

I don't have anything in my life right now that is going really terrible (praise Jesus), and I don't have anything to celebrate (other than life in general). So I just needed that couple to pray for me. Just pray.

What if we started asking more people on a daily basis what they need prayer for.
I think more people would believe in the power of prayer more.

So I ask you...what do you need prayer for right now?

We have got to start being the generation that stands up and does things differently. God doesn't want us to keep sitting back saying "oh today someone prayed for me". He wants us to be the ones that are asking that uncomfortable questions to strangers, because I have a feeling that after a couple of times (even if they might be rejections) it will get easier.

Let's call it on the spot prayer.
Instead of just telling people "I'll pray for you", do it right then and there. Don't wait till you get home, because then you'll forget. Make it a point to ask people in every day life what prayers they need...you never know how God can use you.

I hope you know, that I'm writing this to myself as well right now. I too often find myself telling a friend I'll pray for them, and then forget. I also hope you know, that there's a ball in my stomach right now because I know that this is going to take some courage on my part.

Don't you think God will surely give justice to His chosen people who cry out to Him day and night? Will He keep putting them off? I tell you, He will grant justice to them quickly! Luke 18: 7

There's a reason prayer is the most important part of a Christ followers life. It's able to change lives when you believe in the power behind it. Prayer isn't just something you do before you eat, or what you did with your mom before bed when you were a kid...it's a way of life. God gave us the ability to talk to Him when ever we need, to lift up concerns we have, and to be able to ask for help when ever we need it. He's there waiting.

The Lord is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayers of the righteous. Proverbs 15:29

A prayerful life is a fruitful life.
There are so many people in this world that are hurting and need our prayers. We have no idea who we could meet one day that could really use a prayer.

Would you join me in starting to pray for strangers? It's something we're called to do, but it's also a step of faith.
Starting with your servers is a small step, who knows what it could lead up to.

We're called to be Holy people.
Let's lead Holy lives.

Your sister in Christ,
Meg