Be Available

Available:  The word is defined as suitable or ready for use; of use or service; at hand: I used whatever tools were available. 2. readily obtainable; accessible: available resources...

 We need to be available for God. Too often we allow our fear or personal agenda and focus to make us unavailable to God’s call and service. We excuse ourselves from committing ourselves to a course of service and action for God because we aren’t ready to make such a decision or move. It could be business or family or perhaps even fear that keeps us from being available to God. (See Matthew 8).  God seeks those willing to answer His call; those who make themselves fit and available for service to Him. Too often, negative thinking or the influences of Satan cause us to doubt; to think we think we are not worthy or prepared. God has called all who have committed their faith to Him to also make themselves available to serve. There are many opportunities to serve. Perhaps you’ve already heard the call. Have you made yourself available?

Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.

Isaiah 6:8

Redeemed to Serve

We deal with words that sometimes roll easily off of our tongues. We give them little thought or reflection of the ramification or definitions of those words. Take the word “redeemed”. Too often we think of it in terms of liberty. But to be redeemed means that we’ve been purchased by the one who redeemed us. Paul reminded the Corinthian saints about that very thing. Peter too reminds his readers that they have been redeemed not by gold, silver or precious stones, but by the blood of Jesus. Too often, we feel that our redemption means we can live as we want. We make choices without more than a token thought about God’s Word or will. We treat redemption like emancipation. But that which is redeemed is the purchased possession of the one who redeemed it. We are not our own. We are freed and redeemed from sin and are now the servants of God. We are to fulfill His will and purpose.  This is exactly what God told Moses to speak to Israel and to Pharaoh.  Let my people go that they may serve me.  Exodus 8:1 

For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

1 Corinthians 6:20

Communicable Loyalty

That which ought to define us as Christians is our commitment to Jesus Christ.  This isn't a verbal commitment but one that is proven throughout life by our actions.  One man stated that it isn't your profession, but rather your pursuit of Jesus that makes all of the difference.  Our commitment to Jesus should be such that no matter what we face, our resolve and loyalty will remain the same.  The world is full of fair weather friends.  We need to emulate the loyalty and faith of David and and of Ittai, a gentile from Gath who pledged his loyalty in life or in death.  His commitment to David and his loyal friendship was communicable; it was catching.  In spite of the dire circumstances, such loyalty and devotion shines.  We live in a troubled time.  The world seems to be slipping further from the things of God.  Animosity against things Christian is mounting.  The world economies and societies seem to be imploding.  Yet even in times of trial, the Christian ought to reaffirm his commitment and loyalty to Christ.  Let us say to Jesus the words that Ittai of Gath said to David "...Whether in death or life, even there also will thy servant be."

Dependent on God

In our nation today, there is a cry on one side for independence from the intrusiveness of government. Others promote interdependence while still others call for total dependence. Each side positions itself; spouting the advantages of their position while postulating the disadvantages of the others. What results is the visceral and vitriolic war of words between pundits. As Americans we cherish our independence. Yet God wants us to be dependent upon Him. Too often we find that we are straining and yearning for independence when what is needed is dependency; to be specific dependency on God and not upon human governments or ideologies. Churches become stagnant pools of religious activity and proclivities that suit more the whims of those attending than that which God desires. The air becomes stale; filled with the redundancies of religious rhetoric rather than the Spirit’s movement in their midst. God used Isaiah and Jeremiah to speak to the nation of Israel about these issues. Can it be that we are seeking to displace our dependence upon God with independence or interdependence? Are we forsaking the Fountain of Living Waters for the stale waters of leaking cisterns? It’s Food for thought. 

For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.

Jeremiah 2:13

Just what is faith? Is it a blind leap into the unknown, a course of action that flies in the face of evidences that seems to indicate that it is an unreasonable course of action? No. Faith in Jesus Christ is not built upon fallacies but reasonable and cognizant conclusions that Jesus is indeed the Son of God. He fulfills the prophecies of Scripture with such precision as to leave no doubt. He did die on the cross as taught not just in Scripture, but recorded by secular as well as Christian historians, both modern and ancient. In the Bible record, Jesus predicted his resurrection following His crucifixion. The witness of the Bible states that this happened. Secular historians also record that an event took place that shook the world and caused the rapid expansion of Christianity. Faith is a commitment placed in something or someone. It is a trust. We come to place faith when we believe that we have enough upon which to place that trust in a thing or in a person. The evidences concerning Jesus are such that many an agnostic and atheist, upon a fair and thorough examination of the facts and evidences; comes to conclude that Jesus is all the Bible says He is and all He claimed to be. He is Lord!