911-Should I Make The Call?

The song ended. It was quiet as the Pastor prompted us to keep our eyes closed; to stay in the moment; to pray for the things on our hearts.

As I started to think of all that needed to be lifted up to the Lord, sirens sounded. First one and then others joined in, very loud, demanding my attention. There was an emergency. Something had happened. Someone needed immediate help.

911 - a call to action. A call to hope in desperation. We all know it and are grateful it's there, sure of the fact that trained professionals are always ready and waiting to spring into action at your call.

The sound faded off into the distance and I was able to once again focus. Pray. Calling on the Lord in time of need.

Then it hit me, each of our prayers is exactly like that 911 call. We are calling out to the Creator of the Universe...the Heavens...the Earth; asking Him to help you, to help others who may be on your heart. Think about that for a minute. The Lord is waiting. Sitting patiently, ready to answer you...His child's call.

Just like the sirens sounding, signaling help is on the way...your prayers let the Lord know that you're ready for Him to come to your rescue. You're ready to say, "YOU LORD, are the only one equipped to handle this mess, hurt, problem, sin, addiction, crisis, pain, loss...I need you Lord."

At that very moment...that second, He begins to move, to help, to save, to restore. Just like the emergency responders are trained to approach/treat a crisis situation; God knows exactly what you need. You need to let the Expert decide what's best for you. He may feel your prayer needs immediate attention and help/answers/healing arrives immediately, or He may think it's best to wait. He will fill you with His peace in the waiting, His comfort and His strength for a bigger plan He has down the road, (He knows what's best for you.) He may feel this prayer requires no treatment at all and wants you to learn to have faith and trust in Him, even if you're not getting your way. (He knows what's best for you.) He is the Expert. He sees the big picture and knows exactly what you need...when you need it.

What an incredible gift. To know that your prayers are heard, answered...from the Holy of Holies. Your every cry is to a faithful Lord, who wants nothing but the best for you.

So He waits. He waits on you. He waits on me. He wants us to learn to talk to Him in or out of crisis. His love surrounds. His love abounds. His love moves deep into your heart and soul when you're willing to talk to Him. So today, take a minute and pray. Put in a 911 call to the Lord. Put in a call of thanks. Put in a call of love. Whatever you're going through or whatever is happening...PRAY!

“When my soul fainted within me,
I remembered the Lord;
And my prayer went up to You,
Into Your holy temple." Jonah 2:7

"I cry out to the Lord with my voice;

With my voice to the Lord I make my supplication.I pour out my complaint before Him;
I declare before Him my trouble. 

When my spirit was overwhelmed within me,
Then You knew my path.
In the way in which I walk
They have secretly set a snare for me. Look on my right hand and see,
For there is no one who acknowledges me;
Refuge has failed me;
No one cares for my soul. 

I cried out to You, O Lord:
I said, “You are my refuge,
My portion in the land of the living. Attend to my cry,
For I am brought very low;
Deliver me from my persecutors,
For they are stronger than I. Bring my soul out of prison,
That I may praise Your name;
The righteous shall surround me,
For You shall deal bountifully with me.”~Psalm 142:1-7

JESUS TEACHING ON PRAYER

So He said to them, “When you pray, say: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins, For we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one.”~Luke 11:2-4

Does Your Life Need Emergency Repairs?

While driving to work I looked over and noticed a vehicle with bold red writing which said, "Emergency Repair." They were advertising for a business that will repair your broken things. Often times we wait till the last possible moment to call on a specialist. We'll try to do it on our own, hoping to muddle through...struggling to "fix it." We may spend hours upon hours feeling frustrated, angry, yelling and finally giving up.

None of us can be everything, know everything, or accomplish everything. Sometimes we need to accept the fact that we need help. We need to be open to receiving that help with the knowledge that an expert may be needed.

In life, Jesus Christ is in the business of "Emergency Repair." He is the repairer of souls. He is the one we can run too with any problem, hurt, anger, addiction, loss, etc. He is the much needed expert in our everyday lives. He spent His time on earth healing, fixing, saving and redeeming the lost and the broken. Who better to reach out to than the one who gave His very life for you? There is no other who can love you more, want more for you, or has given the most for you. Do you know that He is only a prayer away? He does not ask you to fix or change yourself on your own. He only asks that you seek Him and allow Him into your heart so He can help you overcome whatever you're facing. Give Him the authority to step in and make the necessary changes. He gave everything He had for you. He wants you to have nothing but the best. Do not continue trying to "fix it" alone. Run straight into the arms of your Lord and Savior and let Him handle the "Emergency Repairs" you need help with today.

"I called on your name, Lord, from the depths of the pit. You heard my plea: “Do not close your ears to my cry for relief.” You came near when I called you, and you said, “Do not fear.” You, Lord, took up my case; you redeemed my life." 

Lamentations 3:55-58

"And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, "Peace be unto you." Luke 24:36

"And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts?

Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have."

Luke 24:38-39 

"The Lord will give strength unto his people; the Lord will bless his people with peace." 

Psalm 29:11