Pour your heart out like water before the Lord

I have found that receiving something from the Lord sometimes takes a "crying out" to Him. Just about anything I have really wanted or needed from the Lord required persistence, perseverance, and a good old fashioned, "Lord! I am expecting you to do something!! Lord, I'm desperate!!". I read a scripture today that touched my heart in Lamentations 2:19, "Arise (from your bed), cry out in the night, at the beginning of the watches; pour out your heart like water before the face of the Lord...". How can we pour out our heart like water? If I pour a pitcher of water onto the ground, it's just all out there, running everywhere. It's spent. I feel that sometimes in my prayer for God's intervention in a situation, I am spent. I am completely focusing on the prayer need, desparate for a response from Him. Every time, God has been faithful to answer me. He is always there for me as He will be for you when you are desparate for Him. My dad calls it, "getting down to business with God". It reminds me of two stories out of the New Testament. One, (Matt. 9:20-22) a woman pushed through the masses to get to Jesus for healing. She was healed. Another story (Mark 2:1-5) some friends put their paralytic friend through a hole in the ceiling of a house that they made where Jesus was speaking. They lowered the man down to Jesus and he received his healing. There are many other instances of persistent faith being met with the love and power God. Jesus said in Luke 11:5-10) that he who asks, seeks, knocks and keeps on asking, seeking, and knocking will receive. Luke 18:1-8 Jesus tells a story of persistent faith. The story is about an unjust judge that a woman pursues incessently to defend her until he gave in and decided to because of her persistence. Jesus asked in that passage if when He returns will He find this kind of faith on the earth? He said in essence that this kind of faith gets God's attention and that He will answer it, and He loves it! Press in to God, pour out your heart to Him and don't give up! He's faithful!! He will hear you! He will be there for you!

...but none of these things move me

When I read this passage in Acts 20:18-38, I find myself encouraged and challenged thinking upon the life and example of the Apostle Paul. His statement in vs 24, ..."but none of these things move me", speaks volumes! In other words, He was completely resolute to following the Lord whatever the cost! He faced difficult circumstances in preaching the gospel such as imprisonment and suffering beyond what most Christians today experience. This statement truly is profound considering the circumstances he faced for the cause. What seems like a high price to pay to follow Christ as an American Christian today, in not being readily accepted as "one of the crowd" or facing the typical challenges in life and trying to trust and obey God, is but a pitiful excuse for carrying the name of Christ. He was suffering persecution, hardship, and difficulty beyond our comprehension, in the center of God's will. AND YET: #1.He was steadfast, God honoring, and committed to fulfilling the plan of God for his life. (vs 23-24) #2. He was the epitomy of loyalty to the Lord and the brotherhood. (vs36-38) #3. He was a giver. He lived what Jesus declared,"...it is more blessed to give than to receive", by being mindful and merciful to the weak. (vs 35) I'm reminded of someone I know, a missionary to Viet Nam, Charles Johnson. He is bent over a walker, a man in his 70's, with MS and by the grace of God ministers to the street orphans and impoverished people of Viet Nam. For example, a few years ago in the street, he held in his arms and prayed for a man the moment he died with aids. Mr. Johnson is one of my heroes! God bless him for his resolve. Lord, help us to be grateful and honored to serve You in whatever capacity You choose. I'll love you for now and for always!!