Vessel

 

Smith Wigglesworth, a man of God from the 1800's... it is recorded, "He would walk by people and they would come under the conviction of the Holy Spirit and be saved. He began to see miracles and healings and the glory of God would fall when he prayed and preached." I want that!

 

But...

 

We have to step back for a minute and remember - God will use a willing vessel. He will. BUT just because He is using us, doesn't mean He has placed a stamp of approval on our lives. The pride we cleverly disguise, the glory stealing, the rudeness, callousness, anger, hidden sin - all of it still must be dealt with and surrendered to Him. In knowing that, we realize that nothing we do is of ourselves. We have nothing to boast of. We all have "stuff" to deal with. We are not perfected. We are only being used by the Perfect One.

 

It is also not enough that we are just a "likable people." We have failed if our lives have only produced a bunch of people who enjoy our company because of the "good life" we live. We need to be very conscious of why we do what we do and for Whom we do it for. God wants His Kingdom advanced. Let's just make sure we remind ourselves every day that it is not the created that deserves the glory - but the Creator. :)

 

Use us, Lord - whether it be through an encouraging word, a healing, a deliverance, an act of hospitality, an act of service - whatever You choose, to touch a lost and dying people. May our lives, our attitudes, our demeanor, our actions be a mirror of who You are so that people will be drawn to You. May You use us in such a way that it would be evident to all that it is You working and not that of ourselves... We realize that You are the Contents; we are merely the vessel You have chosen to pour Yourself out of...

 

God pours Himself into us, for us to pour Him out to others. May we wake up each morning EXPECTING. May our desire and prayer be: "Grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word. Stretch out Your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the Name of Your holy servant Jesus." (Acts 4:30)

 

...and whenever and however He uses us, let's give Him ALL the glory and praise that only He is worthy of! :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXH0MjGe10s

I AM

 

 

I feel Your breath within the breeze

I know You're breathing life in me

A shattered heart

Placed in Your hands

Putting my trust

in the Great I AM

Your loving voice

Calls out to me

"You shall know the Truth

and it will set you free."

You reveal to me

All who You are

"I AM your All in All

The Bright Morning Star

I AM Agape Love

My anger is slow

I AM the God of Compassion

Lover of your soul

 

I AM the Whisperer

That gently speaks to You

I AM Alpha and Omega

I came to make things new

I AM Mercy and Grace

Forgiver of your sins

I AM the Most High

I will stand in your defense

 

I AM your Comfort

Your Provider, Your Friend

A Faithful Father

My love never ends

I AM Wisdom

Your Shepherd, your Guide

I AM the God who sees

Every tear you've cried

I AM your Hiding Place

Your Rest, your Calm

I AM your Safe Shelter

From every storm

I AM your Hope

I AM Faithful and True
The Author of your life

Who came to deliver you

I AM the Bread of Life

The filler of your heart

The God of new beginnings

Who gives you a fresh start

 

I AM the Light of the world

The One to be revealed

I AM the Prince of Peace

I AM the God who heals

I AM your Redeemer

The only One who saves

The perfect Lamb of God

For you, is why I came

I AM the Resurrection

I AM Absolute Truth

The Anointed and Chosen One

Who has chosen you

I AM the Vine

Living Water for your soul

Refreshing comes from Me

I AM the God who makes you whole"

Such depth to who You truly are

In awe – I humbly stand

My everything, my every need

Found in You, the great I AM!

Power in His Name

 

 

I overheard my son, out of the blue, declaring, "There's power in the Name of Jesus! Grrr!"

Made me chuckle at the surety in the statement coming from such a small vessel, but it threw me quickly into a moment of reflection. How often we forget what's behind that Name: JESUS.

"Therefore, God elevated Him to the place of highest honor and gave Him the Name above all other names, that at the Name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:9-11)

EVERY other name is subject to the Name of Jesus!

What "name" are you battling? Is it sickness? Depression? Anger? Addiction? Poverty? Relationship problems? Begin to speak His Name over your situation. Even if you can only muster enough strength to whisper, "Jesus" - continue to do it over and over again. There is unfathomable power and authority behind that Name! (Matthew 28:18)

Salvation in the Name of Jesus:

“Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12

“And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the Name of the Lord shall be saved.” Acts 2:21

Demons flee and protection found in the Name of Jesus:

“But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the Name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And he came out that very hour.” Acts 16:18

“And these signs will follow those who believe: In My Name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” Mark 16:17

Strength and soundness of mind in the Name of Jesus:

“And His name, through faith in His Name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.” Acts 3:16

Healing in the Name of Jesus:

“Stretch out your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the Name of your holy servant Jesus.” Acts 4:30

“Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. By faith in the Name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ Name and the faith that comes through Him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see.” Acts 3:6

The Name that saves. The Name that heals. The Name that strengthens. The Name that calms the storm. The Name of hope. The Name of victory. Jesus.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXH0MjGe10s

The disciples saw Jesus do many other miraculous signs in addition to the ones recorded in this book. But these are written so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing in Him you will have life by the power of His name.” John 20:30-31