This month I have been reading through Mark and this morning chapter 11 was quite convicting. Many of you have probably seen the video from our ATL (ask the Lord)…I haven’t actually watched it yet, but I will try to before I actually post this blog…
So, this experience could be considered weird or just coincidence, but God is always ready to work through us if we are willing.
There have been several ‘assignments’ that we been requested to complete in regards to ministry. This past week it was requested the we take time as a team to practice living a life “characterized by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.” So, we set out on a walk around town to see how this would work. We spent some time praying and trying to remove distractions. As we continued walking it was expressed how uncomfortable this was as if we were trying to force God to do something for us. Nearing the center of town it was discussed that perhaps an embarrassing situation would aid in revealing the Holy Spirit…and literally as this was spoken the Lord sent us a sign. I’m not sure what this sign said as it was written in Serbian, but I do know that it caught my teammate off guard as he ran right into it. He was knocked a little off balance, and whilethe rest of us tried not to laugh too hard a man came up and started talking to us. I’m just going to call him Floyd as none of us could catch his name, or we caught several different names that may not have even been his. He had clearly had too much to drink, but was interested in talking to us about his life and musical taste and ability. He also gesturgestured towards his friend as we looked we realized that this man had crutches, and Floyd said it was because he broke his femur. Floyd continued rambling while we asked if we could pray for his friend. We encouraged him to ask his friend if we could pray, and then Floyd could translate. This didn’t seem to be an option as the alcohol was not helping Floyd’s speech. We then moved to the friend, and he avoided eye contact and communication of any sort for a while, but eventually we were able to talk to him…I’m not sure exactly what was said as I was still conversing with Floyd where he shared some of his trials in life and his desperation for something more Was apparent. My teammates then prayed for the friend’s knee and his upcoming surgery. He nodded in appreciation, but wasn’t willing to try and walk on it after prayer. While, this may see not as impressive as if he were able to immediately jump and run, but God still provided a miracle in that he sent these men to us so we could share Him and plant a seed!
And now back to Mark…
“Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”
Mark 11:22?-?25 NIV
http://bible.com/111/mrk.11.22-25.NIV
God only needs us to believe, and He will supply.
