Heart Meditations

James Bond famously orders his Martini’s “shaken not stirred”.  Today I have discovered that secret to facing adversity is not to cause a stir but to be shaken,

Scripture – Acts 4:23-31

Observation – The thing that caught my attention this morning was that in response to arrest and threats for preaching in the name of Jesus the apostles prayed for more boldness not less persecution.

Application – Maybe I have been praying backward all these years.  My prayer usually goes something like this.  I notice I have a problem or obstacle in my life.  I ask God to remove the obstacle and then I say “in Jesus name Amen”.  However these apostles don’t pray like me.  They don’t prayer for less opposition, or for God to remove the corrupt Priests from office.  They don’t ask for physical protection or propserity but for boldness.  Apparently God was so impressed with this prayer that the place was shaken and they were filled with the Holy Spirit.  Can you imagine if we took this approach with all aspects of our lives?  What if rather than asking God to give me more money I prayed that God would make me a better saver?  What if instead of “God help me pass my exam” I prayed “God help me not to attach my self worth to a percentage or a letter grade”.  What if rather than praying for God to remove a difficult co-worker I prayed “Lord give me unusual patience to cope with this person”.

The apostles had come to the place where they realised that God is more interested in changing us than changing our situation. and this realisation led to the discovery that when Spirit fills people it shakes their surroundings.  The presence of the Spirit in me ought to affect my surroundings.  In my family, at work, where I study, at the gym things should be a different because of me.  In fact the opposition I am facing might be a sign that the Spirit is effecting things around me and enemy attempting put a stop to it.  Either way, whether I am making not impact or I am facing opposition for the impact I am making they prayer is the same, more boldness.

The  truth is however that praying for boldness may result in things getting shaken out of my life which I have been holding on to.  Habits, false ideas, insecurities may have to go to make room for the Spirit.  It is not possible to filled with more of the Spirit if something that is currently taking up space in my life is not removed but the benefit of having the Spirit in me far out ways any cost.

Ironically the Apostles prayer for boldness was rather bold itself. They do not beat around the bush they tell God exactly what they need.  Since God is more willing to give me the Spirit than I am to give good gifts to my daughters then I should have boldness in asking for the Spirit. I should not feel the need to create a certain amount of emotional fervour in order to be sure God has heard my request.  I should be confident that He will give me what I need to pursue His passion for my life.

Prayer= Father you have filled me with boldness recently but I need even more of your Spirit to declare your word and to lead your people. Your word says that you are more willing to give the Spirit to us then our earthly parents are to give us bread.  Give me a perpetually increasing out poring of the Holy Spirit. I pray the same for all who may read this blog.

Amen