If You…

Robert — March 5, 2013

GOOD NEWS ABOUT THE PROBLEM OF SIN

John 20:20-23 After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”

Michael Guzman
Church of God

PERCEPTION // What I see/hear God saying/doing:
What I see You saying Father, is that You sent and empowered the disciples. You have sent me today – and everyday – to do the same things You did on earth. I hear You saying You have made the power available to me by Your Spirit to do what You have sent me to do.

PLAN // What I am going to do about it:
Father, I am going to start my mornings by receiving the Holy Spirit from You. I want to breathe in Your empowerment, Your heart for those You are sending me to, and Your directions for the day. I want be a blessing the way You were a blessing.

PRAYER // Seal the deal:
Father, I take You at Your word that I am sent to the world the way You sent Jesus to the world. I need to be empowered by Your Spirit to do what You call me to do.

In 2013

16 responses to If You…

Betsy March 5, 2013 at 5:52 am

PERCEPTION // What I see/hear God saying/doing:
I hear God saying that I have been sent, that I have received the Holy Spirit and all I have to do is trust in Him.

PLAN // What I am going to do about it.:
I need to trust and rely on the Holy Spirit more. I will pray every day for the power of the Holy Spirit and look for opportunities to use it.

PRAYER // Seal the deal.:
Forgive me, Lord, for not trusting that I have the power within me and for missed opportunities. Help me to rely on You, more and realize Your power within me.

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Stavros March 5, 2013 at 6:30 am

PERCEPTION // What I see/hear God saying/doing:
I hear God confirming his call in my life, he is sending me!

PLAN // What I am going to do about it.:
Create space every morning, even if its a brief moment, to breathe in and receive the Holy Spirit

PRAYER // Seal the deal.:
Please help my unbelief and doubts about the call you've laid before me. Amen.

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Amy March 5, 2013 at 7:16 am

PERCEPTION // What I see/hear God saying/doing:
I see that God gave his disciples responsibility, but they were not alone and they were empowered.

PLAN // What I am going to do about it.:
I will wait on your Holy Spirit; practice breathing, practice waiting.

PRAYER // Seal the deal.:
"Take my hands Lord and my feet, touch my heart Lord and speak through me, if you can use anything Lord you can use me."

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chuck March 5, 2013 at 7:28 am

What a great insight! Thank you for reminding me to seek the filling of the Holy Spirit each morning as well.
Karla March 5, 2013 at 7:56 am

PERCEPTION // What I see/hear God saying/doing:
And he breathed on them

PLAN // What I am going to do about it.:
To whom am I called and who is also called? I am not called alone. I will actively seek teammates and give grace liberally so that God's work can be done.

PRAYER // Seal the deal.:
Open my eyes to see teammates. Highlight wicked ways in me so that I can confess and be rid of them. Show me my calling.

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Sharon March 5, 2013 at 8:35 am

PERCEPTION // What I see/hear God saying/doing:
Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” The disciples had just been through a horrible week-end when all seemed lost and Jesus says "peace be with you." I hear God reminding me that as He sends me out, I am not alone and that He has peace for me in all situations.

PLAN // What I am going to do about it.:
Today I will grab on tight to God's hand, praise Him and live in His peace as I go out in His name.

PRAYER // Seal the deal.:
Lord, I admit that I often forget that You have indescribable peace. I forget that I - like all Your children - am an integral piece in Your giant puzzle and fear sometimes keeps me from doing the work You have set before me. Help me Lord to step out confidently as Your child and heir. I love You. Amen

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Darren March 5, 2013 at 9:23 am

PERCEPTION // What I see/hear God saying/doing:
The Lord is risen. He has come to breathe life into the deadness of our world. I just had happen to look up the phrase "Shekinah Glory" about 2 minutes before reading this. It means the actual dwelling or settling of the Spirt of the Lord.

PLAN // What I am going to do about it.:
My plan is to continue to go the well, Go to the presence of the Lord, so I can drink from his cup and breathe in his spirt. Every morning this week I will make extended time to seek your Face.

PRAYER // Seal the deal.:
Lord Jesus, you are stirring your people. You are calling us closer. Unleash your Shekinah Glory. Unleash the true presence of the Lord.

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- Jesse DeBoer March 5, 2013 at 2:27 pm
  
  When I read the scripture this morning, I had a very similar excitement D. It’s as if all that Jesus had said and taught suddenly became so real to the disciples. Talk about a radical life shift for them. Just as the father sent me, I now send you. Wow. Having myself just had brief tastes of what the Holy Spirit present with us can do, I can only imagine the fullness of life which God really intends for us now.
Sean Blomquist March 5, 2013 at 9:28 am

PERCEPTION // What I see/hear God saying/doing:
What I see Jesus doing is revealing himself to his disciples. When he shows them his wounds they are overjoyed.

PLAN // What I am going to do about it.:
I want to lead like Jesus who led with his wounds. This weak I will continue to lead from weakness rather than strength believing the breath of the Spirit is on me.

PRAYER // Seal the deal.:
Lord help me to to live in a posture of forgiveness and grace, knowing that is how you were sent into the world by your father.

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Betty March 5, 2013 at 9:38 am

PERCEPTION // What I see/hear God saying/doing:
To know God has and is sending us out as His witnesses is awesome and humbling.

PLAN // What I am going to do about it.:
I will thank Him daily for His love and sacrifice and help as I live for Him.

PRAYER // Seal the deal.:
Lord, thank you for your guidance and strength in my efforts to live as Jesus lived.

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Nancy W. March 5, 2013 at 9:39 am

PERCEPTION // What I see/hear God saying/doing:
That I have the Holy Spirit in me to handle a serious family issue. It is one of the most difficult things I've ever had to do.

PLAN // What I am going to do about it.:
I hear this reading today clearly as a message from God to empower me to feel confident in doing what I have to.

PRAYER // Seal the deal.:
Dear Father, I feel your embrace from these words. I will use these words to remind me that you put all this before so that I can right a wrong. Amen.

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art March 5, 2013 at 12:38 pm

PERCEPTION // What I see/hear God saying/doing:
he showed them his hands and side. - I hear authenticity as key to leaders making authentic disciples. They knew this was the REAL Jesus they knew.

PLAN // What I am going to do about it.:
Live into authenticity in disciple making. Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” Speaks to me - I want to instill peace and confidence that Jesus is with us as we go and as He was sent, I am sent in the same way, and so are those who follow me - sent the same way.

PRAYER // Seal the deal.:
I pray my vision and zeal will be witnessed in authenticity and result in empowerment for those whom are witness to my example and leadership.

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Luis Feliz March 5, 2013 at 3:47 pm

PERCEPTION // What I see/hear God saying/doing:
God is telling me how important it is for us to forgive. Because he knows that opportunities to forgive will be plenty in our lifetime and without exercising that forgiveness I wont be able to truly understand the forgiveness God has for me.

PLAN // What I am going to do about it.:
I plan to forgive my sister

PRAYER // Seal the deal.:
I pray for peace and understanding in my heart.

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Ara March 5, 2013 at 4:47 pm

PERCEPTION // What I see/hear God saying/doing:
I hear God saying that he sent me everything I need. Just as he did with Jesus. Empowerment, peace, wisdom.

PLAN // What I am going to do about it.:
I plan to receive the Holy Spirit and allow God to work through me.

PRAYER // Seal the deal.:
Father, you are so giving and loving. Thank you for providing so faithfully.

SHARE // Come back and share what you saw God do!:
I prayed for peace during a situation that otherwise would have sent me through the roof. This was prior to reading today's ilent. And affirmation as God delivered!!!! Perfect timing, no surprise

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Mike McCoy March 5, 2013 at 5:19 pm

PERCEPTION // What I see/hear God saying/doing:
I hear Jesus telling me that I am sent each day into the world as a son representing his father.

PLAN // What I am going to do about it.:
Each day this week I am going to ask Jesus to breathe upon me so I can be a son who brings your forgiveness to others.

PRAYER // Seal the deal.:
Father, thank you that you want me to imitate Jesus. Please help me to live His way.

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Marla March 5, 2013 at 7:59 pm

PERCEPTION // What I see/hear God saying/doing:
God has given me his Holy Spirit. With that comes joy, and responsibility; a huge responsibility to tell people about the love of Jesus and to live in that love daily.

PLAN // What I am going to do about it.:
Be more loving, be like Jesus. Speak uplifting and loving words to those around me. Pray- really pray- for those around me who need God's love.

PRAYER // Seal the deal.:
Jesus- help me to die to myself so I can be filled with you and your love, so I can share your love with those around me.

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