Surrendering My Boat

[S]  Luke 5:3,6 --

And He got into one of the boats, which was Simon's, and asked him to put out a little way from the land. And He sat down and began teaching the people from the boat.
When they had done this, they enclosed a great quantity of fish, and their nets began to break;


[O] The boat was Simon's valuable tool he uses in his workplace to catch fish but Jesus got in there to use it for teaching the people.  Not what it is mainly created for but whatever we use to make our living, Jesus can use it as a platform to teach His Ways He demonstrated here.  In verse 6, we can also see that when Jesus uses our tools (or workplaces) to teach His Ways, He will also bless it to multiply over and beyond our expectations revealing His power to my neighbors and co-workers also.

[A] I need to surrender my workplace and my tools of trade to Jesus so that He would channel His teachings through it.  I should also see His multiplication at my workplace as He uses it to spread His teachings.  If I lack these things I need to bring it to Him and ask for His clear guidance whether I need to change my place or to stay one.

[P] Dear Jesus, while I don't want to trivialize finding Your guidance for my life to a few signs but I do want to walk closely to You and look for ways Your ministry is expanded through my workplace.  So please speak to my heart directly and clearly as I surrender my "boat" to You. In Your name.  Amen

What Is In My Prayer?

[S] 1 Thessalonians 1:2 --
 ²We give thanks to God always for all of you, making mention of you in our prayers;

[O] Leading up to writing this letter was much prayer by Paul for the Thessalonian Church.  Paul wasn't some leader sitting at the top of the castle commanding others to do this and that but he led his followers very practically by thinking of them all the time, which I'm sure led to prayer for them continually.  And if you think about it, in order to pray for others you must know what's happening with them so he had open communication with them (even before the Internet days) to fully aware of their conditions.  Paul was the pioneer of bi-vocational minister (or the term he started: a tent maker) and he was right at the ground level running with the folks he is leading as he ministers to them.  So in order for him to write this sentence, he was for sure living up to what he wrote.

[A] Caring and nurturing for others in God's ministry not only takes time but energy to constantly keep in touch and openly communicate.  So, I need to set my own expectation for leading and caring for others will demand a good chunk of my life.  Don't get exhausted too quickly.  Pray for them all the time like Paul.

[P] Dear God, Paul's example inspires me to lead others in Your ministry at church.  Please continue to energize me through Your word and Holy Spirit's indwelling.  Thank You for always leading me with encouragements whenever I'm desperately needing it.  In Jesus' name.  Amen.