Seeking the Lost

Then Jesus went out again beside the sea. The whole crowd was coming to Him, and He taught them. Then, moving on, He saw Levi, the son of Alphaerus sitting at the tax office and he said to him, "Follw Me," so he got up and followed Him. Mark 2:13,14

What I love, and see, is that Jesus was lead to the best places. The Spirit knew where the people had receptive hearts. Jesus said He only did what He saw His Father doing. In other words, His heart was in tune.

When Jesus looked at Levi, He saw a marked man. What had the Sprit been doing in Levi's heart? Was he sitting at his desk wishing he was far away. What prayer was in his heart? Was there a: " God if you send me a sin I will give it all away!" Was there anguish and desperate longing for the more that only a relationship with the living God could provide?

We see the spirit moving in a similar way. He will have us in a place, just to speak to a person. Today I attended the funeral of a man I had known for only a few years. This man's business came into an office near mine for about 12 months. In that time we got to know each other and I was able to have the conversation with him: 'where are you with the Lord?' We also talked about forgiveness and healing wounds and relationships. The Lord had me praying for him often. Today at the funeral, the minister told us of a conversation they had both had about where he stood with God, less than 12 months ago. I was a part of a catalyst that brought this man through.

Now I did not get to know the anguish of the man's heart, but it was there. However, the Holy Spirit knew and arranged us to work beside each other.

I heard about this man's love for his children and they spoke highly of him. His colleagues in his love of the theatre also spoke well of the man. I must confess he was a blessing to me. We encountered a hail storm one day and he moved his car behind mine so my car would not be damaged. He didn't need to do this and I was grateful.

The same Spirit that led Jesus wants to lead us, let Him lead. Amen! The Father loved Levi and He loved my friend, so much so that He went out of His way to find him.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Who Rules?

The princes of Judah are like those who move boundary markers, I will pout out my fury on them like water. Hosea 5:10 World leaders of church and state are now all highly visible. When they are not open to consultation or do not listen they make judgements that are judged as foolish by both God and man. In Australia we just celebrated Australia Day and at this time various people are honoured for their contribution to society. Our Prime Minister, Mr Abbott, without consultation, conferred a knighthood on the Queen of England's husband, Phillip. Almost to a person, Australians judged this to be foolish. Even supporters have now distanced themselves. Imagine what it is like when church leaders follow their own emotions or the emotions of their people and change what is acceptable to God. For example, no longer considering adultery something that precludes a man from ministry. We might think we are clever, but actually going with a sinful flow. Where is God in all this? My emotions ar...
Read more

Know Your Sword!

So he took Him to Jerusalem, had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, "if you are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here. For it is written: 'He will give His angels orders concerning You, to protect you, they will support You with their hands, so that you will not strike Your foot against a stone.' And Jesus answered him, "it is said: 'do not test The Lord your God." And the Devil had finished every temptation, he departed from Him for a time. Luke 4:9-11 In this third test Satan quoted scripture but Jesus knew His scripture and was not going to be deceived by his enemy twisting the truth. I am amazed at what Satan tempted Jesus with. He did not know Christ. He had succeeded in tempting the first Adam yet he was thwarted in this attempt. Jesus had lived 30 years and been tutored in godliness with contentment, he was prepared, baptised in the Spirit and sold out to the Father's purpose. Every time our enemy comes against us we ...
Read more

Little Things Grow

The boy's mother said to Elisha, "as The Lord lives and you yourself live, I will not leave you. So he got up and followed her. 2 Kings 4:30 The Shunamite woman had travelled to Mt Carmel to find Elisha after the death of her son. Although Elisha had sent his servant Gehazi to the boy with his staff the woman had come to find Elisha and was not leaving without him. I like this lady's spirit. I am sure The Lord God Almighty also valued her heart. She had a heart for God and made room for Him in her world. Now, having lost her son she knew what to do: find Elisha and not let him go until he came to restore her son. What made the Shunamite woman believe that Elisha could raise her son? Was it the same faith that made her provide him a place to stay in her home? I believe it was God working in her life. I am grateful for her faith, I can read and be encouraged. We do not know her name yet her story lives in scripture. What a little thing it was to feed Elisha and then provide ...
Read more