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John 1:35-37 Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; ³⁶ And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!³⁷ And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.

John and Andrew were disciples of John the Baptist. In fact, they had actually been standing near the prophet when Jesus walked by. As the Baptizer saw Jesus, he cried out, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” and from that moment the two disciples began to follow Jesus (John 1:35-37).

The Book of John is the apostle John’s actual handwritten testimony of how he came to the Son of God and then followed Him. And it gives us revelation and direction regarding our own walk and what we should each ultimately seek when we come to Christ and as we follow Him.

The two have heard and believed John the Baptist’s proclamation about Jesus and are now walking, perhaps hurriedly, to catch up to Jesus. They are within conversation range.

JOHN 1:38-39

Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest Thou? He saith unto them, Come and see.

There are many reasons one comes to Christ. We may seek Him for health issues or to possess the keys to prosperity. Perhaps we need deliverance or are burdened with the cares of a loved one. The Lord asked John and Andrew, as He asks each of us: What are you seeking in life? What goals compel you to follow?

When we approach the end of our lives, will the things we have achieved be transferable into eternity? Or will we have spent our time and energies on that which is void of true life?

Jesus asks, “What are you seeking?” It is a very important question. The Lord desires that we take inventory of our passions and objectives. Even today as we walk along following Him, He is still asking us this. Have you emerged from the trials of this past season determined to walk closer to the Lord?

Like John and Andrew, we, too, “behold the Lamb of God.” Just as He asked them, so He turns and asks us, “What are you seeking?”

In response to Jesus’ probing question, the disciples’ answer may seem strange. They did not ask Him for greater power or one of His many spiritual gifts. Instead they asked Jesus something more personal and intimate: “Where dwellest Thou?”

They wanted to know where Jesus lived. There are times when a response reveals the heart. Such is now the case: they are seeking to know the dwelling place of God.

Our Father wants us to ask for spiritual gifts and special blessings of health and financial prosperity. To desire these things is not wrong; it is just not enough. Inside our heart is a desire quest for more. We search for the “dwelling places” of God. In truth, our hearts have been divinely programmed for it. There are within us “the highways to Zion” (Ps. 84:5).

Those highways lead us to nothing less than oneness with Christ. The Bible says that all fruitfulness comes from living in spiritual union with Jesus. In contrast, whatever we offer as service to God that is not the result of our union with Christ, is in vain; it is a weak comfort. For apart from Him, we can do nothing.

He may heal us! He may deliver us! He may answer our prayers! But then if we don’t then abide in Him and allow Him to abide in us…isn’t that healing, that deliverance, our prayers in vain?!?

John tells us in 1 John 2:6  He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. Abiding in Jesus leads to walking like Jesus.

The disciples answered, “Rabbi, where dwellest Thou?” May this become our prayer as well today and as we go forward: Where do You live, O Son of God? Where is Your dwelling place? Is it in me?

Christ says to us what He said to them: “Come and see.”

In 2016, I went with a team led by my former pastor, Sammy Oxendine, on a mission to Moshi, Tanzania, Africa to work alongside missionaries Vince and Vicki Welch. For me, the highlight of that mission was my time with the young women of The Binti Project. “Binti” means “daughter” in Swahili. The Binti Project is a ministry that rescues, restores, and rehabilitates ladies involved in human trafficking.  Once the women (along with their children) enter the Project – they are provided a home and receive physical and emotional care and support, educational and vocational training, and intensive discipleship.

This year, I plan to return to Tanzania in October to work again with the Welches under the leadership of Pastor Sammy. This mission will have one focus – street ministry for The Binti Project. During the day in Moshi, we will conduct prayer walks on the streets of the “red light” district. In the evenings on those same streets, we will share the love of Jesus with the young girls and ladies we meet. We will also invite them to a banquet where they will hear the Gospel message and incredible testimonies of how God is moving and changing lives through the project, and they will have an excellent meal. There will be an explanation of The Binti Project and an invitation to leave the street and become a part of this life changing ministry.

Would you consider giving financially to this mission? Dan and I have paid my travel expenses. Above that, my goal is to raise at least $2000. All funds received will go directly into the mission to cover ministry expenses, to bless The Binti Project home and missionaries, and to provide gifts for the local pastors that invest time and resources into this ministry. Any size donation is helpful and appreciated. If you decide to partner with this year’s mission to Tanzania, you can make a tax-deductible contribution using the enclosed envelope and instructions.

I hope you can tell; The Binti Project is dear to my heart. I count it my great joy to be called of God to go…and I consider it an honor to work alongside these missionaries, my former pastor, and this team. I go as a messenger of Jesus Christ and as a “mama” to sow eternal seed into the lives of His precious daughters, even as my own mom and spiritual mothers have for me.

In closing, may I also ask for your prayers? For the preparation, the team, the journey, the ladies, and the success of this mission! To me, it is the most important thing you can give because God has shown me over and over it is the prayers of many that help carries me where He guides.

Thanks so much for taking the time to read this and for your prayerful consideration.

May your joy and peace be full,

Melissa

I read an article once that said Hallmark gave free cards inmates on Mother’s and Father’s Day. They always ran out of cards on Mother’s Day, but the prisoners only used a small percentage of cards for Father’s Day. This says much about our generation. People often struggle in their relationship with God if they’ve had an absentee dad or one who was less than ideal. And because of this, they also struggle with Father’s Day. But regardless of upbringing, Jesus made a statement to Mary that should encourage us all.

Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God. ~ John 20:17

From that day forward, no child has ever been an orphan! Jesus bridged the gap and gave each of us an open relationship wth Our Father. And in a great show of His love, He has put people in our lives to reflect Him and His love.  For some, it was your biological dad. But maybe it was someone else like a stepdad, granddad or teacher. Perhaps God showed Himself to you through a Pastor or simply a faithful, obedient man. For me, it was all of the above.

An unknown author said:  A dad is someone who wants to catch you before you fall, but instead, picks you up, brushes you off, and lets you try again. A dad is someone who wants to keep you from making mistakes but instead lets you find your own way, even though his heart breaks in silence when you get hurt. A dad is someone who holds you when you cry, scolds you when you break the rules, shines with pride when you succeed, and has faith in you even when you fail.

Yes, I’ve had all of these – but not through just one man. As I look back at my life, I can see my Heavenly Father was there all along, using many to help mold me. I feel incredibly privileged to have love and respect for more than one father-figure. So on Father’s Day, I am grateful to my Heavenly Father – and each man that He has used. I hope you are too.

It’s 4:30 am and I have been up since 3 am. Have to be up at 5 am anyway. I am up fighting a battle in the spirit. I am warring against things that I knew were real but never encountered much before. Never been sadder or angrier or more tired or felt so intensely. Voices say give up, run away, hide….but what good would any of that do? So I stand and fight. If you see me cry or hear me or feel my distance it is not because I want you to join me here. No need unless the Lord bids you come. Sometimes these just flow out.

“… for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him..” ~ Matthew 6:8b 

God doesn’t need our suggestions. But we are eager to make them to Him! I’m guilty of making my prayer life all about figuring out my situations and then asking God to bless my plans. “Lord, bless this. Just bless all that I’ve arranged. And give me all I’ve suggested.” But can I admit to you what I have had to admit to God a lot over the years? My plans are never, ever the best plans.

Like today’s verse states, God already knows what we need before we ask Him. Not what we think we need. He knows what we really need according to His perfect plans.

So, why pray then?

Because prayer is God’s appointed way to have our needs met.

Because we don’t truly know what we need. We pray because He sees everything while we see only a little of the bigger picture. We pray because we have limited perspectives, limited thoughts, limited views. We pray because we need so much more than quick fixes and help for our troubles.  

Because we need Him.

Because we need what He gives us through prayer.

Here are some things God can give us through prayer:

• He will give revelations and a powerful sense of peace we can not get any other way. If we will hush the voices and stop hurry of our lives, and humble our hearts in prayer before the Lord,

• He can not only hush the worries, but ONLY HE can empty the world’s worries from our minds and hearts.

Nothing on earth has any authority over God. His will is accomplished even when it doesn’t look that way from our point of view. And best of all He is operating from victory not working for victory.

“After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10 Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. ” Matthew 6:9-10

“Thy will be done.” His will is going to be done so with Him; there is no need for us to worry. Because of Him, we have every reason to worship!

• He will fill us with His perfect provision for this day.

“Give us this day our daily bread” ~ Matthew 6:11

God knows what we need and will give us today’s portion of meeting that need. It may not look like what we want, but it will be what He knows we need and in the exact portion we can handle.

• He will purify us so that what we spill over onto others through our words and actions is life giving.

A heart tainted by sin, tempted to be too prideful to forgive, or tortured by temptation will not thrive or be the blessing to others we’re called to be. So, Jesus teaches us how to stay free of the deceiver’s grip.

“and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil” ~ Matthew 6:12-13

As I read this I realize He doesn’t need our lists of desires; he wants our willing humility. 

I also realize that there are no singular pronouns in this prayer. They are all plural. It begins with “Our Father.” When we pray, we must remember that we are part of God’s worldwide family of believers. We have no right to ask for ourselves anything that would harm another member of the family. If we are praying in the will of God, the answer will be a blessing to all of God’s people in one way or another. We may not understand it now, but one day we will.

So in humility, we lift up His name, we receive His provision, we listen for His direction, we accept His correction, we walk in protection in Him that prayer can give and we can declare to ALL the world.

“For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.” ~ Matt 6:13b

God bless you today!

Matthew 20:1-16 –

For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard. 2 And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard.

3 And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace,

4 And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way.

5 Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise.

6 And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle?

7 They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive.

8 So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first.

9 And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny.

10 But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny.

11 And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house, 12 Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day.

13 But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny?

14 Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee.

15 Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?

16 So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.