But I do not account

my life of any value

nor as precious to myself,

if only

I may accomplish my course

and the ministry 

   which I received

   from the Lord Jesus,

to testify to the gospel

        of the grace of God.

                     Acts 20. 24

(Faithful to God

in His course for me,

     His ministry through me.

That which is most significant 

      for His kingdom

I will least suspect).

...and the name of the Lord Jesus

       was extolled.

                 Acts 19. 17

(And on the bottom line,

that is what counts

       most of all

in whatever I do today.

Even in this,

       His name,

       His glory.

There is nothing insignificant 

    in God's economy).

Then Jehoahaz 

   besought the LORD,

and the LORD

   hearkened to him.

          2 Kings 13. 4

(Inquire,

listen,

and heed.

It is not that the LORD

  doesn't hearken to us,

but it is we who don't 

     hearken to Him.

God will change

  the course of your day.

God will change

  the course of your life.)

And the LORD said to Paul

one night in a vision,

"Do not be afraid,

but speak

and do not be silent,

   for I am with you,

and no man shall attack you

to harm you,

for I have many people

                in this city."

                Acts 18. 10

(Do not be silent in this.

You are there for a deep purpose,

    surrounded 

         by God's anointed people,

even those you do not know

         in impossible places.

Seek them out.)

And some of them

   were persuaded...

           Acts 17. 4

(Share the gospel,

live it out before

everyone around you,

yes, even verbally.

You will be astounded 

by those who respond 

to God's calling

       on their lives.)

But about midnight,

Paul and Silas were praying 

and singing hymns to God,

and the prisoners were

     listening to them.

...and immediately 

all the doors were opened 

and every one's fetters

     were unfastened.

                Acts 16. 25-26

(Fervent praying and praise

to God cannot help

but change everything 

and everyone around you.

Worship in the midst,

     even in the ordinary,

is a catalyst for

     the monumental.

God releases you

even in the impossible 

     to bring Him glory

in words and actions and attitudes.

Even now. Even in this place.)

(One of my favorite passages)

When the servant of the man of God

rose early in the morning

and went out, behold,

an army with horses and chariots

was round about the city.

And the servant said,

"Alas, my master!

      What shall we do?"

Elisha said, "Fear not,

   for those who are with us

   are more than those

   who are with them."

Then Elisha prayed, and said,

"O LORD, I pray to You,

open his eyes

      that he may see."

So the LORD opened the eyes

   of the young man, and he saw,

and behold, the mountain was

full of horses and chariots of fire

round about Elisha.

                   2 Kings 6. 15-17

(Feeling that kind of

           overwhelmed?

"Then Elisha prayed..."

It is not that

    "God will show up,"

but He opens our eyes

to see He is already here.

The LORD is my strength.

Even in this.)