Poured Out – From the Edges – Devotional

From the Edges – Morning Devotional
Pastor Calvin Cook – 3-27-2024

Lent – Day 37 Wednesday of Holy Week – Poured Out
Scripture focus – Luke 5:16-17 But now even more the report about him (Jesus) went abroad, and great crowds gathered to hear him and to be healed of their infirmities. But he (Jesus) would withdraw to desolate places and pray.

There is not much in direct references to this day (Wednesday) of Holy Week, some would suggest that this was a day that Jesus and his Disciples and close friends would have spent the day apart from the crowds that were gathering to have their needs meet. What happened on this day: reflection, remembrance, prayer, sharing deliverance stories, self-reflection, hearing final instructions of Jesus. What happens when we get alone with God, cleanse our mind and heart through the help of the Holy Spirit, draw close in a holy fellowship with the ones we love, and just be quiet centering on Jesus and hearing, listening, receiving all that God wants to say and do in our lives.

Do we ever hear like young Samuel when God is calling and do not recognize the voice of Yahweh until, until we can’t help but know that it is God calling and then we respond with “speak Lord, for I am listening”. But are really listening.

My early mornings are times where I try to listen. This morning, I heard “Poured Out”. We certainly are living in very interesting times where we can’t even imagine what might happen next. If there is ever a time we need to cry out to the Lord, for help, safety, hope, healing, and many other pleas that we lift, it has to be more than just receiving. More than saying I am blessed but asking, how can I now be a blessing to others.

In reading through the teachings of Jesus this year I am constantly learning this lesson of being poured out. Not only did Jesus teach that salvation was gained through receiving and redemption. More important by the example of Jesus he taught and still calls us to be poured out. Even the example of Jesus persecution by the religious leaders was one that spoke about not having a self- centered, self-receiving relationship with God but one that speaks mountains of being poured out so that the whole world will hear and know of the one true and everlasting God.

Yet, we still get lost, lost in ourselves, lost in our lives, lost in prosperity or poverty, lost in circumstances, lost in being religious, lost in the things of the world. We forget that Jesus was poured out not only for us but for the entire world to hear and now the power of the transformation that is experienced in a life of following Jesus and being poured out.

Are you willing to pray – Because I have received from you Lord, I am willing to be poured out as an offering for you – I am willing to be poured out to share the good news that is available to all people everywhere. I am willing Lord, as you have poured into me may I know be poured out for you. In the name of Jesus. Amen