Dear Lord; Happy Wednesday Father!
We’re a cautious bunch Father… Too cautious in many respects.
Over the last month or so Lord, I’ve felt You urgently calling me to take some leaps; to step outside my “comfort zone” and reach out to others in a much more significant way. I love those “nudges” Father, and I’ve enjoyed increasing my outreach efforts…
But it’s not enough. I’ve still been playing it safe.
I’ve fallen into the trap that so many others have Lord; instead of placing my fears, insecurities and biases completely in Your hands and bringing Your message to those who may desperately need it, for the most part I’ve kept my efforts within “comfortable” boundaries…
And You desire more than that of me.
As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.
While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” – Matthew 9:9-13 (NIV)
Heavenly Father,
Help me reach those whose spirits are sick; the lost, the broken, the lonely and the hurting. Draw me to where You need me most Lord, and embolden me to effectively share Your light with those in need. For my comfort zone isn’t nearly big enough Father, I need to work in Yours.
In Jesus Name we pray,
Amen.
~Phather Phil
Hi, I’m Phil Malmstrom, a.k.a. Phather Phil. I’m self-employed, father of two wonderful young men, an ordained minister who delights in spreading Jesus’ Message of Hope and Love, a science-fiction junkie, an aspiring photographer and above all that one of God’s Children who rejoices in His Blessings each day. 
I believe you were drawn to me, one of many I am sure. I know I can learn alot from you and many other will as well. I am in the process of becoming a follower not a fan and I find comfort in many that are helping to guide this journey through their blogs. While I know there is much more to do in our world from feeding the starving to curing the ill there are still those of us who want to be led and taught the word of the Lord daily and desire this from those who are willing to teach and share. Just know while you may be meant for much more you are helping guide my journey, Thank you.
Tara, thank you so much for the kind and encouraging words. I know I’ve certainly been Blessed by the others I’ve connected with since starting this site, and it does my heart good to know that I’m able to bring some of that to my readers as well. God places us in each others’ paths for a reason, and I love finding the meanings in those connections.
Have a Blessed Day!
Such a nice reminder! My family has been taking steps as well to respond to the cause for the lonely and the hurting! I don’t want to fall into the trap of the “American dream”. If we are asked to go and give it all away, may we respond with a whole-hearted, “YES!”. Thanks for this post! Great!
Thank you Lindsay, and Amen! It can be difficult to go “out of the box” sometimes, but when God calls us to go, we need to be ready and willing. 🙂
Have a Blessed Day!
So good…yes, we are a people who play it safe…live in the comfort zone…instead of reaching, stretching within the reach of His capacity.
Amen, and welcome! Our comfort zones need to not be limited by our humanity, but instead expand into wherever God calls us to go.
Have a Blessed Day!
While I know that my comfort zone has already gotten considerable smaller, there’s still work to be done. I want to be used by God everyday, so I pray that He continues to stretch me.
Right there with you Lisa… God’s been letting me know quite bluntly that I need to not stay inside my “box”, and that He’s got more plans for me… I pray that I respond as He desires when He calls me to those purposes!
Have a Blessed Day!
Life outside the comfort zone has incredible rewards…blessings on you for stepping out!
Thank you Alida! Listening and following Him… 🙂
Have a Blessed Day!
Beautiful prayer, Phil. Reaching out and stepping out is something I struggle with too. It all comes down to keeping my eyes and heart focused on Him. He is the reason.
Thank you Eileen! It does indeed. 🙂
Have a Blessed Day!
This is great and convicting! Yes we need to spend time taking the Gospel to the “least of these.” 🙂
Amen Kelli… Working in HIS comfort zone instead of ours places us exactly where He wants us to be.
Have a Blessed Day!
Praying for boldness – both for you and for me and all our fellow bloggers/readers.
I just prayed this morning about the two twin ruts I am stuck in and asked for direction and the courage to move on.
Thank you for your prayers Jean… Finding that courage and strength can be difficult upon occasion, but when God’s with us, how can we fail? 🙂
Have a Blessed Day!