IMMEDIATE OBEDIENCE: RETURN, PRAISING GOD

As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!” When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed. One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. (Luke 17:12-15, NIV).

Dear Jesus:

I bow at Your feet in reverence, grateful for Your mercy!

When I review the events of the day (week, month, year)...in immediate obedience, I return, praising You.

I withdraw to my closet and pray each morning, extending worship and asking for Your compassion (Luke 5:16, NIV). I thank God for putting me in fellowship with You (1 Corinthians 1:9, NIV).  Regardless of the distance, when I call out Your name "in a loud voice," You see me. (Luke 17:13-14, NIV).

It is mandatory for me to return, glorifying You!

When I go out into the world, You answer all of my prayer requests--for You grant me: peace, protection, provision, joy, love, sanity, strength, the ability to hear, see, smell, taste and touch, health and wellness.

In immediate obedience, I return, thanking You.

It's me, O Lord, I am the one who takes notice of Your healing...it's me, O Lord, I returned, in immediate obedience, to praise You!

AMEN.

He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him.... (Luke 17:16, NIV).

IMMEDIATE OBEDIENCE: BE FREE

He was teaching in one of the meeting places on the Sabbath. There was a woman present, so twisted and bent over with arthritis that she couldn’t even look up. She had been afflicted with this for eighteen years. When Jesus saw her, he called her over. “Woman, you’re free!” He laid hands on her and suddenly she was standing straight and tall, giving glory to God. (Luke 13:10-13, MSG).

Dear Jesus:

The pain of abuse. The pain of betrayal. The pain of depression. The pain of fear. The pain of heartache. The pain of illness. The pain of loss. The pain of rage. Life is challenging when I'm bent over in pain--it is physically impossible for me to "lift my eyes to the hills." (Psalm 121:1, AMP).

Life is good when You see me, call me, and heal me. For You are attentive to my need to be freed from years of bondage.

The freedom of forgiveness. The freedom of justice. The freedom of love. The freedom of peace. The freedom of victory. The freedom to praise. The freedom to rejoice. The freedom to worship. Life is abundant when I am able to give You glory for setting me free!

Lord, forgive me for the times I choose captivity over liberation. Increase my willingness to be free.

AMEN.

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty (emancipation from bondage, freedom). (2 Corinthians 3:17, AMP).

IMMEDIATE OBEDIENCE: GO

Summoning the Twelve, He gave them power and authority over all the demons, and power to heal diseases. Then He sent them to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. “Take nothing for the road,” He told them, “no walking stick, no traveling bag, no bread, no money; and don’t take an extra shirt. Whatever house you enter, stay there and leave from there. If they do not welcome you, when you leave that town, shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony against them.” So they went out and traveled from village to village, proclaiming the good news and healing everywhere. (Luke 9:1-6, HCSB).

Dear Jesus:

With an humble heart, I give thanks for empowering me "to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick." (Luke 9:2, HCSB). 

Forgive me for the times I rejected the gift of Your power and authority; give me a willingness to obey You immediately when You charge me with an assignment.

Lord, I pray that I respect Your instruction at all times. For You said:

• I have "the authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy; nothing will ever harm" me; and
• I have the "power to heal diseases." (Luke 10:19, HCSB; Luke 9:1, HCSB).

As I intercede for Your people all around the world, I ask that You keep me fully equipped:

• keep my mind focused on You;
• imprint Your affirming Word upon my heart;
• allow my tongue to share the good news;
• anoint my hands to touch with tenderness; and  
• ready my spirit with enthusiasm to go wherever You send me.

AMEN.

And the good news must first be proclaimed to all nations. (Mark 13:10, HCSB).

IMMEDIATE OBEDIENCE: FOLLOW ME

What does Jesus want from us? Total dedication, not halfhearted commitment. We can't pick and choose among Jesus' ideas and follow him selectively; we have to accept the cross along with the crown. We must count the cost and be willing to abandon everything else that has given us security--without looking back. With our focus on Jesus, we should allow nothing to distract us from following him. (Luke 9:62, NIV Application Notes). 

Dear Jesus:

I give thanks for Your approach and I am honored that You speak to me directly.

Truth is, the thought of abandoning everything to follow You is challenging. Departing from security (and sin) is not easy. Forgive me for my reluctance; forgive me for my tendency to look back to see what I'm missing.

Increase my faith to leave "everything behind," get up, and follow You. (Luke 5:28). I desire to learn the true meaning of surrender--I desire to experience abundant life with You. 

I pray for a willingness to obey You immediately. Enhance my discernment to detect distractions, give me the discipline to turn from sin, and keep my focus on You.

AMEN.

After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at the tax office, and He said to him, “Follow Me!” So, leaving everything behind, he got up and began to follow Him. (Luke 5:27-28, HCSB).

IMMEDIATE OBEDIENCE: GET UP

Then Jesus, gripping her hand, called, “My dear child, get up.” She was up in an instant, up and breathing again! ....” (Luke 8:54-55, MSG).

Dear Jesus:

I give You thanks for gripping my hand and telling me to get up today!

I've been in a comatose state far too long. My mind, body and spirit have been inactive and my faith needs a jump-start. Forgive me, O Lord, for my diminishing trust.

Give me a willingness to obey You immediately when You call out my name. When You touch me each morning, strengthen me to grip Your hand in return, get up, and believe wholeheartedly that "everything will be all right." (Luke 8:50, MSG).

Lord, thank You for not giving up on me. I pray that I am always appreciative and mindful that I live and breathe as a result of Your resurrection power!

AMEN.

 

While he was still talking, someone from the leader’s house came up and told him, “Your daughter died. No need now to bother the Teacher." Jesus overheard and said, “Don’t be upset. Just trust me and everything will be all right.” Going into the house, he wouldn’t let anyone enter with him except Peter, John, James, and the child’s parents. Everyone was crying and carrying on over her. Jesus said, “Don’t cry. She didn’t die; she’s sleeping.” (Luke 8:49-52, MSG).