Daily Devotional: Wednesday, March 31

Speaker: Ben Sigman

Theme: Failing Forward

Weekend Music links on iTunes: Salvation is Here by Hillsong United; Hosanna by Paul Baloche; Cannons by Phil Wickham; Lead Me to the Cross by Hillsong United.

Read: Isaiah 6:1-8

Bible Challenge: Luke 10

Think: Television shows like American Idol have become huge. Millions of us wait each week to find out who will be the next performer to get cut. We watch as Ryan Seacrest tortures them one by one, dragging out the decision as painfully long as possible. For those of us who've been around for awhile we know this kind of show isn't exactly a new idea - there was the The Gong Show in the 70s (weird as it was), and Star Search in the 80s (which gave us Brittany Spears and Christina Aguilera).

As we hear their background stories though we often hear about the doors of opportunity that were slammed along the way, the big flubs they'd made, the failures and missed opportunities..... Yet they kept trying, pushing ahead and remained open to what would bring them their heart's desire!

In much the same way, we as followers of Christ must do the same. Just as Pastor Ben pointed out, we need to remain available, keep moving forward in our faith with God EVEN after we've blown it.

God seems to value the heart that is open to Him above all else... In Isaiah, the Lord asks: "Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?" And then we read Isaiah's quick response: "Here am I! Send me" (6:8). It's a lot like the challenge Ben put out to all of us a few months ago - are we willing to tell God YES even before we know the question?  In spite of our failures, in spite of what we have or haven't done - are we open and available to God?

He isn't looking for the most qualified or talented but He is seeking hearts that are surrendered to Him. If that's you then you can fully trust God will show Himself strong, and He will be glorified through you!

Do: Are you available?  Are you open to what God would ask of you? If not figure out what's holding you back and take care of it today!

Pray: Thank You Lord that my sin and my failure don't disqualify me from being used by You. Father, today I say (again) Here I am Lord send me! In Jesus' name, Amen.

The eDevotional is written each week by a team of volunteers from Timberlake Church.

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