When I Call Your Name

Before I get stared, I just have to say I am so so so excited for what God is doing with Young, Saved, and Free. God gave me this word almost 2 weeks before it would actually be published, and I'm so happy to get this done for y'all. 

Psalm 17:6-9 New Living Translation (NLT)

6 I am praying to you because I know you will answer, O God.
    Bend down and listen as I pray.
7 Show me your unfailing love in wonderful ways.
    By your mighty power you rescue
    those who seek refuge from their enemies.
8 Guard me as you would guard your own eyes.[a]
    Hide me in the shadow of your wings.
9 Protect me from wicked people who attack me,
    from murderous enemies who surround me.

As y'all know, we've been on a spiritual warfare kick for a little minute. One day I was at work. God always gives me words at work for some reason. But this particular time, God said that sometimes our problem isn't that we don't know how to fight in the spirit, but sometimes it's that we have not invited God to our problems. 

You're probably reading this and wondering what exactly I mean. Think of it this way: One time I got in a car accident when I was 18 or 19 and there was a cop that was nearby. I didn't call the cops because I assumed the cop that was next to me when it happened, but he didn't even though I know he saw it. In the same sense, sometimes we get mad with God for not intervening when we know He sees what we're going through. 

Too often, we feel sorry for ourselves and get upset because we appear to be going through more than the next person. We're doing all this crying and calling people telling them about our problems. To be honest, we're  really wasting our breath and tears when we do that. The Bible says we have not because we ask not 

John 16:23 New Living Translation (NLT)

23 At that time you won’t need to ask me for anything. I tell you the truth, you will ask the Father directly, and he will grant your request because you use my name.

Mark 11:24 New Living Translation (NLT)

24 I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours.

So why are you going to all these other people about your problem? Just call on the name of Jesus. Remember when I first start this series, I told yo in order to fight you have to seek God. That doesn't just mean look to see if God is looking like


It means to call His name. When you seek God, don't go aimlessly. Call His name. Every miracle in the Bible started as a problem, but they called on Jesus. 

Matthew 14:22-33 New Living Translation (NLT)

Jesus Walks on Water

22 Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake, while he sent the people home. 23 After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone.

24 Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves. 25 About three o’clock in the morning[a] Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!”

27 But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here![b]”

28 Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.”

29 “Yes, come,” Jesus said.

So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus.30 But when he saw the strong[c] wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted.

31 Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,”Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?”

32 When they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped. 33 Then the disciples worshiped him. “You really are the Son of God!” they exclaimed.

There are multiple things happening in this story. First and foremost, Jesus is praying on the mountainside. I always find it interesting when Jesus is praying because we pray to Him, and He still prays. Secondly, He reveals Himself to the disciples. It's not even about the fact that He revealed Himself to them. It was their reaction that caught my attention. They were the chosen followers of Christ, yet they did not recognize Him when they saw Him. Thirdly, Peter (one of my favorite disciples) was the only one crazy enough to try Jesus. 

Let's take a pause for the cause right there---A lot of us say we trust God and we have faith, but few of us actually want to walk by faith. Peter was all faith in that moment. He began to sink when he realized what was going on. Peter couldn't have done it in his own might. As earthly beings, we are not able to walk on water. But with God, all things are possible, and when you draw near to Him, He'll draw near to you. 

Peter didn't stop sinking until he called out to Jesus. That's the story for every miracle in the Bible. The issue didn't stop until they called on Jesus. The man in the tombs wasn't delivered until he called on Jesus. Jesus didn't say a word prior to that. Lazarus wasn't raised from the dead until after Mary and Martha called Him. Jesus healed the servant after the master sought Him. The 10 lepers were healed after they called on Jesus. 

If He can do all these miracles when others called on Him, what do you think He'll do for you? Stop crying and slobbing and call on God. He's on ready, just waiting for you to say the word. 

Psalm 116:2 New Living Translation (NLT)

2 Because he bends down to listen,
    I will pray as long as I have breath!

The minute you call Him, it's a wrap. He's waiting to hear from you.

Psalm 50:15 New Living Translation (NLT)

15 Then call on me when you are in trouble,
    and I will rescue you,
    and you will give me glory.”