Ever wondered, what is my purpose in life? What is it that God wants me to do? I remember having that question After I finished a big job for God. "What do you want me to do now?" I asked God in tears, feeling tired and worthless.
"What's in your hands?" came the answer as clear as though someone was sitting next to me. I looked down and found I was holding a baby blanket in one hand and a needle in the other hand.
At that moment, I was focusing on the needle and thread. Ah, God wants me to sew for him. But what, I thought after I finished that blanket, which was a gift. I had seen a missionary's presentation of their mission to a country where they helped feed and clothe orphaned children. I wanted to put teddy bears in the arms of every one of those children.
I said something to the team about it. "No, we can't afford to take teddy bears there with us," they told me. Their answer saddened me at first. But the images of those children wouldn't leave me, so I prayed about it.
In time, I remembered that the team had taken M & M packages with them to the field. These fit easily into the pockets and stuffed in luggage. Ah, I thought, I will make M & M package size teddy bears to send with them. So I did just that. For about a year I sewed 4-inch teddy bears. When I got up to 66 of them made, my mother helped me make most of the rest. Between the two of us, we made 100, we were told.
Those teddy bears were handed out all over that country the next five years to children who had no toys. Wow, that is great, I thought. But God was not finished with me yet.
What's in your hands? he had said. Not what's in one of your hands? I had failed to look at the other hand where the baby blanket was. But God hadn't forgotten.
"Make me a blanket!" I went to the missionary and said, "God told me to make a blanket for you to take to the field."
"Oh, like a quilt," he asked. I didn't know.I just knew that I was to make a blanket.
He was very excited about the whole thing for, he explained to me, a blanket was a very precious and personal item in that country. People did not share their blankets with other people. I had no way of knowing this when God called me to sew them, but God knew.
In time, God gave me a design for a blanket that could be used in that country. I've been making blankets every since.
"What's in your hands" God asked Moses when he called him to do a ministry. With that simple tool God saved a nation.
Want to know what God has called you to do? Look down and see what's in your hands. It could be children God has entrusted to you to raise for his glory, or a needle, or a business- the list could go on. Start with that, and he will bless it. What abilities and things has God given you to use for his glory? My friend, what is in your hands?
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Monday, July 9, 2012
Be the salt you're meant to be
We are told to be "salt to the earth" by Jesus in Matthew 5:13. What does being salt to the earth mean? It means that we should be to the earth what salt was to their culture. To better understand that we need to look at the culture Jesus was speaking to.
Let's see what that says about Christians and how we are to impact the earth around us. First off, we need to be "in the world, but not of it." Salt and Christians are not effective unless there is contact.
Second, it means that we should help make the unpalatable things in life palatable. We should be fun to be around and not walk around with a long face or bad attitude.Salt is used to preserve foods. Our presence in the earth preserves the community we live in. Look at how Lot's presence in Sodom and Gomorrah kept god's judgement at bay. God did not judge it until Lot was out of those towns. When we live in a community, praying for it, God holds back his judgement on it. Also being involved in our community can make a difference. for people will see our good works and some may even do some themselves, which would make it a more pleasant place to live (Mat. 5:13; Mark 9:50; II Cor. 9:27).
Salt is used to make things clean. It was used to clean their homes much like we use household cleaners today. Our presence in society should do the same. We do this through evangelizing in our community (I Thess. 1:8). If those around us accept Jesus as their Savior they will be clean spiritually.
Salt was used as an antiseptic. It was put on wounds, used as mouthwash, and even rubbed on babies to "strengthen them" (Ez. 16:4). We live in a society full of physically, mentality, and spiritually wounded people. Part of our job is to help them heal with God's help.
Salt was so important to society that it was woven into their culture. Ways we see this is how it symbolized hospitality (Ezra 4:14), durability , fidelity, perpetuity, incorruption (Numbers 18L19). These are ways we, too, can make a God honored impact on our communities.
But what happens when we are not involved as Christians in our community in the way God wants us to be? let us look at the end of that verse I started out with"...But if the salt looses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again?" This means that salt isn't doing its job. What happens when we Christians are not doing our jobs?
Our communities with out Christian involvement will leave it open to all kinds of evil. A good example of this is seen in the movie, "It's A Wonderful Life." In it we see a man named George who doesn't think that he made a difference in his community and wishes that he had never been born. He gets his wish. In the end, he sees that he has made a real impact in his community for the good.
Then there's the worse case scenario of how our community can treat us if we are not the salt we are called to be. We see this spoken of at the end of the verse where it does say,"It is thereforth good for nothing, bu to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men." This is what they did with salt in those days that was deemed useless. I have seen this happen to people who say that they are Christians, but do not act like it. Causing people to say," If that is a Christian, i don't want to be one." It has those who are not a Christian so upset that they poke fun at the Christian that they poke fun at the Christian and sometimes even beat them up. Why? Because they really want Christians being salt in their society today.
So there's the challenge. Are we going to be salt that makes a positive impact on our society, or are we going to do nothing and be useless to God and our society?
Let's see what that says about Christians and how we are to impact the earth around us. First off, we need to be "in the world, but not of it." Salt and Christians are not effective unless there is contact.
Second, it means that we should help make the unpalatable things in life palatable. We should be fun to be around and not walk around with a long face or bad attitude.Salt is used to preserve foods. Our presence in the earth preserves the community we live in. Look at how Lot's presence in Sodom and Gomorrah kept god's judgement at bay. God did not judge it until Lot was out of those towns. When we live in a community, praying for it, God holds back his judgement on it. Also being involved in our community can make a difference. for people will see our good works and some may even do some themselves, which would make it a more pleasant place to live (Mat. 5:13; Mark 9:50; II Cor. 9:27).
Salt is used to make things clean. It was used to clean their homes much like we use household cleaners today. Our presence in society should do the same. We do this through evangelizing in our community (I Thess. 1:8). If those around us accept Jesus as their Savior they will be clean spiritually.
Salt was used as an antiseptic. It was put on wounds, used as mouthwash, and even rubbed on babies to "strengthen them" (Ez. 16:4). We live in a society full of physically, mentality, and spiritually wounded people. Part of our job is to help them heal with God's help.
Salt was so important to society that it was woven into their culture. Ways we see this is how it symbolized hospitality (Ezra 4:14), durability , fidelity, perpetuity, incorruption (Numbers 18L19). These are ways we, too, can make a God honored impact on our communities.
But what happens when we are not involved as Christians in our community in the way God wants us to be? let us look at the end of that verse I started out with"...But if the salt looses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again?" This means that salt isn't doing its job. What happens when we Christians are not doing our jobs?
Our communities with out Christian involvement will leave it open to all kinds of evil. A good example of this is seen in the movie, "It's A Wonderful Life." In it we see a man named George who doesn't think that he made a difference in his community and wishes that he had never been born. He gets his wish. In the end, he sees that he has made a real impact in his community for the good.
Then there's the worse case scenario of how our community can treat us if we are not the salt we are called to be. We see this spoken of at the end of the verse where it does say,"It is thereforth good for nothing, bu to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men." This is what they did with salt in those days that was deemed useless. I have seen this happen to people who say that they are Christians, but do not act like it. Causing people to say," If that is a Christian, i don't want to be one." It has those who are not a Christian so upset that they poke fun at the Christian that they poke fun at the Christian and sometimes even beat them up. Why? Because they really want Christians being salt in their society today.
So there's the challenge. Are we going to be salt that makes a positive impact on our society, or are we going to do nothing and be useless to God and our society?
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Staying connected to Jesus
"I am the True Vine, and my Father is the Vinedresser.2.Any branch in me that does not bear fruit (that stops bearing) He cuts off (trims off, takes away); and He cleanses and repeatedly prunes every branch that continues to bear fruit, to make it bear more and richer and more excellent fruit.3. You are cleaned and pruned already, because of the word which I have given you (the teachings I have discussed with you)4.Dwell in me and I will dwell in you (live in me and I will live in you). Just as no branch can bear fruit of itself without abiding in (being vitally united to) the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you abide in Me. 5.I am the vine; you are the branches. Whosoever lives in me and I in him bears much(abundant) fruit. However, apart from me(cut off from the vital union with me) you can do nothing"(John 15:1-5 Amplified).
In the last week, a couple of storms came through a large part of the country and cut off our power. I don't know about you, but I found that there were a lot of things that I could not do without power, like take a shower or write this blog. Our spiritual life is much the same as electric power. Just as many of the machines we use can not work without being connected to the grid. We, too, can not do many things unless we are connected to Jesus.
What are those things, you ask. Things like having God's love for others. We see what that love is to look like in I Cor. 13:4-13. Let's look at that. "Love endures long, and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealously, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily. it is not concieted (arrogant and inflated with pride): it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God's love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not selfseeking; it is not touchy or freitful or resentful; it takes not account of the evil done to it (it pays no attention to a suffered wrong).it does not rejoice at injustice and unrightousness, but rejoices when right aand truth prevail. Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, it hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything (without weakening). Love never fails(never faides out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end)." I Cor. 13:2, says that without love, we are nothing, and verse three tells us that anything we do without God's love gains us nothing. So we can see that love is important, but remember we can not truly have God's love unless we are connected to Jesus.
Another thing we cannot do, if, we are not connected to Jesus, is bear good spiritual fruit. We see this in John 15:2-4. And when we do bear fruit, He will continue to cleanse and prune us so that we can bear even better fruit!
So with this all in mind, let us make sure that we are connected to the power source of our spiritual lives- Jesus.
In the last week, a couple of storms came through a large part of the country and cut off our power. I don't know about you, but I found that there were a lot of things that I could not do without power, like take a shower or write this blog. Our spiritual life is much the same as electric power. Just as many of the machines we use can not work without being connected to the grid. We, too, can not do many things unless we are connected to Jesus.
What are those things, you ask. Things like having God's love for others. We see what that love is to look like in I Cor. 13:4-13. Let's look at that. "Love endures long, and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealously, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily. it is not concieted (arrogant and inflated with pride): it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God's love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not selfseeking; it is not touchy or freitful or resentful; it takes not account of the evil done to it (it pays no attention to a suffered wrong).it does not rejoice at injustice and unrightousness, but rejoices when right aand truth prevail. Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, it hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything (without weakening). Love never fails(never faides out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end)." I Cor. 13:2, says that without love, we are nothing, and verse three tells us that anything we do without God's love gains us nothing. So we can see that love is important, but remember we can not truly have God's love unless we are connected to Jesus.
Another thing we cannot do, if, we are not connected to Jesus, is bear good spiritual fruit. We see this in John 15:2-4. And when we do bear fruit, He will continue to cleanse and prune us so that we can bear even better fruit!
So with this all in mind, let us make sure that we are connected to the power source of our spiritual lives- Jesus.
Monday, June 25, 2012
Finding new direction in your valley of doubt and confusion
"Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? (Is. 43:19).
Have you ever had something happen in your life that just stopped you in your tracks, like the death of someone? I and a whole lot of friends recently had that happen to us, when a godly man who was president and co-founder of a fairly new ministry suddenly died. We were left with a big hole, not only in that ministry,but other ministries and our lives, as well.
When things like this happen, we are left standing in one place feeling at a lost as what to do next. You know you want to keep the ministry going, but you are not sure what the next steps should be at this point.
I believe that is when we should stand still and know that God is God (Ps. 46:10). I don't know about you, but I have learned that life may not be fair, but God is good. Don't ever forget that. If you will trust in him, he will lead you out of whatever valley of doubt and confusion, you may be in at this time, and lead you in a new direction.
As you do so, if you listen real close you will hear the Lord say," Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth."
Have you ever had something happen in your life that just stopped you in your tracks, like the death of someone? I and a whole lot of friends recently had that happen to us, when a godly man who was president and co-founder of a fairly new ministry suddenly died. We were left with a big hole, not only in that ministry,but other ministries and our lives, as well.
When things like this happen, we are left standing in one place feeling at a lost as what to do next. You know you want to keep the ministry going, but you are not sure what the next steps should be at this point.
I believe that is when we should stand still and know that God is God (Ps. 46:10). I don't know about you, but I have learned that life may not be fair, but God is good. Don't ever forget that. If you will trust in him, he will lead you out of whatever valley of doubt and confusion, you may be in at this time, and lead you in a new direction.
As you do so, if you listen real close you will hear the Lord say," Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth."
Monday, June 11, 2012
Need for strength in the race of life
He giveth power to the faint; and them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint (Is. 40:29-31).
There are two ways that we can look at these verses, physically and spiritually.When you look at it the physical way, we could read it to mean this...
He gives strength to the fatigued and exhausted; and them that has no strength, he increases it. Even the young shall tire from weariness, and young men shall totter from weakness in their legs. But they
that look patiently to the Lord shall gain back their strength; They shall recover and be restored; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk, and not grow tired from weariness.
This is a great truth that I have held onto and have used to minister to others that are ill for years. As we grow older, our bodies hurts and tires more easily. When that happens, stand on these truths, my friend.
When you look at these verses in a spiritual way, you see a deep rich promise that goes like this...
He who gives fruits to those who has worked themselves to exhaustion; He will increase your strength. Even the young grow spiritually weary, and the young men stumble. But they that bind themselves together with God shall grow up; then they shall rise up and sour above worldly things; they shall run the race for God and not be weary; they shall walk the walk of faith without weariness of soul.
Wow! Isn't that a wonderful promise! Just think of it! When you bind yourself to God, and do his will, he will strengthen you, so that you can run this race called life, in victory, producing spiritual fruit for his glory!
Let us pray:
Lord,
Help us to ever look to you for both our physicsal and spiritual strength.
In Jesus' name. Amen.
Note: Meaning of words found in Strongs' Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible.
There are two ways that we can look at these verses, physically and spiritually.When you look at it the physical way, we could read it to mean this...
He gives strength to the fatigued and exhausted; and them that has no strength, he increases it. Even the young shall tire from weariness, and young men shall totter from weakness in their legs. But they
that look patiently to the Lord shall gain back their strength; They shall recover and be restored; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk, and not grow tired from weariness.
This is a great truth that I have held onto and have used to minister to others that are ill for years. As we grow older, our bodies hurts and tires more easily. When that happens, stand on these truths, my friend.
When you look at these verses in a spiritual way, you see a deep rich promise that goes like this...
He who gives fruits to those who has worked themselves to exhaustion; He will increase your strength. Even the young grow spiritually weary, and the young men stumble. But they that bind themselves together with God shall grow up; then they shall rise up and sour above worldly things; they shall run the race for God and not be weary; they shall walk the walk of faith without weariness of soul.
Wow! Isn't that a wonderful promise! Just think of it! When you bind yourself to God, and do his will, he will strengthen you, so that you can run this race called life, in victory, producing spiritual fruit for his glory!
Let us pray:
Lord,
Help us to ever look to you for both our physicsal and spiritual strength.
In Jesus' name. Amen.
Note: Meaning of words found in Strongs' Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible.
Sunday, June 3, 2012
Offering up our imperfect talents to God
"Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them. To one he gave five talents of money, and to another he gave two talents, and to another he gave one talent, each according to his ability.Then he went on his journey.
The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more. So also the one with two talents gained two more. But the man who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money. After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. The man who had received the five talents brought the other five. 'Master," he said,'you entrusted me with five talents. See, have gained five more.'
His master replied,'well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with few things; I will put you in charge with many things. Come and share your Master's happiness!
Then the man with two talents also came. 'master,' he said,'you entrusted me with two talents' see , I have gained two more.'
His master replied,'Well done good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in chanrge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!
Then the man who had received the one talent came. 'Master,' he said,'I knew that you were a hard man, harvesting where you you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. So I
was afraid and went out and hid it in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.'
His master replied,'You wicked lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I had not sown and gathered where I had not scattered seed? Well, you should had put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when i returned I would have received it back with interest.
'Take the talent from him and give it to one who has ten talents. For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whosoever does not have even what he has will be taken from him. And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth'( Mat. 25:14-29 NIV).
I have struggled to write what God called me to write, and failed. One of the groups of people I am called to write for, is those who are mentally and physically challenged. I think that I have problems with it, because I feel as though my writing isn't perfect, so why put it out there. Then this week, I sat and listened to a man in a wheel chair, who struggled to speak, preach a very powerful mini sermon. That is when my excuses fell fat on its face and it hit me. We do not have to be perfect to be used in His kingdom. God will use whomever is willing to be used by him. If we will humble ourselves and do as he asks of us, he will take our imperfect effort and use it to His glory. A friend of mine is always saying," God doesn't call the equipped, but equips the called."
My friend, have you been ask of God to preform a task that seems too big for you to do? Don't hide your "talent", because you feel as though it is unworthy for God. Use it and let God use it and perfect it.
Lord, We ask that you will forgive us for hiding from our duties. We ask that you will perfect our imperfect efforts and use them to to your glory. In Jesus' name, Amen.
The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more. So also the one with two talents gained two more. But the man who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money. After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. The man who had received the five talents brought the other five. 'Master," he said,'you entrusted me with five talents. See, have gained five more.'
His master replied,'well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with few things; I will put you in charge with many things. Come and share your Master's happiness!
Then the man with two talents also came. 'master,' he said,'you entrusted me with two talents' see , I have gained two more.'
His master replied,'Well done good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in chanrge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!
Then the man who had received the one talent came. 'Master,' he said,'I knew that you were a hard man, harvesting where you you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. So I
was afraid and went out and hid it in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.'
His master replied,'You wicked lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I had not sown and gathered where I had not scattered seed? Well, you should had put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when i returned I would have received it back with interest.
'Take the talent from him and give it to one who has ten talents. For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whosoever does not have even what he has will be taken from him. And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth'( Mat. 25:14-29 NIV).
I have struggled to write what God called me to write, and failed. One of the groups of people I am called to write for, is those who are mentally and physically challenged. I think that I have problems with it, because I feel as though my writing isn't perfect, so why put it out there. Then this week, I sat and listened to a man in a wheel chair, who struggled to speak, preach a very powerful mini sermon. That is when my excuses fell fat on its face and it hit me. We do not have to be perfect to be used in His kingdom. God will use whomever is willing to be used by him. If we will humble ourselves and do as he asks of us, he will take our imperfect effort and use it to His glory. A friend of mine is always saying," God doesn't call the equipped, but equips the called."
My friend, have you been ask of God to preform a task that seems too big for you to do? Don't hide your "talent", because you feel as though it is unworthy for God. Use it and let God use it and perfect it.
Lord, We ask that you will forgive us for hiding from our duties. We ask that you will perfect our imperfect efforts and use them to to your glory. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Onward Christian warriors
This week the traveling Vietnam Wall traveled to our town. We watched it pass us being escorted by about 350 Vets and others on motorcycles. Someone has stood guard of it around the clock. This morning, we went to a church service they had there. In it a Vet spoke of how those on the wall were willing to die their lives for their country, and how Jesus die for us. It got me to thinking. We are suppose to be warriors for God. As warriors of God, as we willing to die for the kingdom of God?
Paul said that he died daily (I Cor. 15:31). I believe that this type of dying, is dying to our will and sinful nature. I use to call it killing my will. I would do that when ever my sinful pride was hurt and I wanted to to hurt back. I also have been known to lay my dreams aside when God told me he had other plans for me. That means that I had to let my dream die. As warriors of God, are we to die to ourselves daily?
John 15:12-13, tells us that we should love one another as Christ has loved us, and he loved us enough to lay down his life for us. Are we willing to lay down our lives for one another. This can be anything from laying aside something we wanted to do, so we could help a brother or sister in Christ with something they needed that day? We may say, "shore, I would." But are we willing to lay aside an hour of our day to pray for someone who really needs it? Also, are we willing to die physically for the sake of someone else?
How about Jesus? Are we willing to give Jesus, an hour or two to him each month, week, or day reading his love letter, we call the Holy Bible? Or do we spend time talking or listening to him in prayer? Above that, are you willing to die physically for God's kingdom?
If we are truly warriors of God, we should be. May we all examine ourselves and line our lives to our commander's will and command.It is easier when we remember that" we are looking for a city not made by hands"(Heb. 11:10).
Onward Christian Warriors!
Paul said that he died daily (I Cor. 15:31). I believe that this type of dying, is dying to our will and sinful nature. I use to call it killing my will. I would do that when ever my sinful pride was hurt and I wanted to to hurt back. I also have been known to lay my dreams aside when God told me he had other plans for me. That means that I had to let my dream die. As warriors of God, are we to die to ourselves daily?
John 15:12-13, tells us that we should love one another as Christ has loved us, and he loved us enough to lay down his life for us. Are we willing to lay down our lives for one another. This can be anything from laying aside something we wanted to do, so we could help a brother or sister in Christ with something they needed that day? We may say, "shore, I would." But are we willing to lay aside an hour of our day to pray for someone who really needs it? Also, are we willing to die physically for the sake of someone else?
How about Jesus? Are we willing to give Jesus, an hour or two to him each month, week, or day reading his love letter, we call the Holy Bible? Or do we spend time talking or listening to him in prayer? Above that, are you willing to die physically for God's kingdom?
If we are truly warriors of God, we should be. May we all examine ourselves and line our lives to our commander's will and command.It is easier when we remember that" we are looking for a city not made by hands"(Heb. 11:10).
Onward Christian Warriors!
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