Fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Romans 12:2 Real change is an inside job. You might alter things a day or two with money and systems, but the heart of the matter is and always will be, the matter of the heart. Allow me to get specific. Our problem is sin. Not finances. Not budgets… Our problem is sin. We are in rebellion against our Creator. We are separated from our Father. We are cut off from the source of life. A new president or policy won't fix that. It can only be solved by God. That's why the Bible uses drastic terms like conversion, repentance, and lost and found. Society may renovate, but only God re-creates. When God Whispers Your Name (Max Lucado) 1 Peter 2:25
'For you were like sheep going astray, but you have now returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.' - God is your Shepherd and the Guardian of your soul. - He loves you and has your best interests at heart. - Don't run from Him, but rather run to Him. - He is waiting to receive you. PRAYER: Lord, I come to You right now. Be my Shepherd and be the Guardian of my soul. I run to You because You are my refuge. Amen. We all have different gifts, each of which came because of the grace God gave us. Romans 12:6
There are some things we want to do but simply aren't equipped to accomplish. I, for example, have the desire to sing. Singing for others would give me wonderful satisfaction. The problem is, it wouldn't give the same satisfaction to my audience… Paul gives good advice in Romans 12:3 : "Have a sane estimate of your capabilities" (PHILLIPS). In other words, be aware of your strengths. When you teach, do people listen? When you lead, do people follow? When you administer, do things improve? Where are you most productive? Identify your strengths, and then … major in them… Failing to focus on our strengths may prevent us from accomplishing the unique tasks God has called us to do. Just Like Jesus (Max Lucado) A woman received a call that her daughter was sick.
She stopped by the pharmacy to get medication, got back to her car and found that she had locked her keys inside. She woman found an old rusty coat hanger left on the ground. She looked at it and said "I don't know how to use this." She bowed her head and asked God to send her HELP. Within 5 minutes a beat up old motorcycle pulled up. A bearded man who was wearing an old biker skull rag got off of his cycle and asked if he could help. She said: "Yes, my daughter is sick. I’ve locked my keys in my car. I must get home. Please, can you use this hanger to unlock my car?" He said "Sure." He walked over to the car, and in less than a minute the car was open. She hugged the man and through tears said, "Thank You SO Much! You are a very nice man." The man replied "Lady, I am NOT a nice man. I just got out of PRISON yesterday, I was in prison for car theft. The woman hugged the man again sobbing, "Oh, thank you God! You even sent a professional!!" Is GOD Good or What!? No word brings greater joy to the heart of a follower of Christ than grace. Grace is the free gift of God to those who have sinned against Him and deserve only His wrath. Grace is that which God gives us to meet His requirements and to face the difficulties of life. The most magnificent display of God’s grace is seen in our salvation. (Ephesians 2:1-9). Take a few moments this week to reflect on how your life has been changed by God’s grace. (Taken from: Seeking Him by Nancy Leigh DeMoss and Tim Grissom). Gracious Father, my heart overflows with thanks as I think about You, how You have saved me and changed my life around. I can only give glory to You. Thank You for saving my soul!
Psalm 67:1
'May God be gracious to us and bless us. May His face smile with favour on us.' - This is our prayer for you as you go into this new day. - We trust and pray that God will be gracious and kind to you. - We believe for His blessing and provision on your life and work. - And may His face smile with favour on you, Andre. PRAYER: Lord, we take this moment and pray for each person reading this today. May You be gracious towards them and we ask for Your blessing on them. Amen. So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lion's den. The king said to Daniel, 'May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you!' (Daniel 6:6)
No question, Daniel got a rough deal. He was set up by jealous, lesser men who wanted him out of the way. It seemed like they succeeded, except for one thing they overlooked: Daniel's trust in God. The interesting thing, however, about Daniel being thrown into the den of lions is that God didn't deliver him out of the den before Daniel found deliverance in it. Imagine if Daniel had fought against being thrown into the den (which he would have been justified in doing) and gone into the den fighting against it every inch of the way, chances are the lions would have torn him to shreds before he hit the bottom. But Daniel didn't. He accepted his lot and trusted his life to God who shut the lion's mouths. On more than one occasion I have asked God that if I am not going to be delivered out of my "lion's den" (naming the frustrating situation I'm in), would he please deliver me in it. Sometimes, like Daniel, God has a lesson for us to learn in our present difficult situation and before he delivers us out of it, like Daniel, we need to find deliverance in it. |
Ana & Andre Schoonbee God uses us to motivate and encourage the body. Authors
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