Everyday I start the morning out with a quick Bible study and prayer. At first this was difficult. Trying to add one more thing into my schedule was something I didn't want to do. But I needed to change my way of thinking. I wasn't adding one more thing...I was actually adding the ONLY thing that was important!
Everything else soon became easier because I turned my day, time, problems, decisions and safety over to my Heavenly Father each morning. My days became easier to deal with. I seemed to have more time, energy and patience throughout my day. That one simple decision to start my morning off by giving it to the Lord was a blessing on my life.
Priorities need to be analyzed and we need to remember that our life here is only temporary. We need to focus on what will bring us eternal happiness. By doing this, we actually can change our earthly situations.
Start today! Put your Bible on your night stand. Set your alarm ten minutes earlier than usual. As soon as it goes off, reach over, grab your Bible and see what the Lord wants to help you with today! FEELING SHIPWRECKED? SCRIPTURE:
"I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?" Jeremiah 32:27
"Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know." Jeremiah 33:3 HE WILL RAISE YOUR SAILS & GET YOU BACK IN THE RACE TO WIN THE PRIZE FOR THAT WHICH HE HAS CALLED YOU!
Sometimes we don’t realize all of the blessings that the Lord gives us daily. It’s easy to notice the BIG things that happen. But what of the small daily answers to our prayers?
I find myself doing this quite frequently, looking for the BIG answers to my prayers. I pray and then wait…and wait and when it doesn’t happen or doesn’t appear to happen the way I asked for it, I think, “Well, I guess I don’t deserve it.” Or on those certain days that I’m feeling particularly sorry for myself, “Why doesn’t God ever answer my prayers? I try to do what’s right and nothing! What have I done wrong that he never gives me what I need?”
The funny thing is, He is giving me EXACTLY what I need at that time in my life. No, it may not be what I asked for, because I have tunnel vision (my perspective) and He sees the BIG picture (HIS perspective). His timing, way and guidance are what will direct me toward the right path as I travel up my daily mountain.
I need to remember to stop as I walk up my complicated hill and see the small blessings all around me, the answers to prayers that I didn’t even ask for. The unexpected card from a friend or a smile from someone when I’m feeling down, an opportunity to help someone in need, people taking time to pray for me and my family, health, love and friendship. These small everyday blessings from God let us know that he truly cares about us and is looking out for each and everyone of us along our journey.
So when you feel discouraged, remember to stop and reflect on how the Lord answered a need in your life today…it may be something small, but it came at just the right time. Stop your constant rushing and take a moment each day to look around…GOD is trying to show His love for you!
By: Lisa Petrarca
"And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive." Matthew 21:22
A young man had been to Wednesday night Bible Study. The Pastor shared about listening to God and obeying the Lord's voice. The young man couldn't help but wonder, "Does God still speak to people?"
After service he went out with some friends for coffee and pie and discussed the message. Several different ones talked about how God had led them in different ways.
It was about ten o'clock when the young man started driving home. Sitting in his car, he just began to pray, "God.. If you still speak to people, speak to me. I will listen. I will do my best to obey."
As he drove down the main street of his town, he had the strangest thought, to stop and buy a gallon of milk. He shook his head and said "God, is that you?" He didn't get a reply and started on home. But again, the thought, buy a gallon of milk.
The young man thought about Samuel and how he didn't recognize the voice of God, and how little Samuel ran to Eli. "Okay, God, in case that is you, I will buy the milk." It didn't seem like too hard a test of obedience. He could always use the milk. He stopped and purchased the gallon of milk and started off toward home.
As he passed Seventh Street, he again felt the urge, turn down that street. "This is crazy", he thought and drove on past the intersection. Again, he felt that he should turn down Seventh Street.
At the next intersection, he turned back and headed down Seventh. Half jokingly, he said out loud, "Okay, God, I will." He drove several blocks, when suddenly, he felt like he should stop. He pulled over to the curb and looked around. He was in a semi-commercial area of town. It wasn't the best, but it wasn't the worst either.
The businesses were closed and most of the houses looked dark like the people were already in bed. Again, he sensed something. "Go and give the milk to the people in the house across the street."
The young man looked at the house. It was dark and it looked like the people were either gone or they were already asleep. He started to open the door and then sat back in the car seat. "Lord, this is insane. Those people are asleep and if I wake them up, they are going to be mad and I will look stupid." Again he felt like he should go and give the milk.
Finally, he opened the door, "Okay God, if this is you, I will go to the door and I will give them the milk. If you want me to look like a crazy person, okay. I want to be obedient. I guess that will count for something but if they don't answer right away, I am out of here."
He walked across the street and rang the bell, He could hear some noise inside. A man's voice yelled out, "Who is it? What do you want?" Then the door opened before the young man could get away. The man was standing there in his jeans and T-shirt. He looked like he just got out of bed. He had a strange look on his face and he didn't seem too happy to have some stranger standing on his doorstep. "What is it?" The young man thrust out the gallon of milk, "Here, I brought this to you."
The man took the milk and rushed down a hallway speaking loudly in Spanish. Then from down the hall came a woman carrying the milk toward the kitchen. The man was following her holding a baby. The baby was crying. The man had tears streaming down his face. The man began speaking half crying, "We were just praying. We had some big bills this month and we ran out of money. We didn't have any milk for our baby. I was just praying and asking God to show me how to get some milk."
His wife in the kitchen yelled out, "I ask him to send an Angel with some. Are you an Angel?"
The young man reached into his wallet and pulled out all the money he had on him and put it in the man's hand. He turned and walked back toward his car and the tears were streaming down his face. He knew that God still answers prayers.
Praise the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. Who can proclaim the mighty acts of the Lord or fully declare his praise? Blessed are they who maintain justice, who constantly do what is right. Remember me, O Lord, when you show favor to your people come to my aid when you save them, that I may enjoy the prosperity of your chosen ones, that I may share in the joy of your nation. PSALMS 106:1-5
I have learned over the years that the more I rely on myself and try to make everything happen without asking for God's wisdom, guidance, and will for my life, the more I struggle. It's as if I'm a fish trying to swim upstream...forcing, pushing, paddling, only to feel defeated, broken and exhausted. Always ending up right back where I started.
Is there something going on in your life that you feel you need to ask for God's loving direction? Don't continue to swim in the wrong direction...with God's guidance He will PUSH you through the strong currents of your life. COMPLETELY SURRENDER TO HIM! He is your Father in Heaven and wants you to trust and have faith in HIM. POEM: STAND IN FAITH Stand in faith Even when you can’t see your way Stand in faith Even when you feel like you can’t face another day Stand in faith Even when the tears want to flow from your eyes Stand in faith Knowing that our God will always provide Stand in faith Even when you feel that all hope is gone Stand in faith Knowing that He is always there for you to lean on Stand in faith Even when you feel like giving up Stand in faith Because He is there ... saying, "Just look up" Stand in faith Even in those times you feel so all alone Stand in faith Hold on and be strong, for He is still on the throne Stand in faith Even when it’s hard to believe Stand in Faith Knowing that He can change your situation, suddenly Stand in faith Even in those times you feel it’s hard to pray Stand in faith And believe that He has already made the way Faith ... is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen So stand in faith Because you already have the victory!
--Evangelist Johnnye V. Chandler
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.1 Corinthians 10:13 (NIV)
The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith!" He replied, "If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, Be uprooted and planted in the sea, and it will obey you."Luke 17:6-7
Why is being on time so challenging for some of us? Even when we start early, something inevitably gets in our way to make us late. But here's the good news: God is always on time! Speaking of the arrival of Jesus, Paul said, "When the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son" (Gal. 4:4) The long-awaited, promised Savior came at just the right time.
Jesus' arrival during the Roman Empire's Pax Romana (the peace of Rome) was perfect timing. The known world was united by one language of commerce. A network of global trade routes provided open access to the whole world. All of this guaranteed that the gospel could move rapidly in one tongue. No visas. No impenetrable borders. Only unhindered access to help spread the news of the Savior whose crucifixion fulfilled the prophecy of the Lamb who would be slain for our sins (Isa. 53). All in God's perfect timing!
All of this should remind us that the Lord knows what time is best for us as well. If you're waiting for answered prayer or the fulfillment of one of His promises, don't give up. If you think He has forgotten you, think again. When the fullness of time is right for you, He'll show up---and you'll be amazed by His brilliant timing!
Not ours to know the reason why Unanswered is our prayer, But ours to wait for God's own time To lift the cross we bear.~Anon. GOD'S TIMING IS ALWAYS PERFECT!
The first race was about to start, Elijah was to run the 400 Meter event (1 complete sprint around the entire track). Immediately following his race he had to line up for his 200 Meter event. He would have no time to rest in between.
In prior years, he trained rigorously to prepare for all of his meets. This training is what enabled him to be so successful. Capturing the Southern CA Championship Gold medal year after year. This year has been quite different. He had become used to winning with such ease, that whenever he was asked to start training, he would reply, "Let's start next week". Week after week went by without any training. Before he knew it the season was upon him. He had run out of time.
The 400 Meter race began, he pulled out way ahead immediately. As he rounded the last turn and was running down the final stretch, his legs began to tighten, his head bobbed forward and back trying to propel himself across the finish line. The other racers started to inch closer. Willing himself across the finish line he captured first place. However not with the ease of prior years.
He headed over to line up for the 200 Meter race and collapsed on the ground trying to stretch out his cramping, ill prepared muscles. He wondered how he could run another race when he was barely able to stand. He slowly got into position knowing that this race wouldn't end as well.
The gun sounded and he was able to stay neck and neck with the top two racers until the last 100 meters. They darted ahead as his legs were moving but felt like 100 pound weights. He crossed the finish line in 3rd place. Disappointed but knowing that his lack of preparation had put him in this position.
We all need to prepare for the events in our life. Most people are aware of this no matter what sport they play...practice and preparation is ALWAYS needed. Unfortunately, like Elijah, we are ill prepared for the race that God has planned for us.
He has set up practice times (daily prayer and scripture reading), teaching us how to become closer, trust, have complete faith, inner strength and peace through him. This prepares us for the big event or GAME DAY. When he puts us on that track, field, or court of life. When we are to become the person that God has been preparing us to be. Don't waste your practice time! Will you be ready and strong enough to win the race for which God has called you? Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.1 Corinthians 9:24,25
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.. Hebrews 12:1
A successful Christian business man was growing old and knew it was timeto choose a successor to take over the business. Instead of choosing one of his directors or his children, he decided to do something different. He called all the young executives in his company together.
He said, "It is time for me to step down and choose the next CEO. I have decided to choose one of you. "The young executives were shocked, but the boss continued."I am going to give each one of you a SEED today - one very special SEED. I want you to plant the seed, water it, and come back here one year from today with what you have grown from the seed I have given you. I will then judge the plants that you bring, and the one I choose will be the next CEO"
One man, named Jim, was there that day and he, like the others, received a seed. He went home and excitedly, told his wife the story.
She helped him get a pot, soil and compost and he planted the seed. Everyday, he would water it and watch to see if it had grown. After about three weeks, some of the other executives began to talk about their seeds and the plants that were beginning to grow. Jim kept checking his seed, but nothing ever grew. Three weeks, four weeks, five weeks went by, still nothing. By now, others were talking about their plants, but Jim didn't have a plant and he felt like a failure.
Six months went by--still nothing in Jim's pot. He just knew he had killed his seed. Everyone else had trees and tall plants, but he had nothing. Jim didn't say anything to his colleagues, however. He just kept watering and fertilizing the soil - He so wanted the seed to grow.
A year finally went by and all the young executives of the company brought their plants to the CEO for inspection. Jim told his wife that he wasn't going to take an empty pot. But she asked him to be honest about what happened. Jim felt sick at his stomach, it was going to be the most embarrassing moment of his life, but he knew his wife was right. He took his empty pot to the board room. When Jim arrived, he was amazed at the variety of plants grown by the other executives. They were beautiful--in all shapes and sizes. Jim put his empty pot on the floor and many of his colleagues laughed, a few felt sorry for him! When the CEO arrived, he surveyed the room and greeted his young executives. Jim just tried to hide in the back. "My, what great plants, trees, and flowers you have grown," said The CEO. "Today one of you will be appointed the next CEO!" All of a sudden, the CEO spotted Jim at the back of the room with his empty pot. He ordered the financial director to bring him to the front. Jim was terrified. He thought, "The CEO knows I'm a failure! Maybe he will have me fired!"
When Jim got to the front, the CEO asked him what had happened to his seed - Jim told him the story. The CEO asked everyone to sit down except Jim. He looked at Jim, and then announced to the young executives, "Behold your next Chief Executive! His name is Jim!"
Jim couldn't believe it. Jim couldn't even grow his seed. How could he be the new CEO the others said?
Then the CEO said, "One year ago today, I gave everyone in this room a seed. I told you to take the seed, plant it, water it, and bring it back to me today.
But I gave you all boiled seeds; they were dead - it was not possible for them to grow. All of you, except Jim, have brought me trees and plants and flowers.
When you found that the seed would not grow, you substituted another seed for the one I gave you. Jim was the only one with the courage and honesty to bring me a pot with my seed in it. Therefore, he is the one who will be the new Chief Executive!"
If you plant honesty, you will reap trust
If you plant goodness, you will reap friends
If you plant humility, you will reap greatness
If you plant perseverance, you will reap contentment
If you plant consideration, you will reap perspective
If you plant hard work, you will reap success
If you plant forgiveness, you will reap reconciliation
If you plant faith in Christ, you will reap a harvest
So, be careful what you plant now; it will determine what you will reap later.
To the roots of the mountains I sank down; the earth beneath barred me in forever. But you brought my life up from the pit, O Lord my God. When my life was ebbing away, I remembered you, Lord, and my prayer rose to you, to your holy temple. Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs. But I with a song of thanksgiving, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. Salvation comes from the Lord.
By now, others were talking about their plants, but Jim didn't have a plant and he felt like a failure.
