Have you ever felt like God just reached down and gave you a big bear hug (or should I say God hug)? Has there ever been a time when you felt a little lost, a bit frustrated, or downright discouraged, when something happened that let you know that God was there, He was aware of your circumstances, and everything was going to be just fine?
That happened to us yesterday, and it's amazing how quickly our outlook did an about face in the light of that God hug. Nothing has really changed in our circumstances. We are still facing the same challenges as we were yesterday. But we know that we know that we know that we're not alone in our trials. We are surrounded and upheld by a God who loves us, who will never leave us or forsake us, and who will meet all of our needs. What could be better than that?
You never know when you might be God's instrument for a hug to someone in your life who desperately needs one on a particular day. Your words of encouragement and support, your offer to help in some small way can be a lifeline to a precious soul who feels completely alone in their troubles. Just knowing someone is praying for you and cares what you're going through makes the burden seem lighter!
So go out there and find someone to hug today!
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Friday, July 4, 2008
To God Be the Glory
I was driving home from an appointment yesterday, listening to Christian radio when a statement by the speaker hit me right between the eyes.
“You are never too small for the Lord to use, but you could be too big for the Lord to use.” Wow! I’d never thought of that, had you?
It makes sense according to biblical principles. The Lord can only use us when we are surrendered to Him and dependent upon Him. It’s easy for us to become independent and self-sufficient as we become more successful, feeling more self-confident and less reliant upon the Lord. We stop seeking His direction and His help throughout our day because we no longer feel that we need it. We’ve got it under control! No need to ask for help.
One of the reasons I love to go on short term mission trips is that it’s always a time of total dependence upon the Lord, and, thus, a time of watching Him work in amazing ways. These are times when I’m out of my comfort zone. There’s no self-confidence, but total reliance on Him to lead us and work through us to accomplish His will. It’s awesome to behold, and builds my faith like nothing else.
God wants us to live our lives, day by day, hour by hour, relying totally on Him. No matter where we are or what we are doing, to surrender our lives everyday to Him. So let’s be careful as we reach a level of success, to continue to depend upon God as our source and to give Him all the glory for any success that comes our way.
“May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” (Galatians 6:14)
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31)
“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” (Colossians 3:17)
“You are never too small for the Lord to use, but you could be too big for the Lord to use.” Wow! I’d never thought of that, had you?
It makes sense according to biblical principles. The Lord can only use us when we are surrendered to Him and dependent upon Him. It’s easy for us to become independent and self-sufficient as we become more successful, feeling more self-confident and less reliant upon the Lord. We stop seeking His direction and His help throughout our day because we no longer feel that we need it. We’ve got it under control! No need to ask for help.
One of the reasons I love to go on short term mission trips is that it’s always a time of total dependence upon the Lord, and, thus, a time of watching Him work in amazing ways. These are times when I’m out of my comfort zone. There’s no self-confidence, but total reliance on Him to lead us and work through us to accomplish His will. It’s awesome to behold, and builds my faith like nothing else.
God wants us to live our lives, day by day, hour by hour, relying totally on Him. No matter where we are or what we are doing, to surrender our lives everyday to Him. So let’s be careful as we reach a level of success, to continue to depend upon God as our source and to give Him all the glory for any success that comes our way.
“May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” (Galatians 6:14)
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31)
“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” (Colossians 3:17)
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