No Wasted Words

Hello!

Thanks to all of you for your constant prayer, text messages, chocolate cake (Jenny & Mindy Calderon), cards and prayer these past few days.  In case you've been out of the loop...my dear mother passed away on Friday, January 30, 2009.  My family and I are in a state of grief...mingled with great happiness and joy for my mom.

 

I think it is so awesome that the last few studies we've done together have focused on heaven and eternity with God.  Isn't God just amazing to provide all of that in advance to comfort us and prepare us for the passing from this brief life into eternity with Him?

 

Anyway...This devo hit me today.  I had the perfect opportunity to not waste words with my father-in-law yesterday, and, actually I blew it.  I kept Frank up pretty late last night confessing my blow-it-ness.  He assured me we have shared the gospel with his parents on numerous occasions.  But, my question was...what if God allowed me that opening for one more time!??!  I am confident if God is calling my father-in-law into a relationship with Him, He will succeed despite my failure.  I just missed out on the blessing of being a part of it.  Sad.

 

I can't tell you why I stalled...hedged...detoured the conversation.  It wasn't fear.  It wasn't embarrassment.  It was...something I can't explain.

 

Do you ever do that?  KNOW you are in the middle of a perfect conversation where God is providing an opening and not seize it?  Well, read on to see what Jesus did.

 

Pray for me and I'll pray for you - to be bold with the Gospel...and ready to give an answer for the HOPE that lies within us! =D

 

Love-Mary

 

PlanetWisdom.com Devotionals

No Wasted Words Posted: 02 Feb 2009 10:35 PM CST "He . . . said, 'Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. . . .' In reply Jesus declared, 'I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.' " (John 3:2-3) "What?" I bet the people who hung out with Jesus said that to themselves all the time. "What is he talking about?" Nicodemus, this important religious and government leader, does Jesus the honor of coming to see Him at night and beginning their conversation by openly acknowledging Jesus is from God. Instead of saying, "Why, thank you, Nicodemus. It's good to meet you. Have a seat. Can we get you a beverage?" Jesus said, "No one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." "What?" It's not just that Jesus wasn't a small-talker; He skipped over all the words between His listener and the point, including the ones that would help that person quickly understand what He was talking about. And, still, they always turned out to be the exact words that person — and we — needed to hear. Think: Do the things Jesus said ever confuse you? Why do you think He didn't always make His teaching more immediately understandable? Pray: Ask God to help you understand what Jesus' words mean, especially His words in John 3. Do: Dare: Whatever text message you get next, reply with Jesus' words in John 3:3: "No one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." Visit PlanetWisdom.com for more great resources!