Howdy! These past 3-4 weeks have been a whirlwind of activity at home, in Youth Group and at work! Phew! Except for a quick trip to Northern California this weekend (for Frank's Aunt's funeral)...we don't have too much planned for the rest of the summer..again...PHEW!
Today's PW Devotional touches upon a basic Truth Pastor Steve Salomon taught us at Hume Lake last week: God is worthy of our attention, devotion, adoration, worship, focus, time, energy...okay, basically....ALL OF US....regardless of our circumstances. Did you catch that, regardless of our circumstances.
As a reminder, read what Paul had to say in 2 Timothy 1:8-12
8So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, 9who has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, 10but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. 11And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. 12That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.
If you check out your study Bible, you'll see this was written to Timothy while Paul was in prison. When was the last time someone invited you to suffer with them because of the gospel? Is that crazy or what?
Well, it IS pretty crazy if we don't have the right perspective, focus, or image of who God really is and what we are suppose to be about, in this brief moment in time we call life.
Like Paul, we need to remember none of this is about me. God chose me, I didn't chose Him.
If we believe God is the Creator and worthy of our adoration, praise and worship...and we were created for His purpose, His glory and His worship...then we can join Paul in inviting others to suffer for the sake of the Gospel! We can be thankful in all circumstances.
If you think about it, Paul's attitude didn't reflect his circumstances. And, as a child of God, neither should ours.
As Philippians 4: 4-7 commands us:
4Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
5Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Our attitude should be that of rejoicing, gentleness, and thankfulness...in ALL circumstances: good and bad.
As Pastor Salomon said, "Do circumstances drive your attitude or does your attitude drive your circumstances?"
Read on to learn about Naaman. And, do a google search on the disease of leprosy.
Hope to see you all tonight! And ladies, we'll meet for prayer at 6:00 p.m.
Love in Christ,
Mary
| Desperate: Hard Times Posted: 14 Jul 2010 01:00 AM PDT "The letter that he took to the king of Israel read: 'With this letter I am sending my servant Naaman to you so that you may cure him of his leprosy.' As soon as the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his robes and said, 'Am I God? Can I kill and bring back to life? Why does this fellow send someone to me to be cured of his leprosy?' " (2 Kings 5:6-7) Naaman, the hero dying from leprosy, is sent by the king of Aram to Israel in search of a cure. Naaman was desperate. Why else would he embark on this journey on the word of one young slave girl? It's the only hope he has left of beating this ugly disease.
Notice two things: First, many people will not come to God until they are out of other options. How loving and generous of the Father to use our desperate circumstances to drive us into His care -- and then to care for us as only He can.
Second: Naaman assumes that if there is someone in Israel with the power over leprosy, he'd be living at the palace. He'd be a rich and powerful person. But the rich and powerful king of Israel doesn't have what Namaan needs. The dying hero was looking for the right answer in the wrong place.
Think: Have you ever turned to God with a big problem only after trying all of your other options first? Do you believe God ever uses our desperate moments to get our attention and give us great gifts?
Pray: Thank God that He uses our hard time to help us learn to trust Him more.
Do: Think about asking a wise older Christian how God has used hard times in her life to help her trust Him more.  |
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