Unique Purpose

My grace is suffcient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.

2 Corinthian 12:9

Yes, I am back 2 days in a row!! I know I'm on a roll!! =)

In today's devotional the writer told a story from her childhood. She wanted to join the band at her elementary school. Her mother got her all signed up, only to learn that the school district would not allow her or her sister to participate due to their being visually impaired. Her mother decided instead of fighting the system, to sign her daughters up for piano lessons instead. She had heard enough "can't" messages, what about the things her daughters could do? The writer goes on to say that whatever her parents original dream for their children, the only disappointment they heard was how hard it was for them to watch their children struggle.

I don't specifically know the heartbreak of having a child with special needs. However, when I was pregnant with my son, we had one bad diagnosis after another. At one point in my pregnancy there was the chance that he had spine abifida (sp?) then at another point they thought that his abdomen wall had not closed and some of his intestine was outside his body. While they assured us they could correct these things it was difficult to hear these diagnosis. Everyone dreams of having a happy healthy baby, with ten perfect little fingers, and 10 cute little toes, that you leave the hospital with 3 days after delivery.

My son ended up coming to us a little more than 6 weeks early, with much trama involved for both baby and mama. The hardest thing I have ever endured in my life, is seeing my newborn in the NICU, being on the maternity ward surrounded by mother's with their newborn babies in their rooms with them, and then being discharged from the hospital without my baby. We brought our son home 4 weeks later, and has been happy and healthy ever since.

Every time we got another possible diagnosis about our unborn baby, it shattered what dreams we had conceived when we learned that we were going to have a child. When we were going through some testing, we were referred to a genetic counselor, who called to set up an appointment with us. I promptly told the counselor, that she would be wasting her time talking with us, because it really didn't matter what the diagnosis was, we would never consider aborting our baby. God carried us through those long months of worry, and even though I wasn't in church at the time, and where I needed to be in my walk with Him, I always knew He was right there beside me guiding me through, and giving me the strength I needed to endure this trial. I always knew that if our baby was born with a special need, then that was God's plan for our lives, and for the life of my son.

Steps of Faith:
Creator God, some see disabilities as flaws while You call all Your work perfect. Abundantly bless children with special needs and their parents. Use the body of Christ to help and encourage them.

Deeper Walk:
2 Corinthians 12:8-10 NAS

Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.

Minister with Joy

Now we ask you, brothers, to give recognition to those who labor among you and lead you in the Lord and admonish you.

1 Thessalonians 5:12

Yes, I am finally back.....if there are any of you left reading my blog I know you will be surprised, I am surprised myself. I have been a slug. I couldn't get a September issue of my devotional, so I pretty much just used that as an excuse not to do it. I however did get an October issue, and as you can see, I have procrastinated, as it is October 4. But I am working on it.....

Today's devotional was a story about a deacon fielding a multitude of complaints about everything from their pastor, to the music to the youth dept. to the children's dept. The deacon was on the phone with a member of the congregation fielding a particularly difficult complaint, when he reminded the memeber that the pastor is called to shepherd God's flock, and that the pastor was appointed by the Holy Spirit.

The pastor is an imperfect person, just as we all are. We all fail in some way or another. It is oftentimes easy to see the flaws in others, but not in ourselves. I know I have been guilty of this myself. We tend to see the leaders of our church as above reproach, we hold them to a higher standard, fair or not. What we need to remember is that they are human, and that we are all sinners. We need to let the petty little things go, and focus on encouraging where there is no encouragment from others.

I think we can be particularly hard on our pastors. We feel like they should be the ultimate man of God. But I think pastors take the most verbal beatings of anyone in the church. I know how hard those verbal beatings can be on a person. Sometimes it seems all you are hearing is what you are doing wrong.....and it can be quite discouraging. I have been guilty of judging my pastor a little to harshly in the past. I am fortunate to have a wonderful pastor, who is a very godly man, and who seeks God's will above all else. I might not agree with everything....but those petty little things aren't worth him hearing my discouragement over. Our pastor needs to hear our encouragment, and know that we love him, and that we appreciate the sacrifice he is making for us and for God.

Steps of Faith:
Father, help us to honor, encourage, and support the pastors You have appointed to lead us, Your flock. Help us to keep any criticism constructive, and build up our pastors.

Deeper Walk:
1 Timothy 5: 17-19 NAS
Concerning Elders

The elders who rule well are to considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, "YOU SHALL NOT MUZZLE THE OX WHILE HE IS THRESHING," and "The laborer is worthy of his wages." Do not receive an accusation against an elder except on the basis of two or three witnesses.

A Difference Maker

I know your works-your love, faithfulness, service, and endurance.

Revelation 2:19

Today the writer talks about a woman in her church. She says that she has never seen a more servant-hearted person than Shirley. She tells of all the little things that Shirley does behind the scenes of the church, that probably not many people notice, and how Shirley does these things faithfully, and with a joyful heart. She says that Shirley never forgets to send you a birthday card, or an anniversary card, she holds you up in prayer when your child is in the hospital, and is the first to hug you when you are hurting. The writer says that while Shirley does all of these things faithfully, the most beautiful thing that Shirley does, is her ministry to the children of a nearby apartment complex. Every week Shirley and a few volunteers meet the children in the apartment's clubhouse after school, and for the next 2 hours, Shirley gives the children a snack, reads them a bible story, and helps them with a craft. They sing songs, and play games, all the while learning about Jesus.

Wow, I aspire to be like Shirley. Shirley is a perfect example of someone living for Jesus, and He shines clearly in the way she lives her life. She is someone who definately has her priorities in order. I wish that my life reflected Jesus as much as Shirley. I know that I have the heart to do things, but like I said in my previous blog, I am slug. I start getting busy, and I let the things I have or need to do take priority over the things that I should be doing, like spending time with God. Sometimes I get so busy doing things, even things for church, that I am just doing them, and not doing them with the heart that I need to be doing them with. If I would just realize that if I prepared my heart, and spent time with my Saviour, the time that he wants with me and that I know I very desperatly want with Him, that my impact in my ministries would be greater.

Steps of Faith:
Father, help me to make an impact on my community that will reverberate into eternity. Give me a servant's heart and help me to remember that You see my efforts, no matter how small they may seem to the world.

Deeper Walk:
Mark 10: 43-45 NAS

But it is not this way amoung you, but whoever wishes to become great amoung you shall be your servant; and whoever wishes to be first amoung you shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransome for many.

God Promised

God is our refuge and strength, a helper who is always found in times of trouble.

Psalm 46:1

Ok, I have been a slug. I haven't written my blog in sometime. I haven't done my devotionals during that time either, and I have felt the impact on my life. This is actually yesterday's devotional. I did read it yesterday, but wanted to reflect on it a little more before writing. I did intend to write it last night, but instead spent some quality time with my hubby, so I am doing it now.

The devotional talks about crisis. The writer tells a story about how her friend seems to go through crisis after crisis. She got divorced, then struggled with her finances, work became stressful, her son was in trouble at school, and her daughter had been sick, and then broke her arm. She was telling her friend that she was just exhausted. The writer told her friend that she knew she was going through a rough patch right now, and how she can only imagine how hard it is to be a single parent, but that her friend was doing a good job, even if she didn't think she was. Her friend thanked her for the encouragement, but let the writer know that she had reminded her that God hasn't forgotten her.

The writer goes on to talk about how none of us is able to avoid having problems from time to time, but that God promised He would be with us, she also reminds us of Isaiah 43:1-2, 5 which says, "Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine. I will be with you when you pass through the waters, and when you pass through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. You will not be scorched when you walk throught the fire, and the flame will not burn you. Do not fear, for I am with you."

I have to admit, I have had a period of difficult times. It has felt like I have fought one battle after another. It does get exhausting, and at times I feel so battle warn and weary. But then just when I think I can't possibly take it any longer, God picks me up, He gives me the courage and strength to go on and keep fighting. I always know this comes from my Lord, because I know I would not have been able to go on, on my own. My husband always jokes that he thinks that God made me a warrior, and that God made him a peacemaker. Maybe there's some truth to that, I don't know. But I know that through it all, I have had peace that God has always been right there with me, sometimes I needed to be reminded of that fact, but I know he was always there.

Steps of Faith:
"Lord, hear my prayer; listen to my plea for mercy. I call on You in the day of my distress, for You will answer me." Psalm 86:6-7

Deeper Walk:
Psalm 46 NAS
For the choir director. A Psalm of the sons of Korah, set to Alamoth. A song.
Theme: God is always there to help, providing refuge, security, and peace. God's power is complete and his ultimate victory is certain. He will not fail to rescue those who love him.
Author: The sons of Korah (temple assistants)

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change and though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains quake at its swelling pride.

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy dwelling places of the Most High. God is in the midst of her, she will not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns. The nations made an uproar, the kingdoms tottered; He raised His voice, the earth melted. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold.

Come, behold the works of the LORD, who has wrought desolations in the earth. He makes wars to cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariots with fire. "Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted amoung the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold.

Where are you, God?

I will never leave you or forsake you.

Hebrews 13:5

The story today is about a woman who has been out of work for a while, in fact for nearly a year. Her bills are piling up, and she's at the point where some bills are going unpaid. She is having a conversation with her mom, and she asks her mom, why she couldn't seem to find another job. She had filled out dozens of job applications, with no job offers, and she just doesn't know what she is doing wrong, or why God is letting her go without a job for so long. Her mom responds that she honestly doesn't know, but tells her daughter that waiting on God is a hard thing to do especially when your hurting. But she reminds her daughter that in every circumstance He's right there with you, even though you might feel He isn't listening. Her mom also suggests rereading the book of Job, and tells her daughter that it's in the tough times that our character is formed, and that God is using this situation to help build her faith in Him.

I have had several different situations where it felt like God was far away, and I couldn't understand why he was letting me go through that tough time. But one time that is sticking out to me is when my husband graduated from college and had a hard time finding a job. We were anxious for him to get a job, he had quit his part job a year before so he could focus on finishing up his classes, and our money from his student loan was running out. It was a stressful time, and he went on a couple of different job interviews in different parts of the country. We actually thought one of the job interviews that he went on was going to work out. It was a job in Panama City, Florida. I was dreaming about what our life in Florida would be like, living near the beach, it sounded so wonderful. At the last minute it didn't pan out, and the job that my husband has now did. God had a different plan for our lives. I remember when the job offer came in, it wasn't great money, but we both really felt like we needed to take the job. We weren't where we needed to be in our walk with Jesus at the time, but I still felt His peace about the decision, and He still had a plan for us. He put us in a completely different part of the country, but we are here for a reason, and we feel like God has a plan for us here, and He's not done with us here yet.

It can be tough to trust God in times when you feel like He's far away, but the stronger you are in your faith with Him, the more you will draw in to Him during those times, and your faith will grow even more because of it. He knows the plans He has for you.

Steps of Faith:
Father God, please let me see that You have a plan for me even when times are tough. Help me to remember that You'll never abandon me.

Deeper Walk:
Psalm 25 NAS
Theme: A prayer for defense, guidance, and pardon. As we trust in God, He grants these same requests for us.
Author: David

To You, O LORD, I lift up my soul. O my God, in You I trust, do not let me be ashamed; do not let my enemies exult over me. Indeed, none of these who wait for You will be ashamed; those who deal treacherously without cause will be ashamed.

Make me know Your ways, O LORD; teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; for You I wait all the day. Remember, O LORD, Your compassion and Your lovingkindness, for they have been from of old. Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to Your lovingkindness remember me, for Your goodness' sake, O LORD.

Good and upright is the LORD; therefore He instructs sinners in the way. He leads the humble in justice, and He teaches the humble His way. All the paths of the LORD are lovingkindness and truth to those who keep His covenant and His testimonies. For Your name's sake, O LORD, pardon my iniquity, for it is great.

Who is the man who fears the LORD? He will instruct him in the way he should choose. His soul will abide in prospertiy, and his descendants will inherit the land. The secret of the LORD is for those who fear Him, and He will make them know His covenant. My eyes are continually toward the LORD, for He will pluck my feet out of the net.

Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. The troubles of my heart are enlarged; bring me out of my distresses. Look upon my affliction and my trouble, and forgive all my sins. Look upon my enemies, for they are many, and they hate me with violent hatred. Guard my soul and deliver me; do not let me be ashamed, for I take refuge in You. Let integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait for You. Redeem Isreal, O God, out of all his troubles.

So Soon

Put to death whatever in you is worldly: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desire, and greed, which is idolatry.

Colossians 3:5

In the devotional today, the writer tells a story about a woman named Alice who was devasted when she heard the news that her 17-year-old son's girlfriend was pregnant. But was more devastated when her son, Dylan, told his parents that his girlfriend, Tara, was going to have an abortion. "I tried to talk her out of it, I told her I would help her support the baby, if she would keep it." Dylan told his parents as tears spilled down his cheeks. Even though Dylan pleaded repeatedly with Tara, she had made up her mind. Tara was college bound in the fall, and she and her parents didn't want the "inconvenience" of a teenage pregnancy. The writer says that eventually, Dylan and Tara's relationship couldn't survive the stress, and they stopped seeing each other.

The writer goes on to say that we have seen a dramatic shift in the American culture over the last 60 years. She talks about how the sexual revolution brought a growing acceptance of pregnant single women.

The media and our culture have made being pregnant and single glamorous. They have also convinced young people that abortion is acceptable. Abortion has become a form of birth control for some, an easy fix to what they see as an inconvenience. However, abortion leaves a scar that will stay with this young woman for the rest of her life.

With the young people in our youth group, and once my kids reach the appropriate age, I believe in educating them about relationships and sex. The world is such a different place now, and they are bombarded with subliminal messages from the world daily. We plan on not only teaching about relationships, and sex, but I hope that we can stress to our youth what God has to say about the subject also, and how it is a wonderful gift, that God intended for a husband and his wife.

Steps of Faith:
Father, please help those who face unplanned pregnancies. Give them Your wisdom and the strength to do the right thing. Lead them to people and resources who can help meet their needs while providing godly counsel and encouragement.

Deeper Walk:
Romans 13:8-14 NAS

Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another: for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. For this, "YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTRY, YOU SHALL NOT MURDER, YOU SHALL NOT STEAL, YOU SHALL NOT COVET," and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, "YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF." Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. Do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nerer to us than when we believed. The night is almost gone, and the day is near. Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.

The (not so) Express Lane

Refrain from anger and give up your rage; do not be agitated-it can only bring harm.

Psalm 37:8

In today's devotional, the writer tells a story about a time she was in the express lane in the grocery store. She was in a bit of a hurry, and was getting aggrivated with the amount of time the cashier seemed to be taking with each customer. When it finally came to her turn to be checked out, she didn't even try to smile at the cashier, she had her debit card already in her hand, and shoved her groceries across the counter. The cashier smiled at her, though, and started scanning her items. The cashier finshed scanning, thanked her with a warm smile and handed her, her receipt. The writer says she felt a little guilty for so openly displaying her anger, so she just nodded and grabbed her groceries. She says that although she felt God telling her not to get upset over something so insignificant, she still wanted to let someone else know. She marched over to customer service and spoke to the head cashier. The head cashier told her that the new cashier, Sheri had had a stroke several months earlier. The writer felt completely embarrassed and humbled, she hadn't sensed that Sheri was disabled in any way, and she had treated her horribly, not at all like God wanted her to treat Sheri. She thanked the head cashier, and went back to apologize to Sheri.

I have to admit, anger is something that I continually struggle with. Over the past couple of years I have learned not to get so bent out of shape over little things, but I still get quite aggrivated over small things. When this happens I end up feeling like the writer in the story, embarrassed and humbled. I have been trying to remind myself that I don't always know what is going on in other peoples lives, that I don't know about, and that I might be able to help show Jesus to someone, by just being nice in a stressful or aggrivating situation. I have a long way to go in working on controlling my anger, but I know God will continue to help me work on it, and will continue His good work in me, to mold me and make me more like Him.

Steps of Faith:
Lord, please forgive me for the times when I get angry without good cause. Help me to understand that this world isn't perfect and neither am I.

Deeper Walk:
Proverbs 15: 1 & 18 NAS

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but the slow to anger calms a dispute.