My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. James 1:2-4 (NKJV)
I don't want to be God - I want to be used by God. I don't want to orchestrate anyone's life, including my own - I just want to be willing to be moved in the perfect direction by God's gentle hand, and to be used in the greatest way, and for the greatest benefit of the kingdom.
Such was my heart today after speaking via email with a friend of mine on behalf of the need of another brother in the Lord. My heart hurts when I see another Christian hurting, and yet I know that it is suppose to be that way.
And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. 1 Corinthians 12:26 (NKJV)
We all face various trials and tribulations, and we need to know that these trials are part of the shaping process that is required to mold us into the image of our Lord and Savior, Jesus. Still, it is hard for us to see others in such need, and feel as if we don't have anything to offer - at least in tangible assets.
I think that this is a part of God's master plan though - a plan that was well thought out before any of us was ever born. God knew the exact time that there would be needs in the lives of those around us, and He knew that we would be strapped for resources - the resources with which we would normally help them. And yet we can still feel the tug of our heart telling us to do something. For some, it is tests for us to give when we don't see how we can possible give anything, while for others, it is perfectly planned and timed so that we're unable to give - we cannot bail them out of their predicament. It is these times that God is doing a work in both the person in need, and the person who is unable to give. For both people, it is a test of faith. And for both, it can also be a temptation from the enemy to doubt. But we must remember, God is always faithful, even when we are not.
If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself. 2 Timothy 2:13 (NKJV)
When we find that we are unable to give to the one in need, it is a time to trust in God and to remember that we are not God. What I mean by that is that we are not supposed to be everything to everyone - that is God's job alone. God doesn't need our help; He is just allowing us to be a part of His blessing to others. It is prideful to think that we are somehow the antidotes to another person's problem - this is a lie from the enemy. It is always God who supplies our needs. We should all find our "Hope" in God, and not in the resources of this world, or the help of a certain individual.
And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.Philippians 4:19 (NKJV)
I find that when I put my faith in "My" abilities to help others, I can fail miserably, and come crashing down when I don't have what it takes to help them. I can loose hope and it can cause me to become discouraged and distracted from the truth. I have found myself mad - mad at myself for not being a better steward of what I have been entrusted. I have even found myself even frustrated at God - wondering why He wouldn't help me to help someone else (talk about distortion of the truth). It was confusion on my part, because I was trying to play the role of God - even though I had told myself that I was simply trying to be the Christian that I thought He asked me to be.
I have found that those who have a strong passion for what they do can sometimes experience these types of moments. They can feel at times that not enough is being done, or that things aren't being done fast enough. Simply put, these are times where we are being overwhelmed because we see the vast needs, and we feel incapable of meeting those needs. But when we get frustrated, or anxious, then this can be a clear indicator that we are not resting in God's sovereignty, and we feel as though if we don't do it "Our" way, then it either won't get done right, or worse yet, won't get done at all.
Here me in this Christian, there are times when we need to get up and take steps in helping others - times of sacrifice; times of investing our resources, abilities and talents. There will even be times when we feel passionate about it, and I believe that this can be because God wants us to be involved. But first and foremost, we should be praying immediately, and continuously about their needs (See 1Thess 5:17), and allowing the Holy Spirit to lead us in every action. We need to thanking God for these times and not despising them.
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. 1Thessalonians 5:16-19 (NKJV)
Knowing that God has a perfect plan for every one of us should bring comfort, and peace. There is "Hope for every man," and that hope in God alone.
STUDY QUESTION: What can we learn about the tough times we face, and our Lord by the Scriptures contained within this devotional?
PERSONAL INVENTORY: Are you fully dependent upon God for EVERYTHING? Do you trust God's plan for your life?
APPLICATION: Don't try to be everything to everyone - let God do that. Ask God through prayer, to show you what He would want you to do. Now commit whatever He has given you to give. Have a peace about every aspect as you trust in Him.
I don't want to be God - I want to be used by God. I don't want to orchestrate anyone's life, including my own - I just want to be willing to be moved in the perfect direction by God's gentle hand, and to be used in the greatest way, and for the greatest benefit of the kingdom.
Such was my heart today after speaking via email with a friend of mine on behalf of the need of another brother in the Lord. My heart hurts when I see another Christian hurting, and yet I know that it is suppose to be that way.
And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. 1 Corinthians 12:26 (NKJV)
We all face various trials and tribulations, and we need to know that these trials are part of the shaping process that is required to mold us into the image of our Lord and Savior, Jesus. Still, it is hard for us to see others in such need, and feel as if we don't have anything to offer - at least in tangible assets.
I think that this is a part of God's master plan though - a plan that was well thought out before any of us was ever born. God knew the exact time that there would be needs in the lives of those around us, and He knew that we would be strapped for resources - the resources with which we would normally help them. And yet we can still feel the tug of our heart telling us to do something. For some, it is tests for us to give when we don't see how we can possible give anything, while for others, it is perfectly planned and timed so that we're unable to give - we cannot bail them out of their predicament. It is these times that God is doing a work in both the person in need, and the person who is unable to give. For both people, it is a test of faith. And for both, it can also be a temptation from the enemy to doubt. But we must remember, God is always faithful, even when we are not.
If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself. 2 Timothy 2:13 (NKJV)
When we find that we are unable to give to the one in need, it is a time to trust in God and to remember that we are not God. What I mean by that is that we are not supposed to be everything to everyone - that is God's job alone. God doesn't need our help; He is just allowing us to be a part of His blessing to others. It is prideful to think that we are somehow the antidotes to another person's problem - this is a lie from the enemy. It is always God who supplies our needs. We should all find our "Hope" in God, and not in the resources of this world, or the help of a certain individual.
And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.Philippians 4:19 (NKJV)
I find that when I put my faith in "My" abilities to help others, I can fail miserably, and come crashing down when I don't have what it takes to help them. I can loose hope and it can cause me to become discouraged and distracted from the truth. I have found myself mad - mad at myself for not being a better steward of what I have been entrusted. I have even found myself even frustrated at God - wondering why He wouldn't help me to help someone else (talk about distortion of the truth). It was confusion on my part, because I was trying to play the role of God - even though I had told myself that I was simply trying to be the Christian that I thought He asked me to be.
I have found that those who have a strong passion for what they do can sometimes experience these types of moments. They can feel at times that not enough is being done, or that things aren't being done fast enough. Simply put, these are times where we are being overwhelmed because we see the vast needs, and we feel incapable of meeting those needs. But when we get frustrated, or anxious, then this can be a clear indicator that we are not resting in God's sovereignty, and we feel as though if we don't do it "Our" way, then it either won't get done right, or worse yet, won't get done at all.
Here me in this Christian, there are times when we need to get up and take steps in helping others - times of sacrifice; times of investing our resources, abilities and talents. There will even be times when we feel passionate about it, and I believe that this can be because God wants us to be involved. But first and foremost, we should be praying immediately, and continuously about their needs (See 1Thess 5:17), and allowing the Holy Spirit to lead us in every action. We need to thanking God for these times and not despising them.
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. 1Thessalonians 5:16-19 (NKJV)
Knowing that God has a perfect plan for every one of us should bring comfort, and peace. There is "Hope for every man," and that hope in God alone.
STUDY QUESTION: What can we learn about the tough times we face, and our Lord by the Scriptures contained within this devotional?
PERSONAL INVENTORY: Are you fully dependent upon God for EVERYTHING? Do you trust God's plan for your life?
APPLICATION: Don't try to be everything to everyone - let God do that. Ask God through prayer, to show you what He would want you to do. Now commit whatever He has given you to give. Have a peace about every aspect as you trust in Him.
No comments:
Post a Comment