The Blessing of Stability (Week 6 Intro)

"In Him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in Him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of His glory." (Eph 1:13-14)

The Father's faithfulness to us is especially hard to comprehend for those of us who did not grow up in a stable home. The staggering statistics reveal an increasing number of children whose fathers are absent. It becomes all the more important, then, to know that God our Father keeps His promises and that His plans never change. He is speaking to you when He says, "I will never abandon you! I will never send you away! I will always be there for you!"

You are talented (Week 5, Day 5)

"What is your talent?" Sarah Beth asked, notebook at the ready. Tonight Camp Joy was holding its talent show and each special needs camper was expected to participate. What struck me about Sarah Beth's question was her conviction that each camper, no matter how handicapped, had a God-given talent to share. One camper sang "Jesus Loves Me," while another's talent was to rock in a rocking chair. My personal favorite was the camper who decided to pick flowers from the hotel's landscaping. His talent was to let everyone smell them. Their joy in being who God had made them to be was so contagious, and each camper received great applause. 

The Bible makes it clear that everyone has at least one talent (Matt 25:13-40).

·       How would you answer if someone asked you what your talents are? If you are unsure, ask someone who knows you well.

                                                                                                                       

                                                                                                                       

·       Where do these abilities come from? (John 3:27)

                                                                                                                        

·       Why do we have these talents? (See week 5 Day 4)

                                                                                                                        

·       How will you use your talent(s) for His glory?

                                                                                                                         

                                                                                                                         

                                                                                                                         

"Present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship." (Romans 12:1 ESV)

You will do well in life! (Week 5, Day 4)

This morning at 6:30,  David, my 5-year-old, was already thinking up a storm. While playfully moving his toy animal along his mug of hot chocolate, he threw me a tough one: "Why did God make dinosaurs that are so big and dangerous?" Trying to squeeze God's creativity, might, sovereignty and  wisdom into a child's vocabulary, I suddenly realized that David knew the answer already. Remembering last night's catechism practice, I asked him, "Why did God make you and all things?" A wide smile spread over David's face as he replied: "For His own glory!" Yes, often the simple answers are the most satisfactory. David's reply not only helped him understand the world around him, it is also having a great impact on my day. Everything I look at, God created for His own glory. We will we be able to receive the blessing we long to hear, namely: "You will do well in life!", only when we realize that our purpose is to bring God glory.

On a recent trip to town, my 8-year-old daughter, Toria, sat beside me, happily drawing a picture. Her silence was interspersed with questions about heaven, the theme of her art work: "Mom, are there castles in heaven? How about dogs? Will we share things?"
That last question caught me off guard. Of course, in heaven, we can share smiles, songs and stories of what God has done, but the kind of sacrificial love, demonstrated through giving to the point of suffering loss, will be impossible in a place where there is no want. Only here on earth can we forgo sleep to take care of a sick child, or food to see someone else filled, or warmth by giving our jacket to provide someone else comfort.

Christ has demonstrated this love to us by leaving the glory of heaven to live a life of poverty and suffering. He demonstrated it even more by giving His life to save ours. We could not understand even a glimpse of this kind of love if we had we been born in a perfect world. Only here do we have the privilege of following in His steps, giving sacrificially as an act of worship to Him.

·       What is your calling according to Romans 12:1?

                                                                                                                  

·       Over the coming week, write how you put this into practice.

                                                                                                                   

                                                                                                                   

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You can be courageous! Week 5, Day 3)

Paul, my 12-year-old, seems naturally courageous. He is athletic, handsome, intelligent – and fearless. I am not. I was the kid who hid under her mom's skirt when anyone approached, stranger or not. I would miss out on a lot of things because I was too timid to speak up. It might surprise you, then, to learn that my son's popularity is very concerning to me. His success in whatever he does could cause him to miss out on what really matters. Being oblivious of his own weaknesses will keep him from recognizing what God has prepared for him. Even when it didn’t feel pleasant at the time, I am grateful to God for guiding me to places of struggle and allowing me to be broken over 

                                                                                                                 

my own sinfulness,
my human frailty,
my lack of wisdom,
my past losses and hurts,
my present hardships, and
my worries about the future.

Brokenness is one of God’s most powerful tools. He uses our struggles to teach us that we can do nothing without Him (John 15:5), but all things through Him (Phil 4:13). He provides strength for the weary (Isaiah 40:31) and comfort for those who mourn (2 Cor. 1:4). When we reach the end of ourselves, we can hear the Lord whisper in our ears: "Be strong and courageous" (Deut. 31:6). This is not just an empty command. The Father enables us to do what He has called us to (Phil 2:13). Knowing our brokenness and bringing our broken hearts to God opens the door to finding strength in Him. True courage originates where we realize that His grace is sufficient for us. "For His power is made perfect in our weakness. That is why I am content in weakness,… For when I am weak, then I am strong" (2 Cor. 12:9+10).

·       2 Corinthians 2:3 and Psalm 34:18 describe God's heart towards the hurting. Read these passages and describe His character.

                                                                                                       

                                                                                                       

                                                                                                       

·       Which of the points of struggle mentioned in today's devotion are areas of weakness for you right now?

                                                                                                          

                                                                                                          

·       God the Father wants to use these things to teach you to depend on Him. He wants to make you courageous. Use the space below to write a prayer to the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort to make His power perfect in your weakness.

                                                                                                            

                                                                                                            

                                                                                                            

                                                                                                            

                                                                                                            

I care for you completely (Week 5, Day 2)

After graduating from high school, I felt called to spend a year in Uzbekistan. All summer long I worked as a nanny in order to purchase my plane ticket. The next hurdle was coming up with the funds I needed for living expenses. I had never heard of the concept of support-raising. The day before my departure, I was still penniless. This was a Sunday. On my way to church, I poured my heart out to the Lord: "Father, you know that I am supposed to have $75 for each month in Uzbekistan. You have brought me this far; please show me where to get $900." After the service I positioned myself at the exit in order to say goodbye to my beloved church family. As they filed past to give me hugs, many also unexpectedly pressed money into my hands. This body of believers truly sought to support me in any way they could. Not until I was back in my apartment did I count all that I had received. It was exactly $900! God came through in the last minute. I understood that God had made me wait in order to teach me to trust Him. From this, I jumped to the conclusion that God always waits until the last moment to answer prayers.

Fast forward six years. By then I was living in Aberdeen, Scotland, and was preparing to fly home to Germany. This time I didn’t lack money, but my passport, which was held up by the British Immigration Center in London. I was so sure of my "Last-Minute-God" that it came as a complete shock when my passport did not arrive until four weeks after the scheduled departure date. "What is up with that?" I questioned God in confusion, while having to buy a whole new ticket. "Why did You not come through this time?"

A month late, according to my schedule, I finally arrived in Berlin on the exact day that my grandmother passed away. God had planned this all along so I could be there for my mother when she really needed me. I learned that God is not a "Last-Minute-God," but He has his own time schedule and He does things at just the right time.

·       What did God do at just the right time according to Galatians 4:4?

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·       Our Father God goes way beyond meeting our needs. He is so generous! What does He want to give us according to Romans 8:32?

                                                                                                         

As I am writing these lines, my oldest kids are at camp. I had so much fun putting together little care packages for them. Not because they needed anything, but just because...   If we who are sinful are like this, how much more does God want to show his generosity towards us?

·       Read Matthew 7:9-11. Look for specific ways in which God shows His kindness towards you. List them below and thank Him for them.

                                                                                                           

                                                                                                            

                                                                                                            

                                                                                                            

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I want you to share in everything I own. (Week 5, Day 1)

When life gets the best of me, my first response is to find solace in a chocolate bar. And oh, the desolation when supplies run low! I sometimes rummage through the entire house hoping to find a forgotten morsel. How silly and senseless of me to seek comfort in food, rather than in Christ! During the past month, I have chosen to forgo chocolate in hopes of learning to run to Jesus when times get tough. It has not been easy to change old habits, but it has helped me to realize that I am only skimming the surface of what Jesus really desires me to surrender.

·       Read Matthew 13:44-47. What does God expect us to give up for the sake of receiving God's kingdom?

                                                                                                                      

One thing must be clear: when God wants us to give up everything, he is neither greedy for our possessions, nor does He desire us to suffer want. On the contrary! He wants what is best for us and He is able to fulfill His promises. Therefore Jesus is asking:

Will you abandon your striving to earn God's favor
so that I can shower you with loving-kindness and compassion?

Will you stop wrapping yourself in unforgiveness, bitterness and vengeful thoughts
so that I can enable you to love Me and others through experiencing My forgiveness and love?

Will you give up your desire to make a name for yourself
so that you may experience the beauty of following the plans and talents I have prepared for you?

Will you choose not to concern yourself with pleasing others
so that you may know the comfort of belonging to the One who desires you?

Will you cease to be anxious about your daily needs
so that you may know the peace which comes from trusting in My provision?

Will you submit to My will in your marriage
so that I may show you the riches of My counsel?

Will you surrender your control over your children
so that you may rest in the assurance that I love them even more than you do and am able to do far more than you could ask or imagine?

Jesus knows that the things we hold so dear are just emptiness and filth, and yet we grasp them so tightly. He wants us to loosen our grip on our false wealth so that we may embrace Him instead. The only true treasures come from Him. It is up to us to surrender our ashes for the beauty Christ has for us.
And that is so much better than chocolate!

·       What are specific things that God is asking you to lay down in order to experience His kingdom in your life? Write down a prayer of surrender.

                                                                                                        

                                                                                                         

                                                                                                         

                                                                                                         

                                                                                                         

The Blessing of Provision (Week 5 Intro)

"In Him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of His glory." (Eph. 1:11-12)

Sometimes it is hard for us to believe that our Heavenly Father wants to take care of us completely. He challenges us to look at the flowers in their beautiful attire and at the birds with their worry-free nature (Matt. 6:26-32). Instead of worrying about life, God wants us to look to Him for everything we need. This week, hear the Father's blessing as He speaks over you: "I want you to share in everything I own! I care for you completely! You can be courageous! You will do well in life! You are talented!"