Quote from Forum Archives on May 6, 2002, 9:52 pm

Posted by: masinick <masinick@...>

Dear friends,

I'd like to pass on Phil Ware's Weekly Verses to you, for those who
find them useful. But before I do so, I'd also like to send you a
message that I found to be personally useful to me today. It came to
me right in the middle of a struggle - a searching, not only for
permanent work, but for what God wants me to do.

You see, I have been without a permanent job since the end of last
June - 2001. Since that time I've landed one or two freelance writing
contracts, and that has been it.

I have prayed about what God would like me to do and where He wants me
to go. I've even considered things like changing professions. I know
He wants me, in whatever choice I take, to do my work as if I were
actually doing it for Him - and that's something I take very
seriously. I've even wondered about a call into full time ministry.
But for me to accept any call, I must be sure that I am responded to
what God wants me to do, and not just doing something, either because
someone else wants me to do it, or because I'm out of options - I
really want to make my choice because I am responding to God's
leading.

All I'm getting right now is that I have plenty to work on, both deep
inside and in the life of my family. That call is crystal clear.

What about you? Do you ever do any soul searching? Not just because
you are job hunting, but because you honestly wonder what God wants
from you? Job or no job, I believe I'm on a lifelong journey with
Him, a journey that will last for all of eternity. So I'm coming to
the place where I can identify with what Paul is saying, though I'm
not sure I'm quite there - not sure I'd say I am "content". And you?

Your Brother in Christ,
Brian

Monday, May 6, 2002

Today's Devotional

Blooming Where We're Planted

Philippians 4:12-13 - I know what it is to be in need, and I know what
it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in
any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in
plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me
strength. (NIV)

Recently, on a warm, spring-like day, I stopped near a bridge to take
a picture of a small country village reflecting in the still water
below. Just before I returned to the car, a glimpse of yellow caught
my eye. Upon closer examination, I realized that it was a
daffodil. This flower was far away from any tended garden. It was
holding tenaciously to the sparse soil near a steep embankment. Around
it grew weeds. Caught in the weeds were samples of man's careless
garbage. I took a picture of the flower and headed back to the car.

Later, as I reflected on the picture, I was reminded of the daffodil's
courage and beauty. It would have been much easier for this flower to
bloom in a well-groomed garden, one that had proper soil, and was
sheltered from the harsh elements of man and nature. Instead, it had
bloomed where it was planted, bringing beauty to its austere
surroundings.

I believe God challenges us to be like this daffodil: to be content in
our surroundings, and to be so rooted and grounded in God that we can
grow and bloom in this world. Although we may be only one individual,
with God's help, we can make a difference wherever God has planted us.

Prayer: Lord, help us not to fret about our position in life. Instead
help us to reflect the beauty of your love in all of life's
circumstances. Amen.

Elaine Ingalls Hogg hugh.hogg@ns.sympatico.ca
Port Hawkesbury, Nova Scotia, Canada

Today's Canadian Bible Society Scripture Reading: Psalm 47:1-9
bible.gospelcom.net/bible?Psalm+47:1-9

---------------------------------------------

Reply-to: "Weekly Verses" <weeklyverses.UM.A.3.26557@lists.crosswalk.com>
Subject: Weekly Verses from Crosswalk.com: 5/6/02
Date: Mon, 6 May 2002 15:27:14 -0400

Weekly Verses
from Crosswalk.com
www.crosswalk.com
5/6/02

These verses are taken from TODAY'S VERSE, by Phil Ware
< devotionals.crosswalk.com/TodaysVerse >

~~~~~~~~~
MONDAY

I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will
stand upon the earth.

--Job 19:25
New International Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE...
Beyond what these words were first meant to convey, we know
today that our Redeemer will return as the Rider on the white
horse in triumph and victory. Hallelujah, what a day!

MY PRAYER...
Conquering King, Immortal God, I look forward to the day of
your ultimate triumph in our world. Until that day, I pray
that your Kingdom may be reflected in my church, my family and
my life. Through the Rider on the white horse, I pray. Amen.

~~~~~~~~~

TUESDAY

Speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into
him who is the Head, that is, Christ.

--Ephesians 4:15
New International Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE...
Speaking the truth is hard enough. You mean I have to do it
in love? Yes, if I am to be Christ's man or woman, I must
speak to others as he did.

MY PRAYER...
Father, forgive me for the bitterness in my heart and
unfairness on my lips. Through your Spirit, help me better use
my speech to bless others and glorify you. May I speak your
truth with your love today in all my conversations. Through
him who is Truth and Love I pray. Amen.

~~~~~~~~~

WEDNESDAY

Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone
who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he
rewards those who earnestly seek him.

--Hebrews 11:6
New International Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE...
I believe! I believe that God not only knows me, but cares
about me. I believe that God not only created the universe,
but he knows the number of hairs on my head. I believe that
God not only sent his Son to save the world, but that he's
sending him back to bring me home. What's more, I believe that
God is pleased by my belief.

MY PRAYER...
Almighty, Most Holy Lord, I thank you for your steadfast
love and enduring faithfulness. I thank you for your grace and
mercy. I thank you for your might and power. I thank you for
your awesome holiness. I thank you... for being you and
choosing to reveal yourself to mortals like me. Through Jesus,
your final Word, I pray. Amen.

~~~~~~~~~

THURSDAY

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we
ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we
know that he hears us - whatever we ask - we know that we have
what we asked of him.

--1 John 5:14-15
New International Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE...
Confidence before God. Through the presence of Jesus at the
Father's right hand and the intercession of the Holy Spirit, we
can have confidence and come boldly before the Creator of the
universe and know that he not only hears us, but also cares for
us. Wow, what an audience! Oh, and one final thing, he also
ACTS on what we ask.

MY PRAYER...
Abba Father, for the grace of your listening ear I thank you
more than words can say. Through the authority of Jesus, my
brother, and by the grace of your interceding Holy Spirit, I
offer you my thanks and love this day. Amen.

~~~~~~~~~

FRIDAY

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

--Romans 12:12
New International Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE...
Sometimes the key to survival is simply "setting our jaw"
and going on faithfully trusting that God is there helping us,
despite the outward circumstances. Choosing joy through hope
rather than despair, choosing patient endurance in times of
affliction, and choosing faithfulness in prayer are all
decisions of the will. We trust that God, who raised Jesus from
the dead, can also change our circumstances because he hears
our voice.

MY PRAYER...
Create in me, O Mighty God, a resolute and steadfast heart
so that I might persevere with joy no matter what the
difficulty. This I ask through your faithful Son. Amen.

~~~~~~~~~

SATURDAY

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves
and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then
will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will
heal their land.

--2 Chronicles 7:14
New International Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE...
Humility is not our culture's biggest asset or most desired
character quality. But humility is what is demanded -- not so
much because it's commanded (thought that would be enough), but
because we've earned it. Every year brings another wave of
major failures in morality, character, and spirituality.
Rather than progressing culturally, we find ourselves slipping.
Humility is earned! So let's be humble and call upon the
Lord!

MY PRAYER...
Holy and Almighty God, your deeds are awesome, your
faithfulness is overwhelming, and your mercy and grace are such
a blessing. Yet I come to you knowing that you hear me,
despite the incredible distance between you and I, between your
worth and holiness and my lack. I confess that I, and my
culture and country around me have made a mess of what you so
wonderfully blessed us with. I come humbly asking that you
reassert yourself in our nation in clearly recognizable ways.
I ask this in faith through Jesus. Amen.

~~~~~~~~~

SUNDAY

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer
and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God.
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will
guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

--Philippians 4:6-7
New International Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE...
God wants to hear our prayers, but to keep them from
becoming too self-focused, God wants us always to remember to
give thanks. It is so easy for us to turn prayer into a
request line. We are the ones who are left bereft when
thanksgiving and praise are robbed from our prayers.

MY PRAYER...
Gracious God, I have so many reasons to praise you. In the
face of trial and hardship I have your promises to reawaken my
hope. In the moment of victory I have you to thank for my
abilities. In the boredom of the routine, I have great joys in
your surprises. Thank you, God, for being so great and yet so
loving. In Jesus name. Amen.

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____________________________________________________________

=====
--
Brian Masinick, "The Mas", mailto:masinick@yahoo.com
Home page: www.geocities.com/masinick/

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