Word for Today, Tue, 17 Aug 2004: Dealing With Sudden Mishaps
Posted by: masinick <masinick@...>
Dear friends,
Today's devotional message comes from Larry Davies. Note that
Larry is OK now. The message still applies. I know that I have
learned to deal with disappointments and struggles through my own
mishaps - my own sin, failures at work and at home, lost jobs,
illnesses, and many other things. God is working in my life
right now as I continue to battle with discouragements and
financial struggles because of underemployment. It isn't easy,
but God does work in and through me. This message bears witness
to the same thing.
Have you found the same to be true in your own life? Make sure
you trust God and give Him the chance. We need not face extreme
hardship to trust God, but when we do face hardship, God is the
One we most certainly can trust.
Yours in Christ,
Brian
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Sowing Seeds of Faith...
I originally wrote the column below two years ago so I did not
break my wrist this year but I like the lesson in this message so
while I'm traveling this week, I thought you might appreciate
reading it but first I will share two emails. One is a comment
and the other a prayer need. Learn more about our unique email
prayer ministry and become one of over 8,000 prayer partners by
simply clicking here:
http://www.sowingseedsoffaith.com/sign-up.htm
-----Original Message-----
From: Skr1957@aol.com [mailto:Skr1957@aol.com]
I am so blessed to continue receiving your email/devotions with
the prayer requests in them. I feel blessed to lift up others
needs to the Lord and wait anxiously for them to respond with how
God came through for them. You knew exactly what you were doing
when you named your .com as Sowing Seeds of Faith, because that
is exactly what you have been doing all these years: Especially
this past year. God has really anointed you to do a mighty work
for Him. It shows in your writing. I just wanted to say thanks,
again and may God continue to bless you, so that you can continue
to bless others, for His Kingdom.
Name: Oleta, Address: WV
Comments: I have been a part of your prayer team for a long
time. I have never sent in a request before, but my husband's
family has been devastated over the diagnosis of his youngest
sister Elaine. She has been diagnosed with IV stage colon and
liver cancer. She has two small children, ages 10 and 11. Please
pray that God will heal her. I know he is able. Thank you and God
Bless you for helping us pray.
Sudden Mishaps Larry Davies
"Larry, why do you have a cast on your hand?"
I experimented with three possible explanations:
1. My wife did it. (They either don't believe me or say: "You
probably deserved it.")
2. My favorite football team has been losing lately. (You should
see the TV set!)
3. Attempting to catch a line drive on our church softball
team. (Shouldn't you use a glove?)
When I sheepishly admit to playing softball, I get two very
different reactions: Women look at me like I've lost my mind but
express sympathy for the injury. Men, on the other hand seek an
answer to two critical questions: "Did you still catch the ball?
Did your team win?" Unfortunately, it is "No" to both questions,
which makes me a wimp. Although, I did continue playing! Does
that help my manhood?
I try to laugh but wearing a cast is no fun. Driving, typing and
even taking a shower now become more difficult and
time-consuming. So, if my replies to your emails seem short, you
know why.
Who would have guessed that at my age, I would be wearing a cast?
Mishaps happen!
A few days later, while driving home, I noticed everyone moving
to the right lane because of a construction project ahead. The
left lane however, suddenly and miraculously cleared: A
completely open lane just for me. Wow! Who could resist? Like a
VIP, I serenely sliced through stalled traffic as a hot knife
through butter... until a car entering from a side street
suddenly moved directly in my path.
There was no time to think. I remember jerking the car to the
left and back to the right missing cars on both sides of the road
by mere inches. Everything happened so fast, I didn't even have a
chance to scream at the other driver. As the reality sunk in of
what almost occurred, I pulled over to the side of the road to
calm frayed nerves and utter a prayer of thanks to God for a
miracle. Mishaps happen!
So, the question is... How can God help us deal with those
inevitable, mishaps?
The Apostle Paul wrote to churches feeling the sting of
persecution. Overwhelmed and devastated they were pleading for
help. In other words, they were dealing with serious mishaps.
What could Paul write to ease their suffering and provide hope in
the midst of fear? The answer may surprise you.
"We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials for we
know that they are good for us-they help us learn to endure. And
endurance develops strength of character and character
strengthens our confident expectation of salvation. And this
expectation will not disappoint us. For we know how dearly God
loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our
hearts with his love." (Romans 5:3-5)
Rejoice while enduring mishaps? Are you crazy? Maybe... but I
found four crucial lessons that offer enduring hope:
1. Mishaps... can hit anyone and everyone from a potential fender
bender to a terrorist attack.
2. Mishaps... can actually be helpful because we develop
endurance. No pain... no gain.
3. Mishaps... strengthen our character as we endure. Our
endurance becomes our witness.
4. Mishaps... lead us to rely on God's Holy Spirit. Our faith
deepens. Our ministry broadens.
How many honors we receive... our accomplishments, our financial
rewards, our years of service don't matter near as much to God as
a tested faith strengthened and purified by struggle. In other
words, how we learn to cope with mishaps shapes our outlook on
life and defines our relationship with God. How we overcome
mishaps represents our witness to the outside world. For this,
we can be thankful.
Is it easy? Of course not! This is why you and I need a church
community to offer encouragement and help us pursue a deeper
relationship with God. So, today, I will rejoice my many mishaps
for lessons learned, character strengthened and for the
comforting presence of God's Holy Spirit. May my heart be filled
with God's love and grace. Now, if I can just learn to catch a
fly ball... with my glove this time.
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Jesus said: "You are the light of the world-like a city on a
mountain, glowing in the night for all to see. Don't hide your
light under a basket! Instead, put it on a stand and let it shine
for all." (Matthew 5:14-15)
"Breaking the Peanut Butter Habit: Following God's Recipe for a
Better Life" now on sale only through our
website. http://www.sowingseedsoffaith.com/peanbutt.htm
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Brian Masinick, mailto:masinick@yahoo.com
Home page: http://www.geocities.com/masinick/
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