Quote from Forum Archives on October 17, 2000, 12:03 pm

Posted by: masinick <masinick@...>

Dear friends,

I really encourage you to read this message from this young
Canadian. This is a genuine message about a heart change. My
friends, I know the song that Karen is referring to, and I really
enjoy that song. It is often my own personal prayer, "Change MY
Heart, O God". In other words, I am not nearly as concerned
about my circumstances changing as I am about MY ATTITUDE
changing --- for the better --- to consider whatever God's
purpose is for the events of the day around me, and to fit in to
that plan. I believe that plan is a good one (see Jeremiah
29:11), and I trust God completely (Proverbs 3:5-6).

My friends, regardless of what you may be enduring right now, I
urge you to consider what this young woman found out. Embrace
this kind of an attitude, and it may well improve your situation
dramatically. It may not change your circumstances, but it will
surely affect your attitude in a positive way, as it has mine.

Dear Lord, I offer this prayer to You today. Continue to change
my heart. Make my inner attitude toward You open. Grant me
patience, the ability to accept things that I do not necessarily
like, and allow You to work in my life. Where there are things
You want me to do, speak to me, inwardly, and bring them to my
attention. Help me to listen and respond to You as You cultivate
our relationship. Thank You for Your wonderful, understanding
love, in Jesus' Name. Amen.

Brother Brian

PCCWeb Daily

Tuesday, October 17, 2000

Today's Devotional

A Change Of Schedule And A Change Of Heart

Romans 8:28 - And we know that in all things God works for the
good of those who love him, who have been called according to his
purpose. (NIV)

Isaiah 26:3 - Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is
stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. (KJV)

During the summer, I thought I had my life all together for the
fall. I was tutoring three days after school, I had a greenhouse
job at which I could work whatever hours I wanted, and life
seemed all set.

When I got back from holidays I found out that there was a
classroom aide job at our Christian School that I could apply for
and did. The greenhouse job was postponed until February, and the
tutoring job wasn't going to happen! It all went from everything
I wanted to nothing, except with the possibility of an aide job.

I figured that I had a good chance at this job and the teacher
had specifically asked me if I would be interested. I was full of
hopes and plans. As time went on, I realized that I had peace
about everything that was happening. Peace is good, but I also
had feelings involved that would be shattered if I didn't get the
job.

Finally, I found out that a teacher had applied. My heart sank. I
knew that I wouldn't be getting the job. I was heavy-hearted and
shed a few tears.

My life seemed miserable, I realized that I had to stop feeling
depressed like that over a job. I remember that day very
clearly. I was painting the school's roof, crying, and at the
same time singing "Change My Heart, O God". When I got home from
school, I called a good friend and spilled out all of my problems
to her. She said she would pray that I would know without a doubt
what God wanted me to do.

The day before, my father, who turns 81 today and is the main
caregiver for my mother, fell and ruptured his Achilles
tendon. He needed surgery and he would be in a cast until
December. That evening, when I wasn't even thinking about it, I
suddenly knew what I was supposed to do -- without a doubt! I
was supposed to help my parents get through this difficult time,
by going there perhaps twice a week, to do shopping, cleaning
etc. I felt really good about that and realized that God really
had changed my heart! If I had had an aide job I wouldn't have
been able to help my parents at all. I would have felt
disappointed that I couldn't help them out. What a switch! When I
finally found out that I didn't get the aide job, I didn't feel
let down or depressed. I felt peace, because I already knew what
God wanted me to do.

I began, though, to feel discouraged about the fact that I seemed
to be a perpetual volunteer. Then I read the Daily devotional the
following morning, entitled Ironman Canada (1) These words were
included: "Not all of us have the same function in the great race
of life.... But it is a gospel principle that those who volunteer
along the sidelines ... are just as essential to the success of
the race as the ones who actually cross the finish line."

God knew that I would be feeling discouraged that day, and,
unknown to me, led my own brother to write about volunteers and
the blessings that they are to others! I wonder what God has in
store for me next?

God really does listen to us. He knows what's going to happen
next. He is in control of every aspect of our lives. If we find
ourselves having a struggle with our hearts, let us ask God to
change our hearts. He changed mine; He can change all our hearts!

Change my heart, O God, make it ever true.
Change my heart, O God, may I be like you.
You are the potter, I am the clay;
Mold me and make me, this is what I pray.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, we thank you for your
faithfulness. We thank you for taking care of us. Help
us to look to you for the next move, rather than
becoming caught up in our own feelings. Teach us to
count on You for every aspect of our lives. Be near to
us when we doubt and instead fill us with your
unending love and peace. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

Karen Knuff karen_knuff@telus.net
Maple Ridge, British Columbia, Canada

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