Good Morning Friends and Servants of the Lord Our God! Amen! Man, He loves you/us! He calls us by name and helps us to become more like Jesus and to do the things we are created to do--even repent of sins and wayward ways. He created us for such a time as this and has empowered us to fulfill His purposes. The question is are we ready to go, repentant and restored to be used, do we want to? Whoa! Hold on! Um maybe? We are the ones He has to go be His vessels and change the world. He has gathered us as His Good News Delivery Company where each of us, regardless of age or situation, has a role to play. Are we doing our part? Have we lost heart? Are we all in doing what we can with what we've been given? That's all He asks! That is your and our mission as we go live and love like Jesus. Help us Lord to see with your eyes, hear with your ears and respond with your heart and mind. Amen
Check out the thread through our devos and blogs below. What's God saying to you and what will you do about that? Who are your teammates? Go! Be Jesus and be part of changing the world and expanding His Kingdom. The world stinks...But God! Pronounce blessings and His Kingdom come and will to be done in prayer and then be part of the answer to that prayer. Amen!
Check out the thread through our devos and blogs and seek first His Kingdom, The GO! Be Jesus and a world-changer! Amen! God has something and someone for you --abide, pray, pronounce, prepare, partner up and GO! Amen
Bulgarian lifeguard Yane Petkov won a world record for swimming with his hands and feet tied together. He swam 3,380 meters through the water but added something to intensify the challenge—he wrapped his body in a sack.
The patience and strength required to keep moving despite being so “tied up” amazes me. The apostle Paul also displayed rugged resistance to obstacles as he served God in the days of the early church. Despite facing fatigue, hunger, sleeplessness, and beatings, Paul continued to preach and write letters of encouragement and instruction to his fellow believers.
Paul penned his last letter to Timothy when he was isolated in a Roman prison, awaiting execution. Although shackles restricted his body, he noted that the good news could not be “chained” (2 Timothy 2:9). “Therefore,” Paul said, “I endure everything” to give others the chance to hear and accept the truth about Jesus Christ (v. 10).
God can help us endure any kind of difficulty that stands in the way of serving Him. Physical limitations such as illness, injuries, and disabilities require care and attention, but they can’t ultimately surpass God’s power, which is made perfect in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). Let’s give God the glory when He works through us to do things we cannot do on our own.
By Jennifer Benson Schuldt
REFLECT & PRAY
What’s your greatest area of struggle as you consider serving God? How does He want to help you cope with the frustration that comes from your limitations?
Dear God, I lay down my pride and ask for Your help to bring glory to Your name.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
Paul felt abandoned (2 Timothy 1:15). His imprisonment would end in his execution, a prospect that makes his words to Timothy endearing: “You then, my son, be strong” (2:1). He employed three metaphors to encourage Timothy. The soldier maintains a disciplined focus to “please his commanding officer” (v. 4). The athlete competes “according to the rules” (v. 5). And the farmer “should be the first to receive a share of the crops” (v. 6). Amid tremendous personal hardship, the apostle wanted Timothy to know the struggle “for the gospel” (1:8) was worth it. As we face difficulties , God will help us endure whatever stands in the way of our service to Him.
UR: God's Unfailing Love
Paul wrote, I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. - Romans 8:38-39 (NRSVUE)
In 2013 when my contract with an international non-governmental organization ended, I was completely overwhelmed. I felt like I was sinking. The future looked bleak. I was approaching my fiftieth birthday with no job prospects. I even started doubting God’s love for me.
One day I was watching a Christian program on TV when the speaker mentioned Romans 8:38. The words of that verse filled a void that I was feeling. They provided an assurance that absolutely nothing could separate me from God’s love. At that moment, my mistaken thought that God didn’t care about my predicament changed. I knew God’s love for me was unchanging.
It gave me the courage to continue.
Even , over ten years later, when challenges come, this verse reminds me of God’s unshakable love and care. Whether I am facing life’s struggles, spiritual battles, or even death itself, God’s steadfast love for me is still unchanging.
's Prayer
Loving God, thank you for the assurance that nothing can ever separate us from your enduring love. Amen.
TWFYT
Connection Blog
- Embrace God’s Purpose
Jesus knew that He had been sent on purpose by His Father. That He lived on mission. He came to seek and save that which had been lost—the people that the Creator made in His image who had wandered from Him. Christ came to bring them back so their lives would worship and serve their King.
When Christ came to the most significant decision in His earthly life, He did not pray, “God, remove this from Me,” or, “Let me be comfortable,” or, “Save me from this pain.” As He faced the grueling prospect of the cross, the most effective prayer, the one that is always answered was this: "Father, glorify Your name."
God delights to answer this prayer and the results are stunning. This prayer, prayed from a humble, genuine heart, is the prayer that never fails.
Answer my cry, O Lord, in a way that will accomplish Your will, for Your will is good, acceptable, and perfect. If it is best for You then it is best for me and any others who may be affected by this prayer. Father, I want You to be magnified and seen in this circumstance. May all that happens ultimately glorify You!
Go Deeper
It’s often hard to pray when life is hard, but here are some powerful ways to give God glory through trials: 7 Ways to Pray in Difficult Time
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