From Was, To Is, Because of His
Sunday’s Monday
I have experienced a true life’s lesson this week, that has brought my heart to tears of great joy. I celebrated my birthday this week (69) and in doing so I raised money for St. Jude Children’s Hospital (via FB) and through the kindness of friend’s relatives and neighbor’s the goal was met. Praise God! I received a nomination through Meals on Wheels for the United Way Giving From the Heart Award and was selected to receive it. Had an old friend to connect with me through Facebook that I hadn’t heard from in over 30 years. Our granddaughter announced that they are expecting our second great grandchild in May. Thank you, God for your protection, provision and “perseverance!”
Once again God has changed what I had in mind for this week. I have already prepared installment number 3 for this week’s From Was, To Is, Because of His but God has brought so much into my life in the past seven days that it had to be changed. As I hear in my mind what God wants said, I face a battle that I fight daily when I speak of the goodness of God. “It’s not about me”, I’m not trying to be anything other than what God created me to be. I am merely the instrument which God has called to this particular task. The bible tells me in Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV), 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. The very thought of this terrifies me because I can remember as a new Christian what a mess I made, trying to save the world with the knowledge of a grape. I was a babe that knew a couple of bible stories, John 3:16 (NIV), For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life, and that was pretty much it. I soon became discouraged and confronted God with my dilemma, I angrily asked what is wrong with me that you don’t show up, when I’m knocking on doors, for your sake. Wrong question! I felt God tell me pretty, quick, that nothing I do is for His sake. It is for my sake that He went to the stake and only because He loves me that I was chosen. Which brought up the question, chosen for what? If I can’t save the world, what else is there? What is a Christian supposed to do? Hebrews 13:16 (NIV), And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. That set off a fire storm of me pleasing God through doing good and sharing. However, I found it a lot harder that I had dreamed because it wasn’t natural to my selfish flesh. So, I asked God for help and He sent me to Joe Dillard, who had made this verse his life style. “Thank you, Lord!” I soon grasped the truth in Ephesians 2:10 (NIV), For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. I ask God, what Good works He had prepared for me and “they have never stopped coming.” As well, I have never been happier! I have a verse that I like to read from time to time to remind me of the way God would like to see me, Hebrews 4:12 (NIV), For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. “Alive and Active” are my favorite words, because that is who God created me to be. I am because that is who God created me to be and I have grown to love it! As Joe Dillard has preached to me for years, leave everything, everyplace and everyone better than you found it and I try my best to do just that. I thank God for leading me to the people who believe and live, Hebrews 10:24-25 (NIV), 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. This is the heart cry of Brother Night, a fantastic group of Christian men dedicated to encouraging, enlightening and loving each other with the wisdom and heart of Jesus. I have more than I’ll ever realize here, to be for! Thank you, Jesus! I Praise your holy name!
HAVE A BLESSED WEEK BY BEING A BLESSING TO OTHERS!
COMMENTS WELCOME…pal249@hotmail.com…11/18/2018