Are you a victim?

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Ball and chain

Ball and chain (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

God makes everything come out right; 
he puts victims back on their feet.
He showed Moses how he went about his work,
opened up his plans to all Israel.
God is sheer mercy and grace;
not easily angered, he’s rich in love.
He doesn’t endlessly nag and scold,
nor hold grudges forever.
He doesn’t treat us as our sins deserve,
nor pay us back in full for our wrongs. – portion of Psalm 103 The Message

There was a man down on his luck. It seemed like everything he attempted to do in life failed. He was a victim. However, looking back on past choices in life, it seemed like the perfect storm for failure. There may have been an event in his life where he was hurt. That would make him the victim in that instance, but not a forever victim.

Being a victim is a role that is taken on when someone or something affects their life. However, remaining in the role is a choice. If everything that happens in life goes through the mind file of victim, then there is a limitation on what can be done. However, breaking free from the victim chains and taking responsibility and making good choices will allow a person to truly blossom into the person they were meant to be.

God gives us what we need to do this. His grace and mercy cover our many bad choices. There may be consequences, but there is always love and redemption in Jesus.

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for picking me back up when I have fallen. Your love has carried me through many valleys, and I pray that the freedom you have given me will encourage another. Amen

Faith Tip: Have you taken on the role of victim for something that has happened long ago? It’s time to be free from that. Allow God to help you through the transition.

Complaining again?

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Photo of a typical refrigerator with its door ...

Photo of a typical refrigerator with its door open. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The whole Israelite community set out from Elim and came to the Desert of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after they had come out of Egypt. In the desert the whole community grumbled against Moses and Aaron. The Israelites said to them, “If only we had died by the Lord’s hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death.” – Exodus 16:1-3

“There’s nothing to eat.” How many times have we heard or thought that as we look for something to prepare for dinner? It’s not that the cupboards and refrigerator are bare, but just what we want to eat isn’t there, or perhaps the preparation feels like too much after a busy day. We complain about what we don’t have instead of seeing and appreciating what we do have.

I remember feeling like this a day before going grocery shopping. I felt like there was nothing to make for dinner, but when I really looked at what I had, I found rice, beans, frozen meat to be thawed and carrots and celery. It was plenty of items for a great meal using wonderful spices. It was a feast. I just needed to focus on what I had rather than didn’t have.

Our spiritual life can be like that, too. We journey through life thinking we don’t have enough and we need more to be happy and successful. That is not the message of God. He knows exactly what we need and provides it. If we concentrate on what we have in our life, we may be surprised of all the ways we are blessed.

Prayer: Forgive me, Lord, when I don’t acknowledge the blessings you have given me. I pray that I recognize them and keep focused on them so that I don’t fall into the complaining pit. Amen

Faith Tip: Make a list of the ways you are blessed and thank God for them.

What’s that burning over there?

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Moses before the Burning Bush

Moses before the Burning Bush (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush,“Moses! Moses!”

And Moses said, “Here I am.” – Exodus 3:4

For me, one of the good things that came out of having cancer was an awareness of the need of others who suffer. Being a part of the cancer community became a call to work in supporting others who are or have dealt with it. The cancer was my burning bush.

God sends many burning bushes to us throughout our life when he wants to get our attention to invite us to join him in his work. So many times, we are distracted by what’s going on around us that we sadly miss the large flaming shrub that should be so obvious to us.

Consider the burning bushes in your life that called you to action. How were you blessed? What did you learn about God and yourself? The important part of seeing a burning bush is our response. Like Moses, will we say “Here I am”?

Prayer: Lord, you are doing so many things at the same time that I can’t fully understand how you do that. I am so thankful for the burning bushes you place in my life knowing that you want me to join you in some work. I pray I may say, “Here I am, Lord.”

Faith Tip: Today, keep an eye open for a burning bush. God may be calling you for something special.

 

Sharing your story

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Writer's Stop

Writer’s Stop (Photo credit: Stephh922)

But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. – Genesis 50:19-20

The one thing I have noticed about networking with writers is that most of them have gone through a hard experience in life. Stories I have heard include depression, abuse, loss of loved one, suffering with health issues, and more. Many of these stories come out through their writing … both fiction and nonfiction. It’s difficult for the writer not to put themselves in their writing. That’s part of their voice.

The experiences we journey through have a purpose. God allows us to suffer for a reason. It may be to teach us something, to draw us closer to him, or to strengthen us for upcoming events. One reason we all have is to share in our suffering and tell of the goodness of God. Our stories are God’s stories. These need to be shared to encourage others who are on a similar journey.

Your story may be the cup of cool water someone needs to take one more step. Don’t minimize your story thinking it’s not important or dramatic enough to help anyone. Everyone has a story. Share it and see what God will do with it.

Prayer: Thank you, Jesus, for the story you have created in my life. I pray that I can share with others to encourage them to go on in faith. Amen

Faith Tip: Write down your story. It doesn’t have to be from birth through your whole life, but just a snippet of an event. Think of the possibilities of how God could use your story.

Big time wrestling

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Wrestler pose

Wrestler pose (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob’s hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man. Then the man said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.”

But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.”

The man asked him, “What is your name?”

“Jacob,” he answered.

Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.” – Genesis 32:24-28

I’m afraid I don’t understand the thrill of big time wresting on television. I watched it once, and it seemed so fake to me like staged entertainment of violence. I don’t get it. Would their awards be for best entertainer? I know there is skill in wrestling as it is a sporting event in schools, so how does it get from the actual sport to the media blitz of the WWE it has become?

Real wrestling, as in wrestling with God, has a great outcome. It’s tough to struggle with the spiritual issues we come across, but in the struggling we see God face-to-face. The wrestling in itself is a choice to bring God into the equation. As we struggle, we learn more about God and his ways which helps us come to the end of the struggle and see the issue as God sees it. That’s what it takes to be a champion.

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for allowing me to wrestle with you. I pray that I don’t run from this, but partake in it even though it is painful. There will be victory. Amen

Faith Tip: Is there a spiritual issue that is a constant nagging in your life? Allow yourself to wrestle with God about it. Be brave in working it through and discover how God sees it.

 

Why do you ….?

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Fernley, NV, January 12, 2008 -- At a Red Cros...

God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. – Hebrews 6:10

I often ask myself, “Why do I write?” “Why do I mentor?” “Why …” As I set priorities in my life and recognize the reason I do what I do, I am more likely to reach the goal set before me. I believe that my goal was ultimately set by God. From what the Bible says, I am important to him, my transformation is essential, our relationship is vital, and his kingdom is significant. Knowing what is important to God helps me to use my time in a manner honoring his goals for me.

We often think we are wasting time when we are working at something and don’t see improvement, or ministering to others and the same problems arise, but it’s not time used carelessly. God has a purpose for us to be where we are right now. The opportunities given to us to show love to others reflects the love we have for God. He will not forget this … ever.

Prayer: Dear Jesus, I pray that I can keep your goal clearly in front of me as I schedule my days. Thank you for allowing me to serve you. Amen

Faith Tip: What is it that God has for you today? Does it involve showing love to people? Consider it a joy.

Giving of yourself is worship

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Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. – Romans 12:1

Last night was a great celebration for the end of the school year with Kids Hope USA. The school we are partnered with as a church allows us to come in during school hours and mentor one-on-one with a student to build a relationship through helping them with schoolwork and having fun. My student is graduating the fifth grade this year. It’s always sad to say good-bye to students who move on to middle school, but I am always excited for them for the new opportunities they will experience. I need to give time and energy to build trusting relationships with children. I am willing to do that for I see God working mightily through the ministry.

Anything worth doing is going to cost. People are God’s number one concern, so being willing to sacrifice from our own schedule to help someone else will not be forgotten by God. In fact, it’s a beautiful way to worship the Lord.

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for the children you have put in my life to mentor. I lift each one of them up to you and pray they may walk in your light and build a relationship with you. Amen

Faith Tip: Have you considered mentoring children as a way to worship God? It is a blessing.