Dear Reader,
Uncertainty. Life is filled with it. People ask - what will the future look like? Will my children succeed in life? Will I leave behind a legacy when God calls me home? Life is full of mysteries, questions about the future and the unknown. God is "working to a plan" and we don't always comprehend.
Solomon in the book of Ecclesiastes picks up on the this theme. In Chapter 3 starting with verse 10, Solomon writes, "I have seen the burden God has laid on men. He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men, yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end." According to these verses, God has set the concern of eternity in our hearts, an indication that we are all made with a desire for more than we know in this life.
The point of the book of Ecclesiastes in simple: "Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man (12:13)." God's work endures forever, and we as humans cannot add to or take away from it. But He has also given man glimpses into His mighty plan for us through the Bible. This is what I feel Solomon meant by God setting eternity in the hearts of man. We all have a desire to understand "the unknown." Through the Bible, God shows us the true meaning of life. This should direct our reverence back toward our Creator. Many people around the world, however, have yet to know their Creator and their Savior. This should drive us to our knees!
Friends, when you start feeling anxious and uncertain about what the future will hold, remember to turn to God's Word. Just as the Holy Spirit inspired the Biblical writers, He inspires and guides us in all life's circumstances. God continues to call us - and all mankind - to walk in His ways. Let's be part of God's grand divine plan for this world. At the same time, it is wonderful to realize that He is interested in all the smallest details of our lives. He knows the plans He has for us, plans to propser us and not to harm us, plans to give us hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11).
~Sara
6.08.2010
5.10.2010
Count your Blessings!
Dear Reader,
"Count your blessings! Do it now!" I remember the little magnet on my mother's refrigerator featuring a wise-looking owl, pointing his feathery wing as if he was looking directly at me. I always thought it was funny how the 'assertive' and the 'cute' balanced each other in the little creature. Aside from its humor, the magnet served its purpose - it reminded me often to count my blessings.
I need a reminder of what in my life are blessings straight from heaven. I felt convicted recently when I realized that I take for granted the gift of a car that works. God showed me that driving my car isn't a right that I am granted because I worked diligently for it. Rather it is a blessing from God who enabled me to purchase the car three years ago through my hard work. This is a different message than what we are taught by the world. In God's "upside-down Kingdom" we put the focus on God's glory and providence rather than in glorifying our own acts and deeds.
A stunning realization like the above tends to put life in perspective. James 1:17 reminds us that all good things come from above. Little things like unlimited boxes of tissues during allergy season or magnets on a refrigerator that hold reminders don't seem like big, God-type blessings. But if you believe that "every good and perfect gift is from above", we need to thank God for all our blessings, large or small.
I know this seems like basic Christianity 101. Counting blessing was taught in Sunday school, true. But I challenge you to truly meditate on God's abundant provision. What in life is a privilege from God that you could take for granted as an inherent human right?
~Sara
"Count your blessings! Do it now!" I remember the little magnet on my mother's refrigerator featuring a wise-looking owl, pointing his feathery wing as if he was looking directly at me. I always thought it was funny how the 'assertive' and the 'cute' balanced each other in the little creature. Aside from its humor, the magnet served its purpose - it reminded me often to count my blessings.
I need a reminder of what in my life are blessings straight from heaven. I felt convicted recently when I realized that I take for granted the gift of a car that works. God showed me that driving my car isn't a right that I am granted because I worked diligently for it. Rather it is a blessing from God who enabled me to purchase the car three years ago through my hard work. This is a different message than what we are taught by the world. In God's "upside-down Kingdom" we put the focus on God's glory and providence rather than in glorifying our own acts and deeds.
A stunning realization like the above tends to put life in perspective. James 1:17 reminds us that all good things come from above. Little things like unlimited boxes of tissues during allergy season or magnets on a refrigerator that hold reminders don't seem like big, God-type blessings. But if you believe that "every good and perfect gift is from above", we need to thank God for all our blessings, large or small.
I know this seems like basic Christianity 101. Counting blessing was taught in Sunday school, true. But I challenge you to truly meditate on God's abundant provision. What in life is a privilege from God that you could take for granted as an inherent human right?
~Sara
Humility and Power
Dear Reader,
Do you sometimes feel hesitant about praying for humility? I've heard many people say that they hesitate because they know God will give it to them - and that the process may be painful. Why is humility considered a negative thing? Wasn't Jesus himself the epitome of humility? Why would we hesitate to ask God for something that pleases Him?
Are we nervous about humility because we don't know what it looks like? I remember praying in the past for God to show me one real live, present-day example of humility. I wanted to see what it looked like in today's society. I wanted to see someone who was modest, virtuous and lowly. I thought if I saw a example and I liked it, then maybe I wouldn't be so hesitant to seek this character trait.
In American society today, individualism is revered sometimes more than God Himself. We often teach our children to cherish individual authority over the virtue of humility. Humility, in its true sense, is counter-cultural and is often looked down upon as "weakness." Jesus was, by no means, weak. He had within Him the power of the Holy Spirit - the same power that raised Him from the dead. So, as with Jesus, it must be possible to be humble and powerful at the same time!
A characteristic like humility is found repeatedly in the Bible. Jesus preached about it in his famous Sermon on the Mount series. Paul spoke highly of it as he described Jesus in Philippians 2. God requires humility in our relationship to Hm and to others around us; we need to plead for more of it!
I challenge you to be counter-cultural. Pray for the humility that comes only from God. He will provide this through the power of the Holy Spirit. Dare to be a shining example of humility in all you relationships, so that the world will see Christ in you.
~Sara
Do you sometimes feel hesitant about praying for humility? I've heard many people say that they hesitate because they know God will give it to them - and that the process may be painful. Why is humility considered a negative thing? Wasn't Jesus himself the epitome of humility? Why would we hesitate to ask God for something that pleases Him?
Are we nervous about humility because we don't know what it looks like? I remember praying in the past for God to show me one real live, present-day example of humility. I wanted to see what it looked like in today's society. I wanted to see someone who was modest, virtuous and lowly. I thought if I saw a example and I liked it, then maybe I wouldn't be so hesitant to seek this character trait.
In American society today, individualism is revered sometimes more than God Himself. We often teach our children to cherish individual authority over the virtue of humility. Humility, in its true sense, is counter-cultural and is often looked down upon as "weakness." Jesus was, by no means, weak. He had within Him the power of the Holy Spirit - the same power that raised Him from the dead. So, as with Jesus, it must be possible to be humble and powerful at the same time!
A characteristic like humility is found repeatedly in the Bible. Jesus preached about it in his famous Sermon on the Mount series. Paul spoke highly of it as he described Jesus in Philippians 2. God requires humility in our relationship to Hm and to others around us; we need to plead for more of it!
I challenge you to be counter-cultural. Pray for the humility that comes only from God. He will provide this through the power of the Holy Spirit. Dare to be a shining example of humility in all you relationships, so that the world will see Christ in you.
~Sara
3.04.2010
Point of Exhaustion = Success?
Dear Reader,
Recently, this verse in Philippians 4 has taken on a new meaning for me. I have been repeatedly amazed with how God has provided for me in desperate situations. Organizing a new missions conference (part of my job), with no previous experience, was a seemingly insurmountable task. However, I am confident that the conference's success was the work of God in me and not my own strength.
The center of God's will is a great place to be. In the last six months, I have been able to sit back and excitedly observe God working at my job. Daily confirmation of the hand of God occurred, giving me strength to go on. I must admit, there were times that I did not think it would be physically possible to continue when exhaustion set in.
I have read testimonies of persecuted Christian and studied the lives of the disciples and other Biblical greats who persevered in desperate situations. I remember being struck with Paul debating with himself - wanting to finish his task, yet longing to go home to be with the Lord. But God strengthened him to finish his task.
My confirmation of the truth "that we can do all thing through Christ" came through personal experience. Though most of us may never know the suffering of those persecuted around the world, we all have difficulties in our lives that drive us to the Cross. God is and always will be faithful to sustain us - stretching and molding us to be all He has created us to be.
Be assured, no matter what your current life challenge may be, that God knows what you are feeling - and He will give you the strength to carry on. Cling to His promise that we can do all thing through Christ who strengthens us!
~Sara
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Recently, this verse in Philippians 4 has taken on a new meaning for me. I have been repeatedly amazed with how God has provided for me in desperate situations. Organizing a new missions conference (part of my job), with no previous experience, was a seemingly insurmountable task. However, I am confident that the conference's success was the work of God in me and not my own strength.
The center of God's will is a great place to be. In the last six months, I have been able to sit back and excitedly observe God working at my job. Daily confirmation of the hand of God occurred, giving me strength to go on. I must admit, there were times that I did not think it would be physically possible to continue when exhaustion set in.
I have read testimonies of persecuted Christian and studied the lives of the disciples and other Biblical greats who persevered in desperate situations. I remember being struck with Paul debating with himself - wanting to finish his task, yet longing to go home to be with the Lord. But God strengthened him to finish his task.
My confirmation of the truth "that we can do all thing through Christ" came through personal experience. Though most of us may never know the suffering of those persecuted around the world, we all have difficulties in our lives that drive us to the Cross. God is and always will be faithful to sustain us - stretching and molding us to be all He has created us to be.
Be assured, no matter what your current life challenge may be, that God knows what you are feeling - and He will give you the strength to carry on. Cling to His promise that we can do all thing through Christ who strengthens us!
~Sara
1.20.2010
Be Still
Dear Reader,
A silent frost lies still on the frozen ground. All is quiet. A bird's wings flutter gently as he jumps from one evergreen branch to another. The icy grass crunches under foot of a tentative squirrel. Winter is here and the sun peaks between puffy clouds granting a degree or two of warm relief. Listen close and you may be able to hear the soft words, "Be still."
Jehovah works in mighty ways; sometimes in the midst of loud chaos and sometimes in the silent tranquility of life. The verse, "Be still and know that I am God" seems like it is written on the face of nature's winter. In the stillness, God's voice in heard by those who faithfully listen.
The Lord often commands us to be still and know that He is God. Psalms 37:7 reads, "Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act. Don't worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes." Psalms 46:10 says, "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." Zechariah 2:13 says, "Be still before the Lord, all mankind, because He has roused Himself from His holy dwelling." Mark 4:39 reads, "He [Jesus] got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, 'Quiet! Be still!' Then the wind died down and it was completely calm."
The power of these words is evident through the Bible. It is a command given by God to nations, individuals, leaders and nature. It suggests the right heart attitude when approaching the throne of God. Don't take this command lightly, for He promises to listen and act.
We all are struggling to be heard. We cry out "Lord, hear our prayer!" Friends, know that He faithfully listens to those who love Him. I encourage you to faithfully listen to God in stillness. Observe the stillness of nature in this cold month and see how it waits for God to act. God vibrantly renews nature in His timing every spring - will He not do the same for us? Be still, and know that HE is GOD!
~Sara
A silent frost lies still on the frozen ground. All is quiet. A bird's wings flutter gently as he jumps from one evergreen branch to another. The icy grass crunches under foot of a tentative squirrel. Winter is here and the sun peaks between puffy clouds granting a degree or two of warm relief. Listen close and you may be able to hear the soft words, "Be still."
Jehovah works in mighty ways; sometimes in the midst of loud chaos and sometimes in the silent tranquility of life. The verse, "Be still and know that I am God" seems like it is written on the face of nature's winter. In the stillness, God's voice in heard by those who faithfully listen.
The Lord often commands us to be still and know that He is God. Psalms 37:7 reads, "Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act. Don't worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes." Psalms 46:10 says, "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." Zechariah 2:13 says, "Be still before the Lord, all mankind, because He has roused Himself from His holy dwelling." Mark 4:39 reads, "He [Jesus] got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, 'Quiet! Be still!' Then the wind died down and it was completely calm."
The power of these words is evident through the Bible. It is a command given by God to nations, individuals, leaders and nature. It suggests the right heart attitude when approaching the throne of God. Don't take this command lightly, for He promises to listen and act.
We all are struggling to be heard. We cry out "Lord, hear our prayer!" Friends, know that He faithfully listens to those who love Him. I encourage you to faithfully listen to God in stillness. Observe the stillness of nature in this cold month and see how it waits for God to act. God vibrantly renews nature in His timing every spring - will He not do the same for us? Be still, and know that HE is GOD!
~Sara
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