Last Thursday, I found a penny in the parking lot at Walmart.  It was laying at the corner of my car in a spot where I had to walk right by it, to get to my door.  Big deal, right?  It's not unusual to find coins on a parking lot.  

What made this different?

That morning, as I drove to Walmart before I going to work, I had prayed, thanking God for all He has done for me – His Provision, Protection, Salvation, Rescuing, Comforting, His carrying me thru tough times...and I thanked Him especially for putting pennies in uncommon places, as a reminder to me that I can trust Him.  I told God that I knew some people might think I’m crazy for thinking the pennies I find are from Him, but I know they are.  Too many times I’ve found a penny at just the right moment, when I really needed to be reminded that He is with me.

When I found that penny Thursday morning, just after my prayer of gratitude, I knew, once again, He was very clearly showing me how much I’m loved and that He sees me, and He cares about what concerns me.  Wow!  What did I ever do to deserve that? Not one thing. It's just that I am His daughter and He loves me.

When I got to  work, I was so excited, I needed to tell someone, so I picked my friend, Tina.  She gets the penny thing because God uses pennies for her, too.  We celebrated His goodness and then tried to go back to work.

Well, yesterday, Thursday February 1st, I had an issue on one my files and was feeling a little frustrated.  So, I stopped, and picked up this little paperback devotional book that Tina had shared with me.  I flipped it open randomly,  and it opened to a devotional about Growing Gratitude.  I read the first paragraph –

Would you like to cultivate a greater sense of gratitude?  George Herbert, a seventeenth-century British poet, encourages readers toward that goal in his poem “Gratefulness”.

“Thou that hast given so much to me, give one thing more: a grateful heart.”

I immediately, stopped and thought about how much God has always blessed me. In that moment, I sat at my desk, 68 years old, feeling healthy and strong.  My mind is clear, I really have no aches or pains,  and I am physically and mentally able to work every day.  I realized what a blessing my good health has been, because not everyone is given that particular blessing.  

I showed Tina the quote from George Herbert and thanked her for leaving that little booklet for me to pick up.  

Fast forward an hour … I went to the restroom, and as I started to enter one of the stalls, there on the floor were 3 pennies and a dime.

I couldn’t believe it!  I had just acknowledge how much God  has blessed me, and then He gave me a little hug – three hugs actually,  and I didn’t know what the dime was about, but hey, I’ll take anything He gives me.

I rushed back to Tina and dragged her into the restroom to see my "message from God".  We looked at the coins on the floor and laughed, but then, here is the best part!  Tina told me that after I had shared my Walmart penny story, she was driving to work and praying.  As she talked to God, she said, "Lord, You gave Carol that penny to let her know You heard her prayer.  Would You give me a dime?”   Oh my goodness!

The dime was for my friend, Tina.  We could hardly contain ourselves!

What I have taken away from these two penny stories is God wants me to have a heart of Gratitude.  He wants me to acknowledge what all He does for me every day.  Not because he needs to hear it, but because I need to remember that all good things come from Him.  And practicing Gratitude is an act of worship.  

I may be on my deathbed tomorrow, but today, I’m healthy.  Thank You, Father!  Each moment is a gift from Him.  He puts up with my ignoring Him and my  taking everything He gives me without ever saying, thank You, Father, I know that was You!  Thank You!”  How long does it take to acknowledge how good He is in every circumstance we face?  He bails us out of life struggles, and we don’t even realize it is Him. Or maybe, He reminds us with a penny on the floor, that He is always with us and faithful, so faithful.

One of my favorite verses (I have many) reminds me  that I have a loving Father who stoops down to help me walk, He picks me up when I fall.  He never makes me feel unloved even when I don’t act very lovable. As a mom, I understand that kind of patience and love for my children, but His love is so much deeper than even that love I feel for my family.  

 Hosea 11:3 New Living Translation (NLT)

“When Israel was a child, I loved him,
    and I called my son out of Egypt.
² But the more I called to him,
    the farther he moved from me,
offering sacrifices to the images of Baal
    and burning incense to idols.
³ I myself taught Israel how to walk,
    leading him along by the hand.
But he doesn’t know or even care
    that it was I who took care of him.
⁴ I led Israel along
    with my ropes of kindness and love.
I lifted the yoke from his neck,
    and I myself stooped to feed him.

What a beautiful picture of a Father with his willful, selfish children.  Amazing love, we can't even begin to comprehend.

  I want to have a grateful heart so that I never forget that it was and is God who carries me thru the good times, and the not so good times.  And although it is much easier to see the "good things" as blessings,  He tells us to be thankful in ALL things.  I don't want anyone who is struggling with health issues, or family problems, to think, even for a moment, that God isn't blessing them, just as He is blessing me.  Sometimes the greatest blessings are life struggles that draw us closer to Him, or become a tool that we can use to testify to others about His faithfulness.  I have seen the most powerful witnesses for Christ in  my dear friends who are struggling with health issues.  Their faith strengthens my faith.  Some of our most godly forefathers were blessed with terrible struggles - they testified until the end of their lives.  And we remember their faithfulness thru those struggles.  They knew Jesus, and they trusted His love thru every lash, every stoning, even until death. God loved those people and He loves us. If He allows a struggle in our lives, as He did with our forefathers, and He most certainly will at one point or another, we can trust that He has purpose for that struggle that will outweigh the pain, the moment you step into His Presence.  We have no idea what He has planned for us, but He shows us His great love every day, if we just look for it. We can trust that Love, and know that love will carry us thru any struggle.

In all things, give thanks.

"Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness." Colossians 2:7

"And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful." Colossians 3:15

"Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” Colossians 4:2

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” James 1:17

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." Philippians 4:6

"Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.” Psalm 103:1-5

"Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 1 Thessalonians 5:18

"Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!” Psalm 107:1

"Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,” Ephesians 5:20

Coram Deo

Pure and Undefiled Religion

I received an email this morning from my friend, Oscar, who along with his precious wife and helper, Emma, care for several orphans along with their own 3 children. They also provide when they can to other children in their village who have very little due to the health of their parent or guardian. Sometimes all these children really have is a roof over their heads, but they have Oscar and Emma, and he does not turn a blind eye to their needs. Even when he has so little for the 12 orphans for whom hw cares, he still shares with the other children and some widows who are also living in desperate circumstances.

The Happy Choice compound has been transformed over the last few years. God has invited some of His children to be part of this work in a little village outside Kisumu in Kenya. Because God is faithful to provide, they now have a new hostel with bunk beds and blankets and mattresses, a new kitchen, a new latrine, water piped in from Kisumu and now electricity! Who would have ever believed that this was possible? Not me, I'm afraid. I didn't have that kind of understanding and faith. I do now. Praise God!

I am continually amazed at how God touches hearts for the children in this small villlage. How Oscar and Emma walk by faith, believing that God can do anything. And once again, He has provided through His children, electricity to the compound!

Our women's class is doing a study of James (which, by the way, I highly recommend.) and the lesson I did this morning was on pure and undefiled religion - "to care for the widows and orphans"... The prayers and financial support that is given by "well wishers", as Oscar calls them, is "pure and undefiled religion" - showing love and concern for those who cannot provide for themselves; loving our neighbor with actions instead of just empty words.

James asks the question: "Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom He promised those who love Him?" James 2:4

Oscar and Emma are rich in faith and it is clear that they love the Lord with all their hearts. When we help them, we are doing exactly what God has called us to do.

Sometimes it feels like what little I can do doesn't matter. There is always a need to be met that I personally cannot meet. I can only imagine how Oscar and Emma feel when they are confronted with with no food for the children, but they don't choose to do nothing, just because they cannot do much. They do what they can and trust God to provide. After all, He fed 5000 men with 2 loaves and 5 fish. I sometimes forget that.

James, the half-brother of Jesus, hits hard on this point of caring for those who cannot care for themselves.

James 2:14-17

What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead."

God keeps reminding me to do what I can do. He doesn't require that I do what I am unable to do, just that I do what I can. This is how we show our love to God; we care for his people who are hurting.

I'm reminded of Lazarus and the rich man. The rich man had everything on earth and apparently couldn't even "see" Lazarus as he sat outside his gate, hungry and and in need of basic necessities.

But God saw Lazarus.

When they both died, Lazarus became the rich man and the rich man was in torment, begging for the salvation of his brothers who were still alive, but it was too late.

---------------

Oh, Lord, help me not get so caught up in my "wants and needs" that I fail to do what I can do to help those with less. Help me to do whatever I can do, no matter how insignificant it may seem.

In the Bible, You told us of the widow who gave all she had, and even though it was next to nothing, You honored her and even gave her a place in Holy Scripture - because she gave even more than she had. How will I ever be able to stand with those believers who are so self-sacrificing? Those precious believers like Oscar and Emma? Bless them, Lord, with riches greater than we could ever imagine! I sit at their feet, humbled by their love for others and their complete faith in You. I'm so thankful to know them, and I'm so thankful that Christ wraps me in His righteous as I stand before You, Father. Change my heart, make me more aware of the suffering around me instead of my focusing on my own little struggles. All Glory and Honor and Praise to You, because You alone are worthy to be praised! In the precious name of Jesus, our Savior, I pray. May Your perfect will be done. Amen.

October 11, 2013

Devotional – For God so loved the world

He loves each one of us, as if there were only one of us."

                                            — St. Augustine of Hippo
--

John 3:16 NLT

¹⁶ “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

I don't love anyone enough to give one of my children or grandchildren to save another's life. I just don't.

It's such a hard concept to imagine that God loves us sinners enough to allow His precious, perfect Son to come to earth knowing what He would endure: the ridicule, the beatings, the betrayals, the hate, the horrific death... but God chose to show His love for us through this sacrifice we can't comprehend.

HE LOVES US! The Creator of the Universe stepped down from Heaven with all it's glory, so that He could become our personal Savior; not just Almighty God who speaks and we tremble in awe and fear, but as our big Brother who would ultimately die in our place.

God wants us to know how very much He cares. He is not a distant God, but One who not only came to earth to live as a man enduring incredibly difficult circumstances, but our Savior sent His very Spirit to live in us.

The Holy Spirit of God knows our every struggle, battle, temptation, hurt, pain, everything about us. He is with us in those moments when no one understands the agony we're facing. HE understands because He is there! I think of all things I do or think or say through the course of any day that must offend Him and break His heart. Even so, He stays with me, prompting me to remember how much I'm loved. That love demands my mind, my heart, my body and soul. I'm compelled by this unexplainable love to live for Him, because He died for me.

God allowed His Son to suffer a life of pain and disappointment. Does that mean He didn't love His Son? No. It means He had a loving purpose far greater than the suffering. Through the suffering of His Son, the whole world could be saved and have the opportunity to spend Eternity with our Everlasting God. Was His suffering justified for such a great purpose? Jesus was willing to pay the price and He trusted His Father through the suffering because He believed the pain was worth it.

When I read the bible I see so many times when God allowed His children to suffer, but each time there was a purpose far greater than the suffering. What suffering could we not endure if it meant even one person might find Christ and be saved from Hell?

Wednesday night, in our Beth Moore study of James, she said something that grabbed my heart. I hope these words can translate the same intensity on paper as I felt when she said them:

"Do you not know how much God loves you? Do you think He doesn't love you enough to remove you from the pain you are facing right now if there was not a purpose much greater than the pain?"

As a parent, the only way I could watch my child hurt was if that hurt was the only way to healing. Watching a doctor realign a broken arm so it heals properly, holding the hand of a child as they receive painful fbut necessary treatment, I could stand by and allow that kind of pain, because I know the good it serves, and I know what might happen if I don't allow the pain. And that's exactly what my Father does. He allows pain and suffering when the pain and suffering is overshadowed by the good that can be accomplished through it.

 One of my daddy's favorite passages in the Bible (mine too) is in Genesis. Joseph is second in command over all Egypt. He's come through incredible struggles: his brothers hated him and were willing to let him die in a cistern, but then decided to make a little cash off their little brother. They sold him to slave traders who sold him to man who had a wife with a wandering eye. Joseph was the best slave he could be, but when he refused Mrs. Potipher's wiles, she falsely accused him of betraying his master Potiphar. He was thrown into jail where he was a model prisoner. After years in prison for a crime he did not commit, finally, he was called to appear before Pharaoh. There was a purpose for the suffering.

 God allowed every painful, unfair event in Joseph's life. Why?

 Pharaoh would make Joseph his right hand man and put him in charge of everything. Joseph's suffering had prepared him for this very moment, for this purpose. Joseph saved Egypt from the famine that came. He saved surrounding countries that came to Egypt to buy food. He saved his own family, his father Jacob and his 12 brothers.

When the brothers came to buy food from Egypt, they had idea that it was their little brother who sat before them as they asked for food. Joseph knew them right away and he felt love towards these unworthy brothers. When they finally realized who he was, they were afraid for their lives. But Joseph eased their minds.

 Genesis 50:19-21 NIV

¹⁹ But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? ²⁰ You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. ²¹ So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.

I don't understand the suffering around me. But I do believe that it breaks His heart when one of His children hurts. I believe a tear comes from His eye, when a child's "broken arm" needs to be reset, but He knows without that momentary pain, the "arm" will never heal.

 

Beth Moore says that maybe we should consider the suffering God allows in our lives as a gift.  A gift intended to help us or someone else grow in faith and in the conviction that God provides all we need.  When we cannot stand by ourselves, we turn to our Father.  He pulls us close and gives us divine strength from His unlimited supply.

God doesn't remove every hurt, struggle or pain, but I trust His love and His perfect purpose for those He loves.  

Why God?

Why does God allow bad things to happen to believers?

I was thinking this morning about all the young girls who are growing up without godly fathers.  I don't think dads have a clue how important they are in the lives of their daughters.  Most dads pay attention to their boys - after all, sons are their opportunity to live their lives again - vicariously  - through their little boys.  They want more for their sons than what they had or experienced.  They've lived their lives and made mistakes - as Larry's mom told him - "parents know where all the potholes in life are and if children will listen, parents can guide their sons and daughters around those potholes".  Right?  So dads spend lots of time trying to mold their sons into their image - only a bigger, stronger, smarter, better version. 

But daughters are a different story.  Lots of dads feel at a loss of how to deal with little girls.  So they back away, and let mom take the lead. That's not good.  Little girls need their daddies.  If they don't have a relationship with a godly dad, many end up getting married way too young, falling for the first little boy who says the "right things".  Girls need dads that are strong, leading their families with gentle firmness; dads who are not afraid to show love, not afraid to admit when they are wrong, but willing to fight to death to protect their families.  That makes little girls feel safe and loved.

I could go on and on about why little girls need their daddies, but the thought that God was putting into my head was why does God allow believers to have problems in our lives?  Why does a young girl who is a faithful follower of Christ have to deal with a dad who does not provide the support - emotional, financial, spiritual - that she deserves?

I know the answer. 

First, of course, we live in a fallen world.  Satan is the prince of this world and he only has a short time before he will be cast into the lake of fire.  Until that time, he wants to destroy anyone who follows the Son of God.  He seethes with anger and hatred towards Christ because Christ has everything Satan wants but will never have: honor, glory and respect.   So he causes as much turmoil and pain as he can.  He wants us all to be miserable and feel hopeless and unloved.  And he does a really good job at whispering those lies into our hearts. 

But Secondly, I believe God allows those very difficult things in the lives of His children because He wants us to show non-believers how His children respond differently to bad situations, because they trust His love, no matter what.

He wants our lives to be living sacrifices - shouting our testimony of His faithfulness even in the hardest things.  He blesses us with the burdens of this world so that we can be His witnesses.  When He allows something so difficult we can hardly bear it, He is trusting that we will rise above the natural human response and shout His praise even through the pain.  His purpose is that others will see His love and strength providing everything we need to get through it so that non-believers will be drawn to Him. 

We all listen more intently to someone who has experienced the same struggles we are experiencing.  We tend to discount advice from someone who has "never been there" even their advice are words straight from the Bible.   But if we know someone has gone through the loneliness and despair of feeling unloved by a dad or mom, or maybe they've experienced the loss of a loved one or debilitating illness or disease, or if they have firsthand knowledge of watching their child battle life threatening health issues, our ears perk up, and we listen.  We want to know how they manage.  We want to see how they've survived so we can do what they did in order to get through our adversities.  Their adversities become a powerful testimony - a platform to speak of Jesus.

That young girl that was on my heart this morning can be a powerful witness to other girls she knows who are dealing with an absent father or one who isn't all he needs to be as a dad.  She can testify to the comfort and love she has from her Heavenly Father - the peace she had knowing He will never leave nor forsake her. That thing that hurts so much - a dad who isn't there - can become her platform to shout God's faithfulness in her life.

This world is not our home.  But while we're here, God gives us opportunities to touch the lives of others for Him.  If we had any idea of how incredibly wonderful our Eternal home will be, we would take every opportunity given to us to speak of His love and goodness.  We wouldn't be able to keep our mouths shut about the precious Gift Christ offers to those who accept it.  The adversity God allows in our lives would turn out to be our greatest blessing -  an opportunity to sing His praise to those who are hurting and need the Savior.


The great commission came from Jesus Himself. 

Matthew 28:18-20

New King James Version (NKJV)

¹⁸ And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. ¹⁹ Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.


It's not always easy to teach people the gospel with words.  Adversity is an opportunity to shine for Jesus, to show His power in our lives and others will see.

He is our provider, protector, strength, healer, redeemer, advocate, comforter....

            “You'll never know that Jesus is all you need until Jesus is all you have.”

                                                         Max Lucado

 

 

Paul faced more adversity than just about anyone, yet He used that adversity to be a witness for His LORD.    We should follow his example.  Instead of asking God "why?", maybe we should ask God "HOW can I be Your witness in this trial?"

 

I find great encouragement and comfort from others who have faced my same struggles.  This passage from Paul's letter to the Phillipians is a perfect example of how we face adversity through His strength. 

 

 

Philippians 4

4 Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved.

Be United, Joyful, and in Prayer

² I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. ³ And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life.

⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!

⁵ Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.

⁶ Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; ⁷ and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Meditate on These Things

⁸ Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. ⁹ The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.

Philippian Generosity

¹⁰ But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. ¹¹ Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: ¹² I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. ¹³ I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

¹⁴ Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress. ¹⁵ Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only. ¹⁶ For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities. ¹⁷ Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account. ¹⁸ Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. ¹⁹ And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. ²⁰ Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Greeting and Blessing

²¹ Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren who are with me greet you. ²² All the saints greet you, but especially those who are of Caesar’s household.

²³ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

Lord, write Your word on my heart so I never forget. You will provide everything I need for ever circumstance You allow. Be gloried in my life. Please take control, give me Your wisdom so that I can be Your witness no matter what's happening in my life.  I'm trusting in You to work all things together for good according to Your purpose. Nothing I ask or imagine can compare to Your will for me. In the blessed Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen

 

http://youtu.be/4mmgV6mPvb0 - Blessings - Laura Story

What if our blessings come in raindrops?

This morning I was thinking about struggles that people I love are facing.
I was thinking that as a mom, if I had the power, I would remove every struggle
my child might be facing.  I'd make his/her life easy and happy, no bumps, no
disappointments, no sadness...

So my next thought was if God really loves us, His children, more than we can possibly imagine, and He definitely has the power to remove the bumps in the road and make our lives easy and happy with no disappointments, no sadness, why doesn't He? 

Because I believe God loves us beyond our understanding, a love that goes so much deeper than any parent's love ( I know this is impossible to comprehend), I know that His love is perfect and good.  I hold on to Jeremiah 29:11-14:

¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. ¹² In those days when you pray, I will listen. ¹³ If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. ¹⁴ I will be found by you,” says the Lord. “I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land.”

If I believe the words of the LORD, that He has a plan for me - it's for good and not evil, a plan to give me a hope and a future, then I must trust that whatever HE allows in my life can be used to bring me to that plan and purpose.  If the struggle He allows continues, even though I'm pleading with Him to remove the struggle, then I have to believe that either I need to handle the struggle in a different way, or that maybe there is someone in my life watching how I handle the struggle, watching how I trust God through it all. 

I know my Father loves me even more than I love my own children.  If I would move heaven and earth to keep my children safe from harm, to give them a hope and a future, how much more would our heavenly Father work in our lives to bring us to that promised hope?


First, I have to remember:  Never, ever doubt His love and goodness.

He proved His love by sending His beloved Son to earth to live a human life full of abuse, beatings, isolation, ridicule, betrayal, insults...  God allowed His precious Son to go through all those things, and ultimately, He allowed Jesus to die on the cross an agonizing death.  Why?  Because He loved us enough to allow the suffering for a moment for Eternal good for His children.

Whatever the struggle or suffering we may face on earth, Jesus understands.  He's been there.  I know.  He didn't have to face "your exact struggle", right?   But think about it.
What is the emotion that your struggle brings into your heart?  Fear? Loneliness? Rejection? Physical pain? Isolation? Humiliation?  What emotion are you dealing with that Jesus didn't have to work through? 

He was a solitary man.  He had no spouse or children to call "family".  He was betrayed by his dearest friends.  He had no home of his own.  No financial wealth.  He had no place to lay his head.  He was God, yet refused to cling to His rights as God.  He set aside all the glory and honor that was rightfully His, to live a human existence.  He showed us how to deal with adversity.  He taught us to keep our eyes on Eternity and to love others enough to give up our own "rights and comfort" to help someone in need.
As He breathed His last breath, I wonder how disappointed He felt in His friends?  They left Him to face the worst moments of His life alone. 

Jesus allowed His Father to use those struggles and the pain for the good of others.
Maybe that's what God is waiting for us to do with our struggles.  Maybe if we saw our pain and suffering as opportunities to shine light into the darkness, just like Jesus did, maybe then our struggles wouldn't seem like such burdens.  Maybe then we could begin to see our struggles as blessings that God uses to grow us into the kind of people He wants us to be.  Maybe we are supposed to be like Jesus and trust our Father through whatever suffering He allows. 


The question is "How can I use my struggle to shine for Jesus?"  How can I testify to His love through the struggle I face?" 

I must respond to the struggle the way Jesus responded to His struggles and suffering.  He loved those who persecuted Him.  He didn't sit around thinking how difficult His life was.  Instead, He reached out to others.  He lifted the burdens off those around Him with His love and kindness.  HE loved His Father and He loved others, no matter what He was dealing with.  He cared more about others than Himself.

Whatever I face today, whatever monumental battle I might think I have, His battle was worse.  He took on the sins of the entire world, all the shame, the regrets, the filthiness, the hurt and brokeness caused by our sins, Jesus took all that on Himself.  He didn't stop and say "Father, this isn't fair?  Don't you love Me?  Why are You allowing Me to suffer?"   He knew His Father.  And Jesus knew that He could trust Him completely.  So, He faced every struggle, every pain with honor and humility.  Maybe that's how I need to face my struggles, too. 

A Cheerful Giver

http://youtu.be/d61LamkXfwk - God of the City - Chris Tomlin

2 Corinthians 9:7
⁷ You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” ⁸ And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. ⁹ As the Scriptures say,

“They share freely and give generously to the poor.
Their good deeds will be remembered forever.”

Our Sunday morning Women's Class has been studying Paul's letters to the church in Corinth for the last several weeks.  Oh how much Paul loved that group of believers!  As I read his words, I hear his heart felt devotion and concern for the people whom he had brought to Christ.  He loved them as a man would love his very own children. 

Our lesson next week will be in chapter 7 of 2 Corinthians, so I sat down to study chapter 7 this morning.  For some reason,  I decided that I should go back and read from the beginning of of this letter in order to bring Paul's message all together in my mind.  After all 2 Corinthians is one letter that was surely written by Paul to be read at one sitting.  When I finished reading chapter 7, I felt the need to continue on.  As I began to read chapter 8, I realized that God had very intentionally brought me to this passage this morning.

The reason this message is so powerful to me this morning is that I had just received another email from my precious friend, Oscar.  Once again, he is pleading for assistance so that he and Emma can help provide care for a very sick widow and her two children.  If you've not read Oscar's emails in last several days, Benter is a young woman whose husband died, leaving her with two young children.  Because of customs in Kenya, when a man dies, his property - all of his property - goes to birth family - not to his wife and children.  This practice is so common that apparently, families don't think twice about chasing the widow and children away from their home.  It's despicable to us, but in their eyes, it's normal. 

Oscar's email this morning:

Thanks alot for the money we received on saturday for our primary kids ,Emma bought all the needs for the kids yesterday ,thanks alot .
Mom,we went to visit Benter yesterday but she really in need of help.She is living along the corridors of the clinic and her condition is bad.We thought of taking her to the centre but she needs some isolation for a while due to her health condition.She has some serious skin infection and cough that can not allow her live within our centre.She needs to get a place and visit the clinic iweekly,she has been offered free medical services only.We bought her some food and fruits yesterday.She is going to get a free HIV/AIDS test today ,the nurse treating her is suggesting so due to her condition.
This lady needs some private shelter ,beddings, food and some little help for a while .
Her two kids also needs to be in school .We think her skin and chest is persisting due to lack good meals and beddings.
I think Shelly Howay promised to send us some help towards the issue of this lady.We talked to the nurse yesterday and promised to look for her accomodation else where since they have given her a notice to vacate the premises immediately.
The nurse is doing her part and only promised to give her only free medical treatments and nothing more.
Am therefore appealing to our friends to come out and help us resettle this lady some where  next to the clinic .
Timoland also is expected to join college latest 10th of this month .so lets pray we serve a faithful God and very able father.
God is good and thanks alot for the photo of Kim and family .Lets get all our friends photos,we also love the photos too.We see you friends close to us and as we pray we see you all close to us too.Kindly send us Tyler's photo and his friends too.
Reply,
Son,
Oscar

Oscar and Emma found Benter on the streets.  She is very sick. She has no shelter, no food, only clothing on her back.  She has no way to provide for her children.  Because she is so sick, I am afraid that she most likely has HIV/AIDS.  I don't know for sure, but I'm guessing that's what killed her husband, and now Benter is probably die, too, without proper care and nutrition and medicine.  Then her children will be completely alone.

I can read Oscar's emails about this situation and my heart breaks.  I get all teary eyed and wonder what I would do if I was Benter.  But then I move on to the next email and Benter is pushed back in my mind.  And I'm ashamed to say, I only think about her when Oscar forces me to with another email describing her plight.

Oscar and Emma don't forget about people.  They are committed to finding help for Benter.  When I read this passage, it reminds me of my friends, Oscar and Emma:

2 Corinthians 6
³ We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. ⁴ Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; ⁵ in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; ⁶ in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; ⁷ in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; ⁸ through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; ⁹ known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; ¹⁰ sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

Having nothing, yet possessing everything!  That's Oscar and Emma. 

I am constantly at battle with the Enemy.  He whispers lies in my ear.  "You can't send that email out to everyone.  They are tired of you asking for help.  Oscar always needs something.  It's never going to end and the more people give, the more he wants!  All your "friends" are tired of hearing about Oscar.  Give them a break.  You always have your hand out for that man.  You can't fix this problem in Oscar's world.  It's too big and it's never going to get any better!"

Those are the lies that run through my head.  The problem is that there is just enough truth to create a battle in my mind.  But for every lie, I hear the Voice of truth, reminding me:

Truth Number 1: 
I'm sure some of my friends are tired of hearing about Oscar's needs, but not all my friends.  Some of my friends care deeply for Oscar and his ministry.   I don't expect everyone to have the same passion for this work as I do. There are so many wonderful ministries that need help.  God softens the hearts of those He has chosen to help Happy Choice.  It's Him, not me who will provide the Hands and Feet for this work.

Truth Number 2:
And, yes, Oscar does always need something.  But not because he is selfish and self-promoting like so many others are.  Oscar sees with Jesus' eyes.  Everywhere he turns, he sees people who are hurting, and unlike me, Oscar can't just erase what he has seen.  His heart breaks for those people.   So he relays the needs he sees to me, trusting that I will share the need with you.  God does the rest.

Every time I get another email with more needs, I hesitate to share it with others.
It's hard for me to always have my hand out for Oscar.  You see, I'm afraid people will start avoiding me because they are afraid I'll ask for help for him.   I don't want people to run the other way when they see me coming.  I want people to like me.  I hate asking for help.  I just hate it.  BUT for some reason, God decided to put this ministry in my heart, and He has given me the job of telling others.  Seriously, is that so hard to do?  All have to do is tell people and God does the rest.  Is my own need to be "liked and accepted", more important than the job God has trusted me to do?  NO!!!

You see, I know a little something about my good friend, Oscar.  It's hard for him, too,  to send me emails asking for more money.   How do I know this?  Sometimes, Emma will email me.  I love to hear from her.  Her words are sweet and full of faith.  A couple of years ago, she shared with me how hard it is for Oscar to have come to me, asking for help over and over again.  It broke my heart, but I understood.  The difference is that I can put aside the needs of the widows and orphans because I don't face them every day.  But Oscar and Emma can't just look away.  So Oscar does what he must do.  He tells me so that I can tell you. 

Truth Number 3
I cannot fix this problem.  There will always a need.  But just because I can't "fix" the problem does not mean I shouldn't try to help.   Oscar can't help everyone, as much as he'd like to, but Oscar is making a difference, one person at a time.  And we have an opportunity to make a difference through Oscar's work.  One person at a time.

Paul said in his letter to the Corinthians that God doesn't expect us to give what we don't have.  His desire is that we give out of love - not because we have to.  He wants us to give with a cheerful heart, knowing that our gift will lighten someone else's load.

I hope you'll read chapters 8 and 9 of this letter.  Look at verse 3 of chapter 8 -- "For I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford, but far more. They begged us again and again for the privilege of sharing in the gift for the believers in Jerusalem.  They even did more than we had hoped, for their first action was to give themselves to the Lord and to us, just as God wanted them to do."  

The Macedonian believers were being tested in so many ways and they were poor themselves.  In spite of their own problems, when they heard of how much the church in Jerusalem was suffering, they responded out of love and concern.  This story is so personal to me.  I see Oscar's ministry as not unlike the Jerusalem church.  Like them, Oscar has very little resources.  No one works harder to provide for his family and ministry than Oscar and Emma, but when there is no work or food, what else can they do? 

We here in America are able to provide for our families.  There are wonderful ministries that provide food and clothing, even shelter, when one of us is unable to provide for ourselves.  Oscar doesn't have that option.  God has given some of us the blessed burden of coming along side to help Oscar and his Happy Choice ministry. 

Maybe God has not called you to this ministry, but if He has pricked your heart, don't push the emails out of your mind.  Don't forget the needs that Oscar sees every day.  We can't change the world but we can help at least one life be better.  And I guarantee the lives that Oscar touches, those people will know Jesus because of your help and Oscar's determination to help those who are in need.

2 Corinthians 8 (NLT)

A Call to Generous Giving

8 Now I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, what God in his kindness has done through the churches in Macedonia. ² They are being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor. But they are also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity.

³ For I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford, but far more. And they did it of their own free will. ⁴ They begged us again and again for the privilege of sharing in the gift for the believers in Jerusalem. ⁵ They even did more than we had hoped, for their first action was to give themselves to the Lord and to us, just as God wanted them to do.

⁶ So we have urged Titus, who encouraged your giving in the first place, to return to you and encourage you to finish this ministry of giving. ⁷ Since you excel in so many ways—in your faith, your gifted speakers, your knowledge, your enthusiasm, and your love from us—I want you to excel also in this gracious act of giving.

⁸ I am not commanding you to do this. But I am testing how genuine your love is by comparing it with the eagerness of the other churches.

⁹ You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich.

¹⁰ Here is my advice: It would be good for you to finish what you started a year ago. Last year you were the first who wanted to give, and you were the first to begin doing it. ¹¹ Now you should finish what you started. Let the eagerness you showed in the beginning be matched now by your giving. Give in proportion to what you have. ¹² Whatever you give is acceptable if you give it eagerly. And give according to what you have, not what you don’t have. ¹³ Of course, I don’t mean your giving should make life easy for others and hard for yourselves. I only mean that there should be some equality. ¹⁴ Right now you have plenty and can help those who are in need. Later, they will have plenty and can share with you when you need it. In this way, things will be equal. ¹⁵ As the Scriptures say,

“Those who gathered a lot had nothing left over,
and those who gathered only a little had enough.”

Titus and His Companions

¹⁶ But thank God! He has given Titus the same enthusiasm for you that I have. ¹⁷ Titus welcomed our request that he visit you again. In fact, he himself was very eager to go and see you. ¹⁸ We are also sending another brother with Titus. All the churches praise him as a preacher of the Good News. ¹⁹ He was appointed by the churches to accompany us as we take the offering to Jerusalem—a service that glorifies the Lord and shows our eagerness to help.

²⁰ We are traveling together to guard against any criticism for the way we are handling this generous gift. ²¹ We are careful to be honorable before the Lord, but we also want everyone else to see that we are honorable.

²² We are also sending with them another of our brothers who has proven himself many times and has shown on many occasions how eager he is. He is now even more enthusiastic because of his great confidence in you. ²³ If anyone asks about Titus, say that he is my partner who works with me to help you. And the brothers with him have been sent by the churches, and they bring honor to Christ. ²⁴ So show them your love, and prove to all the churches that our boasting about you is justified.

9 I really don’t need to write to you about this ministry of giving for the believers in Jerusalem. ² For I know how eager you are to help, and I have been boasting to the churches in Macedonia that you in Greece were ready to send an offering a year ago. In fact, it was your enthusiasm that stirred up many of the Macedonian believers to begin giving.

³ But I am sending these brothers to be sure you really are ready, as I have been telling them, and that your money is all collected. I don’t want to be wrong in my boasting about you. ⁴ We would be embarrassed—not to mention your own embarrassment—if some Macedonian believers came with me and found that you weren’t ready after all I had told them! ⁵ So I thought I should send these brothers ahead of me to make sure the gift you promised is ready. But I want it to be a willing gift, not one given grudgingly.

⁶ Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. ⁷ You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” ⁸ And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. ⁹ As the Scriptures say,

“They share freely and give generously to the poor.
Their good deeds will be remembered forever.”

¹⁰ For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you.

¹¹ Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God. ¹² So two good things will result from this ministry of giving—the needs of the believers in Jerusalem will be met, and they will joyfully express their thanks to God.

¹³ As a result of your ministry, they will give glory to God. For your generosity to them and to all believers will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ. ¹⁴ And they will pray for you with deep affection because of the overflowing grace God has given to you. ¹⁵ Thank God for this gift too wonderful for words!


Oscar has some "Macedonian" friends among you all.  I so appreciate your prayers and support for Happy Choice.  There are no words that can convey how much it means to me that you guys have been so good to respond to Oscar's ongoing needs.  Thank you from the bottom on my heart.  May God bless you in all things as you have been a blessing to this ministry. 

If God is putting Oscar's ministry on your heart  and you want to donate towards the financial needs of caring for the 12 children at the orphanage, or the widows with whom Emma works, or for Benter and her children, you can donate online through Lost Orphans ministries.  Happy Choice can be accessed through the following website (part of Lost Orphans):

www.gobehope.com  

 

Your donations are tax deductible through this website and any amount is greatly appreciated.  Simply go to  www.gobehope.com , select "meet the children" or "general donations",  and from there be sure to select "Happy Choice" so that Oscar's work will get the donation you make. Once a month, the wonderful people at Lost Orphans, (thank you Kari!)  send whatever funds are in the Happy Choice account by wire to Oscar.   Our goal is to have every child in the orphanage supported through monthly donations. 

Lost Orphans has been a godsend for Happy Choice, and we thank God for their willingness to help.  They're motto:  Go.Be.Hope!  That's exactly what they do. 

Go.Be.Hope!!!