He Fills Me Up

“You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water. I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you.” Psalm 63:1-5.

We are God’s treasured children. He chose us from the beginning of the world with love that lasts forever. The Holy Spirit is at work in us that brings forth good fruit. Because He is a Holy God we are made righteous, whole and complete. Truth sets us free from sin and misery: “But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the first fruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.” 2 Thessalonians 2:13.

We are called to follow, the outward call, of living out the gospel of grace and truth. The inward call is the workings of the gospel of grace and truth through the power of the Holy Spirit in us. Therefore, when we believe and obey the Gospel we will be with Jesus and will be a witness to the gospel and share in His glory: “To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 2 Thessalonians 2:14.

The Bible tells us to stand firm and abide in Him. We must pay attention to the workings of the Holy Spirit, be diligent, equipping ourselves in Truth. “So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.” 2 Thessalonians 2:15. “Now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming.” 1 John 2:28.

When we pray we pray to our God the Father but also to our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and we should pray in His name unto God. We rejoice in the hope of the glory of God, and not just to endure or be patient, but joyful, in troubles, in pain and suffering. Our hope is grounded in the love and grace of God, the promises of God, the goodness and the faithfulness of God. Grace and mercy of God are what we hope for, and what our hopes are founded on, and not on any effort of our own. “May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.” 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17.

He fills me up with good things, your Holy temple. He gives me love. He watches over me. He protects me from harm. He listens to my distress. He gives me rest. He gives me strength. He delivers me from evil. He is so good. He fills me up.    

A Life of Lasting Significance

“This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds.” Hebrews 10:16

To the unbeliever, “a meaningful life” is contrived from a mix of one’s opinions, experiences, perspectives, realities, and the lack of understanding and knowledge of Biblical Truth. To the unbeliever, truth is abstract: “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” 2 Corinthians 4:4. There is a world view and there is God’s view of what it means to live a meaningful life according to His will and purpose.  

Every promise from God is declared through  Jesus Christ. God chose each of us for his good pleasure. We are his special possession: “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” 1 Peter 2:9. When Jesus prayed for his disciples, he confirms them: “For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me. I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours.” John 17:7-9.

Our purpose is to bring glory to the name of Jesus. We are his Life’s work: “All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them.” John 17:10. Our Father in heaven watches over us, uniting us together with his Son as one into his Holy Family: “Holy Father, protect them by your power of your name-the name you gave me-so that they may be one as we are one.” John 17:11. Jesus prayed in our behalf. He knew the world would hate us so he asked the father to set us apart for his purpose: “They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” John 17:16-17.

A life of significance is firmly fixed in desire to follow the will and ways of God. We need to relate and respond to each other, lean and support, give and take, confess and forgive:  “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. This is my command: Love each other.” John 5:9-17.

We need each other. We are to work in unity. There is one body with many parts: “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.” 1 Corinthians 12:4-6. 

You get More when you are Thankful

“In Him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” 1 John 1:4-5.

An attitude lacking thankfulness leads to emptiness. In the garden Eve turned her attention away from all the blessings she already had to focus on what she did not have. Her negative thoughts and focus darkened her mind which led to temptation. “When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.” Genesis 3:6-7.

Eve was no longer thankful and satisfied. She reasoned with the lie of the evil one. She thought she needed more and she was deceived. Therefore, thankfulness is much more than being grateful. Thankfulness protects hearts and minds from evil and darkness. When we are grateful, we are equipping ourselves with a weapon of “Light” to fight spiritual warfare. Spiritual warfare is resisting, overcoming and defeating the enemy's lies including deception, temptations and accusations. 

An attitude lacking gratefulness will deceive the heart and mind to draw you away from the Light. “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4. The shadows of darkness are weapons formed against us. They will not harm us if we believe and follow the Light. “In Him was life, and that life was the light of men” John 1:4.

Thankfulness requires discipline. Anything worth having requires effort. Disciplines produce an outcome. Thankfulness that builds character strength is a principal like cause and effect or what you sow you reap. Discipline is both a process and a result. We go through the process of discipline to achieve the goal, then discipline is produced. When you “work” at a discipline, you “become” more disciplined. When we refuse to follow God’s ways as Eve did, God disciplines us because He loves us.  “A fool spurns a parent’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction shows prudence.” Proverbs 15:5.

The condition of the heart is reflected outwardly. ”Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Proverbs 4:23. A thankful heart leads to satisfaction. Satisfaction is contentment. When you are content, you don’t look for more; you are satisfied. Satisfied people are joyful people, and joy is health and strength. “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.” Psalm 28:7. 

The devil made me do it!

“Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed-not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence-continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling.” Philippians 2:12.

During the 70’s, well known comic genius Flip Wilson, whose character “Geraldine Jones” made famous the line “The devil made me do it!” Blaming the devil for everything became a national catchphrase.  Funny as the joke is, playing the blame game, even blaming the devil, is refusing to own up to responsibility to choices and actions.  

The “fall of man” is explained in the book of Genesis. The devil is described as “the serpent, craftier than any of the other animals the Lord God had made.” Genesis 3:1. The serpent tempted and deceived them. The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. John 10:10: “He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” John 8:44.

The enemy distorts the truth using confusion and messages of doubt. He makes his way seem a better way, a short-cut but he is a liar and a thief. The act of sinning that Adam and Eve did in the garden is about choice: The Lord God said to the woman, ‘What is this you have done?’ The woman said, ‘The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” Genesis 3:13. We can blame the devil for our choices but responsibility for the act of sin is on us. “But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not himself dare to condemn him for slander but said, ‘The Lord rebuke you!’" Jude 1:9.

The message of Jude is to “contend for the faith.” Jude 1:3. The Lord has given us everything we need to live victoriously. We have a call to persevere: “But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. They said to you, ‘In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.’ These are the people who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit. But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.” Jude 1:17-21.

We are to agonize over pursuit of pleasure, looking deep in the heart, and questioning thoughts. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” Romans 3:23-24. “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” James 5:16

Two Kinds of Wisdom

“Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her.” Proverbs 8:10-11

The “good life” is found in Christ, by learning His ways and gaining understanding to His Kingdom, not the kingdoms of this world. Jesus came to earth to serve, He humbled himself: “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.” James 3:13

There is a battle waging a war within our hearts. Fighting and quarreling comes from evil desires: “But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.” James 3:14.

The world says “I did it my way.” Such prideful arrogance leads to destruction and ruin: “Such ‘wisdom’ does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.” James 3:15.

The world’s wisdom is not like the wisdom from the Lord. When we follow Jesus, He gives the proper perspective, what to avoid, and how to live better: “For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.” James 3:16

Godly wisdom ignites our desires to follow God. It gives us insight, direction, and meaning to life. The wisdom that God freely gives shapes our behavior and attitudes:  “But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace- loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.” James 3:17

If at all possible, we are to live in such a way, to be at peace with everyone. We are to humble ourselves, and He will lift us up. “Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.” James 3:18

Spiritual Warfare

“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air.  No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.”  1 Corinthians 9:24-27.

The Bible says we must follow Christ: “Those without vision cast off restraint. Blessed is he who keeps the law.” Proverbs 29:18. As Christians, we are in a battle to stay on the path that leads to glory. Commitment to vision is needed. Hard work requires self-control, discipline, is intentional, and requires dedication to excellence. To have such spiritual transformation, renovation of the heart is the foundation to change: “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” Galatians 5:24-25.

The way to victory is a radical path of faith in Jesus because of who He is and what He has done to give us the victory over sin and temptation. Faith demands us to persevere through suffering, to endure hardship, and to push past our weariness as we approach the finish line. “This body of ours had no rest, but we are harassed at every turn, conflicts on the outside, fears within. But God, who comforts the downcast, comforts us.” See 2 Corinthians 7:5-6.

We push forward and strain ahead, to keep the victory and becoming more like Jesus. The trophy is our freedom in Christ. “It is freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1.Our reward is in Jesus. Unless He is the major pursuit of our lives all other pursuits are dead end streets. They don’t work, don’t satisfy, and have no fulfillment.  Anything other than the love of Christ won’t do for us what we think they are going to do. Read Matthew 6:33. 

You will Find Him when you Seek Him

“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13

“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.” Psalm 23:1. When we seek God, we will always find him. He watches over us, He cares for us. He is full of tenderness and compassion. He listens to our hearts through sincere prayers, requests, praise, and cries for help. He is with us: “What is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?” Psalm 8:4. The Lord hears the prayers of the righteous.  
   

 “He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside quiet waters.” Psalm 23:2. When we seek God he knows what we need. He is our provider, our portion, our strong hold. He is the remedy for our disease. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Jesus Christ.” Romans 3:23-24. We must become dependent on him and count on him.

“He refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.” Psalm 23:3. When we seek God, he heals our hearts. His name means healer. “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place. I have chosen and consecrated this temple so that my Name may be there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there.” 2 Chronicles 7:14-16. We are His temple. We are Holy for He is Holy. 

“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4. We can know that through times of great pain and suffering, he cares for us. “My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.” Proverbs 3:11-12. “The rod of correction imparts wisdom.” Proverbs 29:15.

“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.” Psalm 23:5. When we seek God, we will great gain. He is our banner of victory. Through him, the battle is won. We are his people: “But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth.” John 2:20. “The Lord detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.” Prov 16:5.  

 “Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Psalm 23:6. When we seek God, we will live with him in eternity. We may live in this world, but as believers, we are not of this world. While on earth, we are aliens, yet citizens of heaven. “All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth.” Hebrews 11:13. His love endures forever.

God is at work within us. When we seek God, we will be fully known: “For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.” 1 Corinthians 13:12. Look to the Lord and you will not fail: “Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in his ways.” Psalm 128:1

Perfect Love

“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” 1 John 4:18

The definition of fear is “a distressing emotion aroused by impeding danger, evil, pain, etc., whether it is real or imagined. Fear is the feeling or condition of being afraid.” We fear many things including the fear of the unknown and loss: fear of death, illness, disasters, failure, rejection and loneliness.  The “unknown” can keep us feeling uneasy and uncertain. We can plan, be prepared and hope for the best, but we just don’t know the future and the outcome. Others common fears include the fear of flying, heights, public speaking, the dark, spiders, clowns, crime, the economy, the environment, the government, and on and on it goes.

When we are fearful, we are in a battle for our very lives. Fear creates discouragement which leads to army of problems including anxiety, depression and others. Fear is punishment but there is life by the Spirit. “So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.” Galatians 5:16. The Bible tells us repeatedly how to retrain our minds against fear and to stand firm in His perfect love for us: “This is what the Lord says to you: Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army; for the battle is not yours, but God’s. You will not have to fight the battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.” 2 Chronicles 20:15&17.

Hearts needing transformation and renovation desire money and other external comforts to make them feel secure. The Bible tells us to be content and not fall into temptation which leads to ruin or punishment; “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” 1 Timothy 6:6-10.

God’s grace is enough: “Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.  As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance.” 1 Peter 1:13-14. The world looks at us in amazement because we have heart and mind of Christ. No matter how odd we may appear to the world, we must follow the Lord’s leading. There is freedom in Christ. Stand firm knowing His perfect love that drives out fear. 

Transformation of the Heart

Total transformation of the heart takes time, sometimes perhaps more than we would want to admit. Psalms 119 gives us many answers how to walk consistently with God.

"How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from the commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Praise be to you, O Lord; teach me your decrees. With my lips I recount all the laws that come from your mouth. I rejoice in following your statues as one rejoices in great riches. I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word." 119:9-16. 

Blessed are they whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the Lord." 119:1 
These verses are packed with disciplines to stay in his Word, and to "be" conformed to His image: 
Be committed to stay in the Word. Be consistent: 

As much as possible, try to do daily bible reading, from your phone, on Facebook, or even the good old fashioned way, straight from the pages of your bible! 

Be thoughtful: meditate on the word, do a bible study. Look up the definition of words if you are not sure what they means.look up other verses on the subject. 

Be teachable: Allow the Holy Spirit to convict you. Be humble. Be open to truth. 

These actions produce a changed and joyful heart full of thankfulness.

Spiritual Blessings in Christ

Our God is good. This is what He has done for us who believe in him:

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.

In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment to bring all things in heaven and earth together under one head, even Christ." Ephesians 1:3-10.

This is where you stand, your position with God through the finished work of our Lord Jesus Christ: 

1. We are chosen and made us holy and blameless, his adopted sons. We are secure and reconciled with God! 
2. He has given us his glorious grace, redeemed us through the blood, the forgiveness of sins. All barriers between us and God have been destroyed! 
3. He has lavished on us all wisdom and understanding and he has made known to us the mystery of his will. We have the Spirit of God in us that gives us insight to the mystery of grace! 
4. He makes his love known to us and fills us "to the measure of all the fullness of God." Eph 319. Praise the Lord!

Process of Growing

"Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds." John 12:24

The process of growing wheat takes about a year and goes through four growth stages. First the plant grows leaves and branches. Then it shoots up stems, growing to it's full height. Then the stems terminates in it's head and it develops flowers, fertilizing its self from the movement of pollen. Once this happens the grain is it's ripping stage, the plant begins to wither and die. Each grain or kernel of wheat has it's own resources to protect and nurture the embryo of the wheat germ (as in germinate), allowing it to grow out of the soil into a new wheat plant, continuing the cycle of growth.

God made us us to grow and multiply: "Be fruitful and increase." see Genesis 1:28 But just like the wheat plant, unless we die to self, we cannot fully grow, increase and multiply. "What you sow does not come to life unless it dies." see 1 Corinthians 15:36.

This process of dying to self is for the believer who has decided to be a fully devoted follower of Jesus Christ: "Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God." Romans 8:8. Life with Jesus no longer revolves around a "me" attitude. When self-centeredness begins to die, finally I begin to live. The "old self", of self-centeredness and sinfulness begin to fall away.

This lifestyle of making life "all about me" no longer fits. We no longer have to struggle with the sinful nature because there is life in the Spirit: "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit." Romans 8:1-4.

Death to self is a radical concept. But it is a principal, a design of God, shown in the example of a kernel of wheat dying, that it may grow and multiply. We must die to self, so that we can live the way God had intended. To accomplish this transformation or renovation of the heart, He uses our pain and sufferings but rejoice: "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:2-4.

Our suffering in Christ leads to a future glory: "I consider that our present suffering are not worth comparing with the the glory that will be revealed in us." Romans 8:18. "In all things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us." Romans 8:37. Because of who Jesus is and what He has done, you have greatness in you!

Serving the Church

1 Corinthians 12:18-26

When serving the church people often times think too small thereby limiting their own growth and other's around them. They might only see themselves as a choir singer or the Sunday school teacher. When they are not naturally gifted at singing or teaching, often joy fades and they give-up. 

When serving, it's time we stop thinking in terms of a "Sunday only" establishment. The church is not a place or a time, rather it is a body of believers, each one uniquely gifted by God to guide, help, challenge, and support the rest. Most service to the Lord doesn't take place inside the church building. It happens out-side the church walls and in the world, where we do the things that Bible instructs.

Most believers are not in a position to influence a lot of people. When we act or speak, only those closest to us notice, but a chain reaction ripples outward to affect an entire community. Paul's metaphor of body parts working together harmoniously is a helpful description of how one small action can have a widespread impact. Consider the way tensing your big toe keeps your foot stable and thereby steadies your whole body. In the same way, a gentle rebuke, a listening ear, or a loving deed benefits the church by strengthening one brother or sister, who then supports another.

We are on this earth to serve the kingdom of God and His church. And we do that by ministering to each other in small ways that steady the whole body as we give extra support to one member. In talking about such service, be challenged to find a need that God can meet through you.

Service of Motherhood

Philippians 2:1-11

Children are a blessing from the Lord (Psalm 127:3-5). Being a mother is a great honor and privilege, yet it is also synonymous with servant-hood. Every day women are called upon to selflessly meet the needs of their families. Whether they are awake at night nursing a baby, spending their time and money on less-than-grateful teenagers, or preparing meals, moms continuously put others before themselves.

Sometimes this constant serving can be exhausting and even discouraging, particularly for a first-time mother. But you can take real encouragement from Jesus. One of the best examples of gracious servant-hood is found in John 13:3-16. By kneeling to wash His disciples’ feet, the Lord showed that the key to true leadership is humility. It is humility that leads to eternal rewards.

Unless you are willing to stoop down and get your hands dirty, you will miss the real riches of motherhood. By dying to your own desires and pouring your life into someone else, you become like Christ and create a godly legacy that will carry on for generations to come. What greater blessing could one hope for? Of course, the motivation for serving others is not to reap benefits, but when we follow God’s plan for our life, that’s what happens.

In giving us children, God places us in a position of both leadership and service. He calls us to give up our lives for someone else’s sake, that is, to abandon our own desires and put our child’s interests first. Yet, according to His perfect design, it is through this selflessness that we can become truly fulfilled. 

Answers in Hard Times

“The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law.” Deuteronomy 29:29

God reserves the right to reveal some things and conceal others. Although we may not know why natural disasters occur, the biblical truths we do know with absolute certainty allow us to trust the Lord even in times of great suffering.

God is in Control:

Nothing in heaven or on earth is outside of His rule and authority. “The Lord has established His throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules over all” Psalm 103.19. God does not react to events but sovereignly ordains or permits them to run their course. Although we cannot know for certain if He has sent a catastrophe or allowed it, we can trust in His goodness and wisdom.

God loves People:

Giving His Son for the salvation of the world proves that God loves each person. “For God so loved the world that He gave His Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him” John 3:16-17. Even though many will reject this fact, this truth stands firm. God cares for us, even when we can’t feel it or won’t accept it.

God has Purpose:

God ordains or permits events for His good purpose. “I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say MY purpose will stand and I will do all that I please” Isaiah. 46:10.Though we cannot fully comprehend what God is doing in each incident, every disaster is a call for humanity to wake up. God is alerting us of the need to change and repent, so the lost can be reconciled and the redeemed can be revived to live purposefully and totally for Him. A disaster can open our ears to hear from the Lord.

God is Hope:

The One who loves us perfectly is in full control, working everything out according to His good purpose. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him who have been called according to His purpose” Romans. 8:28.Knowing this should fill us with Hope, even during crisis situations. The Lord promises to turn disaster into good for those who are called according to His purpose.