Savor the Opportunities
Galatians 6:10
"Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity,
we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith."
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A Time to Think
We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves.
The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter begins New Year's Day.
-Edith Lovejoy Pierce |
| To Act Welcome the freshness of morning and the opportunities that await you the start of each new day. |
| To Pray Lord, in You I put my trust. |
~ Daily Thoughts from Guideposts
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This morning, a dear e-pal sent me the story of Jasmine (thanks, Sue Nell). Maybe you've heard it, but please read it again anyway. Here is a 'condensed' version:
In 2003, police in Warwickshire, England, opened a garden shed and found a whimpering, cowering dog. The dog had been locked in the shed and abandoned. It was dirty and malnourished, and had quite clearly been abused. In an act of kindness, the police took the dog, which was a female greyhound, to the Nuneaton Warwickshire Wildlife Sanctuary, which is run by a man named Geoff Grewcock, and known as a haven for animals abandoned, orphaned, or otherwise in need.
Geoff and the other sanctuary staff went to work with two aims: to restore the dog to full health, and to win her trust. It took several weeks, but eventually both goals were achieved. They named her Jasmine, and they started to think about finding her an adoptive home.
Jasmine, however, had other ideas. No one quite remembers how it came about, but Jasmine started welcoming all animal arrivals at the sanctuary. It would not matter if it were a puppy, a fox cub, a rabbit or, any other lost or hurting animal. Jasmine would just peer into the box or cage and, when and where possible, deliver a welcoming lick, with a mother's heart doing best what a caring mother would do...and such is the order of God's Creation.
Now, think about it. In this world, we can be 'dirty and malnourished', abused with a lack of esteem or care, facing cruel situations and a sense of hopelessness. However, through His 'haven', our Heavenly Father Who loves us and lifts us when we need it, we can be 'restored' and in turn, are able to bless others with His love.
Ephesians 5:16 - "Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days."
Colossians 4:5 - "Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity."
Hope you have an opportunity-filled day and are, yourselves, wrapped in God's loving and protective arms.
Recently, I heard a wonderful tale that I just HAD to pass on to you. A couple of Saturdays ago, our nephew, his wife, and their young son (turning 5 this month) were returning to their car after shopping at a home repair store. As they were loading up their prchases, a man approached our nephew and asked if they were married? Our nephew was somewhat perplexed by the question, but answered, "Yes sir" anyway. The man reached into his pocket, pulled out a
$100 bill, handed it to our nephew, and said, "Merry Christmas". Astonished, our nephew, as he attempted to return the money to the man's hand, told him thank you, but that they were okay - and that he appreciated the man's thoughtfulness. The man refused the money and said, "You're a young married couple with a young child - Merry Christmas" and walked away.
This is the type of story one very seldom hears or reads in the "news", but I'm certain happens all the time. There are thousands of unsung heroes who are blessing folks with God's love, who - without any 'fan-fare' spread God's message found in Matthew 7:12 - "So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you..........."
Likewise, we all are blessed with God's favor and grace in so many ways of which we are never aware. Little things, the ones we take for granted or simply don't notice. That's sad - to God - but He just keeps doing it anyway.... loving His children and giving to them. Today, try to listen, and see, and dwell on these 'little things', and don't forget to thank and praise God for being "Him".
Hope you have an opportunity-filled day and are, yourselves, wrapped in God's loving and protective arms. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________
As Christians, we sometimes forget a simple truth--that everything we need to achieve victory and live an abundant life was given to us when we received Christ as Savior and Lord! Romans 15:13, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace. . ." will always be a wonderful reminder of God's blessed hope.
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You Never Know
A few years ago in downtown Denver, my friend, Scott, and I saw
something tiny and insignificant that changed the world, but no
one else even seemed to notice.
It was one of those beautiful Denver days. Crystal clear, no
humidity, not a cloud in the sky. We decided to walk the ten
blocks to an outdoor restaurant rather than take the shuttle bus
that runs up and down the Sixteenth Street Mall. The restaurant,
in the shape of a baseball diamond, was called The Blake Street
Baseball Club. The tables were set appropriately on the grass
infield. Many Colorful pennants and flags hung limply overhead.
As we sat outside, the sun continued to beat down on us and it
became increasingly hot. There wasn't a hint of a breeze, and
heat radiated up from the tabletop. Nothing moved, except the
waiters, of course. And they didn't move very fast either.
After lunch, Scott and I started to walk back up the mall. We
both noticed a mother and her young daughter walking out of a
card shop toward the street. She was holding her daughter by
the hand while reading a greeting card. It was immediately
apparent to us that she was so engrossed in the card that she
did not notice a shuttle bus moving toward her at a good clip.
She and her daughter were one step away from disaster when Scott
started to yell.
He hadn't even gotten a word out when a breeze blew the card out
of her hand and over her shoulder. She spun around and grabbed
at the card, nearly knocking her daughter over. By the time she
picked up the card from the ground and turned back around to
cross the street, the shuttle bus had whizzed by her. She never
even knew what almost happened.
To this day, two things continue to perplex me about this event:
Where did that one spurt of wind come from to blow the card out
of that young mother's hand? There had not been a whisper of
wind at lunch or during our long walk back up the mall.
Secondly, if Scott had been able to get his words out, the young
mother might have looked up at us as they continued to walk into
the bus.
It was the wind that made her turn back to the card in the one
direction that saved her life and that of her daughter. The
passing bus did not create the wind. On the contrary, the wind
came from the opposite direction. I have no doubt it was a
breath from God protecting them both.
But the awesomeness of this miracle is that she never knew. As
we continued back to work, I wondered how God often acts in our
lives without our being aware. The difference between life and
death can very well be a little thing.
~Author Unknown~
A few years ago in downtown Denver, my friend, Scott, and I saw
something tiny and insignificant that changed the world, but no
one else even seemed to notice.
It was one of those beautiful Denver days. Crystal clear, no
humidity, not a cloud in the sky. We decided to walk the ten
blocks to an outdoor restaurant rather than take the shuttle bus
that runs up and down the Sixteenth Street Mall. The restaurant,
in the shape of a baseball diamond, was called The Blake Street
Baseball Club. The tables were set appropriately on the grass
infield. Many Colorful pennants and flags hung limply overhead.
As we sat outside, the sun continued to beat down on us and it
became increasingly hot. There wasn't a hint of a breeze, and
heat radiated up from the tabletop. Nothing moved, except the
waiters, of course. And they didn't move very fast either.
After lunch, Scott and I started to walk back up the mall. We
both noticed a mother and her young daughter walking out of a
card shop toward the street. She was holding her daughter by
the hand while reading a greeting card. It was immediately
apparent to us that she was so engrossed in the card that she
did not notice a shuttle bus moving toward her at a good clip.
She and her daughter were one step away from disaster when Scott
started to yell.
He hadn't even gotten a word out when a breeze blew the card out
of her hand and over her shoulder. She spun around and grabbed
at the card, nearly knocking her daughter over. By the time she
picked up the card from the ground and turned back around to
cross the street, the shuttle bus had whizzed by her. She never
even knew what almost happened.
To this day, two things continue to perplex me about this event:
Where did that one spurt of wind come from to blow the card out
of that young mother's hand? There had not been a whisper of
wind at lunch or during our long walk back up the mall.
Secondly, if Scott had been able to get his words out, the young
mother might have looked up at us as they continued to walk into
the bus.
It was the wind that made her turn back to the card in the one
direction that saved her life and that of her daughter. The
passing bus did not create the wind. On the contrary, the wind
came from the opposite direction. I have no doubt it was a
breath from God protecting them both.
But the awesomeness of this miracle is that she never knew. As
we continued back to work, I wondered how God often acts in our
lives without our being aware. The difference between life and
death can very well be a little thing.
~Author Unknown~
from MountainWings
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Put on the Whole Armor of God
"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
"For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
"Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.
"Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."
"For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
"Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.
"Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."
Ephesians 6: 10-17
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The Inner Witness - Gloria Copeland
"The Spirit itself [Himself] beareth witness with our spirit." Romans 8:16
Do you ever have trouble hearing from God? Do you find yourself caught in confusing circumstances needing guidance, and yet even after praying and reading the Word--you're still not sure what God wants you to do?
I've had that experience. I knew His written Word and acting on it changed my life. But I was uncertain when I had to make decisions about things the Word didn't specifically address. Things like whether to move to one city or another, for example.
What held me back was my ability to know that I was doing the right thing. You see, God's written Word and the inward witness are two different things. They never contradict each other, but they're both a vital part of our walk with God.
God expected Israel, for example, to obey His written Word. But He also said to them, "Obey my voice" (Jeremiah 7:23) because He wanted them to know His will in specific situations. That's what happened when Israel invaded Jericho. They heard God's voice. Where else do you think they would have gotten that strange battle plan? It wasn't written in the law of Moses. And certainly, no human being would suggest a seven-day march around a city as the most effective form of invasion!
But exactly how, you may wonder, does God speak to us? Does He just shout down at us from heaven?
Not usually! Romans 8 says the Holy Spirit bears witness with our spirit. That means that God's directions come from inside, not outside, of you.
At times when you hear His guidance, you may even wonder, "Was that me, Lord, or was that You?" That's because God doesn't normally inject thoughts directly into your mind from the outside. Instead, He speaks to your spirit, and your spirit translates it into a thought.
Tune in today to that inward witness, to that quiet knowing, that urging, prompting and leading arising within you.
If when you hear it, it sounds like you, don't be surprised. It is you! It is your spirit being influenced by the Spirit of God! After you're born again, your spirit is a safe guide because you are born of God's Spirit. You have His nature. And the Holy Spirit lives in your spirit to teach you and to give you direction.
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