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 Psalms 46:1-3 God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear… |
Life On Life’s Terms Have you ever noticed that when things are going the way we want, it is easy to accept life on life’s terms? But watch out when things don’t turn out the way we expect. Part of being a real follower means to do the task at hand, one task at a time and let God take care of how it turns out.  I work in a
factory that has a union and our contract recently expired. I am also a
union steward. It was not my task to negotiate the new agreement, but it
is my responsibility to inform the people of what the agreement is all
about. There is a lot of mistrust among the membership towards the union
and management because they have been lied to repeatedly over the last 15
years about previous agreements. We have been told we gave no concessions
when in fact, after ratification, we found all sorts of agreements were
made and things were given up that were not in our favor. This is the
first time I have been in a position to explain a contract and it has been
a horrific experience.I am
gaining compassion for fellow union stewards because I never knew until
now what sort of hostility, anger and fear they were up against. I am so
grateful for my relationship with God and my newfound Body of Christ (
Ginghamsburg). The problem I face is I think this is truly the best
agreement we have ever had and if it is turned down, we will go on strike.
If that happens, I may lose all the savings I have worked so hard to build
up. So I find myself thinking, “I have to change their minds. I have to
make them vote yes.” And I have to do that by yelling louder and getting
the last word in. But the real truth is that it will turn out the way God
wants it to. No matter how hard I argue or how loud I get, if I don’t
remember that God is in control, then I just make the situation worse.I think
about all the times in my life when I tried so hard to make something go
my way and it just wouldn’t, because God had something better planned
for me. So I am trying a new approach. Every time I go out on the floor, I
say, “God, I am simply your instrument. Use me as you will. Your will,
not mine be done.” Things seem to be going a lot smoother. I find that I
don’t raise my voice nearly as much. I seem to reason better and think
more clearly and the answers to the questions come easier, because I know
that no matter what happens (even if I lose my
savings) God will make sure my needs are met. I know this because I have
many experiences to remember when God came through for me. So when I start
to get fearful that I won’t get what I want or it won’t turn out the
easy way, I just remember how much I grow when I get through another
difficult situation by letting God handle it.Can you
think of three instances when you tried desperately to control a situation
and it just wouldn’t work out? Now, how did it turn out? Did it help you
to grow in the long run?Prayer Most wondrous almighty Father, please help us to realize that when we are pushing, pulling and straining so hard it is because we are motivated by wants instead of needs. Help us to lay down the heavy tug of war rope and let you do your work. The load is so much lighter when we let you carry it for us. Help us to concentrate on the task at hand instead of the whole project. It is your project. Additional Scriptures Matthew 26:39-41; Luke 22:39-46 Kate Geiger |
NOTE: This page contains 5 devotions. Pick
one using the above buttons. |
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| Jeremiah 25:28 “But if they refuse to take the cup from your hand and drink, tell them, 'This is what the Lord Almighty says: You must drink it!' " |
Are You Looking At the Cup . . . Or In It? We were asked this weekend if we were willing to look into the cup God has given us. And it made me wonder, have I actually looked into the cup I'm holding? Or have I been too concerned with the cup itself? Recently,
my sister-in-law had a bridal shower for "our" younger sister.
It was set up like the old tea parties, with fancy china cups and finger
foods. The tea cups used were a collection her mother has had for years
and treasures them deeply as most belonged to her mother. When I first
found out we were actually going to use them, I was terrified. I'm
somewhat of a klutz and had trouble enjoying my tea for fear I would drop
the cup. Of course, nothing like that happened, but I would've enjoyed the
tea more if I hadn't been so concerned about the cup.Too many
times I think I do the same thing with the cup God has given me. I'm
looking at it as an antique tea cup and missing the wonderful tea inside.
Yes, it may be hot at first, but in time, it becomes something wonderful
to drink. God knows life can be "hot," but if we take it slowly,
we will reach the end and it will have been worth it. And sometimes, we
may burn our tongues, but that too always heals in time.Prayer Thank you, God, for giving me this cup. May I not only treasure it's beauty, but the treasure it holds as well. Amen Additional Scriptures Romans 8:18; Matthew 20:22; Mark 14:23; Luke 22:17 Janice
Lane |
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| Matthew 20:22b [Jesus said] “Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?” |
Too Much Of A Good Thing We weren’t a rich family. But every summer we seemed to be able to take a vacation. One year we spent a week in a cabin by Lake Michigan. We had a boat for fishing. (I caught a pike!) I even took a ride on a big boat through the “locks”. Wow! It was quite an experience for a 9-year-old country kid. It was the perfect week…almost. Mom bought
some blueberries from local folk. She bought a lot of blueberries. I liked
blueberries. We had blueberry muffins, blueberry pancakes, blueberry
bread, etc. Day after day we had blueberries. And I ate and ate. Finally,
my body had enough. I spent a memorable part of one night ridding myself
of blueberries. It took a long time before I could again eat a blueberry.
I liked blueberries…but not all the time.In life, I
like good times. I like fun. I like things easy. I like sunshine. But life
isn’t always like that. Life has bad times. Sometimes I’m sad, mad or
bored. Some things are difficult or stressful. And it rains. Life is like
that.The good and
bad go together. All good and I would get “sick.” All bad and I’d
crumble. But the mix keeps me healthy and strong. I like sunshine, but
sunshine all the time produces a desert.Prayer Lord, you know my pain. You know I am dust. When trouble comes, hold me. I am weak. Increase my faith. It is not so much answers that I want as it is assurance. When contradiction and confusion surround me, remind me that you are faithful. Help me, in faith, to take a step at a time. Additional Scriptures Job 13:15 David Phipps
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| Mark 14:23 "And he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. He gave it to them, and they all drank from it." |
I Drink From the Saucer God gives each of us a full cup. It contains the heartaches , sorrows, joy and triumphs that we are to experience in a lifetime. Some days our cup tastes more bitter than sweet. Right now my two children are screaming at the top of their lungs and could kill each other at any minute over my thermometer, which they are not supposed to have in the first place. I won't spit it out, though. I will swallow my frustration for the time being and try to concentrate on all of the beauty in my life. If we thirst
it is only because we refuse to drink from that which we have been given.
I believe that sometimes when we look at our cup, at what we've been
given, its contents can become distorted in our eyes. It may look
unappealing to see that same old job, those screaming kids, or that
husband that has had a bad day and comes home in a foul mood. But if we
take the time and opportunity to drink and savor our rich blessings, we
come to realize that we all look kind of foul sometimes, but that only
masks the beauty that is within each sip.Christ knew
exactly what his cup held, and yet he still drank. We, fortunately, don't
know the exact contents of our cups. That's why, when things look cloudy,
we must stir and drink all the more deeply! Hey, sometimes all of the
sugar is in the bottom!Prayer Lord, help us to savor the cup, seize the day. Remind us to share our blessings, too. The drink is best when passed around. We know that you will be with us when life is bitter. Forgive us of our sins. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. Additional Scriptures Psalm 23 Ruth Moorman |
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| Psalm 16:5 (NIV) Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup . . Psalm 23:6 (The Message) . . my cup brims with blessings. . |
Hey, I Can Do That. No Problem! Hey, I can do that. And I can do that, too. And while I’m at it, I can probably do one other thing. No problem! I have been blessed with many gifts and I really know how to use them. I’m very capable. I may get a little tired and frustrated at times, but then doesn’t everyone? Does that
sound familiar? Have you heard someone saying they can do it all, too.
Have you thought the same thing? Until quite recently, I thought I could.
That I could take on every good opportunity that came my way and do a
great job of handling it all. I felt so blessed that my cup of blessings
really was overflowing. But then as I continued to take on more and more
without first taking a good, long, hard look at what was in the cup I was
about to drink, I became frustrated when things just didn’t go as I had
planned. One and one no longer added up to two jobs well done, but to one
job too many. Two and two became too much to handle. I was not only
becoming too tired, but tired of the tasks themselves. Tasks that became
jobs instead of joys.You know, I
love a good cup of coffee. It seems to energize me. Give me a quick
pick-me-up. But I am no longer looking for quick pick-me-ups, but trying
very hard not to overextend my energies in the first place. I am coming to
realize that every great or good opportunity that comes along may not be
great or good for me. That even though I want to experience every good
thing, that maybe, just maybe, God is not ready for me to drink from
certain cups at the time I want to chug-a-lug them. That maybe, just
maybe, He has better cups for me to drink from. They may not always be to
my liking, may even be a little bitter, may even be hard to swallow. But
if I drink the cups He gives me, even though just a sip at a time, I know
He will still smile down upon me because He doesn’t expect me to swallow
the whole cup at once. He wants me to savor the flavor. To drink it all
and not waste the blessings I will experience from doing His bidding, in
His time and in His way. One thing at a time, reaping better than what I
would have sown.Prayer My dear Father, this is the day that you have made. I will rejoice and be glad in it. I want to know what you want me to do and when you want me to do it. Forgive my pride in thinking I can make as good a brew as you. Let me remember I am only the cup and you are the coffee. I am only the glove but you are the hand. I am your vessel to use however you want. Yes! Additional Scriptures Proverbs 11:2; I Peter 5:6 Pat Hedleston
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