a quote I saw today...

Why do we let the one thing we don't have affect how we feel about all the things we do have?
Carrie Bradshaw

Hmmmmm...this could easily be a world philosophy in a nutshell.

a prayer for today....

Lord, teach me to take gladly the place You have assigned to me and to submit humbly to those over me, that I may do my part to keep the smooth and proper functioning of the body of Christ.

Who really is in charge....

Author: Elisabeth Elliot
Source: A Lamp For My Feet
Scripture: Exodus 16:6

Who is in Charge?

The people of Israel complained loudly against Moses for having brought them out into a wilderness where there was nothing to their liking. "Better to have died in Egypt!" they said.

"It was the Lord who brought you out," Moses told them(Ex 16:6-8). "It is against the Lord that you bring your complaints, and not against us."

When we are angry or offended, let us be careful to note where our real complaint lies. This person who insults me at the office or on the bus, this husband who rides roughshod over my feelings, this insensitive individual who does not understand or appreciate me--is he not one whom God has put in my life for my good? Who, after all, is really in charge?

Let us beware of rebellion against the Lord. Circumstances are of his choosing, because He wants to bless us, to lead us (even through the wilderness) out of Egypt, that is, out of ourselves. Settle the complaint with God, and it will settle other things. Be offended with God, and you will be offended with everyone who crosses your path.

Thought for today...March 10

"Being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will" (Eph. 1:11).

There is no such thing as chance as far as God is concerned.

What a comfort!!!!!!!

What I learned today...4 March 2007

Yes, I'm back to sharing devotionals. This is not because I can't think for myself, or that I don't have plenty to say! Rather it is because God brought these words across my path at exactly the right time and to exactly show me something I needed to learn. Right now I am waiting: for answers, for direction, for guidance, for a lot, actually. It seems I should continue to wait for now, and this is something I struggle with. Waiting is difficult; however, wait I shall. I will wait and pray and will be confident that the answers will come when God sees fit.

(I did change the personal pronouns from 'we' to 'I'. It isn't to diminish the authors writing but, rather, to make it more of a confessional and prayer.)

Author: Theodore Epp
Source: Strength for the Journey
Scripture Reference Genesis 27:1-17 Psalm 37:34

Impatient to Wait on God

Genesis 27:1-17

One faithless act leads to another. Having schemed to secure the birthright, Jacob deceived his father in order to secure the blessing, which was a vital part of the birthright.

Jacob needed not only the birthright from Esau but also the blessing from his father. One was of no value without the other.

Although Esau was the favorite son of his father, Jacob was the favorite son of his mother.

Isaac was making plans to pass the blessing on to his favorite son, but Rebekah was not about to have Jacob left out--especially since God had indicated the blessing was to be Jacob's. Rebekah devised a counterplot.

Rebekah's sin was that she lacked faith in God's ability. She felt she had to help God accomplish His will.

While the intended goal was legitimate, the means she used to accomplish it were not honoring to God. She thought God must be frustrated concerning His plan and, therefore, needed her help.

Some people say, "The Lord helps those who help themselves." This is not true. The truth is that God helps those who come to the end of themselves.

What I need is patience to wait on God. He is able to do everything He has said He will do, and He will always do it on time.

"Wait on the Lord, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land" (Ps. 37:34).