A "Cup" or "Pitcher"

Scripture:

Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use? Romans 9:21

Thoughts:

As I opened my mail today to get my Affirmation from God, through a trusted friend, Tom, the Holy Spirit spoke into my life. He talked about us responding to each call with obedience, saying, "Different callings, different purposes but we are the one. God created us in the womb for His purpose and without ceasing we are being prepared. We are also being used to prepare, to encourage, to confirm, and to help. It is up to us; no one else. What do you know you must do today? You may be the only one." 

I must confess, that I have prayed that my territory would be increased, that God would open greater doors of opportunity. Maybe we all have thought at times, if only I had an opportunity such as Beth Moore or John Piper, then I could influence thousands for Jesus. There are two observations made from our scripture concerning our calling and our obedience. 1) Paul points out the attitude we should have toward our mission,  “But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? "Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, `Why did you make me like this?'" Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use?” Romans 9:20,21. God created us. He is the potter. If we were designed as a “cup” with a one to one ministry or a “pitcher” reaching multitudes we are called to fulfill our mission. 2) There is a reward for being obedient, “if we are faithful and obedient with what God has entrusted us, then he will put us in charge of greater things,”Matthew 25:23.  

My desire is to be obedient to what God calls me to do each day and interestingly enough each day brings it’s own opportunities. The one thing that we cannot know is just who we influence each day, sometimes even unaware that we did anything. The world’s eyes are watching each and every Follower of Jesus, so we must be faithful regardless how small the task may seem.

Application:

1.   Do you begin each day asking God to open your eyes to the opportunities you have?
2.  What opportunities do you have each day to share Jesus? 
3.  How do you approach the opportunities you have?

Prayer:

Dear Father, open my eyes to opportunities to share Jesus each day. Give me the strength to be obedient to your calling on my life. In Jesus name I pray. Amen

There's a Reason

I was going back through my writings and saw this one where I had received this little poem in my e-mail a year or so ago. So here goes just in case someone needed to hear it again.

"There comes a point in your life when you realize:

Who matters,

Who never did,

Who won't anymore...

And who always will..

So, don't worry about people from your past ,

there's a reason why they didn't make it to your future.."

Names quickly appear across the pages of my mind as I read this. Yes, there are reasons that people from our past do not make it into our future. We make decisions about people concerning whether we remember or forget them based on whether our relationship with them was/is "good," or "bad."

Have you ever heard someone say, "I will forgive, but not forget?" I believe that forgive means, as though it didn't happen, or in other words, FORGET IT, let it BE GONE.  I do forgive individuals, but as hard as I try there are times when that individual, that I thought I left behind, that caused me pain,  just pops back up. How about you? Then, once again, I must deal with my feelings. 

You know, everytime, yes, everytime I deal with this, the Holy Spirit reminds me of Joseph when he was dealing with his brothers after they had hurt him so deeply.   Listen to this passage from Genesis 50:19-21, when Joseph told his brothers, "Don't be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is not being done, the saving of many lives... and he spoke kindly to them."

I believe that attitude of Joseph is what Christ had in mind when he said for us to "consider it pure joy...when we face trials...."So I am saying I am to fake the hurt during my trials and appear "happy as a Lark," even though I am crushed on the inside? Definitely not.  Trials are painful, at least mine are, but I am saying that it is possible to have a positive attitude (joy) because we know that trials produce in us perseverance, patience, and steadfastness (James 1: 2-15). 

As believers in God we should  try to look at our struggles as an opportunity for growth. As we pray, God will give us strength and wisdom to get through the difficult times and as in the passage today, to not just get past those difficult persons, but be able to look them in the eye and "speak kindly to them." Instead of looking at that individual and saying, "You caused me hurt in my life," look to God and say, "Thank you for using the hurt to accomplish your will in my life." 

James 1: 12 says, "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him." 

How do you see those that hurt you or someone you love. How do you deal with hurt...tough times? Did you become better or bitter? Will you receive the crown?