Chronic Warrior

Luke 5:1-11,”1And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret, 2And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets. 3And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon’s, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship. 4Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. 5And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. 6And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. 7And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink. 8When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord. 9For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken: 10And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men. 11And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.”

I’ve read this passage many times, probably even taught it more than once. This morning, the account came alive to me. Consider the following:

• In chapter 4, Jesus heals Peter’s mother-in-law. (In Luke - first mention of Peter.) Jesus cares for Peter’s hurting family member. Jesus showed compassion to him.
• Jesus requests Peter’s boat to go out on the water when the crowds are growing on shore.
• Jesus commands Peter to go back out to fish after He finished teaching. This command doesn’t make sense as they have fished all night with no success.
• Peter obeys although the command seems foolishness to him. He obeyed.
• Peter brings in so many fish that 2 boats begin to sink.
• Peter worships and realizes his unworthiness as He sees God’s power. He tells Jesus to depart from his unworthiness. When we truly get a glimpse of who Jesus is - His power and purity, we are overcome with how unworthy we are! We don’t even deserve to be in His presence.
• Jesus does not reject him. JESUS does NOT reject him! Oh, the love that Jesus has for us! This astounded me. Jesus loves us despite our complete unworthiness. Jesus doesn’t leave Peter. Instead, He beckons Peter to follow Him, to serve Him! (Notice, Peter now has a choice to follow.
• They (Peter, James, John) bring the boats to land, forsook all (even the amazing bounty of fish) and followed Him! I’d never thought about the fact that they left all those fish before. Wow!
• Being in Christ’s presence was greater than the amazing material blessing Christ had just given!!!

How do I value Christ? Am I willing to forsake all for Him?

Matthew 9:36-37, “36But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. 37Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; 38Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.”

Isaiah 6:8, “8Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.”

Mark 16:15, “15And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”

As I helped a friend plant part of her garden a few weeks ago, my hands got dirty. It also wasn’t always comfortable for me and could actually be called work. Don’t misunderstand - I loved doing it with her and look forward to helping more soon and putting in my own garden.

God spoke to my heart as we worked. You see, sometimes when we are willing to work for God, we want to keep our hands from getting dirty with the dirt of the world. We want to be comfortable and the way to be easy. So often we stop when hurting, broken, “dirty” people come along or when we are not in our comfort zone. If things get the least bit tough, we whine and complain and run back to God’s table instead of staying in the field.

Will I say, “Here am I, Lord, send me.” even when that means being around the dirt and misery of the world, going out of my comfort zone, or working hard?

It has been awhile since I posted. The last few weeks have been hard and busy; hard due to a long migraine; busy due to, well, life.

During those hard days of the migraine and working, I was tempted frequently to despair. I cried out to God, waited, and cried out to Him more. I was struggling with discouragement, weakness, fatigue, and more discouragement. Finally, I told my close friend and prayer partner of my struggles so that she could pray with me as I continued to cry out to my Father.

God then used this friend as she sent me songs and quotes to point me back to God. One of the quotes was from the song “Put on the Garment of Praise,” “Lift up the hands that hang down, Lift up the voice now still, give unto God continuous praise, sing forth from Zion’s hill.” Sing when my heart was down and all looked gray? Yes. Sing. Praise God.

Discouragement is a loss of focus on God. Although I had chosen the passage months before this hard time, God had orchestrated that my passage to memorize the first week of this migraine was Psalm 112, “1Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in his commandments. 2His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed. 3Wealth and riches shall be in his house: and his righteousness endureth for ever. 4Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous. 5A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion. 6Surely he shall not be moved for ever: the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance. 7He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD. 8His heart is established, he shall not be afraid, until he see his desire upon his enemies. 9He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; his righteousness endureth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honour. 10The wicked shall see it, and be grieved; he shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away: the desire of the wicked shall perish.”

Notice that it starts with PRAISING the LORD! As we praise Him, our focus is directed to Him! Notice that this Psalm continues to bring our focus on God through fearing Him and delighting in His commandments (v.1), seeing Him as our light (v.4), and trusting in Him (v.7-8). In applying this verse, it was helpful to me to be accountable to someone. Daily praise updates to my prayer partner helped me purposely, intentionally focus on God and His goodness through the valley. Graciously and patiently she praised with me while praying for me. Slowly, but in God’s time, He began to “sweep me off my feet” as only our precious loving God can do with comfort and love.

The migraine finally “broke” and hours and hours of sweet rest came. Then, our precious Saviour gave me a special gift. The next week He gave me literally hours upon hours of time alone with Him and His Word. It was a sweet time of fellowship with Him and in His Word. My heart soon was overflowing with joy and more praise!

Discouraged? Praise Him! It chases the storm clouds away!

Here is my testimony - the story of how God changed my life.

In one way, my story is not unique. I am a person created of God with a sin nature who has trusted in God’s Son for redemption and been not only gloriously saved from sin and spiritual death to a new eternal life in Him, but also gloriously changed to be a new person in Christ. God has this purpose and plan of salvation for each and every one of us. He wants to have a dynamic, intimate relationship with us through the sacrifice of His precious Son, Jesus. The Bible says that He is not willing that any should perish. Yet, He leaves the choice up to us.

I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour as a young child. Trusting Him as Saviour did not mean that I never had trials. God has allowed me to go through physical hardships, moves, financial difficulties and other life challenges. Through it all, though, God has been teaching me, guiding me, loving me, and providing for me. His Word and time spent with Him in prayer have been my source of comfort and sustenance.

As I grew, many people would have said that I was a “good Christian.” I went to church, read my Bible, prayed, avoided the “big” sins, and even served in a Christian ministry. God even was amazingly able to use me to bring others to Him. (I never cease to stand in awe of what God can accomplish through His children - frail and broken as we are.) However, although I knew Christ as my Saviour, I was not loving Him with my all or relying on Him to fulfill my every need. My focus was all about me, not others. I was needy and some may have said that I had low self-esteem. But in reality, I esteemed self very, very highly. Often, my disability was used to draw attention to myself or, sadly, even to make things go my way. During those years, God was working in my life as a Father does with a child, molding me, making me, and bringing me to a place where I recognized my self-will and my needs and was willing to turn to Him.

It was in 2004 and into 2005 that God really chastened me in order to bring me closer to Himself. God took everything away that I held dear. After nearly 15 years on my own in a ministry I loved, health difficulties forced me to move back to my parent’s home one thousand miles away. Not only did I leave a job and friends that I loved behind, but one close friend even went Home to be with God just a few days after I moved. I was fearful, filled with self, and very needy although I had not yet recognized these things.

In this condition far from God, my loving, merciful Heavenly Father reached out to me by introducing me to some very dear friends and using them to draw me closer to Himself. Their love for God was different than I had ever seen or known before as they truly strove to live each moment Biblically, to base every decision on what the Bible taught and to always love and forgive as Christ loves and forgives, no matter what. In the coming weeks and months, they prayed fervently for me while patiently putting up with my selfishness, lovingly taking me back to God’s Word and continually reminding me of how truly powerful and awesome our God is.

Through their living out God’s command to be salt and light, I have become thirstier for God than ever before and am being drawn away from the darkness of self into His light. These changes have been and continue to be difficult and wonderful all at the same time. God’s work in my life has meant much confession, repentance, and seeking of forgiveness from many that I had wronged with my selfish attitude over the years and also when I stumble. It means that freedom and joy are growing in my heart, mind, and soul. Jeremiah 29:13 has become real to me as I seek and find my God and Saviour. ” 13And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.”

One verse that God is using to work in my heart and life is Luke 10:27, “²⁷And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.” I strive to live this verse in God’s strength, not my own. It is amazing what has and is changing as I seek to love God with my all. My focus is shifting from fears, uncertainties, aches, pains, and frustrating people to trusting my daily trials to an all-loving, all-powerful God and seeing others through my love for Him.

Slowly, a patient God was (and is) transforming my life. God continues to teach me the truth of this quote from Revive Our Hearts “Anything that makes me long for God is a blessing. Anything that makes me desperate for Him, anything that brings me to the end of my own resources, my own strength, my own power, that’s a good thing. Thank God if He is creating circumstances to make you desperate for Him, and then you seek the Lord with diligence.” He also shows me that while I can not ignore my disability, my focus should be on Him and His working through it rather than the disability. I am to glorify Him in everything. (2 Corinthians 6:1-10)

The disability and chronic illnesses that I focused so much on before have now become vehicles for blessing. (I must admit that there are days that I have to remind my heart of this fact, but God is faithful!) I now can truly thank God for these trials. Praising Him for what I once despised. Only God can change someone’s heart like that!

Another outcome of this growing relationship with God is that the more I learn of His perfect love, the more my fears are vanishing just as He promises. I John 4:18, ” 18There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.” Peace and joy are coming into my inner being even when things are falling apart around me.

There are many, many other areas that God has worked in my life and many Scriptures that have become so precious to me - some of which are shared in the posts of this blog. I stand in awe of how God (and God alone) can change a person from self, frustration and fear to glorifying Him, love and peace! And, yes, He is still working on me. God continues to convict, love and change me as I draw near to Him. Oh, how I want to know Him more! To God be the glory, great things He hath done!

I also long for others to know the peace, freedom, joy, and love of knowing God intimately. This amazing God longs to show You His love and give you peace and contentment as well.

In recent weeks, the doctors have added to my “hardware.” I now have five splints to wear every night to help prevent or correct various conditions. I must admit that I am still getting used to sleeping with all the various splints, but I persevere in my quest because I know these splints are for my own good. I have joked, however, that soon I will just wear an exoskeleton or a coat of armor (with appropriate straps) to bed!

As I was contemplating all the gear, I began thinking about our spiritual lives. What “splints” do I have in place spiritually to intentionally prevent or correct problems?

Ephesians 6:10-18 came to mind. “10Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;”

How is your armor today?

One day this past week, weakness prevailed and stress mounted. The load God had called me to that day in serving others was difficult. Unfortunately, I didn’t handle it well. The next day, I read this in My Utmost for His Highest.

“Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy and rejoice with you all.

Philippians 2:17
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=php+2:17&sr=1

Are you willing to be offered for the work of the faithful - to pour out your life blood as a libation on the sacrifice of the faith of others? Or do you say - “I am not going to be offered up just yet, I do not want God to choose my work. I want to choose the scenery of my own sacrifice; I want to have the right kind of people watching and saying, ‘Well done.’

It is one thing to go on the lonely way with dignified heroism, but quite another thing if the line mapped out for you by God means being a door-mat under other people’s feet. Suppose God wants to teach you to say, “I know how to be abased” - are you ready to be offered up like that? Are you ready to be not so much as a drop in a bucket - to be so hopelessly insignificant that you are never thought of again in connection with the life you served? Are you willing to spend and be spent; not seeking to be ministered unto, but to minister? Some saints cannot do menial work and remain saints because it is beneath their dignity.”

God worked in my heart and repentance came. A couple days later, came another hard day. But, that day, I had a song in my heart that kept spilling forth. I could not contain the joy in my heart. Stresses came and so did the joy. It was a pretty gruelling day with many challenges which left me in intense pain that night. Yet, the joy continued to overflow.

As I waited for sleep to come that night, God was speaking to my heart. I contemplated the difference between the two days and the example of a balloon came to mind. When pressure is put on a balloon that is full of air, it bursts easily. However, when pressure is put on a balloon that is not completely full of hot air, the balloon flexes easily and conforms to the pressure put on it.

The next morning, I was reading Luke 1:38 and was impressed by Mary’s attitude when God asked her to do an impossible task that would cause her to be rejected. “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.” She was a flexible, pliable balloon ready to be molded and conformed to the pressure that God allowed.

So, am I going to be a balloon full of hot air (myself) today that pops when pressures come? Or, will I be a balloon that is flexible and pliable and ready to conform to how God wants to work in my life? How about you?

In Exodus 19, God comes down to the mountain to speak to the children of Israel and allow them to see His greatness so that they do not doubt Moses. The people are to sanctify themselves before God comes. They are to stay away from the mountain when He comes - not even touching it lest they die. Boundaries are to be placed around the mountain for their protection.

The appointed day arrives and God comes down to the mount. Smoke, heavy smoke covers the mountain. The mountain quakes. Thunder roars. Lightning flashes. A loud trumpet sounds. God has come down. Moses speaks to Him; He answers back in an audible voice.

Then, in the midst of all the fury and power of God’s presence, God calls Moses to come up to the top of the mount (v. 20). What? I had to read that again. Heavy smoke, thunder, lightning, a mountain quaking, a voice as a loud trumpet, and as far as Moses knows, sure death. God had not told Moses yet that it was okay for him to go up on the mount without dying (v. 24).

What amazes me most is Moses’ response! “…and Moses went up.” Simple. He went up. He did not complain, question, or compromise. He went up. He could have been facing death, but obedience to and fellowship with God were more important. He went up. He trusted God. Whoa! Selah!

A close friend of mine recently posted this quote, “When Augustine read those words, ‘Thou canst not see my face and live,’ he was bold enough to answer, ‘Let me die to see thy face.’” I do not know the originator of the quote, but what an awesome spirit!

What about in my life today? Am I that eager to obey and fellowship with my God?

Yesterday on my drive home from work, the weather was fairly clear - just a few flurries in the air. However, one portion of my drive had me going through a near white-out. Those who have driven in a white-out know how scary they can be. It seemed to last forever, but in actuality only lasted five minutes. Very soon, I was driving under patches of blue sky.

The experience made me stop to think.  Sometimes my life has white-outs, periods of time when I can’t see light, the way ahead or behind, where I’m going. These times are just as scary. But, just as God was guiding me yesterday, He is guiding me through the other white-outs in my life. And, joy is coming! Even if these periods last the remainder of my earthly life, it will still be a very short time in light of eternity.

Psalm 30:5b states that, “weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.”

Revelation 21:3-4, ” 3And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. 4And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”

Stand fast in the faith, my friends! Joy is coming!

It seems that there are some struggles that I repeat over and over. Just when I think that I have victory over them, back they come. (It reminds me of 1 Corinthians 10:12.)

The past five or six weeks have been spent in a chronic illness flare-up. As the “cellular level fatigue” drags on, my longsuffering begins to suffer. Loneliness and isolation take their toll. This is typically when the devil starts hitting me with lies of worthlessness, justified self-pity and discontent. This time is no exception. For my fellow chronic-illness sufferers, there is hope. Experience has taught me that God is my refuge. His Word, my relationship with Him and prayer are the only things that will pull me out. This is NOT to say that it is easy. It has been a continual struggle for me…as my close friend and prayer partner can attest. (Praise God for the friends who encourage and exhort us, walking through the trial and helping us focus our gaze on Him!)

This time, I happened to be studying through Exodus and saw a pattern. Being tested with the same trial repeatedly is not unique to me as the Devil has tried to tell me. Look at what the Israelites went through.

1. God places the Israelites in Egypt and promises release in Exodus 4:29-31 and 5:23. Then, things get harder for them. They complain to Moses in the end of chapter 5. What does Moses do? He goes to God directly instead of complaining. God’s response? Reassurance in Exodus 6:1-13. God will prevail!
2. So, God removes them from Egypt and slavery (Exodus 13), but then he puts them between the Red Sea and the Egyptians in Exodus 14. The people complain and panic even after seeing God’s greatness in bringing them out. Moses goes to God. God delivers!
3. The people are ecstatic for a little while when God delivers them the second time from Egypt, but then, in Chapter 15, they need water. So, do they turn to God, no. They … are you ready for this… complain. The people complain. Moses goes to God. God gives them water.
4. The next trial that God leads them to is found in Exodus 16 and involves no food. You would think that by this time, they would say, “Cool, can’t wait to see what God is going to do through this!” But, no… they… complain. And, God provides food.
5. Exodus 17 shows another familiar trial. The people have no water. Now, I do understand the fact that we have to have water to survive, but hadn’t God shown Himself strong in this before? The people complain again. Moses goes to God. And, God provides. Do you see a pattern here?
6. In Exodus 17 the end of the chapter, God allows them to face war. Moses takes command and trusts God and God gives victory!
7. What about me in my struggle? How am I going to respond? God is there and working. We need to seek Him and trust Him!

God also has used some of the verses that I’ve been memorizing to speak to my heart.

1. 1 Peter 4:7-13 - 7But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. 8And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. 9Use hospitality one to another without grudging. 10As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. 12Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. NOTE: I must use my gifts that God has given me. I must see that my suffering is not unusual.
2. Psalm 37:3-5 3Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. 4Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. 5Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. NOTE: I must trust Him, delight in Him, commit my way to Him. He will give me the desires of my heart; the desire to honor Him!
3. Acts 4:13 13Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. NOTE: Can people tell that I’ve been with Jesus?
4. 1 Corinthians 7:23-24 23Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men. 24Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God. NOTE: Am I serving God who has bought me or man? Am I abiding with God where He has called me even if that is pain?
5. Romans 4:19-21 19And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah’s womb: 20He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; 21And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. NOTE: Am I looking at God and His promises or my weakness? Also, look at what God did with the five loaves and two fish! But, what if the little boy would have refused to give the lunch because it was so small in the midst of great need or that he had looked at the people around him and seen the major gifts that they could offer. Nothing would have been done.
6. 1 Corinthians 10:5-6 5But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. 6Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. NOTE: Ouch! The Israelites were our examples. They failed when God put them in the wilderness. God didn’t point out how they did in the land of plenty, but how they did in the wilderness. I do not want God to be displeased with me, but well-pleased. I MUST bring every thought into captivity (2 Corinthians 10:5). I long for God not to be ashamed to be called my God! Hebrews 11:16.

The Israelites were tested over and over and failed. Will I fail these tests that God has allowed? Will I listen to lies or to God’s truth?

How about you?

In times of labored, weak, or tight breathing, I have been known to say “Breathing is highly overrated.” as an attempt to lighten the outlook. I really don’t remember if the phrase is original to me or to another friend who has myasthenia gravis. It is meant to be funny, not morbid or saddistic.

Recently, I’ve been in an illness flare-up which has given much occasion to say this phrase and has also required MUCH rest in order to function. (Considering I need 11 hours of sleep in good times, I do mean MUCH rest!) This enforced rest has given me precious time with God, a sweet time of fellowship with Him and in His Word.

My lungs have been weak due to a bit of overdoing it on my part. (Who knew that I really couldn’t physically work sixty hours in six days? oops!) When I said my trademark phrase about breathing being overrated this week, I realized, it really is! Don’t get me wrong, the past couple weeks when breathing was rough, I did what was necessary to improve it. However, I was reminded this week of a man from my church in Florida. Anytime a brother or sister in Christ would use the phrase, “I’m not feeling well today, but it is better than the alternative,” he would reply, “Really, it is better than the alternative? Isn’t Heaven better than this sin-cursed, pain-ridden world?” Hmmmm…. eternal perspective!

Here are some areas that God has reminded me not to hold too dearly this week.

Not Overrating my Pain and Trials:

Oftentimes, I put way too much emphasis on the way I feel and what I am able to do thinking that it is my right to feel good, to not be in pain. However, the Bible talks often of the suffering we will have to endure and the amazing way that God can use pain and trials in our lives.

¹⁶For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

¹⁷For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

¹⁸While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:16-18, King James Version)

Job 23:10, ” 10But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” 1 Peter 4:12-13 “12Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.” 1 Peter 1:7 “7That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:”

God holds our faith dear, holds souls dear. In His amazing wisdom, He knows that our pain, sacrifices, limitations, struggles will purge us, draw us closer to Him, and show others His grace and mercy. Ruth Stull said, “If my life is broken when given to Jesus, it is because pieces will feed a multitude, while a loaf will satisfy only a little lad.” These friends both love the Saviour. What amazing things He can do with them, for them, and through them in this time when they realize just how precious ETERNAL life is!

Not Overrating my Abilities

Too often, we often equate our abilities with our spirituality. Many times even our service to God is based on what we feel is important or what we want to do, rather than God’s plan. We say things like, “I am involved in ministry A, B, C. I work in administration, or I am an executive.” I was reminded of that the past two weeks as I could not even do small household tasks such as dishes and am having to accept help instead of serving others. In God’s eyes, though, I did not lose any worth. He still loves me. I am still His child! And, I can still serve Him although by the world’s standards I can do very little.

1 Peter 4:11, “11If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.”

I am to minister according to my God given ability. For me, God has called me first and foremost to be a prayer warrior. What I accomplish in the way of worldly accomplishments (even down to a spotless house) does not matter. I learned this week not to think of a clean abode too highly. Will I be obedient to Him in His call to be a prayer warrior? Will I allow God’s spirit to work through me even as I am having to accept help? And, what about those who are bedridden? God has a job for them to do as well! They are to minister according to what God has given them. No matter our circumstance - invalid or pauper, we can serve our precious Saviour for eternity! We can allow Him to shine through us in spite of what is happening to us here on earth. Remember, these trials are here only for a moment.

Not Overrating my Time

As my close friend and I were holding each other accountable on our Bible study and prayer this week, we were discussing time with our Saviour each day. She mentioned how every moment is to be spent with our Saviour. Too often, we have our daily devotions and go about our day forgetting to live every moment in light of eternity and to God in the forefront.

Our time is precious, but not in the way people usually think of it. You see, our time is precious because it is so short here, so short a time to bring others to our precious Saviour, to show His love to the world.

James O. Fraser said, “My mistake has too often been that of too much haste. But it is not the people’s way to hurry, nor is it God’s way either.” So often, I have so much that I want to accomplish or see or do or experience. Instead, I should be asking God each moment, what is it that You would have me to do today, this moment! Times of rest and waiting are part of His plan!

Not Overrating my Finances

About a year ago, my close friend told me about the book called The Treasure Principle. This book was a tremendous blessing to me as it helped me realize ways to lay up treasures in Heaven financially. Through Voice of the Martyrs and Gospel for Asia, God has also changed my perspective on the material blessings that I have. (As an aside, check out my Christmas wish list.)

As we approach the holiday season, will you not overrate what we have on this earth? Will you instead invest for eternity?

So, yes. “Breathing is highly overrated.” This life here is just a small blip in the scope of eternity. Why would we want to hold on to it? Will I live today for Heavenly breath instead of earthly? Will I long today to live for the moment when I see my precious Saviour face to face and live to so as to hear Him say, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”