Sunday, December 04, 2011
Last night, or more accurately this morning I was woken up at a rather pleasant and vivid moment in what had been a long string of very strange dreams. In this dream, my wife and I where sitting at one of several long rough-hewn tables and young beautiful Ukrainian girls with broad smiles and sparkling were serving us freshly cooked blini (thin pancakes, thinner than American pancakes but thicker than crepes) along with cirok (a soft slightly sour cheese that is kind of like cream cheese) and a rich dark fruit syrup that was rendered from some sort of blue or purple berry. In the dream I could see the detail in the texture of the blini, smell the freshcooked aroma and see the steam rising from the plates. They served us and fed us until we were ready to pop. I think in part the dream came from our dinner at our dear friend Sveta’s that we had attended Saturday evening. There were no blini at Sveta’s dinner but we were filled to excess, with tasty Ukrainian cuisine.
But what struck me most about the dream was the joy that I saw in the faces of those who where serving us. Not that we were so worthy of being served but rather that it brought pleasure and joy to these young ladies to serve others. Now I have all kinds of thoughts about gender roles as well, but I will have to save that for another time. What I have discovered as I ponder this dream is that is showed what I to believe is a deep spiritual truth. I am convinced that service is one of the most sincere forms of love.
Now before I explore this more, I would like to share some observations I have noted while living in Ukraine. On many occasions I have been privileged to experience Ukrainian hospitality, both in people’s homes and at social functions. I see at work a deep seated desire to serve and bless others working in the hearts of my Ukrainian friends and hosts. Sometimes I have thought that it is because we are “Americans”, but more recently I have experienced it because we are older as there is still a reverenced for the elderly that is at work in some of my Ukrainian friends. But I have also seen something else at work. They serve me because they are grateful for my service to Ukraine. I must admit that I have not seen this kind of service and gratefulness at work in America as strongly as it seems to be working in the hearts of my Ukrainian friends. Sometimes I am overwhelmed by it. Sometimes I am a little embarrassed as I cannot remember being honored by young people like this before. Now maybe that’s because I turned 50, or maybe it’s because there is just something at work here that makes service to be seen as a virtue rather than a curse. But I digress.
What I am realizing is that when we serve someone else, it is one of the key ways to express our joy in their being created in the image of our God. It is a practical way to consider others more important than ourselves. This is a truly Christian value that is not exclusive to any country or any culture. I think other cultures do it better than some while a few cultures have turned service into drudgery, something lesser people “must” do for people in higher status. As I see it though, when we serve someone else, we lower ourselves (putting off our self-importance) long enough to acknowledge them as a person of value. Now I don’t care if a person is a president, a pastor or a drug addict, they all have one thing in common; they are made in the image of their Creator. I believe that by serving others, we reenact Christ’s work on the cross by dying to ourselves to serve others.
Additionally, before our Lord Jesus was crucified, He assumed the role of the lowliest of servants and washed the feet of his disciples. Then He told them (and us) to do like wise. I have been to churches where the pastors or deacons wash the feet of the people they serve. It is a profound and humbling moment. I think that many of our churches have lost sight of the value in this tradition. But I don’t think that Christ was just asking us to do some religious act. I believe that He is asking all of us to set aside our self-importance long enough to say those around us are valuable in the eyes of their creator and that we all should find practical ways to demonstrate that. Jesus did it by washing someone’s feet. Mother Theresa did it by tending to the lowliest and sickest of India’s poor. We each can find ways to serve others.
I know this needs further exploration, but let me just leave it with saying that serving others is one of the greatest ways of demonstrating God’s love for our family, our friends, the greater circle of faith and our neighbors. When Gandhi was asked what it would take for him to become a Christian he responded “For Christians to act as Christ!” Accepting and serving others is being like Christ. Service is not earned it is a gift freely given, just as our salvation was freely given to us through God’s grace and mercy. Service is one of the ways that we can demonstrate how thankful we are to God. And we can do that buy serving those made in His Image.
I also think I must also address the need to accept another’s service. Sometimes I have frankly been embarrassed to accept another person’s service. I don’t feel worthy or something about my self-sufficient American attitude makes it wrong to ask for or to receive help. There is part of my psyche that thinks accepting service makes me somehow weak. But I am realizing that by accepting another’s service, two things are accomplished. First we allow the other person opportunity to acknowledge God’s handiwork in us. They are able to recognize us as His creations and that by honoring us (each other) they both demonstrate the worth in us and their thankfulness or respect for that. Secondly I believe that by allowing ourselves to be served, we admit that we are not all sufficient and it humbles us to accept such service and in so doing honor the one who serves us.
Lastly I would like to say that we should never expect service and we should never expect others to be grateful for our service. Service isn’t something we demand, service is something that we gratefully accept. Also service isn’t something that we do begrudgingly or because others are grateful, but rather it is something we do freely with joy and peace regardless how it is received. Now I cannot say that serving others will always be filled with joy or will be easy but I can say from personal experience that serving others is worth it.
In closing I would like to encourage you who are pastors, deacons, parents, and teachers, that part of our job is to cultivate the idea that service isn’t something that we must do, but rather it is something we get to do and further I would also say that we should work hard to avoid cultivating an attitude of entitlement. Service is an expression of the freedom that we have been given in Christ. We are free to serve others because we have been freed from the tyranny of “Me first!”
We are not entitled to anything; including service. If any of us begins to think we deserve service because we are a leader or an elder, a parent, a husband, a wife or some other sort of authority figure, then we risk making ourselves into little gods who demand that others worship us. Service must be freely given and just as freely accepted, but never demanded or expected of others. Service is an outflow of God’s love at work in our hearts. It is not done conditionally or with the expectation of gratitude. If we do it for any other reason we risk creating and idol that will draw us or others away from relationship with our Creator and Savior. Service can be something we choose to do, but I think in its purest form it is the love of God, or the love from God manifesting itself in us and through us. Service then becomes a natural expression of the new creation that Jesus has recreated us to be.
Serving with Joy,
Alan
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Our World View
A few years back the term "World View" seemed to be circulating pretty much in many circles. I don't hear it used quite as often, but I think how we view things is so very important. Our world view helps define us and how we see others
From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view; even though we once knew Christ from a human point of view, we know him no longer in that way. So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!
The Holy Bible : New Revised Standard Version, 2 Co 5:16-17 (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1989).
Recently I was struck by the above passage. It actually began before I reread this passage. I was having a conversation with Emily, the young woman who lives with us, and some how in the conversation it came out that what we see in other people (all to often) is not the redemptive work of Christ, but the consequence of sin. That leads us to criticizing and condemning others (cursing them), when they have been created (and as Christians recreated) in the image of God. When God created them, He had something good in mind. I believe this is why when Jesus dealt with both the woman at the well and the woman caught in adultery, that he didn't condemn them. They already knew they had sinned. But according to John 3:17 Jesus did not come to condemn the world but to save it. All those who don't already believe stand condemned. He saw them as people God had created rather than just seeing them through their sin.
But my point is that we tend look at people (and ourselves) from a "worldly" perspective. We don't see ourselves or others as created or redeemed by God to serve God's purposes on the earth. We see their quirks and their sin (or ours) and we condemn them in our minds and reject them. Now this could go lots of directions but for now I want to restrict my discussion to how we look a people in their physical form...
Consider the following images -
This is an image by Paul Rubens and in its time people considered such women quite beautiful
And this lovely beauty is an image of a fertility goddess. I am sure I could pick some images of modern day beauties as well but my point is, that what is considered beautiful changes from age to age and from culture to culture. What we think is beautiful may not be considered beautiful by others.
Some cultures want their women shaved. Some want them to have tattoos on their faces or bones in their noses. In America, or in the modern world, we have come to define beauty by the images that modeling agencies parade before our eyes or by the current pop stars images. But even that is a gross exaggeration. The point is that the world will always try to dictate to us what is acceptable and what is beautiful. But if we are to accept the words of Paul recorded above. We as Christians can no longer judge people that way.
We cannot look at others the way the world does and judge them acceptable or not. All people who are walking this earth were created in the image of their Maker. No matter the gender, the race, the size or the age, they were all created in His image. And for those of us who have accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, we are recreated (redeemed). We are no longer what we were (speaking of our fallen or sinful state). What does this mean to us?
Simply this - We cannot define other people by worldly standards. We cannot judge a person by the package they are in. We cannot judge ourselves by others opinions of us either. We cannot say we are too fat or too skinny based upon some image we have been fed by watching movies and music videos. We must find our value in the eyes of our Creator and Redeemer.
Have you ever noticed how little the Bible has to say about people's weight. And when it comes to a woman's appearance is really encourages us to stop looking at the external and consider the eternal. If we reject someone for being over weight or the wrong color skin or the wrong height then we are judging our Creator. Ya someone may have issues with overeating. But the issue is their health and their substituting food for love. God doesn't like gluttony because it is just another form of idolatry. But that is back to the issue isn't your form as much as it is what you do with what God has given you.
In the natural on redeemed state what appeals to us is what our culture has told us is attractive. That could be the media or it could have been what our mother looked like and how are father reacted to her. As Christians we are not to look at people that way. We are not to look at ourselves that way. If we are... we need to ask for new eyes. To see people the way God sees them. Often what revolts us, is part of the reason Christ died; to save us from sin and the consequence of sin. He died to redeem our thinking and to redeem our values. He wants us to stop judging people by standards that do not have any application in the Kingdom of God.
Christian men, you are not to judge your sisters by the current sex goddess in the world. You are to love all of them as your sisters. Women of faith, stop judging yourselves by worldly standards. Stop thinking you have to live up to the images that our culture has thrust upon us. Seek God, live for Him, find your value in His eyes. Because in the end it is the only place where true value lies. All of us will grow old. All of our bodies will suffer loss. You can exercise if you want, there is nothing wrong with strengthening your heart, bones and muscles, but don't let becoming fit become your god. Nothing should rule you but the Love of God; Not sexual appetites, tastes for sweets or the desire to be beautiful in the world's eyes. Seek God and obey him. If He says relax then relax. If He says go for a walk, then go for a walk. If He says give up sugar then do so. The Spirit of God is in every one who has received God's salvation. Trust Him to lead you into the kind of life that God has created you for. Stop looking to others. Stop judging yourself by standards that are not God's standards. His ways are not the ways of the world. What the world calls wisdom, God calls foolishness.
Praying that as you read this that God will set you free from the trap of worldly thinking and standards. That God will open your mind to see others and yourself as He sees you though the Blood of Christ.
Blessings
Alan
From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view; even though we once knew Christ from a human point of view, we know him no longer in that way. So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!
The Holy Bible : New Revised Standard Version, 2 Co 5:16-17 (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1989).
Recently I was struck by the above passage. It actually began before I reread this passage. I was having a conversation with Emily, the young woman who lives with us, and some how in the conversation it came out that what we see in other people (all to often) is not the redemptive work of Christ, but the consequence of sin. That leads us to criticizing and condemning others (cursing them), when they have been created (and as Christians recreated) in the image of God. When God created them, He had something good in mind. I believe this is why when Jesus dealt with both the woman at the well and the woman caught in adultery, that he didn't condemn them. They already knew they had sinned. But according to John 3:17 Jesus did not come to condemn the world but to save it. All those who don't already believe stand condemned. He saw them as people God had created rather than just seeing them through their sin.
But my point is that we tend look at people (and ourselves) from a "worldly" perspective. We don't see ourselves or others as created or redeemed by God to serve God's purposes on the earth. We see their quirks and their sin (or ours) and we condemn them in our minds and reject them. Now this could go lots of directions but for now I want to restrict my discussion to how we look a people in their physical form...
Consider the following images -
This is an image by Paul Rubens and in its time people considered such women quite beautiful
And this lovely beauty is an image of a fertility goddess. I am sure I could pick some images of modern day beauties as well but my point is, that what is considered beautiful changes from age to age and from culture to culture. What we think is beautiful may not be considered beautiful by others.
Some cultures want their women shaved. Some want them to have tattoos on their faces or bones in their noses. In America, or in the modern world, we have come to define beauty by the images that modeling agencies parade before our eyes or by the current pop stars images. But even that is a gross exaggeration. The point is that the world will always try to dictate to us what is acceptable and what is beautiful. But if we are to accept the words of Paul recorded above. We as Christians can no longer judge people that way.
We cannot look at others the way the world does and judge them acceptable or not. All people who are walking this earth were created in the image of their Maker. No matter the gender, the race, the size or the age, they were all created in His image. And for those of us who have accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, we are recreated (redeemed). We are no longer what we were (speaking of our fallen or sinful state). What does this mean to us?
Simply this - We cannot define other people by worldly standards. We cannot judge a person by the package they are in. We cannot judge ourselves by others opinions of us either. We cannot say we are too fat or too skinny based upon some image we have been fed by watching movies and music videos. We must find our value in the eyes of our Creator and Redeemer.
Have you ever noticed how little the Bible has to say about people's weight. And when it comes to a woman's appearance is really encourages us to stop looking at the external and consider the eternal. If we reject someone for being over weight or the wrong color skin or the wrong height then we are judging our Creator. Ya someone may have issues with overeating. But the issue is their health and their substituting food for love. God doesn't like gluttony because it is just another form of idolatry. But that is back to the issue isn't your form as much as it is what you do with what God has given you.
In the natural on redeemed state what appeals to us is what our culture has told us is attractive. That could be the media or it could have been what our mother looked like and how are father reacted to her. As Christians we are not to look at people that way. We are not to look at ourselves that way. If we are... we need to ask for new eyes. To see people the way God sees them. Often what revolts us, is part of the reason Christ died; to save us from sin and the consequence of sin. He died to redeem our thinking and to redeem our values. He wants us to stop judging people by standards that do not have any application in the Kingdom of God.
Christian men, you are not to judge your sisters by the current sex goddess in the world. You are to love all of them as your sisters. Women of faith, stop judging yourselves by worldly standards. Stop thinking you have to live up to the images that our culture has thrust upon us. Seek God, live for Him, find your value in His eyes. Because in the end it is the only place where true value lies. All of us will grow old. All of our bodies will suffer loss. You can exercise if you want, there is nothing wrong with strengthening your heart, bones and muscles, but don't let becoming fit become your god. Nothing should rule you but the Love of God; Not sexual appetites, tastes for sweets or the desire to be beautiful in the world's eyes. Seek God and obey him. If He says relax then relax. If He says go for a walk, then go for a walk. If He says give up sugar then do so. The Spirit of God is in every one who has received God's salvation. Trust Him to lead you into the kind of life that God has created you for. Stop looking to others. Stop judging yourself by standards that are not God's standards. His ways are not the ways of the world. What the world calls wisdom, God calls foolishness.
Praying that as you read this that God will set you free from the trap of worldly thinking and standards. That God will open your mind to see others and yourself as He sees you though the Blood of Christ.
Blessings
Alan
Friday, December 4, 2009
Just another day
God is so good. He continues to be faithful to us no matter what the world is doing or what other people are saying. I trust my Father in heaven to watch over me day and night. I trust that I can turn to him in times of trouble. My God in heaven cares ever so much more for me that I can ever imagine or think. That doesn't mean I always get what I want. That doesn't mean that life isn't hard. But I know He is for me and not against me. I know that I have His spirit within me. I know that He regularly uses me to accomplish His will. He speaks to me and through me. I am so blessed to know that God cares for me. He cared enough to send Jesus to die for me. God is so good. So this may be just another day, but a day serving my Lord is better than 10,000 other days. I don't long for riches or fame. I just want to be somewhere that I can serve Him, and do His will. I pray that you too will experience the Goodness of God and His grace and mercy as you walk along the path...
blessings,
Alan
blessings,
Alan
Monday, November 30, 2009
Blogathon day 30, 2009
Last post for November
I think a bad day preaching and teaching is better than any day that I am not. Well, maybe that is an exaggeration but today I got to teach in a little village called Homuttets where there is a church of people who have a heart to reach out to every surrounding village. This little church of maybe 60 people has helped plant churches all over surrounding region. They have also started rehabilitation centers for alcoholics. These people want to hear what I have to say about church! I think that is remarkable. I feel like when I go to teach there, I learn as much as I teach.
Right now I am working with the pastor of evangelism. He was thinking I was going to teach him how to evangelized.... No rather I encouraged him that God wants in to evangelize so that people can come to know God and learn what He wants for them. I showed how evangelism fits into the comprehensive plan to train people for works of service, so that the whole body can be built-up into the fullness of Christ. I love talking about God and encouraging others to follow in His ways. I love working with people excited about serving God. What a great job I have.
What a fitting post for the last day of the blogathon. I pray that I will keep at this and even work on some of my other blog posts.
Even with my back out of whack and spasming it was a great day. I wasn't up for the Acts Bible Study, but I did get to come home to greet my smiling family. That is another time that I never regret, time spent with loved ones.
Thanks for reading
Alan
I think a bad day preaching and teaching is better than any day that I am not. Well, maybe that is an exaggeration but today I got to teach in a little village called Homuttets where there is a church of people who have a heart to reach out to every surrounding village. This little church of maybe 60 people has helped plant churches all over surrounding region. They have also started rehabilitation centers for alcoholics. These people want to hear what I have to say about church! I think that is remarkable. I feel like when I go to teach there, I learn as much as I teach.
Right now I am working with the pastor of evangelism. He was thinking I was going to teach him how to evangelized.... No rather I encouraged him that God wants in to evangelize so that people can come to know God and learn what He wants for them. I showed how evangelism fits into the comprehensive plan to train people for works of service, so that the whole body can be built-up into the fullness of Christ. I love talking about God and encouraging others to follow in His ways. I love working with people excited about serving God. What a great job I have.
What a fitting post for the last day of the blogathon. I pray that I will keep at this and even work on some of my other blog posts.
Even with my back out of whack and spasming it was a great day. I wasn't up for the Acts Bible Study, but I did get to come home to greet my smiling family. That is another time that I never regret, time spent with loved ones.
Thanks for reading
Alan
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Day 29 of Blogathon 2009
Today I preached a sermon and the most miraculous thing happened. There was a young man from a central Asian country there who had a very awesome thing happen. He doesn't speak English very well. He gets buy. I have a terrible reputation for speaking very fast and this morning I drank coffee before preaching... something I usually try to avoid as I seek even faster then. So anyway after the service this young man we'll call Bob says, that for the first 10 minutes of the sermon he couldn't understand a word I was saying then all of a sudden he understood every word. He said that not only did he understand it, but it went straight to his heart. Wow what and awesome act of the Holy Spirit.
It is so good to be used of God. I must admit that lately I have been feeling a bit demotivated and useless. But God showed me that He is far from being finished with me. Now I just need to put my sermon to practice and keep offering up prayers to bless other. Keep claiming the promises of God. Keep speaking out who we are in Christ Jesus. God is so faithful He sees fit to both save us and put us to work. Thank You Lord, for give meaning to our lives. Thank you God for redeeming us from the self-destructive and sinful creatures we were and thank you for making us in to new creations formed in your image to do good works.
Lord, I thank you for this day. Lord I thank you for how you demonstrate your love for us. I am so grateful to know you and to serve you.
Blessings dear readers...
Alan
It is so good to be used of God. I must admit that lately I have been feeling a bit demotivated and useless. But God showed me that He is far from being finished with me. Now I just need to put my sermon to practice and keep offering up prayers to bless other. Keep claiming the promises of God. Keep speaking out who we are in Christ Jesus. God is so faithful He sees fit to both save us and put us to work. Thank You Lord, for give meaning to our lives. Thank you God for redeeming us from the self-destructive and sinful creatures we were and thank you for making us in to new creations formed in your image to do good works.
Lord, I thank you for this day. Lord I thank you for how you demonstrate your love for us. I am so grateful to know you and to serve you.
Blessings dear readers...
Alan
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Blogathon Day 28 2009
I cannot say that I have done a great job keeping up on a daily blog, but this has been encouraging to sit down and right a few words.
Today I spent most of my day in the kitchen helping young Miss Emily as she prepared our belated Thanksgiving day meal for a host of friends. I sure am glad that she has a creative mind when it comes to fixing meals. I am often content with a good ol' peanut butter and banana sandwich. Today we feasted on chicken, ham, green-bean casserole, stuffing, mashed potatoes, potatoes aux gratin, pumpkin pie, cheese-egg-garlic sandwiches and a variety of fresh cut veggies. There were a number of other items on the menu, but we just ran out of time to prepare them all; even with another friend's help. My dear wife was at work on a make-up day for all the days lost to the flu mania here in Ukraine but she was able to join us for the meal after work. I am tired and sore, but am very glad for the day and all the friends who stopped by for a bite to eat.
I guess you could call me a kitchen drudge, cause i wasn't calling any shots. But that puts me in good company. I am reminded of Brother Lawrence who served with joy in the kitchen of some Catholic institute because he practiced the presence of God. He reminded himself that Jesus was there with him no matter what he was doing. I cannot say that I did such a great job of practicing the presence of God, but I do believe He was with me. He empowered me to serve with little complaining and experience the joy of seeing others blessed while I worked.
I pray that you too will find the joy in serving and will say no to complaints and grumbling. Jesus said the greatest among us will be the servant of all. It is a race for the bottom of the heap. What a joy it is to know that as we serve, we emulate the actions our Lord Jesus. Sometimes its good to be a Martha if you are making room for others to be a Mary. I think that was Jesus problem with Martha. She complained that she had worked hard but her sister was getting blessed. Maybe if Martha has seen the joy in serving Jesus, he might have blessed her instead of rebuking her.
Tomorrow brings Sunday and I am bringing the Word again. What a privilege it is to serve the people of our body and bring them encouragement and teaching so that they might be better equipped to be the hands and feet of Jesus in the world. I pray that my example and my words would bless and encourage, so that His Kingdom would come here on earth as it is in Heaven.
May your days be blessed as we enter into the month in which we celebrate and commemorate the birth of our Savior Jesus.
Thanks for reading,
Alan
Today I spent most of my day in the kitchen helping young Miss Emily as she prepared our belated Thanksgiving day meal for a host of friends. I sure am glad that she has a creative mind when it comes to fixing meals. I am often content with a good ol' peanut butter and banana sandwich. Today we feasted on chicken, ham, green-bean casserole, stuffing, mashed potatoes, potatoes aux gratin, pumpkin pie, cheese-egg-garlic sandwiches and a variety of fresh cut veggies. There were a number of other items on the menu, but we just ran out of time to prepare them all; even with another friend's help. My dear wife was at work on a make-up day for all the days lost to the flu mania here in Ukraine but she was able to join us for the meal after work. I am tired and sore, but am very glad for the day and all the friends who stopped by for a bite to eat.
I guess you could call me a kitchen drudge, cause i wasn't calling any shots. But that puts me in good company. I am reminded of Brother Lawrence who served with joy in the kitchen of some Catholic institute because he practiced the presence of God. He reminded himself that Jesus was there with him no matter what he was doing. I cannot say that I did such a great job of practicing the presence of God, but I do believe He was with me. He empowered me to serve with little complaining and experience the joy of seeing others blessed while I worked.
I pray that you too will find the joy in serving and will say no to complaints and grumbling. Jesus said the greatest among us will be the servant of all. It is a race for the bottom of the heap. What a joy it is to know that as we serve, we emulate the actions our Lord Jesus. Sometimes its good to be a Martha if you are making room for others to be a Mary. I think that was Jesus problem with Martha. She complained that she had worked hard but her sister was getting blessed. Maybe if Martha has seen the joy in serving Jesus, he might have blessed her instead of rebuking her.
Tomorrow brings Sunday and I am bringing the Word again. What a privilege it is to serve the people of our body and bring them encouragement and teaching so that they might be better equipped to be the hands and feet of Jesus in the world. I pray that my example and my words would bless and encourage, so that His Kingdom would come here on earth as it is in Heaven.
May your days be blessed as we enter into the month in which we celebrate and commemorate the birth of our Savior Jesus.
Thanks for reading,
Alan
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Blogathon day 19
Being used of God
I am excited about what today will bring. I have the privilege of leading a Bible study with a group of young men from an Asian Muslim country. I'm excited not because of what I know or what I get to share, but rather I am excited to see what God will do. Our God wants to bless and encourage and build people up. He wants his children to walk in confidence and obedience. When I get to teach or lead Bible studies, it is like the Lord is letting me be is mouth piece. I am often surprised by what comes out though me. I know that the Holy Spirit is in me. I know that I am a new creation. But it is such cool thing to be used by God to touch other people. I don't think I will ever get tired of that. I never seem to get tired of being used this way. I love working for the Lord. I cannot imagine a better job to have. There are times when the fight gets tough, and I feel like I am coming out of such a period. A time when I forgot how good God is. I time where I though I had to depend solely upon my abilities and talents. Sometimes we can do it for a bit on our own power, but the flesh is weak. But God is strong. I am so glad that I can lean Him, that I can look to Him to sustain me. Our God is an awesome God.
Praying you too will experience the goodness of our God
Alan
I am excited about what today will bring. I have the privilege of leading a Bible study with a group of young men from an Asian Muslim country. I'm excited not because of what I know or what I get to share, but rather I am excited to see what God will do. Our God wants to bless and encourage and build people up. He wants his children to walk in confidence and obedience. When I get to teach or lead Bible studies, it is like the Lord is letting me be is mouth piece. I am often surprised by what comes out though me. I know that the Holy Spirit is in me. I know that I am a new creation. But it is such cool thing to be used by God to touch other people. I don't think I will ever get tired of that. I never seem to get tired of being used this way. I love working for the Lord. I cannot imagine a better job to have. There are times when the fight gets tough, and I feel like I am coming out of such a period. A time when I forgot how good God is. I time where I though I had to depend solely upon my abilities and talents. Sometimes we can do it for a bit on our own power, but the flesh is weak. But God is strong. I am so glad that I can lean Him, that I can look to Him to sustain me. Our God is an awesome God.
Praying you too will experience the goodness of our God
Alan
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