Wait Upon the Lord

by Charity Pence

This Week’s Verse: Proverbs 20:24, “A man’s steps are directed by the Lord. How then can anyone understand his own way?” (NIV)

Devotion:
A few months ago, I read a book called A Moment of Weakness by Karen Kingsbury. I mention this book because the message I took from it has stayed with me since I finished it. The message is this: God has a plan for His children, a plan He will bring about in His way and timing. When we try to accomplish God’s plan in our own way and in our own time, the consequences can be devastating. And in the end, God’s plan will still be completed. Now, I’m not sure this is the intended message of the author. However, I am sure it’s what God intended for me.

Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (NIV) I love this verse, and it is repeated throughout the book. This verse instills hope in me. I find comfort in knowing God has a plan for my life which at times seems chaotic and out of control. However, I have to be patient. And patience is not something that comes easily to me. The Bible tells us, “For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.” Isaiah 64:4 (KJV) Still, how often do we try to come up with our own plan anyway? Or how often do we fail to wait? When God reveals His plan for us, and we try to speed things up or cut corners, we may end up doing more damage than good. When I consider my life, I wonder how much pain I could have avoided had I sought God’s direction and what circumstances could have been prevented if I had waited for God to move instead of doing things my way.

God’s plan is much better than any plan we could devise. Psalm 118:8 says, “It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.” (NIV) I have to remember God really does have my best interest at heart.

Dear Heavenly Father, I know your plans are better than mine. Help me to sit still when I need to sit still and move when I need to move. Direct my steps, Lord, and show me your way. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Application: Sometimes we find comfort in having our own plan; we trust in it instead of trusting in God. And sometimes, when we know and accept God’s plan, we get in such a hurry to accomplish it that we start running before we’ve been given directions. If you’re struggling in this area this week, take time to seek God. Let him show you the way.

Power Verses:
Psalm 127:1-2, “If God doesn't build the house, the builders only build shacks. If God doesn't guard the city, the night watchman might as well nap.” (MSG)
Psalm 119:105, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” (KJV)

Strength 101

By Lisa Lashbrook

This Week’s Verse: Nehemiah 8:11 “for the joy of the LORD is your strength." (NIV)

What are you passionate about? What makes you joyful? When was the last time you did something you enjoyed? In your ministry, what gives you the greatest joy in the Lord?

Are you passionate about teaching, serving, leading, children, bookkeeping, maintenance, praying, tithing, encouraging or communicating? The list goes on and on. Your strength will be where YOU are at your BEST and that JOY will bring such strength in the Lord and will reflect in all areas of your life.

When you find the activity and passion that you feel strong about, it will lead to performance and action!

When I was in high school, I was a teacher’s aide my junior and senior year. I thought I wanted to be an elementary teacher. God had another idea and lead me into personnel management. My career was coordinating, training and teaching course curriculum to 300 to 700 staff. I would get extreme satisfaction thinking about going into a classroom and providing staff with information that would help them with their careers. I would prepare and try to be creative in my delivery to make a subject exciting! Often times I would have a hands-on activity to help demonstrate the objectives. I wanted learning to be fun!

In my personal life over the years, I have taught different ladies bible study groups, communicated information while volunteering at a Pregnancy Life Center, been a VBS Director and VBS leader, and I am currently leading the Side by Side Sunday School class at 8:30 am. As a mother we are always teaching our children and grandchildren. This is the most rewarding!

Ask yourself this S.I.G.N.:

S = Success. Do you feel effective in your passion and service?

I = Instinct. Do you look forward to this service?

G= Growth. How do you feel while you carry out this service?

N= Needs. How do you feel after – invigorated?

How often do you express your strength? Is it only on Sunday? Wednesday? Every day? I hope you love your strength as much as I love mine! If you are not sure about your strength area in life, check out the website www.stronglifetest.com and discover your top 2 life skills.

Dear Lord, thank you for helping me find my spiritual strength. Thank you for making each of us unique so that we may serve you in many ways. Lead those who don’t know you towards you and help those that do know you to discover their strengths in You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Applications: Look for opportunities to express your passion with others and share the joy!

Power Verses:

Psalm 28:7 “The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.” (NIV)

Psalm 18:32 “It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect.” (NIV)

1 Corinthians 14:12 “And the same is true for you. Since you are so eager to have the special abilities the Spirit gives, seek those that will strengthen the whole church.” (NLT)

The Pursuit of Happiness

by Stephanie Neibarger

This Week's Verse: Psalm 84:5, "Happy are those who are strong in the Lord, who want above all else to follow your steps." (TLB)

Devotion:
About a month ago, while covering a soccer match in 40 degree weather, a bunch of us were huddled together under blankets and layers of clothing trying to stay warm. I heard one friend say “I’ll be happy when it warms up!”

I replied, “Ya know, in a month we will be complaining that it’s too hot!” And sure enough, on a nice 70 degree day, I heard one of them say “Man,- it’s hot out here!”

Why is it that we are never happy? Why is it that we have our own set of standards as to what it is to be happy. In Ecclesiastes 11:4 it says “If you wait for perfect conditions, you will never get anything done.”

I’ll be happy when… I’ll be happy when I get married. I’ll be happy when it stops raining. I’ll be happy when the weather warms up. I’ll be happy when I get that promotion at work. Sound familiar? Why is our happiness determined by our circumstances? Happiness is not defined by our circumstances but trusting God with our circumstances. Be happy now, knowing God is in control.

Chuck Swindoll once said that “Life is 10% of what happens to us and 90% of how we react to it.” How we react to life often determines our level of happiness.

I had a friend from my church back in Iowa who was battling cancer (he has since lost that battle). One rainy Sunday morning while giving the communion meditation, he said “Just because you can’t see it, the sun is still shining.” He knew that life was not determined by his present circumstances. He knew there were better days ahead. He chose to stay positive in the midst of his circumstances.

You may be having some ‘rainy days’ but just remember – the Son is still shining!

Lord, help me to remember that no matter how dark my situation may become, You are the light of my life and can never be put out. No matter what dark clouds settle on my life, You will lift me above the storm and into the comfort of Your presence. Only You can take whatever loss I experience and fill that empty place with good. Only You can take the burden of my grief and pain and dry my tears. I am desperately aware of how much I need Your power to transform me and my circumstances. Help me to remember to give thanks to You in all things, knowing that You reign in the midst of them. (From Stormie Omartian's book, The Power of a Praying Woman.)

Application:
Learn to be happy no matter where you are or what the circumstances may be. Put your trust in God and in his timing, you will reap a harvest of blessings. (Galatians 6:9)

Scriptures:
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, "Always be joyful. Always keep on praying. No matter what happens, always be thankful." (TLB)
Hebrews 13:5, "Stay away from the love of money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, 'I will never, never fail you nor forsake you.'" (TLB)
Eccles. 3:1, "There is a time for everything, and everything on earth has its special season." (NCV)
Eccles. 3:12, "I know there is nothing better for men than to be happy and to do good as long as they live."(NLB)
Prov 16:20 b, "Whoever trusts in the Lord will be happy."(NCV)