God is Real, No Matter How I Feel

Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. Hebrews 13:5 (KJV)

For God has said, "I will never leave you; I will never abandon you." Hebrews 13:5 (TEV)

Question to Consider: How can I stay focused on God's presence, especially when he feels distant?
This chapter has really encouraged my spirit. I have asked so many times, what's wrong with me? I realize sin pushes us away from God and that there's always something that I've done that has made God turn away from me. But often, it seems that I allow myself to be condemned and I focus on that so much that I forget that God's power to forgive is always ample. Yet, I waste time kicking myself instead of asking for forgiveness and then moving on and away from it.

Instead of focusing on my sin and how far I've pushed God away - I need to be praying and focusing on all he has already done for me. I need to focus on his promises and live my life as if my prayers have already been favorably answered. When I feel that nagging emptiness and loneliness - I need to remind myself that the devil is a liar - I'm not empty or lonely because God is always there to watch over me and I'm filled by him. Condemnation is just a trick to make us think we don't have the love of Jesus in our hearts. If I can just remember the very first song I ever learned: Yes, Jesus Loves Me! I will be alright. Hallelujah!

If you liked this post read more like it at: Highly Favored

Next Monday you are invited to join me as I begin my "40 Days of Purpose Blog Series" at Highly Favored. Each day I will be posting my response (and those who have already decided to join me) to the questions posed at the each of chapter.  It doesn't matter if you've already read the book or if this will be your first, there is always something new discover.  Every time I read this book, God always reveals something new to me; something I missed last time, or something that I can now better understand since I've continued to grow in Christ.  Every year my responses are different, every year my perspective changes.  Every years this book refreshes my spirit. Just as my responses differ from year to year, everyone's interpretations will differ from person to person.  So I invite you to join me by reading the intro and first chapter with me starting on next Monday, May 11, 2009.  We will continue to read a chapter everyday until we complete the book.  I invite you to share you responses with me at the end of each day or week or however often your spirit leads you.  Please, join me - don't miss this uplifting fellowship experience.  If you don't know where to find a book - there's a link on my blog site that can help you.

Nobody Else Can Be Me

As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 1 Peter 4:10 (KJV)

God has given each of you some special abilities; be sure to use them to help each other, passing on to others God's many kinds of blessings. 1 Peter 4:10 (LB)

Question to Consider:
What God-given ability or personal experience can I offer to my church?
Most people are surprised when I tell them that my oldest child is 16. The first thing they say is "You don't look old enough to have a 16 year old!" Well, that's because I'm not exactly. I was a teenage mom - I had my oldest son at 16. They are also surprised to hear that my husband and I have been married for 15 of those years and that I've gone to school and earned my Masters. They are surprised because they assume that if you were dumb enough to get pregnant at such a young age, you should be on drugs by now!

When I got pregnant, everyone assumed that I'd completely ruined my life. Honestly, it should have ruined my life - but apparently God had other plans. There are so many times, that had one thing been different, maybe I would have become strung out on drugs or alcohol. (It's not that I didn't stupidly try them at times). But God... He made it so I had an affordable house to live in to raise my baby (my husband's parents allowed us to stay in a house they owned for free), my mother-in-law was a daycare provider, so I didn't have to send my baby to a stranger while I finished school. I started doing so much better in school that my teacher refered me to the school's job program - so I ended up working for the Board of Education as a secretary. I ended up working with a woman who encouraged and helped me to register for college a few years later... Although, having a child made things harder, God didn't let it ruin me.

Recently, a teenage niece of mine had a baby (he's so cute!). When she'd gotten pregant, she had to endure those same condescending comments of relatives. She had only been in college a semester and was forced to drop out. She was depressed and disappointed. She didn't talk to me for a couple of months because she thought I would say the same things as the rest of the family. I quickly suggested she do some calculations between my age and her cousin's age - I reminded her that I was even younger than she was when I had my first child. I reassured her that she could handle whatever God had in store for her - but the key was to depend on Him and let him guide her where He wants - apparently He wants her to be a mom now - so accept it. The great part, is that when you let God work out your troubles, He throws in unexpected blessings.

My grate-nephew is so precious - and she loves him so much. She was afraid she wouldn't be a good mother, but she's already made some pretty good choices - she's breastfeeding, despite its unpopularity among her friends. If I hadn't gone through the same experience myself I don't know how much I could have encouraged her in her time of despair...But God...

Important Quotes:
"No one has the exact same mix of factors that mkae you unique. That means no one else on earth will ever be able to play the role God planned for you. If you don't make your unique contribution to the Body of Christ, it won't be made." (Warren, 241)

"You have dozens, probably hundreds, of untapped, unrecognizxed, and unused abilities that are lying dormant inside you." (Warren, 242)

"God has a place in his church where your abilities can hine and you can make a difference. It's up to you to find that place." (Warren, 243)

"What I'm able to do, God wants me to do...God will never ask you to dedicate your life to a task you have no talent for. On the other hand, your abilities you do have are a strong indication of what God wants you to do with your life...God doesn't waste abilities; he matches our calling and our capabilities." (Warren, 243)

"When you are forced to minister in a manner that is 'out of character' for your temperament, it creates tension and disomfort, requires extra effort and energy, and produces less than the best results. This is why mimicking someone else's ministry never works." (Warren, 245)

"It feels good to do what God made you to do. When you minister in a manner consistent with the personality God gave you, you experience fulfillment, satisfaction, and fruitfulness." (Warren, 246)

"If you really desire to be used by God, you must understand a powerful truth: The very experiences that you have resented or regretted most in life - the ones you've wanted to hide and forget - are the very experiences God wants to use to help others. They are your ministry!" (Warren, 247)

"People are always more encouraged when we share how God's grace helped us in weaknesses than when we brag abotu our strengths." (Warren, 247)

"What wil you do with what you've been through? Don't waste your pain; use it to help others." (Warren, 248)

Read more like this at: http://keasley-highlyfavored.blogspot.com