The Purpose – Requires Obedience

October 15, 2014

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” – Ephesians 2:10

When I saw them sitting on the curb of the parking lot, my heart felt compassion.  She had tears in her eyes, he had a look of desperation on his face and they both looked very hopeless, lost in this big world.  As they stood and walked into the restaurant, she went straight to the restroom and he ordered two glasses of water and sat down at a table near the door to wait.  His face buried in his hands, which were tattooed and covered in dirt.  Then came the voice in my head, “Give them everything in your pocket.”  Of course I think to myself that I’m just imagining things, so I try to rationalize it away: “they’ll just waste it”, “they’ll blow it on smokes or drugs”.  The voice returned, “It doesn’t matter what they do with it, the point is to give it to them because it is My will.”

Arguing with God is not a good idea.  His plan is always right and ours is often very wrong.  Needless to say I rose and walked across the room, approaching this young couple down on their luck.  As I neared them she returned and gave me a defensive look as he rose from his chair.  Before either could say anything, I reached in my pocket took out all of the folded up money in my pocket and handed it to the man, with the words, “God truly loves you and wanted me to give this to you.”  She started to cry, he gave me a very puzzled look.  Just then two others, similarly disheveled, came in and joined them, one carrying a baby.  I simply nodded and said, “Have a blessed day.” and went back to my table.

They took the money and each ordered some food, and took it with them out the door.  The young man though, turned and came to my table.  “Why?  Why, would you help us?”  I looked him in the eye and said, “When God tells you to do something, you do it.  He wanted me to give this to you, because He knows you needed to feel His love today.”  Tears in his eyes, he reached out and shook my hand.  “We haven’t eaten in 2 days, and we spent what little we had to get baby formula and diapers.  You have no idea how much we needed this.”  I shook my head, “No, I didn’t, but God did and always remember He will always be there to help and provide a way.”  He thanked me once again and walked away to meet up with his friends.

God is our provider, everything we have comes from Him and belongs to Him.  We are here to use it for His purpose.  We don’t have to understand the how and why, but we are called to be obedient.  I don’t tell you this story to speak of how wonderful I am, but of how loving and wonderful He is.  I can’t consider myself further blessed than to be used to enact a good deed upon the life of another.  Our good works are not to gain His approval, but are because of His love working through us.  He created me for good works, and if I am willing to be obedient and trust in Him, His purpose will be fulfilled in my daily walk.

© Sondove Enterprises, 2014
For more Daily Thoughts go to: http://sondove.blogspot.com
If you would like to be added to the email distribution please click here: Daily Thoughts

Just Listen, Please

Read It, Learn It, Live It, Share It

"His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he [Jesus] tells you." "      - John 2:5

If you are a parent, a teacher, a Pastor or even a best friend; don't you get frustrated when you tell someone to do something and that particular someone looks at you with a blank expression. Or worse yet, they don't even hear you or acknowledge your request. I have to tell you, I've heard that children have selective hearing and I can actually confirm that this tragic illness exists (at least in my household). Night after night the routine is simple: put on your pajama's, go potty, brush your teeth and off to bed with a story and a song. What I don't understand though is that every night my lil' ones look up at me as if their hearing the request for the very first time. As a parent, it's unbelievably frustrating to have to tell your children multiple times to do something that they do every night.

  I look at the book of John and this event in Cana where Jesus Christ turns the water to wine. Taking a look at the context of the verse we find them at a wedding, where they have run out of wine. In the previous verses Mary, the mother of Christ, asks him to help, and he basically refuses. But, Mary didn't accept that did she, her answer was to the servants (within ear shot of Jesus I'm sure) - "Do whatever he tells you." I think about those words frequently. Simple, to the point and unbelievably powerful.

  Mary had two things in her favor that day.

1) She was Jesus mother; and could pull rank, to some degree. We later see Christ rebuke Peter for a similar action, so we know that Christ had little tolerance for those who would challenge his actions/words; for they were from the Father. Who has any right to rebuke the Creator?

2) She was Jesus mother; and knew very well who He was. Mary was Jesus Christ first follower and evangelist. She knew He was the son of the Almighty God, and with respect for His divinity she called Him into action. What did she do with this knowledge of who He was up to that point? Don't you think it was hard to be the mother of the Son of God? Showing her son reverence while at the same time, scolding him for coming home late for dinner.

  She makes a statement that to this day rings true for every single one of us. Forget about the wedding, the wine or Christ’s miracle that day and focus on what Mary is telling you. "Do whatever he tells you [to do]." Investigate the results of his actions (v.10) on that day and now apply this thinking to your daily walk with God. What is He telling you to do today? Come on, be honest. You know, inside of you, you know what God wants you to do. Have faith that if He is telling you to do it, He already knows the results, and He knows what is best for your life, if you’ll just listen.

             

© Sondove Enterprises, 2013
For more Daily Thoughts go to: http://sondove.blogspot.com

Heavenly GPS

Read It, Learn It, Live It, Share It

“What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?" – Romans 8:31

 When we take the individual events of life in a single snapshot and weigh God's love based on one event we are blinded by emotions rather than truth. God's perspective on our life is eternal. From the moment He created the heavens and the earth, He knew you and knew everything about you. He sees the span of your life, the turns, the ups, the downs, the good and the bad. The bible tells us that He is for us in every situation, and yet it is so easy to point blame toward Him when things don't work out.

  Think about your view of the earth from satellite imagery. We have the technology now to look down upon an area of a city block or a few square miles. Picture yourself in a military situation watching a monitor with a satellite image of an area as a battle evolves. On the ground you have troops, walking down a street in a metropolitan city. They can't see what's around the corners up ahead, but from your vantage point with a tops down satellite image you can. Your communicating to the squadron leader through an earpiece. You are warning him of an ambush that lies in the alley up ahead. He hears you and you can see his response of pause. Then you see him turn to his squad and issue hand signals, splitting the team and directing them to spread out. You warn him not to, and then you see him remove his ear peace. The team proceeds forward, cautiously. From your perspective you see the enemy positioning themselves and maneuvering for the right angle. As your squadron move into the intersection with the alley, they are observant to both sides and looking into the shadows for the enemy. Unfortunately for them, they didn't realize that the enemy had moved up one block. As the squadron comes out of the alley back into the main street, the enemy is there waiting for them. Tragically the entire squadron is lost in the ensuing battle. From your post miles away observing through a monitor you watch as the event unfolds. Why didn't he listen to you? Why did he think he had it under control? You would have guided him safely through the streets and ensured victory over the enemy that lie in wait.

  We are challenged daily to walk upright and to stay consistent in His light. It seems that the trials and temptations of life continue to attack on a daily basis. I, for one, can testify that it is easy to become discouraged with the constant barrage from the enemy to steal one's joy. We must be able to stand firm in the promises of God when challenged in our faith. In this letter from Paul to those in Rome, we see him encouraging them to remain strong in their faith, despite their difficult circumstances. We should take this advice and lean into God's wisdom and knowledge when times are difficult, for God will provide your strength against the enemy at all times. This doesn't mean you won't struggle, it is an encouragement that God is still in control and will carry you through it. Remember, His view is eternal. It's not about the daily event, it's about the life story. Live your life with the confidence that He has your back and will get you to the finish line. Nothing can stop this from happening, nothing.

© Sondove Enterprises, 2012
For more Daily Thoughts go to: http://sondove.blogspot.com