A 'World Vision' of Gods Love

How many cars does your family have? How many times do you eat out during an average week? Do you conserve water? Recycle?

It's very easy to take for granted the many things we are blessed with. From people who love to complain and talk politics to those who find it easier to throw away leftovers instead of saving them, we are all guilty on some scale.

The fact of the matter is, regardless of your political postitions, compared to the rest of the world, we do live in a free country. And those scraps you just tossed out is equal to the amount of food an entire family lives on for a week.

Im not saying the only way to justify our means is by not eating or selling one of our cars. We are blessed to have the lifestyle we do. Treat it like a blessing. Don't take it for granted, and remember to thank God for the things he has given you, no matter how small or insignificant they may seem.

There are ways to make a difference to those who are less fortunate. World Vision and Compassion are two organizations that have made it easy for people around the world to experience the gift of Gods love and grace. What is a minimal amount of money to us, literally means life for some. These and many other organizations have stepped up and filled the gap between our society and theirs, and theyve filled it with the love of God. I encourage all of you to sponsor a child. I found that even if you can't afford it, you will be able to. God finds a way and with Him anything is possible.

This is a picture of Oumer. He will be six years old this April and he is from Ethiopia. My household sponsors him through World Vision together. I tell you, there is no greater joy or excitement then when we recieve a letter from our Oumer telling us how blessed he is to have us as his sponsor.

God is your Valentine, Everyday.

Be Mine, Valentine.

During the holidays, we tend to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of shopping, decorating, and baking. Christmas, for example, has us adjusting our budgets, hanging lights and singing carols. Its not often we stop to reflect 'the reason for the season', if you will. Of course if you asked any Christian what Christmas is about, the would earnestly respond with something in relation to the birth of Jesus.

Well, why should any other holiday be different? Why should any day be different, for that matter?

No one could ever love you more than God himself.

With Valentines day fast approaching, take a moment to enjoy the gift of Gods love.

Life. Don't Plan On It.

What were you doing one year ago today? How about five years ago? Ten? Are you where you saw yourself today? Has anything you planned ever worked out exactly how you had imagined it?

Odds are, very few people have been able to plan their lives as they would have them. This is by no mistake.

Woody Allen once made famous the quote "If you want to make God laugh, tell him about your plans."

God has a will for everyone's life. Make no mistake, everything DOES happen for a reason and those reasons are Gods. No matter how much you plan, and figure, and work toward something, if God doesn't want you there, it will not happen.

Psalms 33:10-11 says, The Lord foils the plans of the nations, he thwarts the purposes of the people. But the plans of the Lord stay firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.

This doesnt mean give up your plans and dreams. It means continue to strive for them and pray for them. If its Gods will, then you will end up where you want to be, but don't be discouraged if you dont. It just means God has another plan for you that you haven't figured out yet.

Oh, and another thing to wrap your thoughts around: All that time you spent planning and working toward that something that you never reach, God planned that. So, even if you're not on the right track toward Gods will in your life, youre still on Gods track. He knew what you would do before you did it.

So you should never feel as if you've messed up, or lose hope in what you're doing because there's a reason God's letting you go through it all. It's not all for nothing

As Joshua 1:9 says, ...Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

Power of Prayer, Part 2

Another powerful testimony to how we should pray is a lesson I learned from my Aunt. We were visiting her family in Alabama when a firetruck, or an ambulance drove by (I don't remember which), sirens blaring.

She told us that whenever she sees that, or an passes an accident, she always says a prayer for those involved.

My Aunt would say a prayer for people she didn't even know. 

Take a moment to think about that. If every person that drove past an accident said a prayer for those people. How many prayers do you think they would receive? What if that accident was put on the news? What if every person who saw that newscast said a prayer for those people? What if that newscast was posted online? And every person who saw that feed said a prayer for those people.

Do you see whats just happened? People across the GLOBE now have the opportunity to pray for this one car accident, in one town, that maybe only 3 people were affected by.

Now, if you want experience the 'power of prayer' that we mentioned before, put yourself on the other side of those prayers.

What if that was you in the car accident?

People all over the world are lifting you up to the Lord.

If that doesn't give you goosebumps the next time you're in a fender-bender, you might want to have the EMTs look you over.

The Power of Prayer, Part 1

I think we've all heard the expression 'the power of prayer', but have you ever put it to the test?

When I was little, I was taught that there was no wrong way to pray. So, I would always say a prayer before I went to sleep and I would begin by thanking God for everything he had done for me, my family, and then my friends. Then I would send up my 'requests': Please help me get good grades on my homework, please help Granddaddy feel better... 

 Then, one night when I couldn't sleep, I remembered something my Sunday School teacher had told us. When she couldn't sleep, she knew it was because there was something on her mind, something she should pray about.

Well, I couldn't think of what it was that I should be praying about, after all, I had already said my prayers that night. So, desperate to fall asleep, I began a prayer that went something like this:

Dear Lord, 
Thank you for everything you've done for me, my friends, my family and for-everyone-I've-ever-met-in-my-entire-life. I ask that you be with them and help them with whatever they need. Amen.

I think I covered all the bases with that one, but as broad as that prayer may have been, I think we can learn something from my childhood conversations with God.

Ephesians 6:18 says, And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

As Christians, we are obligated to keep our brothers and sisters in Christ in our continuous thoughts and prayers. Why should that be exclusive to anyone? This verse reminds us to pray for ALL the Lord's people.

So, next time you find yourself praying for those dearest to you, remember those you've only met and perhaps those you haven't.