daily IMPACT by selahV

WHAT DOOR WOULD YOU PRAY FOR?

Have you been praying for a door to open lately?  What are you hoping for?

 “And at the same time pray for us also, that God may open a door to us for the Word, to proclaim the mystery concerning Christ on account of which I am in prison: that I may proclaim it fully and make it clear as is my duty.” Colossians 4:3,4.

Paul asks his fellow Christians to pray for him that God would open a door to proclaim the Gospel. He wanted to use every opportunity and more to reach beyond the prison walls which bound him for the act of sharing Christ—that he might “proclaim it fully”.  Do we pray for God to open a door for our pastors, ministers, and missionaries? Our professors, our mothers, our children? Our neighbors, our brothers and sisters in Christ? It’s a rather simple thing to ask of God.

Paul urges the Colossians to do this “at the same time” that they are praying for their own needs. He implores them in verse 2: “Be earnest and unwearied and steadfast in you prayer [life], being [both] alert and intent in [your praying] with thanksgiving. And at the same time pray for us also, that God may open a door…”

What was the “door” that God threw open at their prayerful requests on Paul’s behalf? What door opened to spread the Gospel as Paul so desparately desired as he sat imprisoned for sharing the mystery of Jesus?

The door of opportunity. That door, unbeknownest to Paul at the time, was his letters to all the churches while he was in prison. That door is one we read (or have opportunity to read) each time we pick up our Bibles. I wonder if Paul knew how influencial his penned words would be to me? to you? to millions of other Christians that would come after him?

Perhaps the door we should continue to pray for is that God continues to open the door for Paul’s words to be read, preached and studied throughout the world. May God continue to spread the gospel message through each of us. May we continue to earnestly pray and be intent on praying for His message to be heard. selahV

[copyrighted, 11/19/2007, selahV Today, hariette petersen]

WHEN MY WORK INSULTS GOD

Could it really? Could all my efforts and plans and strategies and maneuverings be an insult to God?

“All my devotion is an insult to God unless every bit of my practical life squares with Jesus Christ’s demands. Let Him make our lives narrow; let Him make them intense; let Him make them absolutely His.” Oswald Chambers.

Whew! Oswald is pretty tough here. “Unless every bit of my practical life squares with Christ’s demands,” I am insulting God. The sincerity of my speech. The attitude I show. The idleness or diligence in my workplace. Washing dishes. Writing blogs. Cooking dinner. Folding laundry. Cleaning toilets. Caring for my grandchildren.  My “entire practical life”, all my thoughts and all my works.

“Commit thy works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established.” Proverbs 16:3

Notice that says “thy” works. Not someone else’s. It’s what you do–no matter what that work is in your mind–menial or significant, it needs to be committed to the Lord. Then He will establish your thoughts and direct your path and bring it to pass.

Are your works half-heartedly done? Do you do them begrudgingly? The trouble with some of us is we commit ourselves to our jobs, our positions. We commit ourselves to our goals, our dreams. But we fail to commit ourselves to Jesus. It’s when we yield ourselves to Jesus and we commit our works to Him, that our thoughts are in sync with Him. Our words and attitudes will reflect His control over us. What do people see in you? What do you see in me? selahV

[copyrighted, 9/12/2007, SelahVToday, hariette petersen, 2009]

HAVE YOU BEEN HARDENED?

Ever wonder how some people are able to endure one difficulty after another? Ever question the justice in tragic situations that repeatedly fall on one person’s doorstep?  God gives an answer:

“…I will strengthen and harden you to difficulties.” Isaiah 41:10

I think of all the trials I've been going through lately, what I have endured.  If God is strengthening me for the difficulties I will face, and I’ve faced the incomprehensible, then I wonder what else could be ahead.  The Lord assures me I have nothing to fear. He reminds me He is with me.  “Fear not for I am with you…”.  Notice He says I AM with you–not I will be, or I can be with you. He IS with me.

He promises that in the difficulties–the deep waters, the raging furnaces–He will harden me so I can deal with them.  Just how does God harden me? How does He strengthen me?

He repeatedly uses that part of me that will be most required in the day of difficulty. He stretches my faith. He tests my patience. He regularly puts exercises in my life that demands me to use my faith, my trust, my reliance upon Him. As I rely upon Him in smaller difficulties, it produces a protective callous around my heart and soul. The trials build spiritual muscles so I can handle greater difficulties.

This makes James’ words all the more understandable. “Count it all joy, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall in various temptations.” James 1:2.

These trials and tempations are there to help strengthen me and harden me for greater use in the Master’s Kingdom. He would that I not grow weary, that I not faint in the day of adversity. He would have me take the trials and count them all joy so that He would be glorified in them. He seeks to be the strength in my weakness. And He tells me, “My grace is sufficient to meet all your needs.” What else could I need? selahV

[copyrighted, SelahVToday, hariette petersen, 9/7/2007]

NEEDLESS WEIGHTS WE BEAR

"A glad heart makes a cheerful countenance, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken." Proverbs 15:13

When a spirit is broken, brokenness shows itself in expressions, actions and attitudes.  Fear floods the mind with questions.  Is life bad?  Am I?

"Anxiety in a man's heart weighs it down, but an encouraging word makes it glad." Proverbs 12:25

When anxiety invades the heart with worry, fear or frustration, there is little room for lighthearted playfulness, patient understanding, gentle approaches or lips of praise.

Oh, but what an encouraging word can do!

Received or given.  Encouragement fills a heart with gladness which floods the face with cheer.  And that cheer is contagious.  What a wonderful reward for encouraging another, wouldn't you say?   

O, El Elyon, our Most High God.  Fill our hearts with joy and shield them from the desire to be weighted with the cares of this world.  Keep our minds stayed on Thee.  selahV

[copyrighted, SelahV Today, 2007]