-- Wednesday, 7/21/10 -- FINDING GOD'S PURPOSE -- Judges 6, 7, 8
J.R. & Bonnie Ricks
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Dear Friends,
We have been blessed for several years with a wonderful group of folks that have been there every month to help us make our budget. And even through the first half of this year, as bad as things have been with the economy, there have always been those who stepped in the gap to help us make our budget – or come close to making it. We want to ask that you pray that God will make a way and touch the hearts of those who can to help us this month. The small gifts are so important, and they add up quickly, so whatever God puts on your heart will greatly be appreciated. We pray every day that God will soon turn this country’s economy and direction around. We know there are so many people that are hurting, and they’re good, hard-working people that should not be hurting. This situation brings to mind something our dear friend, Charles Akins, used to say to J.R. He said, “If Jesus ain’t Jesus when you’re in the valley, then He can’t be Lord just when you‘re on the mountain top.”
Thank you for your prayers in advance.
J.R. & Bonnie
P.S. We’ll post the weekly budget as always on Friday, but so you’ll know, to date, we’ve received $469.02 toward our $1,500 budget for July.
FINDING GOD'S PURPOSE -- Judges 6, 7, 8
Did you ever ask yourself, "What is it, exactly, that God wants me to do?" Have you ever questioned the Lord about His plan and purpose for your life? Did you get an answer? If not, perhaps you're like most folks, expecting the Lord to jump out and confront you on your own personal "road to Damascus" – giving you a personal consultation… a blinding vision… an overwhelming experience… telling you directly and in succinct detail what He wants from your life. Now, that would be very exciting and definitely something to tell your grandkids about - but it's generally not the way the Lord works.
Take Gideon, for example. Was Gideon rushing around looking for God's purpose for his life? Was he sitting back on his haunches, waiting for God to appear to him and tell him what to do? No. Gideon was very busy, tackling the challenge of the moment – trying to grow and prepare food for his family while keeping it hidden from the Midianites. He was taking care of the business at hand, doing what he was supposed to do, totally immersed in his work – and then God showed this brave, resourceful young man what his purpose was.
Gideon isn't the only example of this. Look at Ruth. She was sticking by her commitment to her mother-in-law, making sure that Naomi had food to eat. Then God introduced Ruth to Boaz, and she became one of the ancestors of Jesus!
Now, consider the twelve apostles. Each of them was going about his daily business when Jesus called him. Paul was on the road to Damascus, heading out to persecute – and perhaps kill - some more Christians, when Jesus stopped him. Peter was fishing. Matthew was collecting taxes. The list is quite long. But each of these people had one thing in common. Each of them was taking care of the challenge of the moment – not rushing wildly about looking for God's purpose and not sitting back idly waiting for God to make a personal appearance. Just when they were at their busiest, God gave them the direction they sought.
Sometimes we have a tendency to over-analyze what God's purpose for us might be. Or we get so busy looking for our purpose, we miss it altogether and louse up the job we're supposed to be doing in the process. Or we sit down and do nothing, almost daring God to tell us what to do. All the while, what God wants you to do is take care of the challenge of the moment. Deal with the situation at hand. Do what you're doing. Use the gifts and talents and abilities God gave you. And use them for His glory. When it's time, you will know what it is you are to do for Him. And you will see how – all along – God was preparing you for the challenge, molding you into the person He knew you could be.
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