Devotions

08/08 Taken from ""Just Enough Light for the Step I'm On...Trusting God in the Tough Times". Author, Stormie Omartian

Just Enough Light - "Sometimes only the step I'm on, or the very next one ahead, is all that is illuminated for me. God gives just the amount of light I need for the exact moment I need it. At those times I walk in surrender to faith, unable to see the future and not fully comprehending the past. And because it is God who has given me what light I have, I know I must reject the fear and doubt that threaten to overtake me. I must determine to be content where I am, and allow God to get me where I need to go. I walk forward, one step at a time, fully trusting that the light God sheds is absolutely sufficient."

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05/08 Taken from "The New Rebellion" Devotionals...."By the grace given to me, I tell everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he should think". Romans 12:3 HCSB

Shrink Your Head - Pride really springs from fear and insecurity. The sense of not being okay, of lacking love and acceptance, is what prompts people to think of themselves more highly then they ought. Jesus is able to address the issue of humility (through Paul in this case) because He has already taken care of the root issue of security. Can you see that?

It is because you are loved, because you are completely accepted in the family of God, that you no longer need to try to shore up your image or elevate your appearance.

Insecurity shows up in one of three ways, by elevating yourself, by putting yourself down, or by putting others down. But men and women of God don't think of themselves too highly or too lowly - they know who they are! They relish the security of God that sets them free.

By Your grace God, I will see myself the way You see me - not trying to elevate myself or tear myself down.

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03/08 Taken from "The Quilt of Life", A Patchwork of Devotional Thoughts by Mary Tatem....Ever person you meet, every effort undertaken, every joy, frustration, hope and sorrow - all are the material of the human experience. They're the beautifully contrasting pieces, that a Master Designer can lovingly craft into one exquisite quilt - your life. The devotions that will follow are unique, story-based collections of devotions that celebrate God's handiwork in our lives. All centered on a quilting theme - that follow the process of God's work in our lives. You'll see that while the individual pieces of life can sometimes be plain or unattractive by themselves, the finished product, the quilt of life, is a stunning example of God's creative power.

"Please, please let me sew!" Jasmine tugged at her mother's arm.

"Let go, Jasmine. You're going to make my stitches crooked. After you turn seven, I'll let you sew. Right now, I have the perfect job for a five-year-old. When the ladies go home from our quilting bee, you can pick up all the threads and little pieces of material that fall on the floor."

"That no fun. Let me cut." Jasmine picked up a pair of nearby scissors and whacked the air, alarming the nearest lady who ducked out of the way. "You have to be even older to do the cutting." Mother removed the scissors before her daughter could hurt someone with them. "If the pieces aren't cut exactly right, the pattern won't fit together correctly."

Soon Jasmine tired of watching the ladies and wandered off to play with her dolls. Her interest in quilts was long forgotten by the time her mother called her to come help clean up.

"Please pick up all the trash and put in in here." Mother gave her a paper bag and pointed out the threads and scraps littering the floor under the quilting frame. "I don't wanna". I wanna help make the pretty cover".

"Picking up these threads is the right size job for you. Look how hard it is for your big mamma to crawl around under the frame." Mother dropped to her knees and demonstrated her tight fit underneath. Jasmine laughed.

"See. Your fingers are just the right size to pick up the threads. My fingers are too big and have to try several times before I finally grab a thread." Jasmine plucked up a thread.

"Good girl. Get your fingers trained for picking up, and you'll be ready to sew before you know it."

Jasmine's new job was to pick up, and pick up she did. It didn't take Jasmine long to figure out complaining wouldn't win her a reprieve. She eventually made it into a game by pretending she was a bird finding material to build a nest.

"Look, Jasmine, I bought you a printed quilt square to sew and learn to make even stitches." A brown bunny stood in the center of the material Mother gave her. Around the edges blue, yellow and green shapes formed the borders. "You've been so good at the clean-up task, I believe you're ready for a more grown-up state."

How many times do we fret over chores that seem insignificant to us? God is pleased when we accomplish the small jobs as well as the ones we deem important. What seems unimportant to us, God views as a stepping-stone of preparation for larger responsibilities. In Matthew 25:21 (NIV) "His master replied. 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things. I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness."

In God's training program, the small acts come before the bigger things.

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