On My Heart

Do you ever have those moments when you feel like God is working in you?  The other night I had one of those moments.  I don't know exactly what to do with it or what His plan is but I'm sure He'll let me know when He's ready.

I was watching a segment on 60 Minutes with my husband.  The piece contained an interview with Bill Gates (Microsoft gazillionaire if you weren't sure who that was).  The story was about his desire and efforts to eliminate certain diseases from the world through advanced research and technology.  For example - creating machines to kill mosquitoes to rid Africa of malaria or creating refrigeration devices to hold antibiotics without the use of electricity (which is hard to come by in third world countries).

Although I was impressed with what the Gates Foundation is doing I was more struck by something Bill said. And it's been on my heart ever since.  He made reference to the fact that people in this country spend money on all sorts of frivolous things while people in other countries die because they don't have basics like medicine, clean water, or refrigeration.

I think his comment was meant more to explain his desire to use his money on something worthwhile than him making a statement about our selfish culture. But still I couldn't get away from the reality of what he said.  We want our excess regardless of whether we could make things better for someone else.

This is what I feel we say without actually saying it: "I see you need clean water and that you might die from some water-born bacteria.  I could help a little bit and probably with some friends we could help a lot.  But, I'm sorry.  I've got plans to go to a movie tonight and then after that I'm going to buy some new shoes.  Maybe next time when I get some extra extra money I can help."  

Please don't misunderstand.  I'm not writing this to make anyone feel guilty.  I'm simply sharing what's on my heart.  I don't know what to do with this anymore than, maybe, you do.  All I know is that if it's on my heart - chances are God is working in me. Where that leads remains to be seen.

Sunday Blogvotional: God Does A Lot With A Little

"Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?"  John 6:9

Imagine yourself as that young boy in the crowd of more than five thousand people.  The word gets out the leaders (apostles) are trying to see how much food is available in the crowd.  You say to yourself  "I don't have much.  I only have five loaves of bread and two fish.  Plenty for my family but definitely not enough for all these people."  You don't know how it can make a difference but you offer the small amount of food to the apostles anyway.

Then, you watched as the man, Jesus, blessed your offering.   Somehow, someway your tiny little insignificant gift was multiplied and fed every single person in the crowd. There was even an abundance left over.  You saw first hand what God could do with so little.  You'll never doubt the insignificance of your gifts again.

It may seem like the little we have can't possibly make a difference.  But when our offering comes from the heart (whether big or small), God blesses it and multiplies.  It's important to note that in this story the boy wasn't called to feed the people.  He was called to give and God fed the people.

Encouragement for the week:   What God does with our gifts, tithes and offerings is greater than the gifts themselves.  Never underestimate how far your gift will go. Give and let God use it to bless in the way only He can.

Sunday Blogvotional: Achieving Greatness

Greatness can be a double edge sword. To achieve it can be wonderful and damning at the same time.  To do or be something great and not let our pride get in the way can be a very difficult thing. In the book of Mark, Jesus does not criticize the apostles for wanting to be great; He’s human and understands our needs. Fortunately for us, He actually tells us how to achieve it.  In typical God fashion, the way to true greatness is a shift from our natural instincts. We want the fan fare and pats on the back but Jesus challenges us like in Mark chapter 9, “For he who is least among you all – he is the greatest.” It’s okay to strive for greatness in God’s eyes.  Do it the way God wants you to do it and great will be your reward.

Sitting down, Jesus call the Twelve and said, “If anyone want to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.”  Mark 9:35

Encouragement for the week: What is your mission in life? Where do you feel like God really uses you? Whatever that is, become the greatest servant you can possibly be and you’ll achieve greatness in God’s eyes. 

**This week's Blogvotional was presented by James (the Hubs).  Thanks, dear, for your thoughts and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Sunday Blogvotional: Serving Even When It Hurts

I once heard it said "we don't have a problem serving until we're treated like a servant".   And even when we don't mind being a servant - we certainly think twice about whom we serve.  On the night of the passover feast Jesus washed the feet of the disciples.  He, the Son of God, humbled himself to show the importance of serving others.  But what may be one of the most striking things about this encounter is the fact that Jesus washed the feet of His betrayer, Judas.  The very man who was about to betray Him to the point of death.  Knowing full well what was about to happen to Him and the agony He felt - Jesus still washed - He still served.  Jesus shows us that despite whether or not we like someone or have been hurt by them, our hearts should always be willing to serve. 

The greatest among you will be your servant. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.  Matthew 23: 11-12

Encouragement for the week:    One way to serve is to pray for others.  Think of someone who has hurt you and pray for God to bless them.  Do this every day for a week.