Getting to the root of the issue...

Ezekiel 47:12 (The Message)

12 "But the river itself, on both banks, will grow fruit trees of all kinds. Their leaves won't wither, the fruit won't fail. Every month they'll bear fresh fruit because the river from the Sanctuary flows to them. Their fruit will be for food and their leaves for healing."

I've been reading a book that deals with an issue I deal with specifically. This verse was referenced and I loved the application the author went into. I'm not going to type it up word for word, but basically she says that we can't change the soil (or environment) we grew up in, nor can we ourselves change the root issues, but if we allow Jesus to work on the roots, the entire plant can be changed. In other words the fruit can be changed, which is exactly what God wants to do in each of our lives. He wants us to give Him full reign and control to change (dig at, prune, etc) whatever He wants. Once this is done the fruit will be "for food and their leaves for healing". Think about the powerful tools God will have in our lives for others that have dealt with the same issues we have. Think of the healing your fruit can bring to another...how exciting to be at a place we can be used! How much better to help another, than to dwell in our own bad experience and never allow Christ to work on those roots?

God, my prayer to You is that You'll work deep into that soil and get right into the heart of my "roots". I want to be the kind of fruit that can feed and heal others. Give me strength for whatever changes are necessary. Thank You for being there through all of the pruning I need so desperately. I love you, Lord. Use my life for Your glory. Amen.

Servitude

Matthew 20:26-28 (NLT)

26 But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. 28 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

I love the way this version of these verses reads. The very first phrase draws me in, "But among you it will be different..." Wow! OK, so let's just start there. We as Christians have a responsibility, we are called to be different, not just here in these verses, but throughout the Bible it talks about us being "set apart" like in Psalms 4:3. With us...thing are to be different.

On that note, it's not just a matter of how we dress, where we go or what we say that makes us different. It's a matter of how we act. This verse specifically targets those that would be the leaders among us. Does it suggest practicing more than all others in order to be better and more qualified for leadership positions? Does it mention stepping on the "little people" in order to work your way up? NO! These verses show us how real leaders are made, they're not made from better gifts and skills than you or I have, they're made from the ability to serve as Christ served, to reach out to the neediest, to the poor and friendless...to the sinners even. This verse never once says that we're only to serve fellow Christians so do not take for granted the power of your servant-like attitude. What a witness it can be to those around you! People are always stumped at a person that will go out of their way to do something considered "beneath" them. The world has a "look out for myself" mindset, therefore they do not understand the heart that sees and helps another. It's beyond their comprehension.
I find it fascinating that these verses don't just say "act like a servant"...no, they repeat the sentiment with a second comparison, this is to that of a slave! No one wants to be someone's slave, the suffering and mistreatment this brings to mind causes us to shudder. BUT, we are not called to only serve those that are nice to us, those that say thank you or pat us on the back...we are called to serve as Christ would. This means all mankind, even the cruelest of men, the most ungrateful and undeserving. God doesn't ask His people to only do the easy tasks, He asks us to do the impossible tasks, for how else should He show those looking on that He is bigger and more loving than even the most unlovable of men? That He sent His Son not only for the "good" people, but for the lowest of low?

Jesus was our example and He certainly blazed an amazing path. If we can catch but a mere flicker of the fire He had for the people of this earth, we will conquer the hearts of men. It starts small. Do what you can, where you can, for whom you can. Maybe this means clearing the dishes after dinner, playing the piano at church, shoveling a neighbor's driveway or giving a stranger a ride in the rain...but whatever opportunity presents itself, remember, we are to be the face of Christ.

God Bless.

Life's friendships...

Ecclesiastes 4:9–12

Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken. (NLT)

The power of friendship. It's crazy how a friend can make or break you sometimes. Some of the hardest times of my life have been due to something within a friendship. On the other hand most of my favorite memories revolve around friends, in fact sometimes the favorite memories and hardest times overlap one another. I'm often in awe about friendships. This is quite possibly the result of my own personality and personal value of all relationships, but regardless I stand, mouth metaphorically agape.

So often I've feared rejection the most when it comes to friends discovering more and more about me and finally learning that...*gasp* I have issues! BUT...it seems that the very things I fear the most are often met with more understanding and love than I can possibly comprehend.
I realize that this is greatly due to the fact that those I've chosen to surround myself with are God's children. I whole-heartily believe that the friends I'm closest to in life want the best for me and that they were brought into my life by divine providence. God's the one that created me with my unique design that is so very people oriented, and I know He's provided the right people to fit that design throughout my life.

I have, however, been the person that's chosen poorly. Sometimes I'm allowed myself to be influenced by the people from the later part of Proverbs 12:26. Those are always choices that I look back on and wonder what I was thinking.

I like what the above verse says about two being able to stand back to back and conquer. That's such a beautiful mental picture to me. I want people to "have my back" but how much better to have a friend willing to give me their's? Having someone's complete trust and faith in me, being in an equally giving relationship, is something I will probably never understand, but it's a wonderful experience nonetheless. Again, I'm also blessed enough to have those that are always there to extend their hand to me when I falter. God has been so good in His provision!

I've spent so many long nights up talking to friends. I've had weekends of laughter and fun with friends. We've shared tears and heartbreak, as well as smiles and hugs. We've shared clothes, food, cars, apartments and families. We've ran up each others phone bills, loaned each other cash and eaten each other's hidden stash of dorm snacks. My life has been touched and blessed by those I call friend. God has truly given me an invaluable gift through these people and I will never be able to repay Him or for that matter those very people. Their impact on me has been great, their faith in me has been extraordinary and our futures together are exciting. I realize life changes, people grow apart, but the beauty is you can't take away the memories we've shared and the affect they've had on me. They'll always be a part of me and for that I am grateful!

I love you guys...you know who you are!

God's Artwork

1 Chronicles 29:11

Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all.

Tonight I was reminded of the beauty within God's creation. I'm not actually talking about the creation of nature, such as trees, flowers and sunsets, but rather His beauty found within individuals.
I was invited to attend an art exhibition that houses the world's largest collection of artists under one roof...or so it claims, which I assume is true. This event has such an extensive variety in it's art that I wasn't even sure what to look at or where to begin.

I did, however, find myself drawn more to the photography rather than the sketches and paintings, but no matter what style of art it was, I was continually reminded of how beautifully different God designed each one of us. The very variations within the art are an expression of His creativity. We certainly serve an artistic God and I for one am thankful for the differences I can see within His creations. I realize that I'm rather limited when it comes to most of what I saw tonight, but I can appreciate the abilities God has given others and when I see those, I'm reminded that I too am unique and gifted by God. So Kudos to Pendleton Art Center for all they're doing down there and never forget that even the artistic expressions are God's! G'nite all...God Bless.

Behinds the scenes...

So lately I've been trying to think of a way to refresh my devotional life and get it back on track. Yesterday I was struck with inspiration...and it didn't even hurt!

The idea is to type up devotionals on this blog, my own or maybe a tidbit from whatever I've been reading, and then get feed back, input, criticism, discussion, accountability and a host of other benefits from those reading. I realize that the reality of my posting every single day is probably not great, but I'm going to post as often as possible and whenever I feel inspired.

Now...I'm asking that if you read this and have a thought or some words of wisdom that you please leave them in a comment. I'd appreciate feed back. If you'd rather not post publicly, just find me on Facebook or email me at gurl_of_grace3@yahoo.com! Thanks a ton and God bless.

-Tiff