Proverbs 31 Ministries had an interesting article I thought you might like to read by: Shari Braendel.
"One man pretends to be rich, yet has nothing; another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth." Proverbs 13:7 (NIV)
Devotion:
I watched Maria as she put her arm around her young son and drew him to her side. He responded by leaning in. They were a family of little means and just walking around her house would make even the most hardened heart cry. The shack had a roof made of sharp tin with tree branches mingled in between the layers. It certainly could not keep the elements out and as I peered up and saw light peeking in I wondered how they kept dry when it rained.
The floors were made of cement in some places, dirt in others. Bricks surrounded the little house and as Eric proudly showed me the bedroom that he shared with his mother and two brothers, I smiled. I was then led into the meager kitchen that was stocked with some old pans, a bag of potatoes, some carrots and a sink that refused to release water from its spout.
There was not a bathroom or laundry area except for the ragged line that hung outside with a few items of clothing on it. For all of this bareness, the children were genuinely joyful. As the boys hugged their mom, there was that sense of sweetness that happens between a child and his mother that no amount of money or material goods can replace. This family had each other and they had Jesus.
Ecuador is extremely impoverished in regards to material blessings. I've decided, however, that many in the U.S., though they have an abundance of possessions, are much poorer in other aspects. Families in Ecuador don't seem to know they are poor. Ironically, so many people living around me don't know they're poor either - spiritually in need.
I arrived home from Ecuador with a new vision of blessing. You see, the families I encountered in the homes I visited may not be blessed with material things but they consider it a privilege and gift to know Jesus. When people place highest value in Jesus, not possessions, they gain a life of hope. Hope without end. I can collect everything money can buy, but if I have no hope, I have nothing of value.
Dear God, thank You for the richness and fullness that I have in my life because You sent Your Son. opHelp me to keep my eyes on Jesus instead of wanting more things that will never fulfill me the way You do. I know that it is only through Christ that I can be truly wealthy. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Sponsor a child from Ecuador thru Compassion International
Too Small to Ignore by Dr. Wess Stafford
Practicing Hospitality: The Joy of Serving Others by Pat Ennis and Lisa Tatlock
Visit Shari's blog to hear more about her trip to Ecuador
Application Steps:
Pray Romans 15:13 for the nations: "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." (NIV)
Are you feeling hopeless today? Proverbs 11:25 says "He who refreshes others will himself be refreshed" (NIV). Refresh someone today with the hope of Jesus—you will in turn be refreshed with His hope.
My visit with Maria and Eric in Ecuador was through the child sponsorship program of Compassion International. No matter who we are or where we are, we can bring Jesus' hope to the nations through the simple act of sponsoring a child. Compassion International makes certain each sponsored child hears about Jesus and is given the chance to accept true hope. Check out Compassion International today to learn more.
Reflections:
What in my home is excess?
Who can I give it to that needs it more than I?
Power Verses:
2 Corinthians 8:9, "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich." (NIV)
2 Corinthians 6:10, "Sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything." (NIV)
© 2010 by Shari Braendel. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
Showing posts with label proverbs 31. Show all posts
Showing posts with label proverbs 31. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Monday, December 28, 2009
The Shelter
December 28, 2009 I thought you might enjoy this from Proverbs31.org:
From: Melissa Taylor
"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty."
Psalm 91:1 (NIV)
Devotion:
It happened again. My sweet ten year-old son came home from school deeply wounded. Some kids at school who were making fun of him and calling him names. My heart broke as I tried to comfort my worn down gift from God, my beloved son.
When Dylan was just one year-old, he had surgery on his head. This surgery left a scar that is visible. It really never bothered him much because he can't see it. He's always known it was there, but since it was out of sight, it was out of mind. Until someone else reminded him it was there, pointed out that it looked weird, and then a few others joined in. Their words pierced my son's heart and he needed a safe place to hide.
I prayed for Dylan and tried to explain why some people say things that are hurtful. I did all I could do to comfort him, but after all my efforts, he still came back to the same feelings of not fitting in. I will never forget how helpless I felt as a parent as I listened to him cry for hours begging God to take away the hurt.
My husband called Dylan upstairs to our bedroom. I noticed after a while how quiet it was in the house. Peace seemed to have settled over our home. I walked upstairs to make sure everything was alright and what I saw brought tears to my eyes. There they were, father and son, tucked into a fort, a shelter, that Jeff had built for Dylan. He called it Dylan's Den. It was equipped with blankets, pillows, a roof, and the arms of his father. Dylan was lying in his daddy's arms with the most peaceful and content look on his face. The man Dylan trusts most of all came to his rescue and provided a refuge, a place of protection for him. What a beautiful example of our Father's love. I will never forget it as long as I live.
When the world is cruel, we need to remember that we all have our Father's shelter that we can run to. There He waits, ready and willing for us to come into His arms to provide us with the security and protection we need. And as our key verse states, when we dwell in His shelter, we will find rest. God never promises that we will be free from trouble, but He does promise His help whenever we experience trouble.
Are you experiencing doubt, disappointment, fear, or trouble? Remember that God's arms are open wide. The security of His shelter is there for you.
Dear Lord, Thank you for being my shelter and refuge that I can always run to. Help me to seek shelter and refuge in You alone. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Melissa's Blog for tips on how to comfort your hurting child, more power verses, and a chance to win a free book.
When Your Child is Hurting by Glynnis Whitwer
Have You Found Shelter in God's Love?
Application Steps:
Find some time today to seek shelter in the arms of your Father. Tell Him all your are going through and then trust Him to take care of you.
Reflections:
When trouble comes your way, where do you seek shelter?
Do you trust God to protect you in all circumstances?
Isn't it a great feeling knowing that you have God as your refuge?
Power Verses:
Psalm 46:1, "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." (NIV)
Psalm 18:2, "The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold." (NIV)
© 2009 by Melissa Taylor. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
http://www.proverbs31.org/
From: Melissa Taylor
"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty."
Psalm 91:1 (NIV)
Devotion:
It happened again. My sweet ten year-old son came home from school deeply wounded. Some kids at school who were making fun of him and calling him names. My heart broke as I tried to comfort my worn down gift from God, my beloved son.
When Dylan was just one year-old, he had surgery on his head. This surgery left a scar that is visible. It really never bothered him much because he can't see it. He's always known it was there, but since it was out of sight, it was out of mind. Until someone else reminded him it was there, pointed out that it looked weird, and then a few others joined in. Their words pierced my son's heart and he needed a safe place to hide.
I prayed for Dylan and tried to explain why some people say things that are hurtful. I did all I could do to comfort him, but after all my efforts, he still came back to the same feelings of not fitting in. I will never forget how helpless I felt as a parent as I listened to him cry for hours begging God to take away the hurt.
My husband called Dylan upstairs to our bedroom. I noticed after a while how quiet it was in the house. Peace seemed to have settled over our home. I walked upstairs to make sure everything was alright and what I saw brought tears to my eyes. There they were, father and son, tucked into a fort, a shelter, that Jeff had built for Dylan. He called it Dylan's Den. It was equipped with blankets, pillows, a roof, and the arms of his father. Dylan was lying in his daddy's arms with the most peaceful and content look on his face. The man Dylan trusts most of all came to his rescue and provided a refuge, a place of protection for him. What a beautiful example of our Father's love. I will never forget it as long as I live.
When the world is cruel, we need to remember that we all have our Father's shelter that we can run to. There He waits, ready and willing for us to come into His arms to provide us with the security and protection we need. And as our key verse states, when we dwell in His shelter, we will find rest. God never promises that we will be free from trouble, but He does promise His help whenever we experience trouble.
Are you experiencing doubt, disappointment, fear, or trouble? Remember that God's arms are open wide. The security of His shelter is there for you.
Dear Lord, Thank you for being my shelter and refuge that I can always run to. Help me to seek shelter and refuge in You alone. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Melissa's Blog for tips on how to comfort your hurting child, more power verses, and a chance to win a free book.
When Your Child is Hurting by Glynnis Whitwer
Have You Found Shelter in God's Love?
Application Steps:
Find some time today to seek shelter in the arms of your Father. Tell Him all your are going through and then trust Him to take care of you.
Reflections:
When trouble comes your way, where do you seek shelter?
Do you trust God to protect you in all circumstances?
Isn't it a great feeling knowing that you have God as your refuge?
Power Verses:
Psalm 46:1, "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." (NIV)
Psalm 18:2, "The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold." (NIV)
© 2009 by Melissa Taylor. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
http://www.proverbs31.org/
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