Once
we come to Christ, we do not need to wonder if we will have to endure the persecution
of the Great Tribulation. The Lord promises to protect us from this trying time,
which He planned in order to test those left behind (Revelation 3:10).
Our
"lot in life" is victorious, when we walk through it with Christ in
us and with us. We are no longer victims of the times in which we live. As
citizens of Heaven, we are now foreigners and aliens in this world (1 Peter
2:11).
We
often blame our parents for our troubles. We decide that if they had been
better at their parenting skills, we would be more successful in life at this
time. This is a serious mistake. Not taking the responsibility for our own choices
cripples us for life.
Our
past does not identify us, and our future does not concern us, once we learn to
follow the leading of God's Spirit each minute of the day. This very moment is
the only time that we are guaranteed, so we can make the best of each precious
one.
We
are not victims of our circumstances. We all have the ability to choose to walk
in God's will for our life. We impact our life by seeking God before making our
plans. Pursuing the Lord's timing teaches us to trust Him (Proverbs 3:5-6).
The book of Acts shows us that the
apostles did not even allow imprisonment to stop their mission in life. While
in jail, they sang
praises to God even though they were in chains. We can follow their example,
and be bold and committed to God, regardless of our circumstances.
Prayer:
Father
God, teach us that even when our circumstances imprison us, we too can grow
bolder, speak louder, and share longer, regardless of a person's status or
authority - even if they intend to keep us from proclaiming the Good News of
Salvation through Christ. We want to accomplish Your will during each new
experience - pleasant or painful.
Remind
us that by focusing on You and listening to Your Spirit, we allow You to use us
mightily. Following Your timing and guidance, we too can accomplish all that You
plan for us during each new day. You call each of us to live as a testimony to
Your grace, provision and nurturing, in order to be a witness to the lost world
around us, by showing them that You care for Your own.
Thought
for the Day:
Satan
delights in using our stressed out lives, unfit bodies, and exhausted emotions
in his efforts to create hindrances in our road to intimacy with God; if we
whine and complain, we make people wonder if God really does make a difference
in a person's life.
