Do What You Can

Have you experienced something seemingly going awry only to see it all work out later? Has something initially seemed so wrong, but worked out for your good later? Have you taken time to think about how that happened? Have you given credit to God?

We experience things going badly from our perspective. We wonder how this could happen to us. We get frustrated, angry, and depressed. Our minds race to find answers. We may reach out to family or friends for help in understanding. We may even cry out to God.

Our perspective is limited. Far too often we are only thinking of the here and now. We live in the moment, not able to see the future and often not looking at the past. To exacerbate our situations, we often won’t listen to advice from someone who is wiser, who has gone through some tough times, who may have the gift of foreseeing how things may play out.

Despite our circumstances, God is at work. Pharoah had commanded that ALL people of Egypt kill any newborn Hebrew males. He had made it a responsibility of every Egyptian citizen to carry out this horrible task due to his own fear. However, he did not account for God working in the background, specifically through his daughter.

Pharoah’s daughter disobeyed her father’s edict to rescue a Hebrew male child from the river. Not only that, but she allowed the child’s mother to nurse him until he was weened. She took him in as her own son and named him Moses. Little did she and her father know the child she rescued would be used by God to lead the Hebrews out of Egypt.

God works in amazing ways. We do not always see what he is doing. But just like Moses’ mother, we must do what we can do and leave the rest in God’s hands, trusting him to carry out his plan. God knows our limitations, even though he has no limitations. He will use each of us to carry out his plan if we are willing to be used by him.

I pray we all do the best we can with what we know and have. I pray we trust God to carry out his plan. I pray each one of us will submit to being used by God and trust him in all situations. Do what you can do. Trust God. Trust God’s plan. Turn to him. Spend time in prayer. Discern what God would have you do.

Exodus 2:5 The daughter of Pharaoh came down to bathe at the river, while her attendants walked beside the river. She saw the basket among the reeds and sent her maid to bring it.

Resilience

What does it mean to be oppressed? What does it mean to be enslaved? Why do people oppress and enslave others? Have you considered the why behind the action? Have you considered why you do the things you do?

Oppression and slavery have been in existence for thousands of years. Though we may not know exactly when it started, we know as far back as the Israelites being enslaved in Egypt. But just because they have existed does not mean they are good or right.

When we read of the decision by Pharaoh to oppress and enslave the Israelites, it was done out of fear. He was afraid that they would continue to multiply and overpower the Egyptians or join their enemies against them. Fear can drive us to do things that simply do not make sense.

Yet, Pharaoh could not hold down the Israelites. As they continued to multiply, he gave another edict, which instructed the midwives to kill all newborn boys. When that didn’t work, he commanded all Egyptians to do so. Still, Pharaoh’s plan was thwarted.

When we find ourselves being oppressed, we can remember and hold onto the resilience of the Israelites. We can also continue in faith, believing God will act when the time is in accordance with his plan. If we look around ourselves with opened eyes, we will see God working, just as he did with the Israelites, causing them to multiply and grow as a nation. Even if we do not see God working, we can rest assured that he is.

I pray we all trust God in all situations. I pray we hold on to the same resilience the Israelites demonstrated. I pray we open our eyes and see God working all around us, especially if we are oppressed. Trust God. Know he will act according to his plan. Open your eyes and see God working. Be resilient. Hold on to your faith.

Exodus 1:13-14 The Egyptians became ruthless in imposing tasks on the Israelites, and made their lives bitter with hard service in mortar and brick and in every kind of field labor. They were ruthless in all the tasks that they imposed on them.

Wonderful Crumbs

Have you ever begged for something? Have you been desperate enough to set your pride aside to ask a stranger to help? Have you been without hope, only to find a glimmer of it from an unexpected source?

I suspect most of us have no inclination to beg. Our pride tells us to work for it ourselves, to provide for our own needs. Most of us are not looking for handouts, least of which from a stranger. No, we may be willing to die rather than beg.

That is our mindset until it becomes a life and death decision for our child. A woman came to Jesus because her daughter was being tormented by a demon. She feared for the life of her child. She saw no one who could help her…other than Jesus. So, she went to Him and asked for the crumbs from the table.

We do not talk much about demons these days. We explain away potential demonic activity with science and theories. Still, we experience life threatening health issues. Whether demonic or science, we may find there is nowhere to turn for help. We may find ourselves without hope.

Jesus provides us with the hope we need. He still performs miracles. He may not perform a miracle for us. He decides when to do so. But He still gives us hope. There is hope of salvation. There is hope of eternal life spent with Him. There is hope for our children, our community, and our world.

I pray we all turn to Jesus for our hope. I pray we accept the hope He provides. I pray each one of us trust in the hope and salvation only Jesus can give us. Turn to Jesus in all situations. Set aside your pride. Believe Jesus still performs miracles. Put your hope in Him. Trust Him for your salvation.

Matthew 15:28 Then Jesus answered her, “Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed instantly.

Humble Heart

Have you been in deep distress thinking there was no way out and no one to turn to for help? If so, what did you do, where did you turn? Did you turn to a family member? Did you turn to a friend? Did you turn to God? Did you cry out to God in anguish?

When we experience devastation, we long for someone to help. When we are distressed to the point of breaking, we hope for a miracle. When all others have failed, we finally turn to God out of desperation. Thankfully, God is always with us and waiting for our turning to him.

Jesus is approached by someone who is despised. Notice she is a Canaanite. The Jews despised the Canaanites. She was considered unclean because of her heritage. In the patriarchal society, she was considered to be a lesser being because of her gender. Neither of those imposed viewpoints of her stopped her from coming to Jesus.

She has reached the end of her rope. She could not turn to the Rabbi’s because she was not a Jew. The doctors or magicians of her time could not help her. She was desperately seeking someone who could expel the demon from her daughter, who also would have been despised by the Jews. She cried out to Jesus in desperation, likely with tears streaming down her face.

When we are distraught, even if we have not maintained a good relationship with God, we can cry out to him. But we must remember, our cry must be from the heart. We must come in submission, recognizing his power. We must be willing to bow before a Holy God with humble hearts. This woman did so and received an answer from Jesus. If we come with humble hearts in total submission to God, we, too, will receive an answer from him.

I pray we all humble ourselves before God. I pray we cry out to God with a humble heart. I pray each one of us will submit to him, not just when we are desperate, but every day of our lives. Humble yourself before God. Cry out to God. Humbly submit to God each day. Trust God to provide what you need.

Matthew 15:22 Just then a Canaanite woman from that region came out and started shouting, “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is tormented by a demon.”

Defiled

Was being defiled mean to you? Do you have horrible thoughts running through your mind? Have you contemplated what it means to defile yourself? Have you at least thought about thinking about it? Are you afraid to think about it?

When we think of someone being defiled today, horrible things run our minds. Most of them are physical in nature. We do not like the images that come to our mind, nor do we want to spend time thinking about them. Rightfully so.

Yet, that is not how Jesus defined being defiled. We must remember, Jesus turned the world upside down. He turned the human way of thinking on its head. Jesus says it is what comes out of our mouth that defiles us. Spend some time thinking about what you have said yesterday, this week, this month, over the past year.

Why is it what comes out of our mouths? Because it reveals our hearts. It is not simply the use of curse words, though that is not good either. It is slandering someone else, speaking badly about them while not knowing their entire situation. We often see posts on social media on this very thing, but most people only picture the person who is struggling as themselves or someone they are very close to. When it should apply to someone they do not like, they cast aside any thought of pausing to consider what that person may be going through.

What does this mean for us? Our hearts are not in sync with Jesus. We are not showing the same grace He showed. We must remember that Jesus was likely appalled at both the woman caught in adultery (and her partner), and the crowd who brought her to Him. He chastised the crowd by using a parable that caused them to think and refused to condemn the woman. Bottom line, Jesus demonstrated the grace of God. The same grace He sheds on us.

I pray we all seek to demonstrate the same grace Jesus did. I pray we seek to get our hearts in sync with Jesus’ heart. I pray each one of us spend time thinking about what defiles us. Show grace to others. Seek to be in sync with Jesus. Know how Jesus defines defilement. Ask Jesus to help clean your heart.

Matthew 15:10-11 Then he called the crowd to him and said to them, “Listen and understand: it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but it is what comes out of the mouth that defiles.”

Irrevocable

Are you seeking something solid to hold on to? Do you wish you could find something that will never go away? Do you long for some permanency in your life? Are you looking for something that is unchanging? Do you know you can have it?

We don’t really like change. We want things to remain the same forever…as long as things are good. We like our routines. We do things the same way every day. It makes us comfortable. Then…something happens that throws them into disarray.

Yet, we know the only thing constant is change. Each day is a new day. Sometimes, we look forward to there being a new day, a fresh start. Those are the days we hope for something better after having had a bad day. We look forward to change when something bad has happened.

There are some things that will not change. When God gifts us with something, he does not take it back. The gift is ours to keep. It may be a gift of strength, courage, quick wit, quick learning, intelligence, understanding, and many more. When God gives us gifts for our lives, he gives them to us for the length of our lives.

God also calls us. He may call us to ministry, volunteering to help others, teaching, serving, leading, coordinating, comforting, and many other callings. God doesn’t stop calling us. He continues to invite us to join him in carrying out the work he has planned.

We may feel a tug in a specific direction. That is God calling. We may recognize specific talents or skills we have. Those are God’s gifts. What are we to do? Answer God’s calling using the gifts he has blessed us with. When we do, we find ourselves where we are supposed to be doing the things we are supposed to do.

I pray we all recognize the gifts God has blessed us with. I pray we answer God’s call for our lives. I pray each one of us will use our gifts to work along with God and find ourselves satisfied. Recognize your gifts. Answer God’s call. Be where you are supposed to be. Do what you are supposed to do. Be satisfied. Trust God’s plan.

Romans 11:34 for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.

No Rejection

Have you been rejected? Has an entire group of people you belong to been rejected? Were you baffled, hurt, distraught at the rejection? Did you seek a means of reconciliation? Do you know there is someone who accepts you? Have you sought to be accepted by God?

We may be rejected by some people. We may be a part of a group that is rejected and despised. This world has many people who believe they are above others and reject those they believe are below them. Discrimination is alive and well in this world.

Discrimination comes in many forms. Some discriminate based on race. Some based on nationality. Some based on gender. Some based on sexual preference. There is discrimination between those living in the city versus those who live in rural areas. Doctors versus nurses. School versus school. It is all based on our personal background and our pride, our self-centeredness.

In some places, it is said that God has rejected Israel. It is a false belief and false statement. He has not rejected them but uses non-Israelites as a means to draw them to him. God’s desire is to save the entire world. He desires that every person accept his offer of salvation and hope.

We, Christians, should not look down at Israelites as people who have failed to accept Jesus. Instead, we should look at them as people who God used to bring salvation and hope to all of us through his Son, Jesus Christ. Not only that, but we are to work for God to spread his message of salvation to all people. God is willing and actively seeking to redeem everyone, including Israel.

I pray we all give thanks for how God has worked through Israel. I pray we pray for Israel’s acceptance of Jesus as Messiah. I pray each one of us will work alongside God to tell others about Jesus. Do not fear rejection. Know that God accepts you. Do not discriminate. Tell others about Jesus. See others as He sees them.

Romans 11:1-2a I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew.

Keep It Handy

Have you gone through tough circumstances, wondering why? Were you wronged by someone close to you? Did you ask God how such a thing could be allowed to happen? Was it revealed to you later how God used it for good? Are you still waiting for the good to come from it?

Tough circumstances come to all of us. We may have been betrayed by a family member or close friend. We may have discovered the betrayal by accident. The betrayal may have been very public. We felt ashamed, minimalized, shunned, or otherwise distraught.

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28). Holding on to that promise can be very challenging when we are going through a betrayal situation. Yet, Joseph did, even though it would still be a couple thousand years before Paul would write that proclamation.

We can hold onto it, too. We may need to repeat it to ourselves multiple times per day. We may need to post it on our bathroom mirror, so we see it each morning while brushing our teeth. It may benefit us to have it as a note in our smart phones so we can pull it up to read when we begin feeling down in the dumps.

Being reminded of God’s promises is always a good thing. Being reminded of truths written by the apostle’s is also a good thing. We can have both readily available to us. We merely need to capture them and keep them handy. The notes app on our smart phones can do just that. Of course, we can also download Bible apps onto our phones so we can search it and read it any time we feel the need. A little preplanning and a healthy desire to seek God’s will does wonders for us.

I pray we all know that God works for our good. I pray we hold onto God’s promises. I pray each one of us will take steps to capture key Biblical reminders and keep them handy to remind us. God works for your good. Remind yourself of that. Capture key passages. Keep them handy.

Genesis 45:5 “And now do not be distressed, or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life.”

The Big Reveal

Are you able to keep a secret? How excited do you get when you know it is about time to reveal something wonderful? Do you become so overjoyed you feel as though you will burst? Isn’t it great to unveil a big surprise you have been holding inside for a while?

Keeping secrets can be difficult. Especially if it is wonderful news you want to share with others. There are many occasions for which we hold back news until we feel the time is right. But that doesn’t make it easy. We anxiously await the time to reveal our news.

Joseph wanted so badly to tell his brothers who he was. He had withheld it from them when they first visited Egypt to get food. When they returned with their youngest brother, he again did not reveal himself to them. Finally, when they returned a third time due to Joseph having had his servant play a trick on them, he could contain himself no longer. Joseph burst with joy and tears.

Most of us have not experienced a life like Joseph’s. We have not spent years and years away from our family. Having spent three years in Okinawa while serving in the Marine Corps and having only seen my mother twice in that time, I can only get a small taste of how Joseph felt.

Yet, we all can understand just a bit. We hold back from telling our family and friends about expecting a child until we have them all gathered together. We may not tell our family about a big promotion or job change immediately. Keeping Christmas, birthday, or wedding gifts secret can be very challenging for us. We want to give them to the person right away. Now, imagine those feelings and multiplying them by an order of magnitude.

I pray we all remember the joy that comes from revealing a wonderful secret. I pray we experience tears of joy. I pray each one of us get a glimpse of Joseph’s joy. Remember the joy. Know that true joy comes from God. Experience tears of joy. Be overwhelmed with joy.

Genesis 45:1 Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all those who stood by him, and he cried out, “Send everyone away from me.” So no one stayed with him when Joseph made himself known to his brothers.

Walking On Water

Have you had an exemplary work performance review? If so, how did that make you feel? Did you feel like you were on cloud nine? Did you feel as though you were able to walk on water?

When we receive rave reviews, we feel good about ourselves. It doesn’t matter if it is work related or a family member who does more than give us a little pat on the back. We like to be told we went above and beyond.

I remember when I was a young Marine, we were given performance ratings every six months. A rating of ten was the highest but was virtually unachievable. Why? The reason all my superiors gave was that no one walks on water.

Well, Peter did…for about three seconds. It didn’t take long for his fear to overcome him, and he started to sink. He had the faith to get out of the boat to begin with. But his faith wavered when he noticed the storm blowing and the waves churning.

I wonder how many of us do the same thing. I wonder if any of us would even get out of the boat. I know there have been times in my life when I have decided not to do something out of fear. Typically, it is fear of failure that stops us. Fear of heights or water or animals are not nearly the reason for us to not act as our fear of failure.

Honestly, it is our pride that creates that fear. We do not want to be laughed at. We do not want to be made fun of. But God calls us out onto the water anyway. He wants to see us step out in our faith and prove us correct in doing so.

I pray we all step out in faith. I pray we faithfully answer God’s calling. I pray each one of us will choose to walk on water with Jesus. Put your faith in action. Trust God to provide. Hear God calling. Follow God’s guidance. Take on the work he has set aside for you. Get out of your comfort zone. Get out of the boat.

Matthew 14:28-29 Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus.