by Shauna Millar | May 6, 2010 | encouragement, General, Service
For they will know you by the “fruits” that you bear. How well do your actions line up with your ‘witness’. When you look at the way you have treated people throughout the day, do you feel as if you have been a light by your words and actions? Would those same people, when they look back on the day, agree with you?
We are the body of Christ. As with our bodies, not every part has the same function, but it doesn’t mean that we aren’t doing the job. It means we were called to a different job. Do you criticize your neighbor for not going out and shouting from the rooftops about Christ? We weren’t all called to be shepherds or ministers. If we had been, then there would be no flock for those to lead or encourage to go out into the fields and harvest.
Don’t feel down because you find it difficult to go out and verbally witness to people; perhaps your witness is in your actions. The way you speak, the way you serve, the way you give to others. Be proud of what God has given you. If you still find yourself ‘unsure’ of your own gifts, then seek God’s guidance. His word states that if we seek, we will find. Stand firm in this knowledge and be the best person you can be with the gifts God has given you.
Lord, we come before you and we ask for your guidance in our daily routines and actions. We thank you for making us each unique and yet a part of your body. We thank you that we can use our gifts to share your love with others daily. Lord, show us the path you would have us take this day – to glorify you in the best way that we can. To be a witness of your grace and your love, so that others may see you through us and seek you because of us. We praise you for these opportunities. In Jesus’ Name, we pray, Amen.
by Shauna Millar | May 4, 2010 | General, prayer
“if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14
You may be familiar with this verse of scripture. Or if you weren’t previously familiar with it, you may have recently heard it. During last year and into this year, this verse has come into many people’s email as a reminder of what we need to do.
As if this hasn’t been said enough, prayer does change things. When we go before the throne of God with humble hearts and seek him, He does hear our cry. When we bow before him in simple submission and seek Him, He is found. God loves us. He loves His children. His creation. He loves us with a full, deep love. A Father who cares for His children. Even when we don’t deserve His love, He loves us. Yet, our God is a jealous God. Even in His jealously, He has given us free will.
He knows that we will sin. That we will fall short. He knows that when we do, that some of us will not call out to Him. Yet, He stands ever ready to answer our call if we will be willing to ask for help. Its not so shocking that we don’t ask help from our Creator, when we won’t ask help from those around us who are our friends and family. Those who love and care for us. We see it as a sign of weakness. If only we were willing to humble ourselves and ask for that help, then we would witness the fullness of love.
As a nation, we are in crisis, so many are being called to head this verse. Humble ourselves and pray. God will hear the cry of His people. If only as individuals we weren’t so stubborn and unwilling to seek help. Not only for our nation, which is in dire need, but also for ourselves as individuals. For we all fall short, yet we have been cleansed by the blood of the lamb and we can come and ask for help from a loving Father. A omnipotent Maker.
Be willing to humble yourself and ask God to not only heal the nation, but heal any hurt or sorrow in your own life or the lives of those you know. Be open to seeing miracles happen on a daily basis in your life. One person can make the difference and God is willing to make the difference for one person.
by Shauna Millar | May 3, 2010 | Book Review
Ted Dekker is not your ‘conventional’ Christian author. If you are used to reading ‘traditional’ Christian novels, then it may take a little bit of adjustment to get used to his style. I have read Black, White, Red and look forward to reading Green. These books are a unique approach to the spiritual view of the way life is perceived. In some ways it is a ‘what if’ the world were different.
Ted offers a easy flow for the reader as you move between the two worlds. The story line is very creative and unique in its writing. It was this book that opened the door for my reading other Ted Dekker Books.
Black
Red
White
Green
The Circle Series – All Four Books
by Shauna Millar | Apr 30, 2010 | Lord Hear Our Prayer, prayer
Father, I thank you for your goodness and mercy. For showing us your love every day. I thank you that you have called your people to you. To worship and praise you, to give us an opportunity to say thank you for your mercies every morning.
Lord, I pray for those who are broken hearted. Those who have been emotionally hurt and feel that there is no one out there to love and care for them. I ask you to wrap your wings of love around them. To hold them tenderly and let them know that they are cared for. That you care for them. I ask that you send someone to them, to touch their lives and show them joy. Let our light shine so that others may know You through us.
We thank you for your compassion that is new every morning.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
by Shauna Millar | Apr 30, 2010 | General
I love the Lord for He heard MY cry. (Psalm 40:1). How many times do we go through our day without remembering to thank God for the things He has done for us? In our fast food society, it is easy to “forget” that God blesses us each day with the air we breathe. Not only can we see this great Artist at work in the beauty of the sunrise and the sunset, but in the sky itself during the day. Yet we forget that these small gifts are from Him too.
We want the big things and we want them now. When we are sick, we want healing. When we are lonely, we want comfort. When we are depressed, we want reassurance.
The truth is, God does all these things for us, but we forget that often it’s in the small things that He reveals himself. We are too busy searching the heavens for some thunderbolt to strike us: we don’t thank Him for these little things.
How can God give us more, when we fail with the little things? “To whom much is given, much is required.” (Luke 12:48). We want much but not the responsibility it brings with us.
Perhaps today is the day that we should all start remembering that God is in the everyday, ordinary things, as well as the extraordinary. He is the Jehovah-Jireh, our God who provides (Gen. 22:14).
