NSM Evotional 07/10/2012

[GPiper]

You too are a light.jpg

A Glory Seed Devotional
God Stories – Your Story…

Yesterday evening I began thinking about our life stories and I thought about how some like to hear only life stories of famous people and how some people make them into hero’s or heroines. And I thought about my life story and your life story and how important they are not just to us, our families, and our loved ones but also to God.

When I think about not just our stories but other stories of the not rich and not famous one of the first scriptures that come to my mind is found in chapter 4 of Philippians. “I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:12-13 ESV)

For quite a while I had difficulty understanding what Paul was trying to say but yesterday I received an email from a very close and dear friend who with Jesus at his side and in his heart is battling the dreaded “C” word. And as I read his story, it suddenly occurred to me what Paul was saying. I would like you to read a couple of paragraphs of my friends story in the hope that it will stir within you your own story. I think one of the things that always brings a smile to God’s face is when we share our stories with each other even when the world doesn’t stand up and take notice.

“Hi Gary; I’m sitting in my recliner with my coffee, having again read your daily devotional. One thing that I have running through my head over and over after I have had a time of meditation, of prayer of thanksgiving is that there is so much more. We praise Jesus because he loves us, for his grace. We have only begun at this point because in this praise we are really very selfish. I need the security of knowing Jesus is with me and holding me up but are we really a disciple? Each week the charities that I lead, the Good Samaritan and the Furniture program, give out life enhancing assistance. As we do so we invite those people to come learn of Jesus Christ. Most of them depart, passing off the invitation as something they must suffer to get what they wanted from us. The question is how many of us are much more responsive than these lost people?”

“As I sit writing, thinking of my current condition with the inability to do so many things that I would otherwise be doing, I ask myself, what can I do that will be meaningful to bring praise to Jesus today. I need to go to Saginaw to have blood drawn and take Darlene to a beauty shop appointment. Perhaps as I interact with medical personal, with clerks at Home Depot where I intend to shop while Darlene is getting her hair fixed, maybe I can find a way to share something that will create a spark in someone. Have a great day and thanks for sharing with us each day. Thanks for being my brother in Christ.”

Ron, thank you for sharing your story with me I don’t think you’ll mind me sharing with others. And thank you for being a brother in Christ to me and others your life touches.

Grace and PEACE!
Gary

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“The LORD is with you while you are with him.
If you seek him, he will be found by you…”
(2 Chronicles 15:2 ESV)

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Scripture quotations marked ESV "Are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved."