Be a Contributor to Bless, Influence and Transform Lives

You know you can't earn God's love but how can you live your life in a manner that honors Him? The prophet Micah gives you some clues. First, act justly. Be a person of integrity and honesty and love everyone impartially. Second, love mercy. Always model God's compassion and grace to others. Third, walk humbly with your God. Acknowledge that God's great wisdom is more than sufficient to guide you as you obey Him. This morning, your life will show how much you love God when you act justly, love mercy and accept His instructions with humility as stated in Micah 6:8

"Do not despise small beginning, for the eyes of the Lord rejoice to see it begin.!" (Zechariah 4:10) Remember how God fed the 5000? When you take what you have and put it in God's hands, the growing and multiplication begins.  Don't be afraid to take small steps. Just take steps of faith and God will walk and work with you. In the days of small things, you learn His ways and grow in His likeness. In the day of small things, you develop wisdom for the big decisions and faith for the big battles ahead. Don't compare yourself with other people - instead ask God for a glimpse of what He can do with you, in you and through you. God wants to do great things through you - if you will just let Him!

Manasseh, "in his distress sought the ... Lord ... and when he prayed ... the Lord was moved ... and listened to his plea." (2 Chronicles 33:12-16). Manasseh promoted witchcraft, practised human sacrifice and even put a hugh idol in the temple of God. Yet, in a Babylonian prison, he turned to God. God, whose compassions do not fail, reached him, restored him and gave him another chance. He will do for you too! Nehemiah says "You are a forgiving God, gracious and slow to anger and abounding in love" (Nehemiah 9:17). You hear that? God is ready when you are - all you have to do is COME before Him and humble yourself!

God's plan for you is to come through your difficult situation. Don't be moved by what you see, be moved by what you know. Disregard the circumstances and dare to believe God who has always been faithful to you. God will never let you down. He will not allow you to be pushed to the limit. He'll always be there to bring you through these difficult times. (1 Corinthians 10:13). You may feel you are in the lion's den or a fiery furnace but He will bring you through it. He will provide a way out - so start looking for it. You can make up your mind today to believe God, who has promised to provide a way out for you!

Hear this story: "When the British Government sought to reward General Gordon for his brilliant service in China, he declined all money and titles but accepted a  gold medal inscribed with the record of his 33 engagements. This was his most prized possession. But after his death, the medal could not be found. Eventually, it was learned that he had sent it to Manchester during a severe famine, directing that it should be melted down to buy bread for the poor. In his diary, he wrote: "The last earthly thing I had in this world that I valued was given to the Lord Jesus." The truth is, there is no way to live for Jesus without living for others. Our dear Lord Jesus has set the supreme example for us as in Mark 14:24 “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many,” He said to them.

How would you identify a Christian? Most people would describe a Christian as one who obeys a whole list of strict rules - including being a drug-free teetotaler who dislikes off-color jokes and never watch x-rated movies. However, the most important defining factor for Christians is how they express their love for one another. When you love people, you desire what's best for them - not analyze how they can benefit you. Today, show that you are a Christian through your love for others today. People will surely know you are one of His disciples. John 13:34-35 " By this shall all people know that you are My disciple if you have love for one another."

Many people believe things such as money, possession, good looks, intelligence and power are the measure of their lives. Yet none can predict happiness or instill a lasting sense of worth. What if you were awaken one morning to find that your personal wealth and power had vanquished? What if your attractiveness failed and your intelligence faltered? God does not measure your life by your outward appearance or the size of your bank account. He teaches that humility leads to greatness and you achieve success when you give yourselves to others. Matthew 20:26 says... whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant..

God's grace is abundantly evident in the world around you. The blush of the sunrise reminds you that the dawn of a brand new day is replacing the long dark night. The spectrum of the rainbow reminds you that the sun is chasing away the rain clouds. The whimsical laugh of a child reminds you that you too, are a child of God. God's grace is evident in His creation and is God's gift to help you through the difficult times that life brings your way. God's grace is the visible evidence of His everlasting love. Even when sorrow and grief threaten your joy, God offers His grace to you. In Romans 1:19-20, it is stated that ....what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.

The hectic pace of life can leave you tired and discouraged if you have no oasis of rest. That is why a relationship with God is so poignant. He is the great well of peace and strength from which you can always draw. You must drop your concerns at His feet and abandon your right to worry about them. Be still before Him and relax. He can handle all of it. It is in the stillness of your heart that God's power protects you in times of turmoil. And it is in that quietness that you will have the patience and endurance for everything that comes your way today. Read Psalm 46.

Sometimes the first step out of discouragement, is finding somebody who can lift you up! A man was about to jump off a building, when a policeman asked him, "Surely nothing could be that bad. Tell me about it." When the depressed man got through talking to him, they both jumped. You may just laugh at this but the fact is: the company you keep will either lift you up or drag you down. Paul said, "...God, who comforts the downcast , comforted us by the coming of Titus." (2 Corinthians 7:6). Pray and ask God to send a you a 'Titus' in your life if you are feeling down. But try to be a 'Titus' to someone today - for the Bible says "Bear one another's burdens." (Galatians 6:2)

God told Jeremiah to go down to the potter's house, to watch a vessel that was broken and make it over again. Then God asked a question that you need to ponder too: "Can I not do with you as this potter does?"(Jeremiah 18:5). Have you been broken on the wheels of life? Have you been through experiences that have left you broken and feeling like an outcast? Do not give up, the Potter wants to put you back again. At the worst point of their lives, God spoke to the nation of Israel, "I will ... restore your fortunes ... I will multiply you and make you great and honor you..... Your children will prosper ... I will punish anyone who hurt you ... (Jeremiah 30:18-22). God did not bring you this far to leave you. He will do what He says!

Quiet moments in God's presence needs scheduling. Put your time with God on your calendar and stamp it non-negotiable. When someone asks you for an appointment that clashes with that time, tell them you already had an appointment. Have respect for what you set aside for God. Understand it as holy time.  Meeting God is about time. It takes time to pray and meditate. It takes time to reflect and remember. It takes time to know God as He can be known. So, plan your time wisely. Use it prudently. Spend it with God. Read Psalm 71.

When Adam was confronted by God, he blamed Eve but when David was confronted by Nathan the prophet, he cried, "I have sinned." When God sends someone to correct you because you're His child and He loves you (Hebrews 12: 7, 8). Consider how Peter was corrected by Paul. Joshua was corrected by Moses. Solomon says "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." (Proverbs 27:17). That's God's way of correction! So, don't avoid being corrected by being offended or defensive. Push your ego aside. Keep your ears open and allow God to 'sharpen' you using your true friends to do it.

Rev 2:12 & 17  say "To the angel of the church in Pergamos write ... to him that over comes ... I will also give a white stone." In ancient Pergamos, when 2 friends were parting, they would take a white stone and break it into two. Each would write his name on 1 half and would exchange it and keep it with them wherever they went. Jesus has gone back to the Father and He lives to make intercession for us (Hebrews 7:25). Now it is our job to take His name with us wherever we go. Ask God to give us the opportunity, wisdom and boldness to spread His name. We do not have to deliver a sermon or make a speech - just tell others about Him! Let us pray for one another to have the opportunity to do so today.

Some of us do not find God until we hit the bottom and hit it hard. Others hit false bottoms only to discover that the elevator can go even lower. In Luke 15:11-32, when the prodigal son finally came to himself, he was wasted. But the story did not end there. Those wounded feet were bathed in the tears of a father's love and fitted with shoes that only a child of a king can wear. His scars of sin were covered with a robe of righteousness and those hands that has been used for evil were washed and given a ring of sonship. God has never stopped loving you. He is waiting for you to come home. He will welcome you with open arms - today, make an effort to go early to church and spend quiet moments to be just soaked in His presence and in His majesty.

Have you ever thought of where you would have been, if it had not been for the saving grace of Jesus? Paul wrote 13 books, built churches and preached to many but he never forgot what he was like before Jesus found him that he was the worst sinner (1 Timothy 1:15). David said, "He lifted me out of the slimy pit ... He set my feet upon a rock and gave me a firm place to stand " (Psalm 40:2). Do not ever you feel better off than any sinner or prodigal son who has lost his way. Know this that the only difference between him and you is Jesus. This will bring you humility and gratitude and help you to love a hurting world. Remember, be as patient and loving with others as God is with you!

Joseph of Arimathea brought precious ointment to anoint Jesus after he was dead but not a word of praise is spoken of his kindness. But a woman came with an alabaster jar of perfume, poured it on His head while he was still living and Jesus said, "Wherever the gospel is preached ... what she has done will also be told , in memory of her." (Mark 14:9).  Do not keep the alabaster box of love sealed up until your loved ones are gone. Those words of kindness you wanted to say, say to them now while their ears can still hear. Those flowers you mean to send, do it before you do not see them any more. Note: Your one act of kindness while your loved ones are alive mean more to them than hundreds of acts when they are gone.

At the pool of Bethesda a man had been physically incapacitated for 38 years and could not walk. When Jesus asked if he wanted to get well, he replied that there was no one to help him. Then Jesus said ... ""Get up! Pick up your mat and walk." (John 5:6-8). Too often we are like this man on that mat ... accustomed to our place of sorrow and grief... enjoy being a victim and being comfortable. Friend, know for sure God has a plan for your life and a purpose for your pain. Do not wallow in self-pity and despair. Instead surrender them to Jesus. Then take courage to get up and walk in Jesus name!