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Saturday, 17 May 2008
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"You have been given a Job!''
Devotion for May 17, 2008
By: Dr. Joe Savage
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Everyone needs hope.
Anytime a person begins to lose hope, they become like a vine that begins to swivel up and die from the lack of water. When one's hope becomes bleak, their entire life becomes darkened and lifeless. Hope is the very substance that God uses to propel us forward, to bring out our best, to live life with a joy and satisfaction that He intends.
Just this week alone, I have encountered three people with brain tumors, one person who was diagnosed with bladder cancer and will have surgery Monday, one person who lost their job, one person who was concerned about losing their job, several people with financial woes, one couple trying to have a child, and the list could easily continue especially considering the number of depressed, lonely, hurting, confused, anxious, angry, etc.
Let me make a statement very loud and clear: GOD WANTS YOU TO BE A PROVIDER OF HOPE TO OTHERS
God's plan for providing hope to others is often through people, therefore, He expects and desires for YOU to be a hope giver! Even if you do not feel called, capable, or able - God wants you to be a provider of hope!
The following acrostic gives you four ways that you can provide hope for others. Memorize them and put them into practice.
H elp them see the positive - The Scripture teaches us to "But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness" (Heb. 3:13). In other words, we are to show others the positive in their life. Help them to see what can be. When a person begins to think negatively, they need someone to show them the positive. This gives them hope.
O ffer them help - One of the most effective ways to give others hope is by offering them help. When you offer another person help, they become aware that they are not alone and that someone does care.
P oint them toward Christ - People often forget that God is in control and He holds the future. When the hope of others seems bleak, point them toward God. To point them toward anything else, only leads to more frustration and a sense of false hope.
E ncourage, encourage, and encourage - People need encouragement. The world can really beat us up. Be a person that brings hope and light to others. You may be the very one that God uses to help them overcome and press on. "So encourage each other and give each other strength" (1 Thess. 5:13).
So what are you going to do with today's devotion?
Today's Prayer
"Father, I offer myself as an instrument of hope. May you use me to bring encouragement, vision, direction, and help toward others. Help me to see those who need hope, and give me the words and initiative to encourage them toward you. Oh God, give me hope and help me to give hope toward others I pray. In Jesus' name. Amen."
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Tuesday, 06 May 2008
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"Rookies Arrive-Some Get Sent Home!"
Devotion for May 5, 2008
By: Dr. Joe Savage
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For most NFL teams, rookie mini-camp ends today. During the course of the last few days, every rookie player in the NFL worked out with their new teams for the first time. General managers, scouts, and coaches alike evaluated every one of their new players to see how good or how poor they really are. It is an evaluation process that ends in great disappointment for a number of players who simply do not perform to the level necessary to make it in the NFL. As of today, they are sent home and their football careers are over.
What if you were trying to make God's team? What if He was the coach and He was evaluating you? Would you make the team? Would He be impressed by your faith, your works, your love for people and for Him? Would He evaluate you and declare that you definitely should make the roster?
Fortunately, the Scripture tells us "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do" (Eph. 2:8-10).
You see, none of us are "good enough" to be on God's team! We never will be.
Instead, we make it onto God's team because of what He has done for us! It's like a gentleman that told me this week. "With all you do, you're going to make it to heaven." I replied, "It's not what I have done that will get me to heaven, but instead it is what Jesus has done for me that will get me into heaven."
Jesus said, "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit-fruit that will last" (John 15:16). Simply stated, God has chosen you to be on His team. He expects you to be a good team player by bearing fruit - fruit that will last. In other words, He expects you to represent Him in everything that you and He expects you to make a lasting impact on those around you. For YOU are the hands, feet, heart, eyes, and body of Christ here on earth.
Today's Prayer
"Father, thank you for choosing me to be on your team. Thank you for your grace and love. Thank you for appointing me to bear fruit. Father, help me to bear fruit that lasts. Help me to be a true representation of you and your team here on this earth. May I be worthy of being on your team and being called 'Christian.' In Jesus' name. Amen."
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DR. JOE SAVAGE
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