He Came To My Rescue

I was "doing" my devotions and came across 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is the Father who is full of mercy and all comfort. He comforts us every time we have trouble, so when others have trouble, we can comfort them with the same comfort God gives us." I would like to share my meditation on those verses with you.
God is full of mercy and comfort. Why would God want to use me to comfort someone else when He is the God of ALL comfort? Just that fact is an act of God's mercy in my life. Perhaps it is meant as more of a direction for my life. Yes, I should accept His mercy but He gives mercy and comfort to me so that I can give it to others in the same way. My past (hurts, failures, etc.) determines my future (ministry, etc.). What DO my past failures and hurts prepare ME for? In what area has God comforted me and granted mercy? Where has God come to my rescue? Those parts of my past that I would rather not talk about, that I am ashamed for others to find out about, that cause me pain to go back and examine closely are the very parts of my life that will open doors for future ministry. Attempting to hide those parts of me and God's rescue of them, steals glory from the God of all comfort.
I just want to close with a couple of quotes. One of them is from the book "The Secret of the Lord" by Dannah Gresh;

"When the glory of God touches the ugliest part of your life and uses it, there is no pride. Only awe."

That is self-explanatory. The second quote if from a song by Hillsong United titled Came To My Rescue;

"My whole life I place in Your hands, God of mercy, humbled, I bow down at Your presence - at Your throne. I called, You answered, and You came to my rescue . . . In my life be lifted high."

God is full of mercy. He will come to your rescue. I know because He came to mine.

It's A New Year!

So, what does it mean . . . a new year? I have been thinking about it just a little bit as 2009 turns to 2010. And I haven't fully decided. I used to make a bunch of resolutions - you know, promises to yourself to do better in the areas of personal discipline - but I am not so sure that is what a new year should be all about. Not to say that resolutions are not good things to make. I think that thinking about what needs to change in the next year is a bit overwhelming but if I think about what needs to change today - well, I can do that (with God's help Phil 4:13).
Actually, there are a couple of decisions that I have made for this new year that may or may not lead to anything. One is that I have asked my parents to help me find a spouse. Yes, you are reading correctly! I think that it is time my family, and perhaps some of my friends, see what a Christ-honoring relationship looks like. Or maybe it's just that God wants me fully surrendered to Him - and if my parents are looking than I don't have to!
The second decision that I have made is actually born of the first. In talking with my dad about helping me to find a spouse, he said something that has made me stop and consider how I am choosing to live my life. He talked about being available to God and the opportunities placed in my path by yielding my members as instruments of righteousness to God (Rom 6:13). I realized that it is not about being completely surrendered to God next month or in two months - it's about being completely surrendered to Him in every area of my life - today, this minute, this second. Spiritually, Mentally, and Physically.
Being available means going to bed on time so that I can be the best possible teacher. Being available means doing my lesson planning before watching my favorite t.v. show. Being available means budgeting my finances so that I am free to give. Being available means strengthening my relationship with Jesus first and foremost - before all else. Not tomorrow - today, this minute, this second.
So, what am I waiting for? It's time to start now - this second!