A Challenge to you...

We all know “It’s the most wonderful time of the year”, but do we really show it? Why do we cram all or most of our good spirit into a small time frame? It’s like we are saying we can treat people how we want and be unthankful for the rest of the year.
I don’t know about you but I have so much to be thankful for that I can’t say it all in 30 days. Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad we have Thanksgiving but the Bible tells us to give thanks in everything. “Give thanks in everything, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1Thessalonians 5:18) No sooner than the end of Thanksgiving Day we are focused on who will be getting gifts and what we should buy them. I’m glad I live in a country where I can celebrate my Savior’s birth and give to my loved ones freely.
I’m not going to sit here and write how as Christians we should be thankful and give throughout the year. Nope, we should know that. What I am going to do is issue a challenge. We like new beginnings, a fresh start so to speak and a new year. What if we were to treat each day like that? “Because of the LORD’s faithful love we do not perish, for His mercies never end.  They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness!” (Lamentations 3:22-23) My challenge to you is to start each day anew. Start your day seeking God, talk to Him throughout your day, look for ways to give and at the end of the day count your blessings. My friends seek the “babe in the manger”, follow “the star of wonder, the star of light”, and kneel at the cross of Calvary daily. You will see just how different yet wonderful your life will be. Don’t cram being thankful and giving into a month’s time frame. Cram thankfulness and giving into each day. Until next time, “May Yahweh bless you and protect you.” (Numbers 6:24, HCSB)

Broken

I had the opportunity today to talk to a very special group of girls. So thankful that God allowed me to take part in their Christmas party. The following post is what I talked about. I had them break clay pots and had a friend break and glue one back together before to demonstrate that God can still use us even when we are broken and let His light shine. I hope you enjoy the read.


         We were all created by God. In Genesis God created Adam from dirt. God creates each of us for good to further His kingdom. The devil has a different plan; one to harm you and keep you from God. As you grow God is shaping you into the person He wants you to become. In Isaiah God is called the potter and we are the clay. “Yet Lord, You are our Father; we are the clay, and You are our Potter; we all are the work of Your hands.” (Isaiah 64:8)
          As He forms us, life is happening. Each decision we make has consequences either good or bad. As life happens we start going through trials. Someone we love dies, someone mistreats us, we make poor decisions and often times it’s to impress others or just to rebel. Each poor decision “Big” or “Small”; whether it’s made by you or someone close to you, it can leave you hurt and broken. Once you are broken you feel unworthy. You feel unworthy of other liking the “true” you. You certainly don’t feel worthy of someone loving you. So, how could a perfect God love an imperfect, broken person? The Bible tells us God is near to the brokenhearted.  “The Lord is near the brokenhearted; He saves those crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18)
The amazing thing about God’s love is He doesn’t give His love to only those who are worthy. No one is worthy because we are all sinners. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:323) When you accept Jesus Christ as your savior, you and all your brokenness are accepted and made whole. When you lay down all your broken pieces at Jesus’ feet; everything that caused or causes your pain, He will use it for good. “We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28) God takes your broken pieces and starts putting you back together. You will not be the same after He has finished putting you back together. You will have cracks and scars that we call memories but His light will still shine in you…if you let it.
          You are a vessel for Jesus Christ. Your broken pieces, cracks and scars can be used in a great way. We are a lot like broken pots. Once a pot is broken they don’t seem to serve a purpose, but before it broke who knows what it would’ve been used for. The pot could’ve possibly been used to hold a plant to be given to someone who is deathly ill to brighten their day. Maybe it would’ve been used to hold a tomato plant to provide food for a family. Or it could’ve been use to create art. If you take the time to piece it back together, it has a new purpose. The possibilities of its usefulness are endless. You are just like the broken pot. Each person has felt broken at some point in their life, the good news is God takes your broken pieces, puts them back together, accepts you and never leaves your side. No matter how shattered you feel or how many broken pieces you have God will accept you. Once you’re pieced backed together those cracks and pieces become a testimony of where you were and where God has brought you. Don’t be afraid to let God’s light shine in you even if it means others can see your broken pieces. Until next time, “May Yahweh bless you and protect you.” (Numbers 6:24, HCSB)
I want to leave you with this:
 “Now we have this treasure in clay jars, so that this extraordinary power may be from God and not from us. We are pressured in every way but not crushed; we are perplexed but not in despair; we are persecuted but not abandoned; we are struck down but not destroyed.” (2 Corinthians 4:7-9)