Author: Elisabeth Elliot
Source: A Lamp For My Feet
Scripture: 1 Peter 4:10
Each Christian is a dispenser. God has supplied each one with gifts He has
selected (He does not offer an array of options), with the good of all in mind.
When we imagine that these gifts are for our own mere satisfaction, we are
forgetting they are intended for service. All that I have is meant to contribute
to the needs of others, and what I need will be supplied through God's
dispensers. Thus He unifies and harmonizes the whole church, which is his body,
making each dispenser indispensable, for each dispenses a grace which is
peculiarly his.
"Serve one another with the particular gifts God has given each of you, as
faithful dispensers of the magnificently varied grace of God" (l Pt 4:10 NEB).
Friday, June 30, 2006
Thursday, June 29, 2006
God's Wings
A little something to put things in perspective.. An article in
National Geographic several years ago provided an interesting picture
of God's wings. After a forest fire in Yellowstone National Park,
forest rangers began their trek up a mountain to assess the inferno's
damage. One ranger found a bird literally petrified in ashes, perched
statuesquely on the ground at the base of a tree.
Somewhat sickened by the eerie sight, he knocked over the bird with a
stick. When he gently struck it, three tiny chicks scurried from under
their dead mother's wings. The loving mother, keenly aware of impending
disaster, had carried her offspring to the base of the tree and had
gathered them under her wings, instinctively knowing that the toxic
smoke would rise.
She could have flown to safety but had refused to abandon her babies.
When the blaze had arrived and the heat had scorched her small body,
the mother had remained steadfast. Because she had been willing to die,
so those under the cover of her wings would live.
He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find
refuge." (Psalm 91:4)
Being loved this much should make a difference in your life. Remember
the One who loves you, and then be different because of it.
National Geographic several years ago provided an interesting picture
of God's wings. After a forest fire in Yellowstone National Park,
forest rangers began their trek up a mountain to assess the inferno's
damage. One ranger found a bird literally petrified in ashes, perched
statuesquely on the ground at the base of a tree.
Somewhat sickened by the eerie sight, he knocked over the bird with a
stick. When he gently struck it, three tiny chicks scurried from under
their dead mother's wings. The loving mother, keenly aware of impending
disaster, had carried her offspring to the base of the tree and had
gathered them under her wings, instinctively knowing that the toxic
smoke would rise.
She could have flown to safety but had refused to abandon her babies.
When the blaze had arrived and the heat had scorched her small body,
the mother had remained steadfast. Because she had been willing to die,
so those under the cover of her wings would live.
He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find
refuge." (Psalm 91:4)
Being loved this much should make a difference in your life. Remember
the One who loves you, and then be different because of it.
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Nominal Christianity
"There is a great quantity of nominal Christianity today. There is need of more of the real kind. We need revival of the Christianity of Christ. We have, unconsciously, lazily, selfishly, formally grown into a discipleship that Jesus himself would not acknowledge. He would say to many of us when we cry, "Lord, Lord," "I never knew you!"
-- Charles M. Sheldon, In His Steps (1896)
When I first read this quote, I didn't know when this was written. It could have been written about today's society. We have a strong tendency to look more like the world than Jesus. Pray for the transformation of our lives, so that others will see Jesus instead of us.
-- Charles M. Sheldon, In His Steps (1896)
When I first read this quote, I didn't know when this was written. It could have been written about today's society. We have a strong tendency to look more like the world than Jesus. Pray for the transformation of our lives, so that others will see Jesus instead of us.
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
You know what's great about going the extra mile -- very little traffic.
-- George Mason basketball coach during 2006 NCAA finals
You can pretty much count on most people nowadays to put in the bare minimum amount of effort. Rarely do you see the "extra mile" the coach talks about...but Jesus always gave His very best for His Father. Why shouldn't we strive to do the same? If we are supposed to do all things for His purpose, we are sure doing a crappy job! Lord, help us to strive to do better. Guide us into a renewed passionate relationship with You!
-- George Mason basketball coach during 2006 NCAA finals
You can pretty much count on most people nowadays to put in the bare minimum amount of effort. Rarely do you see the "extra mile" the coach talks about...but Jesus always gave His very best for His Father. Why shouldn't we strive to do the same? If we are supposed to do all things for His purpose, we are sure doing a crappy job! Lord, help us to strive to do better. Guide us into a renewed passionate relationship with You!
Monday, June 26, 2006
As I head back to school, I'm reminded of this quote:
"It was the school part of high school that I really had a problem with. Otherwise there were some great times."
-- Jennifer Aniston, in Esquire
I'm not sure when this quote was in Esquire or how I managed to come across it, but it always struck me as true. For me, it was mostly about college. I pray that this will not be the case at seminary. I pray God gives me the enthusiasm and mental fortitude I'll need.
A few months ago I saw this church sign:
People's minds are like concrete -- thoroughly mixed up and permanently set.
"It was the school part of high school that I really had a problem with. Otherwise there were some great times."
-- Jennifer Aniston, in Esquire
I'm not sure when this quote was in Esquire or how I managed to come across it, but it always struck me as true. For me, it was mostly about college. I pray that this will not be the case at seminary. I pray God gives me the enthusiasm and mental fortitude I'll need.
A few months ago I saw this church sign:
People's minds are like concrete -- thoroughly mixed up and permanently set.
Friday, June 23, 2006
That was easy!
Each time I press my Staples "easy" button, that's the phrase that is voiced! But in life, not too much comes easy. It's easy to let life slide by, let others make our choices, to not do anything. I purposely made the photograph hazy because while many things do come easily, that doesn't mean that we are to do them.
As a Christian, I am called to do something. I am called to share the gospel. There are varying ways to do that, of course, and it depends on the person you encounter. Plus, with different people you have different time frames.
My best advice is to be kind and loving like our Savior. Do not harshly tell someone they are going to hell! That will not make them very receptive ...
I pray that if you are a Christian and are not sharing what Jesus has done for you with others that you would begin. It is scary, but it is something we are all called to do. We are to go and make disciples not avoid people and you won't have to talk about it.
May God be with you and help you through it all.
Today's prayer guide from NAMB: Beseech God to instill in our hearts that to pray and never faint is a command for praying, and that the greater the severity of the trial and waiting the more glorious is the answer. Plead with our Lord with unwearied and dauntless requests for the revival and spiritual awakening of North America.
Today's verse: "ALSO [Jesus] told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not to turn coward (faint, lose heart, and give up) . . . And will not [our just] God defend and protect and avenge His elect (His chosen ones), who cry to Him day and night? Will He defer them and delay help on their behalf"(Luke 18:1-7, AMP)?
Today's verse: "ALSO [Jesus] told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not to turn coward (faint, lose heart, and give up) . . . And will not [our just] God defend and protect and avenge His elect (His chosen ones), who cry to Him day and night? Will He defer them and delay help on their behalf"(Luke 18:1-7, AMP)?
Thursday, June 22, 2006
THE BEE STING
(This was on allworship.com:
A vacationing family drives along in their car, windows rolled down, enjoying the warm summer breeze of the sunny day.
All of a sudden a big black bee darts in the window and starts buzzing around inside the car. A little girl, highly allergic to bee stings, cringes in the back seat. If she is stung, she could die within an hour.
"Oh, Daddy," she squeals in terror. "It's a bee! It's going to sting me!"
The father pulls the car over to a stop, and reaches back to try to catch the bee. Buzzing around towards him, the bee bumps against the front windshield where the father traps it in his fist.
Holding it in his closed hand, the father waits for the inevitable sting. The bee stings the father's hand and in pain, the father lets go of the bee.
The bee is loose in the car again. The little girl again panics.
"Daddy, it's going to sting me!"
The father gently says, "No honey, he's not going to sting you now. Look at my hand."
She sees the bee's stinger in his hand.
Likewise, Jesus says to us, "Look at my hands."
He has Satan's sting, the sting of death, the sting of sin, the sting of deceit.
Jesus has all of those stingers in His hands.
When you see that nail-scarred hand, realize that, on your behalf, Jesus took all the pain that Satan could throw at Him.
He reduced Satan to a big black bee that's lost its stinger -- all Satan can do is buzz.
That's the victory that Jesus won for you!
--This story was told by Frank Peretti on the Focus on the Family Radio Program
(This was on allworship.com:
A vacationing family drives along in their car, windows rolled down, enjoying the warm summer breeze of the sunny day.
All of a sudden a big black bee darts in the window and starts buzzing around inside the car. A little girl, highly allergic to bee stings, cringes in the back seat. If she is stung, she could die within an hour.
"Oh, Daddy," she squeals in terror. "It's a bee! It's going to sting me!"
The father pulls the car over to a stop, and reaches back to try to catch the bee. Buzzing around towards him, the bee bumps against the front windshield where the father traps it in his fist.
Holding it in his closed hand, the father waits for the inevitable sting. The bee stings the father's hand and in pain, the father lets go of the bee.
The bee is loose in the car again. The little girl again panics.
"Daddy, it's going to sting me!"
The father gently says, "No honey, he's not going to sting you now. Look at my hand."
She sees the bee's stinger in his hand.
Likewise, Jesus says to us, "Look at my hands."
He has Satan's sting, the sting of death, the sting of sin, the sting of deceit.
Jesus has all of those stingers in His hands.
When you see that nail-scarred hand, realize that, on your behalf, Jesus took all the pain that Satan could throw at Him.
He reduced Satan to a big black bee that's lost its stinger -- all Satan can do is buzz.
That's the victory that Jesus won for you!
--This story was told by Frank Peretti on the Focus on the Family Radio Program
NAMB Prayer Connection guide for today:
Confess to the Lord that we had not counted on so many difficulties and delays when we began to pray for revival. With so much at stake we cannot quit; ask Him to grant us ability to pray more earnestly.
"And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground" (Luke 22:44, NIV).
Confess to the Lord that we had not counted on so many difficulties and delays when we began to pray for revival. With so much at stake we cannot quit; ask Him to grant us ability to pray more earnestly.
"And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground" (Luke 22:44, NIV).
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
Go Canes!
I never thought I'd be cheering for a Hurricane, but hockey has always been a favorite of mine.
Since the air is out at work, I was dreaming about the ice and the Hurricanes.
Last night, the Carolina Hurricanes won the Stanley Cup, the first ever professional championship for the state of North Carolina. I watched a lot of the match on TV since I'm on a shoestring budget and nosebleed seats were about $75!
I just wanted to share.
I pray you all have a good day. May God bless you!
I never thought I'd be cheering for a Hurricane, but hockey has always been a favorite of mine.
Since the air is out at work, I was dreaming about the ice and the Hurricanes.
Last night, the Carolina Hurricanes won the Stanley Cup, the first ever professional championship for the state of North Carolina. I watched a lot of the match on TV since I'm on a shoestring budget and nosebleed seats were about $75!
I just wanted to share.
I pray you all have a good day. May God bless you!
Monday, June 19, 2006
"Dirty laundry"
While many people were out having fun this weekend, I spent most of it indoors -- cleaning. Some of you may find this fun, but oh, how I differ! Many of you know I just moved and am still trying to settle in and get boxes unpacked. Coupled with the motivation that I have company coming in today, I wanted to be able to show my apartment with as few things undone as possible. I still haven't really put anything on the walls except a couple of calendars, but at least you can see the majority of the floors and counterspace throughout the apartment. I'm cleaning up because these are special people to me. I don't think they require that every piece of dust be removed from the apartment, but I'm doing it to show my respect. Why don't we do the same with God?!? We consciously make many bad choices, mistakes, commit sins! If we will take them to our Master, He will wash our "dirty laundry" white as snow. He has the best bleach known to man -- it's nothing we can hide or remove on our own.
We are all sinners. (There is none righteous. No, not one!)
God sent his son Jesus to pay for our sins on the cross at Calvary.
If we but confess with our mouth that Jesus is Lord, then He will cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Then, we have a new life in Christ and the promise of an everlasting future in heaven with our Savior!
Let's start piling up the socks, shirts, pants, every "dirty" piece of our selves and give it to God today!
Pray for our selves that we will continue to follow Christ each moment. Pray for our families. Pray for those who do not believe. Pray for missionaries who share the gospel throughout the world. May God bless you today!
While many people were out having fun this weekend, I spent most of it indoors -- cleaning. Some of you may find this fun, but oh, how I differ! Many of you know I just moved and am still trying to settle in and get boxes unpacked. Coupled with the motivation that I have company coming in today, I wanted to be able to show my apartment with as few things undone as possible. I still haven't really put anything on the walls except a couple of calendars, but at least you can see the majority of the floors and counterspace throughout the apartment. I'm cleaning up because these are special people to me. I don't think they require that every piece of dust be removed from the apartment, but I'm doing it to show my respect. Why don't we do the same with God?!? We consciously make many bad choices, mistakes, commit sins! If we will take them to our Master, He will wash our "dirty laundry" white as snow. He has the best bleach known to man -- it's nothing we can hide or remove on our own.
We are all sinners. (There is none righteous. No, not one!)
God sent his son Jesus to pay for our sins on the cross at Calvary.
If we but confess with our mouth that Jesus is Lord, then He will cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Then, we have a new life in Christ and the promise of an everlasting future in heaven with our Savior!
Let's start piling up the socks, shirts, pants, every "dirty" piece of our selves and give it to God today!
Pray for our selves that we will continue to follow Christ each moment. Pray for our families. Pray for those who do not believe. Pray for missionaries who share the gospel throughout the world. May God bless you today!
Thursday, June 15, 2006
In the devotion book, "Voices of the Faithful," each day is a devotion written by missionaries on the field through the International Mission Board. One on June 14 really struck home with me. It was about a missionary living in China. On the back of the door leading outside, they had a reminder of why they were serving in China:
As you go...
Can you BREAK a yoke?
Can you FEED the hungry?
Can you HELP the homeless?
Can you CLOTHE the naked?
Can you SATISFY the afflicted?
Can you LIFT up a needy brother?
Will you REFRAIN from cursing?
Will you GIVE yourself?
(based on Isaiah 58)
People in China are persecuted for their faith in Jesus. Shouldn't we be asking ourselves the same questions as we go out into this world?
As you go...
Can you BREAK a yoke?
Can you FEED the hungry?
Can you HELP the homeless?
Can you CLOTHE the naked?
Can you SATISFY the afflicted?
Can you LIFT up a needy brother?
Will you REFRAIN from cursing?
Will you GIVE yourself?
(based on Isaiah 58)
People in China are persecuted for their faith in Jesus. Shouldn't we be asking ourselves the same questions as we go out into this world?
Monday, June 12, 2006
SBC leadership
As the Southern Baptist Convention begins tomorrow (June 13), please pray for the messengers and convention leaders that these contested races will not raise arguments, but prayer. Pray for our leaders like never before. We need to follow Jesus' guidance not man, and praying for our leaders is a part of that...
As the Southern Baptist Convention begins tomorrow (June 13), please pray for the messengers and convention leaders that these contested races will not raise arguments, but prayer. Pray for our leaders like never before. We need to follow Jesus' guidance not man, and praying for our leaders is a part of that...
God's Wings
A little something to put things in perspective.. An article in
National Geographic several years ago provided an interesting picture
of God's wings. After a forest fire in Yellowstone National Park,
forest rangers began their trek up a mountain to assess the inferno's
damage. One ranger found a bird literally petrified in ashes, perched
statuesquely on the ground at the base of a tree.
Somewhat sickened by the eerie sight, he knocked over the bird with a
stick. When he gently struck it, three tiny chicks scurried from under
their dead mother's wings. The loving mother, keenly aware of impending
disaster, had carried her offspring to the base of the tree and had
gathered them under her wings, instinctively knowing that the toxic
smoke would rise.
She could have flown to safety but had refused to abandon her babies.
When the blaze had arrived and the heat had scorched her small body,
the mother had remained steadfast. Because she had been willing to die,
so those under the cover of her wings would live.
He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find
refuge." (Psalm 91:4)
Being loved this much should make a difference in your life. Remember
the One who loves you, and then be different because of it.
A little something to put things in perspective.. An article in
National Geographic several years ago provided an interesting picture
of God's wings. After a forest fire in Yellowstone National Park,
forest rangers began their trek up a mountain to assess the inferno's
damage. One ranger found a bird literally petrified in ashes, perched
statuesquely on the ground at the base of a tree.
Somewhat sickened by the eerie sight, he knocked over the bird with a
stick. When he gently struck it, three tiny chicks scurried from under
their dead mother's wings. The loving mother, keenly aware of impending
disaster, had carried her offspring to the base of the tree and had
gathered them under her wings, instinctively knowing that the toxic
smoke would rise.
She could have flown to safety but had refused to abandon her babies.
When the blaze had arrived and the heat had scorched her small body,
the mother had remained steadfast. Because she had been willing to die,
so those under the cover of her wings would live.
He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find
refuge." (Psalm 91:4)
Being loved this much should make a difference in your life. Remember
the One who loves you, and then be different because of it.
Friday, June 09, 2006
I thought I would share something I posted on my web site:
15 ways to bless just about anyone
1. Clean neighbor's sidewalk
2. Call a lonely person
3. Eat lunch with someone new
4. Hug boldly
5. Visit a sick friend
6. Offer your seat
7. Give a compliment
8. Let someone else go first
9. Offer a ride
10. Tip generously
11. Bake cookies for coworkers
12. Send encouraging card
13. Buy someone dinner
14. Smile often
15. Make eye contact
God gives us so much; the least we can do is something little like one of these suggestions. May God bless you all as you seek to serve Him today!
15 ways to bless just about anyone
1. Clean neighbor's sidewalk
2. Call a lonely person
3. Eat lunch with someone new
4. Hug boldly
5. Visit a sick friend
6. Offer your seat
7. Give a compliment
8. Let someone else go first
9. Offer a ride
10. Tip generously
11. Bake cookies for coworkers
12. Send encouraging card
13. Buy someone dinner
14. Smile often
15. Make eye contact
God gives us so much; the least we can do is something little like one of these suggestions. May God bless you all as you seek to serve Him today!
Thursday, June 08, 2006
Welcome to Detours by Dianna! I am joining the blogging phenomena in June 2006. Please check my web site, www.diannacagle.com, for further information about me and prayer requests from missionaries and friends. If you have questions, you may e-mail me at questions@diannacagle.com or if you just want to send a regular e-mail, send it to mail@diannacagle.com. Thanks for your interest. I look forward to sharing with you.
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