The Award

The Award

“So do not give up your hope (in Jesus) which will be greatly rewarded.”

Hebrews 10:35

        Hannah couldn’t believe her eyes. Her picture flashed on the giant jumbo-tron and her name was echoed throughout the huge room filled with students from around the world...

Hannah...United States of America

 She had won a bronze medal for her science project. Slowly she made her way to the stage where she stood with others.  It was a dream come true.

It hadn‘t always gone well with Hannah. Over the course of four years she

had worked hard gathering data, keeping records and doing research. There

were times of discouragement…times of tears.

But Hannah liked her project. Every year she broadened her experiment.

She didn’t give up.

                       Didn’t get mad and throw a fit.

                                     Didn’t blame others  

                                                Didn’t throw a pity party

Did Hannah have to work this hard? True, a science project was scheduled

each school year but  she could have squeaked by with minimal effort. Who

would know? Who would care? And if anyone said something she'd have the perfect excuse.

·         The teacher didn’t like my project.

·         I’m not a science student.

·         I’m not the teacher’s pet.

·         So and so stole my idea.

·         Life’s not fair!

Consider this

 

     Thomas Edison made 1,000 attempts before the light bulb was a reality.

           Mother Theresa stated:“God has not called me to be successful. He has called me to be faithful.”

v 

      Jase Robertson of Duck Dynasty made this observation regarding his daughter Mia who suffered from a cleft palate.

“True beauty is persevering with joy despite difficulties.”

Jesus Christ put gifts in you...more than you could ever imagine. 

He wants to reward you. 

He loves you...passionately!

He has good things in store for you. 

Don‘t lose heart.  Don’t have a pity party. 

Just call on God!  He will amaze you!

Dear Lord, Please help me finish strong!

That's Not Fair

                                   

          Great people -
 Don’t throw pity parties

That’s Not Fair!

“But the Lord was with Joseph, and was good to him, and made the keeper of the prison his friend”.

Genesis 39:21

Her eyes lit up as Joseph entered the spacious Egyptian home. Taking extreme caution that all servants were dismissed, Potiphar’s unfaithful wife sauntered towards Joseph with seduction in every step.  Her eyelashes fluttered and as her lips parted she smiled with daring confidence. Her gown revealed her well-formed breasts and she had taken care for Joseph’s eyes to rest there. Tracing her fingers up his muscled torso she whispered in tormenting sweetness, “Lie with me, Joseph.”

Lovely, yet deceitful, Potiphar’s spouse set her eyes on Joseph. Today she’d get her man. Joseph had guarded himself from her. But now, as her perfume tantalized his senses, he had to act quickly. If he lingered, unbridled passion would take hold. Sin against God, forget who he was? No, there was only one thing left to do—run! And he did!  

The cheating wife screamed—rapist!

Potiphar in his pride yelled —how dare you touch my wife!

For good behavior Joseph was thrown—into jail!

Not fair!

And until Joseph became second ruler in Egypt, he sulked, felt sorry for himself, grumbled, and told everyone his story.

 It just wasn’t fair… What those people did to me…and where was God?

No! He didn’t do that—would never reach God’s best that way. God had given him a dream...a destiny...for greatness!

Instead

Joseph rolled up his sleeves, and asked the jail keeper, “How can I help?”

Even while his feet were in chains,

            even while his dreams of great purpose faded away,

                            even when God seemed not to care,

                                            Joseph honored God.

Why?

Great people don’t grumble when life is unfair. And great people know that God doesn’t lie…can’t lie. And great people will rise from the rubble of life because—God is with them— they just can’t fail!

Take this and run with it—today! He’s called you—to greatness!

Dear Lord, I can to this because you were nailed to a cross for me. Was that fair?

Pray and Move Mountains

                                                        Pray—and Move Mountains
"The simple truth is that if you had a mere kernel of faith, a poppy seed, say, you would tell this mountain, 'Move!' and it would move. There is nothing you wouldn't be able to tackle."
    

                                                             Matthew 17:20 NIV

    “You’re not going with us Lord? Aw shucks! Why not, Lord?”
 
 “I’m going up to the mountain. Got to pray… be alone with
Father. And there’s more…but you’ll see. Now get to the other side of Galilee. I’ll join you later. But remember, you’re never out of my sight!”

All night Jesus was in prayer and He saw. He saw the disciples in a huge storm. Didn’t He care? Where was He anyway?

But He was up to something—for sure!  What He does next is unbelievable. He came to them walking on the water. How could He do such a miracle?  He had been praying—on the mountain and a “mountain” moved for the disciples to see the Lord’s glory.

                                                                    More prayer

Peter was a disciple of Jesus. Miracles happened because Peter walked with God. But the government officials didn’t like it and threw him into prison. He was chained and guarded by soldiers. But while Peter slept, the church kept praying and an amazing thing happened. An angel woke Peter up, “We’re out of here—now!” They went through the gates, and into the city street. Peter then knocked on the door of the house where the Christians were praying for him.

What made an angel come to the rescue? God heard His children praying—none stop. This mountain had to go!
                                                                
                                       You’re the warrior

You—are the warrior. You hang out with the King of Kings. You’re His. Go to battle and pray like you’ve never prayed before! You can move a mountain too. The Lord is with you and remember—you’re never out of His sight!

        Dear Lord,
        Show me how to pray today. I want to change my world!