SURVIVOR

Under the dust, rubble and boards there are survivors.  Rescuers continue to sort through the remnants left behind from the earthquake to find those that have been patiently waiting for someone to arrive.  From a baby to a teenager, those trapped have been pulled from the dangerous and stressful situation they were in.  How did they survive?  Good question.

There are several factors that might have saved some of the survivors.  How the building fell, where they were located, how they were positioned and the general health of person gave them an advantage. 

Are you a survivor?  You probably haven’t survived an earthquake, but you may be a life survivor.  You may have survived being trapped under the rubble of life.  You may have survived being stuck in a certain situation or a changing season.  You have dug through the mess and the rubble to come up for air and breath again.

So how does this happen?  This occurs when you totally surrender and call upon the Lord.  When you give your life to Him He is your rescuer.  He will rescue you from the rubble and mess that comes toppling down on your life.  He will help you become healthy, keep you located where you need to be and keep your position in life upright. 

Rick Warren describes a rescue like this, “In a rescue situation the rescuer gets to determine the means of the rescue.   You don’t get to determine how you are rescued, it’s not up to you its up to your savior.”  Jesus says, “I am the way.”

Warren references several scriptures in the bible that discuss being rescued.  Romans 10:13 “Anyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved.”  Psalm 91:15  “When you call on me, I will answer; I will be with you in your trouble and I will rescue you” Do you notice in Romans it says ANYONE that calls upon Him?  In Psalm it says, “When you call”? 

If you need rescuing let Jesus begin the rescue today.  Become a survivor because He is the best way.  It may not be easy, quick or simple, but it is the best way.  He rescues anyone that calls upon Him.  He rescues when you call.  You are a survivor call Him today!

Daily Hope with Rick Warren, Coming to the Rescue, May 21, 2014, rickwarren.org

RESPOND

Respond or react?  What do you do?  When we react we do so with intense emotion.  It is somewhat like we don’t think before we react.  Reacting puts us on the defensive, our blood begins to boil and the hair stands on the back of our neck.  The downside to reacting is that we let our emotions lead and drive us.  When we respond we also give a response, however it is a thoughtful reaction with reason.  It is like a first responder who responds to an accident with purpose. 

If we are reactors how do we change?  How do we become those who use logic first instead of emotion?  To change we must first realize that we need to.  It is our responsibility to decide how we are going to grow and learn. 

So who do we use as a role model of responder?  When I think of an example of a responder I think of Jesus.  He was just that, the mindful responder no matter what the situation.  He had control through attentiveness and awareness.  When he encountered a situation he centered every conversation fruitfully, honestly and fully. 

So the WWJD items that float around everywhere are really what we need to follow during times of decisions.  We need to say to say ourselves, “How would Jesus respond?”  When we respond as He would respond we respond mindfully and logically. 

   Begin your responding today and be more Christ like. 

He wants us to be more like Him.

DISAPPOINTMENT

Disappointment, we have all been there.  We have hopes and expectations only to find them not fulfilled. Our emotion becomes that of sadness.  One of my daughters was disappointed last night.  It is difficult when you have moved or been forced into a different phase of life.   College age vs. being a mother, two different scenarios.  Lesson learned- people grow apart depending on what life brings them. 

When life forces you into a different phase, a phase that is different than what you expected, you only have one option.  That option is to have faith in Him.  The Lord will never disappoint you.  You may be faced with situations you don’t understand, you may become disconnected from those you use to call friends, you may have to change you life completely, but He knows what He is doing.  He has a particular plan in mind for you.  As long as you follow His will for your life the ultimate goal will be that that is glorious. 

When you become disappointed and the feeling of dissatisfaction follows rely on Him.  He will give you everything you need to become satisfied with your life.  It may not be exactly how you had mapped out your life to be, but it is how He wants it.  Trust and Faith removes disappointment!

BUSINESS PLAN

Yes I have been working on a business plan, I laugh to myself as I write that.  Why do I chuckle?  Because I have no business background or business sense.  The only business background I have is opening Jay’s bills and putting them in a folder, then when they are paid filing them in the cabinet.  No much business sense here, but you have to start somewhere. 

I wondered what advice God would give me as I am jumping into something I know nothing about?  I think it would be something like this:

1.     Totally SURRENDER to Me  (turn it over, if He has a hand in it and it is His plan it will work) Psalm 37:7

2.     Have NO FEAR (for He is with you) Psalm 118:6

3.     Take your time and have PATIENCE (it will all be done in His timing not ours) Colossians 1:11

4.     I will LEAD people to you (He will bring the right people to us that will share insight and wisdom) Exodus 23:20

5.     Have FAITH (the most unlikely people accomplish much) Mark 11:22

6.     TRUST Me (there is no one better person to trust than the Lord) Proverbs 3:5

7.     Don’t let anyone steal your PEACE (whatever you are excited about it was put in you for a reason, don’t let anyone make you think yours and God’s idea is stupid) Romans 8:28

If you have a business plan to write or an idea take it to the Lord. He is all the help you need.  He will help you correlate all the information to make your plan doable.  With God by your side YOU CAN MOVE MOUNTAINS!

BLESS

She walked in the door and was in tears.  Oh gosh what had happened?  I finally got her to say, “I’m not crying because I’m sad, I’m crying because I have really good friends.”  We assume people cry when sad, but we can also cry when we are joyful. 

This weekend is Laurens wedding and many people are already in town preparing with us for the big day.  Last night we had a gathering of many of our friends.  Her group of friends has been together since they were under 5.  Some have been friends since they were 2, potty trained together, celebrated every birthday together and shared all the up and downs of life together. 

What has God blessed you with?  Even if you are going through adversity in your life there is still blessings within.  You may have to dig deep to find them, but they will uncover eventually. 

God blesses all of us with His grace.  He blessed us by given us His son Jesus.  This means that we have undeserving favor.  Through His grace He strengthens us and encourages us.  In Jeremiah 32:41 the scripture reads, “But God enjoys blessing his children and wants to bless you!  God wants to bless you and wants you to accomplish His purposes through you.  He gives you the power to be all that He wants you to be.  The people of Israel had to learn that by trusting God they would also be realigning their purpose and desire towards him. 

Find your blessings.  They are there.  He has blessed all of us.  He blesses us so that we will bless Him.  The Lord wants us to turn our blessings outward to share with others. 

Psalm 67:1-2 May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine on us so that your ways may be known on earth your salvation among all nations. 

God blesses you!