On the Go - November 11, 2008

God's initiative is impervious to interference.

Live it
Someone has likened God's work in the life of his children to that of a Master Jeweler. After years of exposure to time, heat and pressure converts a naturally rough element to something of great value, namely a diamond. When harvested from the earth, its valuable only in the sense it has potential. But when a skillful craftsman carefully removes pieces of it, he leaves sharp edges, that can increase its value greatly. It's real beauty however, comes when light is focused on those edges and tiny prisms sparkle in the eye of the onlooker.

Most of us can name certain things in our life that we believe set us back and kept us from being all we could be. Some things were naturally occurring events and others, obvious mistakes and wrong choices we made. But like a diamond, we should consider that without flaws, our life would have little to reflect God's glory. Like a diamond, our carats are actually life experiences where God worked in and through our problems to safely bring us to where we are today. Have you considered that without flaws, we'd have no testimony and unable to deliver a message of hope for those going through similar trials?

Pray it
I admit that sometime I don't feel beautiful. My regret leads me to believe my mistakes are more powerful than your promises and my wrong choices more potent than your plans for me. Forgive me for once again underestimating your work in progress and failing to trust how you're doing it.

Resources
Our nation's survival is not in the hands of men, but in God's. (2000)
Worldly wisdom is an oxymoron. (2001)
Bigotry is like Baskin Robbins, it comes in many flavors with new ones on the way. (2003)
You can run, but there's no place to hide when it comes to trouble. (2004)
If God has called and ordained a ministry, then why do most beg for money? (2005)
Devotional (2006)
Faith is assumption based on God's promises, not presumption. (2007)
Are you trying to be a people pleaser or a God pleaser? (2008)

How to Pray for...
My husband or wife.
Teach both of us to trust your Word without compromise.

My children.
Remind my children of Scripture as they contemplate action today.

Their school.
Teach our children character as much as knowledge.

Their teachers.
Give my children teachers with godly character.

My children's friends.
Protect my kids from taking advice from ungodly friends.

My friends.
Teach me how to be a good friend to another person today.

My work.
Give my business a firm foundation on which to grow spiritually.

My city.
Guard our leaders from making laws that lead people to sin.

Governmental leaders.
Give our city godly leaders upon who you have influence.

My country.
Refresh our memory of the spiritual foundation upon which our country was founded.

My President.
Teach him to regard life as You do.

My church.
Humble us if we've taken our eyes off you and put them on men and programs.

My pastor.
Make our pastor a man of prayer that leads a people of prayer.

My church leadership.
Restore the joy of those church leaders who are serving without passion.

Sister churches.
Use all the Spirit-filled churches in this area to make a real impact on the lost.

Persecuted churches.
Provide the needs of persecuted brothers and keep moles away from the flock.

Missionaries.
Give them creative means to teach the Gospel that inspires a thirst for the Living Water.

The sick..
Comfort those suffering from illness.

The lost.
Give me boldness to speak the gospel without compromise.

Those in despair.
Heal the hurt in the heart of those who have lost a loved one.

Those in the hospital.
Use doctors and nurses today to do your work.

Those grieving.
Comfort those grieving and build in them a spirit of trust to replace the doubts.

Widows.
Give us a heart for those in need and feet to move when your Spirit moves.

Orphans.
Place orphans in the care of godly men and women who know you.

Myself.
Magnify the work of my hands to bring glory to your Name.

Prayertower Devotionals are the original creation of James R. Green:
Just Thinkin'... (2000-2003)
Read the Bible Thru in 365 Days (2004)
Pray Thru the Word in 365 Days (2005)
One-minute Devotionals (2006 to present).

Scripture provided by God's Word Translation (c)1995 - God's Word to the Nations. All Rights Reserved.