But then instead of
leaving Him
In peace to work alone,
I hung around
and tried to help
With ways
that were my own.
At last I snatched them back
and cried.
"How can You be so slow"--
"My child," He said,
"What could I do?
You never did let go."
Author Unknown
Where You Were Born To Be!
You know, it really works this way in all of God's creation. There's an
environment that things and people were created to be in . . . and things
really work when they're in that place. They really don't work very well
when they're not where they were designed to be. Well, thankfully, God
makes very clear the environment you and I were created for - so we don't
have to waste our lives searching for it. In fact, probably the single most
important question you have to answer while we're on earth is this: Why
am I here?
God answers that question in 6 simple, but life-changing words in His
Book the Bible. Our Word for today from the Word of God comes from
Colossians 1:16. Speaking of Jesus Christ, the Bible says, "All things
were" - and here are those 6 words - "created by Him and for Him." Now,
try putting your name in that Biblical statement - there's your name
_______ was created by Jesus and for Jesus." Just like those fish were
created to be in the pressure of that deep sea environment . . . just like the
earth was created to be in an orbit around the sun - you were created for
Jesus, you were created by Jesus for a relationship with Jesus, where you
live for Jesus. When you have this personal relationship with Christ, you
are finally where you were born to be.
Problem: we don't live for the One who gave us our life. We live for
ourselves. Again, in God's own words, "All of us have wandered away like
sheep; each of us has turned to our own way" (Isaiah 53:6). The Bible has a
word for this rebellion of ours - sin. Middle letter - I. And it says that our
sin separates us from the One we were made by and made for. If we die
with that sin-wall still there, it is there forever.
When those deep-sea fish are outside the environment they were made to
live in, they eventually die. So do we. And some of that dying happens even
now - as we keep looking for love in places that don't deliver it . . . looking
for some inner peace, some fulfillment in achievements and relationships
and experiences that can't possibly give it to us - because we are not
where we were born to be . . . knowing Jesus, living for the One who gave
us our life... and Who gave His life for us.
That's the only way we could have a chance to get into the orbit we were
created for. All those sins of ours have hell as their penalty - a penalty
you and I deserved to pay. A penalty that God's Son paid in our place when
He died on the cross. Whether or not you ever experience why you're here . .
. whether or not you ever see heaven - depends totally on what you do with
what Jesus did for you. His call to you is to put your total trust in Him to
be the Rescuer from your sin. The moment you do that, the relationship you
were born for becomes yours forever.
All these years you've been away from the One that your heart has been
searching for all along. Isn't it time to experience the relationship you
were made for . . . to be where you were born to be.
Sound like the type of relationship you've been looking for? Find out more
about how this relationship with God can be Yours for Life! If you're not
sure you belong to Jesus Christ, and you'd like to make sure, check out
YOURS FOR LIFE!
Today's Daily Wisdom is written by Ron Hutchcraft, based on his popular
"A Word With You"
broadcast (Available in transcripts or RealAudio format.) Ron Hutchcraft Ministries has been online with
GCN since February, 1996, providing practical answers to real
life issues.
Copyright Ron Hutchcraft Ministries, Inc.
Hey, you could use another good fish story, huh? Once upon a time there
were these beautiful fish who lived 5 miles under the ocean. How do I
know? They were the subject of a PBS television special not long ago. So
this is a for real fish story. Now because these fish are really striking -
they are incredibly colorful - some folks thought they might look good in
someone's tropical fish aquarium. So they tried to bring these fish to the
surface. They didn't make it - they blew up when they got near the surface!
They were designed to live under that pressure at the bottom. Well, no
happy ending - except they're leaving the rest of them where they belong -
5 miles under the ocean. That's were they are created to be!
As concerned and loving parents, we prepare our children for the cruelty
of the outside world. For once our little ones step outside the comfort and
safety of the home, it is a scary reality that they may come face to face
with drugs, alcohol, sexual situations and violence. We teach them how to
recognize dangerous situations, offer strategies in case such a situation
may occur, and provide wise council. Even our schools and communities try
to lend a hand by sponsoring various programs and classes.
While our youth are certainly in need of such worldly wisdom, God's word
(the Bible) states that spiritual wisdom is much more important. "Take
fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life."
(Proverbs 4:13)
You see, without God, we do not have life. Sure, we may go about our daily
lives, but spiritually we are dead without Him.
Just as we lovingly desire what is best for our children--health, safety,
happiness--we must not forget to guide and nurture them in the way of
the Lord. And as we would teach our youngsters to say no to drugs, we
must use the wisdom God has provided so that our little ones may be able
to recognize evil, and not give in to temptation. "Train up a child in the
way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." (Proverbs
22:6)
Contributed by Melanie Schurr
(Copyright 1997 Melanie Schurr)
Comments~feedback welcome.
~DOING "LITTLE" THINGS~
OBSERVATION
A Persian proverb: Do little things now;
DOING "LITTLE" THINGS
One stormy night many years ago an elderly couple entered
The clerk, who lived in the hotel, said, "But I can't send a nice couple like
A few years passed. Then one day the clerk received a letter from the
"That," explained the elderly man, "is the hotel I have just built for you to
That hotel was the original Waldorf-Astoria, one of the most magnificent
HOW DOES THIS APPLY TO OUR LIVES?
Often we get so caught up in our work and in a world that idolizes highly
Do you ignore little things--things like dropping someone an encouraging
Whether it is in your personal relationships or in your daily activities,
Yes, the hotel clerk did a little thing--and was rewarded greatly. You may
"He who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward."
Proverbs 11:18
So I'm going to assume that you, dear reader, don't believe the things I do
The thing is, someday you'll face Him, too. And you won't be able to point
Someday it'll be just you and Him and He'll say, "That messenger on the
The bottom line is, a changed life can be yours if you want it. You say you
Teach The Children
If you feel led to know more about Jesus after reading any of these
devotions, please go to the top of this page and click on the little key in the left hand corner.
so shall big things come to thee by
and by asking to be done.
the lobby of a
small hotel and asked for a room. The clerk explained
that because there
were three conventions in town, the hotel was filled.
you out in the rain at 1 o'clock in the morning." "Would you be willing to
sleep in my room?" The couple hesitated, but the clerk insisted. The next
morning when the man paid his bill, he told the clerk, "You're the kind of
manager who should be the boss of the best hotel in the United States.
Maybe someday I'll build one for you." The clerk smiled, amused by the
older man's "little joke."
elderly man recalling that stormy night and asking him to come to New
York for a visit. A round-trip ticket was enclosed. When the clerk arrived,
his host took him to the corner of 5th Avenue and 34th Street, where a
grand new building stood.
manage." "You must be joking," the clerk said. "I most assuredly am not,"
came the reply. "Who--who are you?" stammered the clerk. The man
answered, "My name is William Waldorf Astor."
hotels in New York. The young clerk who became its first manager was
George C. Boldt.
The clerk did a little thing that stormy night. As the proverb
says, a big
thing came to him by and by.
successful and glamorous people that we ignore little things. As a result,
we neglect something if it does not have a dollar value or a direct
relationship to our success at work.
note, or extending them a deserving "Thank you"? How frequently do you
take time out of a workday to help someone, or to help faithful people
reach and serve others?
"little" can actually be "big." As Saint John Chrysostom said in the Third
Century, "faithfulness in little things is a big thing." Even in 1996 that
truth has not changed. Giant trees still grow from small seeds.
not be able to reach millions of people all over the world by satellite, but
in your own part of the world you can faithfully do little things to point
people toward Jesus. Great will be your reward if you do.
Contributed by Rich McLawhorn
A BAD EXAMPLE
We should establish an honest, genuine relationship before I discuss with
you what I'm about to discuss. But it's a catch 22. You and I, Netcruiser,
may never meet. The older we get, the more urgent it becomes to discuss
this subject. So I can't afford to mince words.
and I'm going to tell you about my Lord. I just couldn't face my Master
unless I tried. Someday I will face Him and I couldn't stand it if He said,
"You say you cared about people, yet you didn't even try to tell them about
My sacrifice for their sake?"
to my poor presentation of this message, my pushiness, or any other way
in which I may have been a bad example. I'll answer to Him for those
things. At some point, you'll have to humble yourself, examine your own
heart and admit your need of a Savior regardless of my bad example. Or
some Televangelist's or anyone else's.
Internet? Oh yes, his interview is next week. The Televangelist? He may
be a hypocrite but that's not your concern. He will answer to me if he was.
Now I'm asking you why you rejected My sacrifice."
want the one you have? Consider yourself fortunate for the time being. But
it won't last forever. When you face the Master, you can do it with
confidence.
Daily Wisdom online devotional
A service of Gospel Communications Network (GCN)
A Ministry of Gospel Communications International, Inc. - The 21st
Century Gospel Films Edited by Warren Kramer warren@gospelcom.net
© 1997
