"Teach me to do Your Will, for You are my God; may Your good Spirit lead me on level ground." Psalm 143:10 When you do not understand the purpose of God's plan - bow the knee and trust the heart of your Father! The Lord wants to guide and direct you through all situations in your life. God knows everything there is to know about you. He knows everything you've done in your life and everything you are about to do. Each day, start out bowing your head in humble prayer to Jesus, asking Him to help you every step of the way. My prayer today, like most mornings is that the Lord will help me this day to live more like Him and less like me. We are such selfish people aren't we. Sometimes I re-read my prayer journal and think, boy I am selfish. Always asking the Lord for something. But I am reminded today, that Jesus wants us to seek Him daily. He will change our selfish desires into wants for other people who need more than we do. He will reveal His everlasting love and grace to us each day as we go to Him in prayer. What would you do if God called you to be a missionary to a foreign country - like Iraq for example? How would you prepare to go? Are we preparing each day by witnessing to others around us? Sharing with them how much God loves them? What can you do to make improvements in that area of your life? Pray for boldness! The safest place for us to be is where God wants us - the most dangerous ... is out of His Will for our lives. Can we look at our actions each day and see that we have made one difference in someone's life for the Glory of God? Don't be discouraged if you cannot. It is never too late to start - today is the day! Lord, I lift up each person today that will be reading this devotional. I pray that You place boldness upon us Lord that we need each day to bring You glory. That we live each day to please You Lord and not ourselves. Help us, guide us and have mercy on us Lord where we fail You. We love You Lord and the desire of our hearts is to be more like You so a hurting world will see Your love. I've seen many interviews in the last few weeks Lord, where people have lost every material thing because of the hurricane. Some have even lost more than that - they've lost a spouse or child. But somehow, by Your Grace Lord, they still have their faith. Thank You Lord. Thank You for their boldness to get on MSNBC, CNN, Fox News etc. to stand up and say GOD IS IN CONTROL! Thank You for this day Lord, and I pray that Your words today have given someone encouragement and boldness to change. In Jesus name I pray. Amen. I love you all and I pray that nothing I say, but the that scripture of the Lord, will touch your heart today - that you are obedient to what the Will is that God has for your life be done. Pray and seek Him today.

Love, Tracy

Copyright Tracy Beckham, 2005
Reprinted by permission.

Posted by Mary Comm at 08:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

In the aftermath of Katrina, the staff of In Our Midst would like to encourage you to do whatever you are able to offer assistance or relief to those in such great need. If you have the funds, there are many reputable organizations that are taking donations of non-perishable food items, water, diapers, formula, etc. These organizations are able to distribute these items to those in need, something that most of us are unable to do. Personally, I would rent a fleet of buses to help rescue the victims if I had the resources to do so! Although I cannot rent a fleet of buses, I am compelled to do what I can. I know many of you feel the same way.

If you don't have the funds, perhaps you could offer your time to help these organizations sort the items and prepare them for shipping. Another need that everyone can meet is to pray. Pray for the ones that still need to be rescued; pray for the injured and for those who have lost loved ones; pray for all those that lost everything they own and have even had to be transported out of state. They may be in a safe place, but they are nowhere near being settled. Now they must begin to rebuild their lives.... Pray against discouragement and depression. Pray for all those who are giving of their time and energy to help these people. Pray for our government officials, that they will pull together as the citizens of this country are doing. Pray they will stop attacking one another needlessly and unite for the betterment of everyone. And pray specifically for our President -- that God would give him wisdom from above to make the best decisions; pray for his stamina and his faith.

Following is a list of reputable places that are taking donations. (This is not a comprehensive list by any means.)

Locally: (Edmond, OK)

Henderson Hills Baptist Church (@ I-35 and 15th St.)
(405) 341-4639

Internationally:

Feed the Children

American Red Cross

Salvation Army

'For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.' "Then the righteous will answer Him, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? 'And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? 'When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?' 'The King will answer and say to them, 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.'
Matthew 25:35-40 NASB

Photos: Associated Press via Yahoo! News

Posted by Mary Comm at 12:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)