I was posting my Jesus Calling devotional by Sarah Young, on my prayer facebook group "The Master's Servants," the other day, and her words really hit me hard. I love the way she writes in the first person, as though Jesus is talking right to you. She said:
"Thank Me for the conditions that are requiring you to be still. Do not spoil these quiet hours by wishing them away, waiting impatiently to be active again. Some of the greatest works in My kingdom have been done from sick beds and prison cells. Instead of resenting the limitations of a weakened body, search for My way in the midst of these very circumstances. Limitations can be liberating when your strongest desire is living close to Me.Quietness and trust enhance your awareness of My Presence with you. Do not despise these simple ways of serving Me. Although you feel cut off from the activity of the world, your quiet trust makes a powerful statement in spiritual realms. My Strength and Power show themselves most effective in weakness."
Did she say some of the Lord's greatest works can be done from sick beds?? Well, that qualifies me, that's for sure. That sets for me a new goal, to do the Lord's great work on those days when I'm down and out, which when you're living with MS, can be be quite often, unfortunately. But to think that I can take that time and bring Glory to God is quite something, at least for me it is.
I must admit that many times in my weakness, I can feel useless, and unworthy of doing much for myself, forget about anyone else or especially the Lord. But thankfully, that's not the way He sees me. He looks at the good in me, not the bad. He sees the gifts that He bestowed upon me, and He wants me to use them for Him. So what I need to say to myself when I'm having a down day is "get over yourself Nicki, get out your computer and start writing about the Lord." End of Sentence!
He knows just how much I can accomplish on any given day. My job is to just do the best I can, knowing I've given all my efforts for His glory and quit beating myself up.
2nd Corinthians 2:9 reminds us "My power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me."
The Lord doesn't want you or me to live feeling guilty. It's an downward spiral. Rejoice in what you can do, even on the days when you can't get up and move around, thank the Lord for the quiet time with Him. There may be a time, when you don't have those moments.
My verse for today is above in red.
My prayer for today:
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for this day. Thank you for those quiet moments I have with you. Help me to take advantage of that time to learn more about you, and ground myself in your word and reach out to others with my writing about the wonderful things you can do for them in the good and the bad. Thank you Lord for another day to learn more about you and thank you for Sarah Young and her wonderful books and ministry. I have learned so much from her and continue to do so everyday!
In Jesus name I pray,
Amen
"Thank Me for the conditions that are requiring you to be still. Do not spoil these quiet hours by wishing them away, waiting impatiently to be active again. Some of the greatest works in My kingdom have been done from sick beds and prison cells. Instead of resenting the limitations of a weakened body, search for My way in the midst of these very circumstances. Limitations can be liberating when your strongest desire is living close to Me.Quietness and trust enhance your awareness of My Presence with you. Do not despise these simple ways of serving Me. Although you feel cut off from the activity of the world, your quiet trust makes a powerful statement in spiritual realms. My Strength and Power show themselves most effective in weakness."
Did she say some of the Lord's greatest works can be done from sick beds?? Well, that qualifies me, that's for sure. That sets for me a new goal, to do the Lord's great work on those days when I'm down and out, which when you're living with MS, can be be quite often, unfortunately. But to think that I can take that time and bring Glory to God is quite something, at least for me it is.
I must admit that many times in my weakness, I can feel useless, and unworthy of doing much for myself, forget about anyone else or especially the Lord. But thankfully, that's not the way He sees me. He looks at the good in me, not the bad. He sees the gifts that He bestowed upon me, and He wants me to use them for Him. So what I need to say to myself when I'm having a down day is "get over yourself Nicki, get out your computer and start writing about the Lord." End of Sentence!
He knows just how much I can accomplish on any given day. My job is to just do the best I can, knowing I've given all my efforts for His glory and quit beating myself up.
2nd Corinthians 2:9 reminds us "My power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me."
The Lord doesn't want you or me to live feeling guilty. It's an downward spiral. Rejoice in what you can do, even on the days when you can't get up and move around, thank the Lord for the quiet time with Him. There may be a time, when you don't have those moments.
My verse for today is above in red.
My prayer for today:
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for this day. Thank you for those quiet moments I have with you. Help me to take advantage of that time to learn more about you, and ground myself in your word and reach out to others with my writing about the wonderful things you can do for them in the good and the bad. Thank you Lord for another day to learn more about you and thank you for Sarah Young and her wonderful books and ministry. I have learned so much from her and continue to do so everyday!
In Jesus name I pray,
Amen
Hi Nicki,
ReplyDeleteJohn Pitcher - artist from MPP. I think your blog is great and I love the artful presentation. I left MPP in 1992 and had no idea about your MS. Thank you for sharing your faith in Christ through this blog, it is an inspiration. May the Lord bless and keep you,
Cheers,
John