Its not about me

This morning I was sitting on the side of my bed....thinking about all the things that aren't going MY way....not happening the way I want them to....how I shouldn't have to be dealing with this....why ME....I deserve so much better (YIKES! I'm bein' real here, people!). I was just about to start to having a mini-break-down, when all of a sudden I felt God begin to whisper to me...."Why are you feeling sorry for yourself? I have given you so much to be thankful for. And besides....everything is NOT about YOU."

I continued to sit there quietly, thinking about how self-centered and selfish I was being. After a few more minutes (still sitting on the side of my bed with my head in my hands) I heard my blackberry beep (in the way it beeps when I get an email)....I knew it was my daily devotion from Heartlight. Somehow immediately I knew that was going to be a Word for me. I walked over and picked up my blackberry to open my email. It was definitely an email, a Special Delivery, from God....

Friday, August 14, 2009

"Thou, Lord, hast made me glad through thy work."
-- Psalms 92:4

Do you believe that your sins are forgiven, and that Christ has made a full atonement for them? Then what a joyful Christian you ought to be! How you should live above the common trials and troubles of the world! Since sin is forgiven, can it matter what happens to you now? Luthersaid, "Smite, Lord, smite, for my sin is forgiven; if thou hast but forgiven me, smite as hard as thou wilt"; and in a similar spirit you may say, "Send sickness, poverty, losses, crosses, persecution, what thou wilt, thou hast forgiven me, and my soul is glad." Christian, if thou art thus saved, whilst thou art glad, be grateful and loving. Cling to that cross which took thy sin away; serve thou him who served thee. "I beseech you therefore, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service." Let not your zeal evaporate in some little ebullition of song. Show your love in expressive tokens. Love the brethren of him who loved you. If there be a Mephibosheth anywhere who is lame or halt, help him for Jonathan's sake. If there be a poor tried believer, weep with him, and bear his cross for the sake of him who wept for thee and carried thy sins. Since thou art thus forgiven freely for Christ's sake, go and tell to others the joyful news of pardoning mercy. Be not contented with this unspeakable blessing for thyself alone, but publish abroad the story of the cross. Holy gladness and holy boldness will make you a good preacher, and all the world will be a pulpit for you to preach in. Cheerful holiness is the most forcible of sermons, but the Lord must give it you. Seek it this morning before you go into the world. When it is the Lord's work in which we rejoice, we need not be afraid of being too glad.

The time is too short to be wasting time sulking over petty "problems" that really have no eternal value. How small they compare to what Christ has done for you and me!!! Good grief!! Lets be joyful!!! There is a world out there that NEEDS the source of our Joy!!! Let us rejoice in HIM!! He IS ENOUGH!!!!!

I just had to share. What an awesome reminder! And a message I can never hear too much....because for some reason I can never really get it that "its not about me"! My life is a LIVING sacrifice...and I keep trying to crawl off that ALTAR!

Now...lets get this day started...RIGHT!