2 Chronicles 30:8 (NIV)
Do not be stiff-necked, as your ancestors were;
submit to the LORD.
Ezekiel 36:26
I will remove from you your heart of stone
and give you a heart of flesh.
Lord, teach me to bow my head in obedience and open my heart in humility.
Do you have a teachable spirit?
The wise author of Proverbs puts it bluntly:
Proverbs 12:1 (CEV)
To accept correction is wise,
to reject it is stupid.
Don’t be stupid. We all need good advice. Where will we get it? From people who get their guidance straight from the mouth of God.
Churches aren’t exempt from hurricane damage. But a damaged building doesn’t put a stop to ministry. Here’s an example:
” ‘Some of the deacons are doing some reconnaissance for us, trying to find out some of the needs’ in the community in order to initiate ministries, said Dwight Woods, pastor of Family of God Baptist Church in Panama City, Fla., despite major damage to both of the 200-member church’s campuses.”
Let’s remember to pray for sister churches in devastated areas:
Lord, your Church is made up of people, not buildings. Strengthen your people as they seek to help others. Meet their needs, enabling them to meet the needs of others.
Proverbs 3:6 (NLT)
Seek his will in all you do, and
he will show you which path to take.
You know, Lord God, how often I head off on my own and go where I want to go. I don’t seek your will. And when my path leads to trouble, I complain. Forgive my whining. Thank you, Father, for keeping an eye on me wherever I go.
Psalm 119:105 (NIV)
Your word is . . . a light on my path.
God’s Word–my flashing yellow caution light, my big red stoplight and my green arrow.
Do you ever wonder if God’s turned his back on you?
Maybe you’re the one who turned.
God does have your best interests at heart. When you wander to far afield, he might take drastic action to get your attention. Maybe he’s turning you around and heading you in the right direction.
On September 28, a massive earthquake rumbled across the Central Sulawesi province of Indonesia, followed by a tsunami with 20-foot waves. More than 1400 people died. This report comes from Bevita Meidityawati, World Vision’s response team leader:
“Now more than 90 percent [of] buildings are damaged or destroyed . . . Many are huddled together under large group tents. People need emergency shelter, food, clean water, and medicines. The children are terrified.”
Lord, comfort these frightened children. Grant them safe shelter, restful sleep, adequate food and compassionate care. Provide the necessary resources for local churches and international responders to meet these basic needs.
“The cynic puts all human actions into two classes –
openly bad and secretly bad.”
Henry Ward Beecher (1813-1887)
What did you expect?
