2 Timothy: 20-21

2 Timothy: 20-21: In a well-furnished kitchen there are not only crystal goblets and silver platters, but waste cans and compost buckets - some containers used to serve fine meals, others to take out the garbage. Become the kind of container God can use to present any and every kind of gift to his guests for their blessing. (The Message)


Last October, while attending my church's Women's Retreat, I picked out from a tub of rolled up Scriptures 2 Timothy. It was an actual torn page out of a Bible so it was front and back which covered chapters 1-3. I knew instantly why I had chosen this one; why God designed for me only to read this Book. What I love about it is every time I re-read it, a different verse jumps out at me. Whatever I am going through, there are words in these few chapters that always seem to be exactly what I need to hear. And this morning was no exception.

I pulled out my Message Bible to compare the verses and somehow I just understood verses 20 and 21 better in The Message version. It's simple and to the point which totally describes me in a nut shell!

A lot of people struggle with knowing what God has called them to do. Is it a ministry? Do I lead a Bible Study in my church? Do I volunteer with a local ministry? Sometimes the thinking overwhelms us and then we just end up doing nothing because we don't want to get ahead of God. Excuses, excuses! I think this Scripture explains plainly what we ALL are supposed to be doing. And that is being a blessing to others. However that comes about, in our everyday lives, at work, with our family and friends, we are to be a blessing to others.

The more I read this, the more I kept asking, "How do I become the kind of container God can use?" First, I have to open my mind. I have to get out of my own way and realize that maybe this time, I don't need to be refined and proper to reach someone. Maybe the way to be a blessing to someone is get down and dirty. Maybe I have to go into the dark alleys where the trash is kept. Maybe I have to get out of my comfort zone and go where I usually don't. God is looking for containers He can use to present gifts to hurting people. But I bet most people expect it to come in a special golden box and not a cardboard box. It reminds me of the movie Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. They finally find the Knight who guards the cup that Jesus drank out of at the Last Supper. All these beautiful and ornate goblets were displayed yet it was the small wooden cup that was the winner. God doesn't need the bright and fancy things of this world to bring people to Him. He Himself is bright and fancy...all that other stuff just gets in the way of His awesome Glory!

2 Timothy 3:17 I think goes great with the above referenced Scripture. It's a great ending to this message. I believe it gives us the perfect equation to accomplish becoming the container God wants us to become. "Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us." How do you know what God has for you to do? You get in His Word. He will put together and shape you. We are called to reach those who are hurting and lost. They may be in the dirty streets where light no longer shines. You may not speak as a refined and educated pastor but if you go and present yourself as something God has put together, it won't matter what you sound or look like, your container will be a blessing!

Who is God asking you to bless this week?

Luke 1:28-33

Good morning!

I feel led to focus on the miracle that is Christmas this month so thus begins the journey of our Savior's birth!

Luke 1:28-33: The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you." Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end."


I can honestly tell you that when I heard from God Almighty...a prophetic word regarding the birth of my son, I was floored, shaken and was rendered stoic after those words were spoken to me. And all I heard was, "You will give birth to a son and his name will be Elijah and he will be an important man of God." But can you imagine not only hearing, but seeing a glorious, magnificent, humongous angel speaking these words to you?! "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you!" I am sure it was absolutely necessary that he said those words before he dropped the big news on her! "You will be with child and give birth to a son who will be called the Son of the Most High and His kingdom will never end!"

God's greatest miracle began with a young girl with a mighty destiny, unbeknownst to her. She received the message and praised God for it. Even though she was scared, knowing the ramifications of being pregnant without being married, while already engaged to another man! The disgrace. No one would believe her. The plans she had for her life had taken a drastic turn. She knew nothing would ever be the same again. Have you ever felt like Mary? I know I have! Today, God is speaking and wants everyone to know that His miracles begin in the most unlikely places and change lives forever.

Tomorrow, we will learn how Mary responded to this news...the news that would change her world and every other person's world...from generation to generation. His Kingdom will never end!

John 5:16-17

Good afternoon!

John 5:16-17: Therefore, the Jews began persecuting Jesus because He was doing these things on the Sabbath. But Jesus responded to them, "My Father is still working, and I am working also."


When Pastor Leszek Mocha from Poland read this verse this morning at church, it hit me between the eyes. "God is busy", he declared. "God's not sitting on the Throne, drinking His royal coffee! He is busy...working!" He is building His Kingdom, He is revealing wonders, He is healing the sick, He is setting captives free, He is touching hearts all over the world at the same time, He is creating lives and ending them, He is performing miracles, He is making all things new. He is always at work. He is always busy. And He needs workers to work with Him.

Am I working? Am I taking the time to focus on the Heavenly things or am I too wrapped up in this world? I believe God has so much for us all to do but we don't have a very good work ethic. We are selfish and lazy. Stubborn and unmotivated. Content and distracted.

I listened to Pastor Mocha's normal life where he lives off of $500 a month and his people have very little. But they are working, they are giving, and they are making a difference. We are a very blessed people but we get so used to accepting the news of this world that we are receding and we never look up and receive God's news...that we are blessed and that we will prosper. With just the slightest bit of effort, we could make such an impact. Every prayer you pray, every dime you give, every meal you make, every hour of your time you volunteer to help some else know the love of Jesus Christ will only build your harvest that much more.

God's word was spoken today...stop looking down where you can only see the tips of your shoes. Start looking up to all the blessings that are flowing out of Heaven to those who are busy working. I love it!

God is oh...so...good.