perfect love Archives - Page 2 of 2 - Daily Thoughts about God

“So, brothers and sisters, because of God’s mercies, I encourage you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice that is holy and pleasing to God. This is your appropriate priestly service. Don’t be conformed to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds so that you can figure out what God’s will is — what is good and pleasing and mature.” Romans 12:1-2 (CEV)

“Yes.”

The answer was not someone yelling or even speaking loudly. In fact, it was not even audible. But it was clear and my answer in response was “Yes.”

I was in my last year of university. Like most forth year students, I was asking, “Now what?” I had my list: grad school, seminary, teacher, student ministry, naturalist…. I prayed and went through a list of pros and cons, considering the options as they related to my passions, desires, and giftedness. I attempted to hold all the options with an open hand: “God I trust You. I know You love me and have the best plan for my life.”

The discernment process involved talking to friends, reading the Bible, seeking wisdom from others, and asking God for direction. After a few months, I was alone in a prayer room:

“God it seems You want me to be in ministry; is that what You want?”

The answer came clear and simple, with deep conviction:

“Yes.”

But more than a call to a specific ministry assignment, God’s call was an invitation to surrender to His love and plan, and to have a deep, intimate, moment-by-moment relationship with Him.

This close relational connection is the secret to direction. Our surrender will be the soil from which God directs. His direction becomes clear as we gain a deep wisdom and understanding of who He created us to be.

Since God’s call is primarily to have a relationship with Him characterized by daily surrender, what we do vocationally or ministry-related is an expression and over flow of God in us.

Father, I surrender. I rest in Your perfect love, wisdom, and plan for my life. I present myself as a living sacrifice. I hold this day and all I desire before You with an open hand. I trust you. Amen

By Mike Woodard
Used by permission

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“He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? “ Romans 8:32

Have you ever felt like you are getting the short end of the stick?

God is holding out on me.

I don’t think many of us would say it this way, but I think that this is the attitude of our heart sometimes.

Imagine a small boy who receives dinner from his mother and lets out an exasperated cry. His mother immediately turns around and asks her son to explain the source of his frustration. The boy sincerely explains that his disappointment is with the broccoli on his plate, not with her.

What mother would return to her dinner with relief that she is not source of her son’s aggravation? Very few. Why? Because she knows that although the broccoli may be the point of contention, ultimately the dissatisfaction of her son is aimed at her.

Think about the boss that may have overlooked you for promotion, or the boyfriend/girlfriend that may have dumped you. If you maintained your indignation, you may slowly start to believe that God is holding out on you. Have you experienced this?

We see in today’s verse that although our circumstances may at times veil the generosity of God, the truth is that He gave us that which is of greatest value to Him: His Son! We rest assured that God is not holding out on us; in fact, he is generous and good!

Today, let us fight our thoughts of entitlement and discontent and enjoy God’s generosity.

Father, I thank You that in Your perfect love, you give and take exactly what I need for joy, growth and holiness. Please help me to walk by faith, not by sight; faith that you are not holding out on me but are exceedingly generous in every way. Help me to trust You in the face of paralyzing disappointment and discontent. Amen.

By Thomas Pujol