(CS4U) Perfect

RISE AND SHINE CHRISTIAN SERVICES April 14 & 15, 2011 Discover yourself to reclaim your destiny Meditations for your quiet moments In Search of Perfect Conditions Think about this the next time you insist on perfect conditions before you'll get started on God's plan – Gideon, a mighty warrior and judge in the Old Testament, was the least member of the weakest clan in the tribe of Manasseh. His job was the tedious threshing of wheat, a process where the cereal grain is knocked loose from the chaff. Perhaps he hoped to do great things for God when the conditions were right, but, for now, Gideon saw himself as just a guy cranking wheat through a creaky old winepress. But that didn't matter to God. God saw Gideon as a mighty warrior and judge. He told Gideon: "Go with all your great strength and rescue Israel from the Midianites. I myself am sending you." Judges 6:14 Gideon was still stuck in tunnel vision, believing what he thought and what he saw defined the truth. To paraphrase the ancient Hebrew, Gideon told God, "I just don't have what it takes, Lord. I know you're perfect, but I think you made a mistake." Judges 6:15. God told Gideon, "Get your head out of the wheat dust and pay attention to me. I will be with you and so, yes, you will strike down all the Midianites as if they are no more than one man." Judges 6:16. The strength of the Sender is more important than the strength, or perceived weakness, of the one being sent. It doesn't matter what Gideon says about himself or what others say about Gideon. Only one opinion counts: God's. What God says about Gideon is the truth. What God says about you is the truth. You are his precious child, created in his image; a sweet aroma that is pleasing to the Lord. Trust in God's strength and do what he tells you to do. A Better Tomorrow The Chinese have an interesting symbol for the word 'crisis'; it indicates both danger and opportunity. When the stakes are high and the outcome in doubt, purpose can emerge from pain like beauty from ashes. But real healing can't begin until you face the facts and express your pain. That means doing what David did: taking it to God. 'How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart?' Psalm 13:2. Facing the truth is the first step towards becoming whole. Those who grow through a crisis learn which hopes, dreams and expectations were violated by the event. They identify where the repair work is needed, then they develop a road map for the future. At first you will feel as if 'nothing will ever be the same again'. That's normal. You may have to make adjustments in how you work, where you spend your leisure time, and how you relate to your family and friends. It's the nature of a crisis to destabilise your world. But it also forces you to reach deep within yourself and find hidden strength you didn't know existed. You may not feel courageous or hopeful right now, but that doesn't mean those things aren't there waiting to be tapped. Even though you don't feel strong today, you can draw strength from the One who is. 'The Lord is my Rock, my Fortress, and my Deliverer; my God in Whom I will trust' Psalm 18:2. Face it. Find God in it. Follow Him, and He will give you a better tomorrow. Share this with a friend Send us your Prayer Requests Feel free to unsubscribe risetoshine@hotmail.co.uk