This past Sunday following the service, I was talking with Gordy and Chris Lawhead, who have been members of Grace Chapel for many years. We were discussing the Project: Drought Busters presentation and Chris shared some things God had been showing her in the previous week. I thought they were so helpful that I asked her if I could post them on my blog for all of you to be blessed, too. Here it is.
Be blessed and encouraged,
Pastor Richard.
Opportunities in Times of Struggle
I recently had a really amazing time with the Lord where I felt like he wanted to show me something to encourage me and anyone else who maybe going through some difficulties in regard to the times we are currently facing.
I believe that God wants me (us) to see this as an opportunity to grow closer to him. As the struggles we face are ever increasing, the Lord is allowing us to choose how we will handle them. I am choosing to see them as an opportunity.
As our needs are magnified, we are pressed, pressured, concerned, and often fearful. I want to see this as an opportunity to yield unto God and truly know from whence our help comes.
I am grateful to God for changing my perspective and for allowing me to share some thoughts that came to me as I had time to spend in worship and prayer. I'm certain that God has opportunities available for all of us.
These are a few that I wrote down in my time with him:
Let this be an opportunity to grow closer to the Lord and his church as he allows us to love one another more deeply.
An opportunity to demonstrate peace to those around us who are witnessing our challenges and see that we put our hope in God, who is always faithful.
An opportunity to flee from distractions and focus on God, to shed the weight of the world and its entrapments, and be free to serve God with less, yet more.
An opportunity to realize the preciousness of the ones we love and value them more.
An opportunity to give to others who are struggling with finances, blessing them as best we can, letting them know that they are not alone.
An opportunity to prepare to be watchful and sensitive to the Holy Spirit and the work he's doing across the world.
An opportunity to:
- Pray and worship more
- Reconnect with God
- Develop skills that are new and challenging
- Utilize talents and gifts that glorify God
- Reconcile relationships, forgiving and restoring
- To spend time in the Bible and dwell in his presence
- To experience and cultivate hospitality, even if it's not our thing
I hope that you are seeing that the opportunities are endless and each of us has a response that is able to enhance our relationship with God and each other.
A Prayer That I Wrote Out At The Time
Lord Jesus, help us to embrace these times that we are in. Thank you, Lord, for all the opportunities. Let us see you victorious in all the battles we face.
Let us see you defeat our enemies.
Let us see you as the provider for our families.
Let us see you truly as our God and Father.
Help us, God, not to struggle against your will.
Help us to be submitted to your plans for our lives.
Help us to trust you more.
Help us to pray more with faith.
Lord, give us wisdom, discernment, favor, peace, and joy.
In Jesus,
Chris Lawhead
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