opportunity and privilege

Friday, July 18, 2014 (8:07 a.m.)

Incredible God and Father,

Thank You for Your grace. Thank You for Your love. Thank You for the opportunity and privilege of speaking freely about each.

We get to read Your Word openly. We are able to discuss with one another our findings. Much is written about what we find to be Truth. And it is all fairly easy for us to access.

Thank You Father. Thank You for giving us the example of the Bereans (Acts 17:11) to follow. Not only are we to listen to the teachings of others, “The people in Berea... studied the Scriptures every day to make sure that what they heard was really true.”

We are often confronted with problems. Thank You that we have the opportunity and privilege of bringing them all right straight to You.

Yesterday the phrase “God won't give us more than we can handle” was brought up. In searching Your Word for the Truth on this, 1 Corinthians 10:13 was most often cited. But it has to do with temptation and being tempted.

Digging deeper I came across 2 Corinthians 1:8-10 where Paul speaks of suffering trials and experiencing Your comfort in the midst. He was willing to openly share his experiences of learning not to rely on himself or Timothy but on You (v. 9) to deliver them from every mortal danger (10).

This is exactly what I'm talking about! We hear things in passing. We are even taught things from the pulpits in church. But You call us to take every opportunity and privilege that we have to discern what Your Word tells us is Your Truth.

Thank You Father. Thank You for all the opportunities and privileges You provide to openly share Your love, mercy and grace with others. Teach us to do it well. Freely. Truly.

I love You so very much. And I “really, really, really want” (Pastor Jay Koopman, Sunday 7/13/14, Praise Chapel AZUSA) to live the life You have so generously and graciously provided me. Work in me. Do with and for me all that You must to make it so. I love You. I thank You. I want You. Amen.

(365 words ~ 9:14 a.m.)