September 21, 2013 … A Problem Or A Calling?

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2013 - Day 264

Devotional Song: Go to this link -  If you were with me yesterday, you’ll notice that this powerful song, sung by Avalon, Everything To Me, is the same one I was led to in my devotional blog, reminding us that, no matter what circumstances or challenges we have in life, God must be ALL … EVERYTHING to us. And then, also yesterday, I asked those following my blog to go to this link and take in this God Tube video piece asking us if God is truly EVERYTHING in our lives.

Highlight meditation passage – 1st Samuel 9: 20 [with verses 18-20] [NLT]: …  
18 Just then Saul approached Samuel at the gateway and asked, “Can you please tell me where the seer’s house is?” 19 “I am the seer!” Samuel replied. “Go up to the place of worship ahead of me. We will eat there together, and in the morning I’ll tell you what you want to know and send you on your way. 20 And don’t worry about those donkeys that were lost three days ago, for they have been found. And I am here to tell you that you and your family are the focus of all Israel’s hopes.”  
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 Highlight reading study of 1st Samuel, Chapters 9`: Go to this link … 

Reference Passage #1: Proverbs 3: 5-6 [God moves; we follow = wisdom!] … [NLT] …
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. 6 Seek His will in all you do, and He will direct your paths.

  Reference Passage #2: Romans 8: 28 [Yes, even the mundane problems we’re going through are ALWAYS for our good as Christians.] … [NLT] …
28 And we know that God causes everything to work together[a] for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

Reference Passage #3: Matthew 6: 33 [in context with verses 31-33 [If we’re seeking God’s way, He’ll show us the right way; and many times we find the right way in dealing with the problems of life.] … [NLT] …  
31 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need. …"

Reference Passage #4: Psalm 119: 105 [God’s word is the best place to go to seek God’s will and His ways in the midst of the confusions of life.] … [NLT] …
105 Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. 

My Journal for Today: Have you ever noticed how the problems or the challenges of life can divert our attention away from what should be our primary focus – and that, as a Christian, is, of course, our relationship with Christ. We, as faulty, pride-oriented humans, are so very vulnerable to the desires of our deceit-ridden flesh (see an old reminder in Jeremiah 17: 9, which you would have internalized long ago if you’ve been following my blogs).

In following my Os Hillman devotional today, he directed his readers (yes, moi) back to the very pertinent story of when Saul, serving his father’s wishes and seeking after a few donkeys, was led by this search to the Prophet Samuel, who God was also being led by God to meet Saul to anoint him as the first king of God’s peoples. And in their meeting, [see the story in the highlight passage, linked above] Samuel, prophetically tells Saul to quit worrying about the donkeys and focus on his future with God. And that had to have impressed Saul, seeing that Samuel knew about the donkey search without Saul having said anything to Samuel about this mundane problem in Saul’s life.

Sometimes, when we’re immersed in the midst of some mundane issue, we have trouble seeing that what we’re going through, no matter how problematic, is for our good and can be a calling from God to bigger, God-honoring, issues in life (see the reminder of Romans 8: 28 above). Yes, as Christ Himself reminded His followers in Matthew 6: 33 (and that’s you and me as Christians), we’re not to get wrapped up in the mundane, selfish issues involving God’s providence. Because if we truly believe Romans 8: 28 and Matthew 6: 33, we’ll not worry about issues involving lost donkeys; and we’ll – in faith – focus on trusting God [see Prov. 3: 5-6] to use the problems in life to show us more of His will and His way.

And how do we focus on God’s will instead of getting wrapped up in selfish desires? Well, I’ve discovered that – at least for this humble Christian - it’s important for me to stay focused on His word, so that my seeking God first and His righteous ways through His word will lead me to stay on His path in life rather than getting blinded or diverted by my own selfish heart (again, Jer. 17:9).

 Hence, tomorrow – God willing - you’ll find me here, seeking God’s will and His ways again … by digging deeply into His word (see Psalm 119: 105 referenced above). …

How about you?

My Prayer for Today … Lord, thank You for showing my Your path by being in Your word … Amen

Blogger Note: Everyday during this year, my daily devotional blogs are influenced by the reading and study of the online blog entitled Today God Is First [TGIF], authored by Os Hillman. If you GO TO THIS LINK  on the date of my blog, you’ll find a link to read Hillman’s TGIF blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.